…to run in all 50 states

I wasn’t always a race runner, but I always had a very competitive spirit, so whether it was tennis, flag football, biking, softball, volleyball, or running, I gave it my best. I put all I had into the game, the sport, the backyard match. 

It’s therapeutic. Running changes the way you see things, changes your moods, puts things in perspective. When I was going through my divorce and living in the city, running saved me. I put on more miles that year than I ever will again.

When I felt angry, I ran. Sad, I ran. When I felt that my life was unraveling, I ran faster. And that running gave me balance and hope. It calmed me. There’s something about the sound and sync of the body when running that is both energizing and calming.  The sound of my breath, the beating of my heart, my feet rhythmically hitting pavement: the act of moving forward. I think that’s super important to me: no matter where we are in our lives, flying high or stuck in the muck, running brought me back to the simple. Put one foot in front of the other and breathe. Just go.

 Mostly, I like running with friends. I have good pacers. Good pushers. Runners are happy people who are very encouraging to others.

Food and friends. I love to eat! Love food, dream of food, adore culinary creations, and will run seven miles for one dark chocolate caramel from Margie’s Candies in Chicago. And running is a great social activity. My friends and I would run together, and while running solve all the world’s problems. We would sign up for races together, travel the states together.  It’s still one of my most favorite combinations in life: traveling with friends for good food and a long run! 

When I lived on my farm, I adored the long, country roads. Straight and true, I could run into the sunset. Yet, I love running the lakefront in Chicago. Energy, people, distractions, pacers, it’s all good. And when traveling, I love a good trail run with ups and downs and the smell of pines. I love running on beaches and boardwalks, through wineries, and race tracks. I love it all. It might be best to say my least favorite places: The Mississippi Delta and Green River Wyoming. Ugh. 

Am I present in the moment while I run? No, not always. Sometimes, I am present with myself and in tune with my body, other times, I’m present with my surroundings. Often I am thinking about the finish and what food will be at the finish line. Other times, I’m cranking some super loud music and only focused on passing the man up ahead of me in the orange shirt, and then the girl with the pigtails, and on and on. I don’t think I’m much of a mindful runner. I’m a distracted, competitive runner, but I have had my moments.

 I’m finding the older I get, I can be mindful with just about any task or activity if I choose to be present. It’s an awareness, right? Being present takes practice.  And sometimes when I run, I want to be far away from the pain. 

My first half marathon was in San Francisco. I ran with my niece.The hills killed me. I was not prepared for them, but after the race, the sense of accomplishment and the food was such great fun, we said, we need to do this again. And so we did, and it just kept going and we just kept eating and running through the 50 states. 

 [It took] ten years. It took that long because at first the goal was dim and not quite formed in our minds.  We ran a race here, a race there, but it wasn’t for the first five years did we really get busy. I’d say we ran 35-40 states in five years. Many we did back to back, especially out east. 

Can’t say I have a favorite. Some that stand out: Alaska with friends and family, Moab, Utah all down hill, Savannah, Georgia, great pace, flat and fun, Washington trail run up a mountain, and Hawaii because it was my 50th state.  

I love it all, all but the start line. Nervous dread always seems to come knocking no matter how many times I’ve stood at the start.  I love the endorphins that tingle around mile eight, I love the crowds, the happy runners, the early mornings, the coffee afterwards. The memories. It’s all good.

 I’ve run some solid races where I placed top in my age group, but otherwise I’m a fairly average runner. I love being outdoors. I love to bike, kayak and hike. I play tennis several times a week.

For now, I do not have any running goals. I have the Peloton tread and have been working on speed and hills. I think the long distances might be a thing of the past. The universe has put a pen in my hand and has demanded that I write, so my next goal is not brick by brick or step by step, it is chapter by chapter. And I’m finding the discipline to sit is far greater and more painful than running a marathon. But, we keep moving forward. We embrace the process.

Don’t get discouraged. It’s a process. Stick to it. Stick to it. Stick to it, and then one day, your body will relax, your breathing will soften, and you’ll be passing miles, eight, 10, 12, 16 and you’ll be so proud of your training, your discipline, your strength, and you will actually laugh through the miles. Trust me.