This morning at 11:20 a.m. Pacific Time I ran into Badwater Basin, Death Valley to become the first person to run solo across the Mojave Desert from the Grand Canyon to Death Valley. The run included Arizona, Nevada and California and required 17 running days for the 506 miles. I feel amazing and am so relieved to have this trek accomplished. There is so much more that I will write about this day, but right now I have to drive to Las Vegas where I will stay overnight before catching a flight back to Montana tomorrow.

If you have not visited the www.pacetrek.com/mojave site in the past couple of days, go there to check out new pictures and videos I’ve posted from the past several days. I have a lot more pictures and videos that I’ll be posting and I’ll try to do that this evening from Vegas.

So, it’s done. P.A.C.E. Trek 2011 is in the books and I am so happy! Thanks to all who have encouraged me in this huge undertaking. What a journey it has been!

Gotta Run,

Paul Staso

It all started in March 2010 when I was running across Germany. That’s when I came up with the idea of trying to run across the Mojave Desert from the Grand Canyon to Death Valley. I just didn’t know if I could do it, but I wanted to try. So, I planned it, trained for it, and then on April 14, 2011 took the first step toward making it happen by running away from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon pushing my trusty support stroller, “BOB”. Now, 16 running days later, I am in Furnace Creek at Death Valley with the finish line only 18 miles away at Badwater Basin (the lowest, hottest, driest location on the North American continent). The 506-mile route has included Arizona, Nevada and California and has never been accomplished before by a solo runner. This is indeed a great evening. I am writing this from the Furnace Creek Resort and will be getting on the road tomorrow morning to run the final 18 miles. I should cross the finish line at 12pm Pacific time.

I can’t describe thoroughly how difficult this journey run has been. Physically, it has tested me in ways that no other running challenge has. I had to dig really deep to get to this point… really deep. There have been certain people who have helped me tremendously get to where I’m at. Of course, Vicki and my children have been supportive of this Mojave Desert challenge — although they did have great concerns about my safety. My parents have been a steady and supportive force behind my success. They have acted as directional assistance via phone using Google Earth technology and have encouraged me to keep moving forward… wisely and carefully. I just spoke with them by phone and both are so proud and pleased that I am going to finish this. My brother and sisters have sent me notes of encouragement at one time or another during this 17-day undertaking and I appreciate their love and support of me and my goals. Rob Remler, a friend for over 30 years, has been a constant support of my P.A.C.E. endeavors since my first steps during the run across America in 2006. He continues to be someone that I can consistently rely on for assistance in getting information onto the P.A.C.E. Trek web site when I am in locations that have no Internet service. There are the students around the world who wrote in my online guestbook and sent me wonderful e-mail messages of encouragement. It is for each and every one of those students that I did this run. Hopefully, they not only watched something happen that has never been done before, but perhaps they have also thought about what they might be able to achieve if they set a goal, work hard toward it, and keep persevering through the finish. Also, I thank the teachers who took the step to register their school teams so that more children can be exposed to an event that truly helps kids see what is possible if you take care of your body. P.A.C.E. Trek 2011 has reached this point due to the encouragement of so many people. Yes, I was the one pushing the 100-pound jogging stroller through the mountains, sand and wind every day. However, those who took the time to encourage me are unsung heroes in this story. To them, I am incredibly grateful.

My body will definitely need time to heal. This has been quite challenging physically. I wasn’t able to be as transparent with my thoughts as I initially hoped. The reason? Because too many young children were watching this unfold and I decided that due to their age it would not be wise to be as transparent as I could have been. The reality of this P.A.C.E. Trek is that there has been a price to pay, and my body feels that price. I will heal and I will return again for another P.A.C.E. Trek. It won’t be as “extreme” as this one was, but I will indeed run again. I’m 46 years old and I believe there are still many miles left in my legs, and hopefully many miles left in BOB’s stroller frame! I’m not sure what the next P.A.C.E. Trek will be. I am too focused on tomorrow and what crossing that finish line will feel like.

