My father began running marathons when I was in high school.  Mostly with friends, or as part of fundraising teams.  The fundraising teams even gave him the opportunity to run in the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.  Around 2005 though, something happened that changed this running habit into a full on addiction.  While at the Philadelphia marathon, Ralph learned that there was a 50 States Marathon Club.  From there, it was full steam ahead….

Ralph finished the quest to run a marathon in all 50 states in September 2013 in Maui.  My sister and I were lucky enough to be able to attend and run the half marathon and congratulate him on an absolutely amazing accomplishment.  So – this blog isn’t about the quest to finish 50 states.  Instead, this is about what comes next.  A possible quest to run a marathon in all seven continents?  Possible, he is signed up for the Antarctica marathon in 2017.  A quest to return to run the Boston marathon?  Also possible.  Options seem to completely open up once you have finished the 50 states.

This blog is about what comes after finishing 50.  In the days leading up to the 50th state in Maui, my sister and I started #RalphRuns50 on Twitter as a way to cheer him on.  We made t-shirts and stickers, and people on the bus heading to the start line even knew who my dad was because of a hashtag on Twitter.  Now we officially hand over the hashtag to my dad in the form of this blog.  Here are thoughts from my dad on “all things running” now that #RalphRan50!