Run across Minnesota

 

Running 30 miles per day on a cantered road while carrying a 25-pound backpack has had some interesting effects on Zack Jennissen.

“I suffered overuse injuries. My feet hurt; arches, ankles, calves, hamstrings, everything hurt. I had to take six days off because my legs were injured,” he said.

That and eating predominantly gas station food to boost his nutrition didn’t help either.

Zack Jennissen, 19, is an amiable, likable young man with more than a bit of ambition.

The videographer, who grew up in Foley, Minnesota, completed his run across Minnesota on Friday, May 26, at the Grand Portage border.

“I started on May 1 from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but my run has turned into more of a walk than a run,” he explained on Thursday, May 25, when he stopped by the newspaper.

Why are you doing this long run? He was asked.

“I am trying to raise awareness about sex trafficking and human trafficking,” he said. “It’s so secret and so prevalent. People don’t pay attention to it, but it’s everywhere. So I’m trying to get people to pay attention so they can help stop it before it happens to someone.”

Besides raising awareness, Zack is also using his 600-mile run across Minnesota to raise funds for “30forfreedom,” a group that works to prevent sex trafficking and conducts rescue operations and offers survivor care. “But, if it can be stopped before it happens, that’s even better,” he noted.

When asked how he became interested in this topic, Zack replied that his parents took in foster kids while he was growing up and adopted two boys whose mother had been the victim of human trafficking. When his brothers were born, they were affected by their mother’s narcotic use. “They have some difficulties but not many. They were really lucky they weren’t hurt more by the drugs.”

During the early part of his run, Zack would set up his tent at night and camp, but as he progressed, people reached out and offered him places to stay.

“People have been very kind to me as they have learned about my run,” he said.

How much preparation did you do before you began this epic quest?” he was asked.

Zack answered with a sheepish smile. “Well, I’m young, I thought. I don’t need to train. My body will get used to it. You know how it is the first two weeks of cross country? You’re sore for two weeks, and then you are fine. Your body adapts. But It’s not like that. I have youth, but it didn’t get me very far.”

So, how have you managed?

“Every day, I get up and say the run is worth it. I’m in constant prayer to be able to keep going. I Dog it out. It’s only by the grace of God that I can keep going.”

A 4:32 miler in high school and cross country runner, Zack thought he knew what he was getting into. However, he has learned that daily long-distance efforts usually take some preparation, and nutrition is a big part of one’s success. Lessons learned for his next attempt. And he promised this wouldn’t be his last venture to help raise awareness about an issue.

As he was getting ready to leave, Zack said his parents were going to meet him the next day at the border and drive me back home, a six-hour journey. “Tonight, I am staying with Nancy and Tim Ramey at Naniboujou Lodge. My parents have known them from a long time ago. I can’t wait to meet them.”

And then he was off. Fifteen more miles to go before he could sit and rest his tired legs. Fifteen miles of prayer. As for his spirit, it was burning a little brighter with every step.

Editor’s note: If you would like to learn more about Zack, he has a website zackruns.com.