Glen Turner Running & Zzzooming

New Event for Glen - Extra Mile Endurathon

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:22:45 PDT

I will be participating in the Extra Mile Enurathon (click here) this weekend.

The event is an Ultrawalk where the participants walk on a 3.7 mile loop through Boulder, CO beginning at 5pm today (May 30th) and there is no finish line the last person walking wins.

The record was set in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil at 102 hours. Distance is not important, time is.
We only get a 10 min break every loop to rest, fix our feet change clothes etc.. Though there is an athletic component in the walking it is more an event around Will & sleep deprivation.

I am pretty stong willed and do well without much sleep - so we will see. The top 4 contestants qualify for the World Championship in Las Vegas on December 3rd, 2008. I would like to be there.

Please feel free to walk with us this weekend if you are in Boulder, otherwise follow my podcasts from Utterz. I will be posting them live during the event.

I GOT 'R DONE!!!

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:39:49 PDT

It was a long enchanted journey, believe it or not I didn't get a single blister. My only injury came the evening after I finished when I was shaving and I nicked my face. I lost a few pounds early in the run but my weight stabilized somewhere in Texas. I had a very few difficulties with the Zzzoomer because it is such a simple device. Early flats were a big issue, but once I got those Armadillo tires I went over 1500 miles without one.

I truly felt blessed by my encounters with all the different people I met along the way. I can't count how many either bought me diner or offered to help out in someway. I have hundreds of people who have signed the Zzzoomer from all over the country. I felt fortunate to not have caused any accidents nor did any animals perish as a result of chasing me (and believe me they did - but they just didn't know where to bite!)

My father (Bob Turner) who operated as my control center was an invaluable resource daily. One day, early in the morning after I had stopped for breakfast I got a call from him when he realized that I was heading west by mistake. If he hadn't have called I certainly would have gone gone a lot farther the wrong way. When I lost my wallet if he hadn't have bailed me out with a Western Union wire my shortest day may have been my last. Thanks Dad, you're the best. He also started a community team but because he was on the computer tracking me so much his team "The Flatlanders" never made it very far.

I also I need to give special thanks to the Coury family, Jamil for the fantastic job that he did developing and maintaining the Web Site; and to his mom Pati for helping get the word out to town officials and the media.

Another family that I need to give attention to is the Hope's in Tuscaloosa, AL. Bob Hope and his wife Christine took me in, let me shower, washed my cloths, fed me, gave me the shoes of his feet (literally), and contacted the local ABC affiliate television station who then filmed me.

The team leaders also need special consideration. Loren Floming from Emerald Elementary was the first teacher to help begin the planning of the student team concept. Peggy McGuff from Mountain View Elementary actually initially put the idea in my brain about having the kids follow me. I want to say that the conference call that we had from the side of the road in Texas was just as inspiring to me. Then there is Bud Glassburg from Eagle Elementary. Talk about an inspiring man. He was the first person to make a financial contribution, and then he stepped up and organized a team in Indiana (where my Sister's family and Mother live). As of the last report they had 155 kids running from that school alone (he is not even a teacher at that school). They were out to catch me - without a handicap. Kids were recruiting other kids to make it so. Also Budd and his daughter met me in Mississippi -we were going to met in Texas but I was a little ahead of schedule :o) , and to top it all off he even wrote an article for the local newspaper. Budd you're the MAN.

You kids gave me more energy than you know. I hope you keep up your running, and I look forward to coming to your school and sharing with you my stories, pictures and videos.

Leah kept together the only community team that made it out of the starting blocks. Good job. You have been a great motivator, and I really appreciate the support from a part of the country that I never would have expected.

Hopefully as a result of all this running and Zzzooming, I have inspired not only the youngsters in age, but the young at heart as well to live a healthy lifestyle that includes getting out there and moving their body. I may share more about this experience in a book, and certainly in a multimedia presentation that I will make available soon.

I'll just never forget the full moon rising into and out of a total eclipse over the Mojave Desert during my first 100 mile day.

Nice visiting Mississippi, Hello Alabama!