I’ve spent some time looking back through the pictures and videos that I took while doing this journey (and yes… I will be getting all of those online very soon so that you can all see!). As I’ve looked through those images and reflected on what it took to get here, I am once again in awe of what the human body and mind can accomplish. I’ve learned even more about myself… about my ability to endure, about my ability to deal with pain, about my ability to be self sufficient, and about my ability to adjust the ‘game plan’ when needed to have a better chance at success. I’ve also grown in my own faith and have discovered that sometimes we’re given moments to cherish for a lifetime and that although we can’t always have those moments permanently we can always hold onto the memories. P.A.C.E. Trek 2011 has changed my life. I’ll never quite be the same person I was before I ran off into the desert. Self discovery can be a valuable thing and although I wasn’t looking for a life-changing experience through this P.A.C.E. Trek, it certainly has made an impact on my life that I’ll never forget.

The finish line is 18 miles away and tomorrow I will run across it. Encouragement and love will be accompanying me across that finish line, like a second shadow. I will feel it as I experience that wonderful moment of accomplishing this goal, and it’s a feeling that I hope will last the rest of my life. Sometimes we’re given experiences to change us in subtle yet profound ways, and sometimes we’re given experiences to turn us down a different path from where we were going. This P.A.C.E. Trek has created both of those experiences in my life.

Tomorrow P.A.C.E. makes history as accomplishing something never done before. I am honored to represent The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation, the sport of journey running, and to be someone that children admire. I never imagined that I would have such a platform in my life, and I am humbled by the kids who think I’m amazing or who want to be like me. The tears that are welling in my eyes right now reflect how deeply their admiration impacts my life and heart. I so often feel undeserving of their bright eyes looking up to me, but am also thankful for the opportunity to be in the role I am.

The finish line awaits and tomorrow I will meet it. Mojave Desert, I have conquered you.

Keep reaching for the mileposts and milestones in life!

Gotta Run, Paul Staso
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Today was absolutely, without a doubt, the most difficult day I’ve ever experienced as far as pushing “BOB” (the stroller) into intense, sustained headwinds. The winds were at times 60+ mph and had me at a complete standstill on the side of the road. I put in earplugs and wore my goggles (ski goggles that help to protect my eyes). It was an incredible effort to get through today’s 27 miles and I managed to do it in about 7 1/2 hours on the pavement. Keep in mind that I’m about 150 pounds and BOB is currently weighing in at around 95 pounds with the water supply it’s carrying. When you try to push that much weight into 50 to 60 mph headwinds, it’s quite challenging. The wind was coming right out of the north, and of course that’s the direction I was going to get to Death Valley Junction.

As I write this it is going on 10pm and the wind is still howling outside. I’m sure tomorrow will not be much better. Also, I have to climb to 3,500 feet in elevation tomorrow before beginning a decent to below sea level. So, high winds and hills will likely be my challenge tomorrow. The wind today was so exhausting. My body is hurting and my back is so sore from all of the pushing. My skin is so dried out from the sun and wind. I’ve been treating it, but the wind simply depletes my skin so quickly from moisture. My feet are throbbing and my eyes are burning – even though I wore goggles today.

This P.A.C.E. Trek is certainly taking a lot out of me, but I am determined to finish this Sunday around noon at Badwater Basin, Death Valley — the lowest, hottest and driest location on the North American continent. I am now only about 36 hours away from crossing the finish line. I am ready! The people here at the Amargosa Hotel are absolutely wonderful. The room is great and I even have Internet (although no cell service). I would highly recommend that you pay a visit if you are ever at Death Valley Junction. They also have a cafe that serves great hamburgers. This is certainly a little oasis in the middle of a big, barren valley. Amargosa sits about 3 miles north of the Alkali Flat — an old lake bed that is dried up and very dusty. Today as I was pushing to get into Amargosa, the winds were howling and the dust was swirling around the valley. It was very challenging to complete the final few miles. However, shelter and food can be a wonderful motivator!

BOB the stroller is doing pretty good… considering. You see, the stroller is designed to carry no more than 80 pounds. I’ve been loading BOB at 100 pounds or more on this trek with all of the water I’ve needed. So, I’m glad that its frame has held up and that it is still rolling along. I’ve had a ton of flat tires! In fact, I’ve had more flat tires on this trek than I did during my run across America in 2006. The hot pavement makes the tires soft and when I have to jump off of the pavement and into the gravel sides due to oncoming cars, the sharp little stones quickly penetrate the soft rubber. So, it has been quite a journey for dealing with flat tires.

