The official logo for P.A.C.E. Trek 2010.
P.A.C.E. Trek Germany began March 8, 2010 at Grafenwoher Elementary School.
Encouraging students from Grafenwoher Elementary wish me well as I begin the 500-mile, three-week solo run across Germany.
Grafenwoher, Germany - March 8, 2010
The run began with snow on the ground and temperatures around 18 degrees.
Day one was in snow and ice.
Students wanting an autograph after a school assembly.
In Vilseck, Germany to begin day 2 of the run.
Signs with a slash through the name means that you are leaving that village/town.
Maybe I should have used a sled instead of a three-wheel "BOB"!
About 20 degrees and clearly still winter.
The windchill in the first few days was very cold, at times bringing the temperature below zero degrees.
Pigs have a layer of fat that helps keep them warm. For me, a skinny long-distance runner, I felt every bit of the cold.
When I took a break, like here, it was very short because the wind/cold would make my legs start to cramp up.
Hello from the side of the road in Germany.
I had to get used to measuring my distance in kilometers.
An old church along the edge of the road.
A very cold day! The winds picked up to 40-50 miles per hour and the windchill was brutal.
It got so cold on day 3 that my CamelBaks filled with water started to freeze.
On this day "BOB" the stroller would get hit by a car that slid out of control in the snow.
Fighting for every mile in bitter cold temperatures.
A little shelter from the blowing cold winds.
Hello from Eschenbach!
Just my tracks (and "BOB's").
The snow was persistent in the first 100 miles in Bavaria (southern Germany).
Gotta smile! The winter conditions reminded me of back home in western Montana.
Always a good sign to see. It meant a bike/pedestrian path was available (although covered with snow).
Winter held on for the month of March in Bavaria.
Running into another German village.
A prayer station literally 10 feet off of the road's edge.
Rounds of hay wrapped in white plastic. They looked like huge marshmallows!
A nature park in Pressath, Germany.
Another roadside prayer station.
A remnant of Germany's past.
Many of the buildings were well over 100 years old.
Logging miles through damp/cold conditions.
Taking on Germany... one mile at a time.
"BOB" had both a U.S. and a German flag.
The sign which helped Germans to understand what I was doing.
The "Rathaus" in Eschenbach. A "Rathaus" is where a town's community offices are located.
Taking a break from cold rain by standing in a bike/pedestrian path under a roadway.
Pushing into another village.
"BOB" and part of Germany's countryside.
These signs were always helpful for finding my way in Germany.
Running on pedestrian paths was always nice because I didn't have to worry about cars.
On the run.
Yep... still wearing ASICS running shoes - even though they don't sponsor me.
For this run I mounted a SPOT satellite tracking device so that people could watch my progress live via the Internet. However, there was considerable disruption in the service!
My view looking down on "BOB".
In Stegaurach, Germany after the first 135 miles of the run.
These little "smart cars" could be seen all over Germany. They're almost as small as "BOB" (my stroller).
A nice room to rest after a long day on the road.
Curious sheep!
Germany had some beautiful cemeteries.
A typical scene as I ran into villages across Germany.
I really enjoyed viewing the German architecture.
Even in Germany!
Sadly, cigarette dispensers are all over Germany... even in the smallest of villages.
The villages of Germany are spread apart about 3 to 5 kilometers and there is nothing in between. They keep the land between villages natural.
A bus stop at a typical Germany village. Yes, that's an AC/DC concert poster on the side.
Arriving at Kirchaich.
Germans are very good about having maps and route information along pedestrian/bike routes.
Pushing "BOB" on pavement is hard enough. But on cobblestones it's quite a challenge!
160 miles into the run and feeling good... despite the rough start with the tough winter conditions.
Crates of firewood.
Just me and my shadow. After days of cloudy weather, it was a welcomed sight!
Paul on the rocks.
Gruss Gott is a greeting, less often a farewell, and has long been the most common greeting form in Southern Germany.
Barges were a common sight as I ran across Germany.
A nice room that was inexpensive and comfortable.
You sure don't see many hotel room keys like this anymore.
