Julie Musselman started running competitive races 15 years ago as a way to help cope with the death of her husband, Bill — the former Gophers and Timberwolves coach.
"I felt myself spiraling out of control. That whole year was about putting one step ahead of another," Musselman said. "I needed to do something with a sense of strength."
It's safe to say she found it. And once she started, Musselman kept going until she made history.
Upon completing the Jackson Hole (Wyo.) Marathon in September, Musselman became the first woman known to have completed sanctioned marathons with Boston Marathon qualifying times in all 50 states.
"I was so nervous going into it. I could barely get a bagel down. I've had 50 bagels and 50 bananas before 50 races, but this was different," said Musselman, 49, who finished the race despite rain and sleet in 3 hours, 48 minutes and 20 seconds, besting the Boston qualifying standard for her age group by nearly seven minutes.
"It was fun to have it done. You're always waiting for something to happen."
It was a double dose of relief since Musselman thought she had completed the quest a year ago at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Las Vegas.
As it turned out, a previous marathon she had run in Wyoming wasn't a sanctioned race and therefore didn't technically count — a fact that became evident after a Runner's World article this past summer featured the eight runners (all males, but not her) known to have completed the quest.
