(My FB post following the run)
It's been a little over a week since I finished my run from Council Bluffs to Muscatine. Missouri River to Mississippi River. Just shy of 280 miles. 570,000 steps. 4 days and 17 hours.
And somehow, I’m still mostly alive.
This run across Iowa threw a little bit of everything at me — high winds, hot temps, less than ideal surface to run on, thunderstorms, sore spots we had to deal with before they became full-on injuries, and a serious lack of sleep. There were definitely moments I wanted to throw in the towel. Quit. Sit down. Be done. All of the above.
Especially on the last day, when there was a lot of very loud swearing happening… thankfully in places where only the cows could hear me.
But there was also so much good.
My daughter surprised me on Day 3 in Knoxville and tried to chase me down the street — and couldn’t catch me. I will absolutely be bringing this up forever.
My two aunts made a surprise visit. My mom and dad were there to join me at the end. I had motivational messages coming in the whole way. Towns put up signs. Sirens went off as I came through. People came out to wave, cheer, and check on me.
At one point, a cop “pulled me over”… not because I was speeding, obviously, but just to make sure I was okay.
And I had the best crew chief anyone could ask for. Truly, this would not have happened without that support, patience, problem-solving, and putting up with me when I was tired, sore, hungry, and probably not super fun to be around.
By the time I reached the river, not much was open for food, so the big finish celebration ended up being two roast beef sandwiches from Hardee’s and a nice imperial stout we had brought along for the occasion.
Sitting at the dinette in the camper afterward, completely exhausted, sore, happy, and thankful — it felt like the perfect ending.
This was such a fantastic adventure, and without question, the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted.
I’ll have more thank-yous to share, because there are a LOT of people who helped make this happen. But for now, just know how much I appreciate every message, every honk, every wave, every donation, every person who showed up, and everyone who believed I could do this