2004 TREK USA

24-DAY RELAY ACROSS AMERICA

SBC PARK, SAN FRANCISCO TO FENWAY PARK, BOSTON

DAVE’S DAY-BY-DAY JOURNAL

Below is a day-by-day recap account (CHANGED TO MOST RECENT LAST) of the adventures of TREK USA, a 25-day, 10-person relay across America from San Francisco, CA to Boston, MA from May 1, 2004 to May 25, 2004. The relay is scheduled to end inside Fenway Park on the night of May 25^th before the Red Sox / Oakland game. Don’t forget to check out the trek web site at www.trekusa.org. Tom L. updates the journal section and Bob L. updates the photo gallery every night. Check it out! Also, check out the SCHOOL PROGRAM section each day, too, for updates. We have over 20 schools participating in the TREK, including my adopted school, St. Augustine School in Andover, where my sons, Ryan and Max, attend. Continue below…

“STRAIGHT AHEAD”

TEAM

Dave McGillivray - DM Tom Licciardello – TM

Mike Thompson - MT Josh Nemzer – JN

Mike Barry - MB Bob Lussier – BL

Paul McGovern - PM Fernando Braz – FB

Hap Farber - HF Bill Lapsley – BL

Bob Whirty - BW

SUPPORT KEY:

Ron Kramer – CAPT. Zoe Alexi - ZA

Dave Leonard – DL Lyn Licciardello - LL

THURSDAY, APRIL 29^th

Team TREK USA left Boston at 9:30AM for San Francisco. It was a very different feeling from 25 years ago. Then, it was just me and one support person…no real fanfare or attention. This time, it was 14 of us all dressed in TREK gear and causing a scene…but a good scene. The same thing happened on the plane. Folks were giving us donations, the pilot announced we were on the plane and some folks were even asking for our autographs! We arrived at the Holiday Inn in SF at 3PM. Went for a run with a number of the boys along the Embarcadero and along Fisherman’s Wharf. Hooked up with Fred Doyle of Nike….Nike has been just great in providing all of our gear. All went out to eat…our first and perhaps last meal at a good restaurant!

FRIDAY, APRIL 30^th

Today is my brother, Bmac’s, birthday! Today we simply began FINAL preparations for the big start tomorrow. We picked up a second RV and Mike T. had to have an entire new brake job done on the RV that he drove out here. So, now we have the two passenger vans and the two RV’s. Went for a run through Chinatown and down towards the ferries going to Alcatraz….tempted to jump on one of those boats. Then I actually went out and got a haircut today!! We held a team meeting at 3PM to go over final plans for tomorrow’s official start at SBC Stadium, right before the start of the SF Giants and Florida Marlins game. Since we are not starting our run for the day until the early afternoon, we will only run a total of about 50 miles tomorrow, from SF to Walnut Creek, CA. Spoke to Bill Burt of the Eagle Tribune newspaper. He will be running regular updates and photos in the paper…perhaps every 2 to 3 days…kinda neat. Heading out to Stanford University now to attend a big track meet…the Cardinal Track Meet. Will be a good way to get us all fired up for tomorrow. Pinned an American flag on to my shorts to wear all the way across the country, as I did in 1978. My mind is racing…filled with a lot of different emotions right now. Psyched to go but really miss Katie and my kids, Ryan, Max and Elle! They are my inspiration for sure.

SATURDAY, MAY 1^ST

Today is the day. All I can think of is my son Max yelling at me “Run Forrest Run!!” We awoke to a beautiful 80 degree, sunny day. We all spent about 3 hours prepping the motor homes, placing bike racks, hanging banners, filling the refrigerator and storage areas. Headed to SBC Park at 11:30AM. At 12:40PM we were escorted on to the field to home plate where the PA announcer introduce each of us and explained the purpose of the TREK. Our names and logo were displayed on the big scoreboard in center field. After the signing of the National Anthem, we ran off the field, out of the stadium and the Trek was officially underway. We also had a TREK booth set up at the stadium and were able to collect some donations for our charities. Given the late start we only could run a total of 38 miles for the afternoon. We finished at Walnut Creek, CA. It certainly was in interesting first day as we really needed to settle in to a routine which certainly takes time and much trial and error. We actually got “lost” about 4 or 5 times just trying to get out of the urban areas. Once we did, we were able to settle into a rhythm and all went well from then on.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 38

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 38

As I did in 1978, I am wearing an American flag pinned to my shorts.

SUNDAY, MAY 2^ND

We awoke at 5AM and were on the road at 6AM. The teams split up…the Trekkies started from Walnut Creek and the Harriers drove the 85 miles to begin their run. The Trekkies were comprised of me, Mike B., Gov, Bill L. and Tom L. Our support team was Lyn L. and Dave L. The temperatures began to sore…our thermometer at one time read 122.3 degrees in the sun! We were burning up like dogs on the grill. We all ran two 6-miles splits and one 5-mile split for 17-miles each and a total of 85 miles for the Trekkies. The Harriers decided to run three equal 5.6-mile splits. We started to see the ever present “road kill”…possum, aardvarks, cats, snakes. The crown of the road was pretty severe making it a little bit more stressful on the angles. The Trekkies finished running at 5PM and began the drive to South Lake Tahoe to rejoin the Harriers. The good news for the Harriers is that they did not have to endure the oppressive heat…the bad news is that they had to spend the day climbing and climbing and climbing…over 8,000 feet! Not sure which is worse.

