34 months ago, ran my first marathon — in Anchorage Alaska.  Hit the wall at mile 21, decided no more marathons.  Done.

2014 goal: Ironman Boulder  — strategy: focus training on swim & bike; marathon once a month.

Ran my 2nd marathon in Tucson in shorts & snow flurries (only an hour-fifteen from Mexico).  Lesson learned: Pack for all kinds of weather.  Baton Rouge, my 3rd marathon, was BEAUTIFUL — one of my favourite runs…came completely unexpected.  Lesson learned: Don’t pre-judge.  Not everything in Louisiana is Duck Dynasty.  Austin — humidity…even in February.  Atlanta — hills.  Lesson learned: check out the online course map in advance.  Salt Lake City — altitude.  Maine Coast — dunes = hills.

After June’s Minneapolis Marathon was cancelled [while queued on the Start Line…yeah, still bitter] registered last minute for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth.  Arrived 11pm night before, 3 hour drive to Duluth, no hotel accommodations, slept in my rental.  Result?  PR & my first sub-4 🙂   Missoula — hiked & camped in Glacier Nat’l Park.  2 bear sightings: grizzly juvenile & an adult black bear.  Bucket-list adventure included a heli-tour past the Canadian border.  Lesson learned: not always ’bout marathoning, enjoy the journey.

Pics of folks running in beanies & snow flurries on Monument Marathon’s (western Nebraska) website.  My experience?  Wilted in 95 degree heat & my first 5 hour+ finish, a PW.  Met 50-stater Dave & Marathon Maniac Stacy, while cooling down outside the med tent. Lesson learned: there’s a whole amazing community of runners attempting to run all 50 States.  Newport (Rhode Island) — cool, ocean-side run. Lesson learned: the journey is SOOOO much better with friends at the Finish Line.  Thanks Dawn & Stephen!

Fave of my first Dozen: Mesa Falls (Idaho), 30 minutes west of the Tetons.  Spent my birthday at Old Faithful, followed that with hikes in Yellowstone & Grand Teton Nat’l Park.  FAAANNNTASTIC!