Day 33: Holy Bananas!! I Thought Yesterday Was Bad.

I really should watch what I say on this trip. Like when I said this morning that I figured the run would be pretty flat, considering the mountain I had to climb the day before. I do believe I need to go back to college and audit a couple US Geography courses before I profess to speak wisely on the mountainous regions of Arizona. Open mouth. Insert foot. Of course, I couldn't fit my foot in my mouth now because it is so swollen from the carnage that was today's run. I know I said last night that yesterday's run was "brutal". Well, I am an idiot. Yesterday was a G-rated Disney cartoon compared to the XXX-hardcore smutfest of a mountain I was presented. Okay okay, enough waxing filthily poetic. Honestly though, today was the hardest thing physically I have ever done, not just on this trip so far, but in my entire life.
About 10 years ago, our family went to Michigan on vacation, and we visited the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Beautiful place, but there was a dune that seemed about 500 feet tall and led down to Lake Michigan. There were warning signs posted everywhere on the top of the dune for those brave enough to slide all the way down to the lake. There was only 1 way out, and that was to climb back up. Many people have been airlifted by helicopter off this thing, but our family was not deterred. Even Dad went down. The trip down was awesome, sliding down the sand, having a good ole time. The trip back up was, until today, the most miserable thing I have ever done in my life. Not to get all scientific on you all, but the dune's steepness was at what is called the Angle of Repose, which is as steep as it can get without sand falling off. For every step you took, you slid back a half step. 20 feet into the climb, I realized that I had made a huge mistake. And then I looked over at Dad. It is the first time I ever saw the look of pure terror in his eyes, and I knew then, that we may be the next victims to be airlifted off the dune. The trip down took little more than 5 minutes. The trip back up seemed as if it took hours. That is because it did take hours. At many points on the way up, I believed that both my father and I were in fact dancing inside the 7th circle of hell. There was a lot of cursing, and a good bit of hallucinating, as well as three or four near death experiences between the two of us. Defying gravity and logic itself, we both managed to drag our near dead bodies to the top. As we lay there in the sand, still contemplating our brush with death, Dad looked at me and said the following: "You know, I've lived on this earth for 52 years, and that is by far the dumbest thing I have ever done!" Ahahaha!!
Those words stuck with me, and rang so true today as I drug my hobbled body up the final incline of Route 60, or as I now call it Route Who the %*#@ Built This Road. I stopped at the van, checked to see that my legs had not, in fact, fallen off, gathered what was left of my air, and said to Mom the following: "That is, by far, the dumbest thing I have ever done!". Like father, like son.
Now, for the slightly serious part. The amazing thing about today's run was that I did not quit, although I seriously contemplated it a number of times. I do not believe that even 25 days ago, at the beginning of this journey, that I could have finished all 20 miles. I had no legs to even start the day, and running at altitude offers no relief when trying to gasp for air. I was also unaware that the wind could be directly in my face at 20 mph while traveling due East, and also directly in my face at 20 mph while traveling due North. The stats for today are as follows: From mile marker 250 to mile marker 270 on Route 60 (see above name change for road). From elevation 3,600 feet at Globe, AZ to elevation 5,200 feet in the first 12 miles, every step uphill, and most incredibly steep. 5 total miles of downhill, which only served to set me up for more ginormous mountains to climb. 4 delusional thoughts of impending demise. 247 curse words. 5 more vultures circling overhead for the last 8 miles waiting patiently for me to drop dead. 6 thoughts that I may, in fact, drop dead. 2 swollen feet, a set of legs I couldn't give to Goodwill after today, an aching back, a pair of knees that may or may not explode in a few minutes, half a lung, 4 calling birds, 3 french hens, 2 turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
But I did finish. Officially that is 500 miles in 25 days. Pushing yourself beyond your limits must mean they weren't actually limits, just guidelines your mind had set to pre-determine the path of least resistance. At this very moment, I feel as if the path I am now taking is limitless. My hope is that you all have the opportunity, and take the chance to rearrange your "limits". Rest day tomorrow. Goodnight all.

Day 33: Running for my good friend, Bryan Freeman.

