Nurse Michelle Ran 50 Marathons by Age 50 — Thanks to the Freedom of Travel Nursing
When Michelle Floyd crossed the finish line at the Detroit Free Press Marathon last weekend, she wasn’t just wrapping up another race—she was celebrating a journey 15 years in the making. Floyd, a Michigan nurse with a passion for running and exploring, achieved something truly extraordinary: completing a full or half marathon in all 50 states before her 50th birthday.
Let that sink in for a moment. Fifty races. Fifty states. Fifteen years. Hundreds of miles. And all of it while balancing the demands of a nursing career. It’s safe to say Floyd’s determination could rival the busiest ER shifts!
Floyd’s journey kicked off in 2010 with a marathon in San Francisco. She was 35 at the time and fueled by her love for both running and travel. What started as a casual hobby quickly turned into a state-by-state mission to conquer races across the country. Over the years, she completed five full marathons in California, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and Illinois, along with half marathons in the other 45 states.
“I see a race and I can’t not sign up,” Floyd admits with a laugh.
But let’s be honest—this kind of goal takes extreme dedication. Between training, travel, and working full-time as a nurse, Floyd had to get creative to make it all happen.
Here’s where Floyd’s nursing career played a big role in her success. Early on, she realized that balancing a traditional nursing job with her racing schedule wasn’t going to cut it. So, she made a bold move: she became a travel nurse.
Travel nursing gave Floyd the flexibility to chase her marathon dreams while continuing to work in healthcare. It also allowed her to experience different hospitals, teams, and patient populations across the country.
“I became a travel nurse to complete this goal,” Floyd shared. “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. So, I had to say goodbye to my favorite place I worked to complete my goal, and it worked.”
Talk about multitasking! For nurses considering travel nursing as a way to switch things up, Floyd’s story is a great example of how the career can open doors—not just in healthcare, but also in life.
Last weekend’s Detroit Free Press Marathon wasn’t just another race for Floyd; it was deeply symbolic. Completing her 50th state on her 50th birthday in her home state of Michigan brought her journey full circle. It’s the kind of symmetry that makes you want to cheer her on like you’re at the bedside celebrating a patient’s big milestone.
In a field where caring for others often takes priority over self-care, Floyd’s story serves as an important reminder that nurses need to take time for themselves, too. Whether it’s running, yoga, hiking, painting, or simply taking a walk after a long shift, finding an outlet for physical and mental wellness is essential for maintaining the energy and compassion that define the profession.
If you think Floyd is ready to kick back, think again. She’s already planning to take her running shoes international. Her next goal is tackling races around the globe, a reminder that reaching one finish line often means setting your sights on the next.
For nurses everywhere, Floyd’s story is more than just an impressive accomplishment; it’s an inspiration. It’s proof that with determination, creativity, and some careful planning, you can achieve ambitious goals without putting your nursing career on hold.
If you ever need a reminder that anything is possible, just think of Michelle Floyd running her way across all 50 states. Now, that’s endurance!
