Support

A response to the question "Can do 50 states in a year?"

Can I do this (do a marathon (half marathon) in all fifty states in a year) myself?

I have been asked this several times.  A glib response is if you have to ask, you probably can't.  But assuming they are capable, and just seeking as much knowledge as they can before embarking, here we go.

If you are an AB (able bodied) runner, sure, there are organizations that are dedicated to finishing races in all the states and/or doing a lot of races in a year.  Join one or more, use their tools and start training.

I'm going to concentrate on the people with physical deficits, it is a challenge.  First, there many races at which we are not welcomed.  AB's have all kinds of options, we have have to go where and when to the races that will have us.  Scheduling is a huge challenge.

"Myself" is a loaded term in the adaptive sports world.  We have equipment, tools, everyday wheelchairs to/from starting/finishing lines.   The methods to mark the course is often better for runners than wheelers.

As impolite as it is to answer a question with a question, I'll do it now.  How have you done at supported races?  By supported races, I mean races that either the race organization or third party organizations help with transportation of wheelchairs, transfers, etc.  Not all races provide support, some do.  Achilles International is an organization that provide support at some races.

If you did well at the supported races, then you have a chance at the "unsupported" races.  Also, the less support you actually need in the supported races, the better your chance of completing an unsupported race.  In general, unsupported races are more common.  What I mean by unsupported races is races that allow us to participate and probably  they do nothing more than maybe let us start first.  We are responsible for getting our gear and everyday chairs to where we need them to be.  You can self support like I do when needed, or bring your own support team (family, friends, ne'er do wells performing community service, etc.).  If you can't self support, your expenses go up, more people to get to and from the races.

To undertake a 50 state plan I think it is important to be able to:

Maintain your hygiene and health while traveling.

Know the signs of when you need to seek medical attention from complications from your physical deficits.

Know your body and what foods/fuels you need before, during, and after travel and races.

Do routine maintenance on your racing chair. (You'll be in different states and cities where you may not be able to find help to fix or make adjustments).

Improvise repairs before and during the race. (Scheduling is tight, a DNF (did not finish) makes you come back later, and in some states that may not be possible. Equipment failure may make you incredibly slow, but if you can persevere, you can get the finish).

Problem solve when your hotel room is not as accessible as you need it to be.

Be organized with schedule and travel plans.

Be able to undertake extensive travel.

Tolerate (understand what you must do in) inclement weather (heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, and sun).

It is a little of a chicken and the egg problem.  You will definitely get better at all of the above skills as you do a 50 state plan.  I just recommend some trial trips first to know what you are undertaking.

Has my judgement improved?

The question comes from a quote:

"Good judgment comes from experience

Experience comes from poor judgment"

Has be attributed to many different sources.  For me to attribute it to anyone would probably be wrong and perpetuate a wrong attribution.  I can accurately state, they are not my words and were originally coined by someone else.

In that spirit, what was my good judgment, what was my experience building choices?

Good Judgement: When you want to accomplish something, just do it.  

I was working on this plan for a number of years.  First with the schedule, getting the races I needed in a schedule that would work.  Eventually I created a schedule that worked.  Then the next year, some races changed their weekends.  Others ceased operation.  Some even changed their policies allowing wheelchairs.  So mathematics to the rescue, developing some theorems and procedures to make the scheduling more likely to succeed.

No sooner than I made the commitment to 2016 and registered for races, and then some new opportunities arose that would have made 2017 physically easier to achieve my goal.  WIth the changes races make over time, it is also possible that nothing better ever arrives, and in fact it could get harder over time. Bottom line: You can always wait for something better or do it now.  

Experience building department, just do it.

The first few races were brutal, travel was difficult.  I had never finished a race dead last, but during the race that I did (third state of the 51 total), I remember thinking over and over, what have I done? am I going to survive? should I just quit now?

After it is all over I learned that I committed myself to an adventure, I not only survived, but thrived, and I can persevere.

Tomorrow: Answering the questions I get if someone else can do this?

What I learned

I learned there are a lot of nice/helpful people out there.