I came across this red hart painted on a pedestrian path and couldn't resist placing "BOB" there for a picture.
A barge flying the German flag.
Warmer weather and a pedestrian path. Things were looking up!
Taking a little break in the quiet countryside.
The landscape was getting greener the further north I went during March.
The mud in parts of Germany was like the stickiest stuff you can imagine!
Imagine running through this beautiful place. It was wonderful!
An old train station in Gadheim, Germany.
Working my way to Schweinfurt. Only 12 kilometers to go!
An information board about Gadheim. I had wished that my understanding of the German language was greater!
A fun picture showing a spring contrast.
Graffiti seemed to be everywhere in Germany. If it didn't move, it got spray painted. I made sure to keep the stroller moving!
A very typical sight when a pedestrian path goes below a roadway at a village.
The trains were very fast and very quiet. You truly could not rely on just hearing a train to avoid it. You had to look!
The first time I saw both an American flag and a German flag flying side by side in Germany, and I believe this was a personal residence. It was not near a military base.
This appeared to be a memorial. It was right along the edge of a road out in the middle of nowhere. Three German soldiers' names were listed with the date April 7, 1945.
All alone in the middle of Germany. Awesome!
Cute way to decorate a fire hydrant.
Look at that surface. I had to run on that rough ground for many miles.
On the run to Gemunden.
My GPS directed me in some interesting places. In this case, a rough trail that went through the woods for a long way.
An American... all alone... pushing a jogging stroller... trying to run across Germany... with very limited German-speaking ability... in the middle of nowhere... on a wooded trail... hoping to come out the other side at a village his GPS is saying will be there.
Many of the surfaces that I had to push "BOB" on were quite difficult, as this picture shows.
Halfway across Germany. 250 miles done!
Coming into Grafendorf, Germany.
Crossing a bridge and pausing to enjoy the view.
Coming into Gemunden after a tough 44-mile day on mainly rough, unpaved roads and paths.
Am I still in Germany?!
Enjoying the view along the Rhein River.
Hanging out at the Rhein River.
Germany has many large bridges.
Sometimes you just have to stop and absorb the scenery.
At the Rhein River.
Updating my online blog from the road.
A beautiful swan at the Rhein River.
Impressive carving in a tree stump.
This drawing reminded me of my first few days on the road in Germany... lots of snow!
Can you guess what I was craving?
A clever piece of art.
Babies with their Mom.
I stood here for several minutes and just listened to the church bells ringing.
St. Kilian was an Irish missionary bishop.
Some of Germany's wonderful architecture.
Sometimes I wished I could put "BOB" in a boat and sail it down the river!
An interesting piece of art.
Some of the graffiti was wild!
Is this really the only place this guy could find to go fishing?!
A beautiful old church in Germany.
In Steinheim, Germany.
On my way to Offenbach.
On the run to Offenbach, Germany.
This is how I frequently saw smart cars parked. They're so small you don't have to parallel park.
Having a little fun.
Across the river is Frankfurt, Germany.
They really just wanted to check out "BOB".
Birds were a common sight as I ran along the rivers of Germany.
Near Frankfurt, Germany.
Frankfurt, Germany - the location I flew into and out of Germany.
Crew on the Main River.
I wonder what this old German man thought of the young people's graffiti.
In Frankfurt!
The rains came and "BOB" got soaked (and I did too!).
An outside ping-pong table. Yes... I beat "BOB".
If this doesn't scream "old" I don't know what does!
Hey... dry weather! Let's go running!
300 miles into the journey.
A boat on the Rhein River.
This is a very historic bridge.
Heading to Bingen.
The further I went, the greener it got!
Yes... nice church. However, check out that old telephone booth. Very cool.
A break in the rain as I arrive in Bingen on the 30-mile day.
I stepped back in time when I entered this little motel room.
Along the Rhein River.
The castles along the Rhein River were amazing.
I saw several churches that were being renovated.
Another castle along the Rhein River.
Hmm... I can't quite remember where I was when this picture was taken. (just kidding!)
Part of me wished that I could put this boat into the water and float down the river, giving my legs a break.
Guess where I am here!
