Running the States

Tag: traveling

  • 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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  • 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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  • Running a PR at Pikes Peek 10k in Rockville, Md.

    #RaceDaySelfie: Right before the Pikes Peek 10k in Rockville, Md.
    #RaceDaySelfie: Right before the Pikes Peek 10k in Rockville, Md.

    The very first race I completed was the Pikes Peek 10k in Rockville, Md., about 9 years ago. Nine years!! Wow.

    Yesterday, I ran it again—my third time, and it was officially a PR—personal record. I finished the 6.2 miles in 56:05. Training does pay off.  🙂

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  • #RunningtheStates: First three: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina

    MD-VA-NCIt’s official. I’ve signed up for my first three half marathons, which means this 50 states challenge is another step closer to happening.

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  • Hello World

    United States

    My challenge: Run a half marathon in every U.S. state by 2022.

    I don’t love running.

    Most days, I have to push myself to get going—to pump myself up, get my shoes on, and my butt out the door.

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