Summer 2006 -- A Journey, A Sacrifice, A Victory, A Painful Memory.

This weekend marks 13 years since I began P.A.C.E. Run 2006, my solo run across America. The photo accompanying this writing is of me and my children in the initial steps of that adventure, which started at Cannon Beach, Oregon. I've written in this blog many times about that 3,260-mile, 108-day, 15-state journey that required me to run an average of 30 miles every day from the Oregon Coast to the Delaware Shore. "P.A.C.E." stands for "Promoting Active Children Everywhere" and although the primary purpose of the run was to keep a promise I had made to some elementary children in Montana, it was also to try and inspire all children to set goals, be active, and dream big.

As I did that journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic (at the age of 41), my four children were the ages of 6, 8, 11 and 13. They were without their Dad for the entire summer of 2006. Now, they are 19, 21, 24 and 26 -- leading their adult lives in states apart from me. I believe that all of us will always remember that summer apart. They were without their Dad and I was without my children. They spent their summer playing, swimming, and doing some traveling without me while I endured the most difficult ultra-running challenge of my life. I experienced not only the pain of pounding out the miles while pushing a heavy jogging stroller of gear, but also the pain of not being able to see them for nearly 4 months. It was indeed a summer of sacrifice and pain, but also of victory in that I made it across America in one piece.

Even to this day I don't believe that my children understand just how much I missed them while I was running those 108 days. I recall countless times ending an evening phone call with them and crying heavily after hanging up the phone. I dreamed of them at night, thought of them during the day, and awoke to their voices every single morning because they made an audio recording on my phone for me to use as an alarm, saying together: "Wake up Dad, it's time to run!" My children were absolutely with me for every single step of that journey, as they are in every step I take in this journey of life. I love them deeper than I had to dig for strength, higher than my emotions soared at the finish line, and wider than the breadth of the distance I ran. I always will.

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

"How Hard Was It To Run Across America?"

A colleague at my office recently asked me what she considered to be a rather simple question: "How hard was it to run across America?" I've been asked a lot of questions in the nearly 12 years since I completed my solo coast-to-coast adventure, but that is a question I'm not actually asked very often. I'm used to being asked how many pairs of running shoes I went through (six), or how long it took me to run the 3,260 miles (108 days). Those are easy answers to toss out. However, trying to describe how "hard" it was to run across the country is very difficult.

For some people, it's "hard" just to make it to the end of the work week, or it's "hard" to take the stairs rather than the elevator. Trying to sum up the difficulty of the 6 million strides between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean seems nearly as difficult as it was to get myself to the starting line to begin that endeavor. How hard was that run? Well, it took every ounce of strength, determination, perseverance and faith that I had within me. It hurt -- every day! It beat me into the ground and there were times that I thought it might break me. How "hard" was it? Let me put it this way: It redefined the word "hard" in my life!

The picture above was taken on the hottest day of the run across America... in 105-degree heat in eastern Washington state on Highway 14 along the Columbia River. I was in the middle of a 30-mile day and was battling tendinitis in my lower right leg. There were rattlesnakes in the bushes along the road's edge, the pavement was radiating heat at over 140 degrees, and the stroller of gear, food and water weighed over half of my body weight (and I weighed 145 pounds at the time). If you look at my left shoulder in the photo you'll see that my skin had bubbled up... literally cooking in the searing heat. It may appear to be sweat, but it is blistered skin because the sun typically rotated around my left side as I ran east. My feet were blistered, my back and shoulders ached, and I typically didn't see a car on that particular highway for up to an hour. That was just ONE day of the run across America... and the entire journey took a total of 108 days on the pavement.

How hard was it to run across America? It was far more demanding than I ever imagined it would be. Most people who cross the country on foot have support vehicles with air conditioning, cold beverages, good food, and other people to encourage and assist. When you're running across the country alone, as I did, you have to be completely self sufficient -- and there is no escaping the weather. My water supply would get very warm, like bath water. Any food that I carried would lose its consistency in the relentless heat, and often lose its taste. Grasshoppers and flies were constantly coming at my sweat-covered body. Blisters would break, bleed, and hurt as the skin on the balls of my feet tore away while I pushed the heavy stroller down the road. My hands would ache from gripping the stroller's handlebar and blisters formed on my palms.

How hard was it to run across America? Many days, it was agony. Sure, there were easier days... but countless days were filled with pain and complete solitude. I'll never be able to fully describe how hard it was to run between 30 to 50 miles every day for nearly 4 months across the country. It has been nearly a dozen years since I did it and I still can't accurately and completely describe all that I experienced physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Running across America during the second hottest summer ever recorded in the United States highly magnified parts of my character and human spirit that I had never fully experienced before in my life. It made me learn so many things about myself, about what I can endure, and about the capabilities of the human body and spirit.

How hard was it to run across America? Simply stated, it was absolutely the most physically demanding, challenging and painful thing I've ever done in my life. Absolutely!

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

Words Over 3,200 Miles In The Making

Ten years ago this evening I was sitting in a hotel room only 17 miles from finishing my 3,260-mile solo run across America. So much has happened in my life during the past 10 years. I've found my mind and heart looking back this week on the road I've traveled. In many ways, it has been far more difficult than pounding out over 6 million steps from one ocean to another.

On this day I'm looking back to what my heart was feeling ten years ago as I sat in that hotel room... literally hours from completing my biggest goal in running and fulfilling a promise I had made to a group of elementary school children.

