50 States Done … Now What?
I have finally finished my quest to run a marathon in all 50 states and Washington, DC. I still need to write up my official race report, but I started thinking about what my new goals would be and it got me thinking on what I’ve been lucky enough to accomplish over the last few years (since Feb of 2002). I have had a really good streak this year. Starting in January, my last 8 races, I have qualified for Boston 6 times and in the two I didn’t, I won the race (I’ll take missing out on Boston every time to win. Haha), bringing my total number of Boston Qualifiers up to 24. Of course I have benefited by getting older, I only need a 3:15:59 to qualify for the 2010 Boston Marathon, and those 5 minutes have made all the difference.
Some stats for the numerically inclined of you out there:
84 Marathons
8 Ultra Marathons
50 States
5 Countries
3 Continents
24 Boston Qualifying Times
Best time: 2:56:40
Longest marathon streak: 7 marathons in 7 weeks
Longest race: 50 miles
Marathons by Year:
2002: 3
2003: 9
2004: 8
2005: 11
2006: 15
2007: 18
2008: 20
2009: 8
So now I am thinking about what to do next. The obvious next goal is to get to 100 marathon or longer distance finishes. I am at 92 right now, so hitting 100 by the end of the year seems doable. I am also interested in running on all the continents, but that will take me a lot longer since it is sooooo much more expensive to do any of the four remaining continents that I have to do.
I’m looking for the races you all feel you must do at least once. The New Yorks, Bostons, Big Surs, St. Georges, Athens, Londons, Sydneys, Pike’s Peak, etc. I don’t care if they are easy or hard, I am looking for your favorite races.
Help me decide what comes next.
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Beermile
I have no idea…but WHAT an accomplishment! Congrats to you. You are amazing.
Congrats on the 50 states! Maybe you need to add marathons in all the US territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands). Does Guam have a marathon?
Also, the Jungfrau marathon is on my to do list. You climb from Interlaken to Kleine Sheideg in the Swiss Alps. 26.2 miles and I believe about 6000 vertical feet thru one of the most beautiful valleys on earth.
Hi there,
I just stumbled across your blog. Congrats on your 50 states. I am in the process of this goal, with 5 (soon to be 6) state and 2 provinces done. Have you ran all the provinces and terretories yet? Maybe this could be your next goal!
Frank, congratulations! That’s really wonderful, and it’s been fun following your marathons over the years. I was curious–did your BQs happen in the same year, and if so, which year was that? Do you think the way you trained for all those marathons helped you to reach Boston quicker than you might have otherwise or would you have gotten there sooner with a less-mileage, higher-intensity schedule?
I think you should write a book about your adventures.
wow, i’m totally amazed. good work!
Brian, I am totally down with the Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Island marathons, although they might be too hot for me
Marci->I haven’t done any marathons in Canada, but would really like to. I think my next major challenge with be the Inca Trail Marathon. Maybe next summer.
Congratulations!! I would think an Ironman race has to be next!
Congratulations on the 50! I think you’ve eanred the right to pick anything that you’ve always wanted to do. A special overseas trip maybe? Awesome.
Congratulations! I am a novice marathoner, but I am interested in the really scenic/ adventure races, such as The Great Wall, The Big 5, Two Oceans… you should consider some of those. I am. Thanks so much for the inspiration!