May 1st

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!

May 2nd

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 3rd

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 4th

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 5th

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.

May 6th

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 7th

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.