"Can't Wait To Dip In The Pacific To Feel What Paul Felt"

More and more people are tackling the challenge and adventure of running across America. Most have a support crew following closely in a RV, and promoting charities via coast-to-coast runs is becoming more common. Many seek publicity around every curve in the road, often to promote their charity and sometimes to promote themselves. Growing in popularity is the setting up of online fundraising pages and linking those pages to social media accounts to pull in dollars from people around the world. One runner currently crossing the country has raised $12,000 in his first month on the road -- all by using online fundraising websites. Live satellite tracking, instant online mileage reporting, video blogging, and more are now common for transcontinental runners. I must admit, I'm glad I did my run 11 years ago before the "run across America" challenge became so charity driven and attention seeking. My crossing was pretty quiet from a media standpoint, was funded primarily by myself ($7,000), and didn't have a charity to promote. I ran simply to keep a promise.

One of the several runners/walkers currently taking on the endeavor of crossing the country recently wrote: "Paul Staso is a hero... In 2006, Paul crossed the nation pushing his jogger, Bob... Can't wait to dip in the Pacific to feel what Paul felt." For the past 11 years I've had coast-to-coast crossers mention me online. They usually find this blog and study my writings, photos and videos... aiming to experience what it feels like to "dip" into the ocean after running 3,000+ miles across the country. Some never make it to the starting line. Others start, but don't finish. And then there's the few who actually succeed and get the chance to feel the satisfaction that comes with knowing that their legs (and heart) carried them from one ocean to another. It truly is an indescribable feeling. However, there is a lot of pain, sweat and tears (literally) that must happen before the waves are felt.

It was 11 years ago today that I logged my highest mileage day during my run across America. I was in South Dakota and logged a 48-mile day in 12 hours while pushing my 80-pound jogging stroller, "BOB" (which is an acronym for "Beast of Burden"). That was a long day in 80-degree temps and it brought me to the halfway point of my run from Oregon to Delaware. I summed up that particular day with this writing:

"If you were to go to a standard 1/4 mile running track, you would have to do 192 laps around the track to equal 48 miles. Now, think about doing that while pushing 80 pounds the entire way. That's sort of what it's like out on the road. Of course, there are other factors that I contend with on a daily basis... such as weather, road conditions, elevations, cars, people, and more. I often have people tell me, or write to me, that they are absolutely amazed that I can cover such long distances on a daily basis. Much of my ability is rooted in my personal faith, a tenacious determination, acquired mental strength, and a genuine physical ability to withstand hours on the road. Many athletes possess these qualities and I am certainly not "unique" in the world of ultra-marathon runners -- or "journey" runners. I may be unique to you because you don't personally know anyone else who can do such extreme running. For me, it's just something I can do well... and I am very motivated to cross the entire United States and stop when my running shoes have touched the edge of the Atlantic Ocean."

I wish all U.S. crossers, either running or walking, well on their journeys and I hope that each of them gets to experience what it's like to feel the ocean waves against your weary legs upon completion!

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

Statistics For My 3,260-mile, 108-day Solo Run Across America

While I was running solo across America in 2006, I kept statistics from that 3,260-mile, 108-day run from Oregon to Delaware.

Here is my coast-to-coast USA run by the numbers! Details below include: mileage, weather, stroller, route, injuries, and other statistics.

______________________MILEAGE SYNOPSIS______________________

• Total Distance Run: 3,260 Miles (in 108 Running Days)
• Average Daily Distance: 30 Miles
• Average Weekly Distance: 210 Miles (8 marathons)
• Average Monthly Distance: 840 Miles (32 marathons)
• Estimated Number of Steps Across America: 6,259,200
• Longest Day: 48 Miles (August 25, 2006 - South Dakota)
• Shortest Day: 9 Miles (July 9, 2006 - Montana)
• Longest Week: 251 Miles (week 15 - Indiana/Ohio)
• Shortest Week: 119 Miles (week 9 - South Dakota)
• Most Distance in One State: Montana (610 miles)
• Least Distance in One State: Delaware (40 miles)
• Average Running Pace: 4¼ Miles Per Hour
• Average Mile Pace: 14 Minutes
• Average Daily Marathon Pace: 6 Hours (The average U.S. runner completes a one-time marathon in 4:45:47)
• Average Number of Hours Each Week Spent Running: 50 Hours Per Week For 16 Consecutive Weeks
• Total Number of Hours Required To Complete The 3,260-mile Distance Across America: 767 Hours
• Number of Days Logging Distances Between 35 and 48 Miles: 32 Days (or 30% of the total trek)
• Most Mileage Covered in a 36 Hour Period: 83 Miles (September 14 - 39 Miles; September 15 - 44 Miles)
• Number of Days Off the Road for Rest or Due to Bad Weather: 12 Days (8 Days in 1st Half; 4 Days in 2nd Half)
• Ran 961 Miles [30 Days] Without a Day Off During Final 1/3 of the Run (including Appalachian Mountain Range)
• It Took 57 Running Days to Complete the First Half of the Trek (1,630 miles at 28½ Miles Per Day)
• It Took 51 Running Days to Complete the Second Half of the Trek (1,630 miles at 32 Miles Per Day)
• During The Trek I Became The 1st Person To Ever Run Solo Across The Entirety of Montana (610 Miles) 
• I Became The 5th Person to Run Coast to Coast (Ocean to Ocean) Across America Solo and Self-supported.

