I just sent an email off to my former running club, The Crested Butte Mountain Runners. Located around 3,000 meters high up in the Colorado Rockies. Expat Englishman, Martin Catmur is still organizing incredible trail races as he was when I was there over 10 years ago. As I typed, such was my excitement that I had to backtrack many times to make numerous corrections.

I remember the first time I heard of Crested Butte…

I was between jobs and at the end of a 3 month road trip in my camper van. I had lived in a town called Brush! which is a couple of hundred km’s away. Before the road trip I packed up and moved out of my apartment so I really didn’t have anywhere to go back to. In fact I was not even sure I wanted to return. I had been living there about a year. I don’t think I even did my homework properly when moving to the area from Ireland. I had just looked at the map and said… ” 1,400 meters…Sure that’s mountains!’

When I got out of the Greyhound bus and looked around I felt like Jim Carey in the movie Dumb and Dumber and also said.. ‘ Gee, I thought the Rocky mountains would have been a bit rockier!’

Brush! was no ordinary town,at least they said. The eastern prairie town had some kind of a local ordinance that required them to have an exclamation mark after the name of the town.

Now I was on the road… I was not really in a hurry back, think I really just wanted to extend the trip a couple more days. I was a bit bored. I parked the camper for the night down near the local park on Tomich Avenue in Gunnisoni. Not really knowing where I was going I just wandered around.

Karaoke was on in Timbers bar that Friday night so I stopped by. I had always fancied myself as a Bob impersonator. Dylan’s ‘Rainy Day Women number 12 and 35′ was my party piece at that time, it went down well the students of the Western State College…
Several times they came over to me buying me drinks saying ‘Hey Dude That was awesome… Especially the ‘everybody must get stoned line’ Hey now tell me about rainy day women 13 and 36..Anymore!!?

Gunnison is up around 2,600 meters and is cold in the winter.. Really cold. Its in the vast Gunnison valley where the cold wind gets trapped little escape. Many a winter day its the coldest day in the USA. Damp hair turns into icicles in seconds. You go indoors it melts rapidly, out again frozen hair again, wrecks your head.

At that time many of the Western State university students were from New Zealand on scholarships.. They were fine track athletes, some had even ran in the Olympic Games. They were also running the cross country season and skiing for cross training. Tonight they had a traditional start of cross country season dinner in the college.
In the morning at 8am there would be a 2 mile time trial. Coach had gone to bed early, and as students do all over the world they were burning the candle at both ends not really concerned about their run.

I got invited to run the time trial and though I hadn’t run much in the last year was surprised to clock something like 11 minutes and at altitude, I was delighted. I was well down the field but didn’t care. Some of the hungover Kiwis ran it in the low 8 minutes.

Main Street, Crested Butte, Colorado.

Earlier that night construction workers from the highway project between Gunnison and nearby Crested Butte told me to drop by their site office on Monday morning as they were looking for crew. I did just that and was hired on the spot… I lived out of the camper on the site. I couldn’t believe my first weeks wages.. It was a union job and they paid the federal construction rate.. I came out with over $1,000..
The job lasted till Christmas. The foreman took care of us with a nice bonus. The day we were finishing up he filled up his pickup with beer. We had the mother of all parties on the site after work.. I brought out my ghetto blaster and played my U2 Cd’s. The Joshua Tree was the one everyone wanted. I sat down in a quiet corner, looked out over the site fence up at the distant spectacular mountains. Track 7 for evermore will be indelibly stamped in my mind. That moment I coined the phrase for my beloved Colorado when I heard ‘ In Gods Country ‘ rattle out of the ghetto blaster.
I looked around and couldn’t quite believe the sheer beauty as the sun set around those spectacular Crested Butte mountains. I was in Heaven. There was no going back to Brush! I had found my nirvana.

Please visit the Crested Butte Mountain Runners website:

Chariot Cougar 1 carrier ( buggy ) Sponsored by Chariot Carriers, Canada

ALL CAMPING EQUIPMENT SPONSORED BY GREAT OUTDOORS

1 MSR Raven 2 person tent.

1 MSR XGK fuel stove

1 30 oz. MSR fuel bottle.

1 Cats Meow -10 degree rated sleeping bag.

1 Thermolite Reactor Liner sleeping bag liner.

1 Prolite Plus Pomegran air mattress.

1 Pack of 4 W/P Fold Dry bags ( for clothes and documents)

1 Crush Waterproof dry bag (for net book)

1 Compression dry bag ( for sleeping bag)

1 Event Venture windproof,waterproof and breathable jacket.

1 Pair of Index mitts.

1 Zippo hand warmer.

1 Pair of Get A Grip crampons (for running on ice and snow)

1 Spot S.P.T. tracking device.

1 Garmin Dakota 20 handheld gps device

1 Freeloader solar charger.

1 Freeloader USB battery charger.

2 Freeloader rechargeable batteries.

1 Bottle of chlorine dioxide water purification tablets

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 Toshiba Net book sponsored by Cash Converters, Thomas Street.

