50 States by 50

My crazy mission to run at least a 10k in all 50 states by the time I turn 50 on March 4, 2030.

[50statesby50]

10. Nevada

Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon/10k, Las Vegas, NV    Nov. 10, 2018

1:12:40

This was awesome!  I have never been to Vegas and to be honest I probably wouldn’t go back.  It’s not really my scene.  BUT the food was incredible and like all RnR series events I’ve been to, this was organized and lots of fun.  Running down the Vegas Strip at night is just incredible.  They only shut the road down twice a year for private events and this is one of them (the other is NYE).  The race was on a Sunday night and afterwards it felt like the runners just took over the bars and casinos.  Most didn’t bother showering, choosing to enjoy a post-race beer with their medals and bibs still on.  

Old Downtown Las Vegas

Racking up the medals with a Remix and 10k finish

5k Finish

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9. Georgia

Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta, GA     July 4, 2018 

1:16:31

If Connecticut was my worst, this was one of my best.  I ran through the streets and past the hospital I had my son in with 60,000 other runners.  It was hot, it was humid, but the spectators made it all worth it.  You don’t get a medal for this one, they only give you the coveted finisher’s shirt, which is not revealed until the morning of the race.  There is a big contest for its design every year.  And this was actually even televised on NBC Sports, it was that big a deal.

Ready to go with 60,000 other racers

The 2018 finisher’s shirt

Fun with Nick at the expo

“Cardiac Hill” was the toughest part of the course about 3 miles in.  We actually used to live near the billboard in the background.  The sea of people was just amazing.

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Connecticut

Mystic Half Marathon/10k     May 18, 2018

This one was by far my worst.  Let’s just say it began with my alarm not going off, the Uber driver barely getting me to the starting line and then running alone as I caught up to the field.  And it all went downhill from there...literally.  I aimed to finish the half marathon distance, but I only made it as far as the 10k.  It. Was. Just. Bad.  

Mystic Pizza pre-race

During the race when we finally caught up with the other runners.  I should mention how much I love Mel here.

Me and Nick at the finish line with Maryellen

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New Jersey

Bakers Dozen Relay - Montclair, NJ, March 25, 2018

So this was a little different because Maryellen and I ran this race as a relay.  The plan was for me to do the first 6.7 miles, then she picks up from there for the last 6.4 miles to the finish.  The good news was we wound up with a total time of 2:25:26, beating both our best times in San Antonio for a half marathon on our own.  But there were some downsides.

For starters, it was freezing.  Like really really really really cold, 30 degrees freezing.  We wound up sitting in the car with the heated seats while we were waiting for the race to start...freezing.  So I would say my main critique of this race was the lack of communication.  Nobody knew where the shuttle was taking the runners who were racing the second leg, nobody even was clear on where the starting line was.  And then the whole shuttle system just went to hell in a handbasket.  The driver slept late, so Maryellen had to wait with the group in the cold to get the bus to the meeting point and they were supposed to be allowed to wait on the bus where it was warmer, but then the driver left so that idea went out the window.  

As far as the race went, there was a hill.  A massive, massive, hill.  Claremont road, if you care to look it up and you will see that this thing is huge and it hit around mile 5.  Even the pacers slowed down to a walk on this animal.  So even though poor Maryellen was freezing at the meeting point, she had a mostly downhill run for the rest of the race...so there was that.  And it may sound like I’m complaining a lot here but this made up for it...

A Golden Donut at the finish line!!!!

So that takes care of NJ....next stop, CT!

[50statesby50]

Retiring the Brooks Transcend 3 to make way for my new 5s and train for CT half in May.

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New Jersey

Less than five days until I cross the Garden State off my list and I've been hit with a massive cold. On top of that the race officials were nice enough to catch that my relay partner wasn't actually registered. Hopefully this isn't an indication how the race will go!

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2018 Race Calendar

Getting ready to check off some more states in 2018!  Here’s how its looking so far if you want to join me:

March 25 - Montclair, NJ: Bakers Dozen Half Marathon (as a relay w/ Maryellen)

May 20 - Mystic, CT: Mystic Half Marathon

July 4 - Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Road Race 10k

Sept. 22 - Bladensburg, MD: Rectify Race 10k

Nov. 11 - Possible race: Rock n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon 

[50statesby50]

6. Texas

Rock n’ Roll San Antonio 5k, Dec. 1, 2017 - 36:49

Rock n’ Roll San Antonio Half Marathon, Dec. 2, 2017 - 2:54:23

The dynamic duo was back at it again in Texas!  Maryellen decided to join me for my next half marathon as well as a few of the states on this road.  So she, Jorge, and her husband Rob were all with me in San Antonio.  This was my first Rock n’ Roll series race and it was really great.  Super organized, good routes, and beers at the finish line.  All in all, we had a great time.  

