By Morgan Armitage
Sports Editor

Clackamas Community College’s President Tim Cook ran right into homebase on Saturday, August 2, with a police escort and the entire women’s volleyball team following behind him. His return to CCC marked a near end to his state-wide journey.

Cook surrounded by students, staff, and supporters. Photos by Jackson Arterberry

Cook’s mission was to run to every community college in the state of Oregon in order to raise money and bring awareness to financial struggles of college students. As of August 2, he’s brought in about $115,000.

He said that the most difficult part of his 1,300-mile run thus far has not been physical, but rather the mental challenge of persevering.

“Mentally it’s hard to get up every day in a new place and go, ‘I’ve got to run 30 miles today,’” Cook said.

To combat the mental challenges, Cook has some thought processes to get him through. He breaks down his day into small and accomplishable goals.

“Today I’m going to run five miles. I’ve got to break it down into increments,” Cook said.

By breaking the big mileage into small goals of five, then 10, then 20, Cook said he’s able to find a sense of accomplishment at every step, and suddenly the 30 miles become conceivable.

“I can do five miles. When I get that done, I can do the rest,” Cook said.

Cook with the Rotary Club of Oregon City.

The first couple weeks of his run were the hardest. He was sore, tired, and dealing with numerous blisters. But after that, the rest was smooth sailing.

In order to fuel himself, Cook has to eat well. His breakfasts generally consist of protein shakes, eggs, toast, and some kind of electrolytes.

Then he rations out snacks, water, and electrolytes about every five miles. Him and his team break for lunch every day, and during hot afternoons his crew will give him popsicles and cold fruit to get him along the latter end of his runs.

The most he’s run in one day has been 35 miles, and his easiest day so far was his touch down in CCC, which was a mere 13 miles.

Despite the difficulties, Cook described the experience as being enjoyable.

“It’s been phenomenal. We’ve met so many people across the state that love community colleges and like what we’re doing,” Cook said.

Cook taking a jog with CCC mascot, Cougie.

Cook has a little over 100 miles left and just two more schools to go: Mt. Hood Community College and Columbia Gorge Community College. He will complete his final trek from Cascade Locks into Hood River on Wednesday, August 6.