(beyond) Twentynine Palms, CA to (really beyond) Twentynine Palms, CA
Today: 34 miles / Total: 237 miles
Today: 34 miles / Total: 237 miles
Guest blogger: Mike Sheehy
Today, the Cures Rock! Tour really ran deeper into the desert along Hwy 62. It was very interesting to spend the day looking ahead and seeing the road I was going to run on over the next five to ten miles. You can just see forever. The desert was very peaceful and tranquil. But, to be very honest, the terrain never really changed. We had the road to ourselves most of the day, so that was nice. (We were very careful not to get complacent and unsafe! You will hear how later.) The scenery was interesting, and it is a real treat to experience California one step at a time.
One of the things people have asked me, “What does it feel like to start an ultra-marathon everyday?” Honestly, very scary! No joke. Every evening around 7:00 pm, I get the nervous feeling. I have to lay out my clothes for the next day, prep my water bottles and get everything together for my support bag. Then every morning feels like a race day. I know, this is not a race, but it feels that way. Anxiety is high, mind is screaming, legs are shaking, and I am thinking….”What am I doing?” Then I stand on the chalk line that marks the endpoint of the previous day. Someone yells “Let’s go!” and I take off. 
Within steps, that running calm comes over me, and I fall into that normal, comfortable rhythm. I am also reminded of why we are out here…to inspire folks to donate money to find a cure, to create awareness in their own unique way and to make a difference in their community. Then the miles melt away! [OK…maybe not “melt,” they sort of slowly fade away over 6 – 7 hours.] So, for all you new runners out there, that feeling never goes away at the beginning of a run.
The “Live Life to the Ultra” moment today was when I returned back to the Holiday Inn Express in Twentynine Palms, CA. When I walked in the door of the hotel, the manager stopped me, asked about today’s run and general other topics. He then handed me a card from the staff. The entire staff was so excited about what the Cures Rock! Tour is doing, they signed a card for us to remember our stay with them. It is amazing the warm and friendly reception we are getting everywhere we go! Everyone continues to encourage us to keep going and keep making a difference in the communities along the way.
Tonight’s song is Wild Thing by the Troggs, and it is going out to Wild Bill and his truck! As many of you know, safety is critical to the Cures Rock! Tour. Running on any highway is dangerous and even crazier on the backroads of California. So, to keep us extra safe today, Wild Bill followed a little distance back from us runners and gave us a heads up when any vehicle was a quarter mile from us in either direction. This gave us plenty of time to move off safely and ensured today was a success and no vehicles were harmed by our rock hard Cures Rock! bodies. Thanks again, Wild Bill for the rear security!
Tomorrow, we continue on Highway 62 and will end a little past Rice, CA. The total distance will be 33 miles. We will cross the 250 mile marker!
Keep sending us your love and comments! Keep spreading the awareness of the Cures Rock! Tour and remind everyone you can to donate.
Good night, Jackson!
Today, the Cures Rock! Tour really ran deeper into the desert along Hwy 62. It was very interesting to spend the day looking ahead and seeing the road I was going to run on over the next five to ten miles. You can just see forever. The desert was very peaceful and tranquil. But, to be very honest, the terrain never really changed. We had the road to ourselves most of the day, so that was nice. (We were very careful not to get complacent and unsafe! You will hear how later.) The scenery was interesting, and it is a real treat to experience California one step at a time.
One of the things people have asked me, “What does it feel like to start an ultra-marathon everyday?” Honestly, very scary! No joke. Every evening around 7:00 pm, I get the nervous feeling. I have to lay out my clothes for the next day, prep my water bottles and get everything together for my support bag. Then every morning feels like a race day. I know, this is not a race, but it feels that way. Anxiety is high, mind is screaming, legs are shaking, and I am thinking….”What am I doing?” Then I stand on the chalk line that marks the endpoint of the previous day. Someone yells “Let’s go!” and I take off. 
