Mile 158: Finishing the Distance

After two months and three days, through wind and sun, over pavement and dirt, I have reached Kalam, Pakistan. It's hard to believe that I did it, that I ran 158 miles, day by day for a little over two months. Today's run, on World Run Day, followed one of my favorite trails that gently slopes over hills and through forests. As I came down the hill for the last quarter of a mile, my family was waiting at the trailhead, cheering me on. I received flowers (green and white for the Pakistani flag) and a wonderful sign, seen below. Thanks to them for giving me so much support!

As I ran those final steps and did my regular stretching, I kept waiting for a feeling of complete accomplishment and satisfaction. But it never came, and even now, although I have realized that my running for Pakistan is over, I still do not feel accomplishment in its entire form. I have gone the milage, but not the distance. Only when the generous donations from my supporters is converted to clean water, fresh food, or building materials will I have gone the distance.

In some aspects, I do not want to be finished. Certainly, I will continue to run, but what I have trouble ending is the push to spread awareness, to raise money, and to help the people of Pakistan. I have already extended my fundraising by asking for a hat day at my school to raise money, and I have talked to a Pakistani student here in Helena about raising funds.

According to Google Maps, I pass through Kalam but then finish just outside of the town, on the boarder of Kalam Forest. Here, the trees and high hills display a comforting familiarity to my homeland in Montana. I have noticed this throughout my running, how similar places so far apart can be.

And yet they can be so different. I acknowledge the cultural and religious differences by many in Pakistan and the United States. And I understand that those differences lead to harsh words and actions on both sides. For me, I did not need to peer into the inner workings of the Muslim culture to understand their need. I simply viewed similar mountains and similar rivers and saw the vulnerability of the land, and I looked into the faces of the people.

With all that I have said, none of Going the Distance would be possible without my readers and supporters. You gave me the strength to keep going, and you are the reason that so many will receive much needed aid in Pakistan. I can never say thank you enough.

Thanks for the pledges. Now it's time for donations that make a difference. For those readers who know me and my email, I will be sending an email discussing how to make the donations. For those who read this blog but do not know me by email, send a message to goingthedistancepakistan@gmail.com and tell me how you learned about Going the Distance. All the support that I have received throughout my venture has been wonderful, and now I am asking for help for the people of the Swat Valley. Any amount of contribution will do an amazing difference for these people of unbelievable determination.

Thanks to everyone who has made this distance possible.

Sincerely,
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 2.43 miles
Total distance: 158 miles
The destination has been reached.

Weather in Helena: 70 degrees F, partly sunny, windy
Weather in Mingora: 90 degrees F, sunny.

Week 9: One More Day!

With today's distance of 3.12 miles, I pass through the community of Haranai and continue north through the Swat Valley. I am so close to Kalam, with under three miles to go! As I push to finish by Sunday, I have a total of 20 miles this week. Below are the total distances for Going the Distance. That tiny sliver of green at the top is the marker for Kalam--that's how close I am.

There are some beautiful spots on and near my run today. This one is taken of the west side of the Swat River, and shows the unique architecture of Pakistan. The land behind it reminds me of Montana terrain.

Below is another picture taken on the river of the surrounding mountains.

And finally, this picture, taken a few miles west of the Swat Valley, shows a peak standing around 12,000 feet in altitude.

Thanks so much for reading!

Until tomorrow,
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 3.12 miles
Total distance: 155.57 miles
Distance to go: 2.43 miles

Weather in Helena: 67 degrees F, partly cloudy
Weather in Mingora: 86 degrees F, sunny

The Roaring River

A long, 4.2 mile run for today brings me within six miles of Kalam! That means only two more days of Going the Distance. Like always, I want to thank everyone who has contributed, both with their support and pledges. Both make such a difference to me.

As I continue to go farther and farther into the mountains, the Swat River narrows into a gushing and spraying flow of water traveling down a narrow, rocky canyon of grey cliffs. The water looks absolutely freezing, and I am sure that it is, coming from the glaciers and snowpacks of the surrounding peaks. I can also imagine how deafening the river might be, especially since I am running on a road fairly close to the river. Still, there is a wild, untamed beauty of these blue waters, yet also a fear in knowing how much destruction they can cause.

This photo below reminds me of some of the mountain rivers in Montana, like the Deerborn River, where the same clear, blue waters thunder through canyons and over large boulders. This is a side-river, or tributary, of the Swat, taken not far from where I run. I believe that there is a daring swimmer in the pool below the boy.

This photo is taken on the Swat, and shows just how narrow the river has become.

And another picture on the Swat. On the left is a concrete wall supporting a narrow road--this is the road on which I am running. Also, notice the structure sitting on the rocky cliff above the river. This photo is aptly named "A Precarious Perch."

