Running the States

Author: nathasha

  • 5/50 – South Carolina: Charleston Half Marathon

    5/50 – South Carolina: Charleston Half Marathon

    Did you know that South Carolina is the largest producer of peaches in the US? It produces 15 percent more than the “Peach State,” Georgia. Also, did you know that the city of Charleston claims 90 percent of the Atlantic coastline and is the largest cargo port on the Southeastern Atlantic coast?

    I just got back from the beach-lined city in the peach-filled state; I didn’t eat any peaches, nor visit any beaches (bummer on both counts), but I did run my first 13.1-miler of the year, the Charleston Half Marathon. Charleston, S.C. is officially #5 of 50 for #runningthestates.

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  • Looking back at 2014, ready to run 2015

    run-2015
    I usually look back at the end of the year to see what I’ve accomplished and where I am in life. Mostly, I focus on the general stuff — career, relationships, health.

    2014 has been a good year for the general stuff — I’m happy with my career, my relationships are healthy, and I am healthy (well, I think… annual physical is in a month, so we’ll see for sure then). I’m very thankful for the current state of all three.

    2014 has been a good year for specific stuff as well.

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  • Run the Marine Corps Marathon…? Check!

    Run the Marine Corps Marathon…? Check!

    A year ago, I never would have imagined that I would complete a marathon. I’ve always thought running 26.2 miles was just too much. From a fitness perspective, it just seemed unnecessary (I mean, a few miles a day is good enough, right??).

    For our 25th birthdays, my friends and I each made a list of things we wanted to do/accomplish by the time we turned 30. One friend had run a marathon on her list. But not me. It was just something I really had no desire to do. (My list included things like go skydiving – check, visit all seven continents – fail, pay down debt – check… but then I acquired more debt, so…)

    Nope, running a full marathon was definitely not on my list, not in the cards for me. Or so I thought.

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  • The Color Run = #happiest5k

    The Color Run = #happiest5k

    Ever heard of The Color Run? It’s a whimsical 5k that’s exploded in popularity — since its debut in 2011, organizers have reportedly hosted more than 170 events in over 30 countries.

    The focus of the race is more on having fun, rather than being fast, although you’re more than welcome to do both, of course. But since it’s un-timed, there’s little pressure to speed your way through.

    How it works: participants wear white, and are doused with color (dyed powder) at each kilometer on the course, resulting in a kaleidoscopic mess of humans.

    This is supposed to be fun.

    Sound intriguing?

    It did to me. Little sister wanted in, so she and I and few friends decided to sign up and check it out.

    Following are some photos from the “Happiest 5k on the Planet” at the National Harbor.

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  • 4/50 – Texas: The Hottest Half

    4/50 – Texas: The Hottest Half

    It was Saturday afternoon. I stepped off a small plane at Dallas Love Field airport and was immediately hit with hot, dry air. I checked my weather app. It was 102 degrees F. Typical end-of-August temps for Texas — the kind of weather that would make the Hottest Half live up to its name. Lucky me.

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  • Going to Texas to Run the Hottest Half

    Going to Texas to run half marathon #4!
    #runningthestates: Texas!

    It’s been almost two months since my third half marathon in North Carolina. The last several weeks, my attention has been focused on training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October, so I haven’t been thinking too much about what my fourth state will be… until now.

    I’m heading to Dallas at the end of August to visit a cousin who recently had a baby. I figure I might as well kill two birds with one stone and run a half while I’m over there. I mean, how often do I go to Texas? Considering this will be my first time in the Lone Star State, I’d say hardly ever. So, I’m doing it. I’m running my fourth half in the Texas heat… in a race called The Hottest Hot.

    Just shoot me now.

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  • 3/50 – North Carolina: Asheville Half Marathon

    3/50 – North Carolina: Asheville Half Marathon

    One of my criteria for selecting a race is how flat the course is — the flatter, the better (extra downhill portions are a plus). The Asheville Half Marathon was nowhere near flat. In fact, Ashville is located in the mountains, so more than half the course contained steep uphill sections. People were surprised I chose to do a race in Asheville instead of one of the many located along the coast. My reason?

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  • 2/50 – Virginia: Alexandria Half Marathon

    2/50 – Virginia: Alexandria Half Marathon

    I faced the streets of Alexandria, Va. last week for my second half marathon — two down, 48 more states to go!

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  • What I learned from running my first half marathon

    Quote: Running well is having the patience to persevere when we are tired, and not expecting instant results.
    Image: Runners World

    It’s been two weeks since I completed my first half marathon. The race was a challenge — much more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Here are some lessons I learned from the experience:

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  • 1/50 – Maryland: Frederick Half Marathon

    1/50 – Maryland: Frederick Half Marathon

    I completed the Frederick Half Marathon on Sunday — the first of 50 states in my #runningthestates challenge. It was also my first time doing a half marathon. I was definitely on the struggle bus.

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