North Carolina

Order in which state was run: 10

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 12

That the flag of North Carolina shall consist of a blue union, containing in the center thereof a white star with the letter N in gilt on the left and the letter C in gilt on the right of said star, the circle containing the same to be one-third the width of the union. The fly of the flag shall consist of two equally proportioned bars; the upper bar to be red, the lower bar to be white; that the length of the bars horizontally shall be equal to the perpendicular length of the union, and the total length of the flag shall be one-third more than its width. That above the star in the center of the union there shall be a gilt scroll in semi-circular form, containing in black letters this inscription "May 20th, 1775," and that below the star there shall be a similar scroll containing in black letters the inscription: "April 12th, 1776."

Date: November 13, 2005
Race: Fox 26 Balttleship North Carolina Half Marathon
City: Wilmington
Cost: $50.56

 

As I mentioned in my California recap, San Francisco was the last race that i flew out of New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.  I ran San Francisco as part of my training for what was supposed to be my second marathon in New York City the week before Battleship NC. 

 

Even with Katrina totally disrupting my life, I somehow managed to continue marathon training.  A few weeks after Katrina, my new home town of Houston was hit by Hurricane Rita.  At that point, my traning fell off for a while.  When I got back into training, I developed strep and took that as a sign that I would postpone NYC to 2006.  I had already deferred my 2004 NYC marathon entry to 2005.  As I was already in half shape, I signed up for NC as a substitute race.

 

Battleship NC featured a pre race pasta dinner on board the battleship with ship tours.  Otherwise, it was a small well organized race with hills that kicked this flatlander's butt!

 

Up next: Arizona

California

Order in which state was run: 9

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 31

Historic Bear Flag raised at Sonoma on June 14, 1846, by a group of American settlers in revolt against Mexican rule. The flag was designed by William Todd on a piece of new unbleached cotton. The star imitated the lone star of Texas. A grizzly bear represented the many bears seen in the state. The word, "California Republic" was placed beneath the star and bear. It was adopted by the 1911 State Legislature as the State Flag.

California is one of a few states that I ran multiple races of half or longer distance.  Both races that I ran in California were run while traveling with others unlike many state runs where I made solo trips.

Date: July 31, 2005
Race: San Francisco Half Marathon
City: San Francisco
Cost: $65.47

San Francisco was a trip that I made with my son.  He was working in the Ritz Carlton's spa in New Orleans so we were able to spend a long weekend at the San Francisco Ritz on the top of a steep hill near Chinatown.  This was his first half distance race.

San Francisco was also the last race where my travel would originate from New Orleans.  Little did I know that in less than a month I would be living in Texas post a little storm named Katrina.  I would end up becoming a Texas resident for a few years before calling Louisiana home again.

San Francisco was also the first race where I received a dri fit non cotton type of race shirt.  Nowadays clearly more than half of shirts given by races are of the dri fit variery but you just have to go back to 2005 when dri fit race shirts were rare.

 

Dwayne and I post race

Date: September 5, 2010
Race: Disneyland Half Marathon
City: Anaheim
Cost: $107.00

I ran Disneyland in the same year that I ran the Goofy Marathon and Half Marathon in Orlando in order to claim a Disney Coast to Coast medal.  Three other members of the Chupacabra Running Club earned C2C as well.

Up next: North Carolina

Running the Numbers

So my comeback after 6 weeks of rest has failed miserably and I still can't run without pain in my left knee, I took my normal training time to figure out how much I have spent on races that are 13 miles or longer since the beginning of time.  In my case that would be January 2000, Y2K.

Prior to this weekend I already knew that I spent $4,605.11 on 84 races.  Not bad for an average cost right under $55.00.  What I didn't realize was that I spent an additional $54,077.86 in airfare, car rental, lodging, and side trips while traveling 49 states plus DC so far!

Alaska clearly is the most expensive state for me; clearly because I've taken 2 running trips to Alaska.  My top 5 expensive trips are:
Great Alaskan Maritime Marathon Cruise, Juneau, Alaska: $3,663.18
Bupa Great North Run, Newcastle, England: $3,646.17
Mayor's Half Marathon, Anchorage, Alaska: $3,354.07
Run for the Whales, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii: $2,929.65
Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Orlando, Florida: $2,800.35

My least expensive trip where travel was involved is the MTC Half Marathon in Madison, Mississippi.  Airfare, hotel, rental car, and race registration was a combined $205.60.

I'm headed out for an MRI on my left knee in an hour or so.  Hopefully the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery will be quick so that I can get back on the road training.  I have 2 October 1/2's where running is looking more doubtful by the day.

Vermont

Order in which state was run: 8

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 14

The picture on a deep blue field is a scene painting. You see a tall pine tree, a cow and sheaves of wheat. The Green Mountains are in the distance. Pine boughs extend around a shield. The name "Vermont" and the state motto "Freedom and Unity" are displayed on a crimson banner. At the the top of the shield is a stag's head.

Date: June 5, 2005
Race: Covered Bridges
City: Woodstock
Cost: $37.50

Covered Bridges Half Marathon was one of the half marathons listed in a Running Times article on popular half events.  This was my first time exploring central Vermont.  It was very peaceful; no cell phone service and quaint towns scattered around the Green Mountains.  The race itself ran near or through at least five covered bridges.  Race medals were offered for the first time in 2012.

 Up next: California

Kentucky

Order in which state was run: 7

Order in which state was admitted into the union: 15

Placed on a navy blue field is the seal and words "Commonwealth of Kentucky". The two people on the seal, a pioneer and a statesman, represent all the people. They are acting out the meaning of Kentucky's motto: "United We Stand; Divided We Fall". Sprays of goldenrod extend in a half circle around the picture.

Seven states into my running all 50 states and I've already run in my second of four Commonwealth states.  Halfway done with the Commonwealth Challenge!

Date: April 30, 2005
Race Derby Festival
City: Louisville
Cost: $39.90

Kentucky can be quite chilly at the end of April.  I arrived the day before the race to rain and cool weather conditions.  After picking up my race packet, I opted to stay in and not venture out to the Louisville Slugger Museum as the weather was truly nasty.

Rain cleared overnight and after a chilly start the day was great for running.  The race course passed right by Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby.  I believe a loop was added around the track the next year. 

Up next: Vermont