ORC  Guest Speaker on 9/5/12

This is the year of the Woman – a phrase I keep hearing again and  again, from the increase in numbers for women at the Classic 2012 as well as our amazing female presence at the Olympics last month.

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Hard work, self satisfaction and the sense of achievement has been my mantra for many years as well as probably many of you runners and walkers  that are  here tonight and especially the women athletes.  Watching and listening to all the commentaries and post interviews during the Olympic games, women athletics,  in all venues, is on the rise.   We have come light years from the first modern games that were held in Athens in 1896 when our presence was welcomed only as spectators.  Last month, about 45% of the almost 11,000 athletes competing were women and for the first time in Olympic history, all participating teams had female representation, which was a major boost for gender equality.   How fitting is it that just last June marked the 40^th anniversary of Title IX,   1972  law that opened up equality in sports  for women and girls.  In the women’s soccer match alone, there was not an empty seat in the house, it’s clear of the influence Title 9 has on our women of the future,  Nowadays, women meet  as groups to run, take spin classes, do yoga and even do triathlons together.  With  our fitness levels on the rise, it gives the  term ‘ladies night’   a whole new meaning.  

My thanks go to Kathrine Switzer, who, in 1967, ignited the fire for women’s marathoning in officially entering and completing the Boston Marathon.  Not only did her tenacity prove that women CAN compete in such an arduous sport, but it was the catalyst that led Joan Benoit in 1984 to winning the first Women’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles.   I remember watching her enter the stadium with her white painters cap on  and I knew at some point , I would run a marathon…well maybe more than one…

My goal, as it turned out,  was never just about the run

It began  in 1988 in Liberty State park, which was the site of  the 1988 men’s olympic qualifier race, and I  wanted to complete a marathon before expanding our family.  While Billy and three year old Caitlin waited in a van, I completed my very first marathon at age 30 in a time of  3:43.   The marathon bug had not bit me yet so  I took the necessary time off to raise two daughters and what do you know, all too quickly ,found myself with extra time on my hands.  In the 2001,  I picked  up my long distance running again and set my sites  on qualifying for Boston.  I ran in Burlington VT  with a time of 3:47 and I was on my way.  My  first trip Boston in  April of 2002  was very exciting and historic. I remember making that last left hand turn onto Boylston Street and I saw the finish line and could not believe that I was actually there. Excited and thrilled, I continued to train hard and unfortunately, experienced a horrific skiing accident  in December 2002 where I broke my left leg in two spots. At age 45, I was in cast from toe to hip for 12 weeks  To make a long story short, I have not skied since and  have completed more marathons post break than before my accident.. 

In 2004, while running the Clarence Demar marathon in Keene NH,  I met a marathon maniac and was introduced to a whole new culture regading marathoning.    I did 3 marathons in 3 months, each within a minute of each other  and  promptly was accepted into their club.  From there,   I  realized I had collected nine states along the way and decided to find a new hobby, and joined the 50 state marathon club. My husband seemed less than thrilled, I’m pretty sure he wanted me take up knitting! 

I quickly became a marathon travel agent and memorized every race  in every state from marathon guide.com.  I also realized that I enjoyed and was able to run multiple marathons, even occasionally doing back to back 26.2 milers.  So.. here is my secret…

My marathons are my long runs…once I achieved marathon fitness level, I never had to do a long run again!  Eureka!  For me, my body type enabled me to compete at a pretty good pace and the states began adding up and I soon found that in mid 2009 that I was at the half way point of achieving my fifty state goal.  Ramping up our traveling I completed 30 marathons in about three years.  Most trips were just one nighters, fly in, hotel, do the marathon and leave. And it was not an uncommon occurrence to change in the car while en route to the airport.

I  occasionally had bad races, we all do, due to weather, altitude, diet, etc and I would find myself questioning whether I still wanted this,  to see this dream to fruition. I would cross the finish line,  one notably in Miami where I physically got sick in a sidewalk planter, that I  WAS DONE.  Done done done..Billy  listened and commiserated, but after some food, lots of wine  and ibuprofen, I was soon on the internet figuring out which state would be next.  My husband compares it to a woman having a baby!

In traveling across the US and Canada, I would often think about  me how lucky we are to live in a free country and have the choices we have every day. I was able to choose, when,  where and how to accomplish my goal, and for that I am forever grateful.  Although towards the end, the states and their schedule are picking you.  If you miss one state in one month, you may have to wait another year to get that state..  When I was heading into the finish line in Missoula and realizing that somehow I missed the 25 mile marker, spectators were saying, it’s right around the corner…of course I was afraid to believe them but then I made the last turn and there was the bridge and the balloons.  I quickly got my emotions in check, and  sprinted to the finish line with a huge smile…I was so happy and bittersweet all at the same time!  Once across that finish line, while waiting for Billy,   I suddenly realized that all along, it was not about the final number of state # 50, or realizing that I was fulfilling my dream,  it was about the journey. My journey was the destination.  The friends I met along the way, the beautiful sites we saw and experiences we shared are forever in my heart.  I could never have done it without the total support of my husband and daughters, my close family and most importantly, you guys, all of you in this room tonight that always asked me, so Valerie  ‘what state are you up to now?” 

36 - 49....50 here I come!

