It was a sunny but cool morning – perfect for being out on the road. So I decided to do a long run. Just 25 km, which was as much as I had time for. I could feel the strained quad lurking beneath the surface, but it didn’t affect me otherwise.

I managed a reasonable pace throughout, finishing strongly over the final kilometres. And I didn’t have a drink over the entire 25 km yet wasn’t thirsty at all. Overall, I’m pretty happy with how I’m progressing toward the 12 hour race in November.

The photos have now moved from New Zealand back to California. This one was taken just to the south of Watsonville, between Santa Cruz and Monterrey. It’s a bit hard to see, but completely covering the wharf is a colony of sea lions. Even from my vantage point, I could smell them. Sea lions are not the most fragrant of animals.

On This Day

Sep 22, 2012

Distance today = 49.88 km; Total distance = 12,019.74 km; Location = Ligonier, Pennsylvania – 40 14.620′ N, 79 14.431′ W; Start time = 0803, Finish time = 1547

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/225684291

Once again, another very hilly day, but one in which I passed the 12,000 km mark for the run so far. I have run the last 1000 km in just 19 days.

I crossed paths this morning with a local runner, Dennis, who then ran with me for the next 9 km. It was good to have a chat with someone else for a change, instead of just having discussions inside my head.

I was pretty much on quiet back roads for most of the day, running through rustic rural countryside.

I have a bad internet connection today, so I will keep today’s report short, in case I lose it all. Good luck to the Tour de Bois, who will be setting out on their first day of cycling in a few hours.