Whether it’s braving a vision-altering migraine or torrential rains causing major flooding on a marathon trail, Northampton resident Karen Axelrod will finish what she started.
In November, Axelrod will run the Bass Pro Conservation Marathon in Springfield, Missouri, completing the monumental task of completing a marathon in all 50 states – a quest that began in 2006 when she ran her first marathon in Portland, Oregon. The first 26.2 mile adventure, Axelrod walked with a friend to keep her company.
“I didn’t have this idea before the first one,” Axelrod said. “After the second one I had the idea to do it in every state. Some people do 10 marathons in 10 days. I’m actually a slacker.”
For Axelrod, 58 , finishing the race is the goal. The times vary, but her fastest was around five hours. In her race in Pennsylvania, Axelrod experienced a migraine at mile 17. The intensity of the head-pounder left her with limited vision.
“My friend guided me through it,” Axelrod said. “I was blinded by flashing lights. Most of the time the challenge isn’t the endurance. But something like that.”
Axelrod will travel to Missouri for the second time this November. Her first attempt at a marathon in Missouri ended in a mid-race cancellation.
Torrential rain and wind flooded some of the course, which was on a trail. At mile 10 a bus picked her up, and that was the end of the race. There was no refund. Obviously, there wasn’t a refund on the plane ticket Axelrod purchased to get to Missouri.
“It’s an expensive hobby,” Axelrod said.
In Massachusetts she ran the Race of Champions Marathon in Holyoke.
“It was nice because I had family cheering me on at various spots,” Axelrod said.
The avid runner also travels all over the country as a musician. She plays the piano and accordion and often doubles up on her travels to complete marathons while she is in a certain state for a musical performance.
Her favorite race was in Vermont near the shimmering waters of Lake Champlain.
“I was by myself for that one,” Axelrod said. “It was beautiful. Some hills but mostly flat. I was tuned into a podcast and felt so strong throughout.”
One major challenge in running marathons is the elements, something that Hampshire County residents can relate to with a heat wave burning through the region.
“It was really, really hot in Richmond, Virginia,” Axelrod said. “I had a few like that. Hot ones are always the hardest. But I love them all. I am so happy to finish any of them.”
The last race commences on November 6.
“I am definitely slow, but not injured,” Axelrod said. “But I do it.”
After she completes the 50-state challenge, Axelrod plans to keep running but will slow down the quantity of her runs.
“I’ll do one race a year until I die,” Axelrod said.