2010- June 19, 2010 – Anchorage AK.  Flew on Delta from Newark to Atlanta and then 7 hours from Atlanta to Anchorage.  Stayed with friends.  Rented car.  Course was all terrain, pavement, loose gravel (very tricky) rolled ankle at mile 9, then trail, then bike path and finished at High School stadium. #36

2010 – July 25, 2010- flew direct from Newark, into San Francisco, rented car. Drove to Expo and then cottage of friend.  Rested and then into SF again for dinner.  Didn’t work out.  Course was hilly – 3:53  #37 

2010- September 26, 2010 – Omaha, NE.  Flew two flights from Newark, to Detroit to Omaha on Delta.  No car needed.  Double tree Hotel – 402-346-7600.  Perfect, expo, pasta dinner, walked to start. #38

2011 – March 6, 2011 – Little Rock, AR.  Flew two flights from LGA – Chicago- Little Rock.  No car, hotel shuttle to Peabody – wonderful hotel!  Cold, a little windy.  First ½ of course was good, second was all hills!

3:51  - 2^nd in age.  AR – TX – LGA, very bad weather at airport. #39

2011 – April 16, 2011 – Olathe, KS – flew direct from EWR.  Chick and Liz Russo picked us up.  Toured the town, ate lunch.  Packet pick up, their house, rested.  Out to dinner, nice.  Course was hard!  35 mph wind…struggled.  3:51 – 2^nd in age.  Airport, flight delayed, then cancelled.  Stayed in Marriott in airport, flight delayed again, changed to Houston, TX to EWR.  Windy and rainy in EWR.  Home by 8:00 pm on 4/17/11. #40

2011 – June 26, 2011  Kona HI – Newark to SF to HI – BEAUTIFUL…course was okay, it got very warm on the lava fields.  3:58  2^nd in age #41

2011 – August 13, 2011 – Ouray, CO – ALTITUDE very hot along the ridge.  4:45 1^st in age! #42

Flew from JFK to SLC – Grand Junction and drove south to Ouray

2011 – September 11, 2011 – Allentown, PA Nice run, on trails, etc – 3:40! 3^rd in age

2011 – November 5, 2011 – Indianapolis, IN  EWR – Chicago – Indy – all road marathon 3:43 hard on legs #43

2011 – November 26, 2011 – BCR Trail marathon, Twoson, MD  love this course! 3:45 1^st in age! Dane and wife were there and picked up trophy.

2012 – January 7, 2012 – Jackson, MS LGA – Houston – Jackson.  Sleep Inn hotel, walking distance to start, packet pick up but we rented car.  Kind of a hilly course at the end.  Stayed with 4:00 hour pacer.  3:58 2^nd grand master!

2012 – January 8, 2012 – Mobile, AL drove from Jackson, MS four hour drive.  Stayed at host hotel.   Would not recommend.  Packet right next door.  Walked to dinner, had grilled oysters, saw a Mardi Gras parade.  Ran good – 4:04 nice course, but got a little warm.  2^nd grand master.  Changed in car en route to airport.  AL – Houston – LGA

2012 – February 4, 2012 – Sedona, AZ  Jetblue direct to PHX.  Rented car and drove 2 hours north to Seodna.  Stayed in West Sedona a La Qunita.  Race was very hilly and primitive road after the 6.5 mile mark.  Ran to ½ turn around and on primitive road, very difficult.  Uphill finish.  4:08 – 1^st in age!  Red eye back from PHX to JFK

2012 – February 26. 2012 – Ft.Worth, TX – Cowtown – rental car with Bob Nordman.  Drove 12 miles to hotel.  Needed car.  Concrete marathon course.  3:48  1^st is age!

2012 -  April 16, 2012 – Boston, MA – 3^rd time.  Stayed in Framingham, MA  Drove to start.  Billy to game, VERY HOT!  4:00:37 – train to car, diner on way home in CT   (Econolodde)

2012 – June 9, 2012 – Storm Lake, IA – direct flight from LGA to Minneapolis, Bob picked us up.  4.5 hours to Storm Lake (got lost).  Hotel, packet pick up, out to dinner with Bob and Bob Kennedy.  HOT course, rows of cornfields!  3:57 – 2^nd in age! Ice pool at finish, breakfast, bus back to school.  (Budget Inn) Hotel and then headed to SD

2012 – June 10, 2012 – Viborg, SD – Swan Lake Christian Camp, packet, private home, beautiful, whole downstairs to ourselves.  Pasta dinner at camp.  B’fast at camp before start, so hard…all alone and HOT,

2^nd women overall!  4:19   got cleaned up at house, picked up Bob, and ate lunch at camp.  Drove to MSP, overnight, (Super 8)  flight out at 6:00 am from MSP   to LGA

50 States Completed!

1988 – April New Jersey Liberty State park marathon – first ever marathon, age 30 Billy, Caitlin and I drove to Liberty State park morning of the race in a company van from Progressive auto parts.  She was three.  She slept in playpen in van, Billy read the NY Times, I ran, a little windy, 3:43

1990 – October -  Marine Corp marathon, I was in training and Billy’s brother terribly and unfortunate death, Billy trained as quickly as he could and we all drove to Kathy’s house in Virginia and Jaime drove us right to the start.  Great venue, saw   all the monuments.  3:38

1991 – October -  Marine Corp – both trained well, 3:33

1994 – November Warwick, NY  November on a whim at Apple fest, signed up to run with only a month of training.  3:59

2001 –  May - wanted to qualify for Boston, needed 3:50, got 3:47 in Burlington, VT  Met up with Doug Bartocci and family.  Had dinner and drinks, then movie, Pearl Harbor.

