Vermont City Marathon, Burlington, VT May 24, 2026

 

Burlington, VT May 24, 2026

5:42:56 – 1390/1555 Overall – 1/2 in 75-79 

            Jodi and I got up at 2:30AM on Friday to catch our cross-country flight to Burlington, VT. We got in about 3:30PM EDT and were able to go to the expo and pick up our packets. Interestingly, eager-beaver, Jodi had volunteered to help out at the start line for the race since she was running the 2^nd half as part of a marathon relay team. The race organizers hooked her up with another runner named Ann whom Jodi had corresponded with to set things up. My cousins, John and Linda Duncan, who used to live in Connecticut and with whom I stayed many times when I ran the Boston Marathon, now live in New Hampshire and were planning to meet up with us while we were in Burlington. Well, purely by accident we ended up staying at the same hotel on Friday night. That made it easy to eat breakfast with them Saturday and then tour some of Burlington before they went home after we had lunch together. It was a great time catching up! In the afternoon, Jodi and I toured the famous Vermont Teddy Bear Factory located just outside Burlington.

            Saturday morning dawned with the sound of raindrops on the roof. It was indeed going to be a rainy and chilly marathon with temps in the mid-40s. Jodi needed to get the start fairly early, so we got there at 5:50 for the 7:15 start. Thankfully we had anticipated the rain and had umbrellas and rain gear. When Jodi went to get ready for her start line duties, I sat in the car and wondered about all these crazy people braving the elements. Indeed, why was I doing this? But then I thought how the conditions were actually pretty good for running. They were way better than too hot as it was at Lincoln, NE 3 weeks before had been. And it was a light rain and warmer than many marathons I’d run in driving rain and temps in the 30s. Sitting in the car not far from the start, I was able to wait until near the start time to get in the porta-potty line and drop my gear bag where I put my umbrella in its own plastic bag so it didn’t get my sweats and dry clothes wet. (That was a great idea from Jodi!)

            As you can see from the pictures, I wore shorts and the old standby plastic bag with arm and head holes over my short sleeve shirt and arm warmers. The rain lightened up about an hour into the race, and I threw away the garbage bag and took off the arm warmers. “Once you’re wet, you’re wet and it doesn’t really matter anymore” is my motto and I felt fine the rest of the race dressed that way and the rain mostly stopped.

            We had also made arrangements to see our friends, Farshad and Donna Oreizi, who had moved from Fresno to Burlington. I have known them since 2000 when they became a part of Team in Training (part of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) first with one of their three sons as an honoree (an 8-year-old leukemia patient who is doing great now) and then as marathoners themselves and then as coach and LLS employee. I saw them early in the race as I climbed a long hill in downtown and got a “lift”. The marathon is a two-loop course that has a figure-8 shape. As I approached mile 6 (near the start area(, Jodi took my picture and my arm warmers. She then got ready to run her leg of the relay.

            I  did a 3-minute run/:30second walk for most of the race but did vary it on the numerous hills. My running pace was in the 11:00-11:30 pace for much of the race but slowed as I tired in the later miles. I finished the first half-marathon loop and then less than a mile later saw Farshad who started running with me. I figured he’d run maybe a mile, but no, he ended up running almost all of the second half of the marathon with me. (He had planned to run with his son, Tieve who was running the marathon; however, Tieve got injured and had to drop.) That was a big help to me because Farshad entertained me by updating me on so many things related to what the boys had done over the years and how he and Donna ended up in Burlington. It was so great to listen to his stories and just run and not think about my running. Looking out on Lake Champlin, Farshad told me how the whole lake freezes over in the winter and they can skate out to the island nearby. Very different than Fresno😊

            Meanwhile, Jodi’s teammate ran a quick 1:50 for her half and then Jodi ran a strong 2:32. We both enjoyed the views of the lake (the border with New York state), all the green trees and lawns, lots of friendly folks in the many neighborhoods we traversed, and the variety in terrain.

