Coast-to-Coast Running Attempts are Losing "Adventure" Challenge

I first attempted to run across the United States in 1986 at the age of 21. That was nearly 40 years ago and that attempt ended with an injury. Then, in 2006 I attempted a coast-to-coast run across the U.S. solo... with no support vehicle or team. I completed that journey from Oregon to Delaware in 108 days on the pavement, averaging 30 miles per day for the 3,260-mile route that included 15 states. I was 41 years old when I finally accomplished my goal.

Over the past 40+ years, I have read news stories, blogs, magazine articles, and more about people taking on the challenge of running across America. I've written in this blog before about those who have been caught cheating on such runs -- skipping portions of the route by riding in a vehicle. Some crossers are motivated by gaining attention, acquiring more social media followers, raising money, and so on. Today's crossers seem to focus more on social media postings of their daily efforts rather than focusing on the adventure itself. Many go less than 20 miles per day and have a support vehicle. There are those rare few who take on the challenge solo while averaging a marathon or more per day. Some make it, many don't.

I've been following the crossing attempts of a few runners lately aiming to add their names to the ranks of transcontinental runners. One recently blogged that he was facing a challenging stretch of his chosen route that was over 100 miles of desolate countryside, so he decided to arrange for a vehicle to transport him over that section. That is NOT a coast-to-coast run -- no matter how he tries to justify it in his mind by saying that he'll make up the mileage somehow down the road. To skip a section (allowable by law for pedestrians) by riding in a car is to take yourself out of the ranks of a true coast-to-coast runner. When I crossed in 2006, I was incredibly focused on making sure that I covered every step allowable by pedestrian laws in America. The only stretch that I was not allowed by our government to run was a high-security bridge near Washington D.C. (Chesapeake Bay Bridge, approximately 4 miles). I had nearly worked out a police escort over the bridge so that I could run across it, but had uninvited interference in communications with the security personnel by someone who had been tracking my progress online -- and the confusion that interference caused with the security office ultimately made them pull the plug on my crossing on foot with an escort.

It's becoming more common for coast-to-coast runners to feel comfortable with simply catching a ride over portions of their chosen route that they deem to be too challenging. That's the idea! It's supposed to be challenging! When I ran 506 miles solo across the Mojave Deserts in 2011 all alone... it was challenging! It was an adventure! It was painful, difficult, and exhausting. That's the whole idea! It should be. I didn't catch a ride on a turtle or flag down the vultures to come and carry me away. I ran. Period. It's a right, left, right, left repetitive and daunting regimen... but that's what it's all about.

When I made my first attempt to run across America nearly 40 years ago, it was a huge undertaking. There was no Internet or social media audience. There was no online fundraising portals, couch surfing sites, or media attention. It was just me and the road, and most people that saw me had no clue what I was doing. Today, it seems that too many continent crossers simply want attention, online followers, money, and to get their name known. Sadly, it seems that true adventurers who take on a run across the United States simply for the challenge of it (and not all of the attention and such) are fading away. You can disagree if you want to. However, being a runner who has followed transcontinental crossings for over 40 years, and who has had one unsuccessful attempt and one successful attempt, I've seen quite a change in how these runs are approached and actually done.

Yes, I believe that coast-to-coast running attempts are losing the "adventure" challenge that they once had. It's becoming easier for runners to simply catch a ride or to find someone to take them in -- thanks to the Internet. With Google maps, there's no wondering anymore what's around the next bend in the road. We've got detailed weather information at our fingertips, so there's no more reading the skies for cloud patterns and what weather might be stirring on the horizon. Using social media, everything is now captured in real time and many things seem staged. I do miss the days of the true grit cross country attempts from one ocean to another. No social media... no electronic maps... no rides in vehicles over tough sections... and no turning to the Internet world for help with problems that arise. I can honestly say that I'm glad that I made my first attempt long before the Internet came around, and that I made my successful crossing in 2006 before iPhones, the world-wide grip of social media, and the popularity of Google maps. The flip phone I used was just fine, the paper maps I used were sufficient, and the blog that I updated with some photos every 5 days or so was fine. In 2006, I had become only the 5th person in history to run solo coast-to-coast across America, and it was truly a genuine adventure.

I wish all future crossers the best of luck and I offer a piece of advice. Be sure to keep your eyes more on the road than on your social media accounts. The real adventure is happening in your strides, not in how many followers you have. Run on!

