The Middlewesterner

THOUSAND MILE REPORT: 2006

In January of 2006, our daughter Jessica and I set a goal that we'd each walk or run 1000 miles during the course of the year. I am happy to report that we have successfully met that challenge, in spite of a round of major surgery and follow-up treatment for Jessica in September and October. We are setting a further challenge for 2007, another 1000 miles of walking/running for each of us, and Jessica will also bicycle 1000 miles. Yu-haa, here we go.

And, yes, we do expect to walk/run at least two marathons during 2007: The Colorado Marathon in Fort Collins, in May; and the Fox Cities Marathon in Neenah-Menasha-Appleton in September (our third time).

We'll keep you updated on our progress during the course of the year. Here's the final tally, and next year's goal:

2006
Individual target: 1000 miles.
Tom, actual: 1160 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 0 miles.
Jessica, actual: 1003 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 0 miles.

Team target: 2000 miles.
Team, actual: 2163 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 0 miles.

2007
Team target: 2000 miles walking/running & 1000 miles bicycling.
Tom: 1000 miles walking.
Jessica: 1000 miles running and 1000 miles bicycling.

THE THOUSAND-MILERS DO THEIR MARATHON

You may remember that

daughter Jessica and I have promised each other we would traverse a thousand miles over the course of 2006. I would walk the distance. Jessica would be training to run a marathon. I can report that we are on track to make our goal easily.

This past Sunday, Jessica and I, and J.'s husband Tait Brink, walked the Fox Cities Marathon in Neenah-Menasha-Appleton, adding 26.2 miles to our total for the year. Jessica and Tait had intended to run the marathon together, but life intervened.

Jessica was in surgery for four hours just twelve days prior to the marathon. Her training schedule got interrupted and she was off-stride. But, trouper that she is, she said she'd still walk the marathon with her dad (as she did last year), and that Tait would walk it with us too. So that's what we did. Here's the report, in pictures.

Tom Montag, Jessica Montag, and Tait Brink, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 4:15 a.m. in the motel parking lot before the Fox Cities Marathon. The guy with the sun-glasses already seems to be in pain.

Yes, it was a cold morning. Here we are,  staying warm in front of the fire in the shelterhouse near the Starting line.

Start time for the intrepid walkers was 6:00 a.m. We are ready to rock.

Waiting for READY! SET! GO! in the pre-dawn darkness.

Yep, it was still pretty dark out there as Team Montag started putting some miles behind them.

"Here comes the sun, dooh-la do-dooh, here comes the sun!"

The happy couple, still smiling about Mile Marker 7.

This is Mile Marker 7. Team Montag is just getting warmed up.

This is what the elite marathoners looked like coming past us around Mile Marker 12 or 13. You need that kind of grim determination whether you're walking or running, but especially when you're running. You go, guys! We gave them a "Thatta boy" and applause, as we encouraged every subsequent runner coming past. As one woman runner said to us late in the race, "We're all a team, and we're almost there."

Mile Marker 14. We've passed the halfway point and we're still smiling. Well, the two young'uns are, at least.

Mile Marker 18, customarily considered "The Wall" for marathon runners. We haven't hit the wall yet....

Uh-oh, there's the wall! You may remember that last year it was raining cats and dogs at this point in the race. This year it is raining golden sunshine.

This moment of father-daughter bonding as the going gets tough.

Our marathoners have mastered the big hill leading to Mile Marker 24. How do you do it? You put your head down and lean into it. You give 'er, and don't look back.

We've got Mile Marker 25 behind us. Do you know how FAR that is? Twenty-five miles? If we had been headed straight up, our altitude would be 132,000 feet! That's the distance from sea-level to the top of Mount Everest nearly four and a half times. Yikes!

And they've still got energy to goof around at Mile Marker 26. Who are these people?

The grumble bear and his lovely daughter after crossing the finish line, with their medals.

Jessica and Tait after the finish line. The woman with the medals didn't think Tait looked tired enough to have completed a marathon, but he got a medal anyway. Let me assure you, he did finish it. We all finished it. We're not the kind of folks who start something and walk away. Nope, Team Montag goes right to the tape.

Jess and Tait with Mary Montag, Jessica's mom, after the finish line.

Jessica with her parents after the finish line.

Yep, Jessica had a tough couple of months leading up to the marathon, but she put her head down, leaned into it, and didn't look back. Then she walked the marathon, which was the easy part by comparison. She's an inspiration. She's got another tough month coming, but she's a trouper.

