I just got off the phone with Brian.  They are at the Standish-Hickey Campground, just north of Legget, CA where Barbera left them.  Matt can’t go right now.  Shinsplints are keeping him still. The plan is to wait a few days and see if Matt recovers.  If he doesn’t, Brian will go on without him on Thursday.  This is the last option, and Brian will wait as long as he can.  If they leave Thursday they will be able to continue on but will have no more rest days until the month ends.  Let’s all hope Matt recovers quickly and they can keep on moving.

Update:  I want to reiterate that Brian and Matt are in this together.  That Brian is not sitting in the campground thinking about anything besides helping Matt recover. They are a team.  Stephen is on his way to help and we fully expect both of them to be back on the road Thursday with Portland in their sights.  I believe I may have been a little too dramatic in the writing above, but I must also report what they tell me, even if it is from a short pay phone conversation that got cut off.

Day 10: I arrived at the Mendocino house bearing gifts… a PR rep from New Balance had read the article about the run in the SF Chronicle, where Matt said he wears mainly New Balance shoes per his doctor’s recommendation. Within two days, boxes of NB shoes and apparel had shown up at our address… including an extra pair of pink sneakers for Matt in support of his cause. NB is one of the largest supporters of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and loved finding an ally in Matt. It was like Christmas come early for the boys, except New Balance played the role of Santa. Total morale boost. They immediately donned their new attire, posed for pictures, bid Jen and Sharon farewell, and then sat down to a meal of lasagna… all the while fully-clad in new goodies from New Balance.

 
Side Note: moments like this have been such a positive aspect of this run – seeing the genuine interest, care, and encouragement friends, family and complete strangers have shown (i.e. a Saucony rep donated shoes after hearing their story firsthand in a Berkeley sporting good store… Toby, a cashier @ REI, as well as man at a diner in Valley Ford donated whatever bills were in their pockets… and there have been countless well wishers along the trail). It truly is heart warming to see how touched people are by their causes and the endeavor taking place.
 
Day 11: Early wakeup. After the serious rest period, they were ready and raring to get back on the road in their brand new gear. It was hard to leave the beautiful Mendocino home knowing the next night would be considerably more rugged in comparison – but had to be done. Tragedy struck a few miles down the road when Matt began suffering from excruciating shin splints. Upset this happened on my watch, I quickly delivered a change of shoes and several ace bandages and he was back in business. 10 miles further in Fort bragg, we had a rest stop @ Starbucks. I must say: the friendly staff there was amazing. Not only did they give Matt a huge bag of ice (for free), they allowed us to set up shop in a cozy corner for well over an hour while the boys iced their sore appendages.
 
When the trek resumed, we conquered 10 more miles before taking a picnic/ice break at 10 Mile River. Another mile down the road was a beach break for more icing, au natural in the ocean. And finally, 9 miles and one more bandage run later (grand total: 4 shin, 3 knee, & 1 ankle brace), we arrived at a beach campground past Westport – my first legal camping experience with the boys, the first beach camping experience of the run. Brian claimed it was his best day yet (he did awesome). Matt was silently suffering, but was such a good sport. After more icing, we ate spinach salad and cold leftover lasagna before crawling in our sleeping bags on the sand, under the stars. After spotting a shooting star (on which the obvious wish for a healthy completion was made) I fell asleep. The boys didn’t see the star, joking that the only thing shooting was the pain in Matt’s legs. They continued to talk and laugh like school girls – enjoying their beach slumber party.
 
Day 12: Matt rose at 6am to start icing his legs in the freezing ocean, which showed little sign of improvement. As I watched them walk around the bend and start another 30+ mile day, I crossed my fingers and hoped again for health. The steepest incline of the journey (to Leggett) was on the agenda today = worst possible timing for such a fete. After a 9 mile ‘warm-up’ I delivered coffee and drinks stocked with electrolytes, and was amazed (as I am daily) at what good energy and spirits both Matt & Brian were in. Whenever I ask Brian how he is doing, he is always quick to flash a big smile and turn the question back on me. At one point I caught Matt practicing dance moves (specifically arm rolls) as he hurried along the road. Lunch was eaten beneath the towering redwoods, followed by a rest period. Before long they had resumed their pace – eager to reach a mountain beer garden by nightfall that was recommended by the gang of cyclists @ the coast house.
 
