One Third of the Way!
What comes to mind when you see “⅓”? What’s there or what’s not there? What’s been accomplished or what’s outstanding?
This month I made it past the ⅓ mark in this run across New Hampshire. We’ve connected 80 of the 234 Incorporated Towns covering 608 of an estimated 1800 total miles. We started in November of 2021, and here it is March of 2024. As the chart below shows we’ve fully traversed 3 counties (Cheshire, Sullivan, Merrimack) and are now ⅓ of the way through our 4th (Grafton). My mantra for 2024 is - “Bethlehem by Christmas”. In other words, I’m hoping we can make it to the last Grafton town before we ring in 2025. It’s a SMART goal, but life happens - so we shall see. Based on the past 2 ½ years it seems doable.
For me, ⅓ represents a bit of both accomplishment and uncertainty. Happiness with the sizable achievement to date and a realization there’s still a long way to go. While there is still a lot of unknown twists and turns ahead, there is a building confidence inside that I can actually do this - run 1800 miles connecting all Incorporated towns within New Hampshire. So ⅓ feels pretty good right now.
On the accomplishment side - I must first thank Nancy for going along with this endeavor. There’s no way I could be doing this without her! She’s been very supportive with time and encouragement. As we’ve traveled up the Connecticut River valley for this winter’s running legs the trips have been getting longer and longer, and she’s been a great sport about how much time this takes. Not only time to drive back and forth (these days it’s over 100 miles / 2 hours each way), but also time and support while I’m running and then the scouting of the next couple of routes that we travel after each run (and we are always glad to have done the scouting!). We’ve gotten into enjoyable routines, like visiting the Danbury Country Store - and our latest, stopping off at King Arthur in Vermont before each run on the Connecticut Valley stretch.
As for realization - the long drive back from the last leg through the White Mountains (not very white other than some melting ski trails here in March) emphasized in my mind the point that there’s a long mountainous way to go. I've run up the equivalent of 7 Mount Washingtons so far, but there are at least twice that to go. When looking at the mountains there is an allure as if they are saying “come scale me if you can”. It’s not for everyone, and a shout out to Troop 50+ for sharing the love of hiking, but there is tremendous satisfaction in making the summit and looking out over the landscape below. As a marathon runner of old I can tell you the greatest satisfaction in finishing a marathon for me was seeing the reward for all of the effort and sacrifice I’d put in to get there.
I’m very pleased with how my aging body has held up. Yes, I’ve had my share of injuries and illnesses, but that is to be expected. Yes, I’m a shell of who I was with how long it takes me to get from point A to point B. Overall, however, I feel great! This mammoth project requires commitment not only of body, but also to planning and logistics. So when my body says “time out” I’m still able to make progress (which is important to me) through preparation and organization efforts. I’ve been very fortunate to have had the help of doctors who’ve recognized my need to be athletic and supported me through surgeries and recovery. My Ablation Catheter procedure back in October (‘23) has been a real game changer. I had gone for years experiencing AFib, which would leave me feeling wiped out for at least a day, on a regular basis (had gotten to the point of weekly). Since the procedure I haven’t had an AFib episode and have felt consistently more energetic. The MCL surgery I had back in 2020 was life changing. I had gone 2 years without being able to run and feeling like a piece of me died. Through surgery and rehab, I got back something I missed dearly and thought was lost forever.
Chef, our yellow lab who loves to travel, joined back in April ‘23 and has joined us on each trip since. We look for stretches in each run where he can join in. He has a sixth sense on run days and gets excited when he sees us prepping for a road trip. We thoroughly enjoy his company and he’s been a great addition to the team!
There are no guarantees on the health front. I try to enjoy each run as if it could be my last. I don’t expect it to be my last, but I do savor the experience. I like to think that wisdom comes with age, as well as the ability to be willing to listen to my body and take the advice I would give to others. I have yet to start one of the 80 runs to date with the thought that I might not make it. I’ve been ready each time, and when there were times that didn’t feel right I let Nancy know “not today”.
So this is a time of both reflection and anticipation. I’ve got a boatload of pictures, writeups, instagram posts and maps for the road traveled so far. Many of the running routes were on backroads we’d never have seen without pursuing this adventure. I learn from each run and scouting trip and adjust the plan as we go ... especially during winter and mud season. There are still a lot of unknowns, but as routine as this sounds “I take it one leg at a time”. Sounds like a typical quote from a sports interview, but it is true.
As I close in on my 65th birthday I see there is still a lot of life and desire left and “⅓” feels like a good size whether it’s in the rear view mirror or on the road ahead. And yes, I am looking forward to the road ahead and sharing it with Nancy and Chef at my side! I hope you'll continue to follow along.
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