            After resting and cleaning up following the race, Jodi and I went to dinner with Farshad, Donna, and Tieve and had a great time remembering some past times and finding out about many other goings-on in our families. Monday was Memorial Day so we had a day to explore the area. We drove out toward the town of Stowe and on the way took the tour of the Ben and Jerry factory and got donuts and cider at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. We then visited the now-lodge that the Von Trapp family of “Sound of Music” fame settled in after they came to America. It very much has an Austrian Alps’ feel to it. We had fun walking around and eating lunch in Stowe and then going back to Burlington and walking around the University of Vermont campus. The university was founded in 1792, and its teams are called the Catamounts.

            We had an afternoon flight home so had time to walk out on the causeway going out into Lake Champlain. It’s about 11 miles long and is a path used by walkers, runners and bikers and would be a great place for an out and back long run. Our plane was delayed in Denver due to mechanical issues, so we didn’t get back into our own beds until 11:00PDT (2:00AM EDT). It was a memory and action-packed long weekend.

This was Marathon #193; 48 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathon: Atlantic City, NJ Oct 18, 2026

Pictures with captions can be seen on my Facebook post.

Or go to Shutterfly: https://linkit.shutterfly.com/aSyiUz

 

 

 

Lincoln, NE Marathon 5 3 2026

 

Lincoln, NE May 3, 2026

5:49:42 – 1071/1107 Overall – 2/2 in 75-79

            I always look to do special things in the places where I run marathons so that it's not just about the race. On this trip, it was definitely not about the race. I ran a decent, comfortable half and then the weather got into the 70s and my legs and body just didn't want to run much. This was state #47 (192 total marathons) with only 3 more to do to complete all 50 again. But it was a real slog as I pretty much ran 1 minute and walked 30 seconds in the second half after doing 3/:30 in the first half which I ran in about 2:38. Sadly, I limped in at 5:49. 

            All I wanted to do was sit down when I finished so I went to med tent to sit and get an ice pack and some gatorade for my tight hamstring. Then I went to get my gear bag and sat some more talking a to a young lady named Shelby who had lived in CA for 9 years and loved Yosemite and Kings Canyon. She even gave me a couple of extra race shirts that she had. Just like everyone I met in NE, she was so friendly. From the hotel staff, to expo helpers, to airport people everyone was fun to talk to and very engaging. People told me that the state is known as "NE friendly" and they sure lived up to that motto.

            At the pasta dinner put on by the race, I got to meet my cousin, Mike and Sandy Duncan's daughter, Stephanie and her husband, Zach who were running the marathon. I knew them from FB and that they were working on running all the states and had run Boston so was hoping to someday met them at a marathon that we were all running. And it finally happened.

The day before the marathon, I took a tour of the capitol. It is quite an impressive structure. Do you know NE has the only unicameral legislature?

            Also, it was great that the start and finish of the race were next to the Cornhusker's football stadium and that it was less than a 1/2 mile walk from my hotel. And then today as I was driving down a street toward the airport, I happened on the new College World Series stadium. I just had to stop and take a picture of it and the plaque showing the Wonder Dogs of Fresno State as the 2008 World Series champions. I had seen the plaque in 2009 when I ran the Omaha Marathon; it was at the old ballpark Lindblatt Stadium.This was Marathon #192; 47 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathon: May 24, 2026: Burlington, VT

Pictures with captions can be seen on my Facebook post.

Or go to Shutterfly: https://linkit.shutterfly.com/NpY__i

 

 

 

Hartford, CT Marathon 10 11 2025

Hartford, CT Oct 11, 2025

5:33:59 – 1792/1914 Overall – 5/6 in 75-79 

            I flew into Hartford on Thursday (10/9/25) for the marathon on Saturday but the flight was via Chicago  so I saw a lot of Chicago marathon runners including CJ Albertson and others from Bakersfield and Atascadero. On Friday I toured Mark Twain's house where he wrote most of his books in the 1890s. There are some photos of his sayings. One that seems to always be true: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” The state capitol was just across the stree from my hotel and I got some great views of it each day from my window. I took a self-guided tour of it and learned a lot of interesting things about CT. There was a water fountain in it where they used to get water for their horses and a tree with a cannon ball from the Battle of Chicamauga. Right next to the capitol was the staging area for the marathon so I got to take a look at it.