2001 – October – Steam town (Scranton, PA)with Amy and Mary.  3:45 improved my qualifying time

2002 – April – Boston, MA  3:40 great day – Billy never saw me once. Stayed at Sheraton downtown and took subway to buses.  Met a lady.

2002 – 10/02 – Hartford, CT  Stayed at nice hotel.  Went alone, met ORC people.  Pouring rain, 3:30

2004 – 4/04 NJ  - Sandy Hook – start into town along water.  3:43 – First marathon post break.

2004 – 11/04 – Harrisburg, PA – nice course, stayed at nice hotel. Crown Plaza,  Ran with Bob H.  3:36 1^st in age!

2005 – September, 2005 – Keene NH.  Stayed local.  Pasta dinner at college.  Met maniacs and Doug B.  Ran great 3:34 – 1^st in age

2005 – October, 2005 – Connecticut – cold along coast.  3:36

2005 – November 2005 – Twoson, MD – trail run.  4^th overall – 3:35

2006 – April, Boston, MA, stayed in Econo Lodge 6 miles from start in Framingham.  Billy drove me to start.  All alone.  Then people came into huge tent.  Met a lot of people.  Hung out.  2^nd corral of second wave.  3:35.  Ate at Legal Seafood – nice.  Drove home early Tuesday am

2006 – NYC first time.  Went with the girls.  Missed Tamar, crazy upset.  Passed her at mile 25.  3:35

2006 – 11/13/06 – Richmond, VA Richmond Sun Trust – with everyone.  M&D visited.  3:43

2007 – 2/13/07 – Myrtle Beach, SC – stayed with M&D.  shoelace course.  Billy ran the 2^nd half with me.  Cold 19 degrees.  3:38

2007 – 4/2007 – Nashville, TN – with Doris and Mark, stayed with Kevin.  Finished at Titan stadium.  Fun time

 3:42

2007 – 5/07 – Delaware – four loop course.  10 miles then 3 4.9 miles.  Got tedious.  M&D stopped on the way up.  3:43

2007 – 7/07 – Slat Lake City, Desezeret News.  All of us to visit Kathy.  Bus early to Big Mountain, ran up then down into SLC.  Then drove to Las Vegas to visit Kate and Ron’s family

2007 – 9/07 – Rochester, NY – traveled with Kathleen.  Stayed at her father’s house.  Tow path on canal.  3:41 1^st in age.

2007 – 10/07 – Hartford, CT – Billy ran the half, drove with Kathleen.  Second running for me, course changed a little.  3:35

2007 – 11/07 – NYC alone.  Hard run from 17 miles on…3:43

2008 – 1/27/08 – ING Miami with Toni and Al, beautiful course, cruise ships, inner coastal, new age group – 50! 3:37!  First in age!

2008 – 2/24/08 – Mardi Gras – New Orleans, LA Stayed with Dan Feliciano. HOT!  Shoelace course – 3:41 First in age!

2008 – 3/30/08 – Atlanta GA – ING flew direct, car rental and stayed with Aunt Bev in Cornelia.  Hilly course, crowded at end.  3:42 First in age!

2008 – 4/21/08 – Louisville, KY flew direct – walked, no car needed.  Cool course, ran inside the Derby, crossed into Indiana.  Issues.  3:42 First in age!

2008 – 5/5/08 – Rhode Island – drove, ok course, hill at mile 22…3:41 1st in age!

2008 – 5/25/08 – Ottawa, Canada – drove, nice city.  Great course, 3:37 – 2^nd in age!

2008 – 8/23/08 – Green River, WY – flew into SLC, stayed with Kathy, drove 2 hours to Green River.  Super 8, Shrimp Boil fest night before.  6 miles climb to top of ridge.  Ran with horses, pretty, then downhill from mile 20.  Finished in town, at the river.  4:10 – 1^st in age.  Met many new friends.

2008 – 8/30/08 – Pocatello, ID – hiked Grand Canyon.  Home base was Park City.  2 hours north west to Pocatello.  Potatoes goody bags.  Met people from Newburgh.  Nice course.  Hot, finished with Billy – 3:50 1^st in age! 

2008 – 9/27/08 – Akron OH – drove 6.5 hours.  Super 8.  Finished inside stadium, a little crowded.  Stayed over and visited the Football Hall of Fame. 3:43 2^nd in age

2008 – 11/2/08 – NYC via UPS  3:45

2008 – 11/15/08 – Richmond, VA.  Kate’s first 1/2marathon.  They ran together.  I started after them. Nice course, got a little warm.  3:39 – 1^st in age!

2008 – 11/29/08 – Towson, MD – trail, soft.  8^th women overall.  1^st grand master!  3:38 Kate and Billy watched.

2009 – 1/25/09 – ING Miami  - second time running.  Felt great until mile 16…cliff shot bloks.  Threw up at finish.  3:40 – 1^st in age!