It’s now time to get some rest. I have a lot of pictures and videos to get uploaded and perhaps I’ll be able to do that tomorrow night from the Furnace Creek Ranch. Thanks for stopping by this milepost to see how things are going. I’m well and am looking forward to the finish line… which is getting closer by the hour!

Keep reaching for the mileposts and milestones in life!

Gotta Run, Paul Staso

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This has been a physically draining and painful solo run across the Mojave. There is SO much that I have to write in the coming days to get everyone up to speed on what has been happening. Suffice it to say, my body has paid a price to log the 430+ miles I have in the past 14 days. It will take some time to heal from this undertaking. Remember, nobody has ever run solo across the Mojave Desert before — starting at the Grand Canyon and finishing at Badwater Basin, Death Valley. I’ve battled harsh conditions and am pleased to have endured to be within 75 miles of the finish line.

The strides I take, I take for the kids around the world who are running right along with me. I’ve had some moments on this run where I’ve placed my strides for other purposes… some rather selfish. However, I want all who read this to know that I will be crossing the finish line on Sunday in honor and appreciation for each and every child around the world that has run this distance with me. P.A.C.E. is about kids. It always has been and it needs to always stay that way. It’s not just about some guy who can push a stroller a really long way in a short amount of time. It’s about kids running and walking around their school gymnasiums, tracks and playgrounds to become more active and to stride along with me virtually as we take on a challenge together. PACE stands for “Promoting Active Children Everywhere”. It does not stand for “Paul Amazes Children Everywhere”. The focus shouldn’t be on me, and I apologize if I have made this P.A.C.E. Trek too focused on me trying to accomplish a solo running adventure never attempted before. I needed this particular challenge for a number of personal reasons. It has been worthwhile for me in so many ways, and in some ways it has been more painful than I ever imagined it would be. Sometimes we go into something with certain expectations, and we end up being surprised and ultimately seeing that it wasn’t quite what we expected. I guess you can say that has happened to me, to a degree, on this P.A.C.E. Trek. Regardless, I am striding toward the finish line and am cheering on the kids around the globe who are doing this right along with me.

I’ve always aimed at making P.A.C.E. Trek more about the physical benefits and learning aspects than the ‘adventure’. I’ve let that slip too much with this trek. To the teachers who have participated in years past, I apologize. To the students who expected to see something different from what they have, I apologize. Usually, I include local and regional information daily, and have health/fitness facts to get kids and adults thinking. I’ve not done that with this particular P.A.C.E. Trek and for that I have regrets.

I’ve been doing P.A.C.E. for five years and have logged well over 5,000 miles pushing “BOB” the stroller. Although I always aim to do my best and to show kids what is possible with a healthy body and a solid goal, sometimes I fall short of meeting certain reasonable expectations — and I’m now very aware of that. I’m making a promise that if I do another P.A.C.E. Trek that I will return 100% to being a ‘teacher’ as I am a runner. Those of you who know my background are aware that I used to be a 5th grade teacher. It’s important to me that kids not only get fit and have goals, but that they learn things of value! I feel I’ve dropped the ball a little (actually, a lot) on that during this P.A.C.E. Trek. What have kids really seen through P.A.C.E. Trek Mojave Desert? They’ve seen something happen that’s never been done before. They’ve seen a guy pound his body into the ground (and sand) and take a beating from the desert. They’ve seen one man endure all by himself as he crosses a dry, barren, windy and lonely place. Is seeing that enough? I say no. Please don’t misinterpret my words to be ones of frustration or dissatisfaction with this journey. I am certainly pleased with my own personal performance. However, P.A.C.E. Trek is not about Paul Staso. It’s about the kids and the importance of taking kids on a unique fitness adventure that imparts knowledge and challenges thinking. That’s what it has always been in the past. I need to make sure that it is that way in the future.

I should be able to put more pictures out soon, and of course I have a lot of videos to upload. This journey has been so difficult for Internet connections and getting information out has been beyond challenging. I know that there are so many teachers and students who wanted to see more daily, and I’m sorry that wasn’t possible with this particular journey. I do, however, appreciate my friend Rob and all of his efforts to keep you posted as much as he could. Crossing the Mojave all alone is incredibly difficult, and without some big sponsors that can provide satellite phones and Internet connections via satellite, we just can’t do what we’d ultimately like to. So, we get by with the technology we can personally afford.