Yu-hoo, Jess! We did it! We couldn't be more proud of you. You go, girl!

1000 MILE REPORT: WEEK 20

Week of May 14-20
Jessica recently sustained a foot injury which slowed her down for a bit but she is on the mend. Watch out, here we go! We're now signed up for the Fox Cities Marathon in September, the same we participated in last year.
Individual target: 385 miles.
Tom, actual: 388 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 612 miles.
Jessica, actual: 377 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 623 miles.
Team target: 770 miles
Team, actual: 765 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1235 miles.

Week 21, individual target: 404.25 total miles.
Week 21, team target: 808.5 total miles.

---

Last report:
Weeks 10-11, March 5-18
Individual target: 211.75 miles.
Tom, actual: 213 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 787 miles.
Jessica, actual: 243.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 756.25 miles.

Team target: 423.5 miles
Team, actual: 456.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1543.25 miles.

1000 MILE REPORT: WEEK ELEVEN

Weeks of March 5-18

Individual target: 211.75 miles.
Tom, actual: 213 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 787 miles.
Jessica, actual: 243.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 756.25 miles.

Team target: 423.5 miles
Team, actual: 456.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1543.25 miles.

Week Twelve individual target: 231 total miles.
Week Twelve team target: 462 total miles.

------------------------------

Week of February 26-March 4

Individual target: 173.25 miles.
Tom, actual: 189 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 811 miles.
Jessica, actual: 208.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 791.25 miles.

Team target: 346.5 miles
Team, actual: 397.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1602.25 miles.

1000 MILE REPORT: WEEK NINE

Week of February 26-March 4

Individual target: 173.25 miles.
Tom, actual: 189 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 811 miles.
Jessica, actual: 208.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 791.25 miles.

Team target: 346.5 miles
Team, actual: 397.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1602.25 miles.

Week Ten individual target: 192.5 total miles.
Week Ten team target: 385 total miles.

----------------------------------

Week of February 19-25

Individual target: 154 miles.
Tom, actual: 169 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 831 miles.
Jessica, actual: 188.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 811.25 miles.

Team target: 308 miles
Team, actual: 357.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1642.25 miles.

1000 MILE REPORT: WEEK EIGHT

Week of February 19-25

Individual target: 154 miles.
Tom, actual: 169 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 831 miles.
Jessica, actual: 188.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 811.25 miles.

Team target: 308 miles
Team, actual: 357.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1642.25 miles.

Week Nine individual target: 173.25 total miles.
Week Eight team target: 346.5 total miles.

----------------------------------

Week of February 12-18

Individual target: 134.75 miles.
Tom, actual: 149 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 851 miles.
Jessica, actual: 168.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 831.25 miles.

Team target: 269.5 miles
Team, actual: 317.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1682.25 miles.

1000 MILE REPORT: WEEK SEVEN

So with the snow and cold and travel, Tom hasn't had a good week of walking. He'll get back on it. We are still ahead of pace, and we're looking forward to better weather!

Week of February 12-18

Individual target: 134.75 miles.
Tom, actual: 149 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 851 miles.
Jessica, actual: 168.75 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 831.25 miles.

Team target: 269.5 miles
Team, actual: 317.75 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1682.25 miles.

Week Eight individual target: 154 total miles.
Week Eight team target: 308 total miles.

-----------------------------

Week of February 5-11

Individual target: 115.5 miles.
Tom, actual: 149 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 851 miles.
Jessica, actual: 153.5 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 846.5 miles.

Team target: 231 miles
Team, actual: 302.5 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1697.5 miles.

1000 MILE REPORT: WEEK SIX

Week of February 5-11

Individual target: 115.5 miles.
Tom, actual: 149 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 851 miles.
Jessica, actual: 153.5 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 846.5 miles.

Team target: 231 miles
Team, actual: 302.5 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1697.5 miles.

Week Seven individual target: 134.75 total miles.
Week Seven team target: 269.5 total miles.

--------------------------

Week of January 29-February 4

Individual target: 96.25 miles.
Tom, actual: 138 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 862 miles.
Jessica, actual: 117 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 883 miles.

Team target: 192.5 miles
Team, actual: 255 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1745 miles.

1000 MILE REPORT: WEEK FIVE

Week of January 29-February 4

Individual target: 96.25 miles.
Tom, actual: 138 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 862 miles.
Jessica, actual: 117 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 883 miles.