Arrived in Lake Tahoe at 7PM to end the day…wow, never been here before but it is absolutely beautiful. The success of doing this day after day is getting a good night’s sleep so that is what I am about to do now.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 170

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 208

MONDAY, MAY 3^RD

Awoke at 5AM. The 5^th day in a row out here with only sunny skies. No clouds, no rain, just sun. The Trekkies were me, Bill, Hap, Tom and Paul. The Harriers were Josh, Mike T and B, Bob and Fernando. We started running right from the hotel at 6:30AM. We entered Nevada in less than a mile…then came all the gambling casinos. The first part was very hilly as we were running through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The downhill was worse than the up hill….especially the switchbacks with the 18-wheelers motoring past you at 75mph. Then came the HEAT again and the DESERT. The temperature rose to 100 degrees.

We heard on the radio that the area of the country we were running through was experiencing record high temperatures…duh!! The Harriers basically had all desert to run through. No shoulders on these roads…talk about road kill…every time an 18 wheeler came by you had to jump off the road into a ditch and close your eyes so no dust or little stones would fly into your eyes. We entered Fallon, NV at about 3PM. For me, the was a major highlight as we finally reached and started running on the original course I ran 25 years ago. I can say it all looked familiar because it all looked the same. There ain’t NOTHING out here. We finished at 3:30PM and then had to drive the 85 miles to catch up with the Harriers. Ironically, we met up with the Harriers just as they were finishing their day. Physically, I feel fine. I am actually trying to run myself into better shape. The key is to avoid injury. My goal, too, is to actually lose more weight on this trip than on the original trip. I lost 9 lbs. then and hope to lose at least 10 lbs. on this trip. We have now lost all communications…no radio, no cellular service. We do have 2-ways radios with about a 2-mile range. So far, I have found only 3 cents. Last trip I collected over $100 in change. Have found no license plates though. We had to drive 30 miles to Austin, NV to stay for the evening. We stayed at the Lincoln Motel, not your typical five star luxury facility but they did have electricity and running water.

We had to watch our step or this little fella could have ruined our whole day!

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 164

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 372

TUESDAY, MAY 4^TH (AUSTIN, NV TO ELY, NV)

Awoke at 5AM. Sunny skies again! Had breakfast across the street from the motel. They opened the joint just for us.

We made an executive decision to officially change the names of the teams from the Trekkers and Harriers to the Whiners and the Moaners! I’ll give you three guesses why!! The Whiners had to drive back 32.2 miles to our start. The Moaners drove 50 plus miles ahead. Ron Kramer joined us for the first time. Tom L. went with the Moaners and Fernando joined the Whiners. Temperature at the start was 52 degrees. We meet up with a motorcycle rider who asked what we were doing and then proceeded to give us a $150 check for Trek. Imagine. There really are a lot of nice people out there in the world. Ironically, he said his brother works for the Jimmy Fund!! Small world for sure. His name was Jim Ott and he was from Portland, OR. He was riding his motorcycle 2,000+ miles around the California, Nevada and Oregon.

That’s me on the left although I haven’t shaved in a few days. Jim is the one leaning on the bike.

For me, this was the first time I actually ran on the original course. Quite emotional to say the least! Off to the left, seven cows ran along with me for miles…everyone is getting excited about the Trek! Dave Leonard “also” joined me/us for a few miles. Even though it is exciting and invigorating to be out here, these are lonely stretches of road and my thoughts keep going back to Katie, Elle, Ryan and Max. Coincidently, Rt. 50, the road we are running on is called The

Loneliest Road in America. I’m averaging about 8:30-8:50 pace throughout the day. It’s just so darn hot. Just trying to run myself into shape. I’ve lost 6 lbs. already. Temperatures rose to 95 degrees today…gee, a cold spell! Still getting nice and burnt! We ended in Ely, NV. This place brings back many memories as it is here I visited the hospital with a bum knee back in 1978 thinking that my solo trek across the USA was going to end in Ely. But, the knee got better and that “trek” obviously did continue. For almost 36 hours we lost all phone and cellular contact…for me, that was worse than the sore muscles and the 100 degree heat!

What a way to finish the day…finding a skull…glad it didn’t resemble any of my relatives.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 186

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 558 (1/6^th done!)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5^TH (ELY, NV TO DELTA, UTAH)

Suffered my first injury of the trip. Was reaching into my shaving kit and put a small gash in my finger from my razor. Hope this is the worst injury I get the entire trip! Then, I get an email virus that was shutting down my computer but I finally fixed it…I hope! Almost had a nervous breakdown. We entered our third state…Utah…and our first time change on the trip…lost an hour…must mean we are making progress though.

Entering Utah!

So much for cross-country skiing! I have this exact sign in the original slide show. It’s still here!

Not a lot of excitement around here.

Temperature rose to 94.7 degrees. Started seeing our first grasshoppers on the road. They can really be a pest once they start multiplying….feels like you’re stepping on rice krispies! We are all now running between 15-20 miles a day. For the Whiners, Paul had the up hills and Hap had the down hills! The only directions we have been giving each other for the past 3 days is “straight ahead” which is the same answer you always get when asking for directions to any place in Boston. The rotation is working out great…everyone seems to be doing fine…a little sore…but full steam ahead. I truly feel we will be getting stronger, not weaker, as we continue. Great team spirit. The air is still very thin. Even though we are in the desert, we are still over 6,500 feet above sea level. Tough to breath sometimes.

