Distance for July 18 = 55.91 km; Total distance = 23,365.47 km; Location = Haslam (14 km north of) – 32 25.471’ S, 134 06.030′ E; Start time = 0821, Finish time = 1647

Distance for today = 55.57 km; Total distance = 23,421.04 km; Location = Streaky Bay – 32 47.761’ S, 134 12.664′ E; Start time = 0818, Finish time = 1636

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/344766242

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/344766210

We all had a great time at Carmel’s birthday dinner on Wednesday night, meeting locals and partying at the Ceduna Foreshore Hotel. The weather, however, turned a bit nasty later that night. The wind was gusting so strongly, I kept thinking someone was trying the crash tackle the van.

By Thursday morning, I was dreading getting out on the road. Chook decided to run the first 11 km with me and, in the end, it wasn’t so bad. After about 6 km the road turned south-east, and the north-easterly gale provided the perfect propellant. It was right up my clacker, making the running pretty easy.

Lunch was delicious tuna, avocado, and tomato sandwiches. The past couple of days, however, it was snapper, avocado, and mayonnaise toasted sandwiches, courtesy of the fish that Jeff and Michael caught at Fowler’s Bay. I also feasted on Chook’s tasty potato cakes during the day on Wednesday.

Today belonged to Chook. He ran an incredible 55.57 km with me, his longest run ever. He wanted to beat Dave’s record of 39 km, set in Hungary, for the most anyone has run with me in a single day on the world run. He certainly smashed that record. He also wanted to put it out of the future reach of Dave and The Hud. This could well be the case now. His effort was made all the more amazing by the massive headwind we had to run into during the second half of the day. Needless to say, he is now completely cattle-trucked, and will probably be in bed early tonight – after we celebrate his feat, of course. Silvia also ran 21 km with us, and Michael rode 43 km into the same headwind, including horizontal rain in his face.

Today also saw the arrival of my old school friends, Bill and Tony. They have come from Melbourne and Darwin respectively, for our annual Pewter Mug Day – more on this tomorrow. For now, it’s up to the Streaky Bay Hotel to toast Chook – all ten of us, the biggest group we’ve had on the run so far.