February 13th

Susan Burge (Bruce's training partner) came to Parker today! It was good to see her as the run was just slugging along. She breathed a little life into the run today. She ran with me at my pace then started to fall asleep. Considering she never ran 25 miles before, she did quite well. Dave picked her up after 24 miles.  I think I am ahead of schedule.

February 14th

Susan ran again today. I got a picture early as within 5 minutes she was out of sight (ON A STRAIGHT ROAD)! She ran 24 miles again today no problem, a total 48 for two days. I don't think she knows her limits on speed and distance yet, she is fast. Its was nice to have her out there, glad she came out as she leaves tomorrow and Dave and I will admit she will be missed. I am stuck on 25 miles a day even and though I think I can do more I am going to hold back.

February 15th

We are 10 miles out of Wickenberg, Arizona at the finish today. Susan left this morning and the run was less exciting, she set a record of 48 miles in two days. She will be missed. Hopefully she will come out again sometime. My run today was the easiest of all runs so far. I started at 6:00 am and I am done by 12:30!!  Lots of rest time. I think the run is now half mental in so many ways.  We will be heading into busy Phoenix area in a couple days.

February 16th

We ran 15 miles past Wickenberg today, as we were 10 miles before the town at days end yesterday. Stood next to a beautiful sarrow cactus, they are all over.  We got off Route 60 and hit Route 74, Carefree Highway, we will be on this until Scottsdale Blvd and back onto Route 60 then past Phoenix. Here is a picture of finish mark. I am always glad to see that big 25!! Today was down hill for ten miles and 75 degrees, and route 74 has an 8ft shoulder, NICE!

February 17th

Well tomorrow will be my last day on Route 74. I will miss it, best scenery and road yet. I will hit Scottsdale Rd at 13 miles. Can't wait to see what that road looks like. I have a cell phone now !! A loved one took care of it for me! Thank you loved one.

Only one picture today. Sometimes the real beauty doesn't show in a picture, but I have it in my mind forever. Looks like rain tomorrow and, besides running 25 miles, I will try to keep the cell phone dry.

February 18th

On Feb 18 I said goodbye to route 74 and entered onto busy Scottsdale Blvd. It was supposed to rain but didn't, so I didn't bring camera, but another 25 miles in the books. I was almost hit by a van who lost control of his vehicle and went off road right by me. I had to dive out of the way and landed softly in grass/sand. I was upset all day.

February 19th

Today it rained all day except for 10 minutes here and there, sometimes quite hard. On top of that I had to run sidewalks and obey street lights.  I stopped at Starbucks for breakfast and Circle K for a hotdog. I also stopped at a Bank One ATM and a sports store looking for a waterproof jacket and still ran a 6:06 for 25 miles! I have 475 miles in now.  This new jacket in the picture leaks like a sieve. My friend Dennis, Dave and our support dog posed for a quick picture.