Carlos Ibarra felt his dreams becoming stagnant, so he decided to take steps to recharge them. IBARRA’S team also includes a videographer, sound guy and other producers to help with his documentary and a series of web videos.
About 3,000 miles worth of steps.
Ibarra, 29, reached Iola Monday as part of his “Run Carlos Run” campaign.
Run Carlos Run is a multi-pronged effort stemming from his 2½-month run from Brooklyn to Costa Mesa, Calif.
The run’s main thrust is to raise money for disadvantaged youth through three charitable organizations, Save Our Youth, out of Costa Mesa; Assistance League of Newport-Mesa; and the Horatio Alger Association.
Just as importantly, Ibarra and his support team are filming a web series and narrative short to tie in with his other passion — filmmaking.
He hopes to turn Run Carlos Run into a documentary.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of doing the same thing, day after day,” Ibarra said during a rest stop Monday.
Ibarra departed Brooklyn on April 30, and has run pretty much all day, every day, since then.
He averages between 36 and 46 miles a day, reaching Piqua Monday before stopping for the night.
Running has been a part of Ibarra’s life since he was a youngster.
He’s competed in marathons across the country, although he acknowledged never contemplating an effort as extreme as Run Carlos Run.
“Last August, I figured I’d shake things up a little,” he said.
He began training last summer, and then quickened the pace after Jan. 1, to the point he was running at least 10 miles a day from January through April.
“There were only two days in that stretch I didn’t run,” he said.
He splits his runs into 10-mile jaunts, stopping for hour-long rest intervals in between.
His support staff includes a trainer to ensure he’s recovering properly, getting sufficient calories — between 6,000 and 7,000 calories a day — and getting enough sleep.
“It’s gone pretty well,” he said. “There were some 85 degree days back in Indiana that were kind of tough.”
He also notes he’s caught a break with Kansas’ unusually cool, wet stretch.
He’ll take every break he can get. He hopes to reach Costa Mesa by July 15.
His route has varied slightly from the planned path. Originally, he was going to cross northern Kansas before dipping farther south to follow U.S. 54.
“Run Carlos Run incorporates a little bit of art, a little bit of production, philanthropy and sports,” he explained.
His web series will include interviews with folks he’s met along the way, allowing them an avenue to speak about their dreams and aspirations. Updates are available online at www.runcarlosrun.org.
He also updates followers with photos via the Run Carlos Run Instagram account.
Fifty percent of the funds he raises along the way will go toward paying things such as food, gas and places to sleep for him and his support team.
The other 50 percent will go directly to the three organizations he’s targeted.
He hopes to raise $15,000 by the end of his journey.
Journey ties endurance, charity