This was the 31st running of the Hartford Marathon and these folks really have it down pat on doing everything right to benefit the runners. My hotel was only a 1/4 mile from the start so I could walk there. When I got there, it was easy to find the start/finish lines. I wasn't sure where the gear check was, but there was a guy with a sign saying "Ask Me" and I was quickly directed the right way. Near the start was something else that I appreciate: a hydration station so runners could get that last drink of water. The corrals were easy to get to and even though I was near the back, it took only a couple minutes for me to get to the start.

Even the day was perfect running weather with temps in mid 50s and clouds most of the race with some light, cooling breezes at times. The course has a lot of rolling hills which aren't steep or long so they add variety to the course. The aid stations had enthusiastic volunteers and there were lots of spectators and bands along the way. Although the number of spectators dropped off in the second half (the half-marathoners split off), there were enough to help keep me motivated.

My legs felt good and I felt good in the first half and went through half at about 2:37, but about mile 15, I just didn't feel right. So, I went from running 3:30 and walking :30 to 2:00/:30. The last 8 miles were just powering through at 1:00/:30. My hips ached, I had a cramp developing in my hamstring, and I had wooziness whenever I switched to walking which made me want to be careful. (I have a stent and take blood pressure medicine.) The second half wasn't what I hoped for but I did power through the pain and get another marathon in the books.

I would highly recommend the Hartford Marathon. The course was interesting with the fall colors in the leaves on the trees. Part of it goes through downtown including going by my hotel (tempting...) and part goes out in the countryside with rivers and meadows and even a rose garden park. There was even a bigger than life Mark Twain on stilts near by the Twain House I'd toured the day before.

This was Marathon #191; 46 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathon possibilities: Spring 2026: Burlington, VT, Lincoln, NE

Pictures with captions can be seen on my 2 Facebook posts.

Or go to: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1845881261032217

 

 

Erie, PA Marathon, Cleveland, Canton

 

Erie, PA Sep. 7, 2025

5:19:02 – 1041/1103 Overall – 3/4 in 75-79 

            Jodi and I flew into Cleveland on Friday and spent the night there. Saturday morning we took the tour of the Cleveland Indians’ ballpark. (Our guide, a Cleveland area baseball coach and teacher said he’s never had anyone on the tour who liked the name they use now.) After the tour, we also saw the basketball arena across the street, and drove a couple miles to see their football stadium. Our guide had told us about the original field that Cleveland played on in the early 1900s when they were named the Naps. Cy Young pitched with them back then. The field is in great shape and used now by local baseball teams.

We then drove to Erie to pick up my race packet and check-out the logistics which were a bit complicated since the race is on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie and is closed to traffic during the race. Sunday morning we had to walk a mile from the parking lot to get to the race start/finish area.

            When we got up race morning, we saw that it has rained during the night, but had stopped. So the air was fresh and the temperature was 55 and the skies were partly cloudy with lots of shade from gorgeous trees along most of the course. Jodi was able to get in a 9 mile run along an adjoining path and ended up with about 14 miles being a great Sherpa and spectator. Since the race was 2 loops, she was able to meet me a couple of times and see me finish.

During the race, I mostly ran 3:30 and walked :30-45 seconds. I ran pretty much alone until about mile 17 when I noted lady with a 50 state hat. We were able to pace together the rest of the way and entertain each other with stories which helped a lot with the tediousness of running 5+ hours.         She started running in her 60s and is now 75 and has run marathons in 30 states so far, on all the continents and run the 6 majors. She is Vietnamese and escaped from Saigon just as it falling to the Viet Cong. It was quite interesting to hear her full story and realize that she is the living history that I used to teach about in my Vietnam War unit for my students at Hoover and Reedley.

