Although I have nothing competitive on the horizon for the rest of this year, next year is emerging as interesting, at least for three months of it. At this stage my plans are to do the Oxfam Trailwalker 100 km event in Melbourne in early April, the Sutherland Relay for Life Marathon in early May, and possibly (just possibly) the Great Red Run in the Simpson Desert in late June. This is a six day stage race, totalling 250 km, including three consecutive 42 km marathons, a 31 km day, an 84 km double marathon, and a relaxing 8 km to finish with on the final day. If I do all races, it will be an intense few months.

This old favourite photo is from central Spain, near the city of Talavera. You can see the guard rail of the freeway just behind where I’m running. The good thing about running in Spain is that there are parallel dirt (and sometimes bitumen) roads alongside all the freeways. These side roads had no traffic at all – a pleasure to run along.

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.