Ultramarathon Participation Increased 1,000% in Last Ten Years!

An "ultramarathon" is any distance beyond the 26.2-mile marathon distance. I completed my first ultramarathon -- a 30 miler -- in 1985 at the age of twenty (although it was on my own because there were no ultramarathon races in the area I was living at the time). I recently learned that in the last 10 years there has been a 1,000 percent increase in ultramarathon participation globally.

Looking back, in 2003 almost 18,000 people in North America finished an ultramarathon. Last year the number was 105,000. Why has there been such an explosion in interest and participation in ultras? Many seasoned ultra runners point to social media, which spreads word of the sport and fuels the imagination of those who have already conquered the marathon distance. Some in the ultra world are not happy about the social media influence, saying it gives rise to people looking for kudos by calling themselves "ultrarunners" for participating in just one event, and that the sport has lost its edge as a result.

Personally, I was never one to enter ultramarathon races. Instead, I preferred to put myself out there alone -- reaching for the horizon solo as I crossed states and countries self supported. To me, that is the ultimate in "ultrarunning." No medical staff nearby; no aid stations; no support crews; no shiny medal or belt buckle award for finishing -- just me... and an 80-pound stroller of gear, food and water to push... and the miles stretched out in front of me. However, it is a very small sliver of the running world that pursues the kind of running that I once did.

Today, many people have conquered the 26.2-mile marathon distance. In some ways, the marathon has lost its mystique and is now commonplace on many runners' lists of accomplishments. Now, many are wanting to go farther and push their limits of personal endurance. The chairman of the Trail Running Association recently said that the ever-growing contrast between our normal, sedate lives and the feeling you get in an ultra of being fully alive and on the edge is key to the sport’s growing appeal.

Essentially, many in the endurance running community believe that the sport of ultra running is acting like a magnet for those who are wanting more than their mundane and sedentary lives are giving them. They want to experience something of their wilder selves, and ultra running can certainly bring a person to the edge of their capabilities and emotions. Getting through the pain barrier, the wall, pushing beyond your limits, was once part of the appeal of standard marathons. However, the feeling you get (the "runner’s high") is much greater in an ultramarathon.

It has been 33 years since I first ran an "ultra" by going beyond the standard 26.2-mile marathon distance. Since then, I have logged tens of thousands of miles... my legs carrying me to places I would have never imagined back when I was that naive 20-year-old college student running over the mountains of western Montana. For decades I pounded my body into the ground, pushed beyond what I thought were my limits of pain, and accomplished running adventures that few ever dream of and fewer ever accomplish. I don't write that with a boastful attitude, but actually an attitude that is grateful and humble for never fully realizing what I had actually accomplished until I retired from the sport in 2016.

Completing any distance beyond the marathon is a unique test of all aspects of a runner's mental, physical, and sometimes spiritual abilities. It makes you dig deeper into yourself than you ever imagined. Regardless of your age, you will learn something about yourself by attempting to conquer a distance beyond the marathon. It will strip you down to your core and reveal to you what you have inside of you at the deepest level. I believe that participation in ultramarathon running will continue to rise as more participants share their experiences via social media. I wish everyone who takes on the quest the very best, and may you never lose sight of what is revealed to you in the process.

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

I Never Had a Security Team Protect Me On Adventure Runs

Over the past 12 years since I ran across America all alone, I've been asked many times (usually by people who find my website and want to try a similar run) what I carried to protect myself from either aggressive animals or people. When I ran solo across Germany (making stops along the way at K-12 U.S. Department of Defense schools on military bases to give presentations), I was asked by one concerned person if I would have a security team traveling with me! Humorously, there actually exists a protection company named "Staso Protect" (no relation!). However, I never had my own security team while running across states and countries. What did I have for protection as I did my adventure runs? Pepper spray and a 2½-foot hickory axe handle -- no axe head, just the handle!

