Marshall University Marathon: Huntington, West Virginia, November 5, 2023 – Marathon #36
Well, this marathon weekend started off with a bit of an adventure—as usual. You might think I’m always in some sort of chaotic situation, and you’d be right! The truth is, when you run in so many different states and meet so many different people, things are bound to get interesting. And while I often strike up conversations with fellow runners, I don’t limit myself to just that. I chat with volunteers, waitstaff at restaurants, shopkeepers, and even bartenders when I’m in a restaurant with a bar because it’s usually quicker to get a seat. Everyone has a story, and I love hearing them.
This particular trip was no exception. I had to take a different airline than usual, which is fine by me—change is always an adventure. But things really kicked off when I had to sprint across the airport just to catch my connecting flight. And before you ask, no, this wasn’t due to poor planning on my travel agent’s part. The airline changed my flight at the last minute. Once I finally made it to the tiny plane heading to Huntington, West Virginia, I thought everything was back on track. But guess what didn’t make it with me? Yep, my luggage. After 36 marathons, I’ve never had an issue with luggage, and just like that, my streak was broken.
Some might suggest I should just skip checking luggage altogether, but I prefer to carry on my 30-pound backpack for peace of mind, just in case I’m running across an airport trying to catch a flight. But this time, my bag was nowhere to be found. The airline promised to deliver it to the hotel, but I’m a bit skeptical when it comes to such promises. So, I went ahead and bought running gear just in case. I finally got my luggage at 1:00 a.m., just hours before race day. 🥴
Saturday – Exploring West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio
Saturday turned into a bit of a mixed bag. I spent the day exploring the tri-state area of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, which are all nestled together. While the sightseeing was fun, I wasn’t quite on top of my hydration and eating, which I later regretted. I made it back to the hotel and tried to catch up on rest before the big day.
Sunday – Race Day
I woke up at 2:30 a.m. to prepare for a 7:00 a.m. race start. That felt especially early since it was only 1:30 a.m. in Kansas City, but I got up and began mentally preparing for marathon #37. The past few weeks had been tough—I was dealing with sinus issues and an annoyingly sore big toe. To be honest, I wasn’t mentally prepared to run this marathon. I just wanted to get it done and head home.
But when race time finally arrived, I was fueled by caffeine and ready to go. I set out with a few hundred fellow runners—strangers, but somehow not. The course was absolutely beautiful, and the crowd support was fantastic. The only downside was that it was a loop course, and I’m not a fan of seeing the same thing repeatedly. I tend to get bored on loops, but I decided to just zone out and run without overthinking it.
And then something amazing happened: I broke my personal record by 9 seconds. It only took me 36 marathons to do it! And yes, that time included stopping for pictures along the way. The race wasn’t about breaking records for me, but it was a nice bonus.
A huge thank you to Marshall University for the incredible hospitality. The medal was beautiful, and crossing that finish line was nothing short of epic.