Day 122: No Relief.

Gettin' real tired of this weather. The only thing that sucks worse than this weather is Pitt. The last day in July was just as miserable as the first one. It's wearing me down so badly. I'm just hoping I can stay focused enough and strong enough to finish this thing. It is still a day to day wonder, and it's just getting harder and harder. I remember being amazed at run 65 when I still hadn't encountered any rain. What I would give for a day of rain right now!! I find myself becoming more disillusioned and delirious each day I spend in the excessive heat. I swear, I'm going to crawl through the TV and slap the next Weather Channel anchor who chuckles when mentioning the extended heat warnings from an air-conditioned TV studio. In the meantime, I suppose I will just keep moving forward until I'm either home, or I pass out on the side of the road.

Mom's View--Sesser to Ewing, IL

Looking northwest past the breakwater to the causeway and bridges across Rend Lake

Most of the second 5 miles was a run across the lake. If there had been just a hint of a breeze, the run could have been enjoyable; however, the punishment continued.

SW view of Rend Lake

At the end of run 96 Drew was almost as spent as those trees behind him...

...but not quite ready for the Middle Fork Cemetery.

Day 122: Running in honor of Jeff and Barb Hammack, Jim, Michelle, and the rest of the crew at the Grandview.

Day 121: Back to Normal.

It's amazing what passes for normal in my life right now. Normal for the past 5 weeks or so is hot, humid weather with no breezes and pure misery. I spoke way too soon last night after having just 1 day of feeling good with a slight break in humidity. The humidity today was hovering around 97%. By 8am, the temperature was 91 degrees. I struggled to breathe all day, but especially the first 10 miles of the day. It almost felt like trying to breathe under water. I couldn't catch my breath, and the lack of oxygen to my muscles seemed to wreck my legs. I am once again exhausted, and now my legs are aching. Even though I am on the last leg of this journey, each day continues to be a tremendous struggle, and a relentless assault on my physical and mental state. Still trying to be positive about each day. This weather is making me insane though. At least I am still mobile, and still getting my 20 miles a day finished, however miserable it may be. I continue to remind myself that this entire journey is for a higher cause than my own personal comfort, and that all of the hardship will be worth it in the end. Still, it would be nice if the weather would just lay off it for a few days, haha.

Mom's View--Pinckneyville to Sesser, IL

Start of run 95, day 121--anyone for goose hunting? It was a bit overcast and we were hoping for clouds or rain or anything remotely cooling.

Near the end of the run was the charming Paradise Baptist Church.  For most of the run the skies were sunny and the air saturated with the moisture that needed to fall as rain; Drew had to work to breath let alone run!

Finally at 4:00 pm the rain comes. This would have been refreshing this morning!

Thanks to Sunny at the Super 8 Benton for helping with the rate.

Day 121: Running in honor of Denvil Cook.

Day 120: First Full Day in Illinois.

I like Illinois. It looks like a big Cheeto. Plus, the humidity wasn't nearly as bad, at least today. I felt great the whole run and the heat didn't affect me much at all. Very exciting stuff. Plus, the road across Illinois is basically straight east, not much turning involved. Now, I seem to remember from one of my math classes back in grade school that the shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line. So I will enjoy the straight line running for a few days. Oh, I forgot to mention, Illinois is much flatter than Missouri, at least for the first 30 miles. And, it's much shorter, by like 200+ miles, haha. I am hoping my confidence continues to stay high, and maybe the weather will get in line at some point in the last leg of the trip. I am finding it more and more difficult not to think about getting home, and it is so exciting to think about. I may drive myself nuts (more than I already am) trying not to think too much about it and staying focused on the day to day running. Can't wait to at least see the West Virginia state line.

Day 120: Running in honor of Mrs. Bobbi Board.

Day 118: Hello Illinois!!

