Day 11 of the run across USA 2025

Our overnight stop was a Walmart car park near Everett, Pennsylvania. It was really quiet but cold overnight. I had a good sleep although I’m still in need of more as the sleep tracking graph shows below (it’s taken from Whoop). 

I set off running at 0600 along the now familiar Lincoln Highway. The roads were the quietest I’d seen so far on this tour. Probably because it was Sunday. 

I soon made it to Bedford which seemed be a nice little town. A few people were out walking dogs and getting groceries. They all gave me a wave and said good morning. That seems to be the norm since I left New York 11 days ago. It’s something that I welcome. Any human interaction, no matter how brief can have a positive effect on me.

There was a bit of a climb out of Bedford as the heat of the day began to increase. I was able to tune in to Newcastle playing Chelsea and celebrated the goals while running on the hard shoulder of the Lincoln Highway. 

I was really struggling after just 4 miles. But that’s nothing new in these unforgiving early difficult days. By mile 6 I decided to meet the team earlier than planned. They caught up with me at mile 7. It was then that I explained that I needed rest. There was also the added complication of some early signs of inflammation in my right shin. If that takes hold, then it will be a disaster. I ran through it for 10 days during my run from John O’Groats to Lands End in 2007 (with the help of codiene). There were also these similar early signs in the Rocky Mountains back in 2011. I was quick to act then with ice and the same has been done today. There is more of that to come before the end of the day too. I’m not overly concerned as I believe I’ve caught it just in time. That’s the value of experience I guess. 

So with 11 days gone, 306 miles have been ran. There is a deficit of 46 miles on average (based on 3200 miles) or 50 when compared to my plan. With hindsight my plan is flawed. I should have reduced the mileage in these early mountainous days. The time to increase miles will be when we are on the flatter terrain. Yes, it will be hotter but that’s something I’m getting used to. 

The plan now is to work on reducing the mileage deficit between here and Indianapolis. It would be good to have it completely gone by St. Louis on day 33. It means running just over an extra 2 miles per day. This will be helped by my continuing weight loss. I’m half a stone down already. 

In terms of progress made already, it pays to look at the map. It’s not too bad at all. We’ve covered New York, New Jersey and are a fair way through Pennsylvania. 

I can’t finish this blog without some thanks. Carlton and Deb on the support team are doing an amazing job. Nothing is a bother or a hindrance to them (as far as I can tell) which is important when I’m so demanding. 

Donna, at HQ back home, is doing a brilliant job uploading the blog and photos and collating the stats each day. This is saving me a huge amount of time. 

Thanks also to the many people who have sponsored me in aid of St. Benedict’s Hospice. The USA 2025 charity fund is very close to the next milestone which is £16,000. That’s an incredible amount of generosity. 

If you do think my effort is worthy of a donation then please visit justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025. 

Finally, it’s Mothers Day here in the USA. I’d like to close today by remembering mine who died in St. Benedict’s Hospice in 1995. 

TUNE OF THE DAY: Matthew Raisbeck and John Anderson on BBC Radio Newcastle

Day 10 of the run across USA 2025

After a decent but cold nights sleep the first task of the day was to get my right foot strapped up. Ice treatment appears to be working in parts but there are some vulnerable areas on my right foot. Deb is doing a brilliant job looking after my feet and can be seen below being assisted by Carlton. What a thing to have to do at 0600! 

I set off just after 0630 from Hustontown, PA. There was a challenging 8 mile climb which was in close proximity to the main Pennsylvania Turnpike. As is the case every morning, I spoke to Donna back in the UK. She is working wonders back home, helping with some logistics and checking the welfare of all of us on the team. 

 

I met the team at the 10.25 mile point at the Buchanan State Forest for some breakfast. Carlton cooked some porridge and fruit and I had a peanut butter bagel. It was very good and much needed. 

I set off again and made my way towards Breezewood on a much busier main road (The Lincoln Highway). 

David Fairlamb rang me while I was running. Just like when I see the support team, my spirits were lifted. I had a good chat with him, as I do most days, and also as I did back in 2011 during the original USA run. David has been one of those guardian angels in my life and continues to be that thankfully. 