______________________WEATHER DETAILS______________________

• Hottest Daytime Temperature: 105 Degrees (July 4, 2006 - Washington)
• Coldest Morning Temperature: 34 Degrees (October 14, 2006 - Virginia)
• Average Temperature for First Half of the Run (1,630 miles): 95 Degrees
• Number of Days at 100 Degrees or Higher for First Half of the Run: 9 Days (out of 57 days)
• Number of Days between 90 and 100 Degrees for First Half of the Run: 30 Days (out of 57 days)
• Average Temperature for Second Half of the Run (1,630 miles): 71 Degrees
• Number of Days between 80 and 90 Degrees for Second Half of the Run: 8 Days (out of 51 days)
• Number of Days between 70 and 80 Degrees for Second Half of the Run: 26 Days (out of 51 days)
• Overall Average Daily Temperature for the 108 Running Days: 83 Degrees
• Number of Days Running With Rainfall: 13 Days (out of 108 days)
• Amount of Rain During The First 56 Days: 35 Minutes (Up To Mobridge, South Dakota at 1,427 Miles)
• Number of Days Running With Hail: 2 Days
• Number of Days Running With Severe Lightning: 5 Days
• Number of Days Running When Tornado Warnings Were Issued: 3 Days
• Number of Days Running With Forest Fire Smoke: 2 Days
• Number of Days Running in Fog: 6 Days
• Strongest Winds Encountered: 40 mph with Gusts up to 50 mph (August 17, 2006 - Selby, South Dakota)
• Worst Storm Encountered: About 8 Miles West of Bowdle, South Dakota (August 18, 2006)
• The summer of 2006 was the second hottest summer ever recorded in the United States.

______________________STROLLER DETAILS______________________

• Stroller Was Donated By: BOB Trailers, Inc. (A 2005 Ironman Sport Utility Stroller)
• Stroller Weight Empty: 20½ Pounds
• Stroller Weight Full: 80 pounds
• Main Contents of Stroller: Tent; Sleeping Bag; Clothes/Shoes; Food; Water; Personal Necessities.
• Technical Equipment: GPS; Solar Panel; Satellite and Cell Phones; Weather Band Radio; Mini Laptop; Small CD Burner.
• Photographic Equipment: Digital Camera With Video Capability; Small Tripod; CD-R Disks.
• Maximum Amount of Water Carried on Stroller: 2 Gallons (16 Pounds)
• Water Containers: Two 100-ounce CamelBaks With Thermal Control Kits, Plus Hand-held Containers.
• The Same Stroller Was Used Throughout The Trek Across America.
• The Stroller's Nickname Was "BOB" - Short for "Beast of Burden"
• I Ran Every Step of the Trek Across America Pushing "BOB".
• There Were a Total of 8 Flat Tires.
• New Tires Were Installed About Every 800 Miles.
• One Broken Parking Brake Cable (After 2,000 Miles)
• The Bright Yellow Material of the Stroller Made it Easy to See on the Edge of the Road.
• There Were 7 Times When I and "BOB" had to Jump into a Ditch to Avoid Being Hit by a Drifting Car.
• Ironman Stroller Specifications:

-- Frame: High Strength Aluminum Alloy
-- Seat: 15" wide x 21"high x 10" deep
-- Capacity: 70 pounds
-- Tires: 16 x 1.5" (Slick)
-- Rims: Aluminum Alloy, 20 hole
-- Spokes: Stainless Steel
-- Hub: Quick release, Aluminum axle with sealed cartridge bearings
-- Brake: Caliper type (includes parking brake feature on brake lever)
-- Suspension: Adjustable shock absorbers, coil spring with elastomer core
-- Accessories: Weather Shield Made of PVC-coated Nylon; Handlebar Console.
-- Storage: 2 small interior pockets; 1 seat back pocket; large Cargo Basket underneath.
-- Key Features: Lightest of BOB strollers. Adjustable wheel tracking. Fast, compact and simple folding system; shock absorber suspension system.

