Return to the Road
By Scott | October 20, 2007
Today… actually last night marked my return to the road after nearly six months away. I have to say that I feel well at this point and am looking forward to the next few days. I spent the day in Kearney yesterday watching my daughter and her teammates run at the state country meet. That, in itself made the trip west of Omaha worth it. There is simply nothing like the thrill of watching one of your kids giving their all and doing the best that THEY can. I have never been one to dwell on winning or placing, only giving everything you have in whatever pursuit you choose.
Following the day at the meet, we ate a hearty meal at Skeeter Barnes in Kearney and my mother Jane and I left for Gothenburg. In April, I had stopped just west of Gothenburg. Rather than start outside of town this morning, I decided to put in five “quick” miles in the dark to the other side of Gothenburg before calling it a day and resting at my gracious hosts for the second time on the run. Dan and Sharise Scherer are teachers at Gothenburg High School. The only complaint I have about staying with them is that they make it wayyyy too hard want to get up and run in the morning.
Todays run took me through Cozad, home of the Haymakers and the 100th Meridian. The 100th longitudinal line west of Greenwich was the first major goal set by Congress in building the first transcontinental railroad and is also recognized as the natural demarcation of east and west. The challenge today was to run/walk, not run. I handled the task quite well, although it took me a while to decide that I didn’t mind. There is a small pride factor that kicks in when I choose to walk initially and I have to learn to stifle it. The objective is to finish, not make it a few days down the road and break down. I finished the day on the east edge of Lexington a little stiff, a lot tired, and very happy to have started again.
Tomorrow, I’ll move on toward Odessa. One day down, just a few more to go.
Thanks again for your support. Don’t forget to keep the kids of Girls and Boys Town in your prayers.
Topics: Landmark Run | 9 Comments »
Here We Go Again!
By Scott | October 14, 2007
It has been nearly six months since I last wrote about the Landmark Run. I want to return to a statement I made in my last post on April 29:
“This is not a failure and I am not quitting, of that you can be sure.”
Beginning Saturday, October 20, I intend to finish what I started. The run will resume just outside of Gothenburg, NE and will cover roughly 240 miles from Gothenburg to the Missouri River in Omaha. The intention this time around is to be a little more wise and take it a little slower and bite off smaller chunks of mileage each day. Completing the run will still be a daunting task and I will still need to complete 24-27 miles a day to see to it that the finish becomes reality.
Many people have asked me if I plan to start at the beginning. The short answer is, no. Not because I don’t want to, but because it simply is not feasible to do so. The combination of family, work, and vacation time do not make it possible to return to Henry, NE to start again. The important thing for me, and you to remember, is that this is as much about finishing what I started and fulfilling a promise to myself, my kids, my family, and the kids at Girls and Boys Town.
There will come a day when I will get the opportunity to do this again and I will take all of the lessons learned and apply them to the next venture. Until then I will be content to run what is left of the state.
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A request
I have chosen to do the second leg of the trip without the comforts and conveniences of the first leg. I have not arranged for any lodging and will take with me what food and water I need to make it from stop to stop. This being said, I would be open to any available lodging and transportation to and from the beginning and ending points each day. One thing I learned on the first stretch is that the people of Nebraska will come to your help in a time of need. I will simply put myself at your mercy and let the rest take care of itself. If you or anyone you know would be able to provide a nights rest and/or transportation at the beginning and end of the day, please contact me using the Contact Scott at the top of the page.
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Supporters and Words of Support
I have continued to receive encouragement since April and wanted to share a photo and letter with you.
Summer reunion of Hastings High Class of 1964 graduates in their Landmark Run t-shirts.
Letter of a Girls and Boys Town Youth:
I received hundreds of letters like this. It is easy to understand why quitting is simply not an option when you read these.
Dear Scott Giddings,
I am a Boys Town youth here who has had my fair share of struggles in the past. I have also struggled here while at Boys Town. When I first got here and struggled to accept that this is the best place for me. After seeing and hearing from your letters and what you are trying to accomplish, I have realized that this is a good place to be at. Anyway, I would just like to thank you for helping me to realize that and hope you the best on your journeys. I will be keeping you in my prayers and be encouraging you all the way.
Sincerely,
(Name withheld)
PS. I would also like to thank you just for doing this. It helps other kids know that there is a place they can be safe.
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And one more snippet from a another Girls and Boys Town youth:
Mother Theresa once said:
“Each one of us is a drop in the ocean, but if that drop were anywhere else it would be missed”
Now, I had to think about this for a minute, so I finally looked up Mother Theresa quotes to find the following:
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop”
What impressed me about all of the letters is just how much our kids want and need to have a voice and be appreciated. The fact that one kid chose to pass this on to me, tells me how much they have to offer. When we feel like our roles on earth are insignificant, we need to stop and remember that we all have a role that contributes to making this a better place. We can choose how we fulfill that role.
