Keep on keepin’ on

Editor's note: Daren Schumaker of Cedar Rapids and Dennis Lee of Walford are attempting to run across Iowa's 99 counties to raise money for the American Heart Association. The two have completed 67 counties. This is No. 65. Next: Montgomery

By Daren Schumaker, community contributor

Resolve is the root of a word we generally only think about once each year, if at all - resolution.

Resolution is defined as a firm decision to do something and, in modern society, a decision that is usually pushed to the surface and announced with an alcohol-induced bravado. It is odd such 'firm” decisions are so often set to the side before the headaches that were caused in making said resolutions have dulled.

Resolution also is defined as a firmness of purpose or intent - determination. If change were as easy as making a resolution, each of us would have the problems and obstacles present in our lives resolved within the hour. Unfortunately, change is difficult. It requires the bravery to make a resolution, and resolve - determination - to be brave enough to see your resolution through to the end.

On Oct. 12, we departed Walford at 10 a.m. - hoping the drizzle, rain and cold temperatures of the previous evening would burn off in the sun's heat. We drove south and west, but mostly south, zigging and zagging our way to Batavia on the western edge of Jefferson County in southeast Iowa.

The drizzle, rain and cold didn't burn off. The sun decided to take the day off, the temperature hovering at a balmy 49 degrees. Our run started with a shoe-soaking jaunt through knee-high grass before a one-mile tour of Batavia on Old Highway 34. The rain was cold and remained so as we merged onto Highway 34 and settled into our eastward march, the cold wind stinging our faces.

After running just more than six miles we turned south onto Old Highway 34 as the rain faded away into a mist on the horizon. We rolled up and down a few hills before bounding through a ditch and onto a limestone trail that pointed us through damp woods filled with trees that were featuring all the fantastic colors of fall. Before long the trail introduced us to Fairfield, and we continued to follow its path until turning south on Ninth Street and eventually east toward downtown. We darted around the town square, visited the Jefferson County Courthouse, and shot through an alley before returning to Old Highway 34. We continued east though Fairfield, again merging onto Highway 34 as we completed our 17th mile.

It got colder - and soon we were able to see our own breath.

After running another six miles, at least the last two of which were completely uphill, we turned north onto Umber Avenue and briefly ran along two sets of railroad tracks before we found our prize. The deserted end of Old Highway 34. We bushwhacked ourselves to an abandoned roadway that had not seen a visitor for many moons, dodging overhanging tree limbs and the waist-high grass that was growing out of cracks in the pavement beneath our feet. Before we knew it our one-mile adventure was over, and we kept on keepin' on.

Soon we found ourselves in Lockridge which, despite its small size, was full of things you don't see on a normal day. After passing old brick buildings and, for example, two Schwan's Food Service trucks that each had all of their doors removed parked in the yards of two different homes, we coasted up and down the last few hills before completing our 65th county, traversing Jefferson County's 27.1 miles in 3:50:54.

Those who talk, talk. Those who do, do. Change isn't going to happen overnight. It isn't easy. In fact, it is downright terrifying. We always are more afraid than we wish to be. but we can always be braver than we expect. Be brave. Be bold. Embrace change. Don't talk, simply do. Actions truly do speak louder than words. Don't tell the world what you are going to do, instead do it and let them take notice.

Inspiration through perspiration. Become active or make a donation to Team 99 Counties or the American Heart Association to help fight heart disease today.