There have certainly been those who have run across the United States with support teams -- with some team members' roles being to protect the runner. Usually, these are high-profile crossings aiming to break a record or being done by a well known ultra-endurance athlete. My mega-mileage border-to-border and ocean-to-ocean runs all alone were not for records and were not highly publicized. I never used my pepper spray and actually only used my hickory axe handle once, and that was during my 500-mile run through Alaska when a wild, highly-aggressive, large dog seemed determine to have one of my legs for lunch. I never 'hit' the dog with the handle, but did have to push him away with it as his sharp teeth kept lunging at me.

I never carried any other protection with me on my adventure runs. I can tell you that there once was a time when the support stroller I pushed truly protected me. During my run across America I was suddenly engulfed in a storm while in the Great Plains that began to drop quarter-size hail. I had no place to take shelter and there were no cars in the area. As the painful hail started to impact me, the only idea I had was to lay the support stroller on top of my body to protect me. I flipped the stroller over and slid under it, listening to the hail pound against the frame of the stroller. I stayed curled up under the stroller until the hail subsided, and then crawled out -- thankful that I was able to keep from being injured. Aside from that, there were some occasions when the support stroller acted as a 'buffer' between me and dogs. So, my only sources of "protection" that accompanied me were pepper spray, an axe handle, and the support stroller.

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

Abusive Parents Causing American Youth Sports Referees to Quit

Today.com recently reported that youth sport referees across the U.S. are packing up their whistles and going home in response to increased instances of verbal and even physical abuse from volatile parents. The decreasing number of referees has become somewhat of a crisis in that teams are scrambling to find enough referees to hold games.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, 80 percent of high school officials quit before their third year. In many states, games are being cancelled or postponed due to a shortage of referees. According to the SC Referee Association, in South Carolina, 70 percent of new officials in youth soccer do not return after their first year.

Scenes of parents behaving badly at youth sporting events have repeatedly gone viral online, and the confrontations occasionally involve physical assaults on officials. In January 2018, a police captain in Wichita, Kansas, was put on administrative leave and charged with battery after he was shown on video pushing a 17-year-old referee at a youth girls basketball game. However, it's not just parents behaving badly. In 2015, a high school football coach pleaded guilty to assault for ordering his players to hit a referee during a game.

There are certainly other factors causing a decline in the number of youth sports referees, such as low pay and the continued expansion of travel and club teams that compete for officials with public school programs. However, poor behavior by youth sports parents is on the rise in America.

As a former high school track coach, and the father of a daughter who coaches youth volleyball, I can tell you that it is not only youth sports referees who are being treated badly by poorly-behaved parents. Coaches are also frequently on the receiving end of unwarranted comments and actions by parents. Being a referee or coach of young athletes is not as easy as it looks. Instead of attacking those who are often volunteering their time, or being paid little, to referee or coach youth sports, parents who think they can do better should do just that! Put on a whistle and give it a go!

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

Going on an Adventure? Consider Taking SPOT Along!

In 2009, I purchased my first SPOT Satellite Tracker -- a device that allows people to view your location through an online map and which also allows for emergency notification in the event that help is needed. The SPOT was created in 2007, so I wasn't able to have this technology for my 2006 solo run across America. I did use the SPOT in 2009 during my 500-mile run through Alaska, but found that it didn't update my location as frequently as I would have liked. The same can be said for my run across Germany in 2010. It performed the best during my solo run across the Mojave Desert in 2011. In the photo accompanying this post is a picture of my aging SPOT tracker along with a recent advertisement for the device. Over the years, enhancements have certainly been made!

The SPOT Gen3 gives you a critical, life-saving line of communication when you travel beyond the boundaries of cell service. It lets family and friends know that you're okay, or if the worst should happen it sends emergency responders your GPS location -- all with the push of a button. It's rugged, pocket-sized, and essential for adventures that take you off the beaten path!

