98 races, 18 states…and counting.

This weekend was the 98th race of my running life. I started running about 6 years ago after deciding doing a marathon was on my life’s list of things. It was one of the two resolutions I had that year (the other was to visit Australia). Both were accomplished and while I thought back then I was a one and done marathoner, history proves otherwise.

These past years have been a wonderful experience of travel, new friendships, new running experiences and quite a few medals and t-shirts. I mean c’mon, aren’t we all in it for the t-shirts and medals anyway??!!

I thought I would recap my favorites as well as races which weren’t nearly as fun.

A few of the “fun” ones (in no particular order):

2007 Carlisbad (CA) Half-Marathon: 8 or so miles with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop made this one probably my favorite race ever. Gorgeous day in the mid 50’s at the start made this one perfect. Great organization and support as well. One I’ll probably do again.

2007 Philadelphia Distance Run (half marathon): A very quick tour of downtown Philly followed by a run around the river. Crowd support was unreal and the finish at the Philly Museum was something else! It was the first true fall day of the year with the leaves starting to change and temps in the low 50’s. It was a runner’s delight of a day and one I wish could be bottled!

2005 Charleston (WVa) Distance Run (15 miler): I’ve done this race three times (05-07) and while the finish leaves a little to be desired, “Capital Punishment Hill” and the descent of it make it a very fun day. It’s surprisingly flat from mile 6 on and running by the state capitol building is pretty cool. The expo isn’t that great but the free pasta dinner more than makes up for it! A great way to start Labor Day weekend and a race which will be on my list probably as long as I run!

2005 HP Houston Marathon: Despite the concrete wrecking my knees at 19, this was my first out of town marathon and a fantastic experience! A near meeting with former President Bush at mile 18 (knee forced me to walk by without shaking his hand) on a gorgeous day. I recall Shawn Colvin singing the national anthem and jets flying overhead. I was nearly in tears at the start it was so cool! A very well organized event and a fun time!!

2007 Baton Rouge Beach Half Marathon: A great group of people on this one! Small race but man it was fun. Running through LSU’s campus as well as about 6 or so miles around a lake made it fun. A perfect day for running didn’t hurt either!! A must do for everyone!

2005 Hoover Dam 10k: No, not THAT Hoover Dam! I only add this one because it’s the best running event of my life and the only race I sort of felt how you fast runners feel. Tough 10k course they made tougher when they reversed the direction of the race. Not on my “must do” local races anymore but man that was a great run for me!!


…and on the other side of the ledger. My least favorites (again, in no particular order):

2005 Columbus Distance Classic: This half marathon isn’t on the list because of the race, course or anything else. I put it on here because it was 20 degrees and snowing sideways throughout the event. I still had a respectable time (for me) for the event but when you have snow accumulation on the bill of your hat, it’s probably not the best day for a run.

2007 Columbus Winter Run: My first experience with this 15 miler saw the temps drop from the mid 20’s to the mid teens during the race with wind chills near zero. It’s an absolutely boring course and the fact I couldn’t blink or move my jaw by the end didn’t help. And to think I actually did it again in 2008!!! Sometimes you just don’t learn!!

2003 Columbus Marathon: While I’ve run this marathon six times, 2003’s installment was the “how not to” spend your 2 days before the race. Splitting a few bottles of wine two nights before with my girlfriend at the time started the weekend off on the wrong foot and about 3k into the race the road was spinning. I never recovered. I finished but in a personal worst time!

2006 Home Stretch 20-miler: This isn’t a bad race but this edition for me caused me to pass out shortly after the finish line (at my car!). A warmer day than expected and a lack of support on the last 5 or 6 miles made it seemingly like a death march. I’m still not sure how I finished.

2007 Cleveland Rite-Aid Half Marathon: Not a big fan of the race or the course. Not much to see outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Stadium and Jacobs Field. A very vanilla race and one of a very few I wouldn’t recommend.

As I looked through my list I realized there are far more on the good side of the docket than the bad. Here’s to me reaching 100 on 2/16 and beyond!!

Happy Running!!