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May 16 Update
Bruce Has Made it Across the U.S.A!
105 Days - 2901 MIles

Well, I don't know how I feel. I thought I would cry and be all emotional but I feel good and I really believed I could do this. Sometimes at the end of a hard day, I worried I would not be able to get up in the morning but by the graces of God I was able to run every day. I will have more tomorrow after I get my head together. I want to thank everyone who helped me and I will never forget them. Thanks for your E-mails as they inspired me each day. If you think you can do something: you probably can. Go for your dreams no matter what they may be.

I ran 33 miles today, so my finish is 18 6/10 miles away tomorrow. 19 miles only! This run will be 2900 6/10 miles. I had some trouble running on a bridge and through an under ground tunnel in Portsmoth. I was lucky to do what I did, but if you chose this route it's illegal to run this 1/4 mile section. It said no pedestrians on the Mississippi Bridge also and I ran it, but again I was lucky. It is a different feeling on the crew tonight, uneasy, excited, and ready to get it done. I have run a long way. We are staying right on the beach in Virginia Beach and the Boardwalk outside keeps Dave on the balcony people watching. 104 days 2882 miles.

I ran 33 miles today as I wanted to get to Holland, VA where I finished today. Still don't know how far it is exactly to the water, but after tomorrow's run we will drive to finish and know for sure. A few firsts today as I saw the biggest (dead) snake on the road today, this thing was fat, (except where truck ran him over) and I saw more white tailed deer than anywhere else, that kind of surprised me. Hot today, I haven't been eating right so that's probably why my energy level is low. I am running on pure enthusiasm.

Rained last night, just a sprinkle at start and it was a cloudy cool day. No shoulder for 20 miles, a lot of grass running which is a killer on legs. Just got a 4 ft shoulder and a strong wind in my face for rest of day, set a record for most times for hat blowing off. Lots of semi trucks all day, double lanes. Ran 32 miles today through Emporia, VA and stopped just short of Drewyville, VA. Not much for scenery, some trees, some fields, 4 lane traffic, easy rolling hills. I am ready for Ocean views. We will move motels tomorrow up to Suffolk, VA for a couple days. Didn't have any energy today so I only did 32 miles. So far 2816 miles 102 days.

Well, today my 32 mile run took me through South Hill, VA and just short of Lawrenceville, VA. I lost my 8 ft road shoulder at 15 miles and had to rough it on and off the road for next 17 miles, light traffic for the most part, I have had worse. The scenery looks like back home in Illinois now, rolling hills, familiar trees, farmers are bailing hay already today. It was 76 at the start and it's 89 degrees now. I am not a real hot weather runner. I talked to Jason Gross who completed his run across America last year. No one can talk to another like two guys that have done this. Like two guys that have been to Vietnam, they, and only they, really know how it was. Just like this. I will be talking to Jason more later. This is so mental now, the days are so long, and hot. I still say Monday finish. My feet are getting better everyday and if it gets cooler I will run farther. 101 days 2784 miles!!

Well, the big news today, at about my 27 mile mark I passed the best sign I have seen yet. It said: VIRGINIA BEACH 149 miles! My 30 mile run today put me 146 miles from my final destination. I will finish on Monday and home by Tuesday! I also passed through Clarksville and just past town I got an 8 ft shoulder to run on. It was 85 degrees today and I lost a lot of fluids, which reminded me I still have 5 days to go, so watch it! My feet were better (thanks Allen) after soaking in the pool for 2 days and getting new shoes and really elevating the bottom of my mattress at night resulted in less swelling. Today I had more shoe string hanging out this morning to tie shoes and I was able to put my thick replacement insoles in and shoes were not as tight as yesterday, this makes for softer heel strike. I like these shoes and will probably buy another pair again. About the blister I had for two and a half weeks, it's gone completely now. I have thought about the finish for so many years and I can't wait!! Day 100 today! 2752 miles 27.52 is my average for 100 days, I would have had to make it to 2800 miles today for a 28 mile per day average, missed by 48 miles only. This Run to the Ocean will be 2900 miles! Wow!

Cloudless day, 82 degrees. As I promised I bought a new pair of shoes and I think I got a good pair this time. I felt a little silly not knowing what to do about a bad blister, I never had one on my foot before. Allen said to take a needle and thread and run it through the blister and out the other side cut the thread leaving about 1/2 inch each side, this will keep blister holes open so it always drains, cover using duct tape, I used white cloth sports tape and it worked, no pain with that at all. Swam in pool last two nights and I hope this reduces swelling some. Good day, easy rolling hills and trees, a house now and then, no shoulder but light traffic and I was done before it got too hot. Rand McNally online says 176 miles to go!!
Ran about 3 miles past South Boston, VA today, ran 30 miles today, so far 99 days 2722 miles.