Back to running matters and there was a tricky junction to navigate with NO PEDESTRIAN signs aplenty. I ignored them and away I went. 

 

The section to 20 miles, where I had agreed to meet the team, was alongside the Raystown Branch Juniata River. It seemed to go on forever. While in was running, Carlton was busy in Everett doing the laundry. It was being done sooner than planned due to the wet running kit that was soaked due to the recent storms I’ve ran in. 

When I met the team I said I needed a tactical snooze for an hour. I was absolutely exhausted. 

When the running resumed at about 1630, I was accompanied by Carlton for a few miles before doing 4 miles on my own. 

When I reached the team at the 27 mile point they advised against continuing. Just up ahead was a really tricky section of road. I’d be running on that at dusk. So I agreed to stop there and we began the usual drill of: 

• Cherry Active, which is preventing aches and pains in my legs. It really continues to be the secret weapon that I rely on. 

• Feet in ice for 15 minutes. This is excruciating but is helping massively in terms of reducing swelling and managing pain. 

• Shower - trying to get clean in a small space with limited mobility is very difficult and often painful. 

• Eating - tonight’s dish was cooked by Deb and it was tuna pasta with some veg and cheese thrown in. Oh and there was a McCrispy for my starter. Both were delicious. 

Today was a difficult day in terms of elevation, pain and heat. I still managed 27 miles and ran the quickest since day 4 I think. 

You can see from the elevation profile below, just how tough today was. 

Thank you to those kind folk who sponsored me today via https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025

I’ll finish with a message I received from an old colleague which was very nice to read “Hey mate, just wanted to say how incredibly inspiring your journey is—3,200 miles in 100 days is no small feat! Just want to say your dedication, strength, and resilience are amazing to witness. Keep pushing forward—every step you take is a reminder of what’s possible. You’ve got this!” 

If you’d like to send a message of encouragement or have any questions about the run then please email sponsorship@rungeordierun.com 

TUNE OF THE DAY: Alex Warren - Carry you home

Day 9 of the run across USA 2025

Last nights ice treatment on my feet made for a decent sleep. Arguably the best of the tour so far.    

I set off from Roxbury, PA at 0630 in the pouring rain. The climb up Forge Hill Road was the toughest I’ve encountered so far on this tour. I was able to keep warm by putting some good effort in. 

The downhill stretch was tough on my feet and I had to slow right down to reduce the pain. It was excruciating. 

Unfortunately this meant that I was cooling down and by the time I met the team near Willow Hill I felt really unwell with the cold. I climbed in the RV and the heaters were put on. 

I continued on in the rain and I must admit that my morale was rock bottom. 

The forecast was at least promising later in the day so I just knew that I had to keep pushing forward. As ever. 

Another climb had to be done up and over Tuscarora Mountain. It was horrendously difficult. Especially the downhill. Again. 

I reached the 17 mile point at a place called Burnt Cabins. An omelette and a peanut butter bagel were consumed and I had a 30 minute tactical snooze. 

The next section was really tough. The sun was out but I still had numerous layers on. They came off, they went back on and it didn’t help build any momentum. 

I contemplated giving go for the day but decided to keep pushing. I saw the support team ahead and couldn’t look at the RV as I would have been in there like a shot. 

I just kept my head down which unfortunately meant I missed a right hand turn. Fortunately, Carlton spotted my mistake and contacted me. I made my way back tot the turn and handed over all of my kit. Running much lighter really worked and I managed to get some quicker miles done in that glorious sunshine. 

I spotted a few golden retrievers further down the road. That perked me up a bit.  

I slowed right down at mile 24. All of a sudden the day turned into damage limitation. 

At the 26.7 mile point I rang the team to come and get me. I was done for the day. Fortunately, they were just around the corner at a burger joint called Twist and Shake. We went back there and had supper. It made a nice change from omelettes and pasta. Although I should say that I’m enjoying both of those when cooked by Carlton and Deb. 

The overnight stop is next to a library and we are all making use of the free WiFi. 

