Day 6: Bakersfield, CA, to Barstow, CA (Friday, June 20)
Distance traveled: 143 miles
Personal running distance today: 8 miles
Total personal miles to-date: 50 miles
Today's dedications: Joyce Martin and Kyle Funke
My running buddy: Devin
Weather: HOT, sunny, upper 90s
Wow, today was tough from the start. I thought I was going to cry when my alarm when off at 5:00 this morning because I didn’t want to leave the huge, amazing hotel bed. However, it was going to be another long day, so we got up and packed the vans.
We went to Danielle’s mom’s house for breakfast, which she so graciously provided for us. It was delicious! It felt good to be in a real home again, especially to have a mom there who was more than willing to take care of us in any way. After we circled up in her front yard, the vans split up and we were off.
I was in Team 2 again today, so we had to drive 1.5 hours out to the middle of the Mojave Desert to start out our day. By the time we arrived and started running, it was 9:00 and already in the 80s. We knew we were in for a long, hot day, but I don’t think we realized the other obstacles that we would face.
Aside from the dry heat, the route we had planned last night turned out to be mostly dirt roads, some which weren’t accessible to cars or were private. So we did a lot of re-routing today to try and figure out a way we could all get our miles in. Each of us was supposed to run 12 miles today, but due to the heat and how many times we had to re-route, none of Team 2 was able to get to 12. However, the team as a whole is still definitely on track to complete 4,000 miles by the time we reach Baltimore.
I ran with Devin today, which was so great because she loves to tell stories while she runs and that was the perfect distraction for the extreme heat. I learned a lot about her and was so happy she was willing to share some stories with me. I can’t say that the run was too enjoyable since the desert isn’t really that great looking, plus my right hip flexor was bothering me pretty badly today. However, I loved that I got to get through the challenges of the day with Devin.
Distance traveled: 143 miles
Personal running distance today: 8 miles
Total personal miles to-date: 50 miles
Today's dedications: Joyce Martin and Kyle Funke
My running buddy: Devin
Weather: HOT, sunny, upper 90s
Wow, today was tough from the start. I thought I was going to cry when my alarm when off at 5:00 this morning because I didn’t want to leave the huge, amazing hotel bed. However, it was going to be another long day, so we got up and packed the vans.
We went to Danielle’s mom’s house for breakfast, which she so graciously provided for us. It was delicious! It felt good to be in a real home again, especially to have a mom there who was more than willing to take care of us in any way. After we circled up in her front yard, the vans split up and we were off.
I was in Team 2 again today, so we had to drive 1.5 hours out to the middle of the Mojave Desert to start out our day. By the time we arrived and started running, it was 9:00 and already in the 80s. We knew we were in for a long, hot day, but I don’t think we realized the other obstacles that we would face.
Aside from the dry heat, the route we had planned last night turned out to be mostly dirt roads, some which weren’t accessible to cars or were private. So we did a lot of re-routing today to try and figure out a way we could all get our miles in. Each of us was supposed to run 12 miles today, but due to the heat and how many times we had to re-route, none of Team 2 was able to get to 12. However, the team as a whole is still definitely on track to complete 4,000 miles by the time we reach Baltimore.
I ran with Devin today, which was so great because she loves to tell stories while she runs and that was the perfect distraction for the extreme heat. I learned a lot about her and was so happy she was willing to share some stories with me. I can’t say that the run was too enjoyable since the desert isn’t really that great looking, plus my right hip flexor was bothering me pretty badly today. However, I loved that I got to get through the challenges of the day with Devin.
At one point, we were on a stretch of road that was 25 miles long and it was only sand, dirt and rock the whole way. We had no cell service, and it was reaching the hottest part of the day, around 2 p.m. We ran about 15 miles of the road as a team, then decided it was too hot and unsafe to be out there with no cell service, so we drove the vans to the end of the road. It took forever, though, because the road was so bumpy and full of holes and hills.
We spent the better part of today not seeing any civilization, so when we finally got back to a highway, we were thrilled. We headed to Barstow and the church we were staying at.
Today was our first mail drop! I was thrilled to see that I had received a letter from my Gramma and Papa back in CoMo. I am so glad they’re able to keep up with my journey and are so thoughtful to send me letters along the way.
We showered at the local Barstow fire department tonight. I realized when I arrived I had forgotten my body wash, but don’t worry, one of the firemen had left his bottle of Axe body wash in the locker room. So, thank you random Barstow fireman for allowing me to smell like a clean fireman.
Tomorrow we leave California, and I must say, I’m looking forward to it! Although the coast was absolutely beautiful, I’m ready to be done with the desert and especially excited to move on to the next few states. Tomorrow we’ll be running to Las Vegas, and then we have Sunday as a rest day, so who knows what kind of fun we’ll find in Sin City tomorrow night! I’m even more excited to have Sunday off because USA plays Portugal in the World Cup, so I should be able to watch the whole game.
Even though today was the roughest day yet and I was a little bummed I didn’t get to finish my miles, I’m still considering today a success because our team did such a great job handling the crazy intense conditions. Every day I get to know my teammates more and more, and every day I love them more and more. I can’t explain how proud I feel to see the great work that we’re doing. I’m looking forward to more moments like this!
Run happy,
Natalie
We spent the better part of today not seeing any civilization, so when we finally got back to a highway, we were thrilled. We headed to Barstow and the church we were staying at.
Today was our first mail drop! I was thrilled to see that I had received a letter from my Gramma and Papa back in CoMo. I am so glad they’re able to keep up with my journey and are so thoughtful to send me letters along the way.
We showered at the local Barstow fire department tonight. I realized when I arrived I had forgotten my body wash, but don’t worry, one of the firemen had left his bottle of Axe body wash in the locker room. So, thank you random Barstow fireman for allowing me to smell like a clean fireman.
Tomorrow we leave California, and I must say, I’m looking forward to it! Although the coast was absolutely beautiful, I’m ready to be done with the desert and especially excited to move on to the next few states. Tomorrow we’ll be running to Las Vegas, and then we have Sunday as a rest day, so who knows what kind of fun we’ll find in Sin City tomorrow night! I’m even more excited to have Sunday off because USA plays Portugal in the World Cup, so I should be able to watch the whole game.
Even though today was the roughest day yet and I was a little bummed I didn’t get to finish my miles, I’m still considering today a success because our team did such a great job handling the crazy intense conditions. Every day I get to know my teammates more and more, and every day I love them more and more. I can’t explain how proud I feel to see the great work that we’re doing. I’m looking forward to more moments like this!
Run happy,
Natalie