Distance today = 49.12 km; Total distance = 25,818.17 km; Location = Harden – 34 32.374’ S, 148 19.446′ E; Start time = 0832, Finish time = 1602

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/369791965

The last couple of days have been quite a bit warmer than any other day so far on the run in Australia. It has only been about 23C in the shade, but in the low 30s in the direct sunshine.

Kate ran the first 14 km with me this morning, and the final 16 km as well. Her 30 km is the most she has ever run in one day. She only took up running at the beginning of last year, about the time I set off on the world run. I reckon she has quite a long running future in front of her.

Kate ran with me into Cootamundra, a very nice country town. I then headed to Wallendbeen, where she joined me again, finishing in Harden Murrumburrah. It was quite a hilly day, which is something I am going to have to get used to over the next week.

Kate, Tony, and Sue are staying with Carmel and me again tonight (different rooms, of course). It’s great to have company.

Distance today = 48.79 km; Total distance = 25,866.96 km; Location = Bowning (10 km west of) – 34 44.542’ S, 148 44.113′ E; Start time = 0820, Finish time = 1600

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/370324403

I’m writing this from out on the road, where there is some internet reception, so I’ll keep it short.

It was another day of perfect weather, brilliant fields of yellow canola, and lots of hills. Kate ran the first 15 km with, before she, Tony, and Sue headed home to Sydney. It was great to have her along for a few days. She ran a total of 61 km with me, which puts her into second on the female aggregate list, behind Sylvia.

The rest of the day was uneventful, other than a nice welcome to the town of Binalong, where a local set up a finishing “ribbon” for me to break as I crossed the line into town. Carmel will post photos of this when she gets reception.

Distance today = 48.05 km; Total distance = 25,915.01 km; Location = Gunning (12 km west of) – 34 48.159’ S, 149 09.001′ E; Start time = 0806, Finish time = 1550

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/370811688

Some high cloud today made the conditions a little more comfortable for running. Not that they’ve been bad at all.

I passed through a couple of towns – firstly, Bowning, where Poddy McMahon has an antique shop. It wasn’t open that early in the day, but it looked like a beauty.

Later I passed through Yass, which seems to have grown since I was last there, four years ago. It was really bustling today.

The rest of the day was less interesting, particularly as a good deal of it was on the Hume Freeway. I’ve found a parallel road, however, and shouldn’t have to run on the freeway much tomorrow.

I have previously mentioned Kevin Carr, who has recently started a run around the world. On his web site, he has an interesting way of describing an earlier run he did. I thought I’d have a go at a similar description for my run, to give a different perspective on the total distance and vertical ascent (uphill), so here goes.

Imagine you are contemplating a really difficult ultra marathon. It consists of running three consecutive marathons back to back, then culminating with a run up Alpe d’Huez, one of the most famous and feared climbs of the Tour de France. OK, so that’s 126.6 km of running, finishing at the top of one of the most iconic peaks in the French Alps. Quite an event!!!

Now, as soon as you’re finished that, imagine you have to do the whole event again. In fact, once you’ve done it again, do the whole thing another 200 times, back to back – yes, that’s 200 times. And when you’ve finally done that, you’re not finished yet – top it all off with a final 1,000 km run.

The above is what I will have managed to complete when I finish next Friday. Admittedly, it’s taken me more than 20 months. I had never thought of it that way, but now I’m beginning to appreciate why I’m a little bit tired.

Don’t forget, the finish is Friday, Sept 13 at 1 pm, at the Sydney Opera House steps. I’d love to see as many people there as possible, so try to make it. After that, it’s down to the Clovelly Hotel for celebrations. Yee ha!!!