Marathon Running

Today is the Shizuoka Marathon. It’s held every year at the end of February or the beginning of March. Some years I’ve gone out to cheer for people I’ve known who were competing. I understand how it feels having someone cheering for you.

When I lived in the US, one of the things on my Bucket List was to run a marathon in each of the 50 US states. I was never a fast runner (translation - I was a slow runner), but I had endurance. Since I will never be going back to the US, I no longer have this goal on my bucket list. Below are the races I ran before I left.

My first marathon was the Grandfather Mountain Marathon in North Carolina. July 1984

At the time, I thought it would be my only marathon, so I saved the shirt.

St. Louis, Missouri November 1989 

This race was chosen because it was just a few hours from where I was living at the time. When I finished, I thought I would probably do another sometime.

Las Vegas, Nevada February 1991 

When I was in law school, I belonged to a running club that met every Sunday to run and eat a pot luck brunch together. A group of us went to Las Vegas for the marathon, including my law school professor in the picture with me. (My behind isn’t as big as it looks in the picture - I have a long sleeved shirt tied around my waist.)

Memphis, Tennessee December 1998 

I visited Elvis Presley’s home on this trip, in addition to the marathon.

London, Ontario Canada May 2000 

One thing I remember about this race was that it was measured in kilometers, not miles!

Wichita, Kansas October 2002

 Louisville, Kentucky Marathon April 2003

I went to this race with quite a few friends from my running club. Three of us stayed in a hotel room together, like a slumber party.

Tecumseh Trail Marathon, Indiana December 2003. 

This was probably the most difficult marathon. It was freezing cold, there were streams to go through and big hills, and a dead deer on the course. The friend who I traveled with had to drop out of the race. I was sad for her, but I felt so good to be able to finish.

Columbus, Ohio October 2005 

My high school friend and her family hosted me in Columbus. It was good to catch up with her that weekend.

Huntington, West Virginia November 2005

This was a very small marathon and I was running alone for much of the race.

Jacksonville, Florida December 2005

This race was held on a rainy day. I remember a delicious seafood dinner after the race.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina February 2006 

This was a lively race, with lots of runners who were having a good time.

Callaway Gardens, Georgia January 2008 

I had been to Callaway Gardens for needlework classes with many other stitchers,  but this was the first time to be there alone.

Shamrock Marathon Virginia Beach, Virginia March 2008 

This race was sponsored by a beer company and there was free beer at the finish.

Triple Lakes Trail Marathon North Carolina October 2010 

This marathon was rugged. The trail was steep and rocky in places, and had big tree roots in other places. I finished this marathon with dirty bloody knees.

Huntsville, Alabama December 2010

This was a large crowded race. It was my last before moving to Japan in 2011.

Good memories!