After a week totalling 110 km of running, I plan to do another very long run later this week – somewhere between 50 and 60 km. My one issue is an ache in my right hip/glute. I’ve had a similar thing twice before, both times caused by weak core muscles – and solved by strengthening that region. Hence, my taking up of Pilates classes last week.

However, that hasn’t cured the problem, at least not yet. It’s more annoying than anything, although it does create a noticeable weakness in my right leg. That’s not good long term, as it’s likely to manifest itself as a problem elsewhere.

To summarise – I’m working on it. If I can’t find a cure before the Big Red Run, I at least hope it doesn’t impact on my effort in the event.

Don’t forget to follow Tony Mangan on his walk around the world. Tony is currently on the Nullarbor, a region I know well. He recently completed the dead straight 146 km section to Caiguna, the second longest straight stretch of road in the world. The easiest way to follow Tony is via https://www.facebook.com/tony.mangan.14

When I passed through Ulm in Germany during my world run, I was keen to check out Einstein’s birthplace, which I knew was somewhere in the city. While standing around at a kebab stand thinking about it, I realised I was right there at the very spot – his birth home had been destroyed in WWII, but were are plaques commemorating the location next to the kebab stand. This piece of artwork was just nearby. That’s not blood emanating from the base – I think it was where someone had dropped a chocolate ice cream on the structure.

On This Day

May 29, 2012

Distance today = 47.78 km; Total distance = 6959.99 km; Location = Vivian, South Dakota – 43 55.378′ N, 100 19.140′ W; Start time = 0900, Finish time = 1606

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/183539008

I am discovering that the prairies, despite their relative uniformity, can be quite scenic. I reached the top of a hill this morning to be greeted by a 360 degree view, and in every direction the Earth appeared to drop away over the horizon. It’s an effect – the curvature of the Earth – that I’ve only seen previously when looking out to sea.

I have been running the past couple of days on the US16. This is another old highway that has been superseded by an interstate freeway. There has been almost no traffic, despite it being an excellent surface. I wish I could run on roads like this all the time.

I had a fairly strong tailwind behind me most of the day, which at one point blew my cap off from behind. It went tumbling down the road like it was trying to escape from me, but I was in no hurry to chase it – it was going in my direction. I eventually caught it some distance further on – bad cap!!!

There were no shops on the route today, so Carmel brought me a very nice roast beef, avocado, and mustard potato salad sandwich she’d made up for lunch – delicious!!!

I also passed a series of beehives in the afternoon. I didn’t think anything of it at first, until I realised I was amongst a swarm of bees. Luckily they weren’t in an angry mood, as none stung me. It’s still quite frightening, as I’ve heard of cases where the whole swarm can attack for no reason, leading to a potentially fatal outcome.

I have also crossed another time zone. I am now in the same zone as cities like Chicago, which is currently nine hours ahead of Sydney (minus a day). When I started running in the US in February, I was only five hours ahead of Sydney.

A big thank you to the Sioux Motel in Murdo for a great discount rate on the accommodation the past two nights. It’s certainly appreciated. Thanks Bonnie.

May 29, 2013

Distance today = 33.04 km; Total distance = 21,263.19 km; Location = Pontian, Malaysia – 01 28.672′ N, 103 23.240′ E; Start time = 0948, Finish time = 1508

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/319715687

It was a great day to finish running in Malaysia. Overcast skies and a gentle breeze made me wonder what I’d been complaining about. It was so much easier.

I only had to traverse a relatively short distance to Pontian, much of it through palm plantations. Once again, there were plenty of road side vendors selling drinks and food, always keen to find out what I am doing. Carmel particularly enjoyed a little fishing village we passed through, with colourful fishing boats and lovely people and their fun-loving kids.

I would have to say that running through Malaysia is perfect in almost every way ……. except for the weather. Unfortunately, the weather is never going to be anywhere near ideal here (today was perhaps as good as it gets), so it’s hard to recommend it to other runners. However, if you can handle extreme heat and humidity, then Malaysia is the place to run.

Some people have asked why I have run in Asia at all, and others have asked why I am not running all the way across the continent. Remember, I need to run completely across four continents, from “ocean to ocean”. These will be North America, South America, Europe (all completed now), and Australia (the last leg). Anything else is optional. I included a stint in Asia (as well as New Zealand) because I wanted to do at least some running on the continent, and I also wanted to run near the equator. This came at the cost of the extremely uncomfortable humidity, but it was worth it.

We will now be heading to Australia for the fourth and final continent. I will be starting in Perth on June 10, and expect to finish in Sydney around the middle of September. By the way, if anyone out there knows of a car that is free to be used from Perth for about a month, please let us know. We would need it from June 10, and it would be returned to Perth by July 5, as we will be transported by a different means after that.

I will include some intermediate updates before I begin in Perth, so stay tuned to this space.