Day Twenty Six

We did it! An incredible team effort and journey across Utah, and I’m so very grateful to my family, friends, FCA family, and all my new friends I made throughout this 30-day challenge, which concluded this afternoon at the Utah/Arizona border, as I finished with a total of 528 mile, 1,000,444 steps, 23 blisters (over the 30 days),and one funny looking farmer’s tan 😀 I’m forever changed by this amazing experience that was full of impactful daily takeaways; opportunities to meet and get to know many kind and generous people; an awesome opportunity to place a spotlight squarely on FCA Utah to raise awareness and resources for this amazing ministry; a whole lot of love, encouragement and support from family and friends; and a much deeper trusting relationship with God. My takeaway for today —> There’s a huge difference between having hope and having faith. Many shared with me that they hoped I could survive the trading; some had hope I could complete the walk; and I’ve always been one who has been hopeful in an optimistic way. When God placed this walk on my heart to raise awareness and resources for Utah FCA, I had complete, 100% Faith from day one we would complete the walk. I had no idea how my body would hold up throughout the training (which totaled nearly 1,300 miles), or how the compounding mileage would impact my feet, legs and body once I started the 30 day walk, but I had complete faith God would be with me every step and see us through to complete the challenge. Norw, with the walk behind me, I know the faith I had in God each day of the walk will be the same unwavering faith I’ll have in God in my every day life, and in all I do. For that, and so many other gifts over the last 30 days, I’m grateful. Thanks again for everyone’s encouragement, prayers and support throughout the training and walk. It made me smile and put a bounce in my step each day. Although the walk is complete, you can still help us reach our fundraising goal of $75,000, which will be matched for a total of $150,000. We’re $23,000 away and I’d appreciate you considering a donation to get FCA Utah over the finish line. Here’s the walk site, daily blog updates and link to donate —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Thanks in advance! 🙏🏻 Days Completed: 30 of 30 30-Day Total Miles: 528.20 30-Day Total Steps: 1,000,444 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

I enjoyed being back on asphalt for most of today’s route, as I walked 21.33 miles from pintura through Toquerville, Leeds and Hurricane to Washington, Utah to complete Day 29 of 30 in the FCA Walk Across Utah. The day did start out on lava rock for the first five miles, but after so many miles yesterday on lava rock, I was well prepared and navigated the rocks fairly well. It was great to see a number of friends who came to St. George to support and encourage me as I look to finish the border to border challenge tomorrow. I couldn’t help but get a bit emotional today at the 4.75 mile mark when I thought back on the training miles logged to prepare for this challenge; how God placed this on my heart and I fully trusted He’d guide us through it; all that I’ve experienced over the last 29 days; how challenging yesterday was, but we were able to overcome the adversity; all the amazing encouragement and support I’ve had since the start; and the awesome impact this walk will have on FCA Utah. Thanks again for everyone’s continued encouragement, prayers and support of FCA Utah. It means a lot to me and I’m grateful. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 29 of 30 Today’s Miles: 21.33 29-Day Miles: 516.49 Today’s Steps: 42,660 29-Day Steps: 978,488 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

Today was by far the most challenging day of the walk, and it was more a hike through the mountains over tough terrain covering 16.32 miles from New Harmony to Pintura, Utah to complete Day 28 of 30 in the FCA Walk Across Utah. Knowing it would likely be my most challenging day, here’s what I heard during my prayer before beginning the day (and it could not have prepared me any better for the challenges I faced): Place all your trust in me and I will put people along the way to help you through all you’ll face today. The route was challenging for many reasons; accessibility to land (came across many fences, gates and no trespassing signs); the terrain included lava rock and dirt for much of the second half; GPS didn’t work in two areas, including a dense wooded forest I was hung up in for a while; and a number of other challenges. But as promised, there were people along the way (including my wife, Susie, and daughter, Kennedy, and Jennifer and Steve with the DOT, who were awesome with jumping in to help me navigate through the challenges today. I’m so very grateful to each of them. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support, encouragement and questions regarding FCA Utah and the walk. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 28 of 30 Today’s Miles: 16.35 28-Day Miles: 495.16 Today’s Steps: 32,700 28-Day Steps: 935,828 Steps to Goal: 64,172 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