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:16:54 PDT

I had a surprise visit from Bud Glassberg and his daughter Ellie. Bud is the teacher/organizer of the Eagle Elementary Beagles. They are bound and determined to chase me down for bragging rights to the most kilometers run. They don't want a handicap, they are challenging me head on. With 155 kids they are pushing me. It was fun running with him.

I spent the night in Columbus MS and I had a nice meal given to me by Harvey's. It began raining pretty good so I spent the morning working on getting a new Driver's license and Credit cards. I also mailed home almost 20lbs worth unneeded clothes etc that I didn't want to just throw away.

In Tuscaloosa, AL I met some fantastic people when I came into town late at night to fix a small but important part on the Zzzoomer. I got help from Eric at the Velocity bike shop. Later we went out for sushi and met some of his friends. One of the guys was Dr. Rob Hope, a podiatrist, and cyclist. He offered me a room in his home for the night, I accepted for the first time on this trip. I am glad I did. He had a truck and we put the Zzzoomer in the back (he bought me back to the same spot in the morning so I didn't miss any ground). I still haven't received any shoes from ECCO (that's a sore topic for later discussion). He gave me a new pair of shoes and I met his wife Christine and two little girls. They were great. Christine called the local TV station and within an hour I was being filmed by the local ABC affiliate for channel 33/40.

I had lunch in Brent, Alabama and met a couple friendly locals and got interviewed by another newspaper and I have a conference call schedule for another interview coming up in the next half an hour. I just I'm starting to get noticed. It is flatering but it takes time and I am having a harder time getting my miles in.

Mississippi Headwinds

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:47:09 PDT

Computer Problems in & out of Texas

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:52:47 PDT

Sorry about the text portion of the website Blog. I have been having computer and internet connection issues for the past several days. I don't know if I have it licked yet but it is working for the time being. I have been publishing my Audio podcasts and I hope that you enjoy them. They are by far the most current, and to the news. Please check there first. Listen to the Utterz! I have also been publishing my photos in webshots. My videos have been difficult because I need to translate each clip to a new format before it is up loaded and that takes time. Sorry, but I will get caught up soon I hope.

Smooth sailing out of Roswell into Texas

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:09:51 PST

I left Roswell after recharging my batteries (literally & figuratively). I worked hard to get something for day 16. My distance for that day is totaled at 9:26am Pacific time so pushed for 50k, I got just about as close as you can get. I was on the road with no place to really take a break so I carried on with a gentle tail wind and a gradual decent :) to Plains, TX. I arrived to find the town about to roll up the streets. I had 15 mins to get some food at the DQ before they closed at 8:00pm. The other Mexican restaurant had already closed. I decided to call it a day and found a place to park the Zzzoomer and set up camp.

I started before sunrise so that I could finish out Day 17 with over 100 miles. I had to work hard to get to Brownfield because the wind had changed direction during the night in advance of an approaching storm. As I write this I am considering a severe weather advisory (see below:)

I was just finishing up this blog and the waitress told me that my meal was paid for by one of the patrons. I don't even know who. It constantly amazed at the friendliness and generosity of the people I have met on this adventure.

Special Weather Statement

PARMER-CASTRO-SWISHER-BRISCOE-HALL- CHILDRESS-BAILEY-LAMB-HALE- FLOYD- MOTLEY-COTTLE-COCHRAN-HOCKLEY-LUBBOCK- CROSBY-DICKENS-KING- YOAKUM-TERRY-LYNN- GARZA-KENT-STONEWALL- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FRIONA...BOVINA... DIMMITT...HART... TULIA...SILVERTON... QUITAQUE...MEMPHIS...TURKEY... CHILDRESS... MULESHOE...LITTLEFIELD... OLTON...PLAINVIEW...FLOYDADA... LOCKNEY... MATADOR...ROARING SPRINGS... PADUCAH...MORTON...LEVELLAND... LUBBOCK...SLATON...WOLFFORTH... CROSBYTON...RALLS...DICKENS... SPUR... GUTHRIE...PLAINS...DENVER CITY... BROWNFIELD...TAHOKA... O'DONNELL... POST...JAYTON...ASPERMONT 535 AM CST WED MAR 5 2008

...ANOTHER ROUND OF LIGHT SNOW POSSIBLE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

