Are you an avid runner, just getting the running bug, or perhaps just looking for a fun reason to visit all 50 US states? If you answered yes to any of those questions this blog post is for you.
I’ve completed a marathon in 30 states so far and I’m aggressively pursuing my goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states before I turn 50 (August 2028). In the past 4 years I’ve completed 25 marathons and I look forward to sharing my journey with you in this and my future blogs.
The Running Bug
It started in 2001 when a group of friends and I thought it would be fun to visit Southern California – our reason to go was the San Pedro Marathon. The views of the Pacific Ocean were incredible, running up and down the coastline was an amazing distraction to the task at hand. I learned the benefits of pacing, that running downhill on wobbly legs at mile 24 is tricky and that the running community is an incredible support group!
My next three marathons would all have gaps of 4 plus years between them. As I completed runs in Arizona, Missouri and Tennessee, I was humbled. Running in heat, ignoring signals from your body and mind to eat, drink, or getting rerouted due to impending weather, reinforced the importance of the mental preparation side of the marathon. Those last 6.2 miles of a race are tough but believing in yourself, in your mission, that each stride you take will get you closer to that finish line, rewards you with an overwhelming positive feeling that is so hard to replicate – and it’s why you’ll want to enter another race.
The 50 by 50 Goal
In 2018 my 4:45:31 Vermont run was 30 minutes slower than any of previous marathons. I battled an IT band issue which proved to myself that I could overcome significant pain to still cross that finish line. The biggest gain though was the desire to not let that be my last performance as I knew I could do better. Again, something completely out of my control fueled my desire to not only want to run again but reinforced the interest in using running as a way to see other cities. As a result, in 2021, I kicked off my plan to run in every state, with one of the most iconic marathons in the world – The Honolulu Marathon. This race started the next string of 4 marathons each in 2022 and 2023, 9 marathons in 2024 and 7 in 2025.
Now with “only” 20 states/marathons to go, the prospect of completing this goal is coming into view. 2026 is shaping up to be a milestone year with potentially 10 marathons on the schedule.
My next posts will not only share with you my upcoming race experiences, but we’ll dive deeper into how I’m staying healthy and injury free; what gear, supplements and fueling I use; how I’m listening to my body like never before and most importantly how I lean on many experts’ years of experience, education and many who don’t even know I exist, but help me stay healthy, get to that next race’s start line and enjoy the thrill of crossing another finish line.
Running with Purpose
I am running to complete a goal – 50 by 50, but I’ve also found that as part of my journey I’ve taken just as much pride in giving back – sharing my experiences and helping others in this great big running community with their running goals. A running community comes in many forms – family; friends; running buddies; fellow racers, volunteers and supporters; bloggers like myself; podcasts; and other resources. I have an incredible support system and running community. I’ve learned and experienced a lot on my running journey that I am excited to share – organization and planning; training plans; dietary and supplement successes and failures; strength training; gear selection; race hydration & fueling strategies; race pace/running strategies. Each lesson learned is a step that will accumulate into something bigger. Every start line I hit and every finish line I stride across does get me a little closer to my goal of completing 50 in 50 by 50 AND further imprints upon me how fortunate I am to be connected to this running community.
I want to be part of your community and success!! Come with me on this journey and together we will continue to learn about how to get to those start and finish lines.
Come back for more insights, inspirations, resources and support that will help you get a little closer to your goal and see my progress toward 50/50.
Until then, “Live the story you want to tell! – Sally McRae”