Although this calf tear is still very serious – I’m limping considerably, even when just walking – I am noticing improvements each day. I can both run and walk faster now than I could two days ago, and with less pain. However, it will still be a while before I can run unimpeded by the injury.

But it’s now a good time to decide what to concentrate on in the future in terms of running. I wanted to run the six day stage race in the Simpson Desert in late June, but the nearly $3,000 entry fee precludes that one, at least for this year. The logical focus is the Sutherland to Surf and City Surf again, although having succeeded last year in my aim to “run my age”, I won’t have the same enthusiasm for those events. In the absence of an alternative, though, I guess they’ll be it for the moment. But first, I have to get this calf right.

Today’s photo was taken as I entered Argentina during the world run. Actually, it wasn’t at the official border, which is way up high on the ridge of the Andes at nearly 4,000 metres in elevation. Both Chile and Argentina have their immigration checks some way down their respective sides of the Cristo Redentor Pass, which is where I was running in this photo.

On This Day

May 18, 2012

Distance today = 57.82 km; Total distance = 6405.97 km; Location = Alliance, Nebraska – 42 05.788′ N, 102 53.259′ W; Start time = 0923, Finish time = 1747

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/179540059

Hot, windy, lightning, and a few seconds of hail, all overlaid on a 58 km day – I did it tough!

The day began well enough. The first ten kilometres was quintessential Cowra to Canowindra (for those who know that region). By the way, yesterday was the spitting image of Forbes to Gooloogong. I love that countryside, so I feel good when running in similar surroundings.

However, the landscape soon turned to a more monotonous visage of sandhills covered in grassy tussocks, with not a tree to be seen. The next 30 km was the toughest, making me wonder why I was doing this.

But the last 20 km gradually improved, strangely enough, as a thunderstorm rolled in. There was lots of lightning, a very brief smattering of small hailstones, but no real rain that fell on me. For some reason, all this led to me feeling better, and I finished quite strongly.

Today was also one of those rare occasions when I crossed both a latitude (42 degrees north) and a longitude (103 degrees west).

I think I’m now over the soreness that ensued from last week’s break, but I’m a bit concerned about how I might handle day after day of 50+ km in 30+ degree heat. Well, I guess we’ll see soon enough.

May 18, 2013

Distance today = 0 km; Total distance = 21,008.14 km; Location = Istanbul, Turkey – 40 58.591′ N, 28 52.951′ E; Start time = n/a, Finish time = n/a

It was nice to have a free day in Istanbul yesterday, where we all headed into the city to look around the historic sites. The city truly has a history.

Carmel and I will shortly bid farewell to Debbie and Barry, and we’ll start the long drive back to Munich to drop off the car. It’s complicated as to why it needs to go back to Munich, but there was no choice.

It’s been fantastic having Deb and Barry along for the past two weeks. They’ve been a great help, and also a nice accompaniment during the day and in the evenings. Thanks guys.

I also think, at this time of finishing another continent, it’s worth reiterating about Carmel’s contribution to the run. Not only has she driven across three continents now (plus the length of New Zealand), but she has performed multiple roles each day – finding accommodation each night, keeping me stocked with drinks and food during the day, dealing with the daily updating of many aspects of the communications and web site, and all manner of other tasks. And, of course, the thing that most people know her for – her amazing photography. What a talented girl!

I know this info is a bit late in coming, but if you’re in Australia, watch the National Nine News at 6 pm tonight (May 18), and the Today Show tomorrow morning (May 19) for two news stories about the world run.

Keep watching this space for intermittent updates, prior to me starting the Asian leg on the 23rd.