Within steps, that running calm comes over me, and I fall into that normal, comfortable rhythm. I am also reminded of why we are out here…to inspire folks to donate money to find a cure, to create awareness in their own unique way and to make a difference in their community. Then the miles melt away! [OK…maybe not “melt,” they sort of slowly fade away over 6 – 7 hours.] So, for all you new runners out there, that feeling never goes away at the beginning of a run.The “Live Life to the Ultra” moment today was when I returned back to the Holiday Inn Express in Twentynine Palms, CA. When I walked in the door of the hotel, the manager stopped me, asked about today’s run and general other topics. He then handed me a card from the staff. The entire staff was so excited about what the Cures Rock! Tour is doing, they signed a card for us to remember our stay with them. It is amazing the warm and friendly reception we are getting everywhere we go! Everyone continues to encourage us to keep going and keep making a difference in the communities along the way.
Tonight’s song is Wild Thing by the Troggs, and it is going out to Wild Bill and his truck! As many of you know, safety is critical to the Cures Rock! Tour. Running on any highway is dangerous and even crazier on the backroads of California. So, to keep us extra safe today, Wild Bill followed a little distance back from us runners and gave us a heads up when any vehicle was a quarter mile from us in either direction. This gave us plenty of time to move off safely and ensured today was a success and no vehicles were harmed by our rock hard Cures Rock! bodies. Thanks again, Wild Bill for the rear security!
Tomorrow, we continue on Highway 62 and will end a little past Rice, CA. The total distance will be 33 miles. We will cross the 250 mile marker!
Keep sending us your love and comments! Keep spreading the awareness of the Cures Rock! Tour and remind everyone you can to donate.
Good night, Jackson!
Pictured:
1. Running along remote CA-62
2. Mike Sheehy & Suzanne pound the pavement through the desert
3. Mike shows the picture of Jason O' Hara, a 9 yr. old leukemia survivor the Cures Rock! Team visited in San Diego. He wore it to remind himself why he was running and that he wasn't on those long roads alone.
Posts
Another day down and another inspiring story. Can't wait to hit the pavement with you Saturday!
ReplyDeleteGreat work! You are all my inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across San Diego County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Arizona. And that's what I did.
ReplyDeleterun mike run!!
we're all thinking about you ... sending lots of good thoughts your way.
Keep rockin' it Mike and Cures Rock! Team!!! It's awesome to see how many people you're encouraging and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day of running Mike. You inspire me daily to get better and fight back. Thanks for your encouragement and dedication. Kick cancers Butt!!!
ReplyDeleteLyndsay Nishioka (leukemia and BMT survivor)
Wow, that desert looks like a long way to go. I bet that every little landmark stands out as the miles go by. What's going through your head, Mike?? :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the work so far, you are doing fantastic!
Tony B.
I am just in awe every time I read an update! I don't even know how to put into words how I feel about you all and what you are doing. I just want to say I feel privileged to have met and spent time (albeit too short) with some of you on the team. Jules, you'll always hold a very special place in my heart for being the amazing, inspiring survivor that you are. Mike, I love that you have the strength and tenacity to make such a crazy-awesome idea possible. Coach Bill and Cyndy... as always, you are there, supporting, encouraging... making dreams possible. And everyone else I didn't mention- it's so obvious how much hard work and heart you're putting into this endeavor. I hope this doesn't sound trite, but, I am so proud of every single one of you!
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs from Virginia, Amy Beaulieu
In the movie "Groundhog Day," Bill Murray gets up and lives the same day over and over again. Yet every day is different, because every day he is different. Every day he learns and grows, and even his smallest discoveries have a ripple effect on those around him. If you think for a minute that all of those miles look the same, that it's nothing more than "left, right, left, right, breathe," then please think again. Every day, with every step you take, you touch our hearts, touch our lives, and change the world.
ReplyDeleteSending you bushels of love, admiration, and respect :-)
Love, Gail
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just want to see your blog posts reach every people so that it would stay as a great inspiration to people.
Thanks for sharing.