Fernando taking a nap! I just purchased some real estate in NV.

WHATEVER!

This is why I am running home and can’t wait to get there!

At the end of today’s run, I asked Bob L. to take a picture of me “thumbing”…just as a funny, of course. A SUV drove by while I was doing it and immediately pulled over. I thought it was the cops and I was about to be arrested for doing something illegal. Two women came out of the car and one approaches me and says, “hey, are you the Boston Marathon Race Director?” I’m like, WHAT?? Here we are in the middle of the desert!!! As it turned out, both these ladies were at the San Francisco Giants baseball game where we started on Saturday and recognized us out on the road!! We ended up giving them Trek brochures and they said they would do some fundraising for us!!

They saw us at the game and then 4 days later they find us in the middle of the desert!!

We finished the day in Delta, Utah…and we now have phone and internet service…yahoo!! Tomorrow, it is off to Provo, Utah and then on to the Rockies!!

WEATHER: SUNNY, SUNNY, SUNNY, CROSS WIND, 94.7 DEGREES

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 150 miles

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 708 miles

THURSDAY, MAY 6^TH (DELTA, UTAH TO HEBER CITY, UTAH)

The Whiners started from Delta, Utah and the Moaners drove ahead to the Provo area. Each group had a very different terrain to navigate. Once again, I was a Moaner…and moaned we did all the way up 8,000 feet in elevation in the Wasatch Mountains to an area known as Daniels Pass. The last time I was in the area was in 2002 during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics where a number of the events were conducted in this area. The temperature was finally very bearable. It only rose to 88 degrees. At the summit, it was 69 degrees. We actually ran through a man made tunnel in the side of the mountain. As of today, this tunnel and the “83 miles to next service area” sign are the only two vivid visual remembrances I have from 1978. Either a lot of what exists today did not exist 25 years ago or I was daydreaming a lot along the way or I am just getting old and can’t remember that far back.

Guess I was a little thirsty or just saw something good to eat!

(click on photo)

Interestingly, I only found one penny…that makes a grand total of four cents found by me. Granted, I am not running the 45-miles a day this time, but, I was expecting to find more than four cents by now! However, we did see a number of carcasses on the side of the road during today’s run. It just reminded me to keep my eye on the road!! My last split was a 4-mile crawl up the side of the marathon…and I thought the Mt. Washington Road Race was in June and in New Hampshire. It’s not as much the climb as it is getting acclimated to the thin air…very dry and tough to breath. I remember “blasting” through these mountains in 1978. This time I was kicking pebbles along the way just trying to lift my feet high enough. Tomorrow we enter our forth state…Colorado. Stayed at the Holiday Inn in Heber City, Utah.

WEATHER: SUNNY, 90’s

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 140

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 848

NOTE: During my 1978 cross country run, I use to send post cards home every single day detailing the day’s experience. Recently, I started receiving emails from Linda Fechter (author of the upcoming book, The Last Pick) who has these original post cards in her possession and has been typing out and sending the exact contents of these cards. Below are the messages from cards which were sent from the area we are currently running through….

“1978 POST CARD JOURNAL”

Day 18

42 miles covered

Near Baker, Nevada

"Actually crossed the Utah-Nevada border today.  Also entered a new time zone so that made us feel good! However, still in the middle of the desert and its about 80-100 degrees, but no humidity.  The terrain is tough to handle-hope it gets better soon."

Dave McGillivray, 1978

Day 19

June 29th

42 miles

In the desert

"We are 50 miles from the nearest town so have to stay in desert for the evening.  This means no bath and as a result, aching muscles the next day.  Today I felt a little like superman.  I wanted to run 50+ miles but I decided to wait 'til after the Rockies."

Day 20

June 30th

Day 20

41.9 miles

"My other companion, Kent Hawley, met up with us on his bicycle.  He peddled from Reno, Nevada to Delta, about 400 miles!  It's good to have him with us.  Stayed in motel for a change.  Hope all you guys are still running at lunch."   Dave

Saturday, July 1

Day 21

42 Miles

Nephi, Utah

"My knees still bother me...they tighten up so bad I can't bend them at all.  As a result the going was a little rough.  If I can accept the pain for a few days, I'm sure it will work itself out."  Dave

Day 22

July 2

42 Miles

Near Provo, Utah

"Have completed over 900 miles as of today. Will be interviewed by local TV,newspapers and radio stations.  I think we are finally out of the desert!  Now we are heading for the Rockies.  I feel super for 900 miles...have pain in both muscles over my knees (vastis medialis muscles).  Hopefully will be able to work it out.  Saw rattlesnakes today!"  Dave

And…25 years later….

FRIDAY, MAY 7^TH (HEBER CITY, UTAH TO DINASOUR, COLORADO)

Whiners: JN, FB, MT, HF, BW, JN, RK, LL

Moaners: DM, MB, PM, TL, BL, DL, ZA

Awoke at 5AM. Some routine…over and over and over again. At least we have this thing down pat now. Today we run by the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation, through Vernal to Dinosaur, Colorado. In Roosevelt, Utah, we realized we desperately needed to empty the holding tanks. Unbeknownst to a few of us, the valve on the tank was broken so when Dave L. went to unscrew the cap off the pipe leading to the tank to attach the flex hose, well, I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

Dave washing up after handling all of our crap!