I don't think that was lemonade in the cup!
G-E-R-M-A-N-Y-!
Coming into Bacharach.
A roadside 'point of interest'. However, I was logging a lot of miles this day and didn't take time to try and decipher the German on the sign.
Some of the barges were very large.
Could you imagine being the ones to farm this land?! They're part farmer and part mountain goat!
Yep... in Oberwesel.
A little old lady walks home from shopping.
A tourist boat floats past the runner with the stroller.
A very cool castle right in the middle of a town.
One of my favorite pictures from the Germany run.
The train system in Germany is very impressive. It's fast and timely.
I really enjoyed running through St. Goar. I could actually imagine living there.
What's that I see on the horizon? Perhaps a finish line about 175 miles away?
Relaxing in St. Goar.
Running along the rivers of Germany was wonderful. I love being by water.
Another castle on a hill.
Okay... I think you get the idea. "Nein" in German means "No".
A very nice looking castle.
This picture does not do this justice. To stand at the bottom of this massive castle and look up is amazing.
I'm not sure what this is. It had scenes from various dates carved into this stone all the way around.
Wrapping up the most painful day of the run. A 36-mile run to Koblenz and my legs were hurting.
Soaking my legs in the Rhein River at night. There was no ice available and the Rhein River was the coldest thing around!
On the Mosel River in early morning fog.
The path I followed along the Mosel River often went inland and was dirt/mud most of the time.
A brief stop during my run to Hatzenport.
Heading south along the Mosel River.
Koblenz is a rather large city and the route I selected was under construction. I had to find another way through the city.
These motorized carts carry the vineyard workers up and down the various terraces. It gets very steep in places!
Taking a break and surrounded by vineyards that are not even close to being ready for the season.
Pointing to where I'm at in Kobern.
I was very impressed with the soccer fields I saw in Germany. This particular field had an all-weather surface and was actually in a rather small village.
You know you're running through history when you see dates like "1580".
In Lehmen, Germany.
An M&M break between railroad tracks and a vineyard.
Alken, Germany. I bet this place is gorgeous when the landscape is green.
Alken, Germany with a castle above.
Heading into the final 100 miles of the run.
Denny Lemmon of Spangdahlem took this picture of me at the end of a 30-mile day to Hatzenport.
In "The Eifel" - The Bitburg/Spangdahlem area.
Sunshine and green landscape. Beautiful!
Joining the students of Spangdahlem Elementary and Spangdahlem Middle School on their final mile of P.A.C.E. Trek 2010.
Had a great time joining these kids to do their final mile of their team participation in P.A.C.E. Trek 2010.
Surrounded by students at Spangdahlem Middle School.
With the principal of Spangdahlem Middle School.
With the P.E. teacher at Spangdahlem Middle School.
These ladies work in a school cafeteria and were so excited to meet me.
On the run to Bitburg, Germany.
Running between Spangdahlem and Bitburg.
Narrow roadways in many villages, but also little traffic.
On my way to Bitburg.
Only 13 kilometers from Bitburg.
Pushing up a hill.
Interesting architecture.
Arriving at another U.S. military base.
Doing an assembly at Bitburg Elementary.
Students chuckling at me while I give my presentation at Bitburg Elementary.
Doing an assembly to U.S. elementary kids in Germany.
I received such a nice welcome at Bitburg Elementary.
Bitburg Middle School had scheduled a one-mile fun run to take place after my assembly.
Getting ready for the one-mile fun run.
Hoping the kids don't run me over.
And we're off!
I was actually focusing on not tripping any kids with "BOB".
One mile around the military base in Bitburg, Germany.
Enjoying the one-mile fun run, even though I was wired with a microphone by the military media personnel who were filming it.
Cheering the others across the finish line after "BOB" and I ran an 8-minute mile.
Handing out awards to the class winners of the one-mile fun run.
A nice banner presented to me at Bitburg Middle School.
From students at Bitburg Middle School.
Signing autographs after the one-mile fun run at Bitburg Middle School.
I believe I signed autographs for about a half hour at Bitburg Elementary/Middle School - signing all sorts of things, like paper, shoes, shirts, books and so much more.
