8/2/2011
It’s crazy driving on roads and passing landmarks that will be permanently imbedded in my memory. I sit in amazement thinking, “I ran that”. Riding in a car feels foreign. I didn’t feel comfortable sitting in one for several hours. It was like tossing and turning in bed until I reached Ohio. Its so odd that it took me weeks to run that same distance. My connection to America and it’s roads have become so personal and so profound. The time spent together has forged a permanent bond which can never be broken. I question whether or not I’ll be able to top this adventure of a lifetime.
In the meantime I will relive the journey by driving back to the place I used to call home, California. I don’t know that I can say that with such conviction anymore. After being embraced by the entire country I feel like I can call anywhere home.
My first home away from home on the list was East Liverpool, Ohio. I made it a point to stop in and see Cheryl, Don, Berdina, Leanna, Dakota, Melani, Robert, Jason, Mimi, Alex, Mary, and Al. It’s always a treat to stop in the Tamballini household. They love to make sure guests are well fed. Since my appetite hadn’t dropped to normal levels yet, I ate grand portions of their vegetarian lasagna, salad, and deserts. Big households are the best. I even let myself have a couple glasses of wine. We sat around the table eating and talking. For me it was exciting to talk about my next project. Its been brewing in my head for months now. Every day while running my thoughts were focused on how to get the kids into reading and running. I mean I was making an impact but I wanted to create something habit forming. I came up with the million mile relay. You will be hearing about this project for the next year. It’s going to be something special.
I headed over to Calcutta Bed and Breakfast where Don, Cheryl, and Dave were enjoying a glass of wine. I knew holding off on the third glass at the Tamballini household was a good idea. I could have one drink with the Taylors before heading to bed. Talking under the stars with nothing to do the next day felt foreign. I don’t know if the wine was making me drowsy or all the time I spent in the car. All I know is that my body was feeling strange. It will probably take a while before my body understands that I don’t have to run all the time anymore. Seeing these friends again makes my run something real. Everyone was a character written for the screen, a figment of my imagination, until I began to see them again. I’m sure as I start connecting with more of the friends I’ve made along the way I’ll be able to better process just exactly what it is that I’ve done. For now I’ll just try to sit back and enjoy the moment.
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