Topics: Landmark Run | 5 Comments »
Day 9, 10, and 11 - The Run on Hold
By Scott | April 29, 2007
232 miles run so far.
As most of you that have been following the run to this point are aware, I have been trying to get through some pretty severe (to me) pain in my lower left leg. I don’t know if it is simply a horrible shin splint, tendinitis, or some other undesirable injury. What I do know is that after a few short and one full rest day that this is not something that is going to go away in one or two days time. I am currently back home in Omaha and will be at work tomorrow to talk about the possible approaches to finishing up the run. While my hope was to complete this in a more traditional sense by going day after day, mile after mile until I finished, it has slowly become a reality that it will not happen this way. Of course, one could say, “What in the world is traditional about running 480 miles across a state?”, and I would not be able to argue that point. One thing I can promise is that it WILL happen. I’ve said it too many times in the last week and a half that sometimes we have to adjust to life’s curve balls and that is what I intend to do. My father Jack has also so wisely pointed out my own words to the Girls and Boys Town kids, that life is a marathon, not a sprint. It is an awful big piece of humble pie we have to swallow sometimes.
Just before leaving Hastings for Omaha tonight, I received a package of letters from some Girls and Boys Town kids. The timing was perfect considering I was heading for home in a matter of minutes and the reason why. For a guy who has spent the better part of today thinking I am letting people down, the letters only helped to strengthen my resolve to finish what I started. They also showed me once again, just how important the work is that is being done at Girls and Boys Town. I continue to be humbled by our roles in this world and just what it is that we are here for.
This is not a failure and I am not quitting, of that you can be sure.
Thank you to everyone who has shown such support and encouragement to this point. I hope you will stay in touch for more information on the completion of the run. Please, if you do nothing else, continue to follow the mission of Girls and Boys Town and if you are in Omaha, stop by the campus and see for yourself first hand the work that is being done.
Scott
Topics: Landmark Run | 25 Comments »
Day 7 and 8 - Patience and Adaptation
By Scott | April 26, 2007
Day 7
Miles Ran(Walked) 19-20
Total Miles 205
Miles to Go 275
Day 8
Miles Walked 6
Total Miles 211
Miles to Go 269
No Journal entry last night. Were you worried? I didn’t have internet access last night, so you had to wait until today to hear from me. Probably not a bad thing in some circles.
Are you noticing a trend here? I am! I could tell you how frustrating it is, but hey, why would I do that? I have a mission to accomplish, and as I’ve said before, sometimes you have to adapt to the situation at hand. That is what I plan to do. Up until now I’ve been able to hang on to the great feeling of having zero no mileage days in the run despite heavy rain, high winds, and the now too familiar to me pain in my lower left leg. In the past day I have been to Urgent Care in North Platte and Dr. Doug Askey, a chiropractor in Hastings. I am just as confident now as I was in the beginning of the run that it will finish successfully, just not on schedule. When I thought about doing this unsupported, that means no help from anyone, I never took the time to think about the impact that so many people would have on me and the impending success of this run. People, from Girls and Boys Town, local news media, new friends I’ve met along the way, passing cars and their honks, doctors, chiropractors etc. have been and are a part of my desire to succeed at this. I am not injured! I am very sore! Two completely different things. I AM taking an unplanned day off tomorrow, which I will use to ice my sore leg and catch up on sleep, AGAIN. It’s only been eight days and I am learning very slowly the absolute necessity patience plays in any part of life, let alone a 480 mile jog across Nebraska.
To any Girls and Boys Town kids who may be following this run. I, as a 38 year old adult am learning along with you that good things DO NOT always come easy. We all face our challenges, some of them self-imposed, but once we face those challenges, the only thing to do is press on, not run away from them. Stay strong, be positive, give back and you will never look at life or people the same way. I promise. You are never too young to start learning and never too old to stop.
I have received numerous requests from people wanting to come run with me or know when I will be in a certain town or area. I have tried to stay in contact, but know that I have missed some in the process. For that I apologize. I hope you will be able to continue following the run and the map at the Girls and Boys Town Landmark Run site and will be able to drop by and say hello.
Here is a link to the radio interview I did with KOGA 94.1 FM in Ogallala a few days ago.
