JOURNAL FOR WEEK NINE
August 18 through August 24, 2006

Paul Completed The Run Across America In 108 Running Days

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18:  39 MILES (Cloudy, Rain, 75 Degrees) [Total Mileage to Date: 1,503]
Stopping Location: Ipswich, South Dakota (click here to see the location via MapQuest)
Stopping Elevation: 1,535 Feet

DAY 57: Today started out with a major thunderstorm which had lightning, rain and strong headwinds - the worst storm I've experienced on this trek so far.  I started in the dark at 6:00 a.m. and got about 4 miles down the road before realizing that I was a perfect target for lightning bolts.  The land out there is wide open, but I managed to find a small group of trees and created a wind block with my space blanket.  I tried using my satellite phone to contact Diana to ask her to call my hosts from the previous night to see if they could pick me up... however the satellite phone was not picking up a signal.  After several minutes I tried again and was able to get Diana just long enough to convey the message.   Pastor George Dummann picked me up and I went to his house in Bowdle, SD, to check out the satellite radar on the Weather Channel.  After an hour the main storm had passed and I went back out on the road. The stormy weather continued on and off throughout the day.  

In all I ran 39 miles today and am in Ipswich, South Dakota. In the past 36 hours I have run the equivalent of 3 marathons. I am looking forward to reaching Aberdeen tomorrow and that will be about a 30 mile run.  The temperature is suppose to be in the 70's with scattered showers. 

Tonight I am drying out some of my gear in a motel in Ipswich.  I am now 1,503 miles into the run and am nearing the halfway point. My family is in Minnesota attending a wedding and I will see them in a couple of days when they drive back to Montana. 

Aside from fatigue, I have no muscular problems.  However, running in wet shoes all day definitely caused some additional blistering and tearing of my feet. I am truly in need of rest and will take the time I need in Aberdeen.

Yesterday I said that the road won the battle.  Today the point went in my column.

Guestbook Entries For Today:

  Hi Paul! You're almost halfway there! That's fantastic. I think you're being wise to factor in more days to rest. How exciting that Vicki and the kids surprised you and what a good idea to take a day of rest before you spend the day with them. Enjoy your time together. Keep taking care of yourself and listening to your body. - Gin Graham (Missoula, Montana)

  Paul - you deserve a few days off the road. Rest and relax. Enjoy seeing that family who loves you so much. They're so proud of you!!!!! Great job! - Brenda SerVoss (Missoula, Montana)

  Paul, I don't know if you've seen the movie "Finding Nemo" but your tough day yesterday reminded me of the part where they need to swim down into the darkness to retrieve the diving goggles. Dory (the blue fish) started singing, "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, just keep swimming..." I can't even imagine what was happening in your mind the entire day. (Just keep running...?) We will say an extra prayer for you tonight for no (or at least less) wind and wide open, empty roads. Great job! - Emily Wicks (Lewiston, Idaho)

  Hi Paul - Having spoken with you a couple of times yesterday at the height of that dust storm and those very high winds, I know how tired you were and that your body was telling you that you were pushing it too hard. Hang in there and rest up in Aberdeen. You have two days scheduled for a rest but if your body is telling you that you need more, take it. You are doing a great job and your mother and I have no doubt that you will meet your goal of filling that empty bottle with water from the Atlantic Ocean. As you get further east you will encounter more humidity and much more traffic. You will need to be alert at all times and that means that you will need an adequate amount of rest. A day off every 10 to 14 days should take care of that. Hang in there and keep up the good work. - Dad (Tolsona, Alaska)

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19:  30 MILES (Sunny, 80 Degrees) [Total Mileage to Date: 1,533]
Stopping Location: Aberdeen, South Dakota (click here to see the location via MapQuest)
Stopping Elevation: 1,299 Feet

DAY 58: Today I woke to a nice surprise of clear skies and gentle winds.  I ran 30 miles from Ipswich to Aberdeen, SD and I will stay here in a motel for the next three nights.  Vicki and the kids arrive tomorrow. Today was a pretty uneventful day and the terrain was flat and the temperatures rose 80 degrees.  It is nice to be in a part of South Dakota where the landscape is more green than brown. The Population of Aberdeen is 24,000 and currently they're having their state fair. 

After a couple of days of rest I'll be back on the road Tuesday Morning.  I am currently 67 miles from the half way point and should reach the half way point on Thursday, August 24th. 

Today I mailed new pictures to Rob including two videos. While in Aberdeen I do not have Internet access so I will be calling in daily journal updates to Rob.