The 5k was the day before the half marathon, and began at an old railway station.  You went through downtown San Antonio and ended right in front of the Alamo.  Very cool.  The cobblestone streets at the end were a bit of a challenge to run over, but it was a fairly flat and uneventful race.  Then it was time for the big show.  Thousand upon thousand lined up for the half marathon in the morning.  Maryellen was a little nervous since this was her first half, but with so many people participating of all ages, it was hard to feel intimidated.  It took about 45 minutes just for my corral to finally make it to the starting line (I believe the full field was over 20k participants).  About three miles into the route, it started to drizzle.  And then it was just an all out downpour.  You had to slow down your pace to avoid slipping and falling, and boy did I see some people take a few nasty spills.  The rain was too hard to last incredibly long but now you had the added challenge of wet feet to contend with.  One of the most memorable parts of this race (or any for that matter) was going through one of the city’s parks.  I’d say about a quarter of a mile directly through the park was sponsored by the local veterans association.  It was lined with photos of fallen soldiers, their names and ages beneath the pictures.  Then, at the end of the span, vets and their families lined both sides of the route and held American flags over our heads.  It was incredibly inspiring and let me tell you ...you were running your ass off through that display.  

San Antonio was a great city and this was my fastest half marathon to date.  But there were a few rough spots to this race.  Remember those wet feet I told you about?  Yeah, I wound up with some nasty blisters by the end of the 13.1.  And like I said, the field had all kinds of runners, which is encouraging, but they didn’t really follow typical race etiquette.  Walkers were all over the route, so you spent a lot of time weaving in between slower runners to keep your pace, which wastes a ton of energy on these longer runs.  And then of course, there’s the issue of my time.  Now, my official time is listed above, but let it be known that according to my own watch, which kept a bit more accurate pace, I finished at 2:44:50.  Just saying.

[50statesby50]

5. Rhode Island

Ocean Road 10k, Narragansett, RI - Oct. 1, 2017 (1:13:52)

Next stop, Rhode Island!  We headed to Newport for the weekend, staying on Goat Island which did actually have goats...on the island.  In case you were wondering.  This was billed as one of the most scenic runs on the east coast and it did not disappoint.  

We were bused from a point on the beach at Narragansett up to the tip of the island, where there was a lighthouse and breathtaking views.  From there, we ran back down the island along the coast and it was gorgeous (hence why this post is mostly pics...I’ll let those do the talking).  It wasn’t my best time, but mostly downhill, fairly easy run.  

[50statesby50]

4. Massachusetts

Harvard Pilgrim Finish at the Fifty - Foxborough, MA 1:11:21

I got a new job working weekends, which now made the 50 by 50 challenge just a teeny bit more complicated...I’d have to find races on holidays.  So after a search of states in driving distance, I found the Finish at the 50 being run on the Fourth of July.  I’ve never been to Foxborough and thought the boys would love to see the stadium.  I can actually say we had way more fun than I thought we would.  The whole event is great with a lot of activities for the kids (Nick did the Fun Run again) including balloon animals, dancing, firetrucks and face painting.  

The route went through the neighborhoods of the town, which wasn’t extremely scenic.  But what was amazing was the participation from the community in this one.  It was hot (it was July) so folks were handing out water on their front lawns, sprinkling us with cold water and cheering the entire route.  It was really great.  And then you ran back to Gillette Stadium, through the tunnels and out onto the 50 yard line.  Very cool, I loved it!  I’d definitely recommend this one for other runners out there.

Afterwards, we headed back to our hotel, which was directly across from the stadium and watch some amazing fireworks.  I awarded myself with a Five Guys burger for getting a PB on this one!

[50statesby50]

3. Florida

Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon (Orlando, FL - 3:15:57, April 22, 2017)

So this was my first half marathon and where the 50 States by 50 idea was born.  I decided to run a half marathon to get back into shape after having my second baby.  It was something I was nervous about doing, but figured this was the motivation I needed and I had heard great things about the Run Disney events.  So I signed up for the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon when I was still pregnant in August of 2016.  The race was April 23, 2017, giving me about six months after I had the baby and got the all clear from the doctor to train.  

 I was actually supposed to run the 5k on Friday as a warm up and the half marathon on Sunday...but it didn’t work out that way.  We were on the Disney bus, heading home from the parks the night before the 5k, my older son Nicholas with his head on my lap, asleep.  Suddenly, he’s vomiting...all over me.  On the bus.  The packed bus.  My husband, ever the jolly fellow, was in the wheel well area by the back door, singing along to Disney showtunes with the rest of the bus as I frantically yelled for help.  We got the poor kid off the bus, back to the hotel, and as I was getting him settled I felt it...and ran to the bathroom where I spent the next several hours with a stomach flu.  Needless to say, I wasn’t able to make the race the next morning.  My poor husband, Jorge, spent the night running out for crackers, clean sheets, and ginger ale for me and Nick.  And he’s sworn off Disney for the next several years after that incident scarred him.  Nick did do his Fun Run the following day...and wasn’t too happy about it even though we said he didn’t have to.  He really wanted the medal!

