Deadwood SD

Deadwood Mickelson, Sunday last.

Not only finished a second 50 State trek – also, completed my marathon sesquicentennial.  Finish #150.  Never DREAMED that one-n-done run in Alaska, would spark a 5-year WORLD adventure.

Crazy, unexpected ride.

Remember watching runner Kerri Haskins on the evening news (first New Hampshire woman to run 50 marathons in 50 states).  Met LIVE in Bristol race morn – told her: I can’t imagine running 100 marathons.  Was never her intention either.  Caught the 50 State bug, then years later – her home state, ran #100.

New Hampshire Marathon, October 2015.

We’re now only a handful of finishes apart.  I’ll see Kerri at Bighorn, June 15th.  I caught the bug too 😊

Behind the scenes the entire time, my PS Audio work family (in Boulder).  Been there from the very first push-pin on my USA Wall Map.  Celebrated 2016, my first 50 before 50 – and today, surprised me again.  THREE cakes, one AMAZING card & a stack of Washingtons.  Hundred fifty-one dollar bills.  150 marathon finishes & ONE to grown on.  Loving, supportive & much appreciated – like ALL families.

DREAM on.  Absolutely ANYTHING is possible ❤️

South Dakota finish in sight, only days away – reflecting on how thankful I am.  Mile on mile, my feet have landed all 50 states.  Point Judith lighthouse in Narragansett, earth-erupting lava on Hawaii’s Big Island.  Lincoln Memorial in DC, Lincoln Monument in Wyoming.  The extremely cold: Grand Rapids early-February.  The super HOT: Iowa in mid-July.  Trail, city road, ultras, RAIN.  Whatta crazy ride, super blessed.

Fave of Round 2: Marine Corp, the Peoples Marathon.  From the Pentagon Building, past the U.S. Capitol, by red-brick Smithsonian Castle, Jefferson Memorial across the Potomac.  Time moment I’ll never forget.

Close 2^nd?  Twin Cities in Minneapolis-St Paul.  Planes, trains, great hotels.  Land of 10,000 Lakes & professional sports arenas (NHL NFL NBA MLB).  I always run well in Minnesota.  Viking SKOL finish.

Bismarck NORTH DAKOTA – America’s Midwest, our friendliest folks.  Cape Elizabeth lighthouse in Portland MAINE.  New England postcard.  (Both Portlands tagged this 50, raced Oregon last October.)

Boardwalk marathon’d in Atlantic City.  Lapped Nashville’s football stadium EIGHT times with Sis.

Meridian MISSISSIPPI & Falls of Rough KENTUCKY.  The journey was ‘the journey’.  Long rental car drives from neighboring Alabama/Tennessee airports.  River crossing slip in Kentucky, my first baptismal run.  Full head-under-water submersion.  Anthony from North Georgia – dude, you’ve inspired me to run 100.

Kiawah Island SOUTH CAROLINA – land of putting greens, palm trees & Old South money.  Eau Claire WISCONSIN – super GREEN, double-digit bridge count & my fave USA accent.  long loud MOO!

3 state do-overs.  Carmel INDIANA (Huff DNF 2017, snowy C-O-L-D).  Laramie WYOMING (Cheyenne DNS 2018, race day FEVER).  Frisco Railroad Run, MISSOURI (Run the Ranch miss, early flight home/Pup injured/hospitalized).

It all began as a New Year’s Resolution 2013.  Six continents & 149 marathons later, I’m the Forrest Gump of my Colorado hometown.  From sea to shining sun, U–S–A PROUD 🇺🇸  – absolute NOWHERE better.  50 States, Round 3?  Never say never 😉