I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

Guestbook Entries For Today:

  Paul - We have been following your run from the beginning and silently cheering you on. Not many people get to realize their dreams. We know this was one of yours and we know you are going to make it . Best wishes for your success. - A & J (New York)

  Heard my mom and dad gave you cookies in Bowdle. Just hoping they gave you enough energy for your next trek. Good luck and may God be with you on your journey. By the way, they arrived safely. - Chad Moser (Atlanta, Georgia)

  Really amazing what you are doing. I saw you going over McDonald Pass and honked for encouragement. I am Lee and Judi Hofferber's son in-law. Karen and I wish you well. - Ken Madden (Missoula, Montana)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 20:  DAY OFF THE ROAD

DAY 59: Today was a nice relaxing day in Aberdeen, South Dakota with no running whatsoever.  I did some laundry, I watched some television, and I worked on the route for Minnesota. At the time of writing this, Vicki and the kids are about a half hour from arriving in Aberdeen. Tomorrow we will spend all day together. On Tuesday they will head west to Missoula and I will head east toward Groten, South Dakota. 

The weather is nice with temperatures in the mid 80's. That's all for today.

Guestbook Entries For Today:

  Hi Paul - I had to tell you that I really enjoyed talking with you as you ran your last 13 miles into Aberdeen. It felt like we were running together, (although my part of the "run" was from my chair.) That new locator software I told you about was sooo helpful. Now I will be able tell you exactly what is around you as you trek east. It was neat to be able to tell you exactly where the hotels - restaurants - and all of the other services were, as you ran through Aberdeen. Rest - relax - and replenish your body during your layover in Aberdeen. In fact - have another two fisted ice cream cone break. You're burning so many calories, you can afford to do it. Take care of those feet too. Without healthy feet you'll have to get on "Bob" and mush him to the Atlantic. Until we talk again . . . I send you love & hugs. - Mom (Tolsona, Alaska)

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MONDAY, AUGUST 21:  DAY OFF THE ROAD

DAY 60: Today was a day with family in Aberdeen, SD and Mindy (Vicki's cousin, who is expecting her first child) was along with us. We decided it would be fun for the kids to visit Story Book Land as well as the Land of Oz. It was a relaxing day and tomorrow morning they will return to Missoula and I will continue down the road.

Tomorrow I am running 18 miles to Groton, SD and will stay in a motel there. The forecast for the week is sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 80's.

Guestbook Entries For Today:

  Hi Paul, We encountered you going up Lolo Pass, and visited with you briefly at the Ranger Station. We have just returned from a month long trip to South Dakota. You gave us your Web Site and I just visited it today and so glad to catch up on your trip. You remain in our prayers. - Julie and Jay (Cascade, Idaho)

  Paul: All of us at the J-School want to congratulate you as you reach the halfway point on your inspiring run. It's one heck of an accomplishment. Best of luck on the "downhill" half and, as your mom said, take care of those feet! - Clem Work (Missoula, Montana)

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 22:  18 MILES (Sunny, 82 Degrees) [Total Mileage to Date: 1,551]
Stopping Location: Groton, South Dakota (click here to see the location via MapQuest)
Stopping Elevation: 1,302 Feet

DAY 61: Today started with saying goodbye to Vicki and the kids, which was difficult and emotional. My kids were filled with tears. They drove back to Montana today and I won't see them until the run is finished. I ran 18 miles to Groton, SD and it was one of the shortest days yet.  The reason for the short day was because of the availability of towns and lodging in this part of South Dakota. Tomorrow will be a 32 mile day to the town of Webster where I, once again, will stay in a motel.

For the next couple of days there is a chance of thunderstorms and tonight there are hail storm warnings in the area.  I am looking forward to getting back to days in the 30-mile range because I got bored today getting off the road so early (ended up watching television).  I have not had Internet access for many days and cell service, including satellite phone service, has been minimal at best. To have Rob post tonight's entry I had to walk a half mile to gain enough cell phone reception to place a call. 

All is well, I feel good, but am feeling lonely once again. I Have three days remaining in South Dakota and look forward to entering Minnesota this coming weekend.

Guestbook Entries For Today:

  To think I was to lazy to get out of bed this morning and run my 5k loop. Best of luck and when you pass through Illinois we might come visit for the day. I look forward to seeing your schedule over that period of time. Best of luck. - John (Wisconsin)

  Hey Paul... A quick question for you... You've mentioned a couple of times in your journal that you've been surprised / saddened at the amount of garbage found along the road. Our question is... What is the most unusual thing you've seen a long the side of the road? I'm so glad that you got to enjoy your family for a SHORT TIME. I'm sure that it is was sweet time for all of you. Keep going,
Never give up. - Glen Small (Newport, Oregon)

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23:  32 MILES (Sunny, 90 Degrees) [Total Mileage to Date: 1,583]
Stopping Location: Webster, South Dakota (click here to see the location via MapQuest)
Stopping Elevation: 1,857 Feet

DAY 62:  After a night of thunderstorms in Groton, SD I took off this morning for a 32 mile run to the town of Webster.  I enjoyed a divided highway with a wide shoulder all the way.  The temperature got up to 90 degrees and for the first time I could feel the increase in humidity.  A couple of people stopped to ask me about the run and upon arriving in Webster, I checked into a motel.

