Seattle Marathon: Seattle, Washington, November 26, 2023 – Marathon #39
When I first started this journey, I often wondered what I’d feel like after completing 10 states. Then I passed that milestone and kept going, reaching for 25 states—half of the 50 states and 25 marathons. That’s a lot of miles. By the time I hit my 25th marathon, the questions started rolling in: “How are your joints holding up?” “Is all this running really good for your body?” “Maybe you should slow down a bit…”
I’ve heard so many questions from well-meaning people, each not fully realizing how their words affected me. Honestly, even when I felt tired or like taking a break, it was often these very people who motivated me the most to keep pushing forward. And now, after completing my 40th marathon in my 40th state, with my fastest time ever, I feel better and more energized than I ever have.
The Trip to Seattle
This trip didn’t start out as smoothly as I would have liked. It was the day after Thanksgiving, and I wasn’t feeling my best. I had a quiet holiday, missing my mom who passed away three Thanksgivings ago. I couldn’t help but reflect on how much I miss our family gatherings—those times when everyone would get together in Kansas City. Watching our kids play and enjoying each other’s company—it’s what the holidays are truly about. This year, though, I decided to head to Seattle, Washington, to run my 40th marathon.
My first flight took me to Denver, where I found a seat next to a sweet little boy traveling home with his dad. It was exactly the bright spot I needed. I struck up a conversation with his dad, Chris, a retired Army officer, West Point grad, and motivational speaker. We connected instantly over our shared interest in the speaking world, and it was a pleasure to learn about his journey. We agreed to stay in touch, and I wish Chris the best of luck with his speaking business. Thanks for the great conversation, Chris!
Day 1 in Seattle
Once in Seattle, the staff at the Westin Downtown made me feel welcome, checking me in three hours early. I was able to head straight to the marathon expo and grab my bib, checking off an important task. I explored the city a bit, though I couldn’t shake the cold, even with the sun shining. Seattle was definitely chilly! I had a great dinner at The Crab Pot on the pier, then called it a day. Before heading to bed, I reached out to my nephew, Dalton, who’s stationed in Seattle, and we made plans to meet for lunch the next day.
Day 2 in Seattle
I took it easy on Day 2, staying in the hotel until around 11:00 a.m. I squeezed in a workout before heading out to meet Dalton and his family for lunch. It was such a treat to see them—the babies are growing so quickly! Dalton and his wife, Sam, were looking amazing, and it was wonderful to catch up. I would’ve loved to spend more time with them, but I knew I had to head back to the hotel. The marathoners were checking in, and I was warned about the parking situation, so I got back just in time to snag one of the last parking spots in the garage. Close call! After a quick visit to the expo and some last-minute prep, I settled in for the night.
Day 3 – Marathon Day
Race day arrived, and despite some sleep timing issues (I slept from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.), I woke up feeling ready to run. My main concern was the cold—I had been freezing all weekend, and I didn’t want to start the race feeling chilled. I double-checked my gear, did an extra round of pushups (200 instead of my usual 150), and decided to check a bag so I could wear an extra layer until race time. After a pre-race stretch in my room, I headed downstairs to meet fellow runners in the hotel lobby. A big shout-out to Phil, who I met on the way to the start line. It was only a mile walk, which felt like the perfect warm-up lap.
The Marathon
I went into this marathon with one expectation: Just finish. I was aiming to get through the race, grab some soup, and warm up. But to my surprise, the course had more challenges in store. Thick fog, icy patches on the road, and a course with 2500 feet of elevation made this race tougher than expected. There were a lot of hills—the most I’ve encountered since the Bend, Oregon marathon in August.
The first three miles felt fine, but I noticed the 3:35 pacer up ahead. I couldn’t help but laugh—there’s no way I’d be keeping up with that pace! But, to my surprise, I wasn’t struggling at all. The course was beautiful in some sections, while other parts were grueling. To keep my mind off the cold and fatigue, I sang out loud nearly the entire marathon. My hands and feet were numb, but I didn’t let that stop me. I barely glanced at my watch and focused only on finishing.
As I approached mile 26, I took a look at my watch. I couldn’t believe it—it showed I was pacing to break my personal record by a huge margin. I had no idea how, but I was doing it. With adrenaline pumping, I surged toward the finish line, crying, laughing, and smiling all at once. I crossed with a final time of 4:30:41, smashing my previous record by 7 minutes—on one of the toughest courses I’ve ever run!
What a Way to Finish State #40
I can’t believe how amazing it felt to cross the finish line in Seattle, my 40th state. The photographers captured the emotion in the moment, and it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.
Thank you, Seattle, for an unforgettable race experience. Now, I’ll take a week off before heading to Boulder City, Nevada, to tackle my 41st marathon. Here’s to finishing strong and chasing new goals!