Accessories sponsored by Wolfe Cycles, Sundrive Road

3 Spare tyres.

4 Inner tubes.

1 Pump.

1 Lock.

1 Water bottle and holder.

1 Puncture repair kit.

Other Equipment.

Garmin Forerunner 305 wrist gps watch.

1 Dazer 2 Dog deterrent.
Drymax Running socks sponsored by Drymax.

1 Pair of zip off bottoms pants.

2 Pairs of compression running tights and shorts.

2 World Jog tee-shirts.

1 Pair of running shoes.

Thanks also to The North Pole Marathon.

Many thanks to Cash Converters, A local business trading in the area that I grew up in, Dublin’s historic Liberties. The Thomas Street branch kindly sponsored the netbook that The World Jog will be updated on.

At Cash Converters we’ll buy your goods.

The World Jog recognizes Ultra Running Ireland as the representative organization for ultrarunning in Ireland.

URI is recognized by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) and IAU (International Association of Ultra Runners) as the governing authority for Ireland.

The World Jog sincerely thanks Ultra Running Ireland for the tremendous support given to Irish ultra runners over the years.

Great Outdoors Supporting Adventure Since 1976 No matter how big your adventure, it’s still your adventure and we have always strived to make that adventure the best possible one. We hope that anyone who enjoys “the Outdoor Life” will find much to interest them both in our shop and on our site. We have built our reputation on our great brand ranges and the experienced and qualified staff that we employ. All of the staff are outdoors’ people and have as much interest in adventure as our customers do.

The North Pole Marathon: World’s Coolest Marathon.

“I’ve been at the Pole before but this was pleasantly different in that I didn’t have to haul a sled there! The race is a unique combination of two things I enjoy: polar challenges and marathon running. It’s a great test of fitness and stamina. Well done.”

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, UK (Polar Explorer)

I will be using a Chariot Cougar 1 Jogging stroller to push my equipment, food and water around the world
Chariot is a privately-held, family-run business who, through intense focus and determination, has earned the distinction of being the market leader in North America and many European countries. Parents around the world have been choosing our carriers for over fifteen years, citing the quality and innovation of our products, and applauding our attention to detail and customer care.
Designed as a child carrier with modifications that thrill joggers, bikers, walkers and skiers.

Dion Networks: Specialists in Elite Athlete Management, Course Measurement and Design,
Trekking / Travel Consultancy, Sports Photography.

Every morning I hit the snooze button. Shattered I often just keep hitting it for over an hour. Eventually reality dawns as I slowly climb out of my lovely warm and comfortable bed. Soon this comfort will be traded for the unknown of life on the road. In a few short weeks time I will be climbing out of a tent and into the harsh Canadian snow. Life wont be so easy then,I will probably have to melt snow for my coffee. I can’t help asking myself just what I am letting myself in for.. Oh! For a quiet comfortable life… But I know that once I get going I will be fine.

Downstairs before the kettle is even boiled I am on the computer checking the never ending stream of emails that have to be dealt with. I reboil the kettle a couple more times and likewise reheat my porridge for the second time in the microwave. I am at the computer over an hour now and still haven’t had my breakfast.
More than 50 unopened emails in my inbox at the moment. Some are dependent on other replies.. Sometimes I feel I am chasing my tail as it’s so hard to get things done when some people don’t answer emails, they often say… ‘ October 25th that a long way off! ‘ Well I got to plan things from a long way out.

Eyes were opened recently when I went to renew my passport..

” How long is left on it?
” Oh! Only a year-and-a half! ”

The cupboards are becoming barer by the day as I use up food,throw out sauces, now I am starting to watch the expiration dates in a different sort of way. Last month I bought a small bottle of olive oil instead of my usual 500 ml size,it’s starting to hit home.

Finally I take my coffee over to the computer table. Carefully I place it down between a clutter of maps,pens and bits of paper with hastily scrawled notes and phone numbers. One of my next daily challenges is to stop the milk pouring over the laptop as I eat my porridge bowl in hand.

The washing machine is working overtime these days. I put on a small wash,always a small wash now. Most of my possessions are in storage,even most of my clothes and favorite running gear. Recently I went to a funeral service. So I had to go up to the attic for a nice pair of pants and black shoes. I was nearly going to throw those shoes out, thinking if I ran around the world I would surely deserve to wear the best of shoes for the rest of my life. Same with the car, only 68,000miles/110,000km on it. I am selling it on Tuesday for 300 euro quick sell.

