Distance today = 54.91 km; Total distance = 10,882.31 km; Location = Portland – 36 35.404′ N, 86 35.812′ W; Start time = 0826, Finish time = 1705

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217224361

Today was a bit of a slog. A late night watching live music on Nashville’s music street, Broadway, coupled with an extremely humid day, made it a little tough getting through 55 km. But get through it I did.

Running out of Nashville was, at times, like yesterday’s run in – on roads that were built with no consideration for pedestrians. Once out of the city, however, and the shoulders widened. The rest of the day involved much better road conditions.

I passed through the small town of Goodlettsville today. I don’t expect that any of the readers of this blog have ever heard of the town before. Amazingly, this little town recently achieved a monumental feat. It’s Little League baseball team, made up of 12 and 13 year olds, won the US Championships and went on to be runners up in the World Series (a real world championships, involving multiple countries) to a team from Japan. Quite impressive for such a small town.

Just before the end of the day a summer shower got me pretty wet, but it was nice to experience running in cooler weather. I wouldn’t mind a little more of that.

Distance today = 50.18 km; Total distance = 10,932.49 km; Location = Bowling Green – 36 56.312′ N, 86 25.180′ W; Start time = 0827, Finish time = 1615

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217615320

Early today I crossed the state line into Kentucky, my 18th US state of the run so far. Interestingly, I crossed at a part of the border which was originally defined by a surveying mistake in the late 1700s. There is a small triangular section of Kentucky which extends into what should rightfully be Tennessee territory, but has ever since been part of Kentucky.

Soon after, I passed a three metre high statue of an Iriquois chief which had toppled over into the carpark, right on to its nose – the world’s biggest face plant. Oooo, that would’ve hurt!

Soon after, I reached another milestone – 9,000 km run in the US. I still have a couple more to go.

This afternoon I copped a big rain storm. I actually enjoyed it, as the temperature dropped several degrees. Unfortunately, the road into town was again very poor for running. I’m now in the unusually named town of Bowling Green, but I haven’t seen anyone playing lawn bowls yet.

Distance today = 56.04 km; Total distance = 10,988.53km; Location = Cave City – 37 08.101′ N, 85 58.295′ W; Start time = 0816, Finish time = 1655

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218149571

It’s duck season; no, it’s wabbit season: it’s duck season; wabbit season; wabbit season; it’s duck season!!!! And poor Daffy cops it again.

Yes, it is duck season, and today I passed a whole field of guys in their fatigues, firing sporadically at ducks. The field was only about as big as four football pitches, and it was a touch scary having these guns going off within a hundred metres of me. I never did understand why anyone would want to kill animals for pleasure!

It was also very wet – the wettest day since the floods of Duluth back in mid June. This was the remnants of Hurricane Isaac. At least the day was much cooler because of it. I passed the Mammoth Cave National Park this afternoon. I assume mammoth remains have been found in these parts.

It was one of those days when I crossed both a meridian (86W) and a parallel (37N). I am now further east than I’ve ever been on the run so far.

Distance today = 47.58 km; Total distance = 11,036.11 km; Location = Edmonton – 36 58.759′ N, 85 36.896′ W; Start time = 0810, Finish time = 1536

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218557593

The temperature isn’t perfect yet, but just about everything else today was. I took very quiet back roads with almost no traffic, and consequently enjoyed the undulating hills through lush Kentucky bluegrass country. I had a shorter day, which I felt I deserved after the recent big week. The milestone for the day was passing the 11,000 km mark.

I am clearly not on the tourist trail. Except in the big cities, we see no other tourists at all. Nor do I see any other runners, and I think I’ve seen just one cyclist in the past two weeks. I guess people just don’t exercise outside much in these parts, at least not during the summer.

I saw a new crop today. It looked like giant cos lettuces, but with yellowing bits. I noticed many of them hanging up to dry in barns, where they were turning brown. I’m guessing it’s tobacco – the death crop.

I also noticed two scavenger birds picking at a dead skunk. They were very large and black – like crows, but much bigger. They flew off sluggishly as I approached, then circled and headed back to the skunk after I’d passed. I must find out what they are.

Coming into town, I noticed an aluminium recycling plant. It prompted me to provide a friendly spelling lesson for the American readers. Note the spelling of aluminium, with two ‘i’s. The element aluminium, a metal and number 13 on the periodic table, ends in the same three letters as the majority of known elements, such as helium, lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, radium, and uranium. It is not spelt aluminum, although there are a couple of elements that do end in ‘num’, such as molybdenum and lanthanum. I am not sure when or why Americans began spelling the word incorrectly.

I am now heading in a generally easterly direction, toward the Appalachian Mountains. I’ve heard they’re beautiful, and it should be great to run through them.