Distance today = 52.24 km; Total distance = 10,016.31 km; Location = Cherokee Pass (16 km south of) – 37 21.827′ N, 90 18.943′ W; Start time = 0827 Finish time = 1643

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205224950

Sorry everyone, I just wrote a long blog and lost the lot when the internet cut out. I will just write an abridged version now.

Today included seeing lots of dead armadillos on the road – they look like a cross between a possum and a tortoise. I also reached the 10,000 km milestone, and in just seven months. The girls produced a banner to include in the photos. Have a look at these on the Home page when they’re up.

Thanks to Aaron from the Longhorn Motel for a generous discount on the room rate tonight. It’s much appreciated.

Distance today = 53.50 km; Total distance = 10,069.81 km; Location = Arab (8 km south of) – 37 01.724′ N, 90 04.402′ W; Start time = 0853 Finish time = 1744

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205595589

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205595574

It was a tale of two half days. This morning was overcast and relatively cool, while the afternoon was hot, sunny, and extremely humid. Just another day I had to cope with.

Hannah ran 5 km with me this morning, which was great. She did end up with a sore hip flexor, so she obviously hasn’t been doing much running of late.

The first 15 km was on dirt roads. The rocks were very sharp and jagged, which I obviously didn’t like. Tomorrow involves quite a bit more dirt too – I’m not looking forward to it.

We saw an enormous amount of animals today, mostly alive, but there was a dead beaver. I hadn’t realised how big beavers can be. This one was the size of a wombat. However, it looked suspiciously like it may have been shot (rather than hit by a car). I hope my suspicions are not correct.

Some people have expressed a little concern about me running without a shirt. Don’t worry, I cover myself with sunscreen. It is virtually impossible to run in this humidity with a shirt that is completely soaked in sweat. It prevents my ability to dissipate heat. Running without a top is so much more comfortable.

I would like to mention someone I have told readers about before – Jesper Olsen. Jesper has just completed his second world run. He originally ran a west to east course in 2004/05, and since 2008 has been involved in a north to south run where he ran from Norway through the Middle East, and down to South Africa, then from the tip of South America to north-eastern Canada. It is a truly remarkable performance, and I’d like to congratulate him on successfully completing it. My other world runner friend, Tony Mangan, has just reached Argentina on his run. So far this year he has run from Columbia, through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, and is still going strongly.

Distance today = 51.17 km; Total distance = 10,120.98 km; Location = Bernie (7 km west of) – 36 39.358′ N, 90 04.996′ W; Start time = 0909 Finish time = 1737

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205929601

My first 20 km today were on rough gravel. It left my feet and ankles a bit sore, but nothing to complain too much about.

I did see two baby tortoises (or were they terrapins? It was difficult to tell, as they retracted their legs, so I couldn’t see their feet. Their shells were like hemispheres – quite different to those I’m used to in Australia and those I’ve seen in the western US). Both had gone into their shells in the middle of the road, and were sitting ducks for the next car that came along. I moved them to safer locations.

Today was a little different. The girls “split shifts”. Carmel accompanied me this morning, while Hannah did the duties this afternoon. It was good of Hannah to relieve Carmel, who has been doing support crew “duties” for over seven months now without a break (not that she ever complains). She is doing a fantastic job, and I couldn’t survive without her contribution. That said, it was nice to have Hannah taking over for half a day.

While Hannah was with me, I ran past a house where a young pup ran out to greet me. It was so friendly, and wouldn’t return home – it wanted to jump all over me, and had no road sense. I had to stop cars as they approached, to ensure the dog didn’t get hit. Luckily, Hannah was just up the road, waiting. I took the dog to her, and we put it in the car (sorry Chook and Don) and I had her take it back to the house while I ran on. At least it survived and will hopefully reach adulthood. But, based on its street sense and the proximity of its home to a busy road, I am not overly confident.