Never say never.  You’ll eat those words.  37 months after my first 50 State finish, surprisingly find myself on the cusp again.  Gave Sis all the credit for inspiring my first (one-n-done) marathon in Anchorage, June 2013.  Crazy but true, it was Sis’ 5-0 Birthday Bash on Hawaii’s Big Island which propelled my SECOND ROUND.

Once you tag Hawaii, might as well run all 50.  Right? 🙂

First dozen, Round 2 – more ’bout visiting family & friends; gearing up for that first FINISH in Fort Collins, May 2016.  I truly never imagined travelling all 50 a second time.

Viva Las Vegas, cheap flight inspired.  Hilly out-n-back (with elevation) in Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon.  Never saw a desert tortoise.  But those canyon walls?  Stunning.

Clayton Lake State Park, New Mexico.  Only 5 hours away.  Add’l inspiration?  FREE entry from Mainly Marathons.  Smart guys.  I’d pay FULL RETAIL for 2 more entries during my next 5-0 journey.  Big beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho – destination location.  Santa Rosa?  Spot where I received my 50 State plaque.  Surrounded by peers in a California wine cellar, I said: NEVER again.  LOL>  REVEL Big Cottonwood in Utah.  Learned ALL DOWNHILL is crazy hard on the quads & knees.  A+ for mountain panorama though, WOW’d.

Almost missed my second Nebraska run.  Oregon Trail Run in Hebron.  Time zone flub.  Night before, in NEBRASKA, slept Mountain Time.  Finished Top 10 next day, CENTRAL time zone.  Following week travelled East Coast to Narragansett, Rhode Island.  Once upon a time, it was here or Colorado I would land for Life 2^nd Half.  Ocean waves & mountain peaks.  Both speak to my soul.

My marathon buddy Carolyn chose West Virginia’s ‘We Are Marshall’.  She BQ’d (Boston-Qualified) that day.  Great gal.

Next 2, all about FAMILY.  Orlando Marathon (minutes from Disney) & 3 Bridges in Little Rock, Arkansas (Mom & Bro).  Cancer months.  Learned running during chemo, allowed me CONTROL over something.  Took a break from social media, notta peep at work.  My choice.  Beard went white, then fell out in patches.  Last treatment 3 days before Christmas.  Thin, gaunt.  Not my best look.

2017 STRONG.  Marathon’d New Year’s Day in Spring Hill, Florida.  Two weeks later, an Air Force base in Macon GEORGIA.  No sign of CANCER, January 15th.  Hair return early March.  Far less freakish, once my beard (& EYEBROWS) grew in.  (Laugh, it’s ok.)

Fave of my first Dozen:  Rockin’ K (Kanopolis State Park, KS).  FIRST trail run EVER.  FIVE water crossings.  Arms-UP, waded waist-HIGH, first week of April.  COLD.  Memorable.  Cabin shared with 2 other marathoners.  Still today, my trail run favourite.