My stomach was a bit upset, and Jodi volunteered to go back up the hill to the parking lot to get the car to pick up me and my new friend who needed a ride to her hotel. While we waited, we found out that we had each placed in our age groups and they gave us our plaques.

Monday, we drove to Canton, OH to visit the NFL Hall of Fame. We spent 4-5 hours there and then drove back to Cleveland where we stayed at the same hotel at which we had stayed on Friday. Since our plane didn’t leave until 5PM, we had time to go visit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. We got right in when the doors opened at 10 and got to see most everything we wanted to see during the 4 hours we had to do so.

This was Marathon #190; 46 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathon planned: Hartford, CT Oct. 12, 2025

There are 2 sets of pictures available to see on Shutterfly:

Ballpark and Race: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1842983048610350

NFL and RNR Hall of Fames: https://link.shutterfly.com/VFv0w6V5zWb

Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier June 2025

Our trip began on Saturday June 14, 2025 with us flying into Jackson, WY, gateway to the Tetons. We rode up the Snow King ski lift which John famously was afraid to ride 55+ years ago. Looking at the old ski lift chairs on display there, you can see why. The new enclosed chairs are luxurious in comparison. That afternoon we saw that a local theatre group was presenting an old western musical, “The Ballad of Cat Ballou” so we had fun watching that in the evening.

The next day we looked around some old Mormon homesteads called “Mormon Row” and then took a 3-hour raft trip down the Snake River. We saw spectacular views of Grand Teton and heard great stories of Lewis and Clark and the history of the area. The next morning, we did about a 5-mile run along a running path that extends from Jackson to the Tetons and beyond for at least 35 miles. We then drove to Yellowstone where we passed “Continental Divide” signs many times in the mountains.

Yellowstone was spectacular. We never realized its vastness and complexity. We saw bison, elk, rivers, lakes, Yellowstone Falls, Grand Prismatic Spring, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and of course Old Faithful. We felt in awe of God’s creation. We enjoyed a buffet in the classic Yellowstone Lodge and then drove around the southern part of the park and saw Lower and Upper Yellowstone Falls. Jodi was hoping to see a bear, but we never did although we did have a fine breakfast at the Running Bear Pancake House in West Yellowstone.

            We headed to Helena the next day but stopped on the way to visit Big Sky ski resort where John and a group of Westmont buddies had met and skied many times in the past. It looks quite different in the summer and has a lot of expansion going on. On the drive we saw some rafters who were rafting in rapids, something we did not do on our raft trip (which was quite peaceful)..

            In Helena we met Charlie Bauer, John’s long-time friend who he met as a freshman at Westmont in 1968. Charlie gave a tour of the city which included a visit to the library and a great steak dinner. The next day Charlie drove us to Kalispell, but on the way, he  took us through his old stomping grounds in Missoula. We saw the football stadium where the University of Montana Grizzlies play.

            Friday Charlie took us on the Going to the Sun Road through Glacier National Park. We checked out the lodge and then Charlie took us to the Avalanche Lake trailhead. On the hike we saw some deer up-close (but no bears) and had a great view of the lake and the waterfalls going into it. After the hike we continued on the road with amazing and scary views of the valley, the waterfalls, snow, and the mountains. We made reservations to drive this route over Logas Pass back in February. It opened 4 days prior to our arrival and then promptly closed again the next day due to a snowstorm. We were grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy these views!

 

            We spent two nights in Kalispell in a hotel that was originally built in 1912 but has been nicely remodeled. It had great homemade breakfasts which got us going both days we stayed there. We flew home Saturday afternoon via Salt Lake City. Getting on the plane in SLC, John told Jodi that former Fresno State QB and coach (and Cal Bears coach) Jeff Tedford was on our flight. We got to talk to him in Fresno while waiting for our baggage; he was very friendly and personable and told us that he is enjoying retirement.

