races in the west

November 2016 - My best friend and I took our talents to Las Vegas, for the Rock and Roll Las Vegas 5k and Half marathon!  My time was 2:14:55.  The roads were not the best, so I had to watch my footing!  Snoop Dog was the guest performer for the Post Race Party!  I was there for a week and had a great time! 

 June 2018 - This was the first race of the Bear Lake Trifecta, in Saint Charles, Idaho and my first time running back-to-back races!   

 June 2018 - The second race of the Bear Lake Trifecta took place on the open roads of Cokeville, Wyoming.  It was where the deer and the antelope reign!  Maybe not, but there were animals out there!   

 June 2018 - This was the last and final race of the Bear Lake Trifecta, in Garden City, Utha.  We literally climbed a hill in this race!  

 October 2022 - I went with Team Take Down to Alaska!  We helped them sell out the race, which had not happened previously!  They had a Juneteeth Festival during that weekend , which many of the runners supported.  It was interesting to find people who lived in Jacksonville or knew someone who lived near me.  It is a small world!!   

 June 2023 - I registered for this race prior to COVID and was finally able to run it!  RnR San Diego had the best crowd support of the RnR races I have done.  The neighborhoods really came out and showed their support.  I ran the 5k the day before.  I would love to return to San Diego and stay at the same hostel in the Gaslamp District. 

 September 2024 - Bozeman, Montana was a race that started in the middle of nowhere.  We were shuttled to the start and ran back downtown on Main Street. The course was on the street; however, the roads weren't closed at the beginning.  As we got closer to the downtown area, Main Street was closed off for the finish.  The crowd support was very minimal; however, I've gotten used to that at this point.  

I stayed at a hostel, which may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I didn't have any issues and the location was perfect.  I have to make my dollars stretch!!  LOL! 

September 2024 - Pendleton, Oregon was the 1st race in the Mainly Marathons Northwest Series.  The course was mainly asphalt, with a view of the river.  I just realized that all of the races sponsored by Mainly Marathons are near rivers.  It sure beats the big buildings that you normally see at a race.  We did 8 out and back laps.  It was a beautiful morning, with temperatures in the 40's.  I started with my hoodie, but after about an hour, I took it off.  My strategy was to run 4:1 intervals.  It was great seeing some familiar faces along the course.  Oregon was state #43 in my 50-state journey!

September 2024 - Clarkston, Washington was the 2nd race in the Mainly Marathons Northwest Series.  What can I say??  The views were beautiful!  We had the Snake River and the mountains to look at, which took our minds off of running an out and back.  My strategy was to run out and walk back!  The goal was to finish and that I did!  There was also a riverboat that had some passengers embarking.  I wish I had to time to take a cruise along the river.  Washington was state #44!  

 September 2024 - Sterling, Colorado was State #45!  It was the 1st race of the Center of the Nation Series with Mainly Marathons!  The temperature was a little crisp to start, but it was beautiful morning for a "stroll" in the woods.  The course was partly asphalt, though there were areas in the woods that were sandy.  I took the time to talk to people along the way because as I may have said before, Mainly Marathons is about finish lines, NOT finish times!  I met a few new people who were on the same journey.  There was one man who was completing his 2001st marathon!  Yea, you read that correctly!  I don't think I'll do that many races, of any distance; however, it's great to see him moving and getting it done!! 

January 2025 - Maui, Hawaii will be my 50th state and final half marathon in my "Journey to 50 States!"