20 Years Since I Ran 3,260-Miles Solo Across the U.S.A. at Age 41

Twenty years ago today, I started a transcontinental run at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon... heading for the Delaware coast. I averaged 30 miles per day for 108 days while pushing a 65-pound jogging stroller loaded with gear, food and water. That 15-state journey included the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, and the Appalachian Mountains -- all to promote youth health and fitness. Now, at age 61, I'm looking back on that adventure and remembering all that I was feeling on that first day.

Actually, the first day was one of the easiest of the entire journey. I ran 22 miles from the Oregon coast to "Camp 18" on Highway 26. It was an 88-degree day with only 443 feet of elevation gain. My journal entry for June 23, 2006 included this:

"What a wonderful first day of this trek... The weather was perfect, with sunny blue skies and only a slight breeze. I gathered some sand and water in a small jar from the Pacific Ocean as a keepsake and then said a few words to those who had come to the start. After hugs and handshakes, it was time. I began the run with my four children (ages 6-13) running alongside me down the beach a ways to where the beach access ramp was. After getting the stroller ("Bob" - short for "Beast of Burden") out of the sand, I had to empty the sand from my shoes before beginning. Then I took off down highway 101, waving goodbye to family. It was definitely a day of varying elevations. The road seemed to either be going up or down, with very little flat ground. Getting up the coastal mountain range was like an initiation into this trek... I stopped for lunch at mile 11, taking a 1/2 hour to enjoy some shade. I then continued on the narrow coastal road where there was often either a very narrow shoulder to run on, or no shoulder at all. After running 22 miles, I stopped at Camp 18... It was a challenging first day with plenty of traffic heading to the coast for the weekend (I run facing traffic). All in all, it was a good day and this journey is now underway."

I remember that first day so vividly. I had waited so long to start the run across America, my first attempt in 1986 at age 21 being a failure. To succeed 20 years later, in 2006, was such a blessing!

You can click here to see various statistics and details about my solo U.S. run.

Gotta Run,

Paul J. Staso

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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past