Kommentarer på Day 100: Goal!
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After running 100 days and 3 368 miles (5 420 km) from Boston to Newport in Oregon I could at last feel the Pacific water between my toes.
No pain anywhere, not even a sore – my sixth coast to coast as a 70 year-old maybe was the easiest and the most fun.
Yes, it has gone surprisingly well. Even if I often say ”age doesn’t matter so much in long distance running”, I thought that my age would make some difficulties. But it seems as if I have compensated it with more experience. And I have also been very lucky; no incidents and my equipment has functioned (usually I have lots of computer problems).
Today at about 1 p.m. July 24th I reached the mighty beach at Newport. I suddenly heard seabirds, a cold breeze (headwind of course) in my face, cars stopped to let us pass, me, Nils and Erik during the last few miles.
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Here is a video from Erik when I ran out: https://youtu.be/FFIjJdbZGu4
and here another from Jan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAkfZl29QLo
A few beach walkers raised their eyebrows in surprise when they saw a 70 year-old man dressed in a Sweden shirt run towards the waves pushing a stroller in front of him. I heard some merry calls, ran out into the water and made a victory gesture and wanted to throw myself into the waves. But the water felt freezing cold so I had to be content with just letting the water reach my jogging shorts.
Not this time either did I get that euphoric feeling. And not any sensation of relief that it is all over. But sure, it is a big day. After this Linda opened a bottle of wine and we all celebrated the finish shivering of cold in a view hut off the beach. I heard somebody say: a great achievement. The celebration went on into the night later at a fish restaurant. The two ”Göteborgarna” (people from Gothenburg) in the company, that is Jan and I chose something else than fish from the menu.
Maybe it’s too early to sum up my sixth coast to coast but this is what I am most proud of:
* Longest daily distances (33.5 miles – 54 km)
* Completely without injuries strong in my running, especially uphill.
* Extremely resistant to heat – 104 degrees heat (40 C) does not affect me much.
* Set a new unofficial ”World Record” – no man has run so many times across America.
But there were a few mistakes, however. The biggest was to start on the east coast and not on the west coast as I’ve always done before. Now I had a headwind many days. Another was that I did not have a rebookable flight ticket for the flight home. I have been under constant pressure to keep a tight schedule. And when I ”forgot” two days in the planning I was even more stressed.
Running across America is something you do on your own, being two would be too complicated in the long run and that’s why few people do so. Still as a lone runner you are dependant on others. Like for instance I have had much help from my brother Ragnar who every day has dutifully translated my text into English, and from Jan who has been the driver of a support car for the last ten days and who has been much involved in the route planning and from my ”cousin” Linda in San Francisco. But without the support from Sophia (my wife) it would not have been possible.
A seventh coast to coast? Well, why not!
Keep on running!
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#1 bo danenberger - 2018-07-25 17:31:56
...Congrats my friend!.....I had no doubt that you would get there!
Cheers until we meet again. Bo
#2 Peter - 2018-07-25 23:18:25
Congratulations, Björn. You are amazing. I’ve loved reading your running chronicles and impressions of America over the years.
#3 Mike Staso (Paul Staso's Dad) - 2018-07-26 01:19:23
Congratulations "Bear". I enjoyed following your amazing run each and every day. You are truly an inspiration to young and old alike. I must admit that when I first learned that you were going to run from East to West I thought you were out of your mind. But then again the Swedish "Bear" knew what he was doing. I just hope that the Swedish people realize what a gem they have and I want to personally thank you for proving that being "old" doesn't mean that we quit living. You might refer to yourself as the Swedish "Bear", however I refer to you as the Swedish/American "Bear". By the way thanks for all the kind words you have had for my son Paul. I know he admires your achievements and was excited that he was able to meet up with you on the road. I look forward to following you on your seventh run across America. I have no doubt that there will be one.
#4 Runner from NYC - 2018-07-26 03:28:14
Congrats on completing yet another one. As a father of two little ones I have been running with a stroller so frequently over the past 4 years that it feels strange not to be pushing one. One day I wondered if that is how an unassisted coast to coast run was best done, which led me to discovering your blog (thankfully right before Boston).
I am really intrigued by the logistics and after reading your posts have grown to appreciate this aspect. I would love to see a detailed description of the items you carry in the stroller and how that list has changed after a number of these crossings??? Also, do you believe it is possible to achieve a coast to coast in 100 days or so by mostly sleeping in a tent? I thought of this when you wrote about meeting a rollerblader doing a C2C who you mentioned was sleeping in a tent.
Thank you for documenting your experience, you are a real inspiration, especially for the lone wolf types like myself who seek such grand adventures, often not knowing exactly why. Running is beautiful and you rock! If you are ever in NYC please contact me at planbmarathon@gmail.com.
Mike
#5 Vickie, court clerk - 2018-07-27 02:56:50
Congratulations Mr. Suneson! I have enjoyed following your progress across the country and am relieved you had no further “traffic” tickets!
#6 Mike on blades - 2018-08-01 21:31:10
Way to go Bjorn!! A 7th, an 8th, why the hell not!? Congrats on another jaunt across the US. You’re a hell of a man!
#7 Björn - 2018-08-04 15:08:28
#Bo: Hope to see you again, maybe 2018.
#Mike Staso: Thanks. Next run will be from west to east. And I look forward to meet Paul again.
#Runner from NYC: I have written a long letter to you.
# Vicike: Nice to hear from you. The ticket will be a memomory for life.
#Mike: Thanks. Keep rolling and good luck, my friend!
#8 Björn - 2018-08-04 15:16:51
#Bo: I mean 2019.
#9 Toni Beecham - 2018-08-05 03:26:45
Mr Suneson: Congratulations on your 6th run across the US! I met you by chance in Mackinaw Illinois and was very impressed that you run because you like it. Best wishes for the future, I hope your wife lets you run the 7th! ????
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#13 John - 2019-02-15 23:45:09
Goddamn man, good for you! What an inspiration you are for all of us. btw, have to ask, what shoes do you wear, which stand the wear and team of running such long miles?
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