2009 – 2/22/09 – Hyannis port, MA 2 loop course through Craigsville Beach.  Windy, end at host hotel, Sheraton.  Stayed at Holiday Inn.  3:37 1^st in age

2009 – 4/20/09 St. Louis MO.  Direct flight, shuttle to hotel.  Hampton Inn, right on race course.  Walked to find dinner.  Poured rain the entire race.  3:33 – 1^st in age.  Shuttle to airport from hotel.

2009 – May – Stillwater, MN nice course, inaugural, great job.  Memorial Day w/e – flags along entire course.  Drinks at bar overlooking the river. Flew from LGA to Chicago then to Minnesota.  Car rental to Stillwater.  St. Croix river, Super 8.  Down hill last 5 miles, felt great.  10^th women – 1^st in age 3:33

2009 – June 26, 2009 - Seattle WA – Inaugural Rock and Roll – nice run, town ok.   Super 8. 3 out and backs.  Saw Mt Rainer.  Two stops and 3:35.  2^nd in age  Kate met us at hotel.  Drove to Lincoln City, OR.  4 hour drive.

2009 –July 4, 2009 -Portland, OR – Sauvé Island, hot, flat hard to get around Portland.  Drove from Lincoln City and switched hotels to the Red lion.  3:38 got warm.  After race, drove straight to airport for flight home, into Newark, saw fireworks.

2009-September 6, 2009 – Albuquerque, NM  Flew from EWR to Dallas, to Albuquerque.  Shuttle to hotel.  Walked around Old Town, ate lunch.  Hotel, relaxed.  Buses to start, ran into town past Hotel – Rio Grande. 3:40 1^st in age 8^th overall, 6,000 ft altitude.  No car needed

2009 – October 3, 2009 – Shepherdstown, WV.  Drove four hours.  Harpers Ferry,, met people on trail, nice first half…VERY hilly 2^nd half.  Antietam National park. Finished in university stadium.  Friend took pictures.  Ticked the women off…fourth overall.  3:35 1^st in age group!

2009 – October 11, 2009 – Chicago, IL.  Direct flight.  Took the CTA, no car.  Walked a lot, beautiful hotel.  Our 27^th anniversary.  Right on Lake Michigan.  Cold start…ran great – the best I have ever felt..3:32, 9^th in my age group.   (967) 37,0000 runners.  Stayed two nights.  Fun!

2009- November 1, 2009 – NYC – Chris White went with Billy.  Dropped me off at Palisades mall for bus ride to NY.  Sat with Carolyn.  No time to hang out.  Starting corrals had porta potties.  Cold out, ran 3:35.  White a little late.  Home, hot  tub, dinner, bed.

2009 – November 22,  2009 – Tulsa, OK traveled with Kathleen via Chicago.  Car rental.  Found hotel and liquor store.  Macaroni Grill.  Start on Route 66.  OK first half, hot and boring  (slight uphill) out to turn around at mile 20.  Ran hard.  3:32  1^st in age.  Changed in car…airport, flight delayed.  Finally in at LGA, Billy picked us up.

2010 – March 7, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV Red Rock Canyon.  Stayed with Ron and Andrea.  Rented a car.  Summit, canyon marathon.  Hills, 4:07.  First in age.  Hurt performs muscle in right leg.

2010- April 10, 2010- Novi, MI.  Flew into Detroit, MI from Newark, NJ direct on Continental.  Rented car and drove 6 miles to Dearborn, MI.  Hotel was Red Roof Inn, w/I 313 278-9732  5 miles on expo and 2 miles of start and finish.  Out and back along a closed road that ran through the park system.  Still injured.  Stomach issues  3:57 – First in age.

2010- May 1, 2010 – Kenosha, WI.  Direct flight from Newark into Milwaukee.  Rental car for 25 miles south.  Super 8 hotel. 262-857-7963  OK.  5 miles to race start.  Warm out, lots of out and backs.  Ran along Lake Michigan.  Ate post race food.  Drove to airport, changed, had drinks.  Good flight.  Home by 9:00 pm.  Went with Kathleen. 3:57 first in age!

2010- May 22 , 2010– Fargo, ND Two flights from LGA to ORD.  Missed flight in O’Hare, airport for 6 hours.  Met many maniacs and arrived in Fargo by 5:30.  Car rental to expo, hotel, dinner.  Motel 6 – a dive.  In morning, drove to Dave’s hotel.  Unloaded and walked across the street to Fargo dome.  Homestead Suites.  Pouring rain, ½ started first.  Waited, then we started.  Hard, hurt and then I said enough of running injured.  Finished 3:48 for 2^nd in age.  Hung out at Dave’s hotel, fun time.  All met at airport.  Arrived in Chicago, upgraded to earlier flight.  Home by 11:30 pm  Course was fine, a lot of left hand turns.  Pouring rain, then hot and sunny, then windy.  # 35

2010- June 19, 2010 – Anchorage AK.  Flew on Delta from Newark to Atlanta and then 7 hours from Atlanta to Anchorage.  Stayed with friends.  Rented car.  Course was all terrain, pavement, loose gravel (very tricky) rolled ankle at mile 9, then trail, then bike path and finished at High School stadium. #36

2010 – July 25, 2010- flew direct from Newark, into San Francisco, rented car. Drove to Expo and then cottage of friend.  Rested and then into SF again for dinner.  Didn’t work out.  Course was hilly – 3:53  #37

2010- September 26, 2010 – Omaha, NE.  Flew two flights from Newark, to Detroit to Omaha on Delta.  No car needed.  Double tree Hotel – 402-346-7600.  Perfect, expo, pasta dinner, walked to start. #38

2011 – March 6, 2011 – Little Rock, AR.  Flew two flights from LGA – Chicago- Little Rock.  No car, hotel shuttle to Peabody – wonderful hotel!  Cold, a little windy.  First ½ of course was good, second was all hills!