Wahoo!! Finally, another state!! Although the insane heat and humidity has taken most of the energy out of me, crossing the Mississippi River today and seeing the sign for Illinois was a very welcome boost to my emotional state. When I look back on the journey and I think about Missouri, I will definitely have mixed emotions about my time there. As with all of the other states, the people were so wonderful. However, as far as the running is concerned, it was some of the most miserable I've experienced. I guess it's not really fair to Missouri because, even though Illinois may be just as bad, it's only 5 running days long, haha. I am incredibly exhausted, but that has basically become the norm for me the past 5 weeks. I'm actually getting used to being dead on my feet. It's probably good training for having children, if ever I'm lucky enough to do that. As you can all tell, my spirits are very high right now. Crossing the Mississippi River, I now feel like I am on the final push of the trip. 1,860 miles finished, about 500 remaining. Can't wait to see you all soon!!

Into Illinois!

Thanks to Elizabeth and Jennifer at the Super Eight in Perryville, who continued the awesome Super 8 tradition and made it possible for us to spend our last two nights in Missouri! Good luck with your 5K run, ladies.

The corn is high in the fields along the Mississippi River.

Drew, crossing the bridge to Chester, Illinois.

Narrow and somewhat dangerous space on either side of the bridge deck; not surprised to learn later that is is NOT open to pedestrians.

Reward for making it across the bridge



Greeted by Lewis and Clark....

...and Popeye, who was "born" in Chester

Mary River covered bridge

Intricate puzzle supports the bridge

Day 118: Running in honor of Steve VanHorn.

Day 117: Exhausted

Drew is too tired to write, so hopefully you can get a feel for the day from the two sets of photos I posted. Dinner at the Old Brick House was very enjoyable. Thank you to Rob Walsh for his contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Historic Sainte Genevieve

Evening meal at the Old Brick House

The "Buck" stove (in the back right) heated the house for 100 years until the back addition was added.

Many different cultures influenced this area--Native American, French, Spanish, English, etc.

Felix Valle' House built in 1818

French style 1875

A family fishing at the ferry that crosses the Mississippi River to Illinois.

Should cross this mighty river tomorrow (7-27-11) by bridge to Chester, IL.

                                            

Mom's View -- Bonne Terre to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Route 32 into Ste. Genevieve has lovely views of rolling forests and farms far into the distance. I read about the excellent swimming holes and wineries in this area, but we don't have time to explore.

Two nights at the Ste. Genevieve Microtel, another Wyndham franchise helping the cause!



Cody's Tees just south of Ste. Gen supports our troops by helping "A Soldier's Wish List". They also gave us bottles of cold water during a stop there.



Day 117: Running in honor of Brian and Joyce Barker, Tim and Debbie Cottrell, and Brian and Tammy Reynolds.

Day 116: A Little Relief.

Well, it was only about 95 today, haha. Although it sounds like a small difference, it was quite welcome. So was the steady breeze for the last 10 miles of the run. Also, the extra shading from the trees helped. It all added up to an almost tolerable day of running. For the first time in about 5 weeks I didn't feel like I was going to die at the end of the run. Of course, the intense heat is set to return tomorrow for another week or so. Still, I'm feeling very good about today, and I am increasingly excited about reaching a new state. Only 2 more days!!
Today is my Dad's birthday, so I want to wish him a Happy Birthday here as well as on the phone. I really miss Dad, even though we got to see him just a few weeks ago. Lost in the sacrifice that Mom is making on this trip, is the sacrifice Dad is making. I've taken his wife away from him for 5 months, and he is basically footing the bill for this trip. It goes without saying that he is one of the best men I know. I have really missed getting to hang out with Dad during this trip. I miss golfing with him, and our family trips to eat at the Country Table on Sundays after church. I guess I'm just missing being home. I got a call from Antwan this evening at Hedges' apartment where they were having a going away party for Mike Snyder. It was great to hear from everyone, but it makes me sad to think of all the things I've missed during this run. I think I'm to the point in the trip where I am just ready to get home. Maybe it is partly because of how miserable the last 5 weeks have been on my mind and body. Really trying to take it one day at a time and trying to appreciate the journey, but it has been very difficult in this extreme heat. I know in my heart that it will all have been worth the struggle, when I set my feet on the courthouse lawn. So I continue to move forward, one foot in front of the other, 20 miles each day, until I am home.

Day 116: Running in honor of the ladies from the Main Street Cafe.

Day 115: Back on the Grid.

