97 Days to Ultraman Mexico: Walking the 48

This morning’s ten mile run started sluggish. I felt stiff and slow out of the gate. I need about two miles to warm up. I have learned to tune out any voice of judgement or doubt in those first miles. I just observe.

I checked my watch at mile two. My pace was faster than usual, even though it felt slower. I took this as sign of encouragement. I switched up the route to a bit of elevation and go on a longer loop.

Normally I do laps past my apartment to use it as an aid station. This unplanned loop cut out my 5 mile aid station in favor long rolling out and back. On the way back, I passed a man pushing a stroller with some signage. I called out to ask what his sign said. He said he’s walking across all 48 states to raise money for mental health. At this point in the run I was feeling lethargic. I doubled back to talk with him.

He shared a brief version of his story with me. The setbacks he had faced along the way including the death of a loved one, health issues, and surgery Despite having his walk across the country interrupted multiple times he continues to return to the mission. Now here he was pressing on through Connecticut on a back road in Scotland.

I shared my own pursuit of Ultraman with him. It was a good reminder that while encouragement can be tricky to rely on, sharing our stories matters. He couldn’t fathom doing an Ultraman, and I couldn’t fathom walking through across an entire state. I felt a connection with him instantly. Our goals are different but audacious and most importantly they are our own.

After talking, I ran lighter, stronger, and faster. My pace dropped under eight minutes per mile without me even trying. I was deep into a very hot run with more hills ahead of me but our conversation had me fired up. I dropped fully into the moment and enjoyed every step.

It’s inspiring to meet someone chasing a goal that seems impractical. One that drops the normal societal rewards of money and status in favor of meaning and experience.

He’s on a mission, and I wish him the best.

Be sure to check him out at Hall Across The Country