3:51  - 2^nd in age.  AR – TX – LGA, very bad weather at airport. #39

2011 – April 16, 2011 – Olathe, KS – flew direct from EWR.  Chick and Liz Russo picked us up.  Toured the town, ate lunch.  Packet pick up, their house, rested.  Out to dinner, nice.  Course was hard!  35 mph wind…struggled.  3:51 – 2^nd in age.  Airport, flight delayed, then cancelled.  Stayed in Marriott in airport, flight delayed again, changed to Houston, TX to EWR.  Windy and rainy in EWR.  Home by 8:00 pm on 4/17/11. #40

2011 – June 26, 2011  Kona HI – Newark to SF to HI – BEAUTIFUL…course was okay, it got very warm on the lava fields.  3:58  2^nd in age #41

2011 – August 13, 2011 – Ouray, CO – ALTITUDE very hot along the ridge.  4:45 1^st in age! #42

Flew from JFK to SLC – Grand Junction and drove south to Ouray

2011 – September 11, 2011 – Allentown, PA Nice run, on trails, etc – 3:40! 3^rd in age!  BQ by over 20 minutes!

2011 – November 5, 2011 – Indianapolis, IN  EWR – Chicago – Indy – all road marathon 3:43 hard on legs #43

2011 – November 26, 2011 – BCR Trail marathon, Twoson, MD  love this course! 3:45 1^st in age! Dane and wife were there and picked up trophy.

2012 – January 7, 2012 – Jackson, MS LGA – Houston – Jackson.  Sleep Inn hotel, walking distance to start, packet pick up but we rented car.  Kind of a hilly course at the end.  Stayed with 4:00 hour pacer.  3:58 2^nd grand master!  #44

2012 – January 8, 2012 – Mobile, AL drove from Jackson, MS four hour drive.  Stayed at host hotel.   Would not recommend.  Packet right next door.  Walked to dinner, had grilled oysters, saw a Mardi Gras parade.  Ran good – 4:04 nice course, but got a little warm.  2^nd grand master.  Changed in car en route to airport.  AL – Houston – LGA   #45

2012 – February 4, 2012 – Sedona, AZ  JetBlue direct to PHX.  Rented car and drove 2 hours north to Sedona.  Stayed in West Sedona a La Qunita.  Race was very hilly and primitive road after the 6.5 mile mark.  Ran to ½ turn around and on primitive road, very difficult.  Uphill finish.  4:08 – 1^st in age!  Red eye back from PHX to JFK   #46

2012 – February 26. 2012 – Ft.Worth, TX – Cowtown – rental car with Bob Nordman.  Drove 12 miles to hotel.  Needed car.  Concrete marathon course.  3:48  1^st is age!   #47

2012 -  April 16, 2012 – Boston, MA – 3^rd time.  Stayed in Framingham, MA  Drove to start.  Billy to game, VERY HOT!  4:00:37 – train to car, diner on way home in CT   (Econolodge)

2012 – June 9, 2012 – Storm Lake, IA – direct flight from LGA to Minneapolis, Bob picked us up.  4.5 hours to Storm Lake (got lost).  Hotel, packet pick up, out to dinner with Bob and Bob Kennedy.  HOT course, rows of cornfields!  3:57 – 2^nd in age! Ice pool at finish, breakfast, bus back to school.  (Budget Inn) Hotel and then headed to SD  #48

2012 – June 10, 2012 – Viborg, SD – Swan Lake Christian Camp, packet, private home, beautiful, whole downstairs to ourselves.  Pasta dinner at camp.  B’fast at camp before start,  hard run …all alone and HOT,

2^nd women overall!  4:19   got cleaned up at house, picked up Bob, and ate lunch at camp.  Drove to MSP, overnight, (Super 8)  flight out at 6:00 am from MSP   to LGA  #49

2012 – July 8, 2012 – Missoula, MT – Flew into SLC, visit with Kathy and Jaime and then drove 6 hours to Missoula.  Stayed local in home, close to race course.  Bussed to start and ran into Missoula, finish in the bridge overlooking the Clarke River.  50^th State!  3:48!  Finished the vacation hiking in Grand Teton, Wyoming.

Marathon Quest for Fifty States –                              M# State

1988

• April 24, 1988 - New Jersey Liberty park – 3:43 1 #1

1990

• November 4, 1990 – Marine Corp –  DC - 3:38 2

1991

• November 3, 1991 – Marine Corp – DC 3:33                 3

1994 

• November 6, 1994 – Warwick, NY 3:59       4 #2

2001 

• May 27, 2001 – Vermont City marathon 3:47 BQ!       5 #3
• October 7, 2001– Steamtown – Scranton, PA – 3:45       6 #4

2002 

• April 15, 2002– Boston, MA 3:40               7 #5
• October 12, 2002 - Hartford, CT 3:30 PR 2^nd in age               8 #6

