“So why there? Just curious. I think your runs are awesome, but isn't that a bit extreme? Will you still find schools to stop and visit? Good Luck.”

I offer this letter to outline my reasons for choosing the Mojave Desert for the 2011 P.A.C.E. Trek. Yes, it will be an “extreme” run… and that is what I personally need in my running right now. P.A.C.E. Trek 2011 - Destination: Mojave Desert will not be a run of school visits, speaking engagements, or media interviews. My focus will be 100% on “running”… doing what I do best, and attempting something that has never been done before. It will truly be an adventure, and the kids that participate on teams virtually accompanying me will be involved in something completely unique. The kids will be exposed to something raw and real with respect to running and endurance.

So, why would I want to take this on at this point in my life… at 46 years of age, a business owner, and the father of four children ranging from 11 to 17 years old? Those who have read through the P.A.C.E. Trek web site (pacetrek.com) know that running has always been a part of my life. For the past 5 years my running has been aimed at promoting youth fitness. In the past few years I have logged nearly 5,000 miles on P.A.C.E. runs for kids and have done countless assemblies in the U.S.A. and Europe. I’ve done the media thing (newspapers, television, radio, Internet) and have certainly enjoyed growing interest and participation in P.A.C.E. through my efforts. However, I’m at a point where I need an extremely difficult running challenge. I need to revitalize my personal running. I need to spark within me that adventurous spirit that I must have to tackle running solo across different states and countries each year while maintaining my busy schedule as a speaker, business owner, husband, father, and other roles in my life. I honestly don't know of any other non-corporate sponsored runner/husband/father on this planet that organizes and trains for annual solo ultra-journey runs like I do across states and countries – bringing along thousands of students virtually. So, I’m kind of on my own to sort through the mental, physical and emotional battles that come with what I do year after year.

Keep in mind, I’m not a “professional” runner. I don’t get paid to do these annual P.A.C.E. Treks and over the past few years have actually spent over $13,000 of my own money to make the P.A.C.E. Treks a reality (which doesn't include my loss of tens of thousands of dollars in wages while away from the office to do P.A.C.E. Treks). After several years of focusing my strides on getting large numbers of students involved by inviting teachers from around the globe to register teams, I need a run where I am completely focused on journey running… without hype, assemblies, media, and all the rest that normally comes with a P.A.C.E. Trek. Of course, I still want as many children involved as possible. However, rather than focus on the overall numbers of teams registered for P.A.C.E. Trek 2011, I'm going to focus on the endeavor itself. I still plan on having an “online classroom” for teams of kids from around the world to be able to track my progress and participate virtually. However, the 2011 run across the Mojave Desert will be a little different from my solo runs across America, Montana, Alaska and Germany – particularly in preparation and the logistics involved.

The main way the Mojave challenge will be different is that I will focus 100% on running. If I don’t do that, I am setting myself up for failure – particularly due to the extreme nature of what I’m going to be attempting. I am not abandoning kids by any means! The aim of promoting youth fitness and the overall purpose for which P.A.C.E. was created remains the same. I am simply going to let my strides across the Mojave speak for me. I'm going to let kids truly watch a genuine ultra-running attempt at something never done before by a solo runner – not for attention or glory, but for pure education and to try and spark intrigue, adventure and possibility within kids. I am constantly speaking to children about the importance of setting goals; working hard; staying healthy and fit; having perseverance; and, reaching for your dreams. For too many kids, those are just words. It's so important for today's children to see those words in action. P.A.C.E. Trek 2011 across the Mojave Desert will be my chance to do that. It is my hope that teachers around the globe will embrace this FREE opportunity to have their students involved in something unique that can truly impact young lives for the better.

Please understand that I’m not starting down a path of “extreme” annual journey runs through P.A.C.E. Trek. I simply need to take this on for my own personal reasons in the sport of ultra-endurance running. It is my hope that teachers will see the benefit of having their students involved in the 2011 P.A.C.E. Trek and spread the word of this opportunity. Remember, the only way to truly know what is “possible” is for the “impossible” to be attempted. Some have said that the solo run I want to do across the Mojave Desert is impossible. If it is, then I will fail. However, if I run solo into Badwater Basin, Death Valley on April 30, 2011 – after running a course of 506 miles – then we’ll have to place that run in the “possible” column… right next to walking on the moon, creating a light bulb, and having hand-held phones that can be taken anywhere (all of which were at one point deemed “impossible”). P.A.C.E. Trek 2011 will be an opportunity for kids to be active, learn, and perhaps think about what they might achieve if they dedicate themselves to a personal goal. In my opinion, our world could use more of that.

Okay, ready to register a school team for free to participate in the Mojave challenge? Just go to the registration page!

Gotta Run,

Paul Staso