And one to an article in the North Platte Telegraph
Please stay tuned. I hope to be making reasonable progress again very soon. Thanks, Scott
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Topics: Landmark Run | 13 Comments »
Day 6 - Rough Weather
By Scott | April 24, 2007
Day 6
Miles Ran (walked) today 7
Total Miles 185
Miles to Go 295
Periods of rain and thunderstorms before 1pm, then periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. High near 50. Windy, with a east northeast wind between 30 and 32 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
After reading this, you can probably guess where I am right now. You guessed correctly. I am in my hotel room in North Platte watching the flags try to hang on to their poles. I got a 7 am start and managed to lug 7 miles before the rain and wind became too much. After some careful self evaluation and a check of the forecast for the rest of the day, I decided to call it quits for today. I’ve been experiencing some pain in my lower left leg, so if there is any such thing as perfect timing for severe weather, today was it. The plan for the rest of the day is to rest, relax, eat, rest, relax, eat, and top it all off with a massage tonight.
I cannot express what your words this morning have done for me and my resolve to finish this run, whether it is on May 3 or May 13th. You should know that by YOUR actions YOU are also teaching and showing everyone reading this blog what is so special about Girls and Boys Town. Yesterday, I asked to hear from Family Teachers and boy did they respond today. I am losing count of the number of Girls and Boys Town employees that have sent words of motivation, humor, and encouragement. I thought I would share some them. Every comment is special and comes from the heart of the person(s) that sent it.
From a former Boys Town Youth
“The best way to deal with what lies ahead is to roll up our sleeves and face it head on. No more buck passing or scape-goating. No more glossing over or covering up. No more games. We need to confront our mountain one step at a time, one day at a time; this is what you are saying to each and every kid who is thinking of quiting. Thanks Scott.”
From Girls and Boys Town Family Teachers
“You are truly an inspiration, not only to all of our youth here at Girls and Boys Town, but also to all of us Family Teachers! Thank you for reminding all of us, that when things get tough, God can and will give us the strength to continue if we are willing! We pray that God will give you strength and put His arms of protection around you as you continue on this grand journey!”
More Family Teacher Comments:
“Our family is amazed at what you are doing. We have a house full of runners. One of our girls has a great chance at making state in the mile and two mile. We hope that your day goes better today, even though the rain will be difficult. Just keep running and thinking of all the kids that are pulling for you.”
Quote Sent From a Co-Worker
“That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.â€
Abraham Lincoln
I have received many quotes. Some I’ve seen, others are new to me. I have loved every one of them. When I have time, I am going to try to compile all of them for a quote update post.
From Josh Mackey of KOGA 94.1 in Ogallala
“Keep your head up and stay strong. Your passion for this run, for Girls and Boys Town, and for your family really shined through this morning on the radio. I only hope you and others can see that the feat of running from Henry to North Platte in 5 days is an amazing accomplishment. Let the good thoughts of others rinse the struggle from you, and be sure to keep the ice on. KOGA country is pulling for you. ”
There have been so many more, I wish I could take the time to thank every one of you personally. I hope this suffices. One of my other reasons for doing this run was so that I could learn more about Girls and Boys Town. Too often, we come to work, grab our paychecks and go home. I can’t begin to say how much the continuing support has taught me. It is very humbling and only goes to show how much there is to be learned from others.
I’ll leave you with one more quote which I think is very appropriate considering the last couple of days. It is from my friend Ron Richards, one of the single biggest supporters of this run. I am lucky to have met Ron and his wife Candy.
We had an interview with the North Platte Telegraph yesterday Here is a link to a nice article.
“Things that were hard to bear are sweet to rememberâ€
Seneca
How true…
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Donate to the the Girls and Boys Town After Care Program
Purchase a Landmark Run t-shirt
Topics: Landmark Run | 19 Comments »
Day 5 - Some Days Are A Struggle
By Scott | April 23, 2007
Day 5
Miles Ran Today 32
Total Miles Run 178
Miles To Go 301.5
Well, as the title suggests, today was a struggle, mentally and physically. I will tell you this much, I am bent but not broken. As with all things in life, you cannot expect everything to go your way, every minute of every day or every day of every year. The important thing is to adjust and keep plugging away. Today was easily the most taxing of the run. The wind blew consistently out of the east, southeast all day. Wind gusts managed to be get above 30 quite frequently which made things challenging all day. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some great days so far, and it looks like tomorrow and Wednesday will present their own challenges. I will keep moving down the road one foot in front of the other with the sole intent of completing this journey, regardless of any preset schedule.
I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming.
Calling all Girls and Boys Town Family Teachers. I would love to hear from you and your families.
