Distance today = 32.34 km; Total distance = 4815.04 km; Location = Albuquerque – 35 06.244′ N, 106 40.274′ W; Start time = 0859, Finish time = 1345

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/166815494

Sorry folks, but this is my second post of the day. As I mentioned yesterday, I messed up the menu bar. This has now been fixed by my wonderful sponsor, Next Digital. However, while I backed up the posts from previous days, I forgot to do so with my post from this afternoon. Therefore, I will write a quick summary of it now.

In brief, my first exposure to Albuquerque was over forty years ago, when Bug Bunny “shoulda taken a left at Albu-koi-kee”. I’ve kinda wanted to visit the city ever since, and today didn’t disappoint. I ran in along a cycle trail that paralleled the Rio Grande. There were strong hints of Europe in many of the things I saw and smelled. Great weather and a great day. I even got to take that left turn that Bugs missed.

It was a planned short day, so I should be feeling alive tomorrow.

I am working on providing a map facility on the web site that shows exactly where I have already run. This has been produced by the amazing Jimbo. It’s coming soon, so stay tuned.

As of today I will essentially be heading north for the next couple of months (with an easterly component, of course). Lots of great running to come.

PS Does anyone know of any other real places that Bugs Bunny visited, besides Albu-koi-kee?

Distance today = 56.21 km; Total distance = 4871.25 km; Location = Golden – 35 15.235′ N, 106 13.139′ W; Start time = 0829, Finish time = 1645

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/167162765

Pretty much uphill all day, but that’s the way I like it (so long as it’s not too steep). I am finding that my legs feel much better after a day of uphill than a day of downhill – so much less impact shock over the course of the day.

I spent the first part of the day running across and out of Albuquerque. I really love the architecture in this city. It’s a brilliant mix of Native American and Spanish influences, and is very aesthetically pleasing.

I forgot to mention yesterday that I ran into the city on the old Route 66 (until I got to the cycle path by the river). This road used to be an extension of the Santa Fe Trail for wagon trains, and prior to that it was the Camino Real (the Royal Road – the most northerly part of the Spanish road leading up from Mexico). It became part of Route 66 when cars came into vogue. However, in 1937, a new road to the east of Albuquerque took over as Route 66, and this was the road I ran out of Albuquerque on today. Wow, two different Route 66s in two days.

I also passed 3000 miles today, which represents (by GWR definition) exactly one-sixth of my run. I have a few more milestones approaching in coming days.

I would also like to point out, in case you haven’t already visited it, the Travel Log section of the web site. It’s on the bottom left. The support crew have compiled this list of interesting venues. They are worth your consideration if you happen to be visiting, or are just plain worth reading about if you aren’t.

Distance today = 54.01 km; Total distance = 4925.26 km; Location = Santa Fe West – 35 38.384′ N, 106 00.900′ W; Start time = 0912, Finish time = 1729

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/167448686

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/167453924

It was the “Day of the Depleted Batteries”. Not only did my GPS watch battery give out earlier than normal, but my phone inexplicably did too. And they were just the electronic batteries – my own internal battery was running low as well. I just didn’t have it today; not at the start, and certainly not at the end.

I’m not sure of the reason for all these battery issues – perhaps it was due to solar flares. Just a theory, especially as my auxiliary Garmin took forever to find the satellites. Satellites are often the most vulnerable during unusual solar activity.

I did pass the milestone of 3,000 km in the US today, but it was otherwise a bit of a slog. The small town of Madrid is definitely worth a look if you’re in the Santa Fe area.

That’s all for now. Tune in again tomorrow for the next instalment.