Chronicling the quest to run a half or full marathon in all 50 US states. Training updates, travel planning, hotel reviews, earning and redeeming points, race reviews and more
Do you have any suggestions on marathons to run for a first time marathoner? I'm looking at this one because the timing is perfect and I'm also a midwestern person so I can combine it with a vacation for the family.
I think the location is fabulous to combine with a family vacation, but know that the San Diego half and full marathons are hilly! There's a terrible bridge at mile 20 (I think?) that makes it even more of a climb. That being said, it's gorgeous and I'd say it's worth the challenge!
I’m running the San Diego half this year. This video was very helpful. Especially about reserving a ride the night before. I’ll definitely be doing that. Thanks for the tips.
Spacious, but the room couldn’t be more bland and generic. 😩. However, considering how expensive hotels in the West End area are the prices here are more reasonable and the location is good. 😁
Thank you for your review. Im running my first marathon and I got accepted for 2024 NY Marathon. Your tips are very helpful. Im scared but excited at the same time.
Thank you for the video. I was there Sept.'23 for 5 nights. The only thing I didn't like about the hotel is that my room was dark, like painted black esp the walls. Also, you forgot to feature the steam sauna and the massages they offer, but that's probably a discretionary move. Pubs, bars, restaurant, a famous market and a mini Mart are all a short walk.
Just noting at 2:07 you cross over on that bridge into Newport, KY before crossing into Covington, KY over another bridge about 3/4 of a mile later. But hope you enjoyed the race.
We stayed here last year and I really appreciate the minimalist feeling. We stayed in the andaz suite. Yours looks different. We stayed in the corner suite.
Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I'll see about getting that fixed soon. Update: found the issue, but sadly I can't fix it on RU-vid without completely deleting the video and starting over. But I'll be sure that future videos don't have that issue with the audio. Thanks again for pointing it out, and sorry for the defective audio here
when i look on expedia or the hilton website they have a tub/shower combo but your room had a tub in the bedroom , how did you get that paticular suite?
That's an excellent question, I see what you mean on the room description and photos on Hilton's website. I suppose there must be different layouts for the Junior Suite that aren't mentioned. I made no special request, and the front desk didn't mention anything, so not sure how you'd ensure you'd get one version vs another.
Many of the shots during the race use a GoPro Hero11, the rest are just shot on my phone (a Google Pixel 6a). Editing is done using DaVinci Resolve, which is free and surprisingly fully featured and relatively easy to use.
@@RunningOnPoints awesome, thanks for the reply. I've been documenting my journey on my blog, but I've been thinking about doing videos. I really love how you have done yours. Happy travels!
I would tend to agree, it's a bit too minimalist, made even more noticeable by how tall the ceilings are. The hallways are also surprisingly bare, with really the only decoration being right by the elevators. Next time I'm visiting NY I'll probably check out another Hyatt, but mostly because there's just so many good options there and I want to try out more. Still had a great time at the Andaz.
0:29 You said you walked the roughly four miles from SAN to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront - according to Google Maps, that must have taken you an hour and change?
Fabulous. Brings back memories from when we ran this last year. Still gutted I didn’t grab a Dunkin’ Donuts beanie hat, but it was unseasonably warm 😊 Enjoy your recovery ❤
Great video, awesome job, and beautiful medal! Wow, 17 miles with that elephant hat; I wouldn't have lasted 1 mile! Maybe there's a lapel pin or something smaller that a supporting runner could have worn the whole race! Well done, and that really wasn't "ugly crying" at the end, it was more of understandably weeping tears of joy! I salute you and your charity. P.S. - Saucony Endorphin's were my favorite sneaker, until I met the Hoka Bondi 8! Just sayin'!
It's funny because I practiced the elephant hat on my 20 mile training run and had no issue (beside looking like a crazy lady on the trails around my house). It was hotter than I expected on race day in NYC, so by mile 17 I knew the hat had to go! I was sad not to have made it the whole way, as it was fun to have people cheering me on, "Go, elephant!" I also had elephant socks on, though they are harder to see in the pictures. You are so right that a pin would have been much easier! Thanks for the head's up about the Hokas. I'll have to give them a try next! Did you run NYC this year?
Cheers! No, I didn't run the NYC Marathon this (or any other) year, nor have I ever even attempted any full marathon in my life! I was present in NYC on race day this year however as a spectator, cheering for two friends of mine who did cross the finish line in fine form! It was still an amazing experience, but left me feeling in the days and weeks afterward like I should have been able to answer your last question with a resounding "Yes!" Having completed my most recent half-marathon with said friends in October, I could not shake the feeling throughout that day that I should have been on the same side of the barriers as they were...
Thanks for watching! I knew people told me that NYC would be fun, but I wasn't prepared for just how much fun it was! Glad you got to enjoy it too. Did you find yourself in the background of any of my race shots? LOL I always look when other people post, even though I know there's a 1/50,000 chance.
@@RunningOnPoints Funny you mention that, but I always look to see if I'm any where around!!! Not this time!!! It happened once at the Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago. I saw myself in someones recap and then found him in mine. We're officially youtube buddies now!! LOL What's your next race? I have London coming up in April, and waiting for the Berlin lottery.
Yes, it's considered a Hilton Resort (you can check all the qualifying hotels here www.hilton.com/en/resorts/ ). So anything billed by the hotel and paid with a Hilton Aspire should be eligible for the resort credit. There is a Starbucks in the lobby that you can charge to your room, and a lobby bar (that I didn't use, but would imagine can be billed to your room).