So now it was time to get focused, rehydrated, and ready for the half marathon.   I trained six months for this, there was no way a stomach bug was keeping me from running.  I woke up the morning of the race ready to go.  The race officials were warning us before we started that it was going to be extremely humid, and today was not a day for our personal best.  Luckily, with no other half marathons in the book, I was getting my personal best no matter what!  But they were NOT kidding about the humidity.  It slowed you down immensely, and I sweat more than I ever have in my life.  The route went through the backroads and unseen parts of the parks, including Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot, which was very cool.  The only thing I would complain about, aside from the insane heat, was that a lot of the course was on the highways, so not the most scenic when you were going in between parks.  I did NOT finish with a great time (3:15:57) but I was insanely proud of myself for finishing.  

That night we went to @disneyspringshq for dinner and to pick up some last minute souvenirs.  I was sitting next to this guy on the bus heading back to the hotel, and he was telling me that they came in the night before for the race.  They were from Ohio, his wife was running her 10th half marathon or something insane like that.  He said she wanted to run a different one in each state...and that’s where the 50 by 50 idea was born.  Well, really stolen more than born, but same difference.  And so the quest began...

[50statesby50]

2. New York

Central Park Spring Fling 10k, March 25, 2017 - 1:15:35

Haunted Island 10k, Oct. 25, 2014 - 1:12:11

My home state, I’ve run many races here that qualify for this journey.  My second 10k was the Halloween run when I was behind (not kidding) a guy dressed like a giant cookie and his girlfriend dressed as a carton of milk.  I did NOT dress up my first time doing the Haunted Island 10k in 2014, but did don a Minnie Mouse skirt and mouse ears for my second pass through in 2015.  

The other 10k route I’ve run in NYC was through Central Park in 2017 while training for my first half marathon.  I did the Central Park Spring 10k and let me tell you, 6.2 miles through the park is no joke.  Lots of hills, pretty fast, a tough course for sure.  But afterward, I jumped in my trusty Mini Cooper and got to head to New Jersey to meet my niece for the first time.  So definitely another memorable race!

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I registered for Georgia today, and already the Peachtree Road Race is proving to be difficult.  The autofill for my account wasn’t including my birthday, so I couldn’t confirm to the computer that no, in fact I am not a 13 year-old and yes, I am old as f** and perfectly qualified to register.  It took a chat on Facebook with the Atlanta Track Club and some very helpful folks there to reset my account so I can register...but I’m in!  George, here we come!

[50statesby50]

1. Pennsylvania

Ouch! 10k, Philadelphia, PA - Aug. 24, 2014 (1:07:12)

Run for the Diamonds 9 Mile, Berwick, PA - Nov. 27, 2014 (1:50:10)

This crazy journey began with a wedding...and not my own.  I was asked to be the maid of honor in my best friend’s wedding in October 2014.  She texted me one day with an idea: let’s train for a 10k to get in shape for the wedding.  Of course, my immediate response was “hell no”.  But like many things in our friendship, she won me over.  So we signed up for the “Ouchie 10k” in August of 2014 in Philadelphia.  To this day, I could not tell you what charity that race was for, but it was a 10k and in between where we each live (I’m in NY, she’s in VA) so Philly it was.  The race actually went fine and we were in it together up until that last half mile or so when we came to this massive hill...and I mean MASSIVE.  Maryellen wanted to sprint up to the top and I wasn’t so enthusiastic about that idea.  So we made a bargain...if you go up to the top of the hill, we will walk a bit before the finish line.  Okay, done and done.  So we get to the top of the hill and she changed gears and says “No no no, let’s just keep sprinting” to which I responded “F$%# you, that was not the deal” and we proceeded to scream at each other as we continued the course.  I’m sure it was quite the scene, but we finished...and I signed up for my next 10k shortly afterwards.

Maryellen and I after the Ouchie 10k in Philadelphia in 2014

Celebrating Maryellen’s wedding on Oct. 16, 2014

I ran another 10k on Roosevelt Island in NY for Halloween, then I decided to up the anty, signing up for Berwick, PA’s annual “Run for the Diamonds” that takes place on Thanksgiving morning.  This one was a 15k and would definitely be my longest distance to date.  Everybody kept asking me “how are you with hills?” and I didn’t think much of it because I live on top of a hill...of course I’m fine with them.  And then I found out what they meant...the hard way.  And I maintain, to this day that this was not a hill but a goddamn mountain in the middle of this course.  Around the 3rd mile, I noticed people starting to slow down.  My immediate reaction was “come on, guys, we’re just getting started” and then I began feeling the gradual incline.  And that incline lasted for at least a mile.  The bad news was that this was exhausting.  The good news was that a majority of the rest of the run was downhill.  Lots of people came out to cheer the field on, many set up viewing parties on their front lawns.  And the course was absolutely beautiful.  All in all, it was a great run and I came in at about an hour and 50 minutes...not too shabby for my first race outside the 10k comfort zone.  

The view from the Run for the Diamonds, Thanksgiving morning 2014