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

The Average Mind Thinks Between 12,000 to 60,000 Thoughts Daily

Experts estimate that the average mind thinks between 12,000 – 60,000 thoughts a day. It's said that of those, 80 percent are negative and 95 percent are exactly the same repetitive thoughts as the day before.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to run across America? I first started to think about it at the age of 15 when Terry Fox set out to run across Canada. However, it wouldn't be until I was 41 when I would actually accomplish the endeavor of running from one U.S. coast to the other -- encountering 15 states along the way. In total, the journey took me 108 days on the pavement. The easiest state was Delaware (flat terrain, good roadway shoulders, narrow state), and the most difficult states were Iowa (lots of hills and gravel roadway shoulders) and West Virginia (no roadway shoulder and steep mountains). The most dangerous road was about 150 miles of Highway 12 in Idaho due to large/fast logging trucks, blind corners, and no roadway shoulder. The safest road was Highway 12 in South Dakota, with little traffic, decent asphalt, and miles of visibility.

Here's a breakdown of how I handled that 3,260-mile journey in the year 2006.

To go from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean required 6 million steps and put 2½ billion pounds of pressure on my body (amount of accumulated heel-strike impact). I burned approximately 500,000 calories and lost 12 pounds by the time it was all over. As most of you know, I ran solo -- pushing all of my required gear, food and water in a support stroller. I estimate that I could have accomplished the run in about 75 days had I used a support crew.

I was stopped six times by police officers wanting to know if I had a child in the stroller; approximately 20 dogs wanted a bite out of my legs for lunch; a man attempted to rob me; I was given $600 along the way by supportive onlookers; and, I went through six pairs of running shoes. I found a set of false teeth along the roadside, was once given five pounds of M&M's, and experienced one hallucination.

I was recently asked if I plan to write a book about my running adventures. I may, but for now I consider this blog to be a "book" of sorts for sharing some stories from the mileposts I've conquered.

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

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

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

What Was "P.A.C.E. Bike 2007" All About?

There have been some people who have contacted me over the years to ask what "P.A.C.E. Bike 2007" was all about. Essentially, after I completed my solo run across America on October 20, 2006 (known as "P.A.C.E. Run 2006") I began planning an east-to-west solo bicycling trek to take place during April and May 2007 to visit schools along the P.A.C.E. Run route and give presentations. Organizing all of the details of that cycling trek in a mere few months was quite an undertaking, not to mention the preparation on the heels of running across America. Since I've never considered myself a long-distance bicyclist, P.A.C.E. Bike 2007 was certainly going to be a challenge.

The idea was to average around 55 miles per day along the same route I had successfully run across the United States -- although I would be going the opposite direction. I had many school assemblies lined up to do along the way and the idea was to visit schools and try to encourage kids toward greater health and fitness, as well as setting personal goals. If I had been successful, I would have become the first person to ever run solo and bike solo across the United States within one year. Those who find remnants about my 2007 bike attempt online often wonder what happened with that project and why it was never completed. This blog entry is designed to explain that undertaking.

As most people know, since running across America solo ten years ago I have also run solo across Alaska, Germany, and the Mojave Desert. However, it is P.A.C.E. Bike 2007 that seems to raise questions now and then.

On April 11, 2007 I dipped the front wheel of a donated touring bicycle into the edge of the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes, Delaware) -- only 6 months after having run into that water to finish my run across America. The first day went absolutely wonderful. I rode comfortably for 72 miles from Lewes, Delaware to Grasonville, Maryland. However, only 50 miles later disaster would strike. I was in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill crossing a street with the right of way when an inattentive taxi driver struck me from the side. I hit his windshield and was then launched through the air when he locked on his brakes. The bike was badly damaged and could not be pedaled and I sustained cuts and bruises, although no broken bones. Emergency personnel were immediately on the scene and I was treated curbside by paramedics and then was free to go. A friend of mine in D.C. took me and the damaged bike to a bicycle shop to have the bike looked over. The prognosis was not good for a solid repair of the bike.