From that point on, we told Dave not to take it personally if we never shook his hand ever again! We by him a few beers tonight for taking it for the team!! Speaking of beers, still haven’t had one since I gave it up 7 months ago…but…after all these miles and with the record heat, I sure am remembering what it use to taste like!

Many have asked what our typical day is like so I’ll tell you. We have divided ourselves up into two teams…the Whiners and the Moaners. The Whiners start each day where the Moaners left off. The Moaners mark the road with duct tape and other assorted decorations. The Moaners drive half the distance (about 75-85 miles) ahead where they start their day. Each team has five runners, two support crew

members, one van and one RV. Everyday we rotate one person out of each team into the other team, thus we eventually team up with everyone on the trip. We all split the driving of the vehicles. We generally run between 5-mile and 10K splits. We average 8-9 minute miles. We drop off a runner, drive up the road about 2-miles, make sure the runner is okay and then the RV drives up to the end of that runner’s split to drop off the next runner.

Even though it is usually “straight ahead” it sometimes can still be confusing as to which way to go!

The van stays with the first runner until he comes within contact of the RV and then goes ahead to catch up with the second runner. We do this routine all day long. We cover about 150-190 miles a day. Thus, each of us run between 15-20 miles a day. We wake up at 5:00AM and generally get started between 6:00AM and 6:30AM. We have coffee, fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lunch…well, we generally don’t have time or need for lunch…just snack on powerbars, fruit, nuts, rice cakes and bananas. We have made reservations at hotels all along the route. We usually check-in to the hotel between 5:30PM and 7:00PM. We immediately do all the chores necessary…grocery shopping, laundry, clean the RV’s, gas up all the vehicles and begin preparing for the next day. We sometimes eat dinner as a group when it is convenient or just go off on our own on occasions. We have two massage therapists, Zoe Alexi (support crew) and Paul McGovern (runner).

“Hello Katie, how’s the baby? Ryan/Max, how was baseball today?”

At night, we are all busy on our laptops returning emails, downloading photos from our digital cameras, writing journal entries or updating the web site. We are all in bed by 10:30AM to 11:00AM, give or take. This is all so different than the way it was 25 years ago…run 45-miles a day, pull the RV over somewhere, sleep in it, wake up and do it all over again!!

Today we finished our run in Dinosaur, Colorado, our fourth state, but stayed in Vernal, Utah overnight. We all went out to eat together. While at the place, we happened to sit next to a party of an older gentleman who was celebrating his 91^st birthday. We took a picture with him (below) and shook his hand.

He had a grip like Hercules. When we asked him where he got his grip, he replied…”from taking out the trash!”

We have now covered just shy of 1,000 miles…almost 1/3 of the way. And I found 11 more cents…that makes 14 cents for me for the trip. However, Bill Lapsley just buried me as he found a quarter

today…but I’m determined to take the lead again tomorrow…even if I have to throw the money out the RV window myself and then go get it.

After all these years, we finally found a store that has our size!

Finally, take a look at this site. It is a video news clip from WCVB Channel 5 in Boston about the Trek…

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/3276840/detail.html

WEATHER: SUNNY, 80’s to mid 90’s (so, for one solid week….SUN, SUN, SUN…very unlike a typical DMSE event)

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 140

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 988

SATURDAY, MAY 8^TH (DINASOUR, COLORADO TO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO)

Whiners: DM, FB, BL, HF, BL, LL, DL

Moaners: MT, JN, MB, TL, PM, BW, ZA, RK

Once again, like a broken record, up at 5AM, start running at 6:30AM. With the Whiners, I had the first leg this time…my first. Felt awesome…cool, in the 50’s.

Where did everyone go????

The temperature reached the 90’s but there was a cool bite in the air that made the running very enjoyable. The grasshoppers were jumping all over the side of the road and in trying to avoid them we had to do a little “dance running” in the process. Physically, knock on wood, I feel great…very surprising. Really didn’t do much to get ready for this Trek, but I knew from experience that I could run myself into shape in the first week and I think that goal was achieved. We just need to avoid injury…after all, none of us were born yesterday with our average age being 49-years-old!

Caution – Runner in the Road One of 3,000 official water stations

The Whiners finished up outside of Craig, CO and the Moaners finished on the east side of Rabbit Ears, one of the highest areas in the US. Rabbit Ears is definitely a place I remember vividly from 1978. Just as we finished up our mileage, came the weirdest incident of the trip so far. As we were driving away on Rt. 40, we noticed a women chasing a small dog (dachsund) down the side of the highway. It seemed that the dog had escaped from her van and she was trying franticly to catch it before it got hit by a car or truck. We pulled the RV over and jumped out to try to help her. We stopped the traffic in both directions. The dog ran under a truck and the women went to grab him. The dog bit her in the face, giving her a 1-inch gash as she yells to us with blood dripping down her face, “careful, that dog bites.” Duh. We thought the dog was hers and evidently it was. She was just a good citizen who also pulled over to help prevent the dog from getting hit. So, that leaves Dave L., Hap and me crawling under this truck which is stopped in the middle of a busy highway.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty…oh, it’s a dog with huge, sharp teeth!!

Dave, Hap and I circling the wagon!! He still got away.