 As I mentioned, by using the device you can provide people with a link to track your progress online, with updates of location happening as frequently as every 2½ minutes. I had mine set to update my location every 10 minutes. A vibration sensor tells SPOT to send your GPS location when you are moving and to stop when you do. This conserves battery power and avoids sending duplicate tracks. SPOT Gen3 will send track messages until you turn off your SPOT.

It's peace of mind when emergencies arise. With the push of a button, the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center provides your GPS coordinates and information to local response teams. Have a situation that's not an "emergency?" You can alert your pre-programmed personal contacts that you need help in non-life-threatening situations.

SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, portions of South America, portions of North and South Africa, North-East Asia and hundreds of miles offshore of these areas. In Russia, the GPS accuracy of your SPOT is limited (degraded) in accordance with Russian regulations restricting the accuracy of GPS performance for devices utilized in Russia.

The cost of SPOT is around $170. However, I believe it is money well spent for the features provided. The makers of SPOT have already recorded over 5,000 rescues of people using the SPOT tracker!

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

Celebrating 53 Years of Age... Older Than "Herbie"

Today, I'm celebrating my 53rd birthday. There may be those who read this blog who knew me back in 1982 when I was 17 years old and purchased my first car -- a 1969 Volkswagen Bug. I spent $500 to buy that orange Bug and it served me well throughout my senior year of high school. Then, in college I purchased a 1971 Bug that had a bad muffler which made the car sound like thunder when the gas pedal was pushed. It was chocolate brown in color and was given the nickname "Chocolate Thunder."

When I was a boy in the 1970's, I saw "Herbie" for the first time. Of course, Herbie is from the 1968 movie, "The Love Bug" (and I was born in 1965). The racing car seemed to have a mind and spirit of its own -- capable of driving itself! The VW used in the movie was actually a 1963 model and according to the filmmakers, Herbie's number 53 came from a Disney producer who liked retired baseball pitching star, Don Drysdale of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Drysdale's uniform number was 53.

Over the years there have been various "Herbie" movies since the original in 1968, such as Herbie Rides Again (1974); Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977); Herbie Goes Bananas (1980); The Love Bug (1997); and, Herbie Fully Loaded (2005).

The VW Bug has been around since 1938. However, earlier this year Volkswagen announced that after 80 years of Bug production, they are no longer going to produce the little cars. I guess you can say that the bug is hitting the windshield! The VW Bug may be on its way out, but I am aiming for many more decades! The Bug lasted 80 years and I plan to far surpass that! For now, I'm going to enjoy having my age reflect the number shown on the iconic Herbie Bug -- 53!

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

Under Armour App Under Fire After 150 Million Accounts Breached

Athletic wear company Under Armour has a free app called MyFitnessPal (with a paid option) that lets users track the foods they eat over time -- with features to log calories and different types of nutrients. Recently, the company disclosed that data tied to the app was breached earlier this year, affecting 150 million user accounts. The company said the stolen information included usernames, email addresses and encrypted passwords.

Under Armour reports that the breach occurred in February 2018, but the hack wasn't discovered until March 25. The company has been working to notify affected users and is expected to work with the police and data security firms to try and trace the source of the breach.

Under Armour's breach notice recommends that users review their accounts and avoid clicking links from suspicious sources. Users also will be required to change their account password. According to Under Armour, the app does not collect Social Security or driver's license numbers from users, so that information wasn't exposed. The company also said that credit card data was not breached because payment information is collected and processed separately.

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

Ever Heard of Phthalates? They're Everywhere, Even Inside of You!

Phthalates are binding agents frequently used in food packaging as well as a number of other products, including flooring, adhesives, soaps and shampoos. Some forms of the chemical have been banned from children’s products in the United States. Phthalates are everywhere, and the health risks are concerning.

A study reported in the journal Environment International states that certain foods, including burgers and sandwiches, were linked to higher phthalate levels, but only if purchased at a fast-food outlet, restaurant or cafe. According to the study, eating at restaurants and fast food chains may increase exposure to potentially harmful hormone-disrupting chemicals used to increase the flexibility and durability of plastic. The study's findings were especially strong for teenagers. Adolescents who frequently ate at fast-food outlets while out with their friends had 55% higher levels of the chemicals than young people eating at home.

