  This
journal entry was written October 29. One week ago both
classes were closing in on the Idaho border - with most of Washington
state in their footsteps. This week the students picked up the pace
and ran through most of the 174-mile distance in Idaho. The 4th grade
class is only 15 miles from the Montana border while the 5th grade
class is about 70 miles behind the 4th graders. It's important for all
to remember that the 4th grade class consists of 55 students while the
5th grade class has 40 students. The difference of 15 students is
considerable and accounts for much of the difference between where the
two classes are currently located on the trek.
With
Montana in their sights, the students have truly increased their
efforts. The 4th grade class is about 60 miles away from their
hometown of Missoula, and may reach Missoula within the next week -
currently being 29 miles ahead of the pace needed to complete the trek
by June 9th.
This
week the students quickly went through a number of towns in Idaho,
such as: Lewiston, Arrow, Myrtle, Agatha, Lenore, Big George, Ahsahka, Orofino,
Greer, Pardee, Kamiah, East Kamiah, Kooskia, Syringa, and, Lowell. The
students ran through the Nez Perce National
Historical Park, the Lochsa Historic Ranger
Station, and part of the Clearwater National
Forest.
There
were several highlights this week, such as completing Washington;
having a wonderful apple/caramel party (with apples donated by
Rosauers Supermarket);
and enjoying a visit by the University of Montana mascot, Monte!
Also, Mr. Fletcher included an update in his
MATR.net weekly
newsletter. Now the students are about to enter Montana, a state that will require
nearly 600 miles of running and walking to cross (accounting for 20%
of their total trek across America!).
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Some Encouraging
Notes We Received This Week: |
I
have walked from the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific and then to the
Atlantic here in Canada. It takes stamina and determination. I wish
you luck and encourage you to walk every day. The habit that you are
developing must last a lifetime and by being active it will be an
enjoyable lifetime. You live in a beautiful state and to enjoy it
you must walk. Keep on walking.
Ole Olson
Ottawa, Canada
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Alright
everyone - you're rockin! Keep up the good work and run like mad!
Leslie
Hellgate High School
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
You
can make it! But if you don't do not feel bad!
Kyler
2nd Grade Student
Russell Elementary School
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hey
5k - I think we can do this so turn in yellow slips and I know we
can do it.
Kelleigh
5th Grade
Participant
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
It
has been 7 weeks since you began this very long trek across America
and I am truly pleased with the overall effort of both classes. Next
week all of you will enter Montana - our home state! That is quite
an accomplishment. Within 2 months you have traveled over 600 miles,
starting at Cannon Beach, Oregon and running 101 miles across
Oregon, 343 miles across Washington, and 174 miles across Idaho. I
am seeing increased physical abilities in a number of students and
am pleased to tell the 4th grade class that they are ahead of the
scheduled pace for the first time since beginning this journey. The
5th grade class is not far behind and for having 28% fewer students
than the 4th grade I am VERY impressed with the progress that the
5th grade has made! At this point I don't believe that all of the
participants, their parents, the school teachers, or the community
of Missoula truly comprehend the immensity of this goal to virtually
cross the continent by the end of the school year. You are nearly
20% done with this trek and you will now be running and walking to
conquer the nearly 600 mile distance across Montana (which makes up
20% of your total trip). I will continue to cheer you on and I look
forward to our party at the completion of Montana - which should
occur in late December or early January. Know that what you've
accomplished so far has been watched by many visitors to this web
site. We are regularly contacted by P.E. teachers in America who are
interested in doing a similar trek with their students, and this
week a school in Florida decided to start a virtual trek program!
You are inspiring others, and I am proud of your efforts. Keep on
running and walking!
Paul Staso, Co-Organizer
Run/Walk Across America 2005-2006
Missoula, Montana
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