Day 5

Today was supposed to be a 30 mile day. Because of my time constraint yesterday I didn't get to finish the last 5 or so miles from yesterday. So today would be 35 miles. I was dreading several parts of today.

First would be the highway section. 4.5 miles on I-10. Second would be the climb up to Morongo Valley. And the last part would be a huge climb up to Joshua Tree.

Last night I felt terrible. Mentally, physically, everything. So needless to say I wasn't looking forward to today.

First things first. Clean up my mess from yesterday, the last 5 miles to the highway. I felt okay. Not great, but I started out running which is always good.

When I reached the highway I decided to book it so I could potentially avoid any trouble from the law enforcers in the area. I did the 4.5 miles in about 29 min. I felt great! I must have repeated "relax and roll" 600 times in that 4.5 miles. Next I got on highway 62 which would take me straight into the desert and Arizona for that matter.

I still felt smooth in the 68 degree weather. And I traded running on the street for running on the thin curb so I could better occupy my mind and reflexes.

When I got to the big climb I put on Doomriders. This epic CD would remain my soundtrack for the day. Their songs even got me stoked enough to run up some of the climb.

Upon reaching the top I started running again and noticed there was a sign that said the fine for littering was 5 grand!!! That didn't stop anyone. Including the guy that decided to ditch the washing machine door on the side of the road. Or the million on bottles of Tecate. Random.

The road became straight again and I was in the valley.






The elevation says 2566.

I put it in cruise control and was rollin, and feelin good.

After an hour or so I hit the second big climb and walked it. It was long. A good 2 miles maybe longer but straight up. No switchbacks, just straight. These road builders were so smart. I'll bet they thought, "let's build this road the most direct route." And they did.

Anyway, the rest of the way was just straight. Nothing exciting at all but this is a picture of the Joshua Tree sign.





The elevation on this on says 2700 or something. Tonight, I'm with the Becks. They are very nice and have four cute little blonde kids.

Tomorrow is a 30 day...I'm wondering if today was a fluke and reality will hit me in the face tomorrow, but I guess there's only one way to find out.

Here's a video of the first climb.

-- Patrick

Day 4

Today hurt. It was a windd day. Double the "d" for a double dose of wind. I started at 5:55 am so I could be done early because we had a tv filming an hour away at 1 so I had to be done. The roads were straight, I ran into the wind. I started to feel good and I was rolling along. Faster than the other days by far.

The final obstacle for the day was the highway. Looking at the map it looked like I would need to take the I-10 highway for about 11 miles. Luckily I found a trail going right next to the highway and the railroad tracks. So I took that. I was rolling along and saw wind generators and mountains, AND a casino. It was tempting, but decided to keep moving.

-- Patrick

Location:Adams Ave,Murrieta,United States

Day 3

Today I started where I left off of course but the family I stayed with told me about a bike trail that goes right where I was headed so I decided to take that. It turned out out to be any longer or shorter so it worked out. Right at the end of the trail I ran into this sign which let me know I was headed in the right direction.



Thought it was pretty cool. Anyway, hunger hit me like a freight train today so I ate a whole Papa Johns supreme pizza on the run. Oh it hit the spot and really gave me the boost I was looking for.

My run today ended in the canyons and that's where I'll do most of my running tomorrow.

After the run, the AF exec Cathy, who is great and has picked me up both days, showed me around the city and we ate at In and Out. I ate that double double less than an hour and a half after I downed the pizza...I wonder if this will be a trend throughout the run.

Well, it's almost time for dinner, so I'd better wake up from my nap. I really could get used to this. Run, eat, nap, eat, sleep, run...of course in no order at all and some of those at the same time....

-- Patrick

Day one and two in a nut shell

Day one: woke up. Game time. We drove down to Bella Terra mall and met up with my parents and my uncle and aunt.

Side story, I actually started the day before because I wanted to touch the water so Katie, my grandfather, and his wife and myself drove down to huntington beach and my parents were there!! They completely took me by surprise and flew out for the start!

