50 states, races, and t-shirts: November 2015

Introduction

A couple years after getting into long distance running, I decided to try to run a half-marathon or marathon in each state. After crossing off my fifth state, I recounted the race to my sister. As I described the hills, puddles, cows, lightning, thunder, and cornfields, she suggested that I begin a blog about my experiences and races. While it’s hard to imagine the many different races running together, I could see how it might happen. So, I looked back in my mind (and with the help of my t-shirt drawer) am going to document my runs through all 50 states. End of 2015 update: 16 states done!

11/01/2015

New York Marathon (NY), November 1st, 2015

While sitting at home with a broken foot, convincing myself that I would someday run again, I also entered the lottery for the New York Marathon. I’d heard it took years for most runners to get in, so why not start trying now.

I had almost forgotten that I entered until I received the confirmation email that I’d gotten in. I was surprised and a little nervous realizing that it was only 3 weeks after Chicago. I had a number of friends who had run them that close before, so figured it must be possible. On the plane home from Chicago, I plotted a 3-week turnaround, one week to recover, one week to tune up, and one week to taper. Not to mention catch up on work, sleep, get laundry done, and repack.

I couldn’t imagine a race with a greater group of spectators than Chicago, and then I ran New York. With the exception of bridges (especially the Queensboro, where all you could hear were footsteps around you for a mile and a half), there were fans everywhere. Just ask my parents…they picked a great race to join me as my support crew!

I could go on to describe the course, borough by borough, but don’t think I could do it justice. A number of friends have talked about “maybe” running a marathon, but that it would have to be a special race. I would definitely (and have) recommend New York.