A bike shop in Lewes worked on the bike and got it usable. I returned to D.C. and was working on regaining my mental focus for the 3,100 miles that remained of this huge undertaking. Having just recently completed a 4-month journey across America on foot, I was still battling the lingering weariness of that enormous task. When I got back on the saddle in D.C., a Nor'easter storm hit. A Nor'easter is a kind of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States... and the one in April 2007 was significant! I was unable to proceed on the bike due to the storm, which lasted several days. The combined effects of high winds, heavy rainfall, and high tides led to flooding, storm damages, power outages, and evacuations, and disrupted traffic and commerce. The storm caused at least 18 fatalities.

The National Weather Service reported 7 1/2 inches of rain in Central Park by midnight of April 15, the second heaviest rainfall in 24 hours on record, and indicated that this storm caused the worst flooding since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Airline and rail transportation was disrupted and power failures affected several thousand people. On April 16 the storm caused sustained winds of nearly 100 mph, with gusts topping out at 156 mph. High winds during the storm prevented emergency medical services from using helicopters for evacuation of the injured at the Virginia Tech massacre -- which happened at this time and was somewhat close to my location. During that tragedy, 32 people were killed by a gunman, and many others injured.

To top it off, I was in the heart of the storm on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. and had a flat tire. While trying to fix the flat in high winds and torrential rains, two guys tried to rob me. I attempted to call for help on my cell phone, but the rain was so intense that my phone filled with water in a matter of minutes and was then unusable. I was eventually able to get assistance and thankfully the two men did not get away with anything and did not injure me. I was taken to the home of the Poppleton family, who had assisted me with some navigation into D.C. during my run across America. It was at their home where I analyzed the situation closely. Mentally, I knew what was required to successfully cross the continent alone (whether by running or bicycling) and after having been hit by a taxi; riding a repaired but not optimal bike; put into one of the worst Nor'easter storms; nearly being robbed; and hearing the grieving of so many people over the Virginia Tech massacre, I knew I was not in the right frame of mind to continue. Therefore, I abandoned P.A.C.E. Bike 2007.

Active.com was reporting updates about P.A.C.E. Bike 2007 as it was happening. Here's the final report that Active.com made:

Last week, Paul Staso canceled his transcontinental-campaign, P.A.C.E. Bike 2007, due to a series of unfortunate events. Less than one week after returning home, Staso has vowed to continue promoting youth fitness in America. Staso’s real life struggle during his attempt to cycle across the country has created a more endearing persona. Instead of Staso being viewed as an athlete that is capable of the extraordinary, he now has more human-like characteristics associated with him. This new platform will allow Staso to reach a greater audience of children who have experienced a similar struggle with setting and reaching goals. Our thoughts and support are with Staso as he continues Promoting Active Children Everywhere.

Although P.A.C.E. Bike 2007 was not meant to be, my purpose through P.A.C.E. of Promoting Active Children Everywhere has continued over the years. I took a lot of criticism from some people for cancelling that bicycling trek. Some thought that I was being a "wimp" and that I just needed to get back on the saddle. However, after having run successfully solo across the country I knew what was ahead of me and what state of mind I needed to be in to accomplish the task. In short, continuing would have been far too risky due to the lack of mental focus I was experiencing. As a father of four children, I wasn't willing to risk disaster. As a result, I returned home after completing only about 135 miles of the 3,260-mile route.

So, that's the story of P.A.C.E. Bike 2007. You may think to yourself, 'I would have continued'. However, you were not in my shoes. Until you have your children to consider... until you run solo across America... until you're facing the challenge of crossing a continent again only months after having already done it... until you've dealt with a bike collision with a vehicle, a raging storm, a near robbery, and the emotions of a massacre of students... until you've sat alone with all of that on your mind and heart and considered the long road before you... it is not possible for you to understand the position I was in and the seriousness of the decision I made in April 2007 to cancel the bike trek.

To this day, I know I made the right decision. Regardless of what others may believe I should or shouldn't have done, I have accomplished some worthwhile athletic adventures over the years.

P.A.C.E. Bike 2007 was a moment in time which actually enhanced my perspective of endurance challenges and sharpened my resolve to always do my best, but not to sacrifice my life on a bike seat or in running shoes. I will never do a P.A.C.E. journey unless I am completely in the game... mentally and physically. In April 2007, I was still physically in the game -- although nursing cuts and bruises from the taxi collision -- but was not mentally where I needed to be to continue. Fortunately, my prior endurance experience gave me the wisdom to make the right decision to cancel the transcontinental bicycle trek.

Always pursue your goals and dreams, but always be wise when making decisions along the way.

