Day 2

Day 2: Finding a way around 580.
Being woken up by people running near the beach is no better feeling (and with the sun rising on the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz). Wow. These individuals were up at the crack of dawn and already being active. The cool temperature and the cool breeze all night made me very lazy when the sun rose and heated me back up. My sleeping bag did an amazing job keeping me warm though. As soon as I was coming to, somebody asked me where I was headed. He said that he was on his way to Boston!! How great is that!? I think his website is firstjohn.org. But I could have dreamt this I guess. Either way, he was a very nice guy. With all of my gear packed I was off. From the night previous, I knew the location of a few restaurants for breakfast. After a quick cinnamon roll, I blazed through the city. I stopped at pier 39 to see the sea lions,because a specific person told me to see them ;). What a gorgeous area and town. Leaving the city behind me by ferry, I picked up my running in Oakland. Because of the size of the two cities and their highways, this is the area that I was most skeptical about. How could I travel to Yosemite without using any of the busy freeways?? Especially the dreaded 580. My maps told me that their were, but with no Wi-fi...no detailed maps.Numerous times I pulled out my old fashioned road atlas to try to spot where I was. One time, a gentleman gave me great directions that did not include the 580. However 10 miles out, the road that the guy told me to be on dead ended. After circling Oakland airport a couple times, I decided to ask directions that didn't include freeways. Every one that I asked said that there were no such thing ( um... No offense to any females, but everyone that I asked were of that sex). Finally, someone told me that I could go through downtown Oakland to get where I am going. His exact words were "head for those hills". Oh goodie. So here I am, running in downtown with my short shorts and a stroller over these monster hills. BUT!! It only took me to the exact entrance of 580. I do not want to attempt running on this. So Again,asking around with no luck until a male says I can take a road right next to the freeway...YES!! I followed this road for miles and miles, hoping to reach the town of Tracy or Oakdale. Total running mileage- between 35 to 40 miles.

Day 1

The first day of the quest. I woke up later than I wanted to because of some last minute packing the night before. Hoping to buy my mother breakfast and flowers for mothers day, I instead slept in and my brother made me breakfast. Saying goodbye to family and loved ones was very difficult, but had to be done. I can only imagine what they were thinking..."see ya, selfish brat." or "see ya in a couple of days. You won't make it far". Ha. The flight departed from Flint Bishop airport to Minneapolis. If you ever want someone or people to stare or say crazy things to you: simply push around a baby stroller in the airport. People will say "aren't you missing something?" Ha. Oh well. Makes life more entertaining right. The connecting flight was fine too. For some reason being on an airplane puts me to sleep: I don't remember any of the flight. At the San Francisco airport I really didn't want to leave. I knew that if I left the airport then I will for sure be on my own. After an hour of walking around, I decided to get going. I got on the BARTA train and went to downtown San Fran. The train was surprisingly clean but screeched loudly. My ears are still ringing. Finally getting off, I wanted to walk to the Golden Gate Bridge. I have only seen pictures of it and want to see if it is really that much larger than the Mackinaw Bridge. The first thing I did was eat... At Subway. Walking a mile in the wrong way, I finally knew where i was going. I passes the Bay bridge, millions of restaurants and Starbucks, Pier 39 and the sea lions. I was able to see Alcatraz with the Golden Gate in the background so I knew I was getting close. Well the walk was much longer than I thought. I ended up pushing my stroller, two bags, tent, and sleeping bag for about 4 to 5 hours. I noticed that the city was very user friendly. It wasn't too intimidating and has a 80s feel to it (could be the cable cars and the diners). I saw families, couples, and people out running everywhere. The hills and houses look something so unfamiliar, but still looked great. This is a city that I would love to come back to and explore with my family. With my hands and body getting chilled I finally made it to the park near the bridge. At this time its dark, so I decided to pitch my tent here and get an early start to the day until a police officer told me that I could not pitch a tent there. So instead I slept on the beach. The righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

What Life is all about!

Trying to run across the United States has always been a dream of mine. What better way to experience the world and Gods creation. I originally wanted to this for my own personal satisfaction and growth. However, the more I thought about it, it made sense to try to raise support and awareness for different organizations and charities. I have been involved with The Make-a-Wish foundation for many years, and really admire what they do and what they stand for. St. Judes Children Research Hospital is another organization that has a great cause. Please watch the videos on this site or visit their websites. To grant a wish for a child who has a terminal illness or care/research for illnesses is what life is about. Helping others! No matter who or what circumstance.