Despite that last stretch of the 101 being “brutal” according to Matt, they completed 30 miles well ahead of schedule: shin splints be damned. After well-deserved hot showers, burgers and beverages were enjoyed at the beer garden. It was a wonderful end to a rough weekend, and as always, the boys were pure entertainment. I truly don’t know how this demanding physical challenge could be accomplished if not for their spirited and positive states of mind.

 
With that small comfort tucked away, I then had to leave the pair at Standish-Hickey campground and drive back to bay. Unexpectedly, in a last minute change of events, they would be without a support vehicle for several days. I was a nervous wreck (already practicing the speech I would deliver to my boss to get out of work that week) but of course Matt and Brian were completely undaunted by the additional challenge that now lay ahead, joking how little has actually gone according to plan. Their only concern was the extra weigh of carrying camping gear… problem solved: the owner of the pit stop would store it for the week in the name of their cause. Please think of them on the road this week.

pain. aches. muscles, joints, knees, ankles.  the walking and running have taken a toll on our valiant adventurers.  on monday they spent the day resting at the Rutherford Coast House.  on Tuesday they walked 35 miles towards the city of mendocino.  10 miles out they set camp.  jennifer and sharon were the brave souls serving as support.  after a night in the tent they continued on.  wednesday morning saw them struggling.  pain was growing.  things were looking bleak.  what to do?

arriving in mendocino they knew they had a house they could turn to.  a comfortable place to rest one’s weary bones.  rest they did.  the aches and pains were catching up.  after a fitful night in the comfort of this house, Brian and Matt came up with a new strategy to accomplish their journey.  no longer would they run and walk and push themselves so hard each day.  the new name of the game is slow and steady.  after doing some back of the envelope calculations they came to the conclusion that they had 23 days on the calendar, and by walking 8.5 hours a day they could cover the remaining distance in 18 days.  rest they did.  two days in mendocino resting.  rejuvenated they will hit the road early tomorrow.  they will go 34 miles and then rest. they will do this for 9 straight days.  then they will take 3 days of recovery.  3 days.  all the aches and pains will wash away with the salve of time and once again they will hit the road.  nine days will be left and they will exert every ounce of energy to cover those last miles.  wish them luck.  and know that through the struggle they have found a way to continue on.

Yesterday i talked to Brian and Matt.  They had a nice recovery day at the Rutherford Coast Home just north of Gualala.  They estimate that they have walked/run 150 miles so far.  Not bad boys, not bad.  Brian complained of random aches and pains. a little pain here, a little there.  He’s feeling it a bit in his knees and ankles but he says his mental state is good and he will walk on.  Matt did not complain.  He’s a trooper.  Today they walk on.

Now for the challenge.  During our discussion last night we came upon the idea that everyone reading this should get even more involved than they already are.  On Sunday, July 18th we are challenging everyone to get out there and walk.  Walk as far as you can and then let everyone know about it.  We want pictures.  We want stories.  We’ll put together a special post for this on the 18th where everyone will be able to add their stories.  Go walk for a mile or five miles or twenty five miles.  The distance is not important.  What is important is that we all get outside and walk.  Let people know why you are walking, what the motivation is.

Let’s get moving folks!