AN APPROACHING STORM SYSTEM COMBINED WITH AN INFLUX OF COLD AIR WILL RESULT IN A CHANCE OF SNOWFALL FOR AREAS ON THE CAPROCK ESCARPMENT TONIGHT AND THURSDAY MORNING WITH A RAIN AND SNOW MIX POSSIBLE ACROSS THE ROLLING PLAINS. PRECIPITATION CHANCES ARE GREATEST IN THE EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN PANHANDLE AND THE NORTHWESTERN SOUTH PLAINS...GENERALLY WEST OF A MORTON TO TULIA LINE. ACROSS THOSE AREAS 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE... ALTHOUGH LIGHTER AMOUNTS ARE CURRENTLY ANTICIPATED FOR MOST AREAS.

Las Cruses to Roswell

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:11:07 PST

I have had to camp in the Zzzoomer fro the past 3 nights. The first night I stayed in the parking lot of a Family Dollar behind the card board collection trailer.The second night was aesthetically much more pleasing in the White Sands desert. Last night was the most difficult of the Whole trip - I was caught by a wind (50 - 70 mph) and snow storm.

weather.com - Local Severe Weather Alerts Details

Winter Storm Warning

/O.CON.KABQ.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z- 080303T1900Z/ SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS- CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS/ESTANCIA VALLEY- CONCHAS LAKE/GUADALUPE COUNTY-QUAY COUNTY- LINCOLN COUNTY HIGH PLAINS/HONDO VALLEY- CAPITAN/NORTHERN SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS-DE BACA COUNTY- CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS-ROOSEVELT COUNTY- CURRY COUNTY- GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS OF CHAVES COUNTY- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SANDIA PARK/CEDAR CREST... MORIARTY/ESTANCIA...SANTA ROSA... TUCUMCARI...CARRIZOZO... RUIDOSO... FORT SUMNER...ROSWELL...PORTALES... CLOVIS 851 AM MST MON MAR 3 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST TODAY.

ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS UP TO ONE INCH ARE STILL POSSIBLE ACROSS THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS AS WELL AS THE SOUTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL PLAINS... PARTICULARLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 70. IN ADDITION...NORTH WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH WILL ALLOW FOR AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS OR ROAD CLOSURES MAY BE IN EFFECT OVER THE WARNED AREA.

FOR THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS...CALL 1.800.432.4269. THE SNOW AND WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DIMINISH BY EARLY AFTERNOON.

I Broke 1000 miles in the morning after I got going. Things have been pretty smooth sailing until this storm. Thankfully Zzzoomer and I weathered it safely. Tomorrow will be a rest day I have decided and I will not try to put in as many miles

Las Cruces Article - March 1, 2008

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:58:13 PST

Zoom, zoom: Man runs, coasts cross country to promote physical fitness
Sun-News report
Article Launched: 03/01/2008 12:00:00 AM MST

Sun-News photo by Norm Dettlaff

Glen Turner, 48, runs along Avenida de Mesilla on Friday with a "Zoomer" attached to his body. The man from Louisville, Colo., stopped in Las Cruces on his way to Savannah, Ga., after he started his trek in Oceanside, Calif., on Feb. 17. He is making the 2,500-mile journey solo with nothing but what he can carry in the wheeled cart he made. The device is strapped to his body as he runs, but he can sit inside, prop his legs, and coast down hills — an action he calls "the zooming effect." At a goal of traveling 62 miles day, he plans on making it to his final destination in under 40 days. He said he is making the cross-country journey to promote physical fitness and to prepare him for a run around the world.

Link to Article

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:13:20 PST

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grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:59:43 PST

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grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:12:34 PST

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grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:32:43 PST

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Las Cruces, NM

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:26:37 PST

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Sights along the way days 10 -12

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:05:57 PST

I will share a little here, but check out the Webshots for more.