Sorry I haven't written for a couple days. Not that you all have missed me, but I was so shot at the end of the run two days ago, I forgot to blog. I nearly passed out from heat exhaustion again that day. Luckily I had the day off yesterday. Had to drive up to St. Louis to replace my phone that fried in the heat. It wasn't the most relaxing, stress-free day off, but I did at least rest some. Today was, well, hot again. Tomorrow will be, hot again. The next day is supposed to be, hot again. And so on and so forth. On the plus side, at the end of this set, barring passing out on the side of the road, I will be in Illinois!! It's too bad the running in Missouri has sucked so bad, because the people here have been wonderful. I am still trying to recover enough brain cells to write something funny, or inspirational, so just keep checking in and hopefully I'll come up with something soon. Until then, I am basically just trying to survive each day until the weather breaks, if it ever will break. Sleepy time.

The Kindness Continues--the Heat Also

Huzzah Resort

Some of the Huzzah equipment.

Spent the night here 7-21-11

Along the road to Potosi, MO

Lost Creek Baptist Church

Donna Valle at Super-8 Potosi supporting the run.

Sunset in Potosi

Drew at the end of 7-24-11 run; 1800 miles finished.

With Jane Rasnic

With Kenny Rasnic-- Jane and Kenny showered Drew with cool water during and after his run through Bonne Terre.

Drew with Franny at Super 8 Bonne Terre. The independently owned Super 8 Motels have been helping us repeatedly!

Day 115: Running in memory of Leo Hines, and in honor of Eileen Hines.

Day 112: Fighting Hard.

Today was one of the hottest days I've had this entire trip. By about 7:30 this morning, the heat index was already at about 98 degrees. There was no relief from the heat today, no shade from trees, no cloud cover, no breeze. Just intense heat. It is incredibly frustrating to fight through. Although the heat is not something I can control, the mind still won't get off the subject. It's a constant fight within me, trying not to feel sorry for myself, or thinking how much easier this would be without the heatwave. Like I said, it isn't something I can control, so I am trying my best not to think about it every second I'm in it. I have very little energy these days. I am actually amazed that I continue to wake up each morning and punish my body like this. Dad always told me when I was younger, with regards to sports, that if I signed up for a sport, then I played the whole season, no matter what happened throughout. I am glad he taught me not to quit, even when times aren't so peachy. I guess it's one reason I refuse to quit. Still, this type of physical punishment is insane. I've never liked the cliche' "if it doesn't kill you, it'll make you stronger". But, somehow I can't get away from that thought on a daily basis right now. Let's just hope it's the latter of the two throughout the rest of the trip. I am very tired most of the time, but my spirits are still pretty high. I just keep thinking that the weather cannot get any worse, and if I've made it this long through the heat, it will have to get a little better at some point. At least I am hopeful that it will get better, haha. One more day tomorrow, and then I can rest for a day. The rest cannot come soon enough.

Day 112: Running for my good friend, James Carpenter.

Day 111: Exhausted.

Sorry folks, I'm just too tired to come up with anything tonight. The relentless heat is really taking a toll on my body and mind. Right now, I'm just in survival mode each day. Hoping this heatwave ceases sometime soon. In need of some inspiration tonight, I watched the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on Terry Fox again. If you haven't seen it, I beg of you, search it out, it will inspire you. It's called " Into the Wind". Gonna try to rest now. It's getting very difficult to recover daily in this heat. Still, I'm getting closer and closer each day, and that will keep me motivated enough to get up every morning and continue fighting the heat.

Day 111: Running in honor of Debbie Cline.

Day 110: Another Short One.

1,720 miles finished. It's still insanely hot. I'm still insanely tired. And Pitt still insanely sucks.
And a huge congratulations to my sister and Dan!!

St. Robert to Rolla--Missouri Heat and Hospitality

Super 8 IS super! Pam and Stephanie helping the WWP run in every way possible! Thanks to Melissa, too.

First 5 miles from St. Robert, Hwy Z/P to Rolla included a pleasant run through National Forest.

Little Piney at Newburgh

Drew with West Virginia native, Candy Jarvis at the Super 8 Rolla. Thanks for your help and have a safe trip back to the Mountain State!