Day 1: Oakland to camp in Samual P. Taylor State Park, west Marin Co. Too many miles for the first day.
Day 2: Resting weary bodies in hotel in hamlet of Tomales, but with a feast of raw oysters along the way. Phil heads home in the afternoon, but Barbara joins the group, finding us in the evening at the town bar drinking IPAs.
Day 3: Camped along the side of Shoreline Highway a few miles north of Jenner – Barbara in her car with the 3 of us on the ground nearby. Both Matt and Brian report feeling stronger, but with old aches receding and new ones in different places asking to be heard. Our sleep is interrupted twice by Sonoma County Sheriffs informing us of our disregard for the law – bright lights in our eyes, demand for IDs, gruff voices – but in the end, well-wishes for a safe journey.
Day 4: July 4th! Crawling out of our sleeping bags after the heavy fog-drip of the night, we celebrate our profound independence by beginning the day with the longest climb of the trip so far. Only an occasional car interrupts the quiet and stillness of the morning. At the top of the climb I cycle on to Fort Ross to wait for the walkers. Barbara has driven south to get food for the day, and later meets us there, at about 11. Brian’s friend Kells (sp) also shows up, ready to walk/run with Matt and Brian, so I put my bike in his car and drive ahead to the Rutherford Coast House. Later in the afternoon my wife Carol and our friend Marna meet me there, where we cook a pasta dinner and deliver it hot to Barbara and the walkers at Stewart’s Point. We have found a picnic table on the property of an old, run-down ranch just off the highway to celebrate the collective glory of the human spirit over a shared meal, when the 80-something owner of the property drives up in an old pick-up truck. We all wave and I trot over to him to ask permission for the walkers to stay the night. He shows no sign of being impressed with the idea of walking from Oakland to Portland, but does say that seeing as we are already trespassing, we might as well stay. Barbara, Carol, Marna, and I drive back to the Coast House for the night, leaving the others on their backs on the ground, ready if not anxious to let the fog envelop them once again.
Day 5: I saw them off this morning… brought them hot coffee and breakfast. They’ve discovered the soothing effects of soaking their feet in the cold salty water of the Pacific, so plan to stop as they did yesterday on their way here to the Coast House. With only (relatively speaking) 21 miles to walk/run today, we expect them to arrive by mid-afternoon. Tomorrow is their first rest day. It has been my privilege and honor supporting them these first few days. So it is that I sign off with my deepest respect and

Last night I got a phone call from Stephen in Gualala.  He has gone ahead to his family house up the coast.  The boys spent the night at Stewarts Point after walking 25 miles from Jenner.   They had a fitful night sleep in Jenner.  Several times during the night everyone was woken by sheriffs.  The first sheriff showed up at 11 pm.  After listening to the story he graciously let them continue camping.  He must not have sent a memo to his colleagues because they had to explain themselves again to more sheriffs at 5 in the morning.

Kells, or Kevin to some, has joined them in the walk.  He gave his car to Stephen and has been walking with them for the last 2 days.  I hope to get him to write about his experience.

Barbera, or Babs, has also been along for the ride.  Providing support.  The boys do not walk alone.

Last night they were served a nice, hot dinner of pasta and meat sauce which Carol brought them.

Tonight they hope to reach the Rutherford house in Gualala where they will have a well-deserved day of rest and relaxation on Monday.  The house has a hot tub and I’m guessing they will be spending many hours resting their weary bones.

Here are some photos Stephen sent along

kells joins them at fort ross

on the coast, 4th of July

Hello, I got a call from Stephen from a pay phone, at about 8PM tonight (Friday). Their cell phones are not getting reception.  The guys were in Jenner and planning to camp near there for the night.  It looks like they made about 25 miles today.   They won’t make it to the Rutherford coast house until Sunday.  (one day off schedule)  Stephen said they were feeling stronger in the afternoon and will try and put in a long day on the 4th.  I plan to meet up with them around dinner time with a big pot of spaghetti with meat sauce .    They asked me to bring some reflective ankle bands, an I-pod shuffle for Brian, and  blister treatment supplies.  Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures when I get to back to the house.
Have a great 4th of July.
Carol
(a note from Sam: if you have updates or pictures of the boys on their run please email me at sambloombergrissman@gmail.com and I will add your pictures and stories to the site.  we want as many people as possible to participate in this event in any way that they can)