Pounding out the miles & flats, flats, flats

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:52:45 PST

The past couple of days I have been working really hard. I hand been right on the cusp of my new goal pace and I wanted to get off the edge. Last night (rather early this morning) I took care of the edge. I put in another 100 mile day! Now I am comfortably 90 kms above my goal pace. To do that I swear I went through 20 patches and spent a couple of hours on the side of the road. I am not exaggerating. I have found a bike shop in Las Cruces, NM, RIDE ON SPORTS, that says they have the tire for me. The Armadillo from Specialized, I Googled it and found this video:

We will see, but I am very excited about this product.

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:10:16 PST

02/25/08

Today was tough lots of climbing not much Zzzooming. I stopped in Globe AZ because after Globe there wouldn't be any stores for a long time. I met a trucker who said that the route up 60 had snow and that I should take 70, a southern route. It would mean that I would be on I-10 for a stretch in NM. I called the NM state police and they said that it would be ok. I have decided to take the route and I will try to get from Globe to Safford all in one day. Like the 100 mile Desert run. This crosses a large indian reservation and is 78 1/2 miles.It does have a few hills but I feel confident.

Today was spectacular for the views. I also had a thrilling section in a tunnel. there were no signs preventing me so I just went for it.

I will be out of touchmost of tomorrow (limited cell coverage)

New Goals!

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:25:12 PST

02/23/08

I have completed my first week on the road. My goals have changed a bit as I have discovered more about the "Zzzoomer effect" I am much faster than I thought I would be. Now I am going to shoot for 100k per day average. For the teams that I am running with This new goal will be retroactive from the start and as long as you have met your weekly goals your team will stay with me. My rules for this are that one can increase their mileage goals but can not decrease them. I have a small cushion going into the mountains but not much. I am hoping that if I fall behind my goal I can make up for it on the other side of the Continental Divide.

I am no longer trying to "break the record" for the solo journey runner classification as defined in John Wallace III's website. However setting that as my initial objective made sense to me when I was only running. But now that I have chosen "Fun over Fame" I hope that no one is too disappointed.

I have said all along that this is not just running, but now I have to conclude that it really is a completely different athletic activity. I do run a lot but I "scoot & glide" which I call Zzzooming a lot as well and that saves my muscles and I hope will help prevent any over use injuries. This "run" has all along been about inspiring kids (of all ages) to get out and exercise. I don't have any children of my own and this is my way of sharing some of my knowledge and energy in a fun way. This crazy contraption is a great conversation starter. It is a conversation magnet! The older boys are curious about the techno gadgets like the solar power & GPS systems.

Another objective of mine has been to see if I have what it takes to run around the world with Jesper Olsen beginning in July. I chose this time period because may want to run the 6 or 10 day race in NYC again. Since I had to run in the winter I had to choose a southern route (which several people have noticed is shorter) this is a coincidence but it also serves my objectives in staying healthy during what I am considering an epic training run.

So far I am Happy,
healthy and still Zzzooming down the road.

I hope this helps explain some of my motivations and decisions

Glen

Field of Dreams

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:49:46 PST

02/22/08

Field of dreams - If you build it they will come.

I began this run on a wing and a prayer (as my Grama T. would have said). Two days before I left I had less than $100 in cash. I had been working on a masonry project that was going to pay out eventually, but I still haven’t been paid. Just before I left Anytime Fitness from Erie, CO stopped me on the side of the road and asked me what I was training for. I told him and he got rather inspired. Hi gym offered a financial sponsorship that helped me afford the gas and other last minute necessities that I needed to begin. He also started making some phone call to the corporate office and other Anytime gyms along my route to see if they would also help out. A couple of days after I had started I got a message that my Cousin Jim who is the Founder and President of a company that designed and built “The Pocket Wizard” flash controller. It is a radio controlled flash system that offer remote wireless flash control. The funds offered by them will enable me to complete the crossing. I recommend anyone to read “the Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, one of the themes in it is that if you are following you true passion the whole Universe will conspire to help. I honestly believe that, and each day I see the proof.

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:37:19 PST

02/21/08

Narrow Shoulders, Big Trucks and Rain

The route on Hwy 72 was challenging until I found Hope - Hope, AZ that is.

