Well, I never thought I would ever start blogging, but for a trip like this, I guess I'll give it a shot.
My name is Patrick McGlade and I am a 20 year old ultramarathon runner. I am going to run across the United States to raise money and awareness for the Arthritis Foundation.
The reason I'm running for them is because I found out that kids get arthritis. It's not just something that happens to old people. And it doesn't happen to all old people. It is an actual disease. More on that later though.
In order to train for this, I've already run a few ultras this year, and plan to do a few more along with normal day to day running and weight training...the only part I don't like. East Coast Bicycles in Norfolk, VA helped me out tremendously with the jogging stroller that I will be using to push all my supplies from San Diego or LA, CA to Tybee Island, GA. The guys at the shop were awesome, and really knew what they were talking about. He asked if I was expecting a kid soon, I assured him this wasn't the case and told him what I was going to actually do with it. He gave it to me for what he paid for it directly from the manufacturer! He said he would help me because I was crazy. Maybe i should start pleading insanity more often...
Already, I did an overnight run from Richmond where I go to school to my parents house in Stafford. A total of 70 miles for the first time I ever ran with it. It went very well, and actually think the non-stop rolling hills on that 70 mile section of Rt-1 may have been easier because of it. Another thing that made it easier was my friend Dave Snipes. He called and asked if I wanted to run that night and I told him I had already started the trip. He ended up playing leap frog with his car driving ahead of me then running back towards me and then both of us running to his car where he would then drive up the road a little and repeated pretty much the whole way. He probably did about 40-50 miles that night. Needless to say, my mom was a little surprised when we ran up the driveway at 9:30 the next morning, so she made us waffles. Good deal.
On the race schedule for the next coming months I have the Burning River 100 next weekend, Aug 1-2 where my brother, dad, and sister will help crew for me and probably pace me at some point. Then in September I have the 12-hour Adventure Trail Run on the 19th, the Great Eastern Endurance Run 100k on the 26th, and October 2-4 I have the Grindstone Mountain 100 mile. Three weeks in a row of ultras, then the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October.
It's going to be tough, but so will the cross country run. Either way, I'm stoked and will keep you updated.
The mountains are calling and I must go.
Hey found your blog from Frank. I'm so impressed with your goal to run across the country and for such a wonderful cause. What made you get into ultra running?
ReplyDeleteWell, I kind of found it on accident on the internet, and then, I thought I'd give it a try. I wish there was some really awesome answer like a divine being told me this is what to do, but I just kind of found it, and tried it.
ReplyDelete