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SALT LAKE CITY — On April 16, Jessica Goldman began what she hopes to be a transcontinental run from California to New York.
A former member of the Peace Corps and current massage therapist, Goldman uses her skills daily to help others, so this trip will be no different. With a goal of raising funds to help the Brain Injury Association of America, Goldman is making every step count.
With each step, Goldman is not only closer to her goal of helping the BIAA, but to being counted among the only 20 women before her who have successfully made the journey.
This ambitious woman is making the trip self-supported, with a jogging stroller she affectionately calls “Thingamabob” carrying camping gear and supplies.
Taking it just one step further, if Goldman completes the journey in less than 69 days, 2 hours and 40 minutes, she will have broken the women’s trans-American run record set in 1978 by Mavis Hutchinson.
“When it comes to breaking the official world record, I have the odds against me,” Goldman said. “They do not distinguish between supported and self-supported runners, which means I am pushing this heavy stroller and must deal with logistics such as hauling water and food and camping. I also have many more miles to cover my route. To make an official record, one must be legal and run from San Francisco City Hall to New York City Hall.”
Goldman is making good progress. Even with a dust devil hitting her on just the second day out, ripping the front fender off her stroller and taking with it her GPS navigation device, the runner has successfully crossed two mountain passes to find herself in Utah.
Despite the weather she has faced during her time in Utah, Goldman says she has met many kind people here.
“Utah has been wonderful and refreshing,” Goldman said. “I had very little communication with other people through the big desert of Nevada. I connected with Mark Walton of the Salt Lake City Track Club and have been making friends everywhere here.
"I am absolutely blown away by people's generosity and kindness. I have been given new running shoes; people have hosted me in their homes and made me dinner, and people pull over to give me snacks, drinks and words of encouragement. Utah is awesome! Just today my new friend Jen drove me into Heber City so that I could get a new rain suit.”
Though still in Utah awaiting better weather, Goldman remains in good spirits. In a recent Facebook post the runner wrote, “Still snowing. I don't care if it takes me all day to get 5 miles. The Thingamabob and I are getting out of here this morning. I feel like I should hook it up to some deer and fill it with toys for all the little children in Fruitland and Duchesne.”
With winter storm warnings in Colorado, Goldman faces the decision to “hurry up or hold back” and frequently asks followers of her Facebook page for tips on navigation and weather.
To follow Goldman’s progress you can visit her Facebook page or go to her blog, Goldman Goes for It. To donate to her cause, give at her gofundme.com account.
Arianne Brown is a mother of six who loves running the beautiful trails around Utah. For more articles by her, like her Facebook page "A Mother's Write" or visit her blogs, timetofititin.com or thestoriesofyourlife.wordpress.com.
