Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Stage 11 - Alberone

Today was, simply put, exhausting. We ran 54 miles - more than two marathons - and lots of people looked very much the worse for wear over dinner.

The course was quite flat, as we're crossing what is I guess the Po delta, a huge expanse of very fertile farmland which was once under water. The weather for the "first" marathon was nice - cool and cloudy - but severe thunderstorms built up in time for the "second". Let's just say that it rained a great deal, and very quickly. It also left the narrow, two-lane roads covered in huge, muddy puddles, which compounded traffic problems.

Tonight I'm sleeping in a church - the hall was full by the time I crossed the finish line a full 12 hours after our 6am start. A strange feeling, but I could honestly sleep anywhere at this point.

Tomorrow is a much kinder 30 miles - more of a sprint, really! One piece of trivia I worked out on the road - today I completed my 50th Ultra run (i.e., greater than a 26.2 mile marathon). Shame I'm too tired to celebrate!

8 comments:

Tom Beam said...

With all that time on the road, I'm kind of expecting you to work out more stuff than that. Just a thought.

Good work, keep that brain whirring, it'll keep your mind off running.

Jeff French said...

Congratulations on ultra #50, Russ. You'll have a lot more by the time you reach the tip of Norway.

Oli Stickley said...

Russ / Dad / Grandpa, We are all thinking of you mate! Keep it up. Isabella has been "running like Grandpa" in the garden and Benjamin would if he could!

X X

Adam Hanin said...

Russ:

Congrats on #50... here's to 53 more...

Best,

-Adam

chuckd said...

hey Russ....congrats on 50 and doing 2 marathons today. that's a big day.

thanks for posting every day. it's great to be able to hear a bit of what you are doing each day.

keep on...keeping on. you're doing great.

chuck

Val said...

You are such a great travel writer! I'm amazed by the positive spirit you are maintaining. Keep on rocking!

Val

ann said...

Way to get through a double! Enjoy your "short" day tomorrow. Hopefully you will be able to rest a bit more.

Sarah said...

You are incredible. 50 ultra runs?! Wow... just wow! :)