2004  - First year running post break

• April 25, 2004 – New Jersey Waterfront marathon, flat, 3:43          9
• July 10, 2004 – Grandfather n Boone, NC – all uphill, hot! 4:11 10          #7
• November 14, 2004  Harrisburg, PA–good run, felt good – 3:36 11

2005 – 

• September  25, 20052005 –Clarence DeMar  Keene, NH – 3:34 12 #8
• October  23, 2005 – Mystic, CT – 3:36                 13
• November 26,2005–Tillson, MD  trail – 3:35 5^th women overall! 14 #9

2006- 

• February 26, 2006 – Hyannisport, MA. 19 degrees – freezing! 3:46 15
• April 17, 2006 – Boston, MA  - 3:35 Great day, met a lot of people  16
• May 7, 2006 – Pocono, PA PR 3:29!   2nd in age!             17
• October 1, 2006 – Portland, ME - September             18    #10
• October 16, 2006 – Newport, RI – 4:13 – ran with Dean Karnazes   19
• November 5, 2006 – NYC – 1^st time ever 3:35!             20
• November 10, 2006 – Richmond, VA 3:43             21    #11

2007 

• February 17, 2007 – Myrtle Beach, SC – 3:39             22    #12
• April 7, 2007 – Ocean City, MD SNOW! 3:51             23
• April 28, 2007 – Country Music–Nashville, TN 3:41             24    #13
• hot! 2nd in age!

• May 20, 2007 – Wilmington, DE – 3:40 3^rd in age!     25    #14
• July 24, 2007 – Salt Lake City, UT – 3:46 2^nd in age!             26    #15
• September 2007 – Rochester, 3:42 1^st in age                     27
• October 2007 – Hartford, CT  3:35                     28
• November 2007 – NYC 3:43                     29

2008

• January 27,2008 – Miami FL 3:37 1^st in age                     30     #16
• February  24, 2008 – New Orleans, LA 3:41 hot! 1^st in age!     31     #17
• March 30, 2008 – Atlanta, GA – 3:42 Hilly! 1^st in age!             32     #18
• April 26, 2008 – Louisville, KY 3:42 1^st in age!             33     #19
• May 4, 2008 – Cox Health, Providence, RI 3:41 1^st in age!     34     #20
• May 25, 2008 – Ottawa, Canada 3:37             35
• August 23, 2008 – Green River, WY 4:10 1^st in age!     36     #21
• August 30, 2008 – Pocatello, ID  3:50 1^st in age!             37     #22
• September 27, 2008 – Akron OH 3:42 2^nd in age             38     #23
• November 2, 2008  - NYC 3:45             39
• November 15, Suntrust  Richmond, VA – 3:39 1^st in age     40
• November 29, 2008 –North Central Trail, Toweson, MD 3:38     41
• 1st Grand Master

2009

• January 25, 2009 – Miami, FL 3:40 sick 1^st in age!      42
• February 22, 2009 – Hyannis, MA 3:37 1^st in age              43
• April 19, 2009 – St. Louis, MO 3:33 1^st in age              44     #24
• May 24, 2009 – Stillwater, MN – 3:33 1^st in age              45     #25
• June 27, 2009 – Seattle, WA – 3:35 2^nd in age              46     #26
• July 4, 2009 – Portland, OR – 3:38 1^st in age!              47     #27
• September 6, 2009 – Albuquerque, NM – 3:40 1^st in age!      48     #28
• October 3. 2009 – Shepherdstown, WV – 3:35 4^th overall, 1^st in age! 49    #29
• October 11, 2009 – Chicago, IL – 3:32 fastest this year.  9^th in age!    50    #30
• November 1, 2009 – NYC – 3:35                       51
• November 22, 2009 – Tulsa, OK – 3:32 1^st in age!       52    #31

2010

• March 7, 2010 – Red Rock Canyon, NV 4:07 1^st in age!               53    #32
• April 10, 2010 – Novi, MI 3:57 1^st in age!               54    #33
• May 1, 2010 – Kenosha, WI 3:57 1^st in age!               55    #34
• May 22, 2010 – Fargo, ND 3:48 2^nd in age               56    #35
• June 19, 2010 – Anchorage, AK 3:45 1^st in age!               57    #36
• July 24, 2010 – San Francisco, CA 3:53                       58    #37
• September 26, 2010 – Omaha, NE 4:14 4^th in age               59    #38
• November 7, 2010 – NYC, 4:15                       60

2011

• March 6, 2011 – Little Rock, AR 3:51:37  2^nd in age               61    #39
• April 16, 2011 -   Olathe, KS    3:51:35  2^nd in age       62    #40
• June 26, 2011 – Kona, HI 3:56 2^nd in age!               63    #41
• August 13, 2011 – Ouray, CO 4:45 1^st in age!               64    #42
• September 11, 2011 – Allentown, PA 3:40 3^rd in age               65
• November 5, 2011 – Indianapolis, IN 3:43 1^st in age!               66    #43
• November 26, 2011 – North Central Trail, Towson, MD               67
• 3:45  1st in age!