Today, I had the unique opportunity to walk on the same road with cows for a few miles - well, they were pretty much running from me - as I walked 18.02 miles from Hamilton’s Fort to New Harmony, Utah to complete Day 27 of 30 in the FCA Walk Across Utah. I had a late start this morning due to not being able to drop off my car where we planned my finish point today. The road was blocked by a gate, so we had to determine a new location for concluding today’s walk, which will be my starting point tomorrow. The weather was in the low 70s, but as is typical for Cedar City and the surrounding areas, it was very windy, and unfortunately a head wind versus a tail wind. I primarily walked on frontage roads for the first half of the walk, and then dirt roads for most of the second half of today’s walk. There were many cows on a stretch of dirt roads leading to New Harmony, and the cows seemed a bit surprised to see me walking on their roads. The bottom of my right foot remains sensitive due to bruising an a large blister, but that’s really the only pain point. Looking ahead to tomorrow, it’s going to be one of my more challenging days for a few reasons. One will be the route, which is through the mountains (10 of the 17 miles), with no cell service, and the terrain will be challenging, including finding a way across a steam. A few questions to answer that I’ve received: Q: Did you have a takeaway or thought from today that came to you while walking that you’d like to share? A: I have so many thoughts that go through my mind during the hours I’m walking each day, and one that comes to mind is: I don’t want another day to pass that I don’t live intentionally and love unconditionally. Q: In each of your pictures, you’re smiling, and while we all smile for pictures, are you really enjoying this physical challenge as much as it seems you are from the pictures? A: I really am enjoying the walk for so many reasons. First and foremost, we’re achieving our goals of raising awareness and resources for FCA Utah. Second, this walk has been an amazing experience and gift to me, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the beauty of Utah, meeting and getting to know so many people; and I have enjoyed the physical, Spiritual and mental challenge the walk has presented to me daily. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support, encouragement and questions regarding FCA Utah and the walk. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 27 of 30 Today’s Miles: 18.02 27-Day Miles: 478.81 Miles to Goal: 21.19 Today’s Steps: 33,180 27-Day Steps: 903,128 Steps to Goal: 96,872 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

I enjoyed walking 14 miles with friend and FCA Utah staff member, Megan Kelling, from Enoch through Cedar City to Hamilton’s Fort today, and then I did a few recovery miles to complete Day 26 of 30 in the FCA Walk Across Utah. It was another beautiful day, as the temperatures were in the 70s. The wind did pick up a bit in Cedar City, but it’s always great to have a breeze. Once again, no new blisters, and I only have some soreness and sensitivity on the ball of my right foot. I’m still receiving questions whenever I see friends on how I’m ‘holding up,’ and I continue to feel real good, and my nightly recovery has been good. As we walked through Cedar City, and had the opportunity to swing through SUU’s campus, it was great to see and visit with Doug Knuth and reconnect with Marie Tuite, who I had the pleasure of working with at Washington years ago. In addition, we had the opportunity to see and visit with FCA Team Chaplain, Joseph Kline, after we completed today’s walk. A fun visit. A few questions to answer that I’ve received: Q: If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you? A: I appreciate you asking; I turned 59 last Saturday (June 3). Q: You’ve shared the goals for the walk are to raise awareness and resources for FCA Utah. How are you and the FCA Utah Team doing on these goals? A: A great question, and I’ve been asked this a few times the last couple days. It’s been great to shine a spotlight on FCA Utah over the last 26 days. We have talked about FCA Utah with so many people across Utah, and we’ve received commitments for board members and volunteers, and as of this morning, 80 people have stepped forward to pledge or donate, and I’m super grateful to each of those folks. Our fundraising goal for the Walk Across Utah is $75,000 to match the $75,000 gift provided by a group of donors for a a total of $150,000 to Utah FCA. As of this morning, we’ve raised $38,610 for a total of $77,220 towards the $150,000 goal. Thank you to each of you who’ve graciously donated to FCA Utah! I’m grateful to each of you. For those of you who are considering a donation, you have a few oprions: 1. You can provide a special one-time gift: https://my.fca.org/donation?name=FCAWalkAcrossUtah 2. You can become an FCA automatic monthly partner by donating a set amount each month via automatic deposits: https://my.fca.org/donation?name=FCAWalkAcrossUtah Q: With just a few days left in the walk, will this be the easiest stretch of the walk? A: I have about 60 to 65 miles to cover over the next four days to reach the Utah/Arizona border, and a pretty challenging 10-mile stretch to navigate through the mountains on Friday. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support, encouragement and questions regarding FCA Utah and the walk. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 26 of 30 Today’s Miles: 18.03 26-Day Miles: 460.79 Miles to Goal: 39.21 Today’s Steps: 33,852 26-Day Steps: 869,948 Steps to Goal: 130,052 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

