I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my goal of racing in 5o states. The combination of a few hours awake with Shoo the other night and two fairly long runs recently has given me plenty of time to think. I’ve followed that up with a fair amount of research late at night (when I really should be sleeping or at least getting our Christmas cards ready to mail.) One realization that I’ve come to is that this is not a short term project. It is unlikely, given financial and time constraints, that I will be able to manage more than 5 states a year. I may be able to cluster some of the smaller states into one trip, but the big western states will be a one at a time deal. I turn 50 in 11.5 years, so my goal is to finish this by then. Wonder if any of you guys will still be reading at that point LOL.
I got a lot of good suggestions to my request for races. So, here’s what I’m thinking at this point for races in 2009.
1. Delaware – Caesar Rodney Half Marathon, March 15. I haven’t signed up yet, but plan to as soon as I figure out the hotel.
2. Florida – There are 5Ks in Key West the two weekends we might be there. I’m not positive we are going yet, but if we do, I’ll run one and call it my Florida race, with hopes that sometime in the next 10 years I can get a longer race in that state.
3. Wisconsin – At some point this summer I’ll be visiting my parents. Hopefully I can find a race that works with my schedule. The one I’d really love to run is the Lighthouse 10 mile run, but I’m not sure I can swing that weekend this year.
4. Maine – Beer Geek wants to vacation in Maine this year. Conveniently, the Beach to Beacon 10K is about the time we want to go. Registration opens mid-March, so this one will totally depend on whether or not I get in. (Helen, if not, I’m definitely checking out the one you mentioned in Connecticut. I think they are the same weekend.) If I can swing it, I’ll also try to hit Vermont or New Hampshire while we are up there.
5. Minnesota – My cousin’s wedding is the same weekend as the Run for the Apples 5 mile that Heather suggested. It sounds like a really fun run, so I’ll sign up for that after I talk to my aunt at Christmas. I can’t imagine it’s a morning wedding, but I’d better make sure. ;o)
So, that’s it for 2009. At some point, I’ll probably do the Philadelphia Distance run that Abby mentioned. Thanks to Lisa for the California suggestions. I will likely run a San Diego race at some point as my brother lives there. And to the other Lisa, New Mexico will have to wait a while. When we go there, I want to hike the Sandia mountains and also go to the Carlsbad Caverns. I lived in Albuquerque for 3 years, so I want to be able to show the boys the things I thought were cool. I have to wait until Shoo is a bit older because right now he’s too big for me to hike up a mountain with him on my back and too small to do it himself.
Thanks to everyone else for the race calendar suggestions. I’ve got a huge folder of bookmarks of races and calendars now. Keep the suggestions coming!
On a slightly different note, I had an AWESOME run tonight. The weather here was amazing today and Beer Geek was willing to give up his workout for me, so I ran 6.68 miles at a 9:15 pace. It was one of those runs where I felt like I was running, not plodding. It was weird running at dusk (I never run after dark here), but I was able to run my old commuting route, so there were quite a few people around and halfway decent lighting. I couldn’t see Garmin for the last 2+ miles, but I ran what felt good and running fast (for me) felt good.
28.4 miles left to go. And no, Viper, I can’t quit now. I’m knocking out miles as fast as I can as the last 20 or so may be all treadmill (I’m a cold weather wuss and the projected high while we are in WI is 15 degrees, not factoring in wind chill. Brr!)
i love those runs when you feel strong and everything clicks. You’re getting so close to 1000 miles! You’re doing awesome!
What a great project! Good luck knocking them all out.
What’s great about your goal is that it *is* a long term project. Which means you’ll be running for a long time. 🙂
Sounds like a great run. I will look foward to meeting you at the Apple Run in October!
I *love* your goal! Absolutely fabulous. You really should think about writing a book about your experience, even if you aren't "a writer" (get someone to do the hard work for you if you don't wanna, not that running 50 states isn't "the hard work" haha). Seriously. Take great notes over the years & start talking to book publishers a few years before you finish (I think it can take 2-3 years for a book to get published). Look at all of us 30-40 somethings who are running now and will be running when we turn 50ish. We'll need to read your inspiring stories!Did anyone suggest an Indiana race? Indianapolis's Half Marathon is the largest in the U.S (35,000 people register, and it sells out right after Thanksgiving usually). And it's a great course. You get to run around the Indy 500 track, which is awesome. It's the first Saturday in May. You've gotta run this one!
What a fun travel/race schedule, especially Key West!
I love your goal! I think this is a great long term project.
Georgia – Atlanta Half-Marathon!!!
I love, love, love KEY WEST. I never thought about going there for a “destination race.”I didn’t realize we are the same age—I also have 11.5 years until 50 now that I think about it. (Sept. 13 b-day) That is a great goal–not as overwhelming as a marathon in all 50 states, but still an enormous accomplishment and doable.
I’m slowly gaining on you. I have renewed motivation. You’d better watch out. Don’t for the Akron Marathon. You can virtually run me into the ground and then I can virtually drink you under the table. Good luck with your goal.