The Race Across America
Adam Kimble, A.K.A The Bearded Sole, will be attempting to run 3,030 miles in 45 days, across 16 states: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. This real life Forrest Gump isn’t running because he “just felt like running”. Kimble is raising awareness for impossible2Possible, a nonprofit dedicated to educating, inspiring, and empowering youth to reach beyond their perceived limits.
Starting February 15th, Kimble will be running an average of 69 miles a day from Huntington Beach, California, to New York City in attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Fastest Crossing of America on foot by a male, a record that has stood for nearly 36 years. Frank Giannino Jr., who completed the challenge in 46 days back in 1980, holds the current record. Kimble hopes to take the title by running across America in 45 days or less.
Kimble didn’t always love running. As a former college baseball player and three-sport athlete in high school, running was typically viewed as a punishment. It wasn’t until 5 years ago when Kimble grew into his love for running after completing a half marathon with his wife. “I didn’t know it at the time, but it was going to become one of my greatest passions,” said Kimble. “It is something I feel I was created to do.”
Since the summer of 2015, Kimble has been planning to do this run and has started training his body to endure high millage. Along with logging quality miles, he has been cross training with weight training, yoga and cycling to support his muscles, as well as taking time off from running to allow proper recovery. Besides training, Kimble has assembled a crew including his wife and friends to help him break the record and support him along the way. The crew will have to quickly adapt to each day’s schedule.
The plan is to begin running at 4 a.m. and end around 9 p.m. Each day is mapped out with various mileages to cover, but overall the goal is to run an average of 69 miles per day. There will be specific eating breaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and once the day ends, the crew will all get some sleep in the RV and prepare for the next day. “If we stick to our plan and stay focused on the goal, I like our chances!” said Kimble.
Kimble will be wearing his Forerunner 920XT during his journey in order to pace himself. It is vitally important to run the pace he needs to run in order to stay on schedule, without draining his body by going too fast. “With the pace alert and time/distance alert features, it’s one less thing I have to think about, “ said Kimble. Besides keeping him on track, as per the Guinness World Records rules, he has to submit GPS files of the run from start to finish, and the Forerunner 920XT will handle that for him.
Although there are a few concerns such as bad weather and possible injuries, Kimble is so excited to share this experience with his friends and family. “Every single person who participates or supports us in any way is a member of our team,” said Kimble. “If we are going to get this done, it will be a total team effort!”
For more information on his plan, visit Adam Kimble’s website at http://adamkimble.com and follow his journey by following his social accounts @thebeardedsole.
“I’m pretty tired, I think I’ll go home now.” – Forrest Gump