There is a lot of stunningly scenic views throughout the country, often revealing the local geological history.

In a presidential election year, radio can be hard to listen to from February to November.

A lot of wheelchair accessible hotel rooms aren't.

Weather forecasts are best used for guidance and one should always hedge against other outcomes.

Driver's Ed has been replaced by GTA

A lot of drivers are either focused on their lap while using one hand on the steering wheel or they are texting/facebooking.  Either way, they are looking down way too long.

Drafting very close to car bumpers is the new driving style.  I remain firmly in the old fashioned 2 secs behind the car in front of me school of driving.

Tomorrow, Has my judgement improved?

Humor

Best Business Name - "Wreck Amended" Descriptive and Sounds like it is vouched for. Used all over the country, the one I saw was in Fletcher, NC

Best Billboard - on I-75 S "Moonshine -- because no great story started with a salad"  

Tomorrow, What I learned

Time for a recap

Now that it is over, I will try to reflect of the next few days about the all the states, travel, races, and people from the past year.

Tomorrow, humor.

Hawaii

Completed another marathon.  My first one with a broken leg.  Last of the states.  Completed a marathon in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia in less than a year (with 5 days to spare).  I'll confess the original stated goal was to do all those marathons during 2016.  Technically I didn't do it.  The substitute goal is still a duration of only a year.

Judge as you will.  I am comfortable taking the victory lap.  In some ways, what I did was even harder than what I set out to do originally.  The pressure of finding a marathon and travel arrangements at the last minute was a logistical feat in itself.

In Hawaii

Found another race.  Got a different flight.  Found a different hotel reservation.  Going to do a marathon with a broken leg.

Getting harder to met the goal

Honolulu marathon kicked me out because I have a broken leg.  The reason is I could fall on the runners.  I am not sure who will lift me into the air so I can be dropped on the runners, but the race's decision is final and unappealable.

A lot of non refundable travel expenses are going to waste.

And they wonder why I am superstitious

Got home.  Took a nap.  Started to unpack.  Got the clean clothes out of the suitcase to return to the closet before putting the dirty clothes in the hamper.  Slipped while reaching up into the closet.

When I settled on the floor, the right leg was pointed out in front of me.  The left leg was in an "S" shape to my left.  Before I could leave the apartment complex I was in full AD (autonomic dysreflexia, a very serious complication some SCI's (Spinal Cord Injuries) can get that could cause a stroke and even death.)

As I make my way to the ED (Emergency Department) I tell everyone I am in AD.  They use their portable devices to look it up on WebMD and all ask if I need to cath myself.  For eleven hours I pester the triage nurse and she keeps asking me if I am in pain.  I know I could lie and say yes, but then it may be hard to explain why I am subject to AD.  Not good to lie to the medical professionals.

After 11 hours I get to see the doctor, and xrays are ordered.  They tell me I have a broken leg.  Since I use a wheelchair, and have no sensation, I can get around without a plaster cast, and would not know if pressure sores are been created inside the cast, so a removable cast is used to splint my leg and discharge me.

Like I have said, there will be trials as I try to complete my goal.

Just take in a deep breath and relax

Took a red eye home from Seattle.  I should be napping in my bed.  Instead I am in the luggage office working on a claim.  The case in which I pack my racing chair has been broken, and the racing chair damage between now and when I entrusted it to the airline in Seattle.  One thing for sure, will need a loaner for the next marathon.

Washington

Finished the marathon.  One more state notched on the headboard.

One more state to go in 2 weeks.

In Washington

So close to the end, there will be trials. When I was picked up at the airport, the driver slammed the door on my thumb. Right on the joint. Even though I was wearing gloves, the skin was broken on the thumb joint.

I just need to finish, I don't need to go fast, just fast enough to finish before the race closes the course.

California

With marathon finish, another state done, so very close to completing the goal.

In California

Arizona

Another marathon finish and another state done.  Cold enough to need face covered during the race.

In Arizona

Nevada

Another marathon finish and another state done.

In Nevada

Utah

Another marathon finished and another state done. Early morning picture of me out on the course.  Now over 90% done with the goal.