The Surprising, Yet Obvious, Lesson Learned After Running 50 Half Marathon In 50 Straight Months

Author: ​Adam Bratton
​Read Time: 3 mins

2020 - Finish Line of a Half Marathon in Alaska ... State #50

Pretty quickly the question crept into my mind in late 2020. My wife and I had just gotten back from Alaska as I had just completed a 7-year goal of running a half marathon in all 50 states. That winding and weaving journey provided endless memories, lifelong lessons, character building opportunities and so much more … but … what was next? My mind was swirling, the ideas were flowing freely, the options were endless. However …

The reality was I was at a very different stage of my life. I had 2 young kids whose schedules took priority, and the launch of my own small businesses (MJ Bratton Agency and Human Powered Movement) and would need time and attention to build. The world was also still deep in the dark and unknown depths of the global pandemic at the end of 2020. I needed to be realistic with my next project. Something that would challenge, but also be adaptable to what might be our “New Normal”.

I found an open lonely road and follow it

The simplicity of running has always been appealing to me. A pair of shoes and a sense of direction has led to unlimited opportunities and experiences for me over the years. I’ve also realized that I love the challenge of a multi-year goal. Something to keep me honest, on track and constantly engaged. Another 50 in 50 concept could be interesting. A half marathon a month, every single month for 50 straight months was next up.

​I kicked things off in January of 2021 with a 13.1 mile run straight out of my front door. As I realized when running a half in every state, I’m driven primarily by intrinsic goals. I didn’t need the participant shirt, the finisher medal, or the stale pretzels from the aid station. I needed movement, on my own time, at my own pace, and wherever I wanted to explore.

Solo runs was the name of the game during the early stages of this goal

I also kept relatively quiet about this 50 in 50 project over the next four years and two months. I would subtly include the month count in the description of my Strava activities and the vast majority of the half marathons were nondescript runs around my normal neighborhood routes. This was a far cry from the massive logistical effort to find races, plans weekends, book flights and hotels for each of the 50 states.

​Once we started to crawl out of Covid, things started to normalize, and races and events became more routing. As the monthly half marathon count increased, the realization that I missed the race scene increased as well. I missed the energy and butterflies during pre-race. I missed the Race Director sharing final instructions before the gun goes off. I missed reconnecting and exchanging small talk with my running community in the first few miles of a race (and of course the beautifully outrageous convos that inevitably pop up during higher mileage runs). I missed the sweaty high fives and hugs at the finish line. We all thrive off human interaction. 

2023 The Stevest 50K - Pre-Race Family Photo

2024 Blue Ridge Marathon Start Line - Adam Bratton (Half), Jeremy Weibley (Full)

2024 Misfit Island 50K Finish Line - Hug w Danny McCaslin (RD)

On Feb 1, 2025 during the last mile, of my last monthly half marathon, I ran with my two boys … Miles (8) and Maximus (6). Any parent will tell you that finishing a race flanked by your kids is a pretty cool experience. This one hit a little different. This was one of the most memorable miles that I’ve run over the last 50 months. Not because of the location, the cheer stations or finish line festival. It was because it solidified my realization that even with all the intrinsic goals that I set for myself, the innate human desire to connect with and experience things with others still prevails. A lesson that was a big surprise for me throughout this journey. A lesson that now seems obvious in hindsight.

I don’t have a next personal goal on the agenda yet. I’ll likely reminisce and reflect on this one for a while and cross that next bridge when I get there. I do, however, have a sneaky feeling that it will involve more human interaction. Maybe it will be participating in or volunteering at more races? Maybe I’ll get back into the Run Club/Crew scene on a regular basis? Maybe we’ll ramp up our Human Powered experiences? (Something we are testing with our new “Stoke Squad Membership”).

I’ll start by supporting my wife as she trains for her very first half marathon in March and look for a 5K for the boys and I to run in 2025. Don't be afraid to set your own personal goal ... I guarantee you'll learn a thing or two throughout the process.

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Journal - The Surprising, Yet Obvious, Lesson Learned After Running 50 Half Marathon In 50 Straight Months