I had great surprise as Allen and Mary Firth came out and supported my run today. I was so glad to see them. Allen is the director of many races across America and has also done a solo run across America. They are a great inspiration to me and just what I needed for last part of this run. They told me how to treat blisters talked me into buying new shoes for the rest of run and we had a great dinner together. I could talk to them for hours. They don't just sit around getting older, they keep challenging themselves as him and Mary walked 1300 miles with packs across Britain last year. Allen just finished a 500 mile journey and still walked with me today as I ran to keep up. These two were made for each other. I was so glad to see them. Although there is no official run across America record book, I consider his site the most official, and would be honored to have him list me as completing this run. His site www.runacrossamerica2002.com . It was good to see you Allen & Mary.
Ran 30 miles today, through Danville and past by about 3 miles. Run seemed easy today because of my company. It was a cloudless, beautiful day. I have to go to footlocker now, as I promised Allen, and try new shoes, Mary said he hates to see people in pain when they don't have to be. So far 98 days on the road 2692 miles. About 8 days left, unless I get new shoes, then only 6 days left.

I made it to Martiansville, Virginia today. My 30 mile run was done in record time. I knocked 25 minutes off my regular time. An animal got my lunch today and left the sandwich half eaten. That's a first, picky varmint I guess. The sign said 27 miles to Danville so I will make it there tomorrow, God willing. I have 34 days of 30 mile runs. I received an E-mail from Bob Brown today, the winner of 2004 Race across America. I didn't help him or Russell much when I went down to support them, they were totally under control and self sufficient. Running smooth. 97 days 2662 miles.

Well, another hilly day. It was a nice day but it was supposed to rain so no camera or pictures today. Also, no close encounters with any large skunks today. I probably out ran them all. My feet are bad and I am a little worried. I wouldn't worry if they didn't hurt so much. The swelling has gone past my ankles. I didn't buy enough pairs of my favorite shoes before they quit making them. I figured 8 pair ($800.00) but now I know I should of bought 16 pair. My friend Russell (Ultra Runner) says he has seen this mistake many times. So I am wearing old pairs that I had retired earlier. I bought two different brands and that's what really tore my feet up even worse. Take note Transcon runners, when they say buy twice as many pairs as you think you need, do it! Signs on the road said I ran past the official Lovers Leap. It is a pull over spot off the road with a spectacular views. Guys and girls have chalked there names on the small brick retaining wall. I wished I had camera. The picture is in my memory. Well, 96 days 2632 miles.

Hilly, hilly day, with towns named Hillsville. I spent the day climbing about 25 miles out of the 30 miles. Today was uphill. Ran through, Galax, Va through Hillsville, Va and finished just short of Laurel Fork, Va. It was dark and I saw an animal (blackish) running down the grassy median that was dividing the double lanes about 20 foot wide. No traffic that early (4:45 am} and this animal was running away from me in the semi tall grass. I was gaining on this animal! I felt pretty good I was catching this semi swift animal, it finally knew that it had met his match and stopped. I crossed the two lanes and started in the grassy median to see what was this animal that I could out run. It seemed to have his head down I thought in a hole or something and he wasn't moving. I came closer in the dark and stopped as soon as my brain registered it was a huge skunk! Facing away from me head down, tail up and ready to spray.He was as big as a medium sized dog, his tail was up in the air 3 feet easy, one more step and well, I was real lucky. I was about 10 feet from it when I froze, it was like I stepped on a trip wire and backed up slow but quick. That was about 2 miles into the run and it was dark. Yes, I did learn something today. I learned,,,,,,,,, ( I am faster than a skunk now! ) Ninety Five days 2602 miles.

May 5 Update

Today I left the biggest part of the Appalachian Mountains behind me. The first 7 1/2 miles was a nice downhill run and the last 3 1/2 miles were also downhill. I see smaller mountains ahead and, when I turn around, the big ones are behind, Whew! With 11 miles of downhill running, I set a personal best for 30 miles. And it felt like a rest day! Only someone who has put on this many miles would know what I mean when I say I ran 30 but it was like a day off. My friend Russell (ran across America in 71 days) used 32 pair of shoes!! I am trying to make it on 9 pairs at my body weight. That's two things, tough and silly. I believe I have built a strong base for the rest of my life because any thing else I do will seem easy. I may make this look easy sometimes, but taking no days off to heal is very hard to do. I ran about 5 miles past Independence, Virginia today. So far 94 days, 2572 miles so far. And still running.

Bruce W. Johnson journey runner started in Oceanside, California on February 1, 2005, and ran across the entire United States of America! The run covered 2901 miles in 105 days and crossed 8 states. Bruce encountered the vast Mojave Desert and the high mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountains (west) and Appalachian mountains, (east), while enjoying the people, places, and life on the road on this four month journey!

Bruce will be keeping a detailed journal of his experiences while running across the United States. He is interested in publishing a book to share his experience with the world.

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Volunteers needed
Bruce is compiling a list of volunteers to help on his next run or who might want to assist another runner.

Pictures of Bruce
View a slideshow of Bruce on his runs. more..

Map of U.S.
View the route for the run across the United States. more..