Running on Empty (36 page)

 

Page 220.
Victory, November 4, 2008: Jumping for joy at the steps of New York City Hall, I'm finished running.
Photo © Sheri Whitko Photography

 

Page 232.
Over and done, November 4, 2008: After 117 marathons in 52½ days, it's time to take off my shoes. New York City Hall stands in the background as I wonder what's next.
Photo © Sheri Whitko Photography

 

Page 247.
What a drag! October 2007: In training for the transcon, I'm pulling a tire to increase strength, something I did off and on during the year of preparation, when I logged hundreds of miles each week.
Photo by Helen Richardson for
The Denver Post

 

Page 253.
More road ahead, October 21, 2008: Fall in the Midwest, and I'm still running endless roads and hills in Illinois on day thirty-nine.
Photo courtesy Steve Shepard

 

Page 263.
Eat and run, October 2, 2008: Crossing the high plateau west of Maybell, Colorado, I'm sipping one of many “mini-meals” while on the move with Brian Weinberg. This is how I ate almost everything, at a quick walk, with no time to sit down.

 

Page 269.
Heals on wheels, October 8, 2008: In Nebraska on day twenty-six, I insist the crew van be dubbed “Dr. Paul's Rolling Rehab Clinic,” because everything, even medical care, has to be done on the go.

 

Page 279.
Rest stop, October 25, 2008: Our RV and the crew van are parked in front of a grain elevator in Elgin, Ohio, where, as a farm boy myself, I felt right at home spending the night. (The vehicles would stop just about anywhere along the route, whenever necessary.)
Photo courtesy Dave Thorpe

 

Page 287.
Good habit, July 2008: As I run with Sister Mary Beth Lloyd of the Religious Teachers Filippini at the Badwater Ultramarathon, we talk about the work of the charity and the mission of the sisters: “Go and teach.” (Sister Mary Beth did more than fifty miles that year and climbed Mount Whitney—all in her habit. I thought she deserved a finisher's medal for that, so I gave her mine.)

 

Thanks go first to my children, Elaine, Taylor, and Alexandra (Ali), for without them, I'd be incomplete; in each of them, I see facets of the future. I owe gratitude, too, to more of the family: my mom, my brother, Steven, his wife, Kathy, and their two children, and my aunt Irene Houtchens, all of whom came out to support me in Ault, Colorado. My sister, Lonna, and her daughter, Cris, were there both in Colorado and at the finish in New York City, along with my cousin Kathryn Amira. Heather's mother, Janis, and her sister, Laura, also watched me go. It's impossible to convey how much everyone's presence along the way meant to me.

Heather was instrumental in the run across the United States; that's evident on every page of this book. She was also critical to the accuracy and emotional honesty of this retelling, and she painstakingly reviewed the statistics, checked facts, and helped me describe some of the more difficult experiences. (Let me say, though, that any errors or omissions made here are mine alone.)

My agent, Stephen Hanselman, and his brilliant wife, Julia Serebrinsky, saw potential in this story and have helped me every step of the way. Megan Newman at Avery genuinely got and then bought into this book about running that's even more about life. Bart Yasso made an invaluable recommendation, and Frank and Nilsa McKinney have provided so much support, advice, and guidance over the years, pointing me in the right direction. Karen Risch brought magic and meaning to the words.

To all my racing and climbing friends from the Eco-Challenges, the Raid Gauloises, the Seven Summits, and the 120-plus ultramarathons with whom I've shared the roads, oceans, seas, mountains, and diverse terrain: I think of you all often, and I hope you'll forgive me for not calling special attention to each and every one of you, as there are just too many to mention. For all your friendship and support, I thank you. I'm especially grateful for having known Ted Corbitt and having the example of other past ultrarunners, bunioneers, and pedestrians.

In remembering years long past, I want to honor the memory of the late Gary Adams, who encouraged and studied me early on in my running career, photographing Death Valley and helping make it a National Park.

