Run Suspension

It is with great sadness and profound personal disappointment that I have to announce that MyRunAcrossAmerica has to be suspended. 

My shin/ankle injury is one that is going to take some real time to recover from.  I awoke this morning with continued swelling (albeit a bit less than yesterday's ugliness) and slow dull throbbing pain.  I put on an ankle brace and attempted to walk (painful but doable) and then attempted to jog slowly.  It was apparent within 500 feet that running on my leg was not going to be possible.  The docs that I have come into contact with have all mentioned weeks of staying off of it. 

Here is today's view...obviously, this is not what a normal human ankle should look like.

I kept hoping that somehow, I could defy gravity and keep the run going.  My thinking is probably like a lot of people..."rules only apply to others on this kind of stuff".  4-6 weeks of downtime?  Me?  Nope...1-2 days and I can beat this. 

On one hand, I feel like Evel Kneivel must have felt when the parachute deployed half way across his jump across the Snake River...embarassed, in denial and a bit like someone who belched out loud at a funeral.  I don't feel good as I write this.

On another hand, I feel positive.  I ran 50 miles a day 8 days out of the first 10 days on the road.  I was able to call attention to two great charities that called people's awareness to a level where they felt like donating.  Your donations totalled $9,000-ish.   I nearly made it across three states running.  I met some amazing and cool people like John/Melissa Teeples, the farmer on the Green Tractor, Susan Granger, Ian and John.  I am a better person for the last 16 days.  Really.

I have a ton of people to thank.  First John Garcia...your communications help has been spot on.  Carolyn Hardy...your amazing commitment of time, energy and thought to make MY dream come true makes you a friend for life.  Dr. Dave Albenberg, your friendship, medical advice and mental nudging was invaluable.  because of your efforts Dr. D, I lasted a week more than I probably had the right to.   Mark Nowling and John Glover at Charleston Bicycle Company...thanks for the support and use of CBC as a launch pad.  Germaine Ward, thanks for the food at send off!   Others to thank include Kristin Jiles, Bobbi Jo Price, Zucu Bermann and Judy Truong. 

I also want to thank Tom Spengler and Emery Jones of Granicus.  It is a rare occasion to get the support from an employer that I received from you both.  I appreciate it and will repay the favor.

I also want to thank and acknowledge Freedom is Not Free and Soles4Souls.  These are two charities that I can and will support in the future.   I especially want to call attention to our military people.  Our veterans deserve all of our awareness, attention and thanks.  There are people RIGHT NOW sitting in foxholes/behind sand bags away from family and friends, in miserable conditions...just to give us the safety and Freedom to do what we want to do on a daily basis.  I can attempt to run across the United States because of some the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who are out there putting it on the line every day.  Don't forget what is going on overseas and that someone is likely paying the ultimate sacrifice for each of us today.   

My biggest thanks go to my wife, father in law and mother in law.

My wife has put up with 16 months of training, every gripe I had about aching this or hurting that and the nastiest laundry ever.  She worked harder than I did to make this trip possible with no expectations or thoughts other than to be a great partner and friend to me.   I love my wife and appreciate her for all she has done.  I cannot say thank you enough.

My in-laws are also amazing and I appreciate them.  Imagine asking your in-laws to sit in a a chase vehicle or RV following you across the country at 6 miles per hour, working tirelessly every day to get stuff ready for the next day and then getting up and doing it all again.  I am in your debt Bill and Dee.   You are two really special people. 

Finally, thank you all for the support and well wishes along the way.  Most of you, I do not know personally.  However, you supported me the whole way.  I totally appreciate you and the energy you gave me on this effort.

You may have noticed I have used the word suspension in the blog post title.   This is carefully chosen.  I do plan on finishing this run in between my next work assignments.  It may be 18 months or 36 months or so from now, but I plan on coming to Demopolis, AL, smarter for what I have done so far and finishing this adventure. 

I will be taking this blog and my Facebook page down in 7 days.  I figure that should do it. 

Me?  For now?  I am going to meander west in the RV and think about that last 16 days...

Thanks.