Anyway, we gathered at Bella Terra mall and I met so many people. Everyone was so nice and so appreciative. The mayor came out as well as people from
The arthritis foundation and a guy named Gus came just to run with me.



This is a picture of the stroller and myself.
Anyway! The marching band for the Orange County high school even came out, as well as CBS channel 7. Big crowd, good time. A few words were said and it was way more emotional than I expected. Especially after 11 year old Makayla spoke. She has spoken in front of congress by the way.

Off we went at about 9:15 ish and Gus, Badwater solo finisher, my uncle Bob, marathon runner joined me. Also these two little girls, Summer and Autumn, who were 10 and 11 ran for a bit and lasted way longer than I expected.

I didn't feel well. Pretty much from the start. I felt sluggish, tired, and generally not myself. Great start... It was quite frustrating but I decided to just keep truckin along and hopefully I would start to shape up. This was not te case.

After 4 miles we met up with my mom dad and Katie and my friend from high school, Keaton was there! He ran with us for the rest of the day along with his friend Matt who is a speed demon at the 3000 as well as 5k.

Gus kept us all entertained with stories from Badwater as well as local history, sightseeing comments and was very kind to every biker he saw by offering well wishes for the new year and bike tips such as "Wear a helmet!!" it was great running with him.

Afterwards we all headed to the Galli's for a big pasta party. It tasted so good. Unfortunately, I was still not feeling much like myself. There was a large crowd and everyone who came was incredibly nice and offered me help and asked what they could do.

At the end of the party Katie and I said our goodbyes because she needed to catch the red eye from San Diego. Not stoked on her leaving, but I was glad she was there.

I stayed at the Galli's last night and they were incredibly kind.

This morning Kim Galli, Tom and myself started the run from Brea were I ended the day before to Pedley.

Running through the cayons was absolutely beautiful. It was so different from the east coast that I am used to running. After Tom and Kim stopped I was on my own with my directions. Unfortunately, due to lame direction taking on my part. I got semi lost and ran out of water from both my hand bottle and camelback. Luckily I found a 7-11 not too long after I ran out and was able to replenish the h2o supply.

After some crafty road work, I found where I was and was able to press eastward. I ended the day some 5:20 after I started and ran the majority of it. Was it exactly 26.3 that I had planned?hopefully not, otherwise I've got bigger issues with my running than I thought. But then again, who cares. I finished today and it's time to look toward tomorrow. I stay with the McCleods for the next 3 nights and they are a great family.

This is what I ran next to today.


-- Patrick

-- Patrick

Western States entry and new article

Recently the Western States 100 lottery took place. I had signed up with the intention of not getting in and so it would count toward my "two-time-loss." If you lose twice, you get in the third year garunteed. Well, I got in this year. At first I was thinking, "Oh no. This was not the plan." Then I got super stoked that I got in! So I sent in my entry. ALSO, my good friend Dave got in, so it's good to know that my adventure to Squaw Valley, CA will not be unaccompanied. If anything, it'll be good to have someone to fly with.

This will be the farthest away I will have ever travelled for a race, and it will most likely be the first race I do after my run across America, assuming I finish that...

In other news, a new article came out today in the Huntington Beach Independant. Check it out.

http://www.hbindependent.com/articles/2009/12/17/features/hbi-marathon121709.txt

Getting Close.....

I finally graduated. It was great, there was a party, and the ceremony wasn't too long, and my mom didn't cry! Good news, good food, no more school. Those of you who know me personally know how truly stoked I am on this.

The day counter on my phone has informed me that there are 18 days left until I depart Huntington Beach. I'm putting the last touches on my gear list, and will be mailing my jogger out to Califonia tomorrow so it gets there in time.

As well as gathering "stuff" for the trip, I've also been doing more interviews with newspapers, and even talked to the St. Francis middle school, where I used to go. All the publicity is really taking off, and people are getting very excited and very willing to help. It's great how helpful people are. A link to the Orange County Register Newspaper came out with the article today at this URL.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mcglade-224091-run-running.html

I'm sure there will be more posts as the day draws nearer.....