Rehoboth Beach DE Marathon 4/13/2025

 

Rehoboth Beach, NJ Marathon

April 12, 2025

5:20:57 – 704/788 Overall – 5/6 in 70-74

I flew all day Friday to get into the Baltimore Airport and then had a 3 hour drive in the rain to get to Rehoboth Beach, but I got there about 9:00 EDT. It was really cold and windy on Saturday, with wind chill in low 30s so I was not sure what I should wear Sunday. But race morning was a bit warmer and was actually perfect with just breezes and lots of clouds. It was a really pretty course through coastal parks and starting and finishing on the boardwalk. My hotel was 200 yards from the start so it was great to just walk there.  

Rehoboth Beach is very much a tourist town with at least 6 ice cream spots and hundreds of stores in the main section by the beach. It was like Carmel on steroids. It was fun to walk around, but so cold Saturday that I kept going back to my hotel to thaw out and rest.

I knew my training was lacking due to having to rest and do PT for some back issues so I early on decided to walk more than my usual 4/:30. I did mostly 2:15 run/:45 walk so was out there longer, but didn’t feel too beat-up or sore as I would have been if I had run more. 

After getting cleaned up (too cold for ice bath😊) taking a long nap and watching Warriors game, I got a great Wagu burger for dinner. But it was a late dinner and when I went for ice cream, all the shops had just closed. It was 8 PM.

But, Monday my plane didn’t leave until 5:30 PM so I had time to go into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and get my ice cream there 😊. I also had time to tour Ft. McHenry. Quiz: Why is it famous?

Yes! It’s where Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying after the British attacked in the War of 1812 and wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner”.

For pictures:  

https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1829499794849812 

This was Marathon #189; 45 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathon planned: Erie, PA Sep 2025

Ft Worth, TX Cowtown Marathon 2 23 2025

 

Cowtown Marathon

Ft Worth, TX

February 23, 2025

5:15:39 – 1299/1695 Overall – 5/9 in 70-79

  

   I hadn't run a marathon since July last year and I didn't have my next state marathon until April, so I decided to run the Fort Worth, TX Cowtown Marathon. This marathon has been around for 47 years so was one I'd heard of over the years. I was anxious to see how my body would respond after the "incident" in September and then my steady recovery. I'm happy to report that I felt fine and ran a strong, steady race ending up with 5:15. I did run/walk of 4/:30 and later 2-3/ :30-45. The shorter running intervals allowed me to run faster for shorter periods which worked well. Weather was ideal with overcast and 40 degrees at the start; sun came out in last third, but with breeze, it wasn't a factor. This was marathon #188 and my 4th in Texas (Austin and 2 Houston) so not a new state. My next scheduled state is Delaware and the Rehobeth Beach Marathon in April; that would be state #45 on second go-round. Thanks for all your prayers and support; I feel like I've fully recovered! Photos: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1825420793709132

            The day before the marathon, I drove about an hour out of Ft Worth to join Bruce and Karen Bauer for fun time seeing their place (they escaped CA about 6 years ago), Creation Evidence Museum and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. We saw evidence of dinosaurs and people living together in that area as well as many other evidences supporting creation and young earth. At the Wildlife Center we got to drive our car around as if we were on a safari seeing many types of wild animals such as zebras, rams, cheetahs, and giraffes. We were given pellets so we could feed the animals which came right up to the car (not the cheetahs😊).

            On Sunday their son, Brian ran the half-marathon and then we all went out for steak dinner later that afternoon. On Monday I went back to the Ft Worth stockyards (we ran by them in the marathon) and saw a lot of western history including a demonstration of Longhorns being herded in front of us. Then I drove out to Arlington and saw the Texas Rangers’ ballpark and their old ballpark that is across the street. And across the parking lot is the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Always fun to see stadiums in various cities. Gas in Texas was $2.67; I had just paid $2 more/gallon in Fresno.

