Well, like I said before, some of the most beautiful parts of the run
are the toughest, as go the mighty Appalachian Mountains. They are not
like any I have seen. I ran on route 58 which runs along the Appalachian
Trail. I ran 30 miles but probably went only 20 miles East because of the
winding road, one curve after another. Ran through Rogers Mountain,
highest peak in Virginia. It was a tough day and a beautiful day. I ran
with a loud rushing stream that switched sides of the road all day.
Pictures never show the beauty you see first hand.
May 3 Update
I ran through Bristol, VA to Damascus, VA
today. I have definitely hit the Appalachian Mountains! They are
beautiful. There are small mountains covered in green and sometimes the
most beautiful places are the hardest to run. I ran 30 miles despite these
killer hills. I am glad to get 30 miles with no shoulder on Route 58. No
shoulder really beats your legs. It keeps your mind busy dodging cars,
though. This morning was 32 degrees but I dressed right and it was OK,
only warmed to 50 which was OK. Feet? I don't want to even talk about,
weight is stable at 193 lbs. I have mixed feelings about this run coming
to an end, I can't wait to rest my feet and I miss a lot of things back
home, but on the other hand this is a lifetime accomplishment that I will
always have to reflect on and it's almost over forever. I have thought
about the finish on beach a million times for 7 years now and still don't
know what I will do when I get there. What would you do? Passed the 2500
mile mark today as I hit 2512 miles so far. The Crisis Center is so happy
when they get even a little money and they all e-mail me. I am so thankful
it makes me happy. Please send them a little money, here's the address
again Community Crisis Center, PO Box 1390 Elgin, Illinois 60121.I met
Lewis and Ann Roscoe today and her sister Pat Farrell biked across America
and wants to do it again! They also wrote me a check for $50.00 for the
Crisis Center! Thank You. It was nice meeting and talking to you.
May 2 Update
I ran to Bristol, Virginia today!! 30
miles was all I had as my feet hurt bad. Slowest time yet for 30
miles. Cold drizzlely day. Just wasn't into it today. When you get a nice
day once a month you really appreciate it. Looks like Virginia may be a
pretty state. No "Welcome to Virginia Sign" but I am glad to be
here. 91 days 2482 miles.
May 1 Update
The big news today.....I started in Bean
Station and ran all the way to New Canton, Tennessee. Started at 4:45 am
(eastern time) with no rain and 8 ft shoulder and I ran 35 miles in 8:55.
This was tough, as the first 17 1/2 miles were gentle rolling hills the
last 17 1/2 miles where these long two mile upgrades that just kill your
legs and you keep looking up hoping the top is coming up soon. So 35 miles
gone and I am happy today and it looks nice in the record book but this
record will fall soon. Big talk from someone who's feet hurt so bad they
probably wished they were owned by someone else right now. Its been 90
days 2452 miles and when I hit Virginia tomorrow (hopefully) I will have
360 miles to go!
April 30 Update
It rained all day yesterday and all night last
night and all day today and it is still raining. Our motel is only a mile
away from my finish today in Bean Station, Tennessee. Bean Station is a
tiny town and nearly everything is closed at noon. Today would be a good
day (since our motel is so close to the finish) to do some more miles
after lunch but not in the rain. Normally all this rain would really
dampen my spirits. I guess Tennessee is pretty but when it rains here,
there is a fog and low clouds that sit between the mountains so you can
only see so far. I heard a big tree fall in the dark of the morning in a
forest of trees. I heard it slowly go crashing down. It was a ways off,
dark and quiet, and I pondered that for 15 miles. You can see the
mountains behind me but today was somewhat flat with a nice shoulder. Ran
30 miles today, 89 days 2417 miles.
April 29 Update It rained all night and all day and its raining now and it's supposed
to rain for the next three days. I finished running through Knoxville
today. I started at 4:45 am and ran to Blane, Tennessee. I hit Route 11 W
today and had a 10 ft shoulder! No shoulder to 10 ft shoulder....when it
rains it pours. Ran 30 wet miles, 2387 miles 88 days. My left knee started
hurting and I was worried as you magnify every little pain and I noticed I
had 375 miles on my shoes. I put on my last pair that had only 75 miles
accrued. Today the knee was fine and I can see how wore out shoes can
cause pain. When you have this many miles logged you are sensitive to
every step. My pattern has been every 350 miles. If I had to do this again
I would buy a new pair every 200 miles minimum. I am running strong again
and I feel good and ready for Virginia, Thank God.
April 28 Update
Rain again today but I am not complaining. I
ran 30 miles and made it just to the city limits of Knoxville!! I hope to
be in Virginia by Monday. I will find out what Route 11 looks like
tomorrow, it has to have a bigger shoulder than Route 70. Busy traffic and
not much for scenery, just a "get it done" day.
