Bucket list marathons

I am currently in hardcore vacation countdown mode. I know I’m supposed to be living in the moment and appreciating the “right now.” But my attitude at the moment is more along the lines of, “screw living in the moment. I’ve got a trip to Thailand on the horizon.” It’s probably not the healthiest way to think, but it sure is more enjoyable than doing anything at all work-related.

Fortunately, my marathon training has been a welcomed distraction. Something to pour my restless, pent-up energy into while I wait to be free of this Michigan winter. It’s both exciting and completely terrifying to once again start training for a Boston-Qualifying marathon time. The last marathon I trained hard for was Boston 2015. That’s like a million years ago.

Last year, I ran three marathons but my training involved virtually no speed or workouts. I was just looking to finish, and I had a great time doing so! I even considered embracing the whole “just finish” thing. Training was just a bunch of low-key long runs and the pressure of performing was gone! But I can only deny the desire for accomplishment so long. Eventually, I have to admit my competitive days are still a long way from over. Besides, us humans need a healthy dose of fear and uncertainty in our lives to keep things interesting and to keep us strong.

Anyway, in the name of trips and marathons (the only two things my brain has deemed worthy to think about), here’s a list of my Bucket List Marathons. The ones I have yet to do, but will certainly get around to running one day. Sometimes I wonder why I’ve ever run the same marathon twice when, after all, I only have one life to run all the best marathons this world has to offer.

Big Sur Marathon

Spring Marathon in Big Sur, California. It’s a marathon classic. I took a trip to Big Sur after graduating high school and even as a moody teenager I knew I was seeing something truly spectacular. The only better way to see it would be on foot.

Marine Corps Marathon

Fall race in Washington DC. My grandparents have lived in the DC area for a long time now and I love getting to see our capital whenever we visit. The race winds through all the monuments, which is completely awesome, and I hear the energy of the spectators and runners is some of the best you’ll find in the marathon field.

Whidbey Island Marathon

A spring race on Whidbey Island, Washington. My dad did some of his growing up on this island and every time we’ve had the chance to return, I’ve been mesmerized. It’s a small and beautiful race that looks like it would be a great addition to any Washington state trip.

Walt Disney World Marathon

Winter race in Orlando, Florida. Whoever says they don’t love Disney World is lying. It’s a wonderful place. The marathon is supposed to be a ton of fun with a fantastic cast of characters. Why not run a marathon in the happiest place on earth and feel even more emotions for that place?

Chicago Marathon

A fall marathon in Chicago, Illinois. I feel like the energy of this race would be unbelievable. A PR-friendly course combined with thousands of other runners and spectators sounds crazy exciting. Plus, it’s an awesome city.

Bayshore Marathon

A spring marathon in Traverse City, Michigan. This race is a Michigan classic. I feel like nearly all Michigan runners have run some version of the Bayshore race series. I’ve heard it’s beautiful, but the main reason it’s on my list is because I want my Michigan running friends to think I’m cool.

Jackson Hole Marathon

A fall race in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Ridiculously scenic with Grand Teton National Park as your backdrop.

The Kaua’i Marathon

A fall race on the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i. I’ve always wanted to visit Kaua’i and I feel like a marathon would be a pretty good way to take it all in. the views are supposed to be amazing and the race is supposed to have plenty of small-town charm, something that’s missing from the gigantic Honolulu marathon.

St George Marathon

A fall marathon in St George, Utah. The course is fast, the views are breathtaking, and it would be the perfect marathon to build into a trip to Zion National Park (on one of my many other bucket lists).

Vermont City Marathon

A spring marathon in Burlington, Vermont. This marathon is supposed to have a funky vibe with fascinating and energetic spectators throughout the race. Burlington is also home to the Ben and Jerry’s factory, so there’s that…

Ljubljana Marathon

A fall marathon in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Jackson and I visited this charming and magical captial city on our 2017 Europe trip and realized this was truly the place dreams come true. We saw signs for the marathon in the gift shop, complete with running shoe-wearing dragons (they love dragons there, how cool is that?). We vowed right there in that gift shop that we’d come back to this magical land and conquer the marathon.

Athens Marathon

A fall marathon in Athens, Greece. How cool would this race be?? What runner would not want to run the Athens marathon, where it all began?? It’s the authentic marathon experience. The race ends in the stadium where the original Olympics were held. *swoon*

Rome Marathon

A spring marathon in Rome, Italy. I’m a big fan of Rome. Big fan. I’ve never actually been there, but I aced a class about ancient Rome in college, so I think my appreciation for the city is semi-justified. The race winds through some amazing sights I’ve always wanted to see. Also, I would hope running a marathon in a large city like that would make me more comfortable to explore it afterwards, like what happened with the Budapest Half Marathon.

Great Wall Marathon

A spring marathon in the Tianjin province of China. Visiting the Great Wall was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Going back in running gear sounds even cooler. Granted, I was dying just walking up the steps, but how hard could running up them really be?

Kilimanjaro Marathon

Spring marathon (or fall since it’s south of the equator..?) in Moshi, Tanzania. This race looks absolutely incredible. Jackson and I want to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, throwing a marathon in there would just make the experience more memorable! Sounds like an awesome mix of runners and some truly unforgettable sights.

Midnight Sun Marathon

Summer marathon in Tromso, Norway. This race takes place in the middle of the night, when the sun’s shining. Oh my goodness, how cool is that?? And lucky us, because the views are beautiful.