On July 1, 2009 Eric Schotz, Jon Elmore, and I stood at the Georgia border, ready to set out on a four day journey that would take us 180 miles across the state on foot. But the journey really began in 2008 when Eric and his wife's 11-month old son, Elliott, was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease. Tay-Sachs is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive deterioration of physical and mental capabilities. Sadly, there is no cure for this disease and within just a few months of diagnosis, Elliott began to deteriorate as the disease ravaged function in his young brain, taking his ability to even respond. Fortunately, Elliott was never to know or understand the extent of his degeneration, but was able to live out his days enjoying the things he loved: sunshine, shiny balloons, his sister, Fiona, the jogging stroller pushed by his devoted dad. 
As soon as I heard that Eric was planning to honor his son and raise awareness for Tay-Sachs through ultra distance running, I knew I wanted to get involved. Eric, Jon and I all had a special connection. We all were originally from Wisconsin and now all lived in northern Alabama. We met early and often to plan the route, discuss logistics and raise money to donate to the National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association. The plan was to start on July 1 and make our way westward, covering daily distances of 50, 50, 50 and 30 miles respectively until we crossed the border of Mississippi in Red Bay, Alabama on the 4th of July. We would be joined along the way by friends and family who provided tremendous support in a variety of ways including, but not limited to running and crewing along the course.
It is an understatement to say that Alabama in July is hot, hot, hot! We ran under a perpetually blazing sun and often times wore long sleeves to prevent overexposure from its rays. Deyhrdation was a constant threat and serious concern. At the end of the first day, Jon Elmore succumbed and was taken to the emergency room for a round of IV fluids. Fatigue set in and compounded, making each step more arduous than the last. Thankfully, we had our crew close by so we were able to refuel when needed. Our crew was such a welcome sight with their handmade signs and cheers of motivation. Sometimes we walked, other times we ran, but with each step we made a difference, for Elliot, and for others like him. Maybe we couldn't save Elliott's life in those four days, but we could help contribute to helping save the many lives of others. Despite the low-low points, the high points were in the heavens. When Elliott was able to join us along the route, seeing his smiling face or sleeping body in the jogging stroller, took away all our pain. Eric would often say that the cure for Elliott's fussiness would be a run in the stroller. Seeing him pushed along became a cure for our fussiness.
One of the most moving experiences of my life took place over the last six miles as we approached the Mississippi border. Despite the fatigue and pain that we all felt, Eric and I were able to pick up our pace and run like the wind! I can only describe it as magical. I invite you to read about that specific experience in a blog I posted just days after we finished, titled: "4 Days of Pain that will fade and 10 kilometers I will never forget."
The exhilaration of that final mile was almost too much to handle. The three of us were overwhelmed with emotion. I told Eric that it was my honor to share in the pain of the last four days and in this experience with him. Jon mentioned that there was no place that he would rather be. Eric put his hand on my shoulder for a few seconds, as he had done two days earlier when I was sitting in the crew vehicle temporarily sidelined with pain, but this time to convey his thanks.
Through our effort, we became an inspiration for others. Though it did not save the life of sweet Elliott, who passed away in May of 2010, it did teach us and those around us to embrace each day. Elliot brought many people together for a greater good.
In the years since, I have often wondered how I could continue to honor Elliott's memory, spirit, and life-lessons. After a recent surgery to remove a tear in the meniscus of my left knee (suffered during a personal best time in Mountain Mist 50k), I started biking more frequently as an alternative to running. Now, four months after the surgery, I still have pain that is preventing me from running at my previous level. This injury has given me perspective on many things in my life and given me time to consider how I could honor the Schotz family and do something positive in Elliot's memory. I decided that I would travel along the same route our little group ran in 2009, but this time on my road bike. On 4th of July, exactly five years after we finished our run across the state for Elliot, I plan to ride all 180 miles in a single day.
