After last week’s 55 km long run I felt tired for a few days. However, I’ve felt much better in the two days since this week’s 66 km run. That’s a good sign, but it also makes training more enjoyable. I intend to do a 40-45 km run on Friday, after which I’ll have two weeks remaining until my 12 hour run on August 12. At this stage I’m pretty much on track to
beat my PB of 108 km.

This photo was taken in the grain belt of Illinois. There were plenty of silos like this throughout this region of the US. It would have been a very pleasurable place to run had the temperatures not been so extreme at the time.

On This Day

Jul 27, 2012

Distance today = 56.78 km; Total distance = 9813.97 km; Location = Edwardsville, Illinois – 38 47.332′ N, 89 58.733′ W; Start time = 0830 Finish time = 1746

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/203712507

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/203712490

I had the pleasure of running much of today on cycle trails. And when I wasn’t on these trails, I was on the old Route 66.

Early in the day I actually ran on remnants of Route 66 from 1930 to 1940. There should be a video of this on the Home page soon. A new section was then constructed and in use from 1940 to 1977, after which the nearby Interstate highway took over as the Route 66 section in this region.

I passed an original Shell petrol station in the town of Mt Olive that was constructed in 1926 and run by the same person until 1991. It only ever served Shell petrol to passing Route 66 motorists. The bowsers are still there and in perfect condition.

Soon after, I found myself on a cycle trail, and was rarely off one for the rest of the day. It was a long day, but it puts me very close to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, which I will run by tomorrow. And Hannah arrives tomorrow to join us for nine days, from St Louis to Memphis.

Anyhow, that’s enough from me. Now it’s time to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony and the real athletes.

Jul 27, 2013

Distance for today = 49.01 km; Total distance = 23,826.43 km; Location = Port Augusta, South Australia – 32 28.650’ S, 137 45.749′ E; Start time = 0841, Finish time = 1619

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/348782016

You can’t have it all your own way. That was obvious from today’s conditions. Most of the run was into a fierce headwind on a busy road with steep and rocky shoulders. I can’t say I enjoyed it.

Eric backed up well, running another 25 km. However, he wisely used his discretion and baled out early – a luxury I don’t have. If this wind continues, at least it will be a tailwind for me tomorrow.

This afternoon saw the arrival of friends, Caroline and Tony. They have kindly driven Carmel’s car from Sydney to Port Augusta. This car will now assume the role of support vehicle, as Jeff and Michael will be heading back to Melbourne with the caravan in the morning.

We really appreciate the contribution of all these great friends – Jeff and Michael for supporting us across the Nullarbor, and Caroline and Tony for bringing the car over. What would we do without them?