Distance today = 51.29 km; Total distance = 9555.86 km; Location = Bellflower (5 km north of) – 40 21.786' N, 88 29.887' W; Start time = 0840 Finish time = 1644

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/202120038

The weather prediction was for 37C today, so I approached the day with some trepidation. However, the cloud cover and steady breeze made it a lot more comfortable than I had expected. In the end, I had quite a good day through the corn and soy bean fields.

There is quite a severe drought in this region, and I saw a lot of corn crops today that have pretty much been destroyed by lack of water. This is considered the hottest summer in the US in recorded history, other than 1936 – and that was a somewhat anomalous year where the high temperatures were partially due to the Kansas Dustbowl creating a desert-like effect that trapped the hot weather system. The Weather Channel announced that today there would be 60 million Americans experiencing heat at levels dangerous to a person’s health, with many cities in the 40s Celsius. And here I am running 50 km in it.

I’m sorry to harp on about Garmin watches, but I’ve been disappointed again. After buying a new watch in Chicago, the battery is already deteriorating badly. The first day was fine, then it lasted less the next day, and the next, and today it died before I had finished my run – it lasted less than six and a half hours, despite being advertised as having an eight hour range. I’ve always thought the Garmin cycle computers were good, but the watches leave a lot to be desired. The battery technology is simply not up to scratch. It looks like I am going to have to recharge it in the car each day, which will mean having two tracks per day.

PS There is no mobile phone coverage around here at all, and no internet at the motel (prehistoric), so we have had to go to a restaurant that has wifi. Please note, therefore, that the tracker is showing my position at the restaurant, but the real run position is about 15 km to the south west.

Also, I forgot to bring the attachment for the spare Garmin to the restaurant, so I can't upload the final 7.29 km of today's run. I will insert it in this blog when I do my upload tomorrow.