Team target: 192.5 miles
Team, actual: 255 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1745 miles.

Week Six individual target: 115.5 total miles.
Week Six team target: 231 total miles.

-------------------------------

Week of January 22-28

Individual target: 77 miles.
Tom, actual: 113 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 887 miles.
Jessica, actual: 90 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 910 miles.

Team target: 144 miles
Team, actual: 203 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1797 miles.

Week Five individual target: 96.25 total miles.
Week Five team target: 192.5 total miles.

1000 MILES: REPORT FOR WEEK FOUR

Week of January 22-28

Individual target: 77 miles.
Tom, actual: 113 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 887 miles.
Jessica, actual: 90 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 910 miles.

Team target: 144 miles
Team, actual: 203 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1797 miles.

Week Five individual target: 96.25 total miles.
Week Five team target: 192.5 total miles.

-------------------------------

Week of January 15-21

Individual target: 57.75 miles.
Tom, actual: 93 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 907 miles.
Jessica, actual: 60 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 940 miles.

Team target: 115.5 miles
Team, actual: 153 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1847 miles.

Week Four individual target: 77 total miles.
Week Four team target: 154 total miles.

1000 MILES: REPORT FOR WEEK THREE

Week of January 15-21

Individual target: 57.75 miles.
Tom, actual: 93 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 907 miles.
Jessica, actual: 60 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 940 miles.

Team target: 115.5 miles
Team, actual: 153 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1847 miles.

Week Four individual target: 77 total miles.
Week Four team target: 154 total miles.

-------------------------------

Week of January 8-14

Individual target: 38.5 miles.
Tom, actual: 69 miles.
Tom, miles remaining: 931 miles.
Jessica, actual: 40 miles.
Jessica, miles remaining: 960 miles.

Team target: 77 miles
Team, actual: 109 miles.
Team, miles remaining: 1891 miles.

Week Three individual target: 57.75 total miles.
Week Three team target: 115.5 total miles.

THE MORNING NEWS

I was speaking

to our daughter Jessica about our Thousand Mile Challenge. She's jogging a thousand miles this calendar year, and I'm walking a thousand.

"Dad," she said, "you're starting awfully fast. You have laid off since the marathon in September and you have to ease back into it. That's why they call it training. If you start back at it too fast, you might hurt yourself."

"Jess," I said, "I can't even walk sixteen and a half minute miles these days. I don't think I'm gonna hurt myself."

She made a sound over the miles of phone line as if she were biting her lip, holding her tongue.

TEAM MONTAG IS TOGETHER AGAIN

You may remember Team Montag

for the 26.2 mile amble along the route of the Fox Cities Marathon at the end of September. For those of you who don't remember, here they are, just having crossed the finish line with a time of 6 hr. 8 min. 59 sec.

 

Here's the back of the shirts:

Well, the ol' grumble-bear and his sweet and lovely daughter recently signed onto Team Montag again, this time with the intention of traversing 1,000 miles each during calendar year 2006. The ol' bear will walk and the jaunty one will jog.

Now we know the journey of a 1,000 miles starts with a single step: BUT IT'S STILL A THOUSAND MILES!

Although, if you do the math, it appears less challenging than it sounds. A thousand miles in a year requires about 19.25 miles per week.

The problem is: that means each week, every week, cold weather, wet weather, hot weather, wind, snow, blow. Uphill and down.

We signed our pact anyway.

To offer encouragement, the sweet and lovely and supportive member of the team sent the grumble-bear an e-mail the other day, with "2 Days and Counting" in the subject line:

"Hey Dad," Jessica wrote, "get ready to get into your walkin' rhythm!!!  Sunday starts our 1000 miles! Can you even imagine going 1000 miles!!!  That's almost all the way out here [Montana] from there [Wisconsin]! We can do it!!  Maybe if we are doing well, we'll have to bump up the mileage!!"

Perhaps 26.2 miles out of the 1,000 will be covered as part of another marathon completed by Team Montag, in a location still to be determined. (And perhaps another 26.2 miles beyond that will be the Fox Cities Marathon, completed by the ol' grumble-bear on his own, if he puts his butt in gear and gets signed up for it.)

Who knows what will happen?

Well, you will know. The sweet and lovely one and the ol' grumble-bear will report their progress weekly, on Mondays, right here.

As the daughter says: "Walk on! Walk on!"

Keep watching this space for updates!