This stretch has been not quite as pleasant as the past few days. It was great, don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t trade it nor would I wish to go some where else. Yet I had some challenges. I stopped earlier than normal for the evening because I wanted to sleep in a bed and take a shower. Actually I would have preferred a bath but the little motel that I stayed in only offered showers. I went to bed at around 10pm and woke up at 3 am and began running at 3:45 am. I wanted to get past the turn off to US Route 10 ASAP. Apparently the truckers use the road I was on regularly. When I run after dark in the late evening or early morning I feel safer because I can be seen and there is a lot less traffic. Last night I had my diner bought for me by some one that had seen me on the road earlier. This morning I was welcomed just beyond Hope AZ. Buy two woman Frankie & her daughter Lynne who had tracked me down and drove over 60 miles to find me running in the rain. Thank you SPOT. They gave me some cash for breakfast and I asked them to join me. They changed their plans for the morning and met me in Salome. They wouldn’t let me pay for our meals with the money they gave me. We chatted about living your dreams. Lynne and her husband travel in there 38’ double slider RV back and forth from San Diego to Savannah regularly. She felt that she had to meet me when her mom and dad (Dick) mentioned that they had seen me in Parker, AZ yesterday and after they went to the website they decided to track me down.

This is the second time some one has used the website & SPOT to find me on the road. I met up with fellow runner Rick (we met at the Across the Years running race a couple of months ago) outside of Palm Springs. Rick was driving to Phoenix to visit with family. He also mentioned that he wants to run some when I get to Phoenix. Which by the way I am way ahead of schedule. I should arrive there Saturday morning. I will probably stay in Wicksburg tonight and leave early in the morning like I did today.

I don’t know if I can keep this pace up but I am going to “up level J” my goal to 100k per day average so that I don’t run away from the teams that are running with me. I know that it will be more difficult out of Phoenix, so I am trying to bank some miles before I hit the hills.

My camera battery died today so some of the photos that you see were taken by Lynne & Frankie.

Day 5 Map

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:59:22 PST

Day 5 - Glen's X/C run (Looking forward)
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Full Moon Rising over the Mojave

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:55:45 PST

If I write a book about this adventure I think the title will be the same as this blog entry. Last night was magical. After the day before when I had all the hills and wind I was blessed with a long stretch of down hills and a tail wind. I was tring to out run a storm. I did and was treated with a full moon and an eclipse! It was so beautiful and bright when the moon rose after the eclipse that I turned off my head light and ran by the moon light. I got just over 90 miles before I went to sleep. I had crossed the entire desert in one big push. since I was so close to 100 miles I got up and back on the road early and did another 10 miles before 9:28 am so that I actually logged 100.1 mils for the day.

If I was just running I would never have been able to do that, that fast. Zzzooming rules!

Yet I've got to say that it was very beautiful in the moon light and as I got closer to the end I slowed down and just took in the images & impressions.

It just keeps getting better, and better.

Day 4 Map:
DAY 4 - Glen's X/C Run
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Dealing with the wind & hills

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:57:33 PST

There is always the other side to difficult experiences, and if you just keep going forward you find can find the edge of something wonderful. Yesterday I struggled through the cross winds and very long hills to arrive at just such a place. Honestly, if I had just stopped when
it was prudent (by most expected standards) I would have had the shortest day yet, and not met some really nice people. Resulting in shorter totals for each subsequent day. However I just kept plodding along, and low and behold it all turned around under a beautiful full (or near full) moon. I ended up having my best day yet. I decided to celibrate at a local Marine Corp. watering hole called " Stumps". At first I was a bit nervous walking in in my running cloths & shorts. I got some strange stares at first but they weren't shy about asking me what I was doing. I made a lot of great friends and stayed there until it closed. I only spent $5 of my own money. Semper Fi ! :)

Earlier in the day I met a interesting man named Lloyd. He walked up to me in the Subway parking lot and asked about my Zzzoomer. I explained what I was doing. and we talked for quite some time. He lived in the town for over 30 years and gave me his card with some hand written sayings that I added to the skin.

What a day I had. I know this only the beginning of even greater days to come!