The dog violently snapped and snarled at his, exposing some pretty sharp teeth. Another gentlemen stopped and joined us UNDER THE TRUCK. He actually was wearing motorcycle gloves. What the heck where we doing under a darn truck in the middle of Colorado on a busy highway??? Dave tried countless times in vain to grab the dog as did Hap. I took a swipe at the dog and hit him across the nose and mouth to try to get him running towards the guy wearing the gloves. We just couldn’t seem to get the dog out from underneath the truck. I suggested we all just get up and move away from the truck and hopefully the dog would run out which he did, of course run down the middle of the highway again! At this point I was ready to say, “Mr. Dog, you are on your own, my friend…see ya!” The dog finally ran off the highway into some fields. At that point we agree, okay, we did what we can…let’s go. Hap went to check on the woman who got bitten. She had a nice gash on her forehead that required stitches. We then found out there were actually two dogs on the lose with one having already been caught. The guy who could that dog then asked us, “hey, you guys want a dog?” Yeah, right. Then came the Sheriff’s Department to try to restore law and order. We then proceeded to Steamboat Springs and stayed at the Steamboat Grand Resort…wow…what a place. Capt. Ron had planned for one day off for the Trek team and tomorrow is that day. Everyone is looking forward to a little rest and to getting caught up with some work (at least I am).

Guess what…on the phone again…wishing Katie a

Happy Mother’s Day!

I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!!!

WEATHER: SUNNY, 80’s to mid 90’s AGAIN

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 150

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 1138

TOTAL MONEY FOUND (BY ME) FOR THE TRIP: 14 cents

“1978 POST CARD JOURNAL”

Monday, July 3

Day 23

Miles  40.1

near Heber City, Utah  (sunny 65 - 85 degrees)

"Was interviewed today by Provo and Salt Lake City, TV and newspapers. There was possibility of meeting with the Osmond Family but they were out of town.  Met with the Mayor of Provo and the City Officials.  They wanted us to be in their parade tomorrow (over 110,000 people watch) but had to move on.  Physically, all systems still go - little nagging pains but just have to accept them (when I'm actually running they're not that little!!"

dave

Tuesday, July 4

Day 24

Miles 45

Fruitville, Utah

"What a place to spend the fourth.  We are now 8 miles off the road into the wood next to some reservoir and next to a glowing campfire (wish I was at the Esplanade though--did it rain?)

Today I felt super but had to climb an 8,000 mountain, worst than Mt. Washington.  I can hardly wait till the Rockies!  God, that's going to make or break me.  Tomorrow, at the 10.5 mile mark, I hit the all important 1000 miles!

Dave

Wed.  July 5th

Day 25

Miles 42.6

Near Roosevelt, Utah

No major problems.  We hit over 1,000 miles today!  Now I have to work on 2000!  I feel pretty well.  However, problems with the van...needs new brakes- hope it doesn't hold me up.  I'm psyched-Boston here I come!"

Dave

Thursday, July 6

Day 26

Miles today  46

Near Vernal Utah

"Tomorrow Colorado--I'm getting stronger.  I was going to run 50 miles but the guys pulled me in the van and told me to wait till over the Rockies.  Guess they're right.  If I had trained, I almost think I might have had a change to break the "official" record.  I know I can run 50-60 miles per day but I DON'T WANT TO!"

Dave

Friday, July 7

Day 27

Miles 42.1

"Finally we hit Colorado!  It's going to be tough running up those Rockies but there's some sort of excitement in attempting to tackle those mountains...I'm ready if they are!  We are in the foothills now and they are preparing me for the biggies!  The altitude is also tough..."

Dave

Saturday, July 8

Day 28

Miles 42.0

Maybell, Colorado

"Four complete weeks...GONE! Interesting tidbits:  finding lot of coins on side of roads (amt. $5-6.00 worth now); lot of broken cassettes and 8 track tapes on roads also!  One of the guys with me sleep walks so that makes for interesting nights.  Total mileage:  1161 miles and heading for the halfway mark.  Hi to all the guys Hal, Tom, Greg, Lee, etc."

Dave

Sunday, July 9

Day 29

Miles 43

Near Craig, Colorado

"In the thick of the state of Colorado now.  The roads are terrible...have to keep jumping on and off the road...just miss being hit by cars and trucks all the time.  Went to drive in with the van...movie was lousy!  Headed for the tough mountains in the next 5 days...wish me luck!"

Dave

And finally.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, July 10

Day 30!

Miles  41

Steamboat, Colorado   (Sunny but thunderstorms in the afternoon)

"Only 50 more days!  Today ended up running up a mountain like Mt. Washington - 7 miles straight up without a break or a downhill.  It's getting very tough and I was told I'm in for a beauty on Thursday.  about 13,000 feet straight up!  Should be interesting"

Dave 

SUNDAY, MAY 9^TH (DAY OFF- MOTHER’S DAY!!)

Actually took the day off and celebrated Mother’s Day with all the “guys”. Just got caught up with a lot of DMSE and BAA work. Stayed at the Steamboat Grand Summit Hotel...beautiful place. Did radio interview at night on Competitor Magazine radio show with Bob Babbitt and Paul Huddle. They are located in San Diego, CA.