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

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

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

10 Years Since My Solo Run Across America

Today marks 10 years since I began my solo 3,260-mile run across the United States. The 108-day journey was done to keep a promise I had made to some elementary students. In some ways, I can't believe that 10 years have already gone by. The memories of that run seem so fresh! I was 41 years old back in 2006 and had four children between the ages of 6 and 13. Now, my children are 16, 18, 21 and 23 -- my eldest being an elementary teacher. Being away from my children during the summer of 2006 as I crossed 15 states was the hardest part of that journey and I know that back then they were too young to truly understand why I was doing the run or the magnitude of the challenge. Why in the world would their Dad run 30 miles per day from Oregon to Delaware? They may still be scratching their heads about that one!

Life has presented me with many twists and turns in the road over the past 10 years. Most of my children are now adults and are blazing their own paths in life. I'm so proud of them. Since I completed the coast-to-coast run I have also run solo across Montana, Alaska, Germany, and the Mojave Desert -- promoting youth health and fitness with each stride. I've spoken to thousands of school children through assemblies, was inducted as the first European PTA Youth Ambassador, and given a special award from the Mayo Clinic for my efforts in combating childhood obesity in America. Unfortunately, along the path I was on the receiving end of divorce papers. That occurred several years ago and resulted in some people distancing themselves from me. I can only hope that in time some bridges will be mended.

Just like a journey run, there are peaks and valleys on life's road. Over the past five years since I completed my last adventure run (the Mojave Desert) I've experienced more 'valleys' than 'peaks.' However, life took a positive upturn last year and I'm experiencing more peaks than valleys these days. I have a challenging yet rewarding job and for the past year I've been in a positive, fulfilling relationship with someone that I love unconditionally and who genuinely returns love the same way. I've held onto my non-profit organization, The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation, even though it has been sitting dormant since the Mojave Desert run in 2011. I've encouraged a few people who have reached out to me for advice with their own transcontinental running attempts and have done presentations as time and opportunities allow.

As this ten year anniversary of my run across America has been approaching, I've been reflecting back on my running career -- which began in 1975 when I was 10 years old. My running has taken me places that I never imagined my feet would carry me when I was a 5th grader running my first timed mile. I remember a day back then when I ran to the edge of our neighborhood and stopped (because my Mom told me that was the boundary). I looked down the road and imagined what it would be like to just keep going... and possibly run all the way across town. Well, that wide-eyed elementary student who was growing up during the "running boom" of the 70's got to run a lot farther than just across town!

At the age of 19 I wanted to run a marathon. I logged a lot of training miles, but was too broke to get to any marathon races. So, I jumped into my old VW Bug and drove 13.1 miles out from my college campus. I made a chalk line on the road, placed a bottle of water in the bushes, and drove back to campus. Then, I ran out to that chalk line and back again. I had completed my first "marathon." In 1986 I made my first attempt to run across America (sponsored by New Balance, Timex, Gatorade, and a company that was relatively new called "Oakley, Inc."), but I got injured early on and had to stop the run. That was 8 years before Forrest Gump ran across America on movie screens. In the past 4+ decades I've run enough miles to circle the globe a couple times. In so many ways, running has been a constant in my life... something to lean on, rely on, and something that would bring out the best in me. I guess you could say that running has been a significant factor in defining who I am.

So, here I am... 51 years old and the most content and focused that I've been since I ran 506 miles across the Mojave Desert in 17 days. I still have "BOB" (my "Beast Of Burden" support stroller) and have been focusing in on what I want to do with my running and with The PACE Fitness Foundation that I started many years ago. I have a pretty clear picture of where I want my footsteps to go and for what reason. For today, I'm content with reflecting back to June 23, 2006 and what a wonderful day that was. I took the first of what would be 6.2 million steps across America while pushing a stroller weighing over 60 pounds. Starting in front of "Haystack Rock" (a monolith) at Cannon Beach, Oregon was perfect. Friends and family were there to wish me well, and my four children ran the first 1/4 mile with me down the beach. Yes, the memories are still so vivid that it is hard to believe a decade has already passed.

Life is indeed a journey of twists and turns, valleys and peaks. I'm standing on the highest peak I've experienced in the past five years and the view is great. It's time to not only look to the horizon beyond the neighborhood, but to also run there. I hope you'll follow along via my writings and pictures in this blog. It's going to be quite an adventure!

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

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

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