2012

• January 7, 2012 – Jackson, MS 3:58 2^nd grand master!               68    #44
• January 8, 2012 – Mobile, AL 4:04 2^nd grand master!               69    #45
• February 4, 2012 – Sedona, AZ 4:08 1^st in age!               70    #46
• February 26, 2012 – Ft.Worth, TX – Cowtown – 3:48 1^st in age!       71    #47
• April 16, 2012 – BOSTON, MA – 4:00 – HOT HOT HOT       72
• June 9. 2012 – Storm Lake, IA – 3:57 – 2^nd in age!       73    #48
• June 10, 2012 – Viborg, SD – 4:19 – 2^nd women overall  1^st in age!  74    #49
• July 8, 2012 – Missoula, MT – 3:48 – 4^th in age               75    #50

The First 35...

1988 – April New Jersey Liberty State park marathon – first ever marathon, age 30 Billy, Caitlin and I drove to Liberty State park morning of the race in a company van from Progressive auto parts. She was three. She slept in playpen in van, Billy read the NY Times, I ran, a little windy, 3:43

1990 – October - Marine Corp marathon, I was in training and Billy's brother terribly and unfortunate death, Billy trained as quickly as he could and we all drove to Kathy's house in Virginia and Jaime drove us right to the start. Great venue, saw all the monuments. 3:38

1991 – October - Marine Corp – both trained well, 3:33

1994 – November Warwick, NY November on a whim at Applefest, signed up to run with only a month of training. 3:59

2001 – May - wanted to qualify for Boston, needed 3:50, got 3:47 in Burlington, VT Met up with Doug Bartocci and family. Had dinner and drinks, then movie, Pearl Harbor.

2001 – October – Steamtown (Scranton, PA)with Amy and Mary. 3:45 improved my qualifying time

2002 – April – Boston, MA 3:40 great day – Billy never saw me once. Stayed at Sheraton downtown and took subway to buses. Met a lady.

2002 – 10/02 – Hartford, CT Stayed at nice hotel. Went alone, met ORC people. Pouring rain, 3:30

2004 – 4/04 NJ - Sandy Hook – start into town along water. 3:43 – First marathon post break.

2004 – 11/04 – Harrisburg, PA – nice course, stayed at nice hotel. Crown Plaza, Ran with Bob H. 3:36 1^st in age!

2005 – September, 2005 – Keene NH. Stayed local. Pasta dinner at college. Met maniacs and Doug B. Ran great 3:34 – 1^st in age

2005 – October, 2005 – Connecticut – cold along coast. 3:36

2005 – November 2005 – Twoson, MD – trail run. 4^th overall – 3:35

2006 – April, Boston, MA, stayed in Econo Lodge 6 miles from start in Framingham. Billy drove me to start. All alone. Then people came into huge tent. Met a lot of people. Hung out. 2^nd corral of second wave. 3:35. Ate at Legal Seafood – nice. Drove home early Tuesday am

2006 – NYC first time. Went with the girls. Missed Tamar, crazy upset. Passed her at mile 25. 3:35

2006 – 11/13/06 – Richmond, VA Richmond Sun Trust – with everyone. M&D visited. 3:43

2007 – 2/13/07 – Myrtle Beach, SC – stayed with M&D. shoelace course. Billy ran the 2^nd half with me. Cold 19 degrees. 3:38

2007 – 4/2007 – Nashville, TN – with Doris and Mark, stayed with Kevin. Finished at Titan stadium. Fun time

3:42

2007 – 5/07 – Delaware – four loop course. 10 miles then 3 4.9 miles. Got tedious. M&D stopped on the way up. 3:43

2007 – 7/07 – Slat Lake City, Desezeret News. All of us to visit Kathy. Bus early to Big Mountain, ran up then down into SLC. Then drove to Las Vegas to visit Kate and Ron's family

2007 – 9/07 – Rochester, NY – traveled with Kathleen. Stayed at her father's house. Tow path on canal. 3:41 1^st in age.

2007 – 10/07 – Hartford, CT – Billy ran the half, drove with Kathleen. Second running for me, course changed a little. 3:35

2007 – 11/07 – NYC alone. Hard run from 17 miles on…3:43

2008 – 1/27/08 – ING Miami with Toni and Al, beautiful course, cruise ships, inner coastals, new age group – 50! 3:37! First in age!

2008 – 2/24/08 – Mardi Gras – New Orleans, LA Stayed with Dan Feliciano. HOT! Shoelace course – 3:41 First in age!

2008 – 3/30/08 – Atlanta GA – ING flew direct, car rental and stayed with Aunt Bev in Cornelia. Hilly course, crowded at end. 3:42 First in age!

2008 – 4/21/08 – Louisville, KY flew direct – walked, no car needed. Cool course, ran inside the Derby, crossed into Indiana. Issues. 3:42 First in age!

2008 – 5/5/08 – Rhode Island – drove, ok course, hill at mile 22…3:41 1st in age!

2008 – 5/25/08 – Ottawa, Canada – drove, nice city. Great course, 3:37 – 2^nd in age!

2008 – 8/23/08 – Green River, WY – flew into SLC, stayed with Kathy, drove 2 hours to Green River. Super 8, Shrimp Boil fest night before. 6 miles climb to top of ridge. Ran with horses, pretty, then downhill from mile 20. Finished in town, at the river. 4:10 – 1^st in age. Met many new friends.

2008 – 8/30/08 – Pocatello, ID – hiked Grand Canyon. Home base was Park City. 2 hours north west t Pocatello. Potatoe goody bags. Met people from Newburgh. Nice course. Hot, finished with Billy – 3:50 1^st in age!

