I rode until about 11:00 last night. It was awesome. For a change I had a big shoulder on the side of the road so I didn’t feel like an 18 wheeler would take me out at any time. I also ran some miles yesterday and it felt pretty good. I am very anxious to run more but I can clearly see and feel that I am not healed yet. For a change, I am trying to be smart and patient.
I am sitting here on the bed in the Super 8, enjoying my Vitamix smoothie and drinking some Peets Coffee. I have been using a huge amount of MISSION PRODUCT ANTI FRICTION because sitting on a bike seat is not always comfortable. I just got a new shipment of shoes and clothes from CHAMPS, sunglasses from WILEYX, and some new t-shirts from AXA. I used to drive 200 miles to a 10k running race if they had a good t-shirt, so this is like Christmas every day.
This morning is rainy and cold. I am in Ft Wayne, Indiana and on my way to meet with another big school group at New Haven Middle School. Running outside will be tough today because of the weather so we will have to improvise. Somehow I don’t think that adaptation to change will be too tough for these kids. Their entire lives have been an exercise in meeting new challenges.
I have one more big school gathering on Monday in Mansfield, Ohio. The folks from the New 2 You organization will be there and I am so excited to finally meet them in person. We have been working together for more than a year but always on the phone and computer. After that gathering, I will get on the bike and make a hard charge to the finish in New York. My original goal was to finish on or about October 28th and I would still like to meet that goal. I am biking, not running but the drive to finish on my own terms is still there.
This has been a very challenging expedition for many reasons. Physically and emotionally. But we are in the final days and everyone is just trying to hang on and get to New York. Marshall is doing well and seems strong. We don’t spend much time together but I always know where he is. When Marshall finishes in New York, it won’t feel the same for me of course but it will allow me to close the book on this chapter and start to look forward to what’s next.
Charlie
What a journey you have had. Good luck on these last four days. Make it a good last chapter, you are certainly worth it Charlie. Be safe. hejsvej /e
Comment by Elisabeth — October 24, 2008 @ 10:11 am
I think you are a very big role model for alot of people with obstacles in their lives. You show addicts that they can do amazing things too.
Comment by Kurt — October 24, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Charlie, the transition of trading pain for joy…well as Martha Stewart says,”it’s a good thing!” enJOY those pre-teens today. Absorb all the emotion,excitement and energy you can to help push on to NY. Glad to hear you are running a bit. Keep dumping the “goodies” I sent into your smoothies. I know you’d rather have cookies, but cookies don’t help unblaze your saddle!
Love and Agape!
Comment by Amy — October 24, 2008 @ 10:29 am
Charlie,
I see above you mention that you still want to finish on or around the 28th. Does that mean you will not be finishing the run with Marshall?
Thanks and good healing,
Sam
Comment by Sam Wright — October 24, 2008 @ 10:44 am
Charlie,
I am on the board of an organization (The Village Network)in Wooster, Ohio, a residential facility for troubled adolescents. Since it appears that you will be coming through Wooster on (possibly) Tuesday of next week, would you be willing to meet with them? If so, I can arrange it. I can best be reached on my cell phone.
Denise Parker
Comment by Denise — October 24, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Are you still on track for coming through NE Pennsylvania? I am trying to arrange a group of runners from our county but don’t know what day to expect you at this point. (Carbon County just north of Lehigh Valley PA)
Please email me back and I will see if this is doable.
Thanks again,
Keep healing.
Donna Lennon
Comment by Donna Lennon — October 24, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
It seems like a life time ago. A friend of a friend said that there was this guy from North Carolina that wanted to join our team and do an Eco-Challenge. All we knew about him was that he was doing 100 mile Mt. bike rides by him self and doing hours of 1 mile intervals on the track.
Crazy training but to each his own.
How this same guy is riding and running across america with another friend of his.
Funny thing but as silly as it looks,they both seem to be making a positive difference in our world.
I can not wait for running across america #2 the sequel!
Steve Hilts
Comment by Steve Hilts — October 24, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Sorry I was you know where again… so it has taken me a few moments from history to open the ‘puter and I am motivated again to see the amount of children you are affecting. I know the race is not what you envisioned but the visions that you are leaving in your wake, the message to all these kids, is worth RUNNING THE SAHARA
I do not care what condition I am in when you hit NYC, I will be there because I want to share that moment with you, because you gave the best of yourself to so many along this road well traveled and because I wanna see you in shorts in the winter in Central Park
Hey, it’s a win-win situation 
My last bit of advice for the day…Happiness is the china shop; love is the bull
L, Joy
Comment by Joy Taylor — October 24, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Greetings from Jackson Elementary.
(gotta love kids)
Charlie and Marshall,
Your dedication to this challenge is absolutely unbelievable. You have been an inspiration to all who have been following your journey, especially the students here at Jackson. I had parent teacher conferences this past week and over 50% of my parents asked me how we were coming along with our trip across America. You should feel proud of the fact that you have motivated children to talk with their parents about what you are doing and hopefully, your message about childhood obesity will be heard.
Here at Jackson we have run a combined 2,349 miles which puts us in the Lima, Ohio area acording to Mapquest. Our kids are still motivated to make it to New York ahead of you and Marshall. Some of our students have even asked the question, “Coach, if we finish in front of them, will we get the world record?”
God bless you in the rest of your journey and keep fighting the good fight.
Tracy Pugh
PE teacher
Jackson Elemtary
Greeley, CO
Comment by Tracy Pugh — October 24, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
Charlie,
Finish Strong.
Jamie
Comment by Jamie Barry — October 24, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
Charlie
So what’s next? Just remember whatever it is may require you have to have all intact body parts. Be easy on the running…
Terri
Comment by Terri Schneider — October 24, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Charlie,you are just a few days away,so keep pumping
Comment by gunilla von Scheele — October 24, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
Dear Charlie
You guys are a huge inspiration to me. Ill will be running with you. I really would love to get a chance to talk to you. I am driving 2 hours and getting out of 2 days of school for this. If you could I would like to set up an interview. This year I am planning my trip for running across America, I am doing the planning for my senior project. Then i want to run across next year to raise money for the disease I was just diagnosed with. I would hope I have your support. I have yours, good luck with the rest of the run. You guys are really amazing thanks
I am so excited for tomorrow.
Jamie
Comment by Jamie Prussack — October 28, 2008 @ 10:52 pm