MY BOOK: I began writing my journal in high school over 30 years ago.  I update the major events, my dreams and my goals often.  In 2013, I started the process of organizing the notes into a book, mainly to share with my family.  As I grow, and discover more insight into my own soul, I have found it helps to share with others.  I include many stories of mistakes I've made, even the embarrassing ones, to hopefully help someone else going thru a similar situation.  I feel like I have overcome many obstacles, physical, spiritual and emotional and I am still climbing.  We all have the same ability to pull our selves out of depression, but when we are down it is hard to remember the key.  The book will be inspirational for all ages and you don't have to be an athlete to read it.  Most of the book was written before my obsession with running began.  I will add insights to health and fitness in another book, but I feel like that topic has been covered.  My discovery into proper diet has just begun and I'm still a student myself.

The book of how to set goals and work to achieve them will be released as a fund raiser.  To achieve the goal of running a marathon in all 50 states, I will need to raise $30,000.  The book covers many topics and starts with my family background, where I got my strong will power and determination from and goal setting.  I've touched some of the highlights on FB, but the post fade with time.  The print copy will hopefully be out this year.  I would like to have a section to list all my supporters names.  I have many people helping me with my training and my diet.  I'm hoping to get some corporate sponsors as I get closer to my goal and before starting the Ironman training.
The goals I have setout for the next few years is Larger than one person can achieve alone.  It will take Family and Friends being patient with me while I give up Fun to Train.  I will miss dance class on Tuesday and Thursday.  I will miss the Weekend dances while traveling to races.  I have already received around the clock care from Bethany Smith and Trey Smith while traveling to Denver for the 50K Runs With Scissors Race.  Brett Cooper drove me to and from the Northern states and helped me get to and from the races each day.  We had to get up around 3am, run the race from 4am to 11am and go checkout of room.  We drove to 2nd location, checked in, ate and crashed.  This repeated for 3rd day and a 12 hour drive home following the 3rd marathon.  I could not have done this without support. 

I know I can't expect that much sacrifice from my Family and Friends for every race, but helping with Travel expenses is just as important.  A few dollars from all my supports will quickly add up to cover the Motels and Rental Cars.  Running Marathons are proving to be far more expensive than I anticipated.  It takes proper gear and food of course, but unless you travel free, the bills ad up quick.  A typical race entry fee is $100 to $150.  The price increases the closer it is to race day and they don't offer refunds.  I have to be careful not to plan too far in advance due to life events and injuries.  I usually can schedule a race 60 to 90 days out.  I have not missed a race I have paid for.  Several I probably shouldn't have, but I got thru them.

As I travel to the 50 states, I am trying to do as many as possible together.  This saves travel dollars as well as helping me to reach my goal quickly.  Many of the states are too far to drive to.  Being in a car for 15 hours or longer and running a marathon is a bad idea.  I have been blessed so far to have friends and family traveling with me to help with the driving.  I know I can't always depend on that as the cost are increased with each assistant I have.

I'm also getting stronger and may not need as much help as I did earlier this year.  I just hope I can keep up my health when running multiple marathons back to back.  It is harder driving home or getting thru airports when you hurt everywhere.  Still, I'm more than up for the challenge.  Corporate sponsors may not be willing to help an old and slow man complete the journey, but if any of you work for one that might, I would love to talk with them.  Until then, I'm hoping some of you would like to join in the experience of sending me around the States and on to the Ironman.

I promise I will not be going to Hawaii for the Ironman on your dime.  Only the Elite Athletes get a ticket to the Super Bowl of the Triathlons.  There are many local Ironman competitions of the same length and will save thousands of dollars.  Shipping a bike to a race cost a minimum of $500.00 which I plan to save by driving and hauling my own bike and equipment.  Also, doing a race in the south offers much cheaper rooms and food.  Any of my Friends and Family who wish to join me at the BEACH for a fun weekend and Cheer me on will be able to do so at affordable prices.  The Ironman will mean more if my supporters are able to be a part of reaching the goal.  Lets do it together.

Other Expenses include Airfare, usually $400 to $500 per race, unless I can get 3,4 or more in at a time.  The rental car rate is only $50 per day and I save millage by doing multiple races at a time too.  Some are on the same route both days allowing us to get two states without changing hotels.  Hotels are another big expense and I need rest before a big race.  Sleeping in the rental car is not an option at this point.

I now have 12 states and they are already paid for. 
I have added 7 states so far in 2017 with 3 flights and 3 back to back by car.  Using these estimates, I expect the goal of completing all 50 states in two years will cost a minimum of $35,000.  I'm sure many people will spend more to complete the same goal, if they are not skilled penny pinchers.  I will save everywhere I can, but I will need some help along the way to reach all 50 states.

Any amount of money is appreciated.  I can also use donated items instead of money if you know people who have supplies.
Gel packs, Sports Bars and Drinks, clothes, shoes, Alieve, or possibly Points for Free Flights or Hotel Stays.
I have a good supply of clothes from years of racing.  Much of it no longer fits and will need to be replaced.
Old bikes, no longer in use, may be useful for spare parts or even training on dirt trails.  The 112 mile bike ride will take about 5 to 6 hours.  I need to be able to train at this level to ensure my legs can still carry me 26.2 miles afterward.

• Luckily all you need to run a marathon is a pair of shoes and I have lots of those.
  
  Thanks for everything and spread the word.  You never know if your friend might know a friend who knows a friend that can help.
  
  https://www.gofundme.com/markhudspeth