Albert Shum

-----Original Message-----

Subject: Albert, Congratulations on Finishing the 50 States.

Albert Shum wrote-

"albert done with all 50 states and also done with marathoning.  i've completed 78 marathons and i'm hanging up my shoes. the last race was in burlington vermont.  

good luck to all and i will only do the la marathon.  good luck you 50 stater's.  albert"

 

My Reply  

Hi Albert-

Congratulations on being the second LA Legger to complete running a marathon in each of the 50 United States.  My understanding is that less than 300 runners have accomplished the goal, so you definitely have some bragging rights.

 

I remember running 8 of those states at the same time you did.

In 2003

August - 

The inaugural Grizzly Marathon in Montana    - where I first met you and the rocky road tore up your shoes

September –

The New Mexico Marathon in Albuquerque  - where we had pasta dinner together  

October  - 

The Greater Hartford Marathon in Connecticut - where you ran a marathon in Rhode Island the next day

November - 

The Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon in Georgia  - where it was cold at the start

The Oklahoma Marathon in Tulsa - where again it was cold at the start

In 2004

May –

The Delaware Marathon  in Wilmington which was an inaugural event

August -

The Run with Horse Marathon in Green River, WY    where you cheered me to the finish at my personal worst.

 

In 2005

February –

The Myrtle Beach Marathon -  where we almost missed a flight connection, my luggage did miss, and you gave me a ride to and from the airport.

There are special memories with each marathon and these are things I remember of the 8 out of California marathons that we started together.  Being there with you added to my fun at these marathons.  I say started since all 8 cases you finished way before I did, and in most cases were traveling on when I did finish.

There are more important things in life than running marathons.  I can think of at least three, family, financial security (aka your job) and friends.

So I wish the best in these, and look forward to seeing you at the start of future LA Marathons as long as we both are still running them.  (And I would wager that you will be doing it longer than I.)

Charles Sayles

 

PS I have posted this note along with links to my race reports of the marathons that we stated together at www.csayles.com/runShum.