Tomorrow I will officially arrive at the half way point (1,600 miles) and currently I am only 17 miles from that.  I left Cannon Beach, Oregon two months ago today and have covered the 1,600 miles in seven running weeks with a balance of 8 rest days off the road.  Based on the first half of this trek I should arrive on the coast of Delaware no later than October 23rd.  I have been maintaining a 30 mile a day average and plan to continue that average to the end. 

The forecast for tomorrow is for thunderstorms in the area and right now it appears I will be in my tent for the first time tomorrow night.  Currently, the plan is to run 25 miles tomorrow to Summit, SD, but I may run another 8 miles beyond Summit to Marvin, SD where apparently there is a campground.  If I have to set up my tent I'm hoping that the weather won't be too harsh. 

My family made it safely back to Missoula late last night and I thought about them a lot today. 

Now that I am at the half way point it's exciting to know that I'll have more miles behind me than ahead of me each day.  Thanks for traveling along with me on the first half of this trek.  I'll continue to keep you updated.

Guestbook Entries For Today:

  Good Morning Paul! I'm writing this from your laptop after having enjoyed a good night's sleep! We are safely home after driving all the way from Aberdeen... it took us about 17 hours! Everything went smoothly and the kids were troopers! It was good to see you and to give you hugs and just spend time. It will give us all the boost we need to continue the next couple of months going about life and cheering you on. The time wasn't long enough but we are thankful none the less for each moment and to 'see' for ourselves just how awesome you are doing and how strong you are in all aspects! As hard as it was to leave, it will make the joy of seeing you finish that much greater! We love you... - Vicki [& Jenna, Ashlin, Kyler and Brian] (Missoula, Montana)

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 24:  DAY OFF THE ROAD (Very Bad Weather)

DAY 63: Note from Rob: Click on the phone graphic to the left to listen to an audio message from Paul, which was recorded at around 6:00 pm his time. He is still in Webster, South Dakota because of severe weather warnings which include some thunderstorms and tornado warnings that are moving through his area.  He is planning on running a long day tomorrow to try to make up the lost day. 

The sound file is in .wav format (this one is 308 kb / 105 sec.).

Guestbook Entries For Today:

  Congrats on running halfway across the USA!! Glad to hear you had a memorable visit with your family, Paul. The anticipation of seeing them again will motivate and continue to pull you eastward. It was interesting to read that an 18 mile day was 'short' and 'boring'. Puts your average daily runs into perspective. Wow! Push on, Paul. - Sharmin McCalla (Phoenix, Arizona)

  Paul, It's been fun to read about your run. I keep up each day to see where you are and how things are going. It's exciting that you are so close to being half way. I'm impressed you made it this far. It's a sign of a determined mind and body. Keep safe and healthy. - Caroline Glidewell (Missoula, Montana)

  Congratulations Paul!!!! You're over halfway. Now it's getting shorter and shorter to the east coast. You're doing a great job keeping your spirits up and your body healthy. God bless and protect you. Keep up the good work! - Gin Graham (Missoula, Montana)

  Halfway! Good for you! I have been reading your journal and am enjoying the daily updates. I had not thought before about all the hazards you encounter. Before I was only thinking about the endurance part and how your body could keep up the grueling pace. Now that I know that you also have to go through construction zones, tunnels, crowned roads, bugs, rude people, no shoulders, extreme temperatures, dogs, near misses with inattentive drivers, etc. I will be praying for your safety from all these additional hazards. You can make it! Carry on! - Chris Benson (Missoula, Montana)

  Paul half way what a HUGE RUSH..... I am so amazed at your stamina and self knowledge! Congratulations!!!!!!! - Leslie (Missoula, Montana)

  CONGRATULATIONS PAUL!!! The 1/2 way mark, what a great accomplishment. I am so proud of you! Thank you for the awesome updates! I look forward to reading them every night.
Well, take care little brother and Keep on Truckin'. I love you Paul. - Wendy (Tolsona, Alaska)

  Hi Dad! I just want to say I am so proud of you and had a great time in Story Book Land!! I miss you a lot and think of you every day!! I know that you can finish so KEEP RUNNING!!! I can't wait to see you at the finish!! I love you!!! - Jenna (Missoula, Montana)

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