I’ve got a plan to get this 50 states running goal to an end by December 2025. This weekend was the first check mark to completing my now mapped out journey.

My sister and I went to Myrtle Beach. It’s her birthday weekend so we thought it would be fun to spend it running and enjoying the waves. As typical, even when you have a perfectly laid out plan, life throws some curve balls.

Curve ball 1- we missed our flight to Myrtle Beach. Like literally watched it leave. Our first flight was delayed so badly and then the airline pilot was taxiing like a person who stops at a roundabout, turns on their turn signal, and then sits and waits for the nonexistent light to turn green. It took 31 mins from the time we landed to mosey on up to the gate. The irony was we parked right next to the plane we were supposed to be on.

Curveball 2- we get rebooked on a plane that will get us there after midnight, just in time for a light nap before lining up to run 13 miles. (This ended up not being quite as bad, we then got bumped to a flight that got us in just after 10pm).

We arrive in Myrtle Beach and hop in an Uber to the hotel. We had to hold our breathe for the ride to the hotel because the Uber driver was trying to smoke us out but luckily as kids we practiced holding our breath underwater for as long as we could so we were slightly prepared.

Curveball 3- we wake up at 5am to get to the race start. All is looking good. We order the Uber to get us to the rate start. It says 4 mins to arrival, then 12, 24, 38…I message the driver and ask for an update as we have a start line to get to. No response. So I do what any sane individual would do in this situation. I ask the stranger in running gear outside the hotel if we can share their Uber. Of course she said yes, runners are nice, (all those endorphins) and we get a ride.

Curveball 4- from the dropoff point it’s about a mile to the start line. That’s not a problem, but it has been raining and they blocked the sidewalk so we had to trudge through some mud. Wet shoes and socks equal sassy blisters later.

It’s fine though, everything is fine. The race starts and we run a mile. Neither of us is feeling it though. So we decide to go at party pace. Basically that means we are there to enjoy the sites, have fun, and get to the finish line in no particular hurry. We check out the scenery and count 8 putt putt places and like a dozen pancake houses. The city reminds me of South Padre Island.

We’ve never done this party in the back strategy before so it seems like a good idea, until…

Curveball 5- we see the sweeper. For those of you who don’t know what a sweeper is, it’s the last person in the race. You MUST finish before them or your time doesn’t count. We are about 7 miles in at this point and I realize my race pace math ain’t mathing and we need to start hustling. So the running begins anew. And by running I mean every so often we run past 20 or so people and then slow back down to a shuffle until we get scared of getting swept again. Kind of like I imagine a zombie apocalypse would be. Just make sure you’re not last so you don’t get eaten.

Our sorry strategy works out and we finish with 10 mins to spare. Yay us! In hindsight not the brightest idea and I’m surprisingly more sore from 3 hours of mostly power walking than I would be from running my normal pace. Plus, blisters.

After the race we grab food, our medals and shirts, and walk back to our hotel. Showers are had, a quick nap is enjoyed, and then we head out to celebrate her birthday.

We checked out Grand Strand Brewery. It just happened to be their anniversary party and we had a great time. Good beer and good vibes. I loved the fermentations tanks. They were all named after the seven dwarves.

Next up, outlet mall shopping. The step count for the day is getting really high. Deals are found. And then finally, dinner at a place called Hook & Barrel- where you can get bacon hanging like a jellyfish.

Sunday I slept in…until 4:27am, because I’m old, have severe insomnia, and my body punishes me. BUT, it was amazing waking up to the sound of the ocean and I even saw a dolphin in the water. We decided to grab a coffee and walk around…and proceed to walk 5 miles to breakfast. It was super delicious! Salmon egg Benedict’s and blueberry hush puppies.

We ended the morning with a trip to a blow dry bar. One of my favorite things in the world is not having to do my own hair. We then headed to the airport.

Guess where I still am? The airport. Flight is delayed. But alas, the state was “conquered”, memories were created, and the birthday was celebrated.

Next up- North Carolina.