Kensington Marathon: Kensington, Michigan, July 30, 2023 – Marathon #25
Well, I’m not quite sure how to feel right now. Today I finished the Kensington Marathon in Milford, Michigan, and marked off my 25th state and 25th marathon since October 16, 2021. It feels like a major milestone, yet also like just another step in this ongoing journey. When people ask me if it’s hard to stay motivated, I almost always say no. But I’ll admit, this marathon tested me in ways I didn’t expect.
I knew ahead of time that this race would challenge me mentally—it had loops around a lake. And if I’m being honest, loops aren’t my favorite. It’s beautiful scenery, no doubt, but having to see it three times during the race just doesn’t excite me. Some runners love the repetition, but I prefer variety.
That said, there were parts of the race I really did enjoy. One of the perks was having our own go bags. We could stop by the table and grab snacks, which felt like a nice personal touch and really helped me stay fueled. The early start was another bonus—I kicked off the race at 5:30 a.m. This meant I could avoid the heat later in the day, but it also meant I didn’t get the chance to meet many of the other runners, which was a bit of a bummer. I love hearing other people’s stories, and starting so early kind of made that impossible. Still, there was a sense of peace in starting at that time, and it set the tone for the rest of the race.
So, I crossed that 25-marathon threshold, and while I’m proud, I’m also processing what this milestone means. It’s hard to believe I’m halfway through this quest to run a marathon in every state, but I can already feel the growth. Each race is different, and each one teaches me something new—not just about running, but about myself.
On to the next one!