2008 – 9/27/08 – Akron OH – drove 6.5 hours. Super 8. Finished inside stadium, a little crowded. Stayed over and visited the Football Hall of Fame. 3:43 2^nd in age

2008 – 11/2/08 – NYC via UPS 3:45

2008 – 11/15/08 – Richmond, VA. Kate's first 1/2marathon. They ran together. I started after them. Nice course, got a little warm. 3:39 – 1^st in age!

2008 – 11/29/08 – Twoeson, MD – trail, soft. 8^th women overall. 1^st grand master! 3:38 Kate and Billy watched.

2009 – 1/25/09 – ING Miami - second time running. Felt great until mile 16…clif shot bloks. Threw up at finish. 3:40 – 1^st in age!

2009 – 2/22/09 – Hyannisport, MA 2 loop course through Craigsville Beach. Windy, end at host hotel, Sheraton. Stayed at Holiday Inn. 3:37 1^st in age

2009 – 4/20/09 St. Louis MO. Direct flight, shuttle to hotel. Hampton Inn, right on race course. Walked to find dinner. Poured rain the entire race. 3:33 – 1^st in age. Shuttle to airport from hotel.

2009 – May – Stillwater, MN nice course, inaugural, great job. Memorial Day w/e – flags along entire course. Drinks at bar overlooking the river. Flew from LGA to Chicago then to Minnesota. Car rental to Stillwater. St. Croix river, Super 8. Down hill last 5 miles, felt great. 10^th women – 1^st in age 3:33

2009 – June 26, 2009 - Seattle WA – Inaugural Rock and Roll – nice run, town ok. Super 8. 3 out and backs. Saw Mt Ranier. Two stops and 3:35. 2^nd in age Kate met us at hotel. Drove to Lincoln City, OR. 4 hour drive.

2009 –July 4, 2009 -Portland, OR – Sauvie Island, hot, flat hard to get around Portland. Drove from Lincoln City and switched hotels to the Red lion. 3:38 got warm. After race, drove straight to airport for flight home, into Newark, saw fireworks.

2009-September 6, 2009 – Albuquerque, NM Flew from EWR to Dallas, to Albuquerque. Shuttle to hotel. Walked around Old Town, ate lunch. Hotel, relaxed. Buses to start, ran into town past Hotel – Rio Grande. 3:40 1^st in age 8^th overall, 6,000 ft altitude. No car needed

2009 – October 3, 2009 – Shepherdstown, WV. Drove four hours. Harpers Ferry,, met people on trail, nice first half…VERY hilly 2^nd half. Antitam National park. Finished in university stadium. Friend took pictures. Ticked the women off…fourth overall. 3:35 1^st in age group!

2009 – October 11, 2009 – Chicago, IL. Direct flight. Took the CTA, no car. Walked a lot, beautiful hotel. Our 27^th anniversary. Right on Lake Michigan. Cold start…ran great – the best I have ever felt..3:32, 9^th in my age group. (967) 37,0000 runners. Stayed two nights. Fun!

2009- November 1, 2009 – NYC – Chris White went with Billy. Dropped me off at Palisades mall for bus ride to NY. Sat with Carolyn. No time to hang out. Starting corrals had porta potties. Cold out, ran 3:35. White a little late. Home, hot tub, dinner, bed.

2009 – November 22, 2009 – Tulsa, OK traveled with Kathleen via Chicago. Car rental. Found hotel and liquor store. Macaroni Grill. Start on Route 66. OK first half, hot and boring (slight uphill) out to turn around at mile 20. Ran hard. 3:32 1^st in age. Changed in car…airport, flight delayed. Finally in at LGA, Billy picked us up.

2010 – March 7, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV Red Rock Canyon. Stayed with Ron and Andrea. Rented a car. Summit, canyon marathon. Hills, 4:07. First in age. Hurt piriformis muscle in right leg.

2010- April 10, 2010- Novi, MI. Flew into Detroit, MI from Newark, NJ direct on Continental. Rented car and drove 6 miles to Dearborn, MI. Hotel was Red Roof Inn, w/I 313 278-9732 5 miles on expo and 2 miles of start and finish. Out and back along a closed road that ran through the park system. Still injured. Stomach issues 3:57 – First in age.

2010- May 1, 2010 – Kenosha, WI. Direct flight from Newark into Milwaukee. Rental car for 25 miles south. Super 8 hotel. 262-857-7963 OK. 5 miles to race start. Warm out, lots of out and backs. Ran along Lake Michigan. Ate post race food. Drove to airport, changed, had drinks. Good flight. Home by 9:00 pm. Went with Kathleen. 3:57 first in age!

2010- May 22 – Fargo, ND Two flights from LGA to ORD. Missed flight inO'Hare, airport for 6 hours. Met many maniacs and arrived in Fargo by 5:30. Car rental to expo, hotel, dinner. Motel 6 – a dive. In morning, drove to Dave's hotel. Unloaded and walked across the street to Fargodome. Homestead Suites. Pouring rain, ½ starred first. Waited, then we statrted. Hard, hurt and then I said enough of running injured. Finished 3:48 for 2^nd in age. Hung out at Dave's hotel, fun time. All met at airport. Arrived in Chicago, upgraded to earlier flight. Home by 11:30 pm Course was fine, a lot of left hand turns. Pouring rain, then hot and sunny, then windy. # 35