I’ve just had the ice treatment off Deb. It was excruciating. As I type this blog I’m in a blissful state. I’m confident that a good sleep can now be had. 

The final thing to do is to thank those kind folk who sponsored me today via https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025. 

The current total is £15,794.

TUNE OF THE DAY: Luke Combs, When it rains it pours.

Day 8 of the run across USA 2025

The day started in cool conditions and the plan was to get as many miles in as possible before meeting the support team. I had 2 bananas for breakfast and made my way through Carlisle town centre. 

Meanwhile, Deb and Carlton took the RV to a local place to try and rectify the electrical issues. News came through to me that a new battery was to be fitted. 

They caught up with me at mile 11 and I was in a really good mood and ready for breakfast. There had been some good tunes played on the iPod and some donations to St. Benedict’s Hospice too. Add in some quick ish miles and it was as good as this tour has been. 

Carlton served up the usual porridge and another great omelette. I was soon on my way again. The temperature had cranked up a notch and the subsequent miles were slower. 

I could feel my eyes closing as I ran. This has happened many times before. Particularly on the hot days. Thankfully, I had a phone interview to give with a journalism student (Tom) from Newcastle Uni. That helped me stay alert for 15 minutes. He asked some great questions and appeared to have researched then very well. 

At the 18 mile point I met the team and had a much needed 30 minute tactical snooze. 

I met a few local people during the final session of the day. First up was a lady called Deb who said she’d seen me in Carlisle earlier in the day. I told her all about the run and she wished me luck. 

I met a pastor just up the road who was with the support team. His name was Phil and he was really enthusiastic with his praise for our efforts. 

Carlton and Deb found a nearby shop and they managed to get some supplies at an amazingly cheap price. Mostly sugar mine you. They got me some bananas. There were some horse drawn vehicles on the road. Like many people in this region, a hearty wave was exchanged. 

The final miles got slower and slower and I was accompanied by Carlton for a few miles then Deb. There was lots of dogs on the route today. This particular one was my favourite.

As we approached Roxbury, there were flashes of lightening around us. We decided to push on l, but it was just too dangerous. So day 8 came to an end with another 30 miles in the bag. Deb had my feet in ice for 15 minutes. The pain was excruciating (for someone as soft as me). We are trying to get the swelling in my feet down. 

So I currently stand at the foot of the Appalachians. The run is about to enter a new phase with added difficulty. 

The final thing to do is to thank those kind folk who sponsored me today via https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025. 

The current total is £15,635. 

TUNE OF THE DAY: Take That - The Flood. It has the line “there’s progress now, where there once was none.” Looking back at a map, New York seems a long way away.

Day 7 of the run across USA 2025

As far as sleep goes, last night was really bad. My feet were in so much pain. No matter what position I lay in it was agony. Although I did find a position for the last few hours. I suspect this only worked because one of my big blistered “emptied”. I can only apologise to the support team of Carlton and Deb for the turning, snoring and moans and groans during the night. The early strategy today was to run 10 miles then stop for breakfast. You can see in the image below what a state I was in. 

It was very cool when I set off from near Grantville. The mileage deficit of 2 miles was soon gone and I couldn’t believe how well I was running. A passing school bus cheered and waved near Skyline View. It was a real morale booster. 

By the time I got to the 10 mile point the temperature had increased considerably. I met the team for porridge and an omelette expertly cooked by Carlton. We shared a few laughs and the picture below is in stark contrast to the first one above. 

The next section was 11.5 miles. There was a lot of stop/start traffic and the sun beating down made life very difficult. 

I ran through Harrisburg which is the biggest place I’ve seen since Manhattan. 

I stopped at the other side of the river to do a Facebook Live on the Run Geordie Run page. That was outside a place called Tequila Willies. I’m trying to do one of those per day at 7pm (BST). I met the team again in a supermarket car park at the 21 mile point. I was exhausted and very warm. One quick tactical snooze and a chicken wrap and I was on my way for the final session of the day through Mechanicsburg. There was a car accident which meant the traffic was slow around me for a good while. 

