Ran 31 km today. I felt a bit tired, so I was pleased with the effort in getting through it. My plan is to do a 35-40 km run next week, a 50 km run the following week, and 70 km or so the week after. I will then do the 12 hour the first or second week in August. I’m right on track.

Following on from Tuesday’s photo, this one was taken later in the day on the same running/cycling trail between Duluth and Minneapolis in Minnesota. And it’s not the only great running trail in this state of lakes – in fact, more than 12,000 lakes of 10 acres or more.

On This Day

Jul 7, 2012

Distance today = 52.56 km; Total distance = 8900.50 km; Location = Berlin, Wisconsin (5 km west of) – 43 58.171′ N, 89 00.465′ W; Start time = 0848 Finish time = 1731

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/196761816

The joy of running in 29 C temps!!! It might have been a bit hotter than most runners prefer, but it was bliss for me after the past week. I actually enjoyed the run today.

I found some very quiet roads through thick forests, and made the most of them. I even saw a tiny snake on the side of the road, but one that I’m sure was not posionous. It was so small it was almost cute.

For something different, I called Carmel early during the run (she was still in the hotel room) and got her to place her phone near the TV, which was showing the final part of the first mountain stage of the Tour de France. I put my phone on loudspeaker and listened to the commentary of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin as I ran. It was a very exciting finish too.

Today I passed the milestone of 7,000 km run in the US. Soon after, as I was approaching my finish for the day, a car pulled up alongside me. Inside was Kailee with her mother and grandmother. They’d seen me on the TV news last night, and stopped to get photos and for me to sign Kailee’s shirt. It was a nice way to end a much more enjoyable day.