Friends and Family,

Well, he’s still out there chugging along (my best guess is around mile 270 at this point) and I can’t stop thinking about how tired he must be, how sore and blistered his feet most likely are, and how mentally exhausted he is. I spoke with him this morning and he and Adam had left the Rohn checkpoint (mile 210) shortly after arriving and decided that since it was just a tent, they would rather continue on and put some more miles in and then bivy when they needed to. He said they went only about 10-15 miles past Rohn when they stopped to bivy at 2:30 in the morning. They slept for 4.5 hours and he said a few runners passed them by while they were stopped. It may have pushed them back farther on the leader board but they really needed the rest.

I was having a really hard time understanding Brandon because his words weren’t very clear. I thought maybe he was just really cold or really tired, but he said that he has some sores on his tongue (???) which were making it hard to speak. I can’t figure out why he would have sores on his tongue and I didn’t ask because we were using satellite minutes and we always keep it short and to the point. I will ask him though if he calls tonight.

I am really hoping he calls tonight because I can’t wait to tell him that his mom and I are leaving tomorrow morning to Alaska to watch him cross the finish line. All week I’ve been contemplating going, but it costs a fortune to buy the plane ticket. Shirley generously cashed in her airmiles so that we could both go and I am very grateful. I am so glad she is going with me because I am not quite brave enough to travel alone in a place I’m so unfamiliar with.  We both decided that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to go watch him cross that finish line and I can’t wait to see him. Thank you Shirley for going on this adventure with me!!

I’m not 100% sure what kind of cell coverage I will have up there in McGrath, but am hoping that I can keep you all updated on a computer at our hotel. I am so very grateful for each of you who have been following this journey, praying for his safety and success, and who have left him such kind and thoughtful messages. You are ALL the best people! Thank you so VERY much! And thank you to his sponsors, Naturipe and Wilbur Ellis for their generous support and encouragement. It is so nice to do business with nice people.

I will keep you all posted!

Lots of love,
Marilyn Lott