As the quest for 51 continues, one cherishes each run. Some more than others. Here is my personal ranking:

  1. New York (It's wonderful to run with the crowds, the roar coming into Manhattan is incredible, Central Park is lovely.)
  2. Kentucky (A transformative moment shared with Rachael.)
  3. Maine (A nice, cool day on which I set my PR)
  4. California (A milestone day in a magical place with Rachael.)
  5. Montana (The cold mountain start in my home state with lifelong friends.)
  6. Narrangansett, Rhode Island Weather was perfect, the weekend exploring Newport and environs was a blast.
  7. Washington, DC (Running along the Mall and into the mists of the Potomac is beautiful.)
  8. Fargo (A marathoner reborn, I'm not dead yet.)
  9. Pennsylvania (A wonderful cool day in a fascinating town with family close by.)
  10. Missouri (Beautiful course, St. Charles is funky, fantastic weekend of meals)
  11. Indiana (Crossing the 50 yard line at Notre Dame Stadium at the finish.)
  12. West Virginia (They gave me a football at the finish.)
  13. Idaho Beautiful course.
  14. KansasMiddle earth .
  15. Louisiana University Lake is beautiful.
  16. Arkansas Extra-ordinary hospitality in a small town trying to survive in fly over country.
  17. Nevada (Beautiful views of Lake Mead, a cool day and a fast pace)
  18. Colorado Quick and beautiful winter getaway with Rachael.
  19. Michigan (trail running is fun and easy on the body, Superior is blue and clear.)
  20. North Carolina (A day with an unexpected friend ending with a hard lonely run through the sandhills.)
  21. Wyoming An older and wiser runner, taking it easy so it doesn't hurt too much at the end, stopping to look at the amazing view, has a better time.
  22. Illinois (The crowds, the lake front and the city were beautiful.)
  23. Virginia (friendliest marathon in America)
  24. Ohio (The playful spirit of the Flying Pig.)
  25. Utah (I got to spend some time with family and some time coming into the valley. Finished on the parade route.)
  26. Massachusetts (Boston is Mecca for marathoners, but it was a hot frustrating run.)
  27. Alabama An epic weekend with family and friends.
  28. Minnesota (It was hard first run, but the leaves were beautiful and Rachael joined me at Macalester.)
  29. Nebraska Scott's Bluff is beautiful.
  30. South Dakota Seeing a new perspective on America.
  31. Oregon Finishing in Hayward Field.
  32. Iowa Friendly and unique area, amazing logistics, great weather.
  33. Arizona Extremely well organized, beautiful scenery, a bit hot and dry.
  34. Wisconsin The finish at the art museum is fun.
  35. Florida Beautiful, unique city, well-planned.
  36. Maryland Baltimore is funky, like Durham. Nice to know the city better.
  37. New Jersey Smooth, laid back run with a great dinner.
  38. Washington The first half on the freeway is bad, but the second half makes up for it.
  39. Tennessee City of New Orleans to Memphis.
  40. Missisippi Friendly run, lots of interesting conversation.
  41. Oklahoma Super well organized, wonderful cause, love the hotel, but Oklahoma is hot and the wind is fierce.
  42. Connecticut Beautiful along the Shepang river, but too cold to socialize. Good Simple run.
  43. Delaware Too much concrete, but friendly organization.
  44. South Carolina Hot, great time with family.
  45. Vermont Too much of everything, but travel with Rachael is fun.
  46. New Hampshire Beautiful course, friendly small crowd, but tough personal run and too much traffic on course.
  47. Georgia Oh Atlanta!
  48. Texas Austin is the nicest place in Texas.
  49. New Mexico It sucks to get old.