Distance today = 51.31 km; Total distance = 6457.28 km; Location = Chadron (34 km south of) – 42 31.502′ N, 102 58.134′ W; Start time = 0903, Finish time = 1646

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/179892322

Sometimes we just make the wrong choice. That’s what happened to me today with my selection of clothing. I knew that a cold front had come through overnight, but I thought I’d be OK in a T-shirt. Nah!

The temperature was low, probably around 12C, but it was the wind chill that got me. I was running into a gale-force headwind, and after two hours I was chilled to the bone. I had to get the girls to come by early and stop by the side of the road so that I could hop in the car and warm up. I sat there for nearly half an hour, gradually warming up, but the hardest part of the day was rustling up the motivation to get back out on the road.

Thankfully, however, the afternoon saw the wind start to drop and the temps increase. In the end I had a pretty good day, and felt quite strong. And I passed the milestone (no pun intended) of 4,000 miles as well.

So, that was my day, but what about last night? Well, we were staying at the First Interstate Inn in Alliance, and when the girls booked in, we were all invited to dinner by the manager, Arlene. We had a superb meal, cooked by Justin and Arlene, and we were joined by Colleen, Dale, and Susan. The wine flowed freely – almost as freely as the country hospitality. We could not be more appreciative of the kindness we experienced. And it was topped off this morning by a display of tap dancing by 82 year old Colleen. What a woman!!!

I also learned that the snake I encountered a couple of days ago was a rattler. If I’d been bitten, I definitely would have been rushed to hospital for treatment with anti-venom, and probably would have been laid up for several days.

FYI, the tracker is showing me in Chadron, but my official position is about 34 km south of there. Tomorrow I’ll run through Chadron, but the tracker will, undoubtedly, continue to show the same location until Monday.