THE THING
I NEVER LOVED.
I've been active most of my life. Running was different. It was the thing I wasn't naturally good at — and that's exactly why I kept coming back to it.
I started running with friends I met at a gym. We'd meet up for a 5K, five miles, or whatever sounded like a good idea that day. I started small, then started wanting to go farther. Eventually, I signed up for my first half marathon.
The feeling was somewhere between love and hate. Mostly, it was a mental game. Running forced me to get uncomfortable, push my limits and accomplish something I couldn't just rely on natural ability to do.
Then I learned there were races longer than a marathon. A good friend told me her husband was going to run a 100-mile race. My immediate thought was: I think I could do that.
So I did. I went straight from a 13.1-mile half marathon to the Keys 100 — running the entire Florida Keys in less than 32 hours. I went on to run that race a few more times and kept my training going.
But now I'm craving something more. I need a new goal that demands straight grit. The itch needs scratched.
So I thought: what if I could run a 50-mile race in every single state and get it done before I turn 50?
Well, let's get after it.