Researchers investigating levels of phthalates in the human body, which have been linked to asthma, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, pregnancy complications and fertility issues in the past few years, were found to be nearly 35% higher in participants who had eaten out the previous day compared with those who stayed at home.

The study's researchers say their results suggest that food prepared at home is less likely to contain high levels of phthalates. The scientists analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected between 2005 and 2014.

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

1984 Movie Flashback -- "Raw Courage"

I recently stumbled on a running movie posted on YouTube that I haven't seen since 1984 when I was a college sophomore. The movie "Raw Courage" is about three ultra-marathoners who are on a 72-mile run in the New Mexico desert when they encounter a group of weekend-warrior survivalists who want to "play with the little runner boys." The runners end up in a race for their lives when the demented warriors won't leave them alone. It has an 'R' rating due to some language and violence.

The movie stars actor Ronny Cox, who also appeared in such movies as Beverly Hills Cop, Deliverance, RoboCop, and Total Recall. Cox, and his two ultra-marathoner companions, do a lot of running in the movie! Having run solo across the Mojave Desert, I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be chased relentlessly across the desert like the three men in this movie were.

The movie has received mixed reviews over the years, many saying that it is unrealistic, that the plot is weak, and that the characters are idiotic. The movie was never widely known and aired on the HBO channel in the mid-1980's. Regardless, if you're an ultra-marathon runner it should be interesting to you... although perhaps only a little.

The movie begins as "Pete" (actor Cox) is preparing to set off on a great challenge -- a 72-mile, 36-hour run through the New Mexico desert, accompanied by his buddies Roger (actor Art Hindle) and Craig (actor Tim Maier). They plan to finish their run at the town of Glory, New Mexico, as part of the town's Pioneer Days celebration. They start their expedition and things go well for about the first half of the journey. Then, out of nowhere, the three of them are suddenly captured by the "Citizen's Brigade" -- a private militia made up of ordinary citizens who are preparing for the "crunch," lead by Colonel Crouse (actor M. Emmet Walsh), and the Colonel is attempting to teach them self reliance. After being told that their capture was just for practice, the Colonel lets the runners go. However, unforeseen consequences of their encounter with the weekend warriors soon result in the three runners being pursued again by the militia. This time, the hunt isn't for practice, but it's now a case of run or be killed.

Actor Cox not only stars in this movie, but he also wrote and produced it. It should be noted that the survivalists did not have firearms in this movie. They were on a "survival exercise," and didn't bring firearms -- which was fortunate for the runners!

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 Little Child Shall Lead Them"

I've been a parent for 25 years. All four of my children are now adults and the journey of fatherhood has been an absolute wonderful experience filled with both blessings and challenges. Through my parenting and my efforts through The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation, I've aimed to be an example and lead both my children and kids on a global scale toward better health, goal setting, and pursuing dreams. I've had my moments of stumbling while trying to lead, and have fallen down a time or two along the way. However, over the years I've learned that there is actually a lot that can be gained by letting a child lead now and then.

In the Bible, at Isaiah chapter 11, verse 6, it reads: "A little child shall lead them." These are peculiar words in the perception of most parents, because we usually think of adults leading children, not children leading adults. However, God has intended that children not only learn from adults, but adults learn from children.

There are four qualities children possess that we, as adults, could certainly learn from.

• Children lead us in humility. Jesus says whoever shall humble himself as a little child is great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4). It has been said that humility is not thinking too little of one’s self. Humility is actually not thinking of one’s self.
• Children lead us in a forgiving spirit. Nothing displays a childlike attitude more than forgiveness. Generally, children don't hold grudges. Those who do, have been taught to do so by the example seen in older people.
• Children lead us in sincerity. A child is sincere. They tell it like it is without shading the facts. Sincerity leads us not to say one thing and mean another. There must be genuineness in all that we do.
• Children lead us in confiding trust. Children have great confidence in their parents. They believe that there isn’t anything their parents can’t do. Seeing the trusting heart of a child can help us examine our heart in trusting others.