The final 11 miles of the day were brutal in the heat and traffic. I eventually left the busy roads behind and found myself on a nice rolling country road. I reached the final meeting point at 31.8 miles just as it was getting dark. That was really pleasing. It had been a tough old day with the 200 mile barrier smashed earlier. A total of 215 miles have been ran. The run is in a 4 mile deficit versus my plan which I’ll claw back over the next 7 days. The run is in a 7 mile deficit when you think about 3200 miles in 100 days. That is intentional.

I’ve got to give a mention to the care and consideration that I’ve been afforded by drivers in the 3 states I’ve ran through so far. There’s a real sense of me as a pedestrian having some right of way when safe to do so. I feel quite safe on the roads so far. I’ll never waiver from my usual high standard of concentration mind you. 

So the penultimate twist of the day is that the RV has lost coach battery power. This means that the smoke/gas alarm is beeping periodically and the lights don’t work. We don’t use them often. It may be something to do with the roof leaking through one of the lights during the recent torrential rain spells we’ve had. 

Fortunately, there is a branch of the RV hire company in Carlisle which is near today’s end point. The plan is to get me out running for 0630 and then the team will deal with the RV company. I’m happy to run unsupported for many hours so time is on their side. 

The final twist of the day is that my wife Donna, back at “Mission Control” in the UK, receives a copy of my blog to upload before she goes to work each morning. So this will be the first she knows of the RV predicament. (!!!!)

The final thing for me to do before I attempt to get 7 hours of sleep is to thank everyone who has sponsored me in aid of St. Benedict’s Hospice over at https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025. 

The current total is £15,554.18. Fantastic. 

 TUNE OF THE DAY: I can see for miles - The WHO

Day 6 of the run across USA 2025

The amount of time I spent planning this route last year is really paying off. The end point of day 5 was a parking lot in Shartlesville. It was quiet and secure and, in theory, should have made for a quiet night. On that subject, I felt sorry for Deb and. Carlton having to put up with my snoring. The issue I had was no matter when I turned in the night, a blister would be caught or the general aches in my feet would wake me up. This is nothing I haven’t had to deal with before. These early days are going to be difficult for my feet. I just have to keep the faith that things will get better in the coming weeks. 

I set off from Shartlesville at a snails pace. I was absolutely shattered. Never mind. I just had to keep moving forward. 

Carlton joined me for a few miles and then Deb. Between them, they somehow managed to get me to the 9 mile point. I simply didn’t think that was possible at the start of the day. Carlton had found a nice quiet spot to park the RV at Rehrersburg. It was time for a 30 minute tactical snooze. That was followed by a wrap and some rice pudding. In what seemed the blink of an eye, I was on my way on the next 9 mile block. 

I started out on a busy road with very little room for me. I had a quick check in on the phone with David Fairlamb as I was running. He would have got a different Run Geordie Run had he spoken to me in the morning session. I was running with a little pace again and enjoying it. 

As I reached Frystown, I could see some very dark clouds ahead. They were accompanied by the odd rumble of thunder. I asked a nearby garage worker if I could shelter under his canopy. He invited me to the office and I sat there and waited for the torrential downpour to pass. I told Keith (the garage owner) and his colleague who’d taken me in all about the run across the USA. Keith checked out my website and a 100 dollar donation was made. It’s these random acts of kindness that stay with me forever. Thank you to Keith’s Garage for kindness and generosity. It means more than they may know.

After a few minutes, Deb turned up with my waterproof and hi viz. Carlton was busy down the road doing the laundry! Top man. Deb rejoined Carlton just in time to fold my laundry. Don’t they look delighted.

I stopped for an omelette at 18 miles and was soon on my way again. At this point there were very dark skies ahead, the odd rumble of thunder and some impressive lightening.

I was joined by Deb then Carlton and we made it to the 30 mile point as it got dark. It wasn’t safe to proceed on the main route 22 road so I called it a day there. In reality I was on my limit. Painful feet brought this day to an end.

Thanks to the kind folk that made a donation to St Benedict's Hospice today via https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025. 

Tomorrow's route is 34 miles Carlisle. Day 7.

TUNE OF THE DAY: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have you ever seen the rain.