Posted by Agnes Oquendo on August 11, 2001 at 23:04:38:
DAY EIGHT - August 11, 2001
We started out today at 9:15 a.m.. It was hot and humid but cooler than what it's
been. It was 86 this morning and ended up at 94. Even though we were left out in
the rain yesterday, we woke up stronger for it today...........
Virginia is extremely hilly, I took pictures of Lou's head climbing up the
hills (makes him look taller). On one of our many water stops, we were pulled
over to the shoulder waiting for Lou to climb up another hill, and a truck and a car
pulled up in front of us and a couple of shady looking guys started to walk towards us -
they were actually scary looking. My daughter locked the truck quickly and we pulled
out. They followed us out, then they passed us up after a few minutes. Lou saw them too, and he was waving his hand hard to go. That was the scariest episode of our
journey.
Lou found a penny (heads up) and a five dollar bill. I don't know how he can
even reach down to pick them up after running for so long.
Anyway, the total miles for Lou today were 32. We are still in Virginia, in between
Quantico and Fredricksburg. Every now and then we stay somewhere on I-95 to see
how the real people live. Gonna fuel up now for tomorrow.
Thanks guys, Love Agnes
Lou adds:
Arriving at Washington yesterday was a bit emotional and teary eyed for me.
The thunderstorm made it feel like fireworks and as they say, it's good luck if it
rains when you arrive at a destination. However, not all tears were of joy.
I felt bad for Agnes because she has worked so hard to deliver the
proclamations as a decisive blow against breast cancer. Leaving them
(proclamations) in the mailroom, leaves the message nowhere for now.
She didn't say anything, but I know she felt letdown that no one was there as
promised, so I've decided to ask you guys reading her daily diary to help me.
Here I am in the middle of this wonderful country yelling our cause and
yet the message is not loud enough. Tell everyone about this event, papers,
paperboys, radio stations, etc, etc.....I vow to stick to my original plan and
make sure that everyone has an even chance in the battle against breast
cancer.
Today we left stronger than ever. The team was raring to go, so we did.
The heat was still with us, but we made wonderful stops. Mileage for the day
was 32.
One more thing, I can tell that your prayers are with me; you all know I love to run
in heat and humidity. Well, I got mine....I couldn't have choreographed the weather
better. So keep the prayers coming, I may beg for rain soon. We can't find a laundromat.
I love all you guys and I miss returning the smile whenever you guys are there.
Got to go, tomorrow is a long run. Almost forgot -- Saucony Hurricanes, good shoe.
It made 243 miles, buried them at Red Roof Inn.
Thanks, see ya. Lou