Michigan

Order in which state was run: 32

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 26

The design on Michigan's deep blue field has three mottoes:
On a red ribbon - "One Nation Made Up of Many States"
On a blue shield - "I will Defend"
On a white ribbon - "If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look Around"
On the blue shield the sun rises over a lake and peninsula, a man with raised hand and holding a gun represents peace and the ability to defend his rights. The elk and moose are symbols of Michigan, while the eagle represents the United States. Flag adopted 1911.

 

Date: April 6, 2008
Race: Martian Half Marathon
City: Dearborn
Cost: $40.50

Martian half was a race put on by the Half2Run 25 half marathons in 25 states challenge so it was fitting that I include this race in my state quest.  The dri fit race shirt was the most interesting, best themed,  and loudest race shirt I ever received.  This race was run with a case of Achilles tendonitis.

 

This was the first state run after I started blogging.  My race report including a pic of the race shirt can be found here.

 

Up next: Alaska

New Jersey

Order in which state was run: 31

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 3

The State flag of New Jersey is buff colored. The state coat of arms is emblazoned in the center. The shield has three plows with a horse's head above it. Two women represent the goddesses of Liberty and Agriculture. A ribbon at the bottom includes the year of independence in 1776 and reads: Liberty and Prosperity. The New Jersey state flag was formally adopted in 1896.

 

Date: October 14, 2007
Race: Boardwalk Runners Half Marathon
City: Atlantic City
Cost: $40.00

This was my first time visiting New Jersey.  The boardwalk area reminded me of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  Nice areas with seedy areas within a block.  We arrived at the Boardwalk, checked into the Comfort Inn a block or so off the boardwalk near the host casino and headed to the casino to pickup our race packets.  Included in the packet was a free buffet at the host casino.  Carb loading problem solved!

Race options included a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon.  Three of the four races started in one direction with the marathon heading the opposite direction at a shared start line.  This made for the most unique race start that I have witnessed to date.  You had marathon runners lined up on the hotel side of the boardwalk with all other racers lined up on the ocean side of the boardwalk with one chip mat across the boardwalk.

I ran within a minute of my half marathon the day before on a much flatter course.  I experienced tightness in my back towards the end of the race.... may have been the hills from the Baltimore half the day before catching up with me.

New Jersey was my last new state run in 2007.  I would run one more 1/2 marathon in 2007 for a total of 13 half marathons run in 12 states (10 new states).  It was also my speediest year with my top 4 times and 9 of my top 15 times coming in 2007 half marathons.

Up next: Michigan

Maryland

Order in which state was run: 30

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 7

The Maryland flag contains the family crest of the Calvert and Crossland families. Maryland was founded as an English colony in 1634 by Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. The black and Gold designs belong to the Calvert family. The red and white design belongs to the Crossland family. Flag adopted 1904.

 

Date: October 13, 2007
Race: Under Armour Half Marathon
City: Baltimore
Cost: $57.00

The Under Armour Half Marathon was the first leg of my second Saturday Sunday back to back multi state half marathon weekend.  The half for this race weekend started 2 hours after the full start at the 13.1 mile mark of the full.  Nice for sleeping in but tough for checking out of the hotel post race.  No late checkouts were given as the Ravens had a home game the next day.

Packed bags pre race held with the valet and use of showers in the swimming pool area worked out fine.  After a post race lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, made the 4 hour? or so drive to Atlantic City to pick up my race packet for the half marthon Sunday in New Jersey.

 

Up next: New Jersey

2014 Let's Geaux Run! - The Louisiana Marathon Story

Great promo for one of my favorite half marathons.

Pennsylvania

Order in which state was run: 29

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 2

 

Pennsylvania's State Flag is composed of a blue field on which is embroidered the State Coat of Arms. The first State Flag bearing the State Coat of Arms was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799. An act of the General Assembly of June 13, 1907, standardized the flag and required that the blue field match the blue of Old Glory.

Date: September 16, 2007
Race: Philadelphia Distance Run
City: Philadelphia
Cost: $43.95

A little over a month after hobbling through a half marathon with a hamstring pull/slight tear, I came into PDR not knowing what to expect.  Some days are just perfect race days; your body and weather conditions combine for a speedy day.  PDR was one of those days as I logged my 2nd fastest race time for a half on a crisp, cool morning.

This was my first visit to Philadelphia.  The plan was to visit several museums  and soak in the history.  Just like perfect running conditions came together that weekend museum touring wasn't to be.  I did see the Liberty Bell and then I lost interest and just walked around the area taking in the atmosphere rather than spending time in museums.

