Distance today = 52.13 km; Total distance = 11,243.79 km; Location = Richmond – 37 44.102′ N, 84 19.583′ W; Start time = 0831, Finish time = 1651

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/219925010

Another great back road today, though I had to get the first 18 km out of the way before I reached it. Almost no traffic at all, and lots of trees to give me shade. Very nice.

We did have a major drama, however. Carmel pulled into a driveway to do a U-turn along a remote part of the road. A guy immediately raced out the front door and aimed a rifle straight at her. She explained what she was doing and he let her go, but she was understandably very upset by the ordeal. Why would a person’s first reaction to such an innocuous situation be to pick up a gun? I was recently told that it is considered irresponsible in the US not to have a gun to protect your family and property. Personally, I feel sorry for anyone who lives in such fear they consider it necessary to keep a gun to protect themselves.

Anyhow, the rest of the day passed uneventfully, but it did get very hot. Relief is in sight, though. The next week is predicted to be markedly cooler that it has been for months. Bring on the autumn.

Distance today = 51.58 km; Total distance = 11,295.37 km; Location = Winchester (8 km east of) – 38 00.688′ N, 84 03.961′ W; Start time = 0826, Finish time = 1701

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/220336171

More running through rustic rural countryside. You’re probably getting sick of me saying this. But that’s the best way of describing Kentucky.

It was pouring with rain when I started, and bright and sunny when I finished. It is also very hilly in this region. There is a never-ending sequence of short but steep hills. They really take their toll on you after a full day of it.

I passed 7,000 miles today, but I’m still not even half way around the world. Still a long way to go.

People often ask me what I think about when I run, especially since I have so many hours each day when I’m predominantly on my own. I reckon the best analogy is that my thoughts are like a jukebox that’s spinning through the song list, looking for a song to play, but never quite settles on one. The thoughts just keep scrolling through my head, but usually no particular topic lasts more than a minute of so before I move on to the next one. I guess you could call this “an inability to concentrate”. That’s probably quite accurate, and is most likely due to the fatigue caused by the run. One day I’ll be fresh again.

Distance today = 52.15 km; Total distance = 11,347.52 km; Location = Midland – 38 07.422′ N, 83 36.042′ W; Start time = 0809, Finish time = 1617

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/220878836

Now, that’s what it’s all about. Beautiful weather, spectacular scenery, and a bit of adventure to spice it all up.

I started the day in cool temps. It was about 20C, but that’s heaven compared to the past few months. I had a quiet road to run on, passing through forests and farmland.

About three-quarters the way through the day, I headed down a road that petered out with a fence across the road. No big deal, as I only wasted 220 metres (which has been subtracted from my Garmin total). So I went a longer way that was suggested by Google Maps. However, this one also ended with a gate on to private property. Now it was a problem, as backtracking this time would mean wasting about 4 km and having to go a much longer way.

So, I decided to risk it and cut across the private property. Carmel had to turn around and go the long way. We agreed to meet in the town of Olympia.

I had to cross a muddy creek first, then crawl under the gate. However, I very quickly found myself in a grassy paddock with no road. The only thing around was an old house. Luckily I had Google Maps, as I was able to see where I was in relation to the nearest road. I headed over the paddock until I intersected with the road, after having to crawl under another gate. From there I ran along a dirt road, and had to crawl through more heavily fortified steel gates (easy by foot, but impossible for a car to traverse). Eventually I reached Olympia, where I met up with Carmel.

I consider myself quite lucky, as the fortifications I encountered were far too over-the-top for simple farmhouse security. In some cases, three different strong steel gates needed to be passed before reaching the properties. Either those who live there are super paranoid, or something illegal is going on. Given Carmel’s recent experience of having a rifle aimed at her, I am sure anyone I met during my short odyssey would have been more than willing to challenge me with a gun. Fortunately I saw no-one.

I continued on through the Daniel Boone National Forest and finished the day feeling as strong as when I started. I think this was partly due to the delicious eye filet with potatoes, beans, and mushrooms that Carmel cooked last night, and partly due to the cooler weather. Let it continue.

Distance today = 50.44 km; Total distance = 11,397.96 km; Location = Olive Hill – 38 18.273′ N, 83 09.554′ W; Start time = 0833, Finish time = 1609

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/221303434

It was a quiet day, as I made my way inexorably toward West Virginia. The road was very busy during the morning, but I managed to get on to a much quieter road for the afternoon leg. The weather was again mild, and I am finding running so much easier than in recent months.

These quieter roads are interesting. There are some very nice houses, both old and new, but also some really dilapidated places with people still living in them. In some cases, they are literally falling down. If they were in the city, I’m sure these houses would be condemned.

It’s amazing how smell is such a strong memory prompt. I am often transported back to occasions from my past when I get the whiff of a certain scent. Sometimes it’s very specific, other times it’s general. Today I experienced one of each. I am not sure what the actual smell was, but I suddenly found myself feeling like I did in 1976. It was weird, and difficult to explain exactly what I mean. The other instance was more precise. I ran past a woman who was wearing a perfume that instantly placed me in a covered walkway in my primary school in the late 60s. I assume a teacher back then was wearing that same scent. I really quite like these flashbacks, as it’s like re-living the occasion – almost like brief time travel.