I entered the 2027 Big Sur International Marathon drawing mostly on a lark. I did not expect to get in. It’s at the same time as Blue Ridge, which I already signed up for.

I discovered today my running muse was keen for some superlative scenery.

No, I will not be reprising Blue Ridge next spring. I have a feeling that entry will find its way to another worthy runner friend.

What surprises me more is how much this changes the shape of the journey.

Until now, Philadelphia has been the destination: rebuild after a rough stretch, get healthy, get the mileage back, and make it to November with something resembling a functioning training system.

Now Philadelphia feels less like an ending and more like a midpoint. There is suddenly a line where there used to be a collection of races:

Philadelphia → winter consistency → Big Sur

It gives some symmetry to the journey and finally makes the whole thing finally feel intentional.

I have spent enough time rambling toward races, signing up for something and then figuring out what it meant afterward. This feels different. Big Sur is not just another race on the calendar. It gives the next stretch of training a direction beyond November.

And frankly, if I’m going to build a life around distance running, having Highway 1 waiting at the far end of it feels like a pretty good idea.

And, once again, I fail to check the deets til the deal is done.

That muse has her work cut out for her. But, it’s only a bit harder than Athens, and just a smidge over the Blue Ridge half in elevation. I can do this.

Philadelphia is still the first destination in this new line on the map, and I’m running it as a Parkinson’s Champion. If you’d like to help me get there while supporting the Parkinson’s Foundation, you can donate through my Philadelphia Marathon fundraising page.