There are other areas where we, as adults, can learn from children... such as being pure in mind and deed; being teachable; and, being faithful. My advice as a seasoned parent is this -- learn all of these qualities from your children when they're small. It will make all the difference in the world when they grow up and start imitating 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

To Me, It's Not "Just a Hat." In Fact, It's a Significant Reminder.

When I ran across America in 2006, I wore the same running hat every day. It was brand new and dark blue when I started the run, and over the course of 3,260 miles through the second hottest summer ever recorded in the U.S. it faded greatly! Like various items around my house from adventure runs I've done, my hat from that cross-country run is one of the things that remind me of what I've endured. I'm sure there are those who see just a hat and nothing more. However, for me, I see something that helped to shield and protect me from the elements as I journeyed solo from one ocean to another ocean.

The Nike Dri-Fit Running Hat was perfect for that coast-to-coast endeavor 12 years ago. Nearly every picture of me taken during that run shows me wearing the hat. There are only three photos showing me without it -- one was on the side of the road in 100+ degree temperatures showing how sweaty my hair was; one was taken at the home of a host family when I was showing how long my hair was getting; and, the third photo is of me running into the Atlantic Ocean with the hat in my hand raised above my head. Aside from those three moments, every photo has me wearing that hat.

So, why would I write a blog post about a hat? Does a hat really need to have a few hundred words written about it? Well, those who know me are aware that I spent most of my 40's beneath a hat. I'm about to turn 53 years of age and for the past several years I've only worn a hat a few dozen times. I retired from adventure running in November 2016 and these days I prefer to spend my active time on a bicycle wearing a bike helmet.

The particular hat I wore across America was a daily necessity, much like my running shoes. I felt somewhat naked without it and it became part of my 'image' as an ultra-endurance adventure runner. Believe me, I tried several different hats before choosing to run across America in the Nike Dri-Fit hat. It was just the right fit for me and as I conquered the 15 states it became molded precisely to my head. In fact, I can slip it on even today and I immediately recall the feeling of running with it through the seemingly endless miles.

I think all athletes have a particular piece of equipment that is special to them. Aside from the support stroller that I pushed every step of the way, I would say that my hat is something that is quite reflective of the miles conquered. You see, as I spent nearly 4 months running through the summer heat, my skin got darker and my hat got lighter. The miles slowly changed the initial appearance of my body... as well as what I was wearing. Nothing got more direct sunlight than my hat, and it definitely shows that -- particularly to those who can see it in person and look at how dark blue the inside of the hat is that wasn't exposed to the sunlight!

As I write this, wearing that 12-year-old hat, I can nearly hear the ocean waves that I ran into on October 20, 2006. I gripped the hat in my right hand and held it up in victory. I had achieved my biggest running dream, experienced my own personal 'Olympics,' and had become the fifth person in history to run solo ocean-to-ocean across America. Odd as it may sound, that hat helped me to succeed. It will always be a reminder of the 6 million strides I endured.

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

LUMOS: An Innovative Bicycle Helmet Worth More Than a Glance

The Lumos bicycle helmet is the world's first smart bike helmet that integrates lights, hard brake, and turn signals. I'll get right to the price. The cost is between $140 and $180 depending on what features you want. The helmet features 48 individual LEDs in the front and back to ensure visibility on the road -- 10 lights in the front and 38 in the back.

The weatherproof, crash-tested Lumos helmet has bright left and right turn signals that cyclists can activate via a wireless remote. The helmet also senses when you're slowing down and turns all the lights on the back of your helmet a solid red. Both the helmet and remote can be charged with the included magnetic charging cable. It takes 2 hours to obtain a full charge. The helmet's lights last 3 hours in solid mode and 6 hours in flash mode.

