States I’ve raced so far…
April 2026
Total Running Miles: 36.89
Total Travel Miles: 1070 including round trip flight miles to Atlanta for Big South Volleyball Tournament and round trip road trip miles to Myrtle Beach for High Tide Invitational Volleyball tournament with my daughter
Races: 4/11/26 North Carolina Spring Classic 8k, Holly Springs NC
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: April was filled with lots of volleyball travel which limited my miles, but the ones I got in were good ones. We were blessed with summer-like weather in Myrtle Beach and I was able to get in 6 miles next to the water that weekend. Additionally, 5 of my miles were at the Spring Classic. This was my first time running this race and I will be back. It was well run and had a small town feel. I didn’t get a PR or place in my age group, but I came close and was super happy with my time and how I felt.
March 2026
Total Running Miles: 42.28
Total Travel Miles: 840 driving miles including a weekend in Greenville, NC for a race and an excursion to Goose Creek State Park, a trip to Greensboro, NC for a volleyball tournament with my daughter, and several trips to Rocky Mount, NC for even more volleyball tournaments.
Races: 3/8/26 Livewell Half Marathon, Greenville NC
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: When I registered for this half marathon, I had intended to build on the successes I had last year. After a marathon PR in the spring of 2025, followed by a half marathon PR in the fall, I planned to continue my progress and run an even faster half this month. Despite my high volume of miles in January and February, my head and my heart just weren’t in it. The winter brought some seasonal depression and definite burn out on training (especially with all the treadmill miles I ended up doing). I didn’t taper well, didn’t eat well, and didn’t rest well the week before the race either. I was determined to run it anyway, but I started the race way too fast and didn’t account for the extremely hilly first 4 miles of the course. By the halfway point, I knew I wasn’t going to run my fastest race. I pushed and finished 2nd in my age group (and with a smile on my face) even though it was my slowest half marathon in years. Recovery was rough during the weeks following. I had a lot of pain in my left foot and basically lived in my Oofos recovery shoes for the rest of the month. It was clear that my mind and my body needed a break so I took one. April will hopefully bring warmer weather, more outside miles, and a brighter outlook.
February 2026
Total Running Miles: 99.38
Total Travel Miles: 320 driving miles to and from Rock Hill, SC for a volleyball tournament with my daughter
Races: none
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: Lots of early morning miles logged on the treadmill again this month. I also started going to group fitness workouts at a place called ISI Elite, rather than training in alone my garage. The group workout setting has always helped me stay consistent with strength and resistance training, and it has felt good to get back into a better groove with that.
January 2026
Total Running Miles: 123.2
Total Travel Miles: 420 total road trip miles to Rocky Mount, NC several times for volleyball tournaments with my daughter
Races: none
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: With another half marathon scheduled in March, my running volume was back up this month. The cold weather and shorter days meant most of those miles were on the treadmill before work at 4:30 AM — never my favorite. I was registered for the Beat the Bridge 10k in Jacksonville, NC on the 24th, but ice and snow canceled the race. I deferred my registration until next year so I’ll see you on the bridge in 2027!
December 2025
Total Running Miles: 65.58
Total Travel Miles: 294 driving miles to Virginia to see family at Christmas
Races: none
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: I was horribly sick for almost 2 weeks at the beginning of December, so not only was my running volume a little low, but I also missed a 5k race I had planned to run on the 13th. Sometimes life just has other plans for us.
November 2025
Total Running Miles: 76.98
Total Travel Miles: 1286 road miles including a trip to Mt. Airy NC for a race, a trip to Virginia for Thanksgiving with family, and a trip to Atlanta, GA for soccer
Races: 11/8/25 Mayberry Half Marathon, Mt. Airy NC
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: Perfect weather and a mostly flat and wide course in Mt. Airy, NC helped me finish my half marathon with a new PR! Staying in a beautiful mountain house with friends and family to celebrate made it the perfect weekend.
October 2025
Total Running Miles: 119.43
Total Travel Miles: 2319 including round-trip flight miles to Louisville, KY and driving miles to Atlanta, GA for soccer with a quick excursion to Congaree National Park in Columbia, SC on the way home
Races: 10/18/25 Urban Bourbon 5k, Louisville KY
New States Conquered: Kentucky
Beyond the Miles: In the midst of half marathon training I squeezed in a 5k race with my favorite running partner to check Kentucky off the list. My 2nd place age group award made the slight departure from my training plan well worth it. I also traveled with my son to Atlanta for soccer and took the long way home through Columbia to visit Congaree National Park where we hiked our way through spider webs to see the protected cypress swamps.
September 2025
Total Running Miles: 129.35
Total Travel Miles: 280 round-trip driving miles to the beach for one last weekend of summer
Races: none
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: This month was full of intensive training miles for my early November half marathon. Even while sneaking in a quick trip for fun, I made sure to get my long run in. But 10 miles in summer heat with no shade was no joke and that “progressive” run ended up feeling slow and plodding.
August 2025
Total Running Miles: 99.67
Total Travel Miles: 690 round-trip driving miles to Virginia Beach, VA for soccer and a weekend getaway for hiking in Elkin, NC
Races: none
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: After 2 months of recovery and vacation, my training picked back up this month in preparation for a half marathon later this fall. I also got in some hiking at Stone Mountain (despite kids’ travel sports and my workload picking back up as well).
July 2025
Total Running Miles: 43.47
Total Travel Miles: 2068 including round-trip flight miles to Denver, CO and road trip miles from Denver to Colorado Springs, Golden, and Rocky Mountain National Park. I also took my kids on a quick trip to see family in Virginia at the end of the month.
Races: 7/4/25 July 4th ROCK-It Run 5k, Castle Rock, CO
New States Conquered: Colorado
Beyond the Miles: What I lacked in running miles this month I made up for with some amazing hiking miles. In addition to running a 5k race in Castle Rock (with my favorite running partner), I also hiked the Manitou Incline in Colorado Springs, part of the Colorado Trail in Waterton Canyon, and the Glacier Gorge Trail to Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park.
June 2025
Total Running Miles: 56.44
Total Travel Miles: 574 driving miles including a trip to the beach with my kids and a trip to see family in Virginia
Races: none
New States Conquered: none
Beyond the Miles: After 5 months of intense training for a marathon, June was all about recovery; the runs I logged this month were mostly restorative and good for mental health.
May 2025
Total Running Miles: 159.04
Total Travel Miles: 2,508 round-trip flight miles to Fargo, ND (including a little road trip excursion to Detroit Lakes, MN to see the Dambo Trolls!)
Races: 5/30/25 Mark Knutson Friday Night 5k, Moorhead MN and 5/31/25 Essentia Health Fargo Marathon, Fargo ND
New States Conquered: Minnesota and North Dakota
Beyond the Miles: My first marathon was in 2007 (pictured on the left); 18 years later I ran my second and PR’d the distance by running it one hour and 12 minutes faster. Although I don’t have another one planned yet, I don’t expect Fargo to be my last or my fastest marathon.
