I am becoming America!

While wrapping up today's group run with the Super Runner's Shop (six more runs until a free pair of shoes!) one of the other runners asked me why I'm not doing the Long Branch Half-Marathon again this year. That prompted me to write this post.

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Yes, you read that right. I am becoming America:

Ok, ok, not that America, but this one:

Ok, ok, becoming might be an overstatement, but let me explain.

Way back in 2005, after I ran the Boston Half-Marathon, I swore I would never run again. However, my aunt, a fellow runner at the time, decided to sign me up for Disney without me knowing, figuring that if I did a Half-Marathon once that I could easily do it again. She paid for registration and I was going to be in Florida anyway for Christmas, so I couldn't get out of it.

While Disney is in the records as my slowest Half-Marathon, and despite my complaints about the 2am wake-up call (ugh!), it probably did the most to cement my love for running. It was such a fun race and I was able to pick up the training so easily that I knew I was hooked by the end of that race. (Also the gigantic shiny Donald medal helped a lot too.)

I'm not sure what inspired me, but sometime in the months following Disney I decided I was going to run a Half-Marathon in each state. I really wish I had a cool inspirational story, something grand like: while my long-lost Godfather lay on his deathbed I promised him that in his memory I would run every state in the country fundraising to find a cure for his disease--but alas, I have no story to tell. The same way you remember to buy sugar at the grocery store is the same way this goal popped into my head.

I've had this goal for about three years now and as you can see from my completed races, I've made a dent in this union of states, amassing a total of six states (plus another three to come this year). Sure, this is a far flung goal that will probably take decades to complete, and really, if I fall shy by about 20 states I still would have achieved an impressive collection of races--so why do I stick with it? My classic argument is that many runners have the goal of qualifying and making it into Boston--which is a very noble goal. But in most cases, that goal (once you dedicate yourself to making it happen) will probably take a few years. And then what? Which is exactly why I have this multi-decade goal that will probably keep me focused on running well into my 40s.

Now you may have realized that I've already violated the whole Half-Marathon in every state bit with the Baltimore Marathon last year and the fact that I plan on running more marathons in the future. I'm doing this for several reasons: (1) I hated calling myself a Half-Marathoner, (2) I like to push myself out of my comfort distance, and (3) the same reason they climb Mt. Everest: because it's there. So to cumbersomely restate my goal: I want to run a Marathon or Half-Marathon in every state plus DC. (Although technically a Marathon is really two Half-Marathons, so I am correct in saying I want to run a Half-Marathon in every state. But that's just a technicality.)

Now, unfortunately, I know right off the bat that there at least two states that I will be doing twice. The first is Massachusetts. I already ran the Boston Half-Marathon, but I know someday I'll be back to run it's storied, significantly longer, older brother. The second is New York. I ran the Queens Half-Marathon back in 2006, but the bastards at NYRR didn't give out medals! Who holds a race longer than 10K and doesn't give out medals??? Come on. So just because of that silliness I want to run NYC's big race and get the medal I rightfully deserve. (Yeah bitches.)

This give me a grand total of 53 races to run before I'm done: 50 states + 1 District of the Colombian persuaion + 1 Mass double-header + 1 NY redux. Thus far, I've averaged two races a year, which means 26.5 years of racing, which means I'll be within earshot of 50 when I finish. (Hey Joan Benoit did it.) However, I'm trying to do three or four races a year, which will bring that age closer to 40. And like any compulsive planner, I've been building a list of races to run over the next 20-someodd years:

• Fairfield Half-Marathon (CT)
• Maple Leaf Half-Marathon (VT)
• Breakers Marathon (RI)
• 3M Austin Half-Marathon (TX)
• Little Rock Marathon (AR)--largest medal in racing and you know I need me one of those if I'm going to Little Rock
• Big Lake Half-Marathon (NH)
• Marine Corps Marathon (DC)
• Tybee Island Marathon (GA)--only because I can eat at Paula Deen's restaurant afterward
• Indianapolis Half-Marathon (IN)--because you actually get to run on the Speedway, how cool is that?
• San Francisco Marathon (CA)--only because you get to go over the Golden Gate Bridge, twice.
• Las Vegas Marathon (NV)--I mean what other race can you run by New York, Paris, Venice, and a Flamingo?
• Flying Pig Marathon (OH)--the name sold me
• Mayor's Marathon (AK)--although the Norwegian midnight sun race actually happens at night--I mean during the day...but when it's supposed to be night--how crazy is that?

P.S.-I know about the 50 State Marathon Club. But I won't join for two reasons: (1) the Half-Marathon is my favorite distance and (2) I only have one Marathon down and I'm not about to start all-over because of some club says my Half-Marys don't count. Boo on them.