There is also a Lumos helmet app which keeps track of battery life, adjusts your helmet's settings, and updates the firmware. The helmet has won several awards and has been featured on CNN, ABC News, USA Today, Outside Magazine, and more.

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

The Closest I Ever Came to Dying on an Adventure Run

I had very close brushes with death on numerous occasions during my solo running adventures across states and countries. Whether it be close calls with motorists and semi trucks, sub-zero temperatures causing hypothermia, or having automatic weapons pointed at me on a foreign military base -- there have certainly been times when I've thought "This is it... I'm going to die." However, there was one moment in particular where I came the closest to death, and that was in Bavaria, Germany in 2010.

During my 500-mile solo run across Germany, I was facing traffic while running along a mountainous stretch of road as the temperature was around 20 degrees with snow, ice and wind. Nearly ten miles into that 30-mile day I saw a car zip around a mountain curve at high speed -- coming right at me. There was no shoulder on the road and one of the back wheels of my support stroller had been scraping along the guardrail as I tried to stay as far out of motorists' way as I could. This particular vehicle was going way too fast for the weather conditions (around 50mph) and was coming straight at me and the stroller of gear in front of me. I had absolutely no choice but to jump over the guardrail to literally save myself from being hit.

As I leaped into the air over the guardrail, I glanced briefly down and saw that I was about 50 feet above treetops! As I was falling, my glove-covered hands reached for the top of the guardrail and I grabbed it with all of my might. My body immediately swung forward toward the guardrail and my torso hit the ground where the guardrail was anchored, knocking the wind out of me and causing pain. In the gap between the ground and guardrail I saw the car narrowly miss the stroller and he sped down the road. I was gasping for air, and my gloves were slipping on the cold, frozen guardrail. I struggled to get air back into my cold lungs and began to pull myself up, eventually getting a knee onto the surface below the guardrail. I tossed my body back onto the roadway and couldn't believe what had just happened. In the blink of an eye I was hurling my body over a guardrail and could have fallen 75 feet or so to the ground below -- bouncing through trees on my way down. I would have certainly died had I not grabbed onto the top of the guardrail.

As I collected my thoughts and emotions, I stood there wondering how in the world the driver managed to miss the stroller. He couldn't have missed it by more than an inch! I was quite shaken after this particular brush with death and found a spot to pull the stroller off the roadway as I tried to compose myself. It was a good thing that I had gloves on my hands because the top edge of the guardrail was rather sharp and would have shredded my hands, and likely caused me to lose my grip. My chest hurt from slamming against the slope just below the guardrail and I had that discomfort for a few days, feeling fortunate to not have broken any ribs.

I'll never forget that particular day on the road and I feel very blessed to have endured all of the running adventures I did without losing my life 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

Forecast: By 2035, 65+ Year Olds Will Outnumber Kids in America

Currently, the middle-aged outnumber children in the United States. However, by 2035 (in only 17 years!), Americans age 65 and older are forecast to outnumber kids for the first time in history.

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population of older adults will surpass children by almost two million in 2035, growing nearly five million to a total of 78 million by 2035. The growth rate of the population of children, those under age 18, is expected to be slower and only number 76.4 million by 2035.

Americans are having fewer children and the "baby boom" of the 1950's and 1960's has yet to be repeated. Fewer babies, coupled with longer life expectancy equals a country that ages faster.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that starting in 2030, when all 'boomers' will be at least 65 years of age, older Americans will make up 21 percent of the population -- up from 15 percent today. By 2060 (when I'm 95 years old!), nearly one in four Americans will be 65 years and older, the number of 85-plus will triple, and the country will add a half million centenarians.

With this increasing number of older adults, the U.S. could see greater demands for healthcare, in-home care-giving and assisted living facilities. It may also place a strain on social security.

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 Priceless Drawing That I Will Always Treasure

I was looking through some old files today and came across this drawing my eldest son, Kyler, made for me back in 2006 when he was 8 years old. Priceless!

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