I’ve now started my taper ahead of the 100 km event on Friday. Not much of a taper, really. I used to taper for two weeks before marathons. Now I’m giving myself five days prior to 100 km. I guess the older you get, the less you need to taper – at least that’s what I’m hoping.

Seriously, though, after getting used to running 50 km every day during the world run, I reckon my body has adapted to not needing as much rest, so long as I’m not trying to run too fast. And the Oxfam event will certainly not be at a fast pace, so I should be fine.

I will be posting regular updates throughout the event on Friday(AEST) , via Twitter, and this will then be automatically posted on to this web site at the top left. Hopefully I can update every 10 km or so. Besides a description of how I and the team are feeling, I’ll give our time as well, along with the implied finish time based on the pace to that point. Therefore, readers will be able to see not just how we’ve fared to that stage, but whether our pace is dropping or picking up. It will hopefully be a bit of fun to watch. I’m expecting it to be fun for me too, although I also suspect there’ll be some pain as well. Never before have I gone into such an arduous event on so little training.

Discussions are proceeding well with my publisher in regard to the book about the run around the world. I expect the contract will be signed either this or next week. As mentioned previously, however, it’s unlikely to be in the book stores until next year.

On This Day

Apr 28, 2012

Distance today = 46.64 km; Total distance = 5715.69 km; Location = Aurora (Denver) – 39 35.080′ N, 104 43.611′ W; Start time = 0845, Finish time = 1528

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/172643712

Today was a tale of two halves. I began in lovely farming countryside, although it was very cool, requiring a jacket and gloves. The road was very quiet, and I passed more cyclists than motorists.

As the day heated up (and I discarded my jacket – picked up by the support crew), so did the traffic. As I approached Denver, the country roads I was on gave way to suburban roads, and that’s never a particularly pleasant environment to run in. Perhaps it was the less stimulating surroundings, but I certainly did it a lot tougher this afternoon than I did during the morning.

I finally reached my destination – the home of Peter, brother of the famous Roger “Chook” Evans. You may remember that Roger, and his other brother, Don, have very kindly provided us with the use of a car while we’re in North America. Tonight Peter has provided us with accommodation, for which we’re very appreciative. Thanks Pete.

Apr 28, 2013

Distance today = 50.37 km; Total distance = 20,120.62 km; Location = Smederevo – 44 39.320′ N, 20 55.906′ E; Start time = 0820, Finish time = 1857

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/304666554

It was a long, hard day, but a very productive one, all the same.

We began the day by completing the filming with the Channel 9 crew. We’d had a very nice dinner the previous evening with Simon and Greg in the old part of Belgrade, where the whole city appeared to have gathered – the Serbs really enjoy their Saturday night out in the city.

This morning involved different shots of me running through the city, as well as an interview on the river bank. We’d finished filming by mid-morning. I bid farewell to the guys, and driver Zoran, and headed off to the east.

Belgrade was abuzz, especially for a Sunday morning. There was activity of all sorts, including lots of traffic on the road. It was a tough run, and the 35C (95F) temperature made it harder than normal. It was also a lot hillier than the past couple of weeks has been.

A lot of the latter part of the run was along the banks of the Danube. However, I think today was the last time I’ll be seeing this river on the world run.

I am hoping tomorrow is a bit cooler, but I’m not holding my breath. After one of the longest and coldest winters on record, there was an almost instantaneous transition to, what is now, the hottest spring ever.