West Virginia

 Another marathon finish another state done.  Now over 75% done with the over all goal.

In West Virginia

Maryland

Another marathon finish and another state done.

In Maryland

Nebraska

Another marathon finish and another state done.

In Nebraska

Wyoming

Another marathon finish and another state done.

In Wyoming

South Dakota

Another marathon finish and state done.

Almost 3/4's done with the goal.

Another cold morning for the race.  Earlier hospitalization scared me about being prevented from completing the goal.  Weather this cold revives that fear of health issues.

In South Dakota

North Dakota

 Another marathon finish and another state done.  2/3's done with the goal.

In North Dakota

Montana

Another marathon finish and another state done.  Temperature at start in the 30's.  A swing of 70 degrees over 3 days for 2 races is fun to accommodate.

In Montana

Washington, D.C.

Another marathon finish and the District of Columbia completed.

Temperature reached in the 100's during the race. Did have some equipment failures that increased the friction/drag on the course.

Idaho

Another marathon finish and another state done. The picture of the various first place finishers in the wheelchair divisions of the races.

In Idaho

Oregon

Did get discharged and flew to Portland for the race.  It is on an island.  The race provides transportation to/from the start/finish line.  This time the transportation volunteers allowed me to ride in the school buses.  So i did obtain another marathon finish and another state done.  Almost 60% done with the goal.

Hospitalization

Was doing my daily skin check and saw a spot that concerned me.   A later check revealed it had grown.  Had to ask about which hospital to go to at the concierge desk.  Those kind of questions create a lot of commotion.

Took a cab to the Emergency Department.  Doctors confirmed my diagnosis.  Admitted me and started a rotation of IV antibiotics.  Hope to be discharged in time to make it to my next race in Oregon.

Alaska

I'll lead with the spoilers, another marathon finish, so another state done.

The race is point to point, with the race providing transportation to the starting line.  I arrived early enough to board the first bus to the starting line (several hours before the start time). A transportation volunteer denied me access to the school bus because she believed I was a safety issue for the AB (Able Bodied) runners.  Then she apologized that I would not be able to do the race.  I answered that I would have a longer warm up than I usually do before the race, and set out for the starting line.

Did fairly well on my navigating to the start line.  Did take at least one wrong turn, and eventually emerged from tall grass in front of a Air Force Police guard house.  Had an interesting conversation with some heavily armed individuals who were disappointed the only ID I had with me was a bib for the marathon.

Arrived 5 minutes before the start.

Another race with 4 flats.  Only had 3 spares tubes with me.  For the fourth flat took the tube out of the rear tire and put it on the front wheel, dragging the flat behind me.

Bear sighting around mile 14, according to the notices at the aid stations.  Hoping I would not have to fix a flat around mile 14.  People were asking me if I was worried about the bear.  I replied with the classic answer I don't have to be faster than a bear, just have to be faster than the other runners.  Except for sitting on the ground fixing a flat, I am almost always faster than the runners.