Day 32: Brutal

Brutal. That is the only word I need to describe today's run. Brutal. From 2,800 feet at the beginning of the run, to 4,600 feet not more than 8 miles in. Around twists and turns in the road, sometimes with no road on which to run. Huge banks to the right around some turns, huge banks to left around others. All sorts of rocks along the road, big and small. Oh, and lest I forget, a steady, 20 mph wind in my face the entire run. I ran over top of Devil's Canyon, through What the Hell Pass, up and over Purgatory Hill, underneath jutting rocks that could fall at any moment and squash me like one of the many pieces of roadkill I passed today. There were no breaks, there was no let up in today's route, sans for a small 3 mile stretch of flat land at the beginning of the afternoon. My legs were worn out before today's run even began, and now, well now they are just on strike and refusing to work.
It is very unfortunate that the run was so difficult today, because if I could have focused on anything other than the gasping breaths I was taking from running at altitude and the jello that was my legs, I could have really enjoyed some beautiful scenery. There are some huge copper mines at Top of the World and Globe, Arizona that are just massive. The rock formations on the way up the mountain were awe-inspiring, although I didn't stop long enough to get pictures of them for fear of getting smashed by them. Even though the run was mighty tough, one of the hardest since the 3rd day, I was able to stay mentally strong throughout, and finish the day.
I was still on an emotional high from the news about Osama Bin Dyin' last night. I can only venture to guess how everyone else feels, but I did get some pretty neat pictures sent to me, care of Mike Snyder, of the madness on High Street in Morgantown. Even as a 32 year old, I wish I could have been there to celebrate. What a shot in the arm for this country. We need something to celebrate, and this event hopefully will serve to remind this country that there are still soldiers out there, sacrificing, and dying, to keep us safe. I know I have not, and will never forget their sacrifiices.
I did hate to see my buddy Adam leave this morning though. We had such a blast for the time he was out here, as we always do. It was a great emotional lift to me at just the right time. I was starting to get pretty homesick. I felt like a damn king while he was out here, as he treated me to, well everything. From the Radisson Hotel, to the biggest King crab legs I've ever seen at Pappadeaux Restaurant, to the sushi and wine tasting at Sedona. He treated me to all of it. I think this must be what its like to be famous. If so, I wouldn't mind being famous, haha. Unfortunately, Adam had to get back to the real world today, which left me with kind of a sad feeling. But I am so fortunate that he had the opportunity to come out. As I have said many times before, I think I've been blessed with some of the greatest friends anyone could ever have. They have all been behind me on this journey 100%, and I miss them all dearly. Can't wait to get home and see everyone. But that will have to wait a few more months. For now, got some runnin' to do. Night.

Day 32: Running for my good friend, Toby Ford.

Some more random pics from my phone.

 Driving to Sedona.

 At the top of the mountain after the jeep tour.

 The picture doesn't do it justice. This was the hill at the end of the morning run.

 Apparently the world's largest beer can sign. Made out of old Michelob.

 View from the backside of the mountain at the start of the afternoon run.

 Views near the end of the run today.

With the ladies of the Los Hemanos Restaurant. Great, authentic Mexican food.

Day 31: Mom Tricked Me. And Some Great News Tonight!!

I want to first say how excited I am to hear the news that our soldiers have finally got Osama Bin Laden!! It has given me such an immediate boost, I feel like I could run another 20 miles right now. I just want to take another opportunity to thank all the men and women who have served, or are currently serving in the military. This news is a great reminder of just exactly why I am doing this run. When I heard this news, I immediately thought of my military friends, Mike Snyder, Caleb Nichols, Mike King, Sam McClung, Jason Woods, Matt Thomas, Ben Goodson, and the rest of my military buddies. I get a great sense of pride knowing these guys, and what they have done for this country.
Now, as for the run today, all was well once again. My body is still feeling pretty strong, other than the soreness in the bottoms of my feet and my lower back. Nothing I can't handle though. The weather continues to amaze me out here. Still beautiful, and actually a little cooler than I would even prefer today. Mom called me during my second 4 miles to see if an extra mile in the set would be okay since she couldn't find a place to stop. I was feeling good, so I said no problem. When I finished the 5 mile run, I told her it felt like I had gone farther than 9 miles already, as I try to keep track of the mile markers when I can. It was then that she informed me that I had actually ran an extra half mile during the first 4, and she was planning on just not telling me. So, I had actually already completed 9.5 miles in the first 2 sets. The last 4 miles in the morning set were really grueling, specifically the last 1.5 miles. It was a nasty incline all the way to the vehicles. Luckily, Adam had rejoined the roadcrew by then and decided to ride the mountainbike down the hill to meet me. I can imagine how much fun it was to coast down the mountain, but he sure did suffer for it on the way back up. It was very nice for me though to have company to distract me from the pain being inflicted on my legs by the mountain.
After a great, and lengthy rest period, I had just 6.5 miles remaining in the day. Dare I say it was kind of easy. I guess easy isn't really the word, just more relaxing than anything. Mostly downhill, and relaxing. Today's run took me into the town of Superior, Arizona, a very interesting little town. Adam once again put us up in a hotel for the night, first time I've ever seen a 3-twin bed hotel room. We took a drive after the run to scope out tomorrow's run. We made it 11 miles in and I am now very freaked out about tomorrow, haha. The elevation in Superior is 2,800 feet, and in the first 11 miles, I will run uphill to 4,600 feet. I am already missing the flatland of Phoenix.
Unfortunately, Adam has to head back to the airport tomorrow morning, so he won't be able to see the misery that inevitably will be my life for the first 11 miles tomorrow. It has been so great having him out here for these few days though. It has been exactly what I needed to keep me from getting too homesick. It just goes to show just how great my friends are. I am so lucky to be surrounded by some of the greatest friends anyone could have.
Better get some rest now, got a very rough run ahead of me first thing in the morning. Hopefully I can keep the feeling I have right now and carry it over to tomorrow's run. Night all.

Day 31: Running for my good friend Anthony Roberts, or Antwan as we all know him.