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Day 1 - Mile Markers, Mile Markers!
By Scott | April 19, 2007
Day 1
Total Miles 30
Miles to go 450
Day one is in the books and I must say that I am encouraged!
The day begin later than many of the rest of the days on the trip will. Andy and I pigged out at the Country Kitchen in Gering before taking off for the border. Funny thing :-), he ate all of his and I didn’t! What’s up with the that? The Wyoming/Nebraska border consists of the obligatory Welcome to Nebraska and Welcome to Wyoming signs and The State Line “Gentleman’s” Club. We were warned about this in advance and took pains to avoid it. We were met at the border by two ladies, Joy and Erin from Scottsbluffs news stations. They joked that the State Line Club was kindly referred to as the State Line Bingo Parlor. We did a quick interview (NO, I do not have a future in television) and began the run promptly 10 minutes after 9.
Today dawned cloudy and windy. Last night the wind was blowing HARD out of the east. Not what I wanted to see. Lucky for me the wind shifted by this morning and it was blowing HARD out of the west. Just what I wanted. The clouds went away, but the wind never did, which was all right with me. In the excitement of getting started, the first 12 miles flew by and I found myself in Mitchell, about 14 miles from the border within 2 hours. I did eventually slow it down a little and found time to do an interview with KNEB 94.1 in Scottsbluff. Scottsbluff is about 7 miles from Mitchell depending on what side of town you measure it from. I had originally intended to stop the days run in Scottsbluff and call it a 21 mile day. By the time I hit the Bluffs, I was not ready to stop, so I continued on. Each mile marker was the next challenge. Mile marker 21 went by, then 22, then 25. I finally settled on 30 as the stopping point for the day. You’ve already noticed the title of this post, Mile Markers, Mile Markers!. I decided early in the run that I would high five every mile marker I came to. It provided me with some humor and a little incentive to get to the next point. I have to apologize to mile markers 1 and 19 for neglecting to high five them. If I ever do this again, I’ll be sure not to leave them out.
I feel very good after 30 miles, although I am under no illusions that I will feel this nice day after day, but am glad to have finished day one on a positive note.
Andy was extremely supportive and patient. I wouldn’t have expected any less and I am lucky to have him for the first leg of this trip.
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I want to thank everyone for their comments today. You don’t know how exciting it was to read your sometimes thoughtful and sometimes humorous words. I have to remark specifically about some comments I received today that really surprised me. I heard from at least 4 Boys Town Alumni. Their words to me basically summed up every reason for taking on this run. I am honored to have their respect and will add these to the mounting list of reasons to carry this through to the Missouri River.
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Topics: Landmark Run |
15 Responses to “Day 1 - Mile Markers, Mile Markers!”
Comments
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April 19th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Scotty,
Wow way to start your beautiful trek. I was thinking while reading your blog how parallel this journey is with Father Flanagan’s. Striving to tread where you have not been before yet always with your eyes fixed upon the ultimate goal….others. Healing and Helping hurting Boys and Girls…how profound. My, what a class act you are dear friend. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Praying for you,
Tami Peasinger
April 19th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Scott…Are you working on a new Land Speed Record. Smell some roses along the way young feller…or at least smell the feed lots…or some sage brush…something must be blooming along the Platte. Sounds like it was a GREAT DAY…here’s to many more. See ya Sunday!
Ron and Candy
April 19th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Scott - I thought about you quite a few times today and I am so glad that things went better than you anticipated. All of us at Girls and Boys Town are proud to work with you. High five a mile marker for me!
Judy
April 19th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Congratulations on making it through your first day Scooter:)) I’m sure Mile Marker 1 and 19 will forgive you…..here’s to many mile markers to come!!
Love You:)) Mellie
April 19th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Way to go Scott, 30 miles on your first day - what a great start! I am sooo looking forward to reading your hopefully daily blogs about your trip - how exciting!
April 19th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Scott,
You are the stomping grounds of my youth. My grandparents still live in Mitchell. My mom is a “Tiger.” I admire what you are doing–if you need more runners–send me word–i could hang with you after you’ve run several days.
Great work–keep up the positive attitude.
Marni
Scott,
I always think you (and Joe) are crazy for doing this sort of thing. But I love the fact that you have created something that sends such a positive message. This is truly inspirational. We’ll check in on you as you go.
May the trail be a smooth one,
Dan
April 20th, 2007 at 5:55 am
Hey Scott, here’s another challenge for you. See if you can count how many stripes there are on the highway between each mile marker. I’ve always wondered this, but never took the time to try and count them.
Anyhow, good luck and keep counting those mile markers.
BTW, my granddaughter wanted to know how many mile markers you had to count during the first 30 miles?
April 20th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Scott,
I just heard about your landmark run. What an excellent way to use your love of running to show your love for kids. What a great way to show kids how they to can show support for what they believe in such a positive way.
Good luck
Pete
April 20th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Good Morning Scott,
Since you are a collector of wise sayings, here are two that made me think of your choice of journeys:
The princes among us are those who forget themselves and serve mankind. -Woodrow Wilson
The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live. -Ethel Percy Andrus
God bless you and thank you for your spirit, heart - and strong legs!
April 20th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Hey Scott, Will be following you from my home in southern Illinos - wishing I could be doing some of the run with you; but then when you get to be an old man you may not jump out there so fast. Good lucky, stay postive, and may the roadway be clear.
God Bless
April 20th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Scott; Keep up the good run.Congratulations on your first 30 miles. All of the Alumni our behind you 100%.
Bob Curtin “58″
April 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Hey Scott:
Keep up the good work! What you are doing is amazing and we are all behind you. I’ll keep checking the blog to hear about your experience. Ride the wind!!!
Nick
April 20th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Scott-
Thinking of you as you run and looking forward to hearing of your experiences through your daily entries.
You are an excellent model of the kind of spirit we are trying to instill in children (and the adults who work with them) around the country. Thank you for that.
Hoping the weather holds for you and that the miles continue to fly by.
Denise
NRTC-Ed. Training
April 20th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Whoo Dad! Keep up the good work! I’m spending my days in training to run 5 whole miles with you next weekend, so be ready!
Love you Daddd
Have fun!
Jordo
April 20th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Scott keep the wind at your back and the vision in front of you.
Ron Fisher ‘57