Journey nurse to realize 50-state marathon aim in Detroit as she turns 50

DETROIT (WXYZ) — A journey nurse who relies in Kansas is celebrating two main milestones this weekend in Detroit: finishing her bold aim of working 50 full and half marathons in all 50 states by her fiftieth birthday.

Michelle Floyd will cross the end line on the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 19, marking the completion of a 15-year journey that started in 2010. She turned 50 on Friday.

Watch Jolie Sherman’s video report beneath:

Nurse reaches milestone in Detroit on fiftieth birthday with fiftieth marathon in fiftieth state

“That was the main goal: 50 states by my 50th birthday,” Floyd stated.

Floyd’s first race was in San Francisco, the place her mother and father flew out to see her and help her from sidelines. What began as a single marathon developed into an bold cross-country quest.

“I see a race and I can’t not sign up,” Floyd stated.

Related video: Detroit Free Press Marathon runners put together for race amid wet climate forecast

Detroit Free Press Marathon runners put together for race amid wet climate forecast

To obtain her aim, Floyd made vital profession adjustments, changing into a journey nurse particularly to accommodate her racing schedule.

“It’s 100% the reason why I quit my staff nursing jobs because at my staff nursing job, I wasn’t able to take PTO because they were short-staffed all the time,” Floyd stated. “So, I had to say goodbye to my favorite place I worked to complete my goal, and it worked.”

Michelle Floyd

Floyd’s mom, Jetta, watched her daughter’s dedication develop through the years.

“She’s always been very athletic — extremely. She always likes to stay active. She likes to travel,” Jetta Floyd stated.

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Throughout her journey, Floyd accomplished 5 full marathons in California, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and Illinois and half marathons within the remaining 45 states.

“It was just game on after that,” Floyd stated.

The Detroit Free Press Marathon will at all times maintain particular significance for Floyd as her ultimate race.

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“I’m super excited about this one. It’s an international race; I get to go into Canada. It’s going to be so exciting. I can’t wait,” Floyd stated.

Floyd says this achievement is not the top of her working profession. She plans to proceed racing and is contemplating collaborating in marathons in different nations.

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