Journal of today’s activities:

I’m seated on an airplane flying to Seattle as I type this entry. My wife, Carole, is seated beside me. Both of us grew up in Seattle. I haven’t stepped foot in Seattle since my prison journey began, longer than a quarter century ago. Ironically, the purpose of my trip is to visit with officials at the Washington State Department of Corrections.

For the past couple of months I’ve been corresponding with Michael Colwell, an Assistant Director of the Washington State Prison System. He has a real passion to help people in prison prepare for law-abiding lives. I’m thrilled that he took the courageous step of authorizing me to enter the prison system. I’ll be speaking with his colleagues and with several groups of people who are serving time.

My intention is to introduce all of those in the audience to our Straight-A Guide Cognitive Skills Development program. I’ll explain why this program can add value to the state’s prison system. I appreciate every opportunity to visit with people in prison and with people who work in prisons. I want to inspire others, to show them that they can become more than current circumstances if they pursue a disciplined, deliberate path. Following two days of meetings with Michael Colwell and his team in the prison system, I’ll visit with my sister and her family in Seattle. Carole and I will also visit with her mother, who lives in the Seattle area as well.

• Days since my release from 26 years in federal prison: 163
• Miles run today: 0
• Miles run this week: 215.73
• Miles run this month: 215.73
• Miles run in 2014: 215.73
• Miles I need to run to reach my 2,400-mile running goal for 2014:
• Number of miles I’m ahead of schedule or behind schedule: 64.62
• Today’s Weight: 160