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May 15, 2004
Almost Like a Day Off

Bob Whirty, Mike Thompson, Bill Lapsley and Dave McGillivray demonstrate a little team spirit in Iowa.       See more photos in our gallery

Burlington, Iowa  - In a week that would give each runner a total of more than 100 miles of running, it seems impossible that today?s run would almost seem like a day off.  Our assignment was to run 145 miles to Burlington, Iowa.  The morning broke with sunshine, moderate temperatures, and mild winds.  It was a spectacular day to run!  Group 1 began their trek promptly at 6:30, while group 2 drove out 72.5 miles to the Eastern portion of the state to begin their task.

Though both groups enjoyed the same running conditions, it was group 1 that got the best of the bargain. Dividing the day into legs of 7, 4, and 3.5 miles, they took full advantage of the spectacular morning.  They were treated to rolling hills that, in the cool morning air, produced fog in the valleys that added a surrealistic beauty to the country side.  Despite the hills, each of the five team members ran at a faster than normal pace and were almost disappointed to reach the end of each run.  Each of us was struck by the beauty of the rolling countryside that sometimes reminded us of New England though we are still 2,000 miles away.  Perhaps it is because we are still so far away that visions of home find their way into our imagination.

Group 2?s scenery was typical of the Eastern part of Iowa ? significantly flatter and a bit less scenic.  Though the terrain was different, they too experienced the joy of the clear, cool climate that accelerated their pace.  We find it curious that we are getting stronger as we go on.  Certainly there are sore muscles, tender tendons, and an occasional rash, but we are cutting through the miles with greater ease than at the start of our adventure.  Our veteran, Dave McGillivray, told us to expect that we would actually feel stronger after the first week, but most of us really couldn?t believe it.  Truth be told, after a few days many of us began to realize the enormity of the task and feared the possibility of breakdown.

In retrospect, the good health of the team has been the logical result of a number of factors.  Not least among them is that we respected the challenge we faced and gave it our best effort to train intensely ? many of us logging mileage we hadn?t seen since?.well, a long time ago.  Secondly, we have a tremendous support group.  Their efforts cannot be underestimated.  They keep us fed correctly, well massaged, and work to eliminate the other thousand issues that could distract energy.  They round out the team.  Thirdly, we have two incredible coaches with us, Paul & Fernando, who remind us to pay attention to important the issues of running and not be afraid of ?just doing it? (as NIKE would say).

In our progression from the West Coast to the Mid West, we?ve done more than collect miles into our log books. We?ve collected images and had experiences ? mostly good ? that will stay with us forever.  We are about to cross the Mississippi River, and Dave tells us that is when we are truly headed home.  It is with mixed feelings that we look to the finish line.  We all miss our loved ones terribly and we are anxious to be with them again, yet we know that this is an amazing adventure not many will have the opportunity to experience.  Having fifteen type ?A? personalities live together in small quarters with enormous pressure isn?t easy.  Sometimes we rub each other the wrong way, but we always seek a process that will mitigate any hurt feelings because we know that at the end of our journey we will be family. 

Tomorrow we leave Iowa with a whole new appreciation of the state.  It?s not flat, and there?s more than just corn here.  We will tackle another 150 mile day that will carry us over the Mississippi River and into Illinois, our seventh state. Dave D'Arcangelo has promised another fair weather day with temperatures warming up a bit and mild winds. Whatever the day brings, we will digest it and try to hold on to the memories.  10 days.  Just 10 days.

PS  If there are any ideas, comments or questions about the journal, send me a note:

Tom @TREKUSA.org