 

Up next: Maryland

Colorado

Order in which state was run: 28

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 38

The flag consists of three alternate stripes of equal width and at right angles to the staff, the two outer stripes to be blue of the same color as in the blue field of the national flag and the middle stripe to be white, the proportion of the flag being a width of two-thirds of its length. At a distance from the staff end of the flag of one fifth of the total length of the flag there is a circular red C, of the same color as the red in the national flag of the United States. The diameter of the letter is two-thirds of the width of the flag. The inner line of the opening of the letter C is three-fourths of the width of its body or bar, and the outer line of the opening is double the length of the inner line thereof. Completely filling the open space inside the letter C is a golden disk, attached to the flag is a cord of gold and silver, intertwined, with tassels, one of gold and one of silver. Flag adopted 1911.

 

Date: August 11, 2007
Race: Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon
City: Idaho Springs
Cost: $32.55

 

Georgetown to Idaho Springs was a race with a 1000 foot net drop in elevation going from 8500 down to 7500 feet.  I was somewhat worried about sore quads after a mostly downhill race like this one.  My quads were not an issue at all as I pulled a hamstring around mile 4 of this race.  At that point, I did some run/walking until I felt a pop around mile 10.  I then just walked it in from there.  This was my first injury that occurred during a race.

 

After dealing with nagging Achilles tendon injuries for most of my running time, the hamstring injury was a much different experience.  With treatment, I was back running within a couple of weeks and actually came within a minute of my PR at my next half.

 

The injury and a rental mini van (I actually reserved a compact car but mini vans were all they had left) that was sluggish in cranking really limited my post race scheduled hiking in Rocky Mountatin National Park.

 

I returned to Colorado to run Bolder Boulder 10k the day after I ran my Wyoming half.

 

Up next: Pennsylvania

Minnesota

Order in which state was run: 27

 

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 32

The Minnesota state flag is royal blue, with a gold fringe. In the center of the flag is the state seal. Around the state seal is a wreath of the state flower, the lady slipper. Three dates are woven into the wreath: 1858, the year Minnesota became a state; 1819, the year Fort Snelling was established; and 1893, the year the official flag was adopted. Nineteen stars ring the wreath. The largest star represents Minnesota.

Date: June 16, 2007
Race: Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
City: Duluth
Cost: $72.00

 

Garry Bjorklund half is held in conjunction with Grandma's marathon in Duluth.  My first thought of Grandma's is a bunch of elderly women running but the Grandma's is the title sponsor as in the chocolate chip cookies.

 

The marathon is a major event for Duluth and bed and breakfasts required 2 night minimum stays for the weekend.  I was actually given the option to book the next years race weekend at checkout.  Um, no thanks, once was enough.

 

5 am up north in the summer is bright like mid day.  I was surprised by this.  Also, a course that follows one of the Great Lakes doesn't provide much shade.  It was definetely a warm day.

 

Flying into MSP, I was able to have lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in the Mall of America before making the drive north to Duluth.

 

Up next: Colorado

Wisconsin

Order in which state was run: 26

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 30

Starting at the top of a shield on a dark blue field is the state motto "Forward". Below it is a badger the state animal. A sailor and miner show that the people work on water and land. The shield in the center shows Wisconsin's support for the United States. In four sections surrounding the shield are representations of the states main industries: agriculture, mining, manufacturing and navigation. The cornucopia and pile of lead represent farm products and minerals. The flag law was amended in 1979 to include the name of the state and the date of statehood.

 

Date: May 27, 2007
Race: Madison Half Marathon
City: Madison
Cost: $55.00

 

Madison marathon and half marathons were held late May combined with what was billed as the world's largest brat fest.  I had my first bratwurst that weekend.  I also continued my Frank Lloyd Wright tour visiting Taliesin home and grounds in Spring Green.  Wisconsin was the 25th state where I completed a half marathon; NYC marathon was run but did not count towards half 2 run's race requirements.  I received my Half 2 Run certificate and medal shortly after this race.

 

 

 

Half 2 Run medal and Certificate:

 

 

Up next: Minnesota

Ohio

Order in which state was run: 25

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 17

 

Ohio's state flag was adopted in 1902. The Ohio burgee, as the swallowtail design is properly called, was designed by John Eisemann. The large blue triangle represents Ohio's hills and valleys, and the stripes represent roads and waterways. The 13 stars grouped about the circle represent the original states of the union; the 4 stars added to the peak of the triangle symbolize that Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the union. The white circle with its red center not only represents the "O" in Ohio, but also suggests Ohio's famous nickname, "The Buckeye State".

 

Date: May 6, 2007
Race: Flying Pig Half Marathon
City: Cincinnati
Cost: $50.00

 

I made the trip to Cincinnati for Flying Pig with several Woodlands Fit runners that ran the marathon.  Great running weekend!

 

 

 

Up next: Wisconsin