______________________ROUTE DETAILS______________________

•   Number of Days and Mileage Run in Each State:

• Most Difficult States: Iowa (Lots of Hills, Gravel Shoulders); West Virginia (No Shoulder, Steep Mountains)
• Easiest State: Delaware (Flat Terrain, Good Shoulders on Road, Narrow State)
• Longest State: Montana (610 Miles Across)
• Shortest State: Delaware (40 Miles Across)
• Hottest Multi-Day Period - Daytime Highs: Montana (July 23 - 27) - Temps were 102, 100, 90, 100.
• Coldest Multi-Day Period - Daytime Highs: Iowa (September 10 - 12) - Temps were 57, 56, 58.
• Most Dangerous Road: 150 Miles of Highway 12 in Idaho (Logging Trucks, Blind Corners, No Shoulder)
• Safest Road: Highway 12 in South Dakota (Little Traffic, Decent Asphalt, Miles of Visibility)
• State With The Most Wind: South Dakota
• State With The Most Rain: It's A Tie Between Minnesota and Iowa
• The Route of P.A.C.E. Run 2006 was the Most Northerly Taken by a U.S. Trans-continental Runner.
• This was the First Run Across America to Finish on the Coast of Delaware.
• The Route Consisted of 15 States and Avoided Major Cities -- Primarily for Safety Reasons.
• Main Geographic Points: Northern Rocky Mountains; Northern Great Plains; Mid-West; Appalachian Mountains.
• Much of the Route from Washington State to the Minnesota Border had Many Barren and Desolate Areas.
• The Highest Elevation Encountered was the Continental Divide in Montana (6,325 feet).
• As the 2nd Hottest Summer on Record, Some Cattle on the Route were Dying and Crops Deteriorating.
• During the Heat of the Summer Months (July-August), the Pavement Surface was Often 130+ Degrees.
• Water Resources Along the Road were Generally Non-existent in E. Washington, E. Montana, & Dakotas.
• The Route Across America was Primarily Selected by my 10-year-old Daughter, Ashlin (during September 2005).

______________________INJURY DETAILS______________________

• Numerous Blisters and Some Loss of Toenails.
• One Visit to a Doctor on July 1 to Receive Confirmation of Tendonitis in Right Foot.
• Tendonitis in Top of Right Foot (June 28 - July 7) - Resolved by Consistent Direct Icing.
• Tendonitis in Front of Lower Right Leg - Tibialis Anterior (July 29 - August 5) - Resolved by Slush Buckets.
• Some Bruising to Bottom of Feet due to Running on Gravel Shoulders of Iowa (September 8 - 17)
• Some Cuts/Scrapes from Pushing "BOB" Through Weeds on Road's Edge When No Shoulder Available.
• A Few Moments of Being Hit by Small Rocks Shot From Car Tires, and Wood Pieces From Logging Trucks.
• Occasional Soreness to Back, Shoulders and Arms From Navigating "BOB" Along the Route.
• Some General Leg Muscle Soreness and Overall Fatigue that comes with Such Endeavors.
• Some Hand Cramping and Calluses from Having to Grip the Stroller Handlebar Every Day.
• Daily Treatments Included Self Massage, Ice Massage/Baths, Stretching, Supplement Intake.

