I ran a total of 125 km last week – certainly my biggest for several months. Admittedly, it wasn’t high quality running in the main, but I don’t want to push too hard just yet. Common sense dictates I need to gradually increase the intensity.

So today I included a very minor speed session; just 2 x 200 metres in 41 and 37 seconds respectively. But it was an improvement on last week’s single 200 metres in 43 secs. After the sprints I actually felt much faster and fresher over the final kilometres of the run.

Here is another photo I took in the Colorado Rockies. Once again, I was on the high plateau, looking up at the many peaks that reach above 14,000 feet in this state.

On This Day

Feb 29, 2012

Distance today = 34.39 km; Total distance = 2738.40 km; Location = Pasadena West, California – 34 08.104′ N, 118 12.925′ W; Start time = 0934, Finish time = 1441

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/153797912

Last night was one of those special occasions.  We met up with Valeria, a former student of Carmel’s, who she had first taught in Kindergarten in 1981. Valeria moved to LA in 1987 and has been here ever since, working in the show business industry. She was even in Sister Act 2 with Whoopi Goldberg. Last night was the first time Carmel and Valeria have seen each other in 25 years. It was a great evening.

Today I decided I’d keep it short so that the support crew could have an extra day playing tourist in LA. I didn’t want to run through the city itself, so headed around it via the Hollywood Hills. I passed the Chateau Marmont, where John Belushi died, and then made my way up Laurel Canyon. This is where many famous musicians have lived in the past, including Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison, and Frank Zappa.

From there, it was down into the valley on the other side, over to Burbank and on to my finishing point in Pasadena West, which is otherwise known as Eagle Rock (I can hear another song coming on).

Yesterday was the last time I will see the Pacific Ocean on my run around the world until I make it back to the Australian east coast in over a year and half’s time. It will feel strange knowing that I will see it from the other side, having made my way around the world on foot.

Feb 28, 2013

Distance today = 52.57 km; Total distance = 17,211.42 km; Location = Nailloux, France – 43 22.117′ N, 01 40.095′ E; Start time = 0857, Finish time = 1711

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/278590893

We had a great experience last night, enjoying dinner with our French hosts, Michele and Patrice. They have a great gite, L’Enclos, and we thoroughly relished the traditional French dinner they provided, as well as their company. Despite the language issues, we were still able to communicate pretty effectively, even if some of it involved writing on paper.

It was a quiet but productive day on the road, as I made way east across France. I spent much of the day on roads I cycled with Dave 18 months ago. I even ran past a kebab shop where we had lunch back in 2011. It was quite hilly, but I didn’t really feel troubled at all.

The past two days, Carmel has found street markets in French towns, and hasn’t been able to resist the paella. Consequently, we’ve had paella for lunch on consecutive days. The guy she bought from yesterday was in today’s town market. He must have been pleased to see her, as he gave her a huge serving of delicious paella for free. It even had yabbies in it – well, the French equivalent, at least.

I finished the day just out of the town of Nailloux. My official position is about 3 km to the east of where the tracker is showing me.