Dreams. Disappointments & Delays. Dedication.

“Without the darkness, you would never know the light” – Yogi tea tab

I AM one of “those” people! I love quotes and bits of written inspiration. The right one always seems to appear at the time I need it most. This one seemed perfect for the moment.

Each of us have or will face struggles in life. The challenges will be different, and facing physical and emotional pain can bring you to your knees. Nels has dreamt about and trained for this transcontinental run for four years. Prior to this he has undertaken other endurance events that some would perceive to be crazy. When you are doing hard things (for example, riding a bicycle across the U.S. twice and running from Florida to D.C.), having a why during the darkness can be your guide as you focus on your goal, which at times can be dampened by doubt, hampered by hallucinations and impeded by injuries.

Attempting to break a record is no easy task; the percentage of people who have even tried is miniscule. Frank Giannino, Jr held the record for 36 years, and the existing record (42 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes) was set by Pete Kostelnick in 2016. I cannot even begin to comprehend the training, the mindset or the dedication to take on such a remarkable feat. Last year, Jenny Hoffman claimed the female transcon record. Frank, Pete, and Jenny provided inspiration to Nels. He is in awe of their accomplishments, has read their stories, and made the decision to go for the record on September 8th, 2024 beginning at 3:02 a.m. from the steps of San Francisco City Hall.

The past 41 days have consisted of running between 15 and 16 hours… each DAY. Even at night, Nels’ mind is still “running” – those miles don’t count though. Temperatures have ranged from 100° to 19° and are symbolic of the highs and lows that have accompanied Nels on this adventure across America. During the Yosemite climb, Nels developed a fever yet continued to run. Endless miles through the desert in Nevada gave way to a mirage that promised a pacer that disappeared with a backwards glance. His food intake had to be modified, and in spite of consuming approximately 10,000 calories a day, Nels has lost 17 pounds. About a week ago, Nels had to jump sideways to avoid a car. In the process, he tucked and rolled his ankle and continued to run – all taped up. His condition deteriorated (medical name, anterior tibialis tendinosis) which has resulted in stress fracture level pain. It was determined a day of rest and recovery was necessary to keep moving forward. Like life, this run from Western to Eastern U.S. is constantly providing obstacles that are challenging in ways never imagined.

Having dreams is so important. Even with the best of training, planning, and preparation, there may be disappointments and delays. My brother, Chris, was familiar with setbacks. He dreamed of being a professional baseball player; his senior year of high school was full of promise. Due to a choice he made when he switched schools in his freshman year, he became ineligible to continue playing baseball in his final year. He was devastated and referred to this experience as his “abolished dream”. It took him time to process this abrupt alteration. He went on to join the Navy and in his work to become a SEAL was “rolled” from his first class. He expressed disappointment but was able to join the next class and successfully completed the BUD/S program. Several years passed, and he made the decision to try out for another team. Once again, Chris encountered a temporary lapse in progress. Was he deterred by this delay? No! He took time to evaluate where he needed to improve, committed to put in the work and accomplished what he set out to do. He was not only determined but dedicated to his goal.

Achieving the record for the number one spot has presently slipped away from Nels. Disappointed – yes! Determined to continue – an emphatic YES! After a day of rest and continual efforts by a phenomenal team to assist with recovery, Nels resumed running, logged 52 miles and was on the road for 17 hours. He carried on with his tireless effort this morning, October 18th, at just after 4 a.m. EST and as of this moment, he has logged almost a marathon today. Grit, determination and dedication to the WHY behind this run across the United States remains in focus. Nels is running with a legacy… one that we invite you, we need you, to join. My brother’s boots are making this trip and are a symbol of the cost of military service. Chris didn’t make it home, but he did leave a call to action to all Americans. My brother’s unspoken message was to focus on our military men and women who do come home to their families by requesting donations to Wounded Warrior Project/WWP to fund vital programs and services to our nation’s veterans. Nels’ request from you on this transcontinental trek is quite big. His goal is a donation for every mile – all 3,067 of them. This cannot be accomplished without you and those you know. There are so many needs and causes that exist, so if you are able to donate $5, $10 or $100 per mile, we are grateful for your generosity! Your tax deductible donation to WWP can be made at this link: DONATE.

You can also speed walk or slow jog with Nels as he makes his way through Eastern Ohio, then Pennsylvania, New Jersey and finally New York. Scroll down at this link to see how you can PACE WITH NELS.

Although some struggles must be faced alone, knowing someone is in your corner can make all the difference on a day when the emotional darkness consumes you. Nels, the crew and all of the team on Project Campbell’s Call believe that providing hope and inspiration to veterans and their familes, who have served our country on our behalf, is worth running for. We welcome you with open arms on this epic adventure, and thank you for your support!

“If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal.”