It’s time to get some rest to take on the next day of running. Remember, you can track my progress via the SPOT satellite tracker at the P.A.C.E. Trek Mojave Desert webs site (http://www.pacetrek.com/mojave). I’m pushing for the finish line on Sunday and look forward to crossing that line with thousands of school children from 9 countries virtually alongside me.

Thank you for your encouragement, support and understanding with respect to this P.A.C.E. Trek. Although my body is battered in many ways, and my emotional and mental state is not as steady as I prefer when wrapping up a P.A.C.E. Trek, please know that this has been beneficial for me and I fully expect that there will be another P.A.C.E. Trek coming up. Where will I go? Why don’t you write to me and make a suggestion! You can use the online guestbook at the P.A.C.E. Trek Mojave Desert web site.

Gotta Run,

Paul Staso (currently in Shoshone, California)

I see that spot is moving which means he got an early start  today.  As of 8:00 AM (his time) today he has less than 23 miles to complete the day.  I know that he was run down yesterday.  At this pace, he may be done with the day before 3:00 PM.  I’ll post audio as I get it.

[update]

1:20 PM -  Spot has paul about 5 miles away from his goal today.  I would estimate he will be finished for the day between 2:30 and 3:00 this afternoon

I received a message from Paul this evening on a very bad connection. 

He ran 29 miles today and is set up for the night at Salt Creek Hills.  It is a small turn off of the main road.  He has an important convience in the form of an outhouse nearby.  It was unexpected as he is out in the middle of nowhere.    Attached is a picture he sent me earlier in the day. 

Bob got another flat today because he has to go off the road when cars come and the pavement is very warm which makes Bob’s tires soft.  As you can see in the picture, the shoulder of the road is not paved so when traffic comes Paul and Bob go off the asphalt.  Paul is running out of patches for Bob.  The tires are working hard with the weight and the heat. 

Paul is also in sleeping in his tent for the last night.  He hopes to be able to keep up with his route and stay in hotels as planned for the rest of the trip. 

Audio files are made as he has cell service.  To keep track of Paul on the last few days of the trek check in with Spot here.

I’ll post more as I get it.

I spoke with Paul this morning.  He said that the roads have been challenging and often very sandy which made pushing Bob extremely difficult.  His cell service, as we know, has been very limited but he hopes to have a good connection in Baker tonight.

He was offered a camper to sleep in last night so he was able to get a shower and sleep off the ground.

Today is about a 30 mile day and the first 7 are taking him from 2200 feet up to 3600 feet.  From there is should be mostly downhill into Baker.

He’ll probably change this post when he can update it but I wanted to get some information out since that last 3 days have been somewhat quiet. 

He did leave a audio file this morning and it is posted. 

Remember:  If you would like to leave him a message you can do that on his guestbook.

[from Rob]

Paul called and left a message and it is now posted here.  I hope he will have a better connection this evening to update his progress and plans. I’ll edit this later tonight with the latest information.

(update)  Again, spot shows that Paul has arrived at his planned destination and I’ll assume that as soon as he has cell service he will send an update.

This is one of those quiet days where spot is our friend.  

While Paul’s cellular carrier shows coverage over this area,  it is remote and so I will assume that cell service is not available on this part of the trek. 

 I did not receive any audio files today and my calls and texts have not been answered but I did watch Paul’s spot track move over the planned course so my best assumption is that he is where he needs to be for the night.

I’ll update Monday or as soon as I hear from him.

Paul called saying that he went 34 miles today in 85 degree weather.   The first 20 miles was all uphill but the day went well.  Bob  is over 100 pounds as he is loaded  with food and water for the next 4 days.  He ran in 3 states today (Arizona, Nevada and California) is now past the half way point of this trek.

In the last 36 Hours he has run about 74 miles.  He has plenty fo food and plenty of water and feels things are going well. 

He plans on making a short stop in Goffs, California tomorrow where he hopes to be able to top off his water.

He’s getting set for the night up and feels he has a good spot for the night.  I got this picture from him at about 6:00 PM sent from his cell phone.