For the first time this campaign, I’ve failed to improve in a time trial. Three weeks ago I ran my 3 km course in 10:33 (bear in mind, my best on this course is 9:31, but that was almost 20 years ago).

Today, despite expecting to get down closer to 10:20, I ended up with a 10:36 (3:36, 3:33, 3:27). It’s disappointing, but sometimes you simply have a bad day. It’s probably also a function of the hard week I’ve just had – all the more reason to rest up for the next six days before the City to Surf.

Part of me felt good, as if I should have been able to faster. In fact, I recovered very quickly. But another part of me just couldn’t go any faster. That’s a classic sign that I need a rest.

I think I’ll still be able to go under the hour on Sunday, but not by much. At least I now have a realistic target to aim for.

On This Day

Aug 4, 2012

Distance today = 50.87 km; Total distance = 10,222.98 km; Location = Lemsford, Arkansas – 35 51.851′ N, 89 55.081′ W; Start time = 0843 Finish time = 1711

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/206633367

I got away to a  flying start today – literally. After 200 metres I tripped on a manhole cover that wasn’t flush with the road, and hit the deck hard. Luckily I only lost some skin.

Then I had to contend with the worst humidity I’ve encountered so far on the world run. I’m not joking – if I had jumped in a swimming pool, then got out and let the excess water drip off for thirty seconds, that’s roughly how wet I was constantly. The only way to bear it is to strip down to just shorts.

Hannah has had a bit of a stomach bug today, but now appears to be over the worst of it. She still helped out when she could.

Early in the afternoon I crossed the border from Missouri into Arkansas. This is the 14th US state I’ve run through so far. Arkansas is Bill Clinton’s home state, though I don’t think he’s lived here for a while. It won’t be long and I’ll be in Tennessee.

Aug 4, 2013

(I didn’t have internet reception on this day, so I have included the blog post for the next day, which included that of Aug 4).

Distance for Aug 4 = 50.34 km; Total distance = 24,243.06 km; Location = Kanmantoo, SA – 35 05.318’ S, 139 01.523′ E; Start time = 0842, Finish time = 1710

Distance today = 50.48 km; Total distance = 24,293.54 km; Location = Tailem Bend, SA – 35 15.415’ S, 139 27.320′ E; Start time = 0833, Finish time = 1624

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/353748200

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/353748102

Yesterday was interesting. I left Adelaide early, being passed by Bernie and Lesley on their way back to Sydney. Soon after I reached the Adelaide Hills and began to climb. I was on a cycle path, but it soon ended. I then had no choice but to run on the freeway, which pedestrians were banned from. I even had to run through a major tunnel. Then it happened – a police car pulled up with his lights flashing. He informed me that drivers had been calling the police to let them know a runner was on the road. He was very friendly, and simply asked me to hop off the freeway at the next exit. Then, a few minutes later, another police car pulled up with his lights flashing, with the same message. Once again, he was very nice about it all. I was able to exit the freeway very soon after.

It was a very hilly day, with the most climbing I’ve done for many months. The Adelaide Hills is a very beautiful area, very reminiscent of the Blue Mountains, and towns like Leura and Blackheath.

Later I passed through Hahndorf, which is the oldest German town in Australia. It’s also a classic, with most buildings made of stone. It also had great German bakery, with delicious meat pies.

I ended the day in Kanmantoo, where we were joined by Bob and Sue. It was their last night with us, and they left this morning to head back to Sydney. We currently have no friends travelling with us, for the first time in more than five weeks.

Today I passed through the town of Murray Bridge, crossing the Murray River. The afternoon was spent running to Tailem Bend, a town I last visited in 2010, as part of the Tour de Bois. En route, I enjoyed a lunch of baked beans and sardines, courtesy of Marcelle McNally. This gave me extra propulsion during the afternoon’s run. I finished the day feeling fine, although my thighs were a bit sore from all the up and downhill yesterday.