#51 - Sedona Half Marathon

 I ran the Sedona Half Marathon with my boyfriend Jason.  It was his first half marathon! 

The race started at about 5,000 ft.  The course was challenging, hilly, high-elevation race.  The views were breathtaking with some snow on the red rocks.

Sedona is rated as one of the Top Ten most beautiful places in America.  It did not disappoint us.  We enjoyed the beautiful red rocks, the friendly people, and exploring.  The hiking trails were well preserved and they even had a free shuttle to access the trails!

We went to the Grand Canyon and hiked to the Ooh Aah Point and also did some hiking in Sedona.  We also went to Flagstaff where many elite marathoners are made, training at 7,000+ feet of elevation.

I am excited for Jason to keep running and hopefully he will run his first 26.2 someday! :)

100 for Billy!

 Since completing 50 states, I've given thought to what is next.  

I've had people ask me when I will run another marathon. 

 I've decided to change up this journey to 100 for Billy.  I will complete the last 50 with a mix of half marathons and full marathons.  

My grief journey is ongoing and my running goal is to continue to run for life! 

I will go back to states where I can run, hike, practice yoga, and adventure.

I appreciate all the support and look forward to having fun with this! With love, Elizabeth

The BEST for last - State #50: Boston Marathon, Massachusetts

We did it, Dad!! We finished 50 states and we finished in Boston, your favorite city, with all of the other Red Sox fans.

Thank you to all of my family and friends for your ongoing support.  Special thank you to my mom, my brother, my boyfriend Jason, and my best friend Martina.  Without all of you, none of this would have been possible.

We raised $18,191 for Tedy's Team, we gave hope and support to stroke and cardiac patients and their loved ones! https://tedysteam.org/the-organization/

Thank you to Tedy's Team for this life-changing experience and for another family!!

The Boston Marathon was truly the best marathon of my life and one of the best days of my life.  I didn't sleep well the night before the marathon because I was so anxious about friends and family being on the marathon course.  

Thank you to Steady State Performance Physical Therapy for their help with a strength program. I never thought I would be deadlifting 195lbs while training for a marathon. https://www.steadystatehealth.com/

Thank you to The Chirichiello's for coming to support me on Marathon Monday and for celebrating with Tedy's Team!

I ran this marathon on adrenaline.  It was truly a celebration the entire 26.2 miles.  I saw several friends along the way - Colleen, Erik, Daphne, Kate, Alison, Kip, Rolinda, Hobby, Julie, Judy, Ken, Dave and Tamara Goodrich, Tina, David, Martina, and Jason.  I am forever grateful for your support and for showing up!

I felt my dad in Kenmore Square near Fenway Park.  He was there.  I was holding a picture of him celebrating the 2004 World Series win.  He was with me.

Thank you to each and everyone of you for your support of this journey.  My life has forever been changed by the people I have met and the kindness that has been shared.

I still get chills thinking of April 17, 2023.  10 years after the marathon bombings. There will never be another marathon like BOSTON. There is only one BOSTON.

I am onto Ireland now, time to go international to the Dublin Marathon - October 29, 2023 with American Cancer Society.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Love,

Elizabeth Trask

Mission Accomplished - 50

Martina and I

Tears of joy

At Mile 27 - Fenway Park - Jason, Me, Martina

Martina, Tina, Tedy, Me, Jason

Brought my medal to Tony C for my Dad

BOSTON CHANGES YOU

Dad came with me

MDI - where we started
Boston - where we finished

Tedy's Team Night of Inspiration (night before Marathon Monday - the "Super Bowl of Marathons"

Tedy and I

 

State #50: Boston Marathon, Massachusetts

I have some exciting news to share, I am running the 2023 Boston Marathon on Tedy's Team as state 50 in memory of my dad! 

I 've made a commitment to raise $15,550; to bring awareness for stroke and heart disease while supporting survivors, giving them the means for a comeback. 

Please support Tedy's Team here: https://www.givengain.com/ap/elizabeth-trask-raising-funds-for-tedys-team/#timeline

More details to come, but save the date for the Boston Marathon - April 17, 2023!

State #49: Anchorage Runfest/Humpy's Marathon, Alaska

Well this was a marathon of a trip to Alaska. I left Portland, Maine for a bus down to Logan (Boston) then flew to Chicago and onto Anchorage.  The time difference is -4 hours in Alaska.  It didn't get dark until after 9:30pm each night.

My law school best friend, Tradia, from Birmingham, AL met me in Anchorage which I was really grateful for.  Tradia and I hadn't seen each other in years and it was really great to have time together to catch up.

We ended up resting a lot on this trip due to jet lag and the time difference.  We took a bus down to Seward and did a glacier tour which was an interesting experience.  The seas were choppy and a lot of passengers were sea sick which was sad to see.  It rained the entire time we were in Alaska!

Alaska has a lot of beautiful mountain ranges and delicious salmon, but there is truly no place like home.

During the marathon, I felt great the first half and then the second half I really didn't feel too good.  The humidity was 93% and it was raining.  I found two female runners (Michelle and Emily) from Alaska.  We teamed up together to make it to the finish line.  I am grateful for having met them because we really supported one another during the hardest miles.

As I am writing this it has been almost a week since the marathon and it doesn't really seem real.  The finishing time might have not been the result I wanted, but I finished and had a long journey there and back home.

My focus now is getting to The Boston Marathon for #50.  I have wanted to run Boston since I was in high school.  I will apply to run on a charity team (typical fundraising minimum commitment is anywhere from $5k-$10k).

I appreciate all of your support and I hope you've enjoyed following the journey.  The best is yet to come - BOSTON. #shippinguptaBOSTON

   

State #48: Cowtown Marathon, Texas

 This was an adventure, all of these marathons have been adventures! I actually trained for this marathon and tried Spring Energy for electrolytes and energy. Best stuff ever throughout my training and for the marathon.  The Awesome Sauce and Hill Aid are my favorites!

I didn't think I'd make it out of Boston to Dallas.  Dallas had an ice storm which ultimately shut the whole city down.  Boston had an approaching snow storm.  I was able to reschedule my flight and make it out of Boston.  Thanks to my colleague and friend Tina for helping me, I was able to park at her house in MA and she brought me to the Logan Express!

This trip was special because I was able to see my local marathoner friends in Texas.  Thank you Nancy, Alan, and Patrick for being there.  We went to Cowtown Brewing, Second Rodeo Brewing, and Velvet Taco.  

The marathon had plenty of spectators, some hills, and lots of beer and fireball shots.  Thank you to all of the volunteers and spectators on the course.  Overall, it wasn't the finish time I had been hoping for, but I made a lot of progress.  I had stopped within the first 5 miles to go pee which really messed up my pace and then I decided to just have fun and drink beer, lol! I was able to pass several runners on the second half of the course.

I am looking forward to Alaska next and then Boston.  Thanks for all of your support and I hope I am inspiring you all to test your limits and step outside of your comfort zone! :)

State #47: Missoula, Montana

I was able to see my friend Candice again at this race and we ran together! Montana was absolutely beautiful.  I went to Glacier National Park which was amazing.  I saw a bear and a mountain goat! I also went on a boat cruise in the park.

I went to the 1,000 Buddhas Park which was very beautiful and peaceful. I also went to a nice winery with my running friends Larry and Marina.

This was a special solo trip that I will never forget.