Running trans-USA: looking for crew!

Aug 26, 2023

(Update 9/10/2023: we have 2 crew for the duration!
But we welcome anybody who wants to run some miles with Jenny!)

Want to go on a grand adventure across the USA, to support a world record attempt? I am looking for a team of 2-3 to support a run from LA to Boston. starting on Sat, Sept 16, and aiming to run >60 miles per day to finish by Nov 5, to beat the current world record. I need energetic, adventurous, team-oriented people, who can leap tall buildings in a single bound and solve all manner of logistical challenges on the fly (and enjoy beautiful scenery, follow a map, drive an RV, mix gatorade, and maybe even give a good sports massage).

In fall 2019, I set out on foot from San Francisco, heading for New York. I ran 2,560 miles in 42 days, averaging 61 miles per day (6 days under world record pace) but my run ended prematurely with a knee injury near Cleveland, Ohio. Through surgery and rehab and pandemic and work and family life, I have dreamed every single day for 4 years about redoing and completing this run. I have just completed my centerpiece training (200-150-200 mile weeks), and I am fit and ready, but I can't do it alone.

transcon map — Jenny's 2019 run (42 days from San Francisco to Cleveland).

For a glimpse into the rhythm of the transcon run and crew job, see this 2019 podiumrunner article or my facebook page. (For the full story, you can scroll all the way to the bottom of the facebook page, which starts in August 2019, and then read chronologically upwards.)

Crew #1 job (daily aid at ~3 mile intervals)

Get up early (e.g. 4am) and help Jenny get out the door of the RV in ~20 min with all necessary supplies (e.g. tracker, maps, anti-chafe cream, fluids & calories, TP)
Meet Jenny on the road every 3-5 miles through the day (without fail!) to replenish supplies. Jenny may be running for 12-14 hours each day.
Keep track of time, route, calories, fluids and remind Jenny to eat, drink, apply sunscreen, replenish supplies, and all the things that her tired brain may be too fried to do by herself.
Secure at least 3 witness signatures per day from passers-by, and photo/video ~5 min/day of running, to meet Guiness World Record standards.
Scout the route ahead where there may be detours, washouts, construction, closed gates, or any other obstacle.
Make sure all necessary devices are charged (headlamp, tracker, watch, phone, etc.)
Solve any and all logistical challenges on the fly: flat tires, lightning storms, reroutes, OTC medicine for minor injury/illness or help coordinate medical care for serious concerns.

Crew #2 job (RV & logistics)

Drive the RV ~60 miles and find a new campsite each night.
Shop (make sure the RV remains fully stocked with gasoline, propane, ice, food, water, toilet paper, etc.)
Cook (daily burgers, eggs, raman, hot chocolate, etc.)
Laundry (find laundromats approx. weekly).
Make sure the daily maps are printed (find fedex/kinkos or other print shops as needed).
Communications (help with facebook posts, coordinate friends who might want to run a few miles with Jenny as she passes through, etc.)
Solve any and all logistical problems on the fly (flat tires, clogged RV toilet, hitch-hiking prairie dogs, etc.)
Bonus: give a good sports massage.

Of course, some of these responsibilities may be traded between crew #1 and crew #2, but they all need to get done every day! Jenny will pay all expenses and modest stipend negotiable.

Here are some of the amazing people, now close friends, who helped with my run in 2019. I hope to make many new friends through my 2023 run!