As the quest for 51 continues, one cherishes each run. Some more
than others. Here is my personal ranking:
- New York (It's wonderful to run with the
crowds, the roar coming into Manhattan is incredible, Central
Park is lovely.)
- Kentucky (A transformative moment
shared with Rachael.)
- Maine (A nice, cool day on which I set
my PR)
- California
(A milestone day in a magical place with Rachael.)
- Montana (The cold mountain start in my
home state with lifelong friends.)
- Narrangansett, Rhode Island Weather was perfect, the weekend exploring Newport and environs was a blast.
- Washington, DC (Running along the Mall
and into the mists of the Potomac is beautiful.)
- Fargo (A marathoner reborn, I'm not dead yet.)
- Pennsylvania (A wonderful cool day in a
fascinating town with family close by.)
- Missouri (Beautiful course, St. Charles is funky, fantastic weekend of meals)
- Indiana (Crossing the 50 yard line at
Notre Dame Stadium at the finish.)
- West Virginia (They gave me a football
at the finish.)
- Idaho Beautiful course.
- KansasMiddle earth .
- Louisiana University Lake is beautiful.
- Arkansas Extra-ordinary hospitality in a small town trying to survive in fly over country.
- Nevada (Beautiful views of Lake Mead, a
cool day and a fast pace)
- Colorado Quick and beautiful winter getaway with Rachael.
- Michigan (trail running is fun and easy
on the body, Superior is blue and clear.)
- North Carolina (A day with an unexpected
friend ending with a hard lonely run through the sandhills.)
- Wyoming An older and wiser runner, taking it easy so it doesn't hurt too much at the end, stopping to look at the amazing view, has a better time.
- Illinois (The crowds, the lake front and
the city were beautiful.)
- Virginia (friendliest marathon in
America)
- Ohio (The playful spirit of the Flying
Pig.)
- Utah (I got to spend some time with
family and some time coming into the valley. Finished on the
parade route.)
- Massachusetts (Boston is Mecca for
marathoners, but it was a hot frustrating run.)
- Alabama An epic weekend with family and
friends.
- Minnesota (It was hard first run, but the
leaves were beautiful and Rachael joined me at Macalester.)
- Nebraska Scott's Bluff is beautiful.
- South Dakota Seeing a new perspective on America.
- Oregon Finishing in Hayward Field.
- Iowa Friendly and unique area, amazing logistics, great weather.
- Arizona Extremely well organized, beautiful scenery, a bit hot and dry.
- Wisconsin The finish at the art museum
is fun.
- Florida Beautiful, unique city,
well-planned.
- Maryland Baltimore is funky, like
Durham. Nice to know the city better.
- New Jersey Smooth, laid back run with a
great dinner.
- Washington The first half on the freeway is bad, but the second half makes up for it.
- Tennessee City of New Orleans to
Memphis.
- Missisippi Friendly run, lots of interesting conversation.
- Oklahoma Super well organized, wonderful cause, love the hotel, but Oklahoma is hot and the wind is fierce.
- Connecticut Beautiful along the Shepang river, but too cold to socialize. Good Simple run.
- Delaware Too much concrete, but
friendly organization.
- South Carolina Hot, great time with
family.
- Vermont Too much of everything, but
travel with Rachael is fun.
- New Hampshire Beautiful course,
friendly small crowd, but tough personal run and too much
traffic on course.
- Georgia Oh Atlanta!
- Texas Austin is the nicest place in
Texas.
- New Mexico It sucks to get old.