Day 4 - Girl Power

To be honest, I don't like the term "Girl Power". Seems polarizing to me. Why not just "People Power"? You can trust that I'm not trying to be P.C. here, I'm just saying that there are plenty of people, men & women alike, that are real heroes. However, at the risk of contradicting myself here, there may be some times when the term "Girl Power" is appropriate.

I'm going to be "flying solo" for a good stretch of this mornings running. Lauren is headed down the road ahead to pick up support crew member Charlie Holyfield. However, Lauren prepared a nice surprise for me last night. She's going to let me borrow her precious iPod to keep me company and even created a custom play list, just for me :)
What's more, the iPod just so happens to be pink. MO-AR TREK is all about Girls on the Run. I don't believe it's a coincidence that this MP3 player is pink ;) Therefore, I have no shame in saying I could use the Girl Power today.

And, in keeping with my thoughts earlier, in this note: HERE'S TO GIRL POWER!

Jason

Day 3 - 36.60 Miles - Leasburg, MO to Newburg, MO

A friend told me that it "really flattens out" on this route after about 90 miles. In this picture to the right I'm well past the 90-mile mark. Maybe the person that told me this made a better choice on alternative roads?

At any rate, I'm still feeling pretty good, save for a little "twinge" on the left front of my leg that I seem to have mostly worked out & under control tonight. Not that I'm charging really hard, but I do feel happy about my pace so far. For "fast" runners the 110 miles covered so far hasn't been fast at all, but hey, this isn't a race and I'm having a great time! Plus I'm just a normal person - anyone with the will to try could do this - honest. Also, I haven't made it to AR just yet.

The going does get tough. Thinking you have an entire day of running solo and only interacting with "civilization" for very brief periods. All you get is to run by the van to snag a PB & honey sandwich and a quick word of encouragment. The "boosts" are fleeting at times.

But this lifted my spirits: Much to my surprise, a guardian angel showed up at about mile 6 this morning (vicious dog savior) - my friend & nutritionist (in that order), Lisa! Lisa really did save me from a dog trying to cross the street and go at me by blocking it with her car and gently beeping her horn. Worked like a charm, and I have the absence of bite marks to prove it. Thanks Lisa - you happened to show up in the nic of time! Lisa then parked her car and rode next to me on her bike for 6 miles and then we parted ways, but great to have her out for the short time that I did.

Another crewmember joined the efforts - my step-mom Peggy! She even covered a mile with me near the end of today's run! It was a nice addition to the day as well. Peggy has great taste in food & music - perfect for a support crew member. Peggy was only with us for today, but was a HUGE boost for me and Lauren. Thanks Peg!

From left to right: Lisa, Jason & Peggy

Lauren and I are joined tomorrow by the Ragin' Cajun, my step-dad Charlie, for 3 days starting in the morning. It's going to be fun for sure. Charlie has never met a stranger and is just the type you want rolling through tiny towns in rural Missouri scaring the locals.

To date most observers of the MO-AR TREK have contended that I am the crazy one on this journey. I'll be happy to be relieved of that distinction for the 3 days Charlie is crewing, because he's absolutely NUTS. I mean that in the best way possible Charlie ;) I’m looking forward to some good jokes.

Ok, going to rest up for the night and hope for the best tomorrow. Thanks for tuning in everyone and for all of your encouraging comments here. While I can't feasibly respond to all of them, I can promise you I read each and every one of them. They help a TON.

Jason

P.S. Along with forecated temperatures for the rest of the week, donations are really on the rise. We’ve eclipsed $5,500 already, all for Girls on the Run in Missouri – way to go everyone!

100 miles and still going

Day 3 brought us through some pretty small towns in Central Missouri. Unfortunately that meant my internet signal went ka-put. We're back online now so here are the updates. Peggy and I resisted the urge to detour to the winery and we couldn't find the guy with the mojitos in Cuba. The hills kept rolling and Jason kept running.

Jason hit a HUGE milestone running his 100th mile of the trek. Check out the video. Thanks to the guidance of his nutritionists, Lisa and Brooke, he's doing a great job of keeping hydrated and fueled.

We finished today just south of a small town called Newburg. It's beautiful country out here.

We'll get a good meal tonight and then a good night's sleep and be back at it again tomorrow.

Day 3 - Press on...

The rain has moved through so we're looking at a dry day today. The wind is whipping quite a bit but the temperature is great. Jason's stepmom, Peggy, is going the support crew today! Jason is moving through Cuba this morning (mojitos anyone?) then on to the winery town of St. James. This will be a test of willpower for me and Peggy.

Day 2 - 38.08 miles - Union, MO to Leasburg, MO

Day 2 went better than expected. It's hard to know how the body will react to the run from the previous day if you've never stacked serious mileage together like this before. I haven't, so I was surprised (not to mention, DELIGHTED) to post a much quicker time for more mileage today. Today was also much more hilly and a climb virtually all day, but I felt good, so I just went with it.

Lauren and I were on our own for the first 27 miles, but Wayne (who is my running buddy) joined to finish today's run at that point. As Lauren mentioned in a previous post, it was a big boost. Not long after, our friend Jeremiah joined us on his bike. Another good boost. I can't thank these two enough for the support they've offered over the last 2 days (and well before that, now that I think about it).

Day 3 will likely be a solo endeavor from a running standpoint, but I'll have Lauren and a new addition to the crew, my step-mom Peggy! I'll definitely post a picture so you all can "meet" her. So, I'm really looking forward to day 3.

I need to rest a bit, but you can bet I'll be keeping an eye on the St. Louis Blues game tonight. They are in the first round of the playoffs and the formidable Vancouver Canucks have been pushing my Blues around. Tonight they are back in St. Louis and really need a win - go BLUES!

I'll be going again tomorrow and the planned route should take us from Union , MO to Leasburg , MO.

See you all down the road,

Jason

Bourbon, MO

Jason passed the marathon mark here on Day 2. He says he's getting tired but Wayne just joined him to finish the day so that's a boost. Thanks Wayne! Jeremiah isn't far behind on his bike. We'll have another strong finish.

Mile 19 Day 2

We made it to Sherwood Forest but no sign of Robin Hood or his merry men.