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10/19/2021

I noticed I had several new followers though I had not posted anything since my cross country run suddenly came to a halt in mid-Nebraska in late August. It was a great overall experience for 620 miles.

After several days of catheter and kidney infection and feeling really lousy in late August/early Sept, I have been blessed with a wonderful recovery. So much so, I ran the Pumpkin Holler 50k in Tahlequah Saturday, finishing in 6:31:31, much faster than I thought possible. So enjoyable to be running again!

I turn 70 in February and will be thinking of something else wild and crazy to attempt. Always a dreamer!

Thank you, everyone, for your support and encouragement while on the road in August!!! It was a blessing.
Randy

08/26/2021

I went to my family doctor yesterday and the Urologist Specialists today. The doctor today strongly advised to keep the catheter in for one more week to let the bladder heal and reduce the chances of infection and reoccurrence of blockage. And then do more testing.

And so the journey ends. It was a wonderful blessing to me: getting to do something I love - 620 miles of long distance running and exploring in 20 days, getting to see the Dakotas and half of Nebraska. And to meet wonderful folks and to be supported and encouraged by friends - a heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you (especially Marcy and Wayne).

Most all of my ultra running friends know the feeling: you put an extraordinary amount of effort into training, dreaming, and planning the next race or journey - but it’s always a risk. It sometimes doesn’t go as planned. Two of my friends have gone through it recently (David, Arnold).

So, you “recalculate” and dream/plan for the next race. Marcy knows I’m a dreamer - I’m already thinking of the next one.

I’m still the most blessed person, always finding peace and hope in the midst of storms and failures thanks to my Saviour, Jesus Christ.

08/24/2021

I think the Lord must sometimes protect us from our own self.

After 2 nice recovery days with the grandkids in Andover KS, I was planning my restart for tomorrow morning. Steve Olsen had graciously offered to take me back to a little north of York, Nebraska.

I was feeling good and things looking good, except for this deteriorating urination condition causing a little discomfort and lack of sleep. And then it happened: complete blockage and severe pain before noon this morning.

A much needed trip to the local ER ensued. The kidneys and bladder seemed fine, but I had blood clots in the urinary tract.
I now have a catheter for a few days to prevent blockage from reoccurring. Right now Marcy is driving me home. I will see my primary care physician tomorrow to start the process of making sure it was caused by extreme exertion and not something else.

The journey restart? Who knows; has to look a little doubtful now. Will let you know when I know for sure.

I rest in Psalms 94:19 “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”

08/22/2021

Following doctor’s orders is generally not an Ellis strength. However, in this case I am going to do that…..at least somewhat.

For the previous 2 days I have had significant blood (or muscle tissue) in my urine. My nephew Dr. Nathan Ellis expressed a great concern that my muscles were tearing down and I was risking severe damage to the kidneys.

So, I took an easy day today and walked a slow 11 miles until my gracious brother Wayne arrived; he was going to help me for a few days. Instead, I am going to take 2 days off and recover at Nicole and Jeremy’s house in Andover KS. Being with my 4 granddaughters will be tough work.😀😀😀😀

I have really enjoyed the comments and “likes.” It’s been fun trying to figure out some of the likes: where I met them, or whether a friend of a friend, or how they found out about this.

Don’t leave; Lord willing I will be back on the road Wednesday after a lot of food and liquids.

A glorious morning and the longest day. After yesterday’s challenge of traffic, mud and weeds, this morning was wonderfu...
08/22/2021

A glorious morning and the longest day. After yesterday’s challenge of traffic, mud and weeds, this morning was wonderful. A light north breeze, 56 degrees starting, and best of all - a great shoulder. After 11 miles, no shoulder for the rest of the day, but thankfully less traffic.

It was a record backpack day - 35 miles to arrive here at the Silver Creek city park, where I have a restroom and water fountain.

I have had several “chance” meetings, but the one today was quite surprising. A cyclist came down the road toward me. We were both surprised to see each other on a remote Nebraska road in the middle of no where. It was Charles and he was cycling from Key West to Seattle. We excitedly swapped stories. His dad was meeting him every few miles. Of course, I had to tell him about my dad helping me run across the country.

It was a long day; I’m leaving the bleachers and heading for the tent. Have a blessed Sunday!

