Saw this on facebook and thought it needed to be here.
Quote:
The heart-wrenching saga of DJ Rob:
I think the world deserves to hear this story, because it is epic, tragic, and has kept me up at night for the last month.
DJ ROB (Robert Mwandia) of College Station, TX has been running since June 1.
Let's pause for a moment and consider everything you have done since June 1. You have likely lived out a good chunk of rich life experiences in the last 46 days (well, maybe not). And throughout all of that time, DJ Rob has been on the side of a busy highway, running. Since June 1, I've been on multiple trips with friends, started and completed large projects at work, spent many hours in my above-ground pool, and this entire time, DJ Rob has been running.
For those who don't know, DJ Rob challenged himself to run from College Station, TX to Las Vegas, Nevada in 45 days (yes, on foot). He calls the campaign "45 marathons in 45 days" because he has to run a little over 26 miles a day to make it to Vegas on time. He is doing it to raise money to bring an ACL-style music festival to College Station and bolster the otherwise dismal music scene. Yes I know it's unbelievable, ludicrous almost.
If running 1,336 miles through the scorching desert wasn't bad enough, here are some things that have happened along the way.
14 days into his journey, Rob's driver (The guy that picks him up after each marathon and drives him back to the start point the next day), quit on him. So Rob had to drive back to college station, find a new driver, and drive back to his checkpoint.
Rob notes on twitter that many drivers pee into bottles and toss them onto the highway and that he continually passes hot smelly bottles of urine as he treks through the desert.
On Day 27 he turned 34, and ran 34 miles to celebrate.
On Day 29, DJ Rob had emergency surgery to HAVE HIS APPENDIX REMOVED after it almost ruptured. His doctor gave him a 6 week recovery time. Silly doctor, 7 days later, Rob did 30 miles outside of Albuquerque. like what even.
He has had the cops called on him while running. Also, On day 43 when he entered Arizona, he was notified by the police that is illegal to walk on the highway. Fortunately, after hearing the story, the officer allowed him to keep running.
As DJ Rob now approaches the Nevada border, I must tell you about the saddest part of this story. Despite succeeding so far in his endeavor, in the face incredible odds, ROB'S KICKSTARTER HAS RAISED LESS THAN 3% OF ITS GOAL. HE GETS NOTHING IF HE DOESN'T MAKE THE GOAL. He is trying to raise the $100K by pre-selling festival tickets and asking for donations in exchange for merch on the kickstarter.
At this rate, DJ Rob will triumphantly succeed in this incredible journey across the US arriving in Las Vegas miraculously, yet at the same time fail miserably, and have virtually no impact. That is the thought that has caused me such deep distress. I don't know why this campaign hasn't picked up more buzz. Perhaps it's because he did it in the middle of the summer, when the majority of his target demographic is out of town staying with parents or working at summer camps. Maybe it's because music in BCS truly is dead.
All I ask is that you share this. Even if this campaign doesn't succeed, I want people to know this story. This man is a legend, consider supporting him if you can.
I don't know Rob, nor have I ever been to one of his shows. But the fact that this is occurring blows my mind and troubles me deeply.
Godspeed Rob.
Kickstarter link
disclaimer: I am fully aware that there are much more pressing tragedies occurring in our world. Please continue to apply your sympathy and finances to those.