The Physical Demands

Ok... I will state the elephant in the room:  3,000 miles in 100 days is 30 miles a day?  A lot of individulas would immediately deem this as impossible-over a marathon  for 100 days?  (I really hate talking about myself, but in order to convince others and more importantly myself, I must reaffirm my abilities).Have I ever ran this far before in 100 days-no. Have I ever ran a marathon- no.  But I have ran more than 30 miles with 24 hours though (all the time actually), and I have ran 22 mile at sub 6 min pace and then did an interval workout on the track faster than 5 min pace less than 24 hours later.  (This is the part where I talk about myself, sorry agian). For over ten years, I have been running weekly mileage that averages around 85 miles a week.  Within these weeks there long runs (17+ miles), interval workouts, tempos, recovery runs, mid week long runs, and the race on weekends.  Then you start the whole routine over again on Sunday morning.  This routine is repeated for about 47 weeks out of the 52 week year.  (wow I really talked a lot about myself, but  I had to in order to convince others).
This is my logic.  In season, if I can run at an average of 100 miles a week at .85 effort (average: long runs at 6 min. pace, tempos and workouts at 5 min pace, and recovery runs at 6:20 pace), then why can't I run twice as long with half the effort?  In my opinion, running is not graphed as linear, but asymptotically, where your full potencial (how fast you can go) is never really ever met.  If you slow down your average speed/effort a little, you will see changes but not too much.  However, if you cut your effort/speed in half you, will get drastic changes in the y-coordinate...distance (where that is never met).

Injury- Oh yes. The dreaded shin splints, pulled muscles, or... stress fractures...Bum Bum Bum... What is key?? Foot protection!  New shoes will be sent to me throughout my quest (hopefully every 600 miles ish).  Stretching!  The simplest way to avoid injury is to stretch.  Even though I usually never do, I am planning on it.  IT IS A MUST. I may even take up Yoga.  Calorie intake-  According to my Garmin GPS, I burn 100 calories per mile.  So my daily calorie intake will be 5500 a day (using 2500 calories for my daily uptake).  Sounds like a lot of stops to fast food places!  Hydration!  Two larger water bottles will be taken and filled at every chance that I get.  Dehydration is the quickest way to ruin a run or possibly my plans.

The Reason behind the Madness

First off) The most popular question that is asked to runners, is "Why do you run?" or "What are you running from?", and this running expedition is no different.  For the past eleven years, my answer was always, "I am training for my race" or "I need to get better/faster".Ever since Middle School, running has become a passion of mine, and the idea of running across the United States popped in my head.  This idea has been in my head and has been a goal of mine for ever since.  As I graduate from my Undergrad, I know that this is the best time to actually live/pursue this goal and dream of mine.  I am currently in the best shape in my life, and I am in a transition.  Do I work? Do I go and get my Masters? Do I start a family? Do I take a year off?  Whatever I do, I know that it will be another long commitment with me getting not getting younger.  Other than my family, I don't really haven any responsibilities.  No job/career, no significant other, no many close friend, and no debt to pay off.  WHEN IN MY LIFE CAN I EVER SAY THIS AGAIN??? The only aspect of my life that I am leaving is my family.  I am a family kind of person, and it absolutely kills me that I will not be able to see them for three-ish months, and I don't want them to waste time worrying about me.

Second)Run Forest Run...  Easily the most popular comment to make when seeing people run. You only hear bits and pieces of it, when people drive by you, but you are able to hear the whole saying at stoplights.  Look. I get it.  I am running, and yes I may look different in my running shorts or other running clothes, but come up with a better comment. 

The Supplies

As the leaving date for my journey draws nearer, I find myself obsessing whether or not I am bringing the right things. I need to bring lots of items, but still keep everything minimal and lightweight. At first I was going to just bring a bag, but seeing that I would pack it full ( and how weak my back is), I knew that my back would hurt very quickly. So the next idea was to bring a cart. After researching different carts, I decided upon a jogging stroller! I noticed the price of this and was disappointed, so I called my older brother if he had one. My older brother is single with no kids but goes to a lot of garage sales and thrift stores. It didn't really surprise me that he had one just chilling in his garage...still kinda strange though. For my sleeping arrangements, I spent hours upon hours of researching just going through all the specs. and what I needed for my journey (maybe I should have spent this time studying...) I decided upon a lightweight Kelty tent and a 25 degree Mountain Hardware sleeping bag. Another important aspect to the trip will be running shoes. For the past couple weeks, I have been ordering shoes through my school and have 3 pairs of Brooks Ravenas and 2 pairs of Brooks Switch. I am planning and hoping that my family will send a new pair after 600ish miles at a certain location. I am also bringing my IPad,camera, Bible, phone, pepper spray, long running tights, sweatpants, shirts, body glide, running shorts, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, sunblock, wet ones, and a pair of Toms shoes to lounge around in.

Untitled