I must also mention Rosa Martinez, a part of the family and a godsend for all of us as the children grew up. She helped raise the kids and was there for us from the very beginning, becoming a surrogate mother to Elaine once Jean was gone. Peter and Susan Alpert, too, were comfort and support during Jean's illness and after her death.

Sister Mary Beth Lloyd and Sister Virginia Jamele have done so much for impoverished women and children around the world, and I'm honored to be a small part of the fund-raising that helps them do the real work of peace and justice. Ray Zahab believed in and encouraged me, providing the training and nutrition guidance, as well as shaping the mental attitude necessary to complete my journey. I owe my success to my mentor in New York, who wishes to remain anonymous, though I must at least reveal that she has been my guiding light, keeping me focused on the task at hand and allowing me to accomplish the impossible.

Certain people helped me overcome so many obstacles along the way. Dr. Paul Langevin, the magic man; Nancy Smith, who worked a miracle healing my back the very last day; and Robert Spieler from VQ OrthoCare, who was always a shout away during the run—each provided much-needed medical expertise. You kept me moving. Then there were the people who did most of the crewing: my dear friend and neighbor Roger Kauf-hold, Kathleen Kane, Jesse Riley, Kira Matukaitis, Dave Pearson, Jennifer Nichols, and Chuck Dale; and Brian Weinberg, who would come out and pace me at all hours of the night, uplifting my spirit and staying with us till the finish.

My “Stray Dogs” Eco-Challenge teammates, Mark Macy and Dr. Bob Haugh, both came out to run with and support me, including Mace seeing me to the finish. Mace and Dr. Bob, you have been dear friends and mentors for decades, providing support and stability in my life. Corny as it may sound, you two are my heroes. Tom Triumph, who more recently became a close friend, oozes enthusiasm and support; he and his wonderful wife, Therese, and their daughter, Alexandra, and son, Tommy, opened their hearts and doors to the crew in New Jersey as we prepared to finish the run. I must also thank those who have given in the past and gave to me their crewing expertise and support: Theresa Daus-Weber, Todd Holmes, Becky Clements, Bob Becker, Alex Nement, George Velasco, Colleen Oshier, Cole Hanley, Michael Mezzacupo, and Kathy Farrell. I couldn't have done it without you.

My generous friend Chris Frost allowed me to train and stay at his house, and then came out to support me on this run—twice. Art Webb has always given his undying support, and both Chris and Art ran with me at the beginning, in San Francisco, helping me calm my nerves and settle in for the long haul. Penny and Bud Smith took care of Spike and Moxie, our dogs. Special thanks to Dave Thorpe for his kindness, crewing, and concern; you are a true friend. For the food and friendship you brought out for us, my hat's off to Deb Sensensey, Craig and Denise Parker, and Mike and Elaine Mullin. Gary Kliewer, Murray Griffin, Kari and Phil Marchant, Ben and Denise Jones, I thank you for your support over the years; it has meant so much to me. Lisa Smith-Batchen and Lisa Bliss provided communications and encouragement that helped me keep the faith.

Thanks to Jesus Gutierrez (El Jalisciense–Ricos Tacos); Blaine Budke and Mitch Farr (the chopper guys); David, Sam, Samuel, and Sylvia Beiler (David's Awesome Cookies); and Kathi Rogers (Rogers Pumpkin Patch). When I was feeling down, you raised me up.

Jim Simone, Sally Habermehl, and Jan Depuy, I can't tell you how much it meant to me that you arranged to have those young men and children come run with me.

Dana Offenbach was there in New York at all hours of the day sorting things out to make this run a success. Kevin Kerwin and his wife, Kate O'Neil, were on the ground and making sure the documentary
Running America
became a reality. Rick Baraff and Amira Soliman were part of the production group, but they also integrated into the crew more times than I can count. When we were short on crew, they always (along with Kate) came to the rescue. Andreas von Scheele, Steve Clack, and Cory Gegner rounded out the film crew, doing a terrific job and putting in long hours.

It was very special to have Todd Jennings, Ira Bellach, Jose Vargas, Irene Chin, Theresa Tokarowski, Sam Wright, Camille Pruvost, and Melissa Lin meet me as I came off the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan—it was fantastic to share the long journey's end with such wonderful people.