Photos: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1825429325512797

This was Marathon #188; 44 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathon: Rehoboth, DE April 13, 2025

 

Jack and Jill North Bend, WA July 24, 2024

 

Jack and Jill Marathon

North Bend, WA

July 24, 2024

4:54:39 – 643/815 Overall - 6/8 in 70+

            Jodi and I flew to Seattle Thursday night in order to run the Jack and Jill Marathon near there in North Bend area. I ran the full in 4:55:39 for my 187th marathon overall (still at 44 states done at least twice) and Jodi ran the half. The weather was so cool compared to Fresno where we've been running in 80 degree weather. It was 57 at the start and got up to about 70 but most of the course was in the shade because of all of the wonderful trees. The course is a rails-to-trails path with mostly packed dirt and and a gradual downhill most of the way.

            The gradual downhill was great for running faster, but it took its toll on my calves and quads which have been much more sore than after a normal marathon. I was pleased that I did my run/walk of 4min run/:30 seconds walk most of the way. When I was running, I easily ran around 10:20 often going closer to 10:00 without much effort. I was still running those paces even in the last miles and just did a bit more walking then.

            On Friday Jodi and had gone to the Space Needle area and where we ran into running friend from Fresno, Rhonda and her husband; small world! We took the short monorail ride to downtown and got to eat lunch at Pike's Market where we had Piroshkies, a stuffed pastry from Russia. My Russian roommate at Westmont, Peter Trozan introduced me to them when his mom made them for us over 55 years ago. After that, Jodi and I got our bibs in Snoqualmie and had pasta dinner with Anita Lee and her brother, Alan. We had our "PR ice-cream", too.

            Jodi had to be at the half bus pickup at 4 am Saturday so she left very early; Anita, Alan, and I drove to a different location a bit later for the full. Both races started at 6AM. The full starts with a 2.5 mile run through a pitch-black tunnel so everyone wears a headlamp; you can see the collection of lamps that they brought to the finish area for pickup in one of the pics Jodi took after she finished the half.

            The course is beautiful with lots of trees and views of rivers and valleys as you run over some bridges. Five years ago in 2019 I got a BQ time and Jodi and I ran Boston together in 2021. But this year, I was happy to run comfortably fast and enjoy the race. I was 643/815 and 6/8 in 70+.

            On Sunday we went to church with Mark and Ginny Duncan and then went over to their home in Izzaquah just outside Seattle for lunch, chatting, outdoor activities and later, pizza. We were also joined by their 3 youngsters and Johnny and Diane Bishop and their two very young ones. If you’re family, you might enjoy seeing their pictures at the end of the Shutterfly album.

Photos: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1806120368964377

This was Marathon #187; 44 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathon: Erie, PA Sep. 8, 2024

 

Denver Marathon May 19, 2024

 

Denver-Colfax Marathon

May 19, 2024

5:38:54 - 1927/2214 Overall - 6/11 in 70+ 

     I arrived in Denver on Friday to go to the expo and get a bit acclimated to the elevation. At the expo I got my bib and shirt and also a special award for having already run 1 marathon in 2024. It’s a cool coaster with a Denver montage on it as you can see in bottom right of the photo.

Jodi joined me on Saturday (she was not thrilled to have a 5AM flight out of Fresno) but arrived early so we could eat breakfast together. The expo was at the the NFL Broncos’ Empower Stadium so I showed Jodi that and then we took an hour and a half tour of the stadium. It was quite fun and informative to see the press boxes, luxury boxes, locker rooms, team memorbilia and even walk on the field. We also drove to see the outside of the Denver Nuggets arena (where they played game 7 that night and lost) and Rockies ballpark.

            Sunday morning it was great to have Jodi drop me off at the start so I didn’t need to park somewhere. The race started and ended in a large city park with only street parking. Thankfully it started early at 6AM because it was 58 at the start and warming quickly.

The Denver-Colfax Marathon was one of the most challenging marathons I've run due to the mile-high altitude and thehigh temperatures which reached 82 during my last few miles. Due to the conditions, I ran/walked 2 min/:30 at the start and later did 1 min/:30 as the temperatures rose. I wore my water belt and was glad to be able to sip repeatedly as 2 miles between aid stations (which used to be fine at 15 minutes or so but are now close to half an hour for me) would not have been nearly enough water to drink.