Last Wednesday on the way to website night classes in Fas Ballyfermot a car clipped the car behind me. I was just passed a junction and stopped in heavy traffic. The hit car was also stopped. The driver that clipped it got out. Another insurance job here. I don’t think there was an injury involved,but you never know about further on down the line. I would have just sold it to him had it been mine he hit.. It could have been his lucky day had he hit me instead and then not have to lose his no claims bonus.Think I would have just given him the keys on the spot and walked across the Kylemore road to my class. Or had he been driving recklessly it could have been the end of the World Jog,faith I guess. I only got a 5 week class to get my head around this website stuff.

I look around the house,except for some clutter it looks well. I have just given it a three month total refurbish to a very high standard so as I can let it out long term hassle free.
With the rent I will just about break even with my mortgage repayments,if there are no major problems. I don’t care about it anymore. It’s been a nightmare,the most stressful 3 months of my life. It was literally a building site here. Furniture moved around,slabs of plaster board,paint everywhere,drilling,hanging mirrors,curtain rails,fire blanket,skips,door blocked and having to push my way through every single doorway,tiling,a new kitchen,bathroom,floors stained and polished,new carpet on the stairs. Every single ceiling and wall were skimmed then painted and a thousand other odds jobs.The leasing agency required me to get two ten year lithium sealed battery smoke detectors.Only place I could locate them was at the Liffey Valley Shopping Center.That was one of my ever dwindling training days. I ran out and back carrying them back in my satchel.

Long days and evenings, progress was so slow. Not eating properly,worried family brought me meals every day,I called them meals on wheels. I took iron supplements,dont think my doctor was in favor of this trip at first but he knew I was always going,no matter what. I have his blessing now as my energy levels have returned.
I never thought my last construction job would have been my own house and I would be the project manager,life can be so strange.
People are wondering why I am not doing the rounds of tv,radio and newspapers….I can’t even get the time to get into town to buy my equipment!

I mentioned in an earlier posting that the route direction has only recently been changed to an east – west direction. That meant I have had to research much of it again,post it along with a lot of other content on the website,bother Simon with dozens of emails learning about the basics of blogging,Flicker and HTMl also..It would have been easier if I was more technically minded. My Fas tutor has also been a great source of help, thanks John.

It has been so time consuming that I have not even had time to source more sponsors.

A huge thank you to The North Pole Marathon and Chariot Carriers. Thanks a million

Yes I remember walking those 4km to my office to sign. I could have cycled but walked instead. It was the 5th of July.The day before I saw Bob Dylan play Thomond Park. As I walked toward the office my Ipod asked me to play one of Dylan’s classic anthems:

”The times, they are a changin’,
The first one now will later be last,
The times,they are a changin’ ”

Instead I settled for a song by Lynyrd Skynyrd called Freebird I played it loud in my ears as I waited in the waiting room..You could always change your mind Tony,I thought. The door opened,I took the ear buds out,too late now….
I went in to the office to sign on the dotted line….
Ronnie Van Zant was still screaming out his lyrics:

‘For I must be traveling on, now,
‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve gotta to see….’

Thanks to my job redundancy cheque. Yes that was good. Sometimes its good being the companies most noted trade-unionist!
” There are a whole load of others in for redundancy before you Tony but you been such a good worker we will put you up the top of the queue! ”
” Thanks I will take that as a compliment…We have been good for each other ”

Hey Dylan you were wrong! I thought….Should have been:
”The last one now will soon be the first…
”The times they are a changin”

I picked up the redundancy cheque and said….” With this I will run around the world! ”
That and some savings will be the basis of much of this trip. That will do nicely. In many ways I almost didn’t get it as I would have probably quit the job this year without it. I always say The World Jog will have lots of PR… Porridge and Rice

No going back now Tony….You have effectively taken the first steps of The World Jog. I walked home with Freebird on repeat.

‘ I’m as free as a bird now….
‘ Lord knows I can’t change….’

I remember thinking as I walked home that beautiful day that with a bit of luck I could be gone in 6 weeks! Ha! Ha! that was optimistic.. Though I am very intimate with what is required to get to the start line,even so I am amazed there is so much last minute detail. I always thought I had it ‘ planned in my mind ‘ for over 20 years with just the last minute detail to be taken care of. It now seems that Marathon day will not only be my dream way to start but the first realistic start date.. I feel I will still be making arrangements right up to the very start. Oh! It will be great to start running around the world to have a rest!

I look at the countdown timer on this site. The ever ominous reading is 30 days,2 hours,28 minutes. Soon it will be counting up and not down.

One month left.What was I doing this time last month? Re-tiling the bathroom,my God that seems like only last week!

This time next month I will be on the course of the Dublin city marathon.. The World Jog will have started….Well not really till I get to the marathon finish line.

Freebird will be exchanged for Tom Petty’s… Running Down A Dream.

”Little Runaway, I was flyin’
Running down a dream.
Never would come to me.
Working on a mystery.
Going wherever it leads.
Runnin’ down a dream.”

Winning the Ultracentric 48 hour race in Texas 2008.
The race director never paid out the prize money to the winners.Google for details.

.