With Jason Shull and his wife, Andrea. They had recently moved to Germany from my hometown of Missoula, Montana!
With Jason and Andrea Shull (UM Griz fans from Missoula!).
Taking a break by some canoes during a 28-mile run in the rain to Trier, Germany.
Yep... it was an umbrella hat day!
At least I was faster than this snail.
Taking a break from the pouring rain in a passageway beneath a road.
Heading for Trier.
In a tunnel on the way to Trier. The wooden wall to the right separates the pedestrian path from the train tracks.
A 28-mile day in the rain... and it just wouldn't ease up.
At least the rain didn't make me as gloomy as Eeore tends to be.
Resting under a rock ledge to be out of the rain.
Finally... Trier! And, I get to dry out!
My view of Trier from my hotel room.
Crossing a bridge while leaving Trier for another 28-mile day in the rain.
The desk clerk at the hotel in Trier gave me these eggs for my run.
"Save the graffiti. We're not just a kind of movement, we're a generation."
It's kind of hard to navigate when the direction signs are laying in a ditch.
There are certainly days that I wish I didn't have to push "BOB".
More rain!!!
Soggy in Saarburg.
The "path" I was on began to deteriorate quickly in the heavy rains.
Soggy mud, standing water, and cold. Not the best of conditions for pushing an 80-pound jogging stroller.
About 30 miles from completing the run.
I really can't ride "BOB", but it sure would be cool if I could.
Closing in on Landstuhl and the finish line.
Focused on finishing.
I reached for these black and white posts all across Germany.
TANKS?? Are you serious?!
With Ana Kress, the PTA President of Mark Twain Elementary School, and her two daughters. Ana was incredibly supportive and helpful when I was in Heidelberg.
With "BOB" at Garmisch American School.
The May Pole in Garmisch, Germany.
Julia Mitchell was called up front during an assembly at Garmisch American School to draw the name of the winning school for the $500 P.A.C.E. Healthy School Award. Unbelievably, she drew the name of her own school!
At Garmisch American School.
After my assembly at Garmisch American School.
With Shelley Mitchell and her husband, Jim. Shelley is the P.E. teacher at Garmisch Elementary.
Saw this along the road and couldn't resist a picture.
In Gerhardsbrunn - home of Sandy Merchat and her wonderful family. They hosted me for my final few days in Germany.
Heading to Landstuhl... the finish!
Kids at Landstuhl Elementary School prepare for my arrival. Landstuhl was selected as the finishing point for my run across Germany.
Lisa Patmor is the PTA President at Landstuhl Elementary and volunteered countless hours for 9 months to help organize P.A.C.E. Trek Germany.
Landstuhl Elementary kids wait for my arrival.
Running through a sea of students, teachers and parents at Landstuhl Elementary as I approach the finish line of P.A.C.E. Trek Germany. (March 30, 2010)
The path I ran to the finish line at Landstuhl Elementary.
Holding up both the American and German flags at the finish.
There it is! The finish line!
A wonderful banner created for the end of P.A.C.E. Trek Germany.
Students began to gather around right after I crossed the finish line.
Students at Landstuhl Elementary begin to surround me.
There were nearly 1,000 children and adults at the finish.
Sandy Merchat, P.E. teacher at Landstuhl Elementary, says a few words to those gathered at the finish.
March 30, 2010.
Sandy Merchat and Lisa Patmore - two ladies who were instrumental in making P.A.C.E. Trek Germany a success for more than 22,000 school children worldwide.
I present Lisa Patmor with a special award from The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation for her volunteer work.
With Lisa Patmor following my award announcement.
Shannon Sevier, the president of the European PTA, inducted me as the first ever European PTA Youth Ambassador.
Becoming the first European PTA Youth Ambassador.
BOB's work is done (for this trek anyway!).
P.A.C.E. Trek 2010 (Germany): 500 miles solo in 21 days across Deutschland. Over 22,000 school children from 9 countries participated virtually. All totaled, those students ran a combined 106,132 miles.
A kind bulletin board of congratulations at Garmisch Elementary.