I took a moment today to read again what I wrote on the evening of October 19, 2006 as tears of gratitude and relief ran down my face. I want to share those words with you:

"Before this run ends tomorrow, I want to express my deepest appreciation to each and every person who reached out a hand of assistance to me across this great nation. There were people of all ages, lifestyles, and beliefs who opened their hearts and homes to this adventure and made me feel very welcomed. Without their support, kind words, good meals, nice beds, and sometimes transporting me to and from my stop/start points, I would have never made it across America. I've seen the heart of this country in a unique and powerful way and have been deeply touched by so many people along my route.

I know that we turn on our televisions each day, or open the daily newspaper, and learn of sad and unfortunate events that occur in our world every hour, minute and second. However, I want to say that there are many good people in this country who put the "heart" into "heartland". I've been blessed to have encounter these people, learn from them, and be energized by their positive attitude. So, thank you to each and every one of you who have helped me get across America by welcoming me into your homes, lodges, hotels, and much more. All of you are a part of this successful journey, and each of you helped to fuel my heart and spirit.

Tomorrow I reach the beach! During the initial two-thirds of the run I would not let myself think about the finish. It was too far out and was something that I could not allow my mind to dwell on. It was crucial to focus on the day at hand, or the following day. During the last one-third of the trek I began to allow myself to think about the finish... what it would be like, how I would feel, what I would recall from the trek. Tomorrow it all comes together and I'm excited for the day to unfold. I have truly given this run all that I have.

My father signed the guestbook recently and stated that my journal entries have not completely shared the difficulties of this trek. Yes... I have made a physical and emotional sacrifice to do this. There has been pain, tears, blood, and a lot of sweat. I will need some healing time when I get home. I've tried to shield my children from learning about all of the tough things that their Dad had to endure on the road, and that's why my journal entries did not get into all of the painful details. However, I can assure you that this run required a tremendous effort.

Pushing an 80 pound jogging stroller of gear over the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, and through all the terrain in between has been demanding. There has been tendinitis along the way, muscle strains, plenty of blisters, loss of toenails, incredible fatigue, and so much more. I have pushed my body to the limit many times throughout this run, which was required to average 30 miles per day. I covered the 3,260 miles in approximately 108 running days since June 23, 2006. I took a total of 12 days off the road here and there during the journey, but in the final 1/4th of the run I ran about 900 miles through demanding terrain without taking one day off. This truly tested my strength and endurance, and I'm pleased with how I was able to persevere. Yes... this has been a very difficult solo trek across the United States. I don't share that to try and gain admirers or to appear arrogant. I share that as a basic fact of my journey. Take the information for just that... facts about this coast to coast experience.

Tomorrow I fulfill my promise to last year's 4th and 5th grade students at Russell Elementary School. It was a promise I made to encourage them toward success in their own virtual journey across America. They succeeded and put me onto America's highways. I'm so glad that I will succeed also and soon I'll be able to share details about this journey with them. They inspired me and as a result I was able to run across America and hopefully inspire others. I spoke to many children as I crossed the continent, as well as adults, and I hope that my steps made a difference in the lives of those who came in contact with this run. I look forward to sharing with you tomorrow's happenings. It will certainly be a day I'll never forget.

Too often in life we let our dreams drift away from us. Sometimes we stop pursuing the goals we have and give in to the words of those around us who may be saying, "You can't do it"... "You'll never make it"... "It's not possible." For 20 years I've dreamed of running across the United States. Tomorrow my dream will become a reality, and the voices that have tried to hold me back will be silenced. Never give up on your dreams. Use the abilities you have and run with them. Make a positive impact in this world... an impact that may have a ripple effect that will touch lives far beyond your reach. I've learned about the power of dreams, of endurance, of desire, of commitment, and about the kindness that people can extend when they want to see something succeed. My heart has changed since it was on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, and I have gained more from this experience than I ever imagined. God is good and has seen me through."

___________________________

Those are the words I wrote ten years ago this evening. I remember it all just like it was yesterday. My parents sent me messages just before I finished that coast-to-coast run and I've always appreciated their kind and loving words. This is what they wrote in my online guestbook:

Over the past 4 months, many people have referred to you as "Running Man," "Marathon Man," and even "Iron Man!" But I am most fortunate of all. I am proud and honored to call you "Son." As I knew you would -- you have kept your promise to the kids at Russell Elementary. You have been a shining example to them as well. My hope is that other adults in this country will join in, and continue the quest to promote health and physical fitness for children everywhere. They are our future and they need to be strong. May God keep you in his care now, and always. Now... on to the finish, and be sure to savor every minute of it. You will be in my heart, and on my mind, with every step. I love you Paul. ~ Mom 

Well your tremendous journey is almost over. It truly has been a remarkable achievement. Of course neither your Mom nor I had any doubt that you would finish what you started. We knew that the only way you would abort the run would be due to an unexpected injury or someone doing something foolish that would cause problems. Of course, as we read your guestbook entries each day and saw how many people were praying for you we began to feel that you were being watched over all along the way. As a lot of folks have written, your daily journals have been great and a lot of fun to follow; however, as your Mom and I spoke with you every day along the way (that you had phone coverage) we know that this journey was a lot tougher than you let on. It has really been a remarkable achievement. Tomorrow take it easy going the last couple of miles and enjoy every minute of it. Love ya Paul. ~ Dad

I was blessed to be able to run across the United States and pray that my four grown children will always pursue their goals and dreams with every ounce of strength, determination and passion that they can summon. It took me 20 years to finally achieve my dream of running across America. Never put a time limit on a dream! If it burns in your heart like an unquenchable fire, chase it down and don't quit. Trust me... it will be worth the road to be traveled.

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