Run Across America - 5th July - Day 22

Today started off with our usual routine of getting up at 6.30am and leaving the RV at 8am. I did find the first 21 miles very exhausting and I felt mentally drained, but I still got in the miles and even walked for 30 minutes so that I could get my head straight. Alex did join me for the first 10 miles before he had enough (he’s run over 60 miles for the trip). I was sticking to my usual routine of running 4 hours before taking a break for lunch, but this time I had a couple of sandwiches, a cup of tea and after one hour I moved on to complete the next 16 or so miles for the day. The afternoon session turned out to be the best. I took no music and I listened to the birds singing with the mountains joining in as well (it was so pleasant and peaceful). 

It all changed in the afternoon running session after visiting (by chance) a US post office as I have been searching for one the past three days, but because the route is so remote you don’t see many post offices in small towns. I entered the post office with just a few dollars and my gift of the gab when talking to people. I explained to the lady that I needed to send my little girl a birthday card (Poppy’s 1st birthday) as soon as possible as it’s in a few days time. The lady was very understanding and gave me a nice birthday card along with the stamps.  I wrote a little message inside that only Annie can read to Poppy on her birthday.    

The scenery in Utah is so beautiful, apart from the quad bikes that seem to have taken over the small towns with cars. Once you pass the towns you enter the Mountains either side of you and I can’t explain in words (look on the picture gallery). In the last three days I have run around 110 miles, which is nearly 16 miles over my planned mileage. Again I am planning to run 5 days of 40 miles with two half days of 20 miles each day. 

The team are all doing a grand job and just remember without them I won’t be able to complete this run across America. The plan was always for me to organise everything for the run (two years of planning) and then when in America the team would take over and control everything, whilst all I do is run. 
 
Artists of the day – Birds and Mountains in Utah singing to me 

Regards

Jackson and Team