Buffalo Marathon: Buffalo, New York, May 28, 2023 – Marathon #18
What an incredible weekend, full of adventure, new experiences, and personal moments that will stay with me for a long time. Marathon number nineteen is officially in the books, and let me tell you—it was one of my favorite marathons to date.
From the moment I landed in Buffalo, I could feel the energy and hospitality of this city. These folks are a different breed of New Yorkers—warm, friendly, and ready to make sure you have the best experience. When I went to pick up my rental car, the agent at Budget overheard me mention I was running a marathon every weekend. Without missing a beat, she said, “You need an upgrade,” and handed me the keys to a sleek silver Ford Mustang. I’d never had a rental car that was so fun to drive—and it set the tone for the entire trip.
The Niagara Falls Adventure
I had a little adventure planned while I was in Buffalo: I brought my passport just in case I found myself near the Canadian border. I didn’t think I’d be close, but when I realized I was just 20 miles away from Niagara Falls, Canada, there was no way I was passing up the chance. I crossed the border via the Peace Bridge and found myself standing in front of the Falls, completely in awe.
As many of you know, Niagara Falls has a special place in my heart. Before my mom passed away, she told my brothers and me that the sign she would send from Heaven would be a double rainbow. No cardinals, no butterflies—just double rainbows. As rare as they are, I’ve been fortunate to have seen a couple of them, including one in Hawaii during my second marathon. So when I saw not one, but TWO double rainbows appear right over Niagara Falls, I knew immediately it was my mom sending me a message. I took a moment to soak it all in and shed a few tears, knowing she was with me, traveling along on this adventure.
Race Weekend: Two Races, Two Highlights
In Buffalo, I didn’t just run the marathon—I ran a 5K the day before. The 5K was a blast, and I managed to place second in my age group, and 25th overall out of all the females. My time was one of my fastest ever: 25:36. What a great start to the weekend!
After the 5K, I explored the city, and let me tell you, Buffalo surprised me. Downtown was beautiful, full of shops and culture, and the Walden Galleria Mall was a perfect spot for some shopping. Then I headed to the Outer Harbor, where I asked a couple to take my picture. They were so friendly and asked if I liked lacrosse. Now, I’ve never seen a lacrosse game in my life, but I said, “Sure, I’ll give it a try!” Turns out, the Buffalo Bandits were playing their first playoff game that night, and I got a ticket to see the game live.
I ended up sitting in Section 117, Rows 1-6, which was the best section to sit in. The fans were so passionate, and they explained the game to me as it went along. I even met some great people—Elyssabeth and Joe, who had the coolest conversation with me, and the “Number One Maniac” of the section, who kept the energy up the entire time. The best part? The Bandits won! Afterward, I grabbed some famous Buffalo hot wings at Cobblestone Bar, my marathon fuel for the next day.
Marathon Day: Powering Through
Marathon morning arrived with perfect weather—cool and crisp, just how I like it. But I was running on about 4.5 hours of sleep, so I knew it would be a challenge. The neck pain that had been bothering me wasn’t any better, but I was determined to push through. The race itself was fantastic—scenic, well-organized, and the energy from the crowd was amazing.
While it wasn’t my fastest marathon time (I finished in 5:02), it was by far one of the most enjoyable. Sometimes, it’s not about the time on the clock but the experience itself—and this weekend was all about making memories. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun at a marathon, despite being a little banged up. Buffalo truly showed me what it means to be a part of a community of runners and sports fans.
Final Thoughts:
Buffalo was such a highlight, and I’ll never forget the special moments of this weekend. The double rainbows, the lacrosse game, the amazing people I met—each part of this trip added something unique to my journey. Whether it was the 5K, the marathon, or the little adventures in between, it was a perfect example of why I love running marathons in new places. Every city has its own story, and Buffalo, New York, will always hold a special place in mine.
Next stop? Well, I’m already planning my next race, but for now, I’ll keep smiling about my amazing time in Buffalo and the signs from my mom that reminded me that everything will be okay.
Thanks for following along on my journey—let’s see where the next race takes me! 🌈👟