I have had great support from my fiancee Rachel, who has put up with me spending hours and hours on the saddle and Saturday morning alarms that ring long before the sun rises, so that I could train to complete this distance. Rachel will be my crew on the 4th of July by riding along and providing support and I am thrilled to be able to share this journey with her by my side. Elliott inspired me then to do what I could to raise awareness for Tay-Sachs (along with Eric and Jon) by pushing our physical and mental abilities. On the 4th, I will do the same again and hope that my small effort really can make a difference.RideWithGPS Route
MapMyRide Route
| Notes | Leg | Dir | Type | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continue onto AL-117 N | ↑ | Straight | 0 | |
| 2 | Turn left onto Co Rd 89 | 6.1 | ← | Left | 6.1 |
| 3 | Turn right onto Desoto Parkway | 0.1 | → | Right | 6.2 |
| 4 | Turn right onto Co Rd 604 | 5.6 | → | Right | 11.8 |
| 5 | Turn left onto Gault Ave N | 2 | ← | Left | 13.9 |
| 6 | Turn left to stay on Gault Ave N | 5 | ← | Left | 18.9 |
| 7 | Turn right onto Glenn Blvd SW | 2.9 | → | Right | 21.8 |
| 8 | Turn left onto Pine Ridge Rd SW | 2.3 | ← | Left | 24.1 |
| 9 | Continue onto Old Hwy 35 E | 0.4 | ↑ | Straight | 24.5 |
| 10 | Turn left onto Long Hollow Cir | 0.4 | ← | Left | 24.9 |
| 11 | Turn left onto Co Rd 88 | 0.2 | ← | Left | 25.1 |
| 12 | Turn right onto Co Rd 461 | 1.7 | → | Right | 26.8 |
| 13 | Turn left onto Co Rd 458 | 0.9 | ← | Left | 27.7 |
| 14 | Sharp right onto Co Rd 52 | 3.6 | → | Right | 31.3 |
| 15 | Turn left onto Lebanon Rd | 0.6 | ← | Left | 32 |
| 16 | Continue onto Co Rd 57 | 3.1 | ↑ | Straight | 35 |
| 17 | Turn right onto Lebanon Rd | 0.2 | → | Right | 35.2 |
| 18 | Turn left onto Co Rd 52 | 2 | ← | Left | 37.2 |
| 19 | Geraldine | 4.1 | ↑ | City | 41.3 |
| 20 | Continue onto Salem Rd | 0.8 | ↑ | Straight | 42.1 |
| 21 | Slight left onto Crow St | 0.1 | ← | Left | 42.2 |
| 22 | Turn right onto Co Rd 111 | 3.9 | → | Right | 46.1 |
| 23 | Turn left onto Co Rd 568 | 1.5 | ← | Left | 47.5 |
| 24 | Continue onto Baker Rd | 0.8 | ↑ | Straight | 48.4 |
| 25 | Continue straight onto Asbury Rd | 1.5 | ↑ | Straight | 49.9 |
| 26 | Slight right onto Martling Gap Rd | 0.3 | → | Right | 50.2 |
| 27 | Turn left onto AL-227 N | 4.2 | ← | Left | 54.4 |
| 28 | Turn left onto Florida Short Route/Gunter Ave | 6.5 | ← | Left | 60.9 |
| 29 | Guntersville | 0.2 | ↑ | City | 61.1 |
| 30 | Turn right onto Henry St | 0.2 | → | Right | 61.3 |
| 31 | Turn right onto Eddy Scant City Rd | 7.5 | → | Right | 68.8 |
| 32 | Continue onto Ruth Rd NW | 4.7 | ↑ | Straight | 73.5 |
| 33 | Arab | 0 | ↑ | City | 73.5 |
| 34 | Turn right onto Apple Grove Rd | 6.8 | → | Right | 80.3 |
| 35 | Turn left onto Crawford Rd | 0 | ← | Left | 80.3 |
| 36 | Turn right onto AL-67 N | 2.1 | → | Right | 82.4 |
| 37 | Turn left onto Gum Pond Rd | 0.2 | ← | Left | 82.6 |
| 38 | Turn right onto Lawrence Cove Rd | 0.3 | → | Right | 82.9 |
| 39 | Turn left to stay on Lawrence Cove Rd | 2.3 | ← | Left | 85.2 |
| 40 | Slight left onto Gandys Cove Rd | 5.6 | ← | Left | 90.8 |
| 41 | Turn right onto Nat Key Rd | 3.5 | → | Right | 94.3 |
| 42 | Turn right onto N Robinson Rd | 3.6 | → | Right | 97.9 |
| 43 | Turn right onto S Cedar Cove Rd | 0.8 | → | Right | 98.7 |
| 44 | Turn left onto Lawrence Rd | 0.3 | ← | Left | 98.9 |
| 45 | Turn left onto N Cedar Cove Rd | 1 | ← | Left | 100 |
| 46 | Continue onto Burleson Rd | 0.9 | ↑ | Straight | 100.8 |
| 47 | Turn right onto Brownee Ln | 0.5 | → | Right | 101.4 |
| 48 | Turn left onto E Parker Rd | 0.2 | ← | Left | 101.6 |
| 49 | Turn left onto Rock St SE | 3.1 | ← | Left | 104.7 |
| 50 | Turn right onto Milner St SE | 0.4 | → | Right | 105 |
| 51 | Turn left onto Main St E | 0.2 | ← | Left | 105.2 |
| 52 | Turn right onto Stewart St SW | 0.6 | → | Right | 105.8 |
| 53 | Continue onto Vaughn Bridge Rd NW | 0.4 | ↑ | Straight | 106.3 |
| 54 | Hartselle | 0 | ↑ | City | 106.3 |
| 55 | Turn left onto Danville Rd | 6.2 | ← | Left | 112.5 |
| 56 | Slight right onto Iron Man Rd | 1.3 | → | Right | 113.7 |
| 57 | Continue onto Co Rd 72 | 2.9 | ↑ | Straight | 116.7 |
| 58 | Turn right onto Co Rd 203 | 2.9 | → | Right | 119.5 |
| 59 | Turn left onto Co Rd 87 | 0 | ← | Left | 119.5 |
| 60 | Slight right to stay on Morgan St | 6.2 | → | Right | 125.8 |
| 61 | Turn left onto Court St | 1.1 | ← | Left | 126.9 |
| 62 | Moulton | 0.6 | ↑ | City | 127.5 |
| 63 | Turn left to stay on County Rd 460 | 4.5 | ← | Left | 132 |
| 64 | Continue onto Moulton Rd/Old State Rte 24 | 9.6 | ↑ | Straight | 141.6 |
| 65 | Continue onto Route 24 | 2.8 | ↑ | Straight | 144.4 |
| 66 | Turn left onto AL-24 W | 6.6 | ← | Left | 151 |
| 67 | Russellville | 2.5 | ↑ | City | 153.5 |
| 68 | Turn right onto Old State Rte 24 | 5.4 | → | Right | 159 |
| 69 | Continue onto County Rd 524 | 1.3 | ↑ | Straight | 160.2 |
| 70 | Slight left to stay on County Rd 524 | 1.1 | ← | Left | 161.4 |
| 71 | Turn right onto AL-24 W | 4.7 | → | Right | 166.1 |
| 72 | Turn left onto County Rd 424 | 0.2 | ← | Left | 166.3 |
| 73 | Turn left onto AL-24 W | 1.8 | ← | Left | 168.1 |
| 74 | Turn right onto 4th St | 9.5 | ← | Left | 177.6 |
| 75 | MS / AL Border | 2.2 | ↑ | Straight | 179.8 |