It was another warmer day in Helena, but colder weather (that fits November) is approaching, but not before I finish going the distance for Pakistan!

Until tomorrow,
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 4.2 miles
Total distance: 152.45 miles
Distance to go: 5.55 miles

Weather in Helena: 60 degrees F, partly sunny
Weather in Mingora: 82 degrees F, sunny

Godur Lake

Although there are no pictures on my run today, I did find these beautiful photos of the high (10,000 ft plus) peaks eight or so miles from where I stop today. The first is of Godur Lake, a high, sky blue-colored glacier lake.

And here is one of the many steep, rocky slopes of the snow-capped mountains. The stream that is dribbling down the valleys carries sediment which will find itself in the rivers below. Those snowpacks also feed the major rivers.

As I recently found out, this Sunday is World Run Day, where people all over the world, well, go running. Also part of the day is that people can run for their favorite charities. After consideration, I cannot resist finishing my 158 mile odyssey with something called World Run Day that celebrates a variety of charities. And with about 10 miles left, I will have to run an average of 3.25 miles for the next three day to meet my deadline. I really hope to do so, and I also encourage my readers to head out on Sunday and do some running themselves, if only for a few minutes. Visit http://www.runday.com/ to read more about World Run Day, register, and get a World Run Day t-shirt.

Three more days of Going the Distance, then!

Until next time,
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 2.77 miles
Total distance: 148.25 miles
Distance to go: 9.75 miles

Weather in Helena: 57 degrees F, sunny
Weather in Mingora: 84 degrees F, sunny/rainy

Snow Leopards

As I had hoped, the harsh wind dissolved away here in Helena, and the sun was unobstructed in a cloudless blue sky. By the time I had left for my run, though, the sun had left the South Hills, and it wasn't nearly as warm as I had suspected it to be; my feet were quite chilled for some time.

Today's run takes me past the village of Mankial, which sits in Mankial Valley, a sub-valley of the Swat Valley. Upon researching Mankial Village, I found that a survey for snow leopards had taken place here in 2004. I did not know that the mountains here supported this secretive feline. In the valley, there are an estimated 50 big cats left, due to habitat loss and hunting. The study also documented a variety of birds to the area, and the lifestyles of the native people there with their livestock. The report is very interesting to read; see more at http://snowleopardnetwork.org/GrantFinalReports/KhanFinal03.pdf.

Here is a picture of the village of Mankial.

Thanks for reading as I come closer and closer to Kalam!

Until tomorrow,
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 2.89 miles
Total distance: 145.48 miles
Distance to go: 12.52 miles

Weather in Helena: 55 degrees F, sunny/partly cloudy
Weather in Mingora: 90 degrees F, partly sunny

A Windy Day

As I observed yesterday, I am currently running on a thin dirt road that sticks close to the Swat River below. This picture is taken right on my route on Kalam Road and shows the quality and position of the the road in regards to the river. You can also see how narrow and strong the river is here, and how it has no where to go but downstream, creating an even stronger force.

And this photo was taken a little of my path, again showing the narrowness of the valleys.

I found this video of heavy flooding near the town of Bahrain, which I passed a few days ago. It is simply amazing how much water can tear through a village like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueW-uiVHzQw

Here in Helena today, it was very, very windy. For much of my run, I was in the trees or below hills and I did not notice it, but once in a while I would get hit by a hard burst of fall air. Leaves were blown about in the streets and plastered against fences or curbsides. I hope this windy weather passes, for the rest of the week is supposed to be fairly nice.

Until tomorrow,
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 2.89 miles
Total distance: 142.59 miles
Distance to go: 15.41 miles

Weather in Helena: 65 degrees F, partly sunny, windy
Weather in Mingora: 92 degrees F, sunny

Mountainous Country

For my short run today, I continue up Kalam Road which hugs the west side of the Swat River. I pass a spot where two different streams, one from the west and one from the east, join the Swat. As far as I can see from Google Maps, Kalam Road appears to be a dirt path, and with the combination of the three flows of water here, I'm sure the flooding has heavily damaged the road.

I pass this nice view of the homes clinging to the steep hillsides of the valley.

Goats are a common animal in livestock in Pakistan. Here are a few of the ruminators enjoying the green grass of high mountain valleys. This photo was taken deep in the snow-capped peaks, twenty-five miles or so from the Swat Valley

As noticeable in this picture, this is a mountainous county. As I have mentioned before, these can be considered the foothills of the Himalayas, and they definitely appear so in this photo. In fact, I am only around 300 miles from K2, the second tallest mountain in the world.

Happy November!
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 1 mile
Total distance 139.7 miles
Distance to go: 18.3 miles

Weather in Helena: 60 degrees F, overcast/partly cloudy
Weather in Mingora: 90 degrees F, sunny