It was a mixed bag day. It started with Marcy and Rielly dropping me at my starting place and then heading to Oklahoma....
08/21/2021

It was a mixed bag day. It started with Marcy and Rielly dropping me at my starting place and then heading to Oklahoma. It was a little sad seeing the car drive away.

The south wind was already blowing as I took off in my backpack. I quickly discovered the the overnight rain had muddied the shoulder of the road. It was a muddy challenge all day stepping on and off the pavement.

After a few moments of thinking of the negatives at the start, I thought “I need to think of my blessings.” Almost immediately Deputy Sheriff Logan Lawson slowed down and asked me if I needed help. When I told him what I was doing, he pulled over and wanted to hear more. We had a good visit and I went down the road with a brighter outlook.

The next town had this marquee below which said “count your blessings.” Other blessings of the day: Petersburg had a great park for a break and water; clouds rolled in with only a light rain, bringing a cool north tailwind. For the first time in several days, I didn’t have to fight a strong headwind.

And Marcy had made me a hotel reservation in Albion. I kept thinking “I’ll be in Albion tonight.” I thought it was catchy.

A 30.6 mile mixed bag of adventure!

A few more clouds in the sky kept the temperature under 90. There were plenty of rolling hills as I headed south on hig...
08/19/2021

A few more clouds in the sky kept the temperature under 90. There were plenty of rolling hills as I headed south on highway 14, totaling 29.0 miles and finishing 4 miles south of Neligh, Nebraska.

There were long stretches of yellow and lavender wildflowers along the side of the highway, like the stretch in the picture below.

However, note that there is only about 8 inches of pavement outside the white line. Outside of the 8 inches, there may be a little gravel or just mainly weeds. Between the head wind and stepping on and off pavement, I was worn out at the end of the day.

An interesting note: we had changed the planned route a few days ago. Instead of going to Nebraska on 281, we took a more easterly route and went south on 37 through Huron and Mitchell. Today the 2 routes converged in Nehigh. I originally estimated to reach Nehigh in 541 miles. I actually made it in 537 miles, the new route being only 4 miles different.

A couple of literal milestones today: this morning I crossed over the Missouri River into Nebraska. One more state behi...
08/18/2021

A couple of literal milestones today: this morning I crossed over the Missouri River into Nebraska. One more state behind me. And early this afternoon I passed the 500 mile mark. Actually there wasn’t a mark, just trees. I ate a fig newton and had a drink of water to celebrate.

The terrain changed dramatically in one day: from vast open farmland to to rolling hills, more trees and pasture land. For the entire journey, the old homesteads, houses and barns have been really interesting - like the one below. That looks like a 50’s or 60’s car parked in the barn.

Thinking today - I am the most blessed person. My wife is so supportive of my craziness. She has been here since Sunday night and it is tiring work being the crew: finding and making hotel reservations (it’s been a lot harder than we thought); getting medicines, medications, braces, etc.; draining and doctoring blisters; taking care of the food and liquid needs; driving many, many miles to get me to the start, bring lunch, and picking me up at the end of the day.

Without her I would be in a lot worse shape and many miles back up the road. Thank you, honey!

Crossing the Missouri River, entering Nebraska. Dakotas done!!!
08/18/2021

Crossing the Missouri River, entering Nebraska. Dakotas done!!!

Who was the wise guy who planned a north to south journey in late summer, knowing the prevailing south wind? And who wa...
08/17/2021

Who was the wise guy who planned a north to south journey in late summer, knowing the prevailing south wind? And who was the wise guy who said it’s a different heat, a dry heat with low humidity?

However, it was a productive day totaling 30.3 miles. I was able to run quite a bit of the first few miles until the wind cranked up. When the corn stalks start waving at me, running is not effective. Then when the corn stalks start bowing to me (not like Joseph in the Bible), even walking becomes a challenge.

Marcy and Rielly brought lunch at 18 miles and a nice gentlemen named Brent stopped 3 miles later and gave me a big bottle of Gatorade, helping me make it to the end.

I finished 4 miles west of Springfield. I am so close to Nebraska, I can smell it (no offense intended, though their football team could use some).

Marcy hit the jackpot; she got us 2 nights stay at this resort at the Lewis and Clark recreation area on the Missouri R...
08/17/2021

Marcy hit the jackpot; she got us 2 nights stay at this resort at the Lewis and Clark recreation area on the Missouri River near Yankton SD. This is the view out our front door.

It will take a little more driving to get me back and forth, but will be worth it!!

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