Yesterday I ran 36 km through the hills of the eastern part of the Mornington Peninsula. It was very cold and windy, but a thoroughly enjoyable run all the same. There’s nothing like quiet country terrain to help you enjoy a run. This morning was even colder and after a few minutes I was lightly covered with a layer of sleet. My gloves in particular were half white. Its the first time I’ve run in such conditions since early April 2013 in the Czech Republic during the world run. I was well rugged up, so it made a nice change from my usual runs.

Here’s a photo taken as I passed Mt Rushmore in May 2012 on the world run. You can see the carved heads in the background. It was cold that day too, and the shorts didn’t help with the warmth.

On This Day

Jul 13, 2012

Distance today = 50.07 km; Total distance = 9206.40 km; Location = Milwaukee, Wisconsin – 43 02.244′ N, 87 54.862′ W; Start time = 0828 Finish time = 1654

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/198852130

It wasn’t one of my better days. My ankle was more sore than usual, and the morning was very humid. Then I had to stop for a thunderstorm. All in all, I just didn’t have a lot of energy. It was just one of those days.

The day started along the shore of Lake Michigan, graduated to the suburbs of Milwaukee, and finished in the middle of the city. For those who don’t know, Milwaukee is the setting for the TV series Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley. The Cunninghams could have been living in any number of houses I passed today. And The Fonz was from Milwaukee, just as The Hud is from Maroubra.

Tomorrow I edge closer to Chicago, hopefully with an ankle that gives me less trouble.

Jul 13, 2013

Distance for July 12 = 54.00 km; Total distance = 23,031.22 km; Location = Yalata, South Australia (52 km west of) – 31 21.780’ S, 131 17.512′ E; Start time = 0837, Finish time = 1724

Distance for today = 57.00 km; Total distance = 23,088.22 km; Location = Yalata, SA – 31 30.910’ S, 131 51.715′ E; Start time = 0821, Finish time = 1706

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/341618350

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/341618315

Yesterday passed very quickly. Numerous people stopped to talk to me, and I received a few long phone calls from friends. It’s amazing how quickly a day can pass when you get distracted.

I also saw four dingoes, and the crew were being circled by another at the camping ground. I think that one was looking for food. They were all quite lean. As Chips would say, they were “like a robber’s dog”.

Carmel, Jeff, and Michael took a detour from the highway to see the Head of the Bight where numerous whales were milling around in the ocean. It’s well known for whales and is the most northerly part of the Great Australian Bight. They raved about it. I’ve seen whales up close before, so I didn’t feel too bad about missing out.

I reached the 23,000 km milestone yesterday – only a little over 3,000 km to go.

Today was a lot more hilly then I expected. We’ve left the Nullarbor Plain, and are back into undulating countryside with lots of eucalypt forests either side of the road. Jeff and Michael continue to do a lot of cycling, and Jeff has been running with me regularly.

The highlight of today was the arrival of Chook and Silvia. They will be with us for about a week. For those who have been long time followers of this blog, you’ll recall that Chook (aka Roger) met up with us last October in the US, along with his brother, Don, and ran a total of 117 km me, including 37 km of the Boston Marathon during Hurricane Sandy. He will be doing a lot more running with me over the next few days.