A special thanks to the runners who came out and experienced a part of Running America: Travis and Donavahn Macy; Steve and Barb Shepard; Melissa Burdick; David, Sydney, and Marcie Atwood; Caleb Beasley, along with his wife and beautiful baby; Doug Douillard; Abbey and Arden Habermehl; Nathan Depuy; Juli Goldstein; Michael, Paulette, Corrine, and Evan Hansen; Jennifer, Thomas, and Andree Langevin; Vanessa Loggins; Jim and Maggie McCord; Glen Turner; Cody Westheimer; Christine Wilson; Joel Rine; Pennsylvania state trooper Kevin Warren; and the many, many others who were there to help guide the way and share the road.

I'd like to award a virtual world's record to Mr. Tracy Pugh's students at Jackson Elementary in Greeley, Colorado, who ran a combined 3,078 miles together in P.E. class, doing laps and following our progress, too. I loved meeting you in March 2009—believe me, your young enthusiasm was as inspiring to me as I ever hope to be to you.

To Jerry, Linda, and Bethany Douglass: Chris watched over me out there and was a galvanizing spirit, keeping me on track. He will forever live in our hearts.

And last but not least, thank you to Frank Giannino, who set the transcontinental record back in 1980, for all your support and for coming to the finish to congratulate me. You are still the king of the road.

America: The Story of Us.
The History Channel/A&E Home Video, 2010.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “Plantar Fasciitis,”
AAOS.org
(
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=AA00149
).

Bovsun, Mara. “Edward Payson Weston,”
Ultrawalking.net
(
http://www.ultrawalking.net/historia/weston.html
).

Chase, Adam. “On the Trail with Yiannis Kouros,”
Running Times,
April 2006 (
http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?articleID=7582
).

The Distance of Truth.
Pageturner Productions, 2008.

Hunt, Linda Lawrence.
Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America.
University of Idaho Press, 2003.

Kastner, Charles B.
Bunion Derby: The 1928 Footrace Across America.
University of New Mexico Press, 2007.

Lehrer, Jonah. “Depression's Upside,”
The New York Times,
February 28, 2010 (
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/magazine/28depression-t.html
).

McNerthney, Casey. “Seattle's First Distance Hero Risked His Life to Run Race,”
SeattlePI.com
,
November 24, 2007 (
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/341003_gardner24.html
).

Murakami, Haruki.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.
Vintage Books, 2009. Pollan, Michael.
Food Rules: An Eater's Manual.
Penguin Books, 2009.

Talpey, Tom. “The Pedestrian,”
RunningPast.com
(
http://www.runningpast.com/pedestrian
).

Tingley, Joseph V., and Kris Ann Pizarro.
Traveling America's Loneliest Road: A Geologic and Natural History Tour Through Nevada Along U.S. Highway 50.
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 26, University of Nevada, Reno, 2003.

Weston, Edward Payson. “Weston's Auto Lost, Needs His Supplies,”
The New York Times,
April 3, 1909.

White, T. H.
The Once and Future King.
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1939.

Abramov, Alex

Achilles tendonitis

Aconcagua, Mount

Adak Island

Adams, John

Adams, John Quincy

Adventure racing

with Engle

hallucinations during

with Macy

See also
Eco-Challenges

Adventure Sports
magazine

Africa

adventure racing in

African-Americans

AIDS

Air Drive headphones

Air National Guard

Aleutian Islands

Alone Across Australia: A Story About a Man Who Takes His Dog for a Walk
(documentary film)

Ambien

Amish

Amundsen, Roald

Antarctica

ArcticFlow
^TM
Cold Therapy System

Army, U.S., Corps of Topographical Engineers

Asia, adventure racing in

Ault (Colorado)

Austin (Nevada)

Australia

adventure racing in

run across

AXA Equitable

Back pain, severe

Badwater Ultramarathon

cooling off during

crews at

films about

fund-raising with

husband-and-wife crossing record for

out-of-body experience during

power walking in