______________________OTHER STATISTICS______________________

• I Was 41 Years Old When I Ran Across America.
• I First Got The Idea To Run Across America In 1984 When I Was 19 Years Old.
• I Ran With 1,368 Songs On My iPod - All of Which I Listened to During The Run.
• On a 40+ Mile Day in 90+ Degree Heat, Approximately 2½ Gallons of Water/Electrolytes Were Consumed.
• Food Was Consumed Throughout the Day to Help Combat the Average of 5,000+ Calories Burned Daily.
• Approximately 500,000 Calories Were Burned During The 108 Running Days.
• In Some Locations, Store-bought Water was Used due to Poor Water Quality in Certain Small Towns.
• I Averaged About 17 Miles Per Gallon of Water During My Summer Run -- Not Bad 'Gas' Mileage!
• There Were 12 Days Taken Off The Road Here And There For Rest or Extremely Poor Weather Conditions.
• I Lost Approximately 12 Pounds While on the Journey.
• I was the First Montanan to Run Across the United States.
• No Illness Was Ever Experienced During the Course of the Run.
• The Average Amount of Sleep Per Night was 7 Hours.
• I Saw Family Members Only One Day During My 120 Days Away From Montana (Aug. 21 in Aberdeen, SD).
• I Did Approximately 60 Media Interviews While on the Roads of America -- and I Didn't Seek Out Any Interviews.
• I Estimate That I Could Have Completed The Run In 72 Days (45 miles per day) With a Support Crew.
• Most Times My Hat Blew Off In One Day From A Passing Semi-Truck: 3 Times (Idaho).
• Most Times I Had to Stop in One Day to Empty Stones Out of My Shoes: 41 Times (Idaho).
• Worst Sunburns: Left Shoulder and Top of Right Ear (in Oregon).
• Worst Taste: Grasshopper That Flew Into My Mouth on the Roadside When Talking to My Mom via Cell Phone.
• Moment of Feeling Overwhelmed and Wanting to Quit: August 14, 2006 -- In a Desolate Part of South Dakota.
• Number of Times I Was Stopped by a Police Officer Wanting to Know What I Was Doing: 6 Times.
• Most Disgusting Incident: Two Auto Passengers Pulled Up and Spit Chewing Tobacco All Over Me.
• Most Sticky Incident: Auto Passenger Emptied a Cup of Coke and Ice on My Head/Chest While Driving By at 60 MPH.
• Most Commonly Heard Negative Comment: "You're Crazy!"
• Most Unique Comment: "You've Got The Brain of a Scarecrow!" (Elderly North Dakota Man During a Hard Rain Storm)
• Deliberate Attempts to Run Me Off The Road: 3 Times (once by a motorcyclist)
• Attempted Theft: In Winchester, Virginia a Man Tried to Steal My Satellite Phone, Which I Retrieved.
• Number of Dogs That Wanted My Leg for Lunch: Approximately 20.
• Worst State for Loose Dogs: West Virginia.
• Number of Times I Had to Use My Pepper Spray: Zero!
• Number of Snakes That Crossed My Path: Minimum of 10.
• Number of Roadside Crosses I Saw From Accident Scenes: Sadly, Too Many to Keep Track.
• One Hallucination: August 2nd, 40 mile day, 90º, Flat Barren Land -- I Thought I Saw A Grove of Trees.
• Special Highlight: Seeing Family For One Day Near The Halfway Point (The Only Time)
• Milestones: 1,000 Miles (August 3); 2,000 Miles (September 9); 3,000 Miles (October 11).
• Most Media Attention: Rochester, Minnesota.
• First Autograph Given: August 11, 2006 (To a Waitress in a Diner in Bowman, North Dakota)
• Number of Times I Was Compared to "Forrest Gump": Too Many to Count.
• Most Commonly Asked Question: How Many Pairs of Shoes Does it Take to Run Across America? (For Me, Six Pairs)
• Most Commonly Served Meal From Hosts: Lasagna.
• Biggest Daytime Food Craving: Ice Cream.
• Number of Massages Received While Running Across America: None.
• Most Number of Online Guestbook Entries Made by One Person: 25 (Amanda Freese - Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
• 'Unique' Foods Offered to Me at Roadside: Empty Hamburger Buns; A Whole 10+ Pound Watermelon.
• Total Amount of Cash Given to Me by Various People at Roadside Across America: Approximately $600.00.
• Special Donation of Money at Roadside: An Elderly Woman Who Gave $1.00 of Her Bingo Money.
• Most Special Handmade Gift: Watercolor Painting From 4-Year-Old Anna Who Lives In Minnesota.
• Most Special Non-Handmade Gift: A Bear Claw from an Indian Named Gray Wolf in Lenore, Idaho.
• Most M&Ms Given as a Gift: 5 Pounds.
• Hardest Surface Slept On: Picnic Table.
• Softest Surface Slept On: A Bed That Must Have Been A Hammock In A Former Life!
• A Supposed "Haunted House" That I Slept In One Evening: In Montana.
• Number of Times I Used My Tent: Zero!
• Number of Times I Used My Sleeping Bag: 3 Times.
• Percentage of Evenings in Residences: 38%
• Percentage of Evenings in Motor Homes: 3%
• Percentage of Evenings in Camps: 2%
• Percentage of Evenings in Hotels, Motels, Bed-and-Breakfasts, or Bunk Houses: 57%
• Number of Road Kill Seen Along The Way: Stopped Counting at 100... But Much More Than That.
• Worst Smelling Road Kill: A Skunk's Remains (Baking In 100 Degree Heat) That Was Run Over By Many Cars.
• Saddest Road Kill Seen: A Baby Deer.
• Most Unique Item Seen Along The Road's Edge: False Teeth.
• Most Common Litter Seen: Beer Cans and Bottles.

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