April 17th

The big news today is that I crossed 2000 miles at my 7 mile mark.  I think I am going to like Tennessee, Route 104 is a great back country road and lots to look at, Swamps on both sides of road, it looked like the Florida Everglades. Creeks, rivers, dead snakes all over the road, (BIG ONES) no traffic, but HOT!! It was 68 at the start at 5:15 am. My milk at the ten mile mark was hot and I didn't drink it, I lost a lot of fluids today. The pavement was hot and the more I loosened my shoe strings, the more my feet just kept filling them up. They are wide open, almost where I don't even have to tie them. I think I want it to rain now, that's how hot its been for last 4 days. The long sleeve white shirt in picture is to keep sun off. So far 2023 miles in 76 days. The next cool day I plan to break my 30 miles in a day record.or break my feet, I haven't decided yet. Knowing me, I will do both. I am fine, nobody worry. I am going to make it.

April 18th

I ran from just past Central to 6 miles past Atwood, Tennessee. Ran 30 miles today and I have no shoulder at all on Route 70. This will be tough on the legs, because I have to get into the grass/rocks/holes/uneven terrain, with every car. The heat also makes it tough to increase miles right now. Rain would be dangerous with no shoulder. Picture of shoulder at 30 miles. So far 2053 miles in 77 days. I figure to run to Nashville by Sunday or Bust.

April 19th

Today was another hot one and I was real happy to see that blue support truck ahead. The 30 mile run today took me through Bruceton, I liked the name for some reason! And only 12 miles ahead on my route is Johnsonville, which is on a lake and Dave is fishing. You can walk to the lake from Motel. No shoulder for 25 miles and 5 miles of 8 ft shoulder. Shoulder is everything on a run like this. The last thing you want to do is four wheel it all day. A big shoulder lets you hit flat and perfect and you don't have to concentrate too much on cars. I miss Route 60 and Route 412, but I am heading East and taking a bite out of Tennessee, bring it on!

April 20th
 
It was hot today, hottest day so far. I figure on this run I have lived through 4 Seasons, started hot it California, with rain, snow and freezing rain in Arizona and New Mexico, Spring in Texas and Oklahoma, and now summer temps of 83 degrees. Ran 30 miles again today, which took me through Waverly, Tennessee and past a couple miles. I had a wide shoulder all the way, which let me recover somewhat from a couple days of off roading. The route gets hilly and winding so I am told by the Bradberrys who live at the top of a big hill called Bradberry Hill. He owns the whole thing, both sides of the road, they seemed like good ole boys. Nice to meet them. It is supposed to rain for two days now, we will see. But I was also told by the Bradberrys it's only 70 miles to Nashville!! I have logged 16 30 mile days so far.

April 21st

It rained hard for about 8 miles then it got hot and humid. Today was 80 days on the road, 2143 miles. I had thought this would take 120 days so I am moving along just fine. I had a good 2 1/2 ft shoulder today so the hilly course didn't bother me, much! I was feeling drained for three days and was getting worried, It was because I had not eaten steak in over a week and a half, two days in a row I had steak and I felt better today. I need red meat, your body talks if you listen. No pictures as it was raining all day. Tennessee is a pretty state. On another running subject, I wish my training partner Susan good luck this Saturday in Florida. She will be competing in the big 7 Mile Bridge Run in the Keys they have every year. She wants to beat her brother Glenn who lives there. He won last year.

April 22nd

I ran through Nashville and just finished on the outskirts of town. It rained hard for two and a half hours. Good to be through Nashville and on my way to Knoxville. We are staying in Lebanon, Tennessee. I will run past Lebanon by 2 miles tomorrow. I hope it will be cool tomorrow, there will be not much to look at tomorrow as I have seen my route already. I think it will take at least 14 days for Tennessee. So far 81 days and 2173 miles. Also, I had Jack in The Box again. I love those tacos. Jack in the Box in Tennessee this is a good thing. Feet are killing me but, oh well, no time for pain.

April 23rd

I ran away from Nashville and ran to Lebanon, Tennessee today. For the fourth day of this run I had a wind at my back. It was 50 degrees and a little hilly, so it was a perfect running day. I did 32 miles, a new record, but this record will not stand long. I can't wait to see the Appalachian Mountains. I think that will be tough because I will hit them at an upward angle going north/east. We will move our motel ahead to Cookeville, Tennessee tomorrow.

The results are in on the 7 Mile Bridge Run: Glenn had to pass the torch to Susan as she ran like the wind today and won. Way to go Susan! Better luck next year Glenn. Also congrats to Mr .Burge for his record breaking run.