I was back on the road - a paved road - and enjoyed the early morning sunshine, walking 17.12 miles from Paragonah through Parawon and Summit to Enoch, Utah to complete Day 25 of 30 in the FCA Walk Across Utah. Today was the earliest the sun has come up, and I was replacing my beanie with a bucket hat only 3o minutes into my walk, and tucked my hoodie away shortly thereafter. It was a beautiful day for a walk and I had great energy from start to finish. I definitely enjoyed being back on an asphalt road versus the dirt and gravel roads, and although the one large blister on the ball of my right foot remains a bit painful, no new blisters. I did receive a surprise voice mail today from Patrick Murphy-Racey, who I haven’t seen in several years, as he was passing through Utah from Knoxville, Tennessee on a solo motorcycle trip. Pat and I first met when I was in Winona, Minnesota at Winona State University, which is also where I was first introduced to FCA. Pat came to speak at a photography class, and we reconnected when we were in Knoxville. Pat tried finding me on the frontage roads I walked today, but I had finished by the time he drove the roads, but we were able to catch up at the home I’m staying at tonight. Fun to see and visit with him. A few questions to answer that I’ve received: Q: Knowing you’re a planner, I’m curious what your Plan B is if for whatever reason you’re not able to complete the walk? A: From the start, many have asked about a Plan B, and each time I’d say, there’s no Plan B. I’m walking across the state; it’s going to happen. Believe in me because I believe in Him. Q: Have you been eating well in preparation for this Walk; both your training days, as well as your walk days, and has your diet changed much? A: I guess it all depends on what you mean by ‘eating well’ I’m eating a ton.; a lot more than I normally eat. I carb load at night; eat nothing but CLIF Bar and hydrate when I walk; and this afternoon, for example, I enjoyed two corn dogs, two chicken sandwiches, a piece of pizza and lots of Core Power, Body Armour and water following my walk. It wasn’t until a couple weeks ago that someone told me I needed to stop eating well, which I try to do when I’m not walking 500 miles, and start replacing all the fats I’m burning off. So I’ve been loading up on the fats, and it’s helped with my energy level. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support, encouragement and questions regarding FCA Utah and the walk. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 25 of 30 Today’s Miles: 17.12 24-Day Miles: 442.76 Miles to Goal: 57.24 Today’s Steps: 31,486 24-Day Steps: 836,096 Steps to Goal: 163,904 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

A good friend, Nicholas Downs, joined me for today’s 14.23 mile walk from State Road 20 to Paragonah, Utah to complete Day 24 of 30 in the FCA Walk Across Utah. It started out with a light drizzle, which presented us an awesome rainbow, but the rain didn’t last long. It remained overcast the first half of the walk, and then warmed up into the 70s for the last few miles. It was a straight shot along a frontage road with a good portion of the road paved and the remainder dirt and gravel. I did finish the day with a large blister on the ball of my right foot, but the good news is that is the only blister I’m treating at this point. I enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with Nick and appreciate him making the drive to and from Ogden, Utah to walk with me today. This transitions well into today’s question, which is: Are you walking alone? Are there times someone will walk with you? Nick is the second person to walk a full segment (day) with me, and I’ve had three other people each walk a few miles with me. I’ve walked alone 20 of the 24 days. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support, encouragement and questions regarding FCA Utah and the walk. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 24 of 30 Today’s Miles: 14.23 24-Day Miles: 425.64 Miles to Goal: 74.36 Today’s Steps: 27,120 24-Day Steps: 804,610 Steps to Goal: 195,390 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