It was great to have Jodi meet me at numerous spots with the first one at mile 3 just before we actually ran through a fire station. She then met me at mile 9 where there was a loop of Sloan Lake and then at 11 when we completed the loop. When I headed out further, Jodi was able to do her own loop of the lake and get in about a 5 mile run/walk before meeting me again at the same spot which was now mile 19. She was a sight for sore eyes (and legs) as I was getting tired. She then met me at 24 and the finish line. Jodi commented that it was a very spectator-friendly marathon meaning she found it was easy to get around to various spots and that there were many other spectators with her.

We ran through city streets (Colfax is longest street in America at 26.5 miles https://www.uncovercolorado.com/east-west-colfax-avenue-denver), residential areas, on the field at Empower Stadium going out and coming back. There were some moderate hills which weren’t all that steep, but which now force me to walk much of them.

            Saturday night we went to dinner with 13 other marathoners who were celebrating Penny Willbanks doing her 49th state. We met her on the plane to the Eugene, OR Marathon in 2019 and also ran with her in the New Mexico Marathon in January 2023. She's doing #50 at Anchorage in June.

Photos: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1799780969611986

This was Marathon #186; 44 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathons: WA 7/27/24

Newport, RI Marathon April 13, 2024

Newport, RI Marathon

April 13, 2024

4:54:30  810/875 Overall  3/4 in 70-74 

            For our latest adventure, Jodi and I were joined by Nick for a 10-day trip to New England. We ran a race in Rhode Island, watched the Boston Marathon, and ventured into Maine and New Hampshire.

In Newport, Jodi and I enjoyed some beautiful ocean scenery for much of the race. There was also a lot of wind so we saw lots of waves. We also saw some of the 1.2 million daffodils that are out this time of year and ran by some of the mansions we had toured the day before.

I ran strong throughout the marathon and went up the hills steadily with some walking, and down them at a nice pace sometimes at 9:30 or so. The elevation gain was 1093 feet which by comparison is twice as much as hilly Napa Marathon which has 576 feet of elevation gain. I was happy that my fastest mile was the last  one (Jodi was at mile 25.7 to take pictures and cheer for me coming in) at 10:36. Overall, I ran at 11:13 average (doing 4min run/:30 walk) and got 3d in my age group.

We learned a lot about the Vanderbilt family when we toured the Breakers Mansion on Friday. It was very interesting and beautiful, but the thought of living in what felt more like a museum than a home seemed odd. I also toured the Tennis Hall of Fame and saw some very historic players and memorbilia. On Sunday we headed to Boston where we watched a Celtics game at TD Garden and had pasta and cannolis in Little Italy. Monday Nick went to the Red Sox game while Jodi and I watched the Marathon at mile 23. We got to cheer the first American, our friend CJ Albertson from Clovis; other friends I’ve coached; stars like Sarah Hall and Des Linden and the last American winner Meb Keflezighi. (Jodi had gotten to see Meb at the top of Heartbreak Hill when he won in 2014. It was also the year I proposed to her there.)

Tuesday we took a tour of TD Garden which highlighted many moments in Boston sports history. That night we took in a Bruin game; first hockey game attended by Jodi and Nick!

Wednesday we visited the JFK Library and took an informative boat cruise of Boston Harbor. We alo saw Bunker Hill Monument and Old Ironsides. No trip is complete without going to the Boston Common where we rode the swan boats and saw the Make Way for Ducklings statues.

            Thursday and Friday we went to Maine and New Hampshire where we toured a submarine in Portsmouth and saw an historic library in Kittery, ME (where I found Make Way for Ducklings on the shelf and enjoyed touring the towns. We also got to have dinner with John and Linda Duncan who were our long-time connections in CT when we ran Boston, but now live in ME and NH. Saturday we headed back to Fresno.

Photos: https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/1797229969670995

            This was Marathon #185; 43 states+DC on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

Next marathons: CO 5/19/24