how could i know that near about  this time the running group was on a
whole different trajectory. i imagined we were on a single line. i was
“Flatlanding”, moving along a single line with only time being a
factor. they had to be ahead of me. it was 8:35 and they could have
been running for two hours.  at between 5-7 miles an hour they should
be just a few minutes ahead.  on two wheels i should catch up any
minute.  in time.
as my focus resolves, distraction ensues in the form of wild honking. a
car that just passed me in the opposite direction has stopped and is
flagging me down , shouting my name.  who could know me here? more
blindness.
hopeful, i quickly imagine that this must be some support vehicle that
no one mentioned , part of the send off group. keeping a sharp eye out
for stragglers. soon to tell me that the runners are just over the
hill….
no way.  more COSMIC COMICS!   its dave and allie, good friends from
healdsburg, with two friends( i have forgotten your names, but please
update the site and be counted among those hale and well met , offering
support along the way) they were just returning from early morning
surfing in bolinas.  had they seen the running team?  no. what running
team? Oakland to Portland ! i fill  them in, they think it is smashing,
incredible. they offer plumbs, apples, a chicklet and well wishes! dave
breaks in wishing a moment of reflection to note the serendipity of our
encounter.  i can certainly now agree!  we depart, now moving in
opposite directions on what for a moment , seemed like the same line.
soon i will realize that i am not just in Flatland. time and space
enfold me , i just can’t  yet notice.
i meander on the coast road. it is calm and refreshing. traffic is low
, i have the road to myself , on this little commuter bike, laden with
gear . typically i am not a fast guy. i roam, looking all about , even
when i walk, dangerously even when i drive. but here , on the edge of
the pacific it comes natural.  it is a surprisingly clear morning. i
dont get to the coast so often but the reports i hear are often of fog.
it’s not crystal but it is clear. at each far bend i neck out to see
dots along the road. dots that could be moving. strung out in small
dashes.  runners.  nothing. it is a curious thing , being hopeful to
meet someone you desire to meet. almost under any circumstance. your
child , getting off the bus, your love at an airport,  your ride at the
bus station.  we begin to focus our senses we even bend time to our
desire in order to make it happen,  that next child will be “mine”,
that next passenger, that next car……. next , next , next.  we go
through lists of shapes trying to match gross silhouettes against a
memory catalogue of familiar shapes. shapes that will eventually
respond and bring with them connection, place, meaning.  no match.

stinson beach. moving fast , i give over that they may still be ahead
of me. now some 23miles from departure. they would be making incredible
time . i venture a phone call . word from carol was that in order to
save battery power , all three would be turning off their phones to
conserve energy.  amazingly, matt answers.
m-where are you?
p-stinson beach, where are you ?
m-i didnt know you were coming.
p-yeah, i missed the ferry.
m-we looked for you at the bar.
p-how are you guys doing?
m-good, but ,no, really phil  , where are you ?
p- stinson beach, like i said.
m-wow, i didnt know you were coming. oh, that is why you wanted to know
the route!
(ahh, planning)
p-how do i meet up with you guys?
m-(with 7 map helpers in the background) go up to olema, take a rt. we
will be staying at the samuel p. taylor campground, but hope to stop at
lagunitas brewery just before that.
p-(mmmm, lagunitas brewery…the source)  ok. how long do you think it
will take me ?( i have no maps)
m- someone says roughly 2 hours.we are having our first hiccup.
stephene’s back wheel has begun to split apart. carol will be bringing
over the one off her bike. they will walk ahead, stephen will catch up.
p-ok, see you sometime.
energy saving mode. trajectory-space time. contact !
now i know something. i have a sense. i feel i have “docked” and am now
part of the shared journey.
if you are reading this, you are part of the revolution. each one our
own. for reasons or none at all.  sometimes shared. join in . meet
these guys on the road. walk and bike along.

This morning we talked to Brian and Matt.  They are feeling pretty beat down.  Yesterday they forgot to eat well.  Today they are paying the price.  A bad diet on top of all of this walking is not going to get the job done.  They had breakfast in Valley Ford this morning.

I just ate 3 eggs 4 pancakes 2 coffee s one hash brown and another hash browns and matts hasnt come out of the kitchen yet but he is ready -brian

They are looking forward to a day off. Soon boy, soon.

Here are some pictures Phil and Stephanie have sent along

the proud walkers

phil riding support

nice views

into the forest we go