Another dirt road with rocks frontage road day covering 15.23 miles from Beaver to State Road 20 to complete Day 23 of 30 in the FCA Walk Across Utah. The temperatures were in the low 70s with a slight breeze, so great weather conditions for a long walk. The frontage roads were mostly dirt with some rocks, but very few vehicles. This morning was the first day I didn’t wear bandages on my feet to cover blisters (or add padding to the bottom of my feet) since Day 1 when I started this walk. I felt the blisters were in good shape and it would be best to have just socks and shoes. It worked well; no new blisters and my feet and toes feel good. That doesn’t mean I won’t pick up a blister tomorrow, but grateful for new blisters today. A few questions to answer: Q: How are you feeling at this point, and how would you compare how you feel today versus when you started? A: I’ve had a number of people text or call and ask, “How is your body holding up?” I feel real good. In fact, I feel like I’m getting stronger each week. Q: I’ve enjoyed the ‘takeaways’ you’ve shared. Could you share another takeaway or thought on how the walk has impacted you? A: One of my recent thoughts from this walk is that it really isn’t about having faith in the training I did or how strong my body may feel at this point. When the blisters were piling up and I had a calf strain, it was all about having faith in God and His strength to get me through those days. I am so much stronger - physically and spiritually - than I was on Day 1 of this walk, and that has less to do with the faith I have in the training I did, and more to do with the faith I have in God and His strength. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support, encouragement and questions regarding FCA Utah and the walk. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 23 of 30 Today’s Miles: 15.23 22-Day Miles: 411.41 Miles to Goal: 88.59 Today’s Steps: 28,378 22-Day Steps: 777,490 Steps to Goal: 222,510 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater #FCAUtah

Today was a low mileage day covering 13.07 miles from Manderfield to Beaver, Utah to complete Day 22 of 30 - and wrap up Phase III of IV - in the FCA Walk Across Utah. I begin the final phase (Beaver to the border) of this border-to-border challenge tomorrow morning, and the eight days through Southern Utah will have lots of hills. I had a bit of a later start this morning, and will go later in the morning tomorrow, as well, which will mean warmer temperatures, but nothing like what I’ll face the last few days when I get closer to St. George and the Utah/Arizona border. I did have an encounter with two dogs that snuck up behind me and started barking, but when I turned and raised my arms, they jumped back. So I went towards them a few more times until they retreated back to their yard. Overall, I feel great going into the final phase. My feet are mildly sore, but no new blisters and the blisters I have are manageable. A few questions to answer: Q: Since it’s evident you enjoy writing, have you considered writing a book that chronicles the walk, highlights lessons learned and/or takeaways from your experiences? A: I have considered sharing takeaways from this Walk Across Utah in a book with proceeds benefitting FCA Utah. Q: Would you do this walk again? A: I was asked this question a few times earlier in the walk, and without hesitation, I said, ‘No, one and done.’ Now, I have to admit, I’ve thought about the possibility of doing it again. It really has been an amazing experience, but I’d need to be convinced FCA Utah would greatly benefit from doing the walk again. Q: What’s your next adventure or challenge? A: I have no idea, but I’ll take suggestions. I did have a friend recently suggest I consider running in a 50K ultra trail run, which I’ve never done. Thanks again for everyone’s continued support, encouragement and questions regarding FCA Utah and the walk. You can learn more about FCA, read the walk blog, and see opportunities to support FCA here —> https://utahfca.org/walk-across-utah . Days Completed: 22 of 30 Today’s Miles: 13.07 22-Day Miles: 396.18 Miles to Goal: 103.82 Today’s Steps: 23,820 22-Day Steps: 749,112 Steps to Goal: 250,888 #FCAWalkAcrossUtah #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #FCAGreater