You are amazing and your video is highly detailed. Congratulations I am about to qualify for 2024 as part of the 9+1 program. Question: did they let you wear the vest since the beginning? Ty
Hi Daniel! Congrats on your soon-to-be qualification! Yes, they did let me wear the vest from the beginning, but only without the back water reservoir/bladder. You can't have water stored on your back, so I used the collapsible bottles that can each go in the front two pockets.
How do you feel about a family of 4 would fare here vs the other Hyatt properties in the area? I would probably use a SUA. Having Club lounge sounds like a good way to save money on food for the kids.
Club lounges are great for families, being able to grab snacks or drinks whenever is super convenient and saves money. Both the Hyatt Regency and the Grand Hyatt have a club lounge (looks like currently the Hyatt Regency is doing globalist breakfast in their restaurant, which is likely going to be nicer than the breakfast in the lounge in at the Grand Hyatt). They are basically both right next door, so they tie for location. I'd personally lean towards the Hyatt Regency a bit as it's cheaper on points, it's newer, and while it isn't as "fancy" the kids probably won't notice or care. Though both are good choices, and it might depend on which has availability on points / SUA
LOL Loved the re-enactment. I'm glad you survived and enjoyed it. I ran it as well. Like you said, it's one I'll never forget. With good weather. despite the hills, it's such a fun race.
The standard suite can also be booked with points when available (29k-35k points depending on the date). Worth considering if you need the space and its available
Ive been a fitbit wearer for 7 years, only now as Ive entered into my first half marathon im debating to switch to the Garmin Forerunner. This review has helped, i like everything the garmin has to offer but its the bulkiness on my small wrists is making me wonder whether i'll wear it when im not training/working out as with the fitbit i never take it off and it feels as though its not there.
I had the same thought process! I loved the sleek look of the FitBit and honestly still miss that aspect. The Garmin is big, but I am surprised by how quickly I got used to it. I have really small wrists (5.5in), yet even the Forerunner 255 does still fit in my wrists' width. I bought myself cute bands to make it more feminine. Another thing you could consider is the Forerunner 245, which is a bit smaller.
Globalist is Hyatt's top tier for status, and generally you need to stay 60 nights in a year at Hyatt to get it. However there are some situations where you can get it faster than that. If you work for certain companies you can get a fast-track program where you only need 20 nights within a certain time frame (see more about it here world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/offers/elite-tier-offer.html ). Only some companies are eligible. Also, occasionally a similar fast track program is offered to the general public, most recently Bilt Rewards (which is free to join) offered a Hyatt fast-track offer for a brief period of time earlier this year.
Great video! Helped me narrow down my choices. I'm visiting Chicago for the first time this October, and I think this is where we'll be booking our short 3-night stay to explore the city!
Glad the video was helpful. I love both those hotels, and it's hard to go wrong with either. Park Hyatt is certainly nicer and "fancier", but it's also significantly more expensive. If you have Hyatt status, both hotels do a great job with the perks.
That end scene was gold🙂. Congrats on finishing. I honestly can't say what I would have done in that situation - if I would have just called it quits and called someone to pick me up, or if I would have continued swimming on the roads. And yes, having a sleeping place super close to the start line is wonderful. The Whidbey Island Marathon last year, we stayed in our RV at the campground that's right next to the start line. It was a 2 minute walk from the camp spot to the start line. Super relaxed. Arizona was 2.5 miles, Uber failed, and so I had a running start for that race. I guess I can count that as my first ultra, right? 2.5 miles + 26.2 + 2 mile walk home (plus that final chute was probably a half mile long😀)
You totally did an ultra in Arizona!!! I couldn't believe how hard it was to get anywhere close to the start of the race! They should give you an extra medal for that! Someday if I do the Whidbey Island Marathon, we will have to do the campout for sure!
If you're going to be in Washington July 29, we can do the Jack and Jill downhill half marathon. It's a strictly downhill point-to-point course. Also, for Oregon, I'd love to do an event at the Pacific Crest Endurance Sports festival. I'd probably do a multi-sport event (bike+run), but they also have some just running events.
Amazing progress so far! I can't believe you've already done so many! Are you going to allow yourself to repeat any states? Or are you going to avoid registering for any marathon in a state you've already done? I've only done: Connecticut (Hartford Marathon twice), Idaho (Hayden Lake Half), Washington (Whidbey Island Marathon, and Race the Reserve Half Marathon), and Arizona (Rock and Roll Arizona with you!). Also, I did a half in Germany in Freiburg twice. So, not a state, obviously, but it counts for something:-).
I will let myself repeat states (for instance I've run 4 half marathons in Illinois), but I just won't count them as anything additional on my count. You've got a great start to all 50 states yourself! And Germany!!! I would love to add other countries to my list someday too.
I did stop by the gym / pool area, though I didn't take any footage of it. There is a lap pool, and it is a decent size for hotel in the city, and lots of windows too, so it's a nice bright room. There is also spa which I did not visit this time, the website says it has a steam room that's available for hotel guests to use. Unsure if there's a hot tub or not. I have not stayed at the Langham, so I can't compare it directly. It's not quite the same level of luxury, but if you are wanting a great pool, the Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago has a very large outdoor pool (and as far as I'm aware is the biggest one in Chicago). Though I'm not sure if the pool is open as early as May.
