Run Across America - Day 1
The day started off early, this is what 2 years of planning and preparation had finally come to, day 1 of the run across America. We got to Huntington Beach early at about 8 am, the weather was overcast which was a good sign with the temperature being so low, especially in California unfortunately this was only to last a few hours. We got some photos in the Pacific Ocean to mark the starting point of the run; we lent the camera to a guy on the beach and asked if he could take some photos of the team. We thought he didn’t know how to work it and we stood there with our best photo faces on for about 5 minutes. When he gave the camera back he had taken about 50 photos and gave us his card as well, turns out he was a professional photographer.
I lined up at the start point on the corner of beach boulevard and Pacific coast highway, the official race start line for the 2004 race, I was trying to put myself in Bob Brown’s shoes, the winner of the 2004 race, trying to get myself into his frame of mind. Setting off at 8:30 with Natasha my masseuse the first few hours were a gentle jog just to get familiar with the surroundings. After hearing so many stories about LA and some of the bad things that have happened there the apprehension began to build and I believed the stories, but never judge its book by the cover as they say.
The first day of the run was exciting for the first few hours until the heat suddenly appeared and the true California weather came out and over the course of the day the temperature rose to nearly 95 Degrees Fahrenheit, which coming from England is hot.
The day finished with the completion of my first 32 miles on the clock, with only 3062 miles left before arriving in New York.
Over the last few days whilst I had been preparing for the big day my team was getting everything organised regarding directing, motor home and a few more logistics, where all I had to do was run.
With day one complete I would like to give a big thankyou to my team for agreeing to be part of this amazing adventure. We all miss our families but it’s going to be worth it when October finally arrives.
Please keep checking out the run across America blog throughout the next three months.
Artist of the day: Razorlight
From: Huntington Beach, Ca – Rowland Heights, Ca
Jackson and Team