Friday, February 15, 2019

"Adventure Responsibly" -- The Reality of Post-adventure Re-entry

My first thoughts of attempting to run across America were in 1985, at the age of twenty. In the 34 years since, I've witnessed numerous individuals take on the adventure. Having completed the challenge myself in 2006, I understand what is required to be successful. I've written before why I don't coach and/or give advice to those wanting to cross the country on foot. Most of the questions I've been asked have to do with routes, equipment, costs, and publicity. I don't believe I've ever been asked by anyone contemplating a cross country journey on foot what he or she can expect after the road ends and they are tossed back into the everyday life of society.

Last year, I occasionally checked in on the progress of two 30-something men on their own separate journeys across America on foot. When they finished, a couple of their post-adventure thoughts included: "now I've got to find work and pay back the bank for the run," and, "this has been a sabbatical from my usual anxiety and self-doubt." As I read their post-adventure thoughts, I realized that most of those who quit their jobs and run or walk across the country are in their 20's or 30's with very few responsibilities. Many are single and seem to want to break away from the routine of every day life and experience society in a vagabond way. However, it isn't until their journey is over that they realize that they can't wander forever and that they have to actually re-enter the routine of life that they temporarily broke away from. In my opinion, every responsible adult holds a job, pays bills and taxes, and contributes to society in a positive way.

When I ran across America solo in 2006, I was operating a business I owned and was the father of four children between the ages of 6 and 13. Many of the responsibilities of my normal life were still with me as I crossed the country. I would be on the phone with subcontractors who worked for me and would be dealing with business-related issues. I would talk to my children nearly every day and try to do what I could to encourage them in their school work and sports. I still had paychecks coming in and those went to help pay bills back home. I honestly cannot relate with quitting a job and simply escaping life's responsibilities while venturing out onto the road to cross the continent... setting up online fundraising pages to ask people to pay for my wandering (as so many seem to do today). I paid a lot of money to help make my 2006 coast-to-coast running adventure a reality, and I didn't go into debt to do it.

We're 6 weeks into 2019 and there are already individuals who have started crossing the country on foot. It's becoming more common each year. I'm not talking about bicyclists... of which there are many of those annually as well. I'm talking about those who load up a jogging stroller with some food, clothes and a tent and take off for many months to journey from one coast to another. I'm talking about people who are strapping on backpacks and heading out the door to log about 2,500 to 3,000 miles across various states. Many times, these people appear to be homeless. That's how the general population tends to perceive them. Sometimes, these adventurers have banners or signs stating what they are doing, but many times a car zipping by at 50+ miles per hour sees them for two or three seconds and likely perceives them as simply a vagabond rather than an adventurer. That's the reality of life on the road alone.

This year, there will be many people aiming to join the ranks of those who have completed a walk or run across the entire United States. I wish them well... I wish them safety... I wish them enlightenment... and I wish them luck in re-entering society after it is all over. Based on words I've read of those who have quit their jobs and took off for many months, re-entry can be very difficult. In today's world, applying for jobs is competitive and some employers may not want to take a risk on country crossers out of fear that they may just up and leave for another 'adventure.' I heard an alcohol commercial the other day that ended with "Drink Responsibly." I also read a lottery advertisement that included, "Play Responsibly." When it comes to crossing the country on foot, "Adventure Responsibly."

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso
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