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Donate to the the Girls and Boys Town After Care Program
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Topics: Landmark Run | 49 Comments »
Day 4 - Windlass Hill and Big Mac
By Scott | April 22, 2007
Day 4
Miles Ran Today 40
Total Miles Run 146
Miles to Go 333.5
I am going to make tonight another short update. I can tell you that today was the best day of the run so far. I began the morning a little hesitant. My body was aching and I was really worried what signs might pop up to say “Scott, you should stop.” . That moment never came. In fact, what happened is that I felt better with each passing step. I can’t explain it, but I did. That’s not to say that I wasn’t tired when the day was done or that I didn’t have some walk breaks. I just felt rejuvenated. Maybe it was the spectacular views from the west end of Lake McConaughy, the Garden County Nature Preserve, the Platte River with water in it, Ash Hollow, Windlass Hill, the rolling hills heading east toward Ogallala. I’m not sure which it was or whether I’m adapting after four days of long miles. Regardless, I am happy and encouraged after todays run.
Tonight we are staying at Ron and Candy Richards in Big Springs. Words cannot explain how good it feels to be in a home and not the confines of a hotel. We were also fortunate enough to meet Brian, Nancy, Lindsay and Grace, friends of Ron and Candy’s. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to stay here and am only saddened that it couldn’t be longer, but i have miles to run and a mission to accomplish.
Until Next time….
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Topics: Landmark Run | 16 Comments »
Day 3 - Stunning Views
By Scott | April 21, 2007
Day 3
Miles Ran 36.5
Miles to Go 373.5
There isn’t much of an update tonight. Today was nearly perfect for running. We passed through the towns of Broadwater, Lisco, and Oshkosh. Lunch was a delicious hamburger, mashed potatoes and white gravy over Texas toast at the Roost in Lisco. Mmm mmm good!
The scenery today was far and away the best of the trip. Beautiful rolling landscapes, sandstone bluffs north of Highway 26 and the Platte River Valley south of the highway.
The forecast for the area the next few days is pretty shaky. We’ll take each day as it comes and accomplish as mush as possible without compromising our safety. I will keep you updated.
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Topics: Landmark Run | 7 Comments »
Day 2 - Uncharted Territory
By Scott | April 20, 2007
Day 2
Miles Ran 40
Miles to go 410
Today was another good day. Andy and I left a little earlier in order to achieve a 7:30 am start back at mile 30. The vast majority of todays run was spent on Highway 92. Highway 26 and 92 make up the Western Trails Scenic Byway.
The trip today took us by the first of the Landmarks that make up our Landmark Run, Chimney Rock, near Bayard. The views of Western Nebraska are nothing short of extraordinary.
Reaching Chimney Rock was obviously one highlight today. Today also brought an increase in friendly honks, you know the beep beep and wave kinds. Not the blaring last second horn that scares the pants off of you. I imagine the honks were largely a result of the radio coverage yesterday and a front page story in the Scottsbluff Star-Herald. The run was also profiled in the Omaha World-Herald. A few miles past Chimney Rock I came up on a waiting Andy and an strange Ford Explorer. My first concern was that we were in trouble. As I got closer, I realized it was two people stopped to talk. Jay and Nathan from North Platte. The two of them were travelling to Scottsbluff, heard about the run on the radio They had even seen us earlier in the morning and decided to stop if they saw us on the way back to North Platte. Jay is in training for a half Ironman triathlon that takes place in two weeks and the Ironman later in the year, said he had to meet the guy doing this run. What a boost it was to hear that. We talked for a while before getting his phone number. Hopefully we’ll be able to hook up again in a few days while travelling through North Platte and he’ll be able to join me for a few
miles.
We had a similar experience in Bridgeport this afternoon when we wer fortunate enought to meet the Rodysill’s from Central City. We were sitting outside a Cenex station when Mr. Rodysill struck up a conversation with Andy. We had an excellent conversation with them and did exactly what the run is intended to do. Put a face to the mission of Girls and Boys Town.
The run today took us through the towns of Melbeta, McGrew, and Bridgeport. The original schedule had me stopping for the day in Bridgeport for the day, but with a chance of thunderstorms and a 44 mile day looming tomorrow, I chose to continue on toward Oshkosh. I added another 8-9 miles after scarfing down a double cheeseburger, fries, and two Pepsi’s. Believe it or not, the food was just what the doctor ordered and did wonders for getting me to 40 miles for the day and 70 for the trip. Tomorrow will be no cake walk at 35+ miles, but it will be much more bearable now than it was at the start of the day today.
The weather was beautiful today with temps in the 70’s and a slight head wind which served to cool me off.
As I sit writing this journal entry I have two big bags of ice on my legs. I’m not hurt just tired and you can bet that tomorrow I’ll be back mile marker 70 to start the day.
Thanks for the continuing well wishes and the support of Girls and Boys Town. Til next time…
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Donate to the the Girls and Boys Town After Care Program
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Topics: Landmark Run | 16 Comments »
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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Donate to the the Girls and Boys Town After Care Program
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Topics: Landmark Run | 15 Comments »