MONDAY, MAY 10^TH (STEAMBOAT SPRING, CO TO GREELEY, CO)

Whiners: DM, BL, JN, MT, PM, BW, ZA, RK

Moaners: FB, TL, BL, HP, MB, DL, LL

Woke up to our coldest temperatures…29 degrees. Actually felt refreshing. Once again, SUN!! Amazing…no one single cloudy or rainy day on this entire trip (yet)…knock on wood. Team in good spirits. Everyone working well together. Approximately 20-miles in to the Moaner’s run, we finally met our first cross-country “trekker”, 67-year-old Dr. Admiral Dewey Sanders who is walking coast-to-coast from Virginia Beach, VA to San Francisco, CA also to raise money for at risk youths.

Admiral Dewey Sanders (orange vest) walking across America – in climbing the Rockies, sometimes I feel like I’m walking, too!

He was being followed by his wife, Dottie in an SUV. He left in February and was averaging 32-miles a day. He said, “meeting you guys, was the highlight of my walk so far!” Pretty impressive. He indicated, too, that he has run 31 marathons but never Boston…maybe next year now! He gave me one of his three walking sticks…I was flattered but I do hope I will not have to use it. He even emailed me already tonight. Check out his web site at http://www.fightdrugabuse.com/DeweysWalk.asp. Amazing what people can do if they put their mind to it and just make the commitment.

Today we ran through perhaps the most “beautiful” part of the country so far – Cameron Pass (10,276 feet in elevation) and along the flowing Cache la Poudre River.

Coach Nemzer demanding I pick up the pace down the Rockies.

This was a detour from where we originally were scheduled to run which was over Estes Pass in out to 13,000 feet in elevation which is the course I ran in ’78. However those roads are presently closed with 5-6 feet of snow on them! Ironically, a local marathon was held here yesterday (Sunday) on the exact road we were running on. We missed it by one day…would have been a huge coincidence if we were running through this area on the exact same day as the marathon! It was managed by Jon Sinclair, a former world-class runner from this area.

Experiencing a runner’s HIGH.

“Bob, don’t jump, the tough part is over!”

At about 4:00PM on today’s run, we saw some clouds and it actually started raining out…in fact, it started hailing! The weather in the mid-west is so unpredictable and I think we are going to be in for a lot of mother nature’s challenges in the days ahead.

I found one more penny today. This part of the Trek for me just isn’t going too well!! Have only found a total of 15 cents now. What a disappointment! However, today was the first day I felt I ran pretty hard and picked up the pace. It was refreshing to finally get out of the high altitude but in retrospect, I think it just made us all that much stronger.

We finished the day in Greeley, CO. today. As the team walked into the Fairfield Hotel lobby, an older gentlemen collapsed right in front of the team. Our resident doctor, Hap Farber, immediately went to the gentleman’s aid, beginning CPR and other live saving techniques. An ambulance was called. The man either was having a seizure or a heart attack or both. An ambulance and fire engine arrived to take over. I hope and have to believe that Team TREK, and in particular, Dr. Hap Farber, helped save this gentleman’s life. More good being accomplished along the way.

WEATHER: SUNNY, cool and then in the 80’s. Rain later in the day.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 168

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 1306

TOTAL MONEY FOUND (BY ME) FOR THE TRIP: 15 cents

“1978 POST CARD JOURNAL”

Day 31

40.4 miles

Kermmling, Colorado

"One month on the road and in the middle of the Rockies.  Only two more days in the mountains; I hope.  Having van fixed...need new brakes.  Hope all goes well with the van.  Can hardly wait until i get home!  Going to watch the All-star game tonight...go A.L.! (?)

Dave

Wed.  July 12

Day 32

Miles today  43

Near Grand Lake Colorado

"We are at the base of the highest peak I'll climb across the US  Today was mountainous but not too bad.  It's tiring but I'm hanging on.  One woman told me I wouldn't make it alive if I ran up that mountain!  Hope you can make it to my funeral!

Friendship,

Dave

July 13

Day 33

Miles 44

Estes Park, Colorado

"Climbed the longest continuous ascending road in the USA today - 13,000 feet high!  That's like one Mount Washington on top of another!  But I survived and got out of it without too much trouble.  I surprised myself by running 44 miles today.  The altitude wasn't too bad.  Rockies are GONE!

Dave

Friday, July 14

Day 34

Miles Today:  46

Near   Greeley, Colorado

"Reached our 3rd mail stop today.  Got a lot of fan mail!  If any of you guys want to write to me at our next mail stop, write to:  Dave McGillivray, cross-country runner- general delivery-Lincoln, Nebraska.  zip?

by July 25th.  Would be nice to hear from you!

Dave

TUESDAY, MAY 11^TH (GREELEY, CO TO WRAY, CO)

Whiners: DM, BL, MB, MT, PM, BW, DL, LL

Moaners: FB, TL, JN, BL, HP, ZA, RK

For the first time a friend from the area we were running through joined us on the TREK. Creigh Kelley from Denver, CO drove an hour up to Greeley to meet us first thing in the morning and ran my first 6-mile split with me.

Friends are those people who help you keep the pace honest.

Creigh is a well-known race management professional who directs races, owns a timing company and owns an event photography company. He also is a race announcer at many of the countries top profile events. It certainly was a pleasure to have Creigh join the TREK for a few miles. We are looking forward to having other friends join us along the way.

During my second split, I actually saw bisons (buffalos)! You don’t often see them roaming your backyard! This truly is the agriculture area of America!!

These guys need a serious shave.

This gives new meaning to being “buffaloed”.

In some areas we literally saw thousands and thousands of cows assembled. Bill said it looked like a cow concert and Zoe yells out, “yeah, who is playing, the Cowsills”??

