Another good long run this morning – 36 km in a tick over 3 hours 20 minutes, including the final kilometre in five minutes. I ran around the general neighbourhood again, but it wasn’t mentally too difficult because it was such a beautiful spring day. It’s hard to be bored when the weather is perfect.

I did feel a tightness in my left calf at around 10 km, but a little stretching and it gradually subsided. I also felt the right quad strain a little toward the end, but I think that was just due to general muscle fatigue.

I won’t be running at today’s pace in the 12 hour race. If I did I’d end up covering around 130 km. I don’t think I’ll be up for that on the day. More realistically, I predict somewhere between 100 km and 120 km.

Today’s photo was taken on the Big Sur stretch of coastline in February 2012. Every day in California was pretty much like this – cloudless blue skies and moderate temps.

On This Day

Sep 28, 2012

Distance today = 55.59 km; Total distance = 12,335.06 km; Location = Erie, Pennsylvania – 42 02.984′ N, 80 04.724′ W; Start time = 0822, Finish time = 1639

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/227805738

It was a slightly flatter day, but I noticed the difference. I felt quite strong at the end of nearly 56 km, and I put it down to the fact the hills weren’t as steep as they have been during the past week.

I am now just outside the city of Erie, which is located on the shores of Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes. It will be the third of these lakes I’ve seen on the run, and the first since Chicago.

This afternoon a reporter from the Erie Times, Jack, met me on the road to do an interview and take some photos. The scenery was very impressive, so I expect the article will feature a good shot.

I passed a Hawthorn Street today – a bad omen for the Sydney Swans in the AFL Grand Final. I haven’t seen anything to suggest a winner in the Rugby League Grand Final as yet.