Day 3

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:30:22 PST

Day 3 - Glen's X/C run
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Day 2 - The Journey Continues

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:22:14 PST

Day 2 Glen's Run
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5:30pm Pacific time (Posted by Jamil):

Since Glen has lost his internet connection temporarily, I will be adding a few updates. Glen is now zzzooming into Palm Springs according to the SPOT messenger. It looks like he has some very fast splits coming out of the mountains. The design of his cart allows him to use gravity to his advantage on the downhills. By "zzzooming" he is not actually running, but instead transferring the energy he used to push his 135 pound cart up the mountains to now coast back to lower elevations.

He had the cart over 30mph on a downhill yesterday morning!After Palm Springs, Glen will make his way up through Twenty Nine palms and across the Mojave desert on his way to Arizona. The forecast calls for rain which should hopefully keep Glen cool through the low lying desert areas. Let's just hope he can keep all of his electronics dry!

Be sure to check out this article that went out today:http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/02/18/news/coastal/09_18_622_17_08.txt

10:49 Pacific Time (by Jamil):

We have just added audio podcasts! Check them out on the right side of Glen's blog. You can subscribe to his RSS feed by visiting the following page and will be updated when we post new podcasts along the way.

I have begun!

grtrunning@yahoo.com (Glen Turner) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:26:51 PST

Day 1 - Glen's Run
Find more Runs in Oceanside, California

I am blogging from inside the Zzzoomer. I know a lot of you are very curious about my sleeping arrangements. I will get some pics and video in the morning of the “sleeping capsule”. It is cozy that’s for sure but it is definitely nicer than a “bivy”.
Today I found 60 cents and 2 cute little figures that I picked up. I spent $28.00 on food today. I eat well and even had cofee at Starbuck in Tesquelus ? CA. I met a lot of people whole were just fasinated by the Zzzoomer. I ask everyone to go to the website and sign my guestbook. I know few will, but I ove seeing the enrties.
I had an amazing send off. The mayor was there and I believe a counsil member. The local newspaper covered it and I know got some great pics. I hope they have it posted on the web so that I can have it on the website. My good friend and transplanted yoga instructor, Brandon Cox was the first to arrive with his girl friend Steph Schwartz, another ultra trail runner who now is mostly doing yoga. They help me finish detailing the Zzzoomer prior to its debut. Brandon, Kieth Kirby & Akio _____ (who took second at Bad Water) all began the run with me. Though there was some up hills it was a pretty flat with one big downhill in the first 5 miles, so they had a hard time staying with me. I wish I had them later - the hills were MUCH harder later on.
I forgot to mention that the Zzzoomer grew to 135 lbs !!! That included everything (water etc). I was shocked that was more than twice what I was hoping for. I already know of some things that I want to leave in Phoenix. I doubt though that I will get it under 100 lbs.
I had 3 flats at around 10 miles. They all happened because I didn’t adequately prepaire my rims with tape over the spoke holes. I am so glad I brought that roll of duct tape!
I also had a running handle break when I was picking up my cart to make a big turn.

I reall didn’t use it much so it really wasn’t that big of a deal.
I got to 76.5 kilometers until I stopped for the night. It was my exact predicted stopping point. I honestly thought I would go farther. But I started late, at 9:28am (the mayor & and the reporter had a lot of questions. Honestly though, I didn’t leave the Comfort Suites until 9:00. I had hoped to leave earlier but we had some problems getting the logos printed for the businesses that are helping with the expedition.
There is no cell service here so I will have to post this blog and all the pics and vids that I took tomorrow morning further down the road. Bummer.
It is great that the Spot Messenger had satellite service, because it has no problem posting my location.
Well it is now after 10pm and I am going to read a little and go to bed.
Until tomorrow -

10:00 am

I am eating steak & eggs in a casino in Cahuilla,CA. I coudn't sleep past 1:00am. I hung out in the Zzzoomer until about 1:45am when I decided to get back out there. I began by 2:15am and hiked up a mountain to3800' for the next 3hrs, when my battery died on my head light. It was still dark so I rested/slept for the next 2hrs. I stopped here for my final 1st day total of 94.2 kms or 58.0 miles.

Unfortunately, castastrophy happened. I lost my cellular data card and my wireless mouse (with the signal sender for my large key board). I'm sending this over the wifi at the casino.

It may be a while before I can replace it. what a pain. I wanted weight reduction - but not that.