That’s a lot of beef!! Holy cow!!

We have a bunch of comedian runners and support crew among the group. The runs today have been much easier than in the past week. Coming out of the higher elevations (8,000-10,000 feet) and being a little acclimated to these altitudes makes for easier breathing at these lower elevations. Roads were undulating but very enjoyable today. Later in the day, the winds really started to kick in and seemed to approach 20-30 mph….with tumbleweed scampering across Rt. 34. Felt like a scene out of The Wizard of Oz! We are hearing about possible tornado warnings in the area…yikes! Button done the hatches!!

Physically, I am feeling very good and getting stronger and stronger as each day passes as it seems everyone is. The only thing I am a little cautious about is my calves. I haven’t had major problems with them in the past year and I am praying that remains the case for the next two weeks. My pace has picked up a bit occasionally dropping below 8’s. However, I (as well as the entire team) need to be patient and not overdo it even if we feel good.

Finally, out of the desert and out of the mountains – let’s now hope for no tornados!

The team is working extremely well together. We truly have a great system down for the relay. Bob and Tom are doing a great job on the web site…www.trekusa.org. Ron continues his Capt’n duties. Our support crew of Lyn, Zoe, Dave and Bob W. are doing an outstanding job…as is Bob Ell from home (he and his wife Kathryn are expecting their first child). Our PR person, Linda Fechter, is turning out the media throughout the US. And, of course, our home support crew, our wives and children, are both our inspirational and emotional support system.

Received an email today from Sister Kathleen of St. Augustine School. The kids are following us each step of the way learning about state flags, flowers and birds. They also are walking and running each day in the school yard, accumulating the same amount of miles as we are across America.

Children from St. Augustine School in Andover, MA, standing in front of the map of the US as they follow TREK USA every step of the way!! That’s inspiration for us for sure!!

It so great to be able to get emails from so many friends while out in the middle of no-wheres-ville. Of course, that was impossible 25 years ago. Then, I had to pick up mail at GENERAL DELIVERY at post offices all across the country. What a difference.

INDIVIDUAL CUMULATIVE MILEAGE TO DATE

DAY MILEAGE CUMULATIVE

Sat., May 1 7.0 7.0

Sun., May 2 17.0 24.0

Mon., May 3 16.4 40.4

Tues., May 4 18.6 59.0

Wed., May 5 15.0 74.0

Thur., May 6 14.0 88.0

Fri., May 7 14.0 102.0

Sat., May 8 15.0 117.0

Sun., May 9 0.0 117.0

Mon., May 10 16.8 133.8

Tues., May 11 15.2 149.0

By the way, I’ve left my watch on Boston time the entire trip. Does get confusing sometimes, but, by keeping it on east coast time, it’s easier for me to know and follow what my kids are doing and where my wife is during the day.

It’s a WORKING trip across the country.

WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, CLOUDY, WINDY, WINDY, WINDY, 90 DEGREES HIGH

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 152

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 1458

TOTAL MONEY FOUND (BY ME) FOR THE TRIP: 15 cents

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12^TH (WRAY, CO TO HOLDREGE, NB)

Whiners: DM, TL, HF, MT, BL, BW, ZA, RK

Moaners: DM, FB, JN, BL, PM, DL, LL

Awoke at 5PM. Another sunny day. Truly, this beautiful weather (I am going to be eating my words any day now) is the story of the trip. It has been sunny for all 14 days we have been on the road. Today we entered Nebraska, our 5^th state… “only” 7 to go…sounds like when some spectator in the Boston Marathon yells, “you’re almost done” when you have 8-more miles to go…gee, this country is huge.

Notice the “bullet holes” in the sign. Thank goodness I am so short or I would have taken one right between the eyes!!

Today I found a grand total of…drum roll please….2 cents!! 2 bloody cents. Where did all the money in America go? I thought I would have nailed at least five bucks worth by now. My legs are fine…it is my back that is killing me trying desperately to find some loot!!

I’m looking for the cash but all I see is stink’n dirt!!

Mike Barry being “booked” for stealing license plates. Now he will be making them for the rest of us while serving time in a Nebraska prison.

We then came upon a town that truly shocked me. I never realized my ten- year-old son owned an entire town!! I wonder what else he is keeping from me??

The Whiners were approached by the State Police and told to beware of rattlesnakes, that they were everywhere along the side of the roads. How comforting to know. So much for jumping off to the side of the road anytime one had to relieve themselves.

Staying the heck out of the grass but I had to “go” so bad!

What is so different for me from 25 years ago is the fact that it is two months earlier. What was then thriving corn fields for hundreds and hundreds of miles (in July) is now just soil and seed. Very different looking for me. Again, I remember none of this other than the names of the cities and towns.

And I was psyched to have corn on the cob all they way through Nebraska!

Tomorrow, it is on to Lincoln, Nebraska, our HALF WAY point!! It seems like yesterday that we just started…well, no it really doesn’t.

Frankly, I am getting a little tired of “STRAIGHT AHEAD”. Will we ever TURN on this TREK??

“1978 POST CARD JOURNAL”

Day 35

Miles today   42

Near:  Fort Morgan, Colorado

"Out of the Rockies and flat land but the temp is HOT!!  100 degrees!   Grasshoppers and bugs are the main hindrance.  Meeting a lot of nice people and signing a lot of autographs!  Hope everyone is well."

