Words of Encouragement in the Most Unexpected Places

I'll never forget the first time I saw my name on a sign board. It was early on during my solo run across America in 2006. I was wrapping up a day of running and was approaching a Quality Inn hotel, where I would be staying for the evening. On the sign board I saw written: Welcome - Good Luck Paul Staso. I was certainly surprised, and as I crossed the country I would see signs welcoming me not only at hotels but also schools, fitness locations, and communities. The words of encouragement were always very appreciated.

Some of the sign boards would also refer to "BOB" -- the 65-pound running companion I had, which was a stroller full of gear, food and water. I logged about 10,000 miles with that stroller.

I must say that after logging a 30 to 50-mile day on the road, it always boosted my spirits to see a thoughtful welcome sign. As my running gained more media attention, I would not only see signs but also receive more honks from supportive drivers -- and believe me, I could tell an encouraging honk from a honk of annoyance about some guy running along the edge of the highway with a yellow jogging stroller!

Unfortunately, I never got to thank those who were responsible for putting up welcome board signs for me. So, I'll take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to those who took the time to encourage a lone runner on his journey. The words truly encouraged me!

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

A Man Drove 100 Miles To Have His 3-Year-Old Daughter Meet Me

In 2008, I did a 620-mile, 20-day solo east-to-west run across Montana to promote youth health and fitness. While on a 40-mile day between the towns of Roundup and Ryegate, a vehicle pulled over. A man got out with his small daughter and approached me with a big smile. In my journal, I described the moment as follows: "This was a 40-mile day to Ryegate and along the way I received some very nice surprises of encouragement. First, Steve Kosnar and his little daughter, Eileen, drove up to Highway 12 from Billings to find me on the road. It was so encouraging to see Eileen holding a handmade sign reading "Go Paul!". I took a break off the road and talked with them for awhile."

I was nearing the half-way point in the run and was battling strong winds and hilly terrain. Mr. Kosnar (also a runner) and his daughter truly lifted my spirits during a particularly challenging section of road. I've had many special moments along the road's edge meeting people who simply stopped to give me a word of encouragement -- often hearing about me in television or newspaper reports, or online. I've always remembered little Eileen and her Dad. He literally drove 100 miles round trip from Billings, Montana to find me on Highway 12 so that his daughter could meet me. It meant more to me than they know.

After we said our goodbyes, I continued to run down the road... pushing a 65-pound jogging stroller filled with gear, food and water. Once the adventure was over, I read this note in my website's guestbook -- written by Mr. Kosnar:

"I feel like today we are finding, more and more, that people and their accomplishments aren’t quite what they seem. And I must admit that when I took my 3-year-old daughter to watch and meet you on a remote section of Highway 12 between Roundup and Ryegate, I didn’t quite know what to expect. Watching you run directly into a pounding wind, over miles of tough, hilly road, what I found was an authentic inspiration. Someone that I feel fortunate to have met and that my daughter can truly look up to."

Thank you for encouraging me that day, Steve and Eileen! Your efforts, words and handmade sign contributed to the success of that undertaking.

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

Handmade Signs and Posters to Encourage a Solo Runner on His Way

It was 10 years ago when I ran 500 miles solo across Germany -- logging the equivalent of 19 marathons in 21 days. I have previously shared some of the stories from that adventure... such as having automatic weapons pointed at me; nearly falling to my death; and, being inducted as the first European PTA Youth Ambassador.

It was always encouraging to me when I would visit a school to give a presentation and would be presented with encouraging signs from students. I definitely experienced this while running across Germany -- as the photo accompanying this writing shows (which was published in the Spangdahlem Air Base newspaper). Believe it or not, I have many of the signs and posters that children made for me during my days of running across states and countries (from the schools I visited). Some I carried with me on the support stroller while others I had mailed to my residence. The signs and posters are in a box stored away in my home attic. Even the poster shown in the photo reading "BMS Says Go Paul Go" is in that box. It always meant so much to me to see such wonderfully handmade signs of support.

This is my 560th writing in this blog since getting back to blogging in June 2016. I've written on numerous topics and have shared many stories from my running career, but I've never truly expressed my deep gratitude for all of the kindness, creativity and thoughtfulness that went into each handmade sign and poster that students, teachers and parents made to encourage me onward.

To all who made signs, waved, cheered, and extended words of encouragement... thank you!

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