Dave

Day 36

Miles today   43.5

Near   Akron, Colorado

"Very hot!  The temps. have risen to 100 and we are now in the prairies.  It is very flat terrain but the heat has taken its toll.  We have to awake @ 4 a.m. and I'm on the road at 4:30 a.m.  It's weird running that early in the morning but I have no choice!"         Dave

Day 37

Miles today 43

Near Wray, Colorado

"Our last city in Colorado and it's on to Nebraska.  Thus we enter our 6th state tomorrow and our 2nd to last BIG state (Penn).  Weather is very, very hot and humid!  Miss you all." 

                            Dave

WEATHER: SUNNY, cool, 40’s early and then in the 80’s.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 164

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 1622

TOTAL MONEY FOUND (BY ME) FOR THE TRIP: 17 cents

THURSDAY, MAY 13^TH (HOLDREGE, NB TO LINCOLN, NB)

Whiners: DM, TL, HF, MT, BL, BW, ZA, RK

Moaners: DM, FB, JN, BL, PM, DL, LL

Our first truly lousy weather day. I knew I spoke too soon yesterday when I commented that the beautiful weather was the highlight of the trip. Awoke to cold, rain, wind. Wind chill was perhaps below freezing. Hail fell and felt like glass hitting your face and eyes. Ahhh, now this is what running across the country is all about! Bring on the wind, cold, rain, snow, sleet, sandstorms, tornados (well, maybe not the tornados). Bring it all on.

Made it to Lincoln, Nebraska today…over HALF WAY! Tomorrow we actually enter Iowa, our 6^th state. The days do seem to be flying by. How different a feeling this is for me. Last time I did this, after 12 days on the road I believe I was still only in my second state and just going into my third. When working out at home, you have a tendency of running from street to street or doing pick ups from telephone poll to telephone poll. In Nebraska, I find myself running from silo to silo!! I do remember seeing all the silos in Nebraska back in 1978.

Today we also ran on parts of the Oregon Trail and Pony Express Route. It always is amazing when you see this area of the country and think back to how extraordinary the settlers were and what they had to endure to keep going west. Running along paved roads with RV’s in tow doesn’t seem all the challenging anymore.

In the 1800’s, hooves and wheels pounded a trail into the prairie sod.

Today, 10 pair of running shoes followed in their footsteps (albeit going in the opposite direction)

Saw a lot of dead little birds today. They probably get caught in the tough wind around here and then get hit by a car or truck. They were everywhere. Kinda sad.

As for our fundraising, which is the major reason for the TREK, we have raised over $250,000 to date including sponsorships and donations. Anyone still interested in making a contribution can do so on line by logging onto our web site….www.trekusa.org. Is ½ million dollars unrealistic? Doesn’t hurt to go for it!!

Found no cashola $$ today…wasn’t really looking. Just was trying to keep my head from being blown off in these tough wind. Anything that wasn’t nailed or tied down is no longer in the State of Nebraska anyway!

WEATHER: Rainy, cold, cloudy, windy, just plain lousy, temps in the 30’s and 40’s!

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 156

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 1778

TOTAL MONEY FOUND (BY ME) FOR THE TRIP: 17 cents

FRIDAY, MAY 14^TH (LINCOLN, NB TO OSCEOLA, IOWA)

Whiners: DM, TL, PM, JN, BL, LL, DL

Moaners: FB, BL, MT, HF, MB, BW, ZA, RK

Entered Iowa today. Iowa isn’t flat. Nebraska basically was flat, Iowa isn’t. Very windy and cold day today, but sunny. I hate saying this but I can’t believe how I feel….my calves are tight, but they have been for 10 years. Running 15-20 miles a day in 3 splits is perhaps just enough mileage not to break us down but in fact enough to make us stronger. I find myself, however, continually trying to remind myself that I am almost 50 and I have to reduce my expectations from 25 years ago. Not an easy thing to do. We did do an 8-mile split today. Felt pretty good. I’m not sure how much weight I’ve lost so far on the trip, but I feel like it has been somewhere between 5lbs.-10lbs.

In keeping with all the new technology, we were on Boston.com this afternoon. People could log on to this web site and enter a chat room where they could type in questions and we could answer them. Given the weak internet signal, we had to answer the questions over the phone and the folks at Boston.com typed in our answers. We were on for a full hour.

I purchased this lavish hotel as an investment. Did I do good?

Time shares available.

Finally, pay day….I found…drum roll please…a grand total of 6 cents. They small diner we eat at tonight had a small wishing well with lots of coins on the bottom. Man, was I tempted!!

· Masonic Learning Center

· Inspirational thoughts

WEATHER: Cold, sunny, windy, temps in the 30’s to the 50’s

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 171

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 1949

TOTAL MONEY FOUND (BY ME) FOR THE TRIP: 23 cents

SATURDAY, MAY 15^TH (OSCEOLA, IOWA TO BURLINGTON, IOWA)

Whiners: HF, BL, TL, FB, PM, DL, LL

Moaners: DM, BL, MB, MT, JN, BW, ZA, RK

· List the team

· One penny

· Lot of railroads, trains

·

WEATHER: Cold early 35 degrees, sunny (again), high 60’s.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE DAY: 145

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR THE TRIP: 2094

TOTAL MONEY FOUND (BY ME) FOR THE TRIP: 24 cents

-END-