Sunday, May 31, 2009

Stage 43 - Rätan

A long, hot stage today. 54 miles more of the E45, and temperatures were very warm even as we started at 6am. They certainly reached the 80s today, with no significant shade or clouds along the way. I was very happy to be finished in a little over 11 hours. I've heard that very cold, wet weather is on its way - but not sure whether for tomorrow or Tuesday.

The very best thing mentally today (and you'll have to take my word for it that it is very hard to stay gung-ho and motivated after so much toil and so many miles) was that this was the last day of May. Every one of the remaining 21 days are in June, which somehow feels more like we're closing in on the finish. This is the kind of crazy stuff you think about ad naseum on the road.

The next two stages are a little shorter, as we head towards Östersund, the geographic center of Sweden. It's also where their national cross-country ski team is based. Shorter is good, by the way - very, very good.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

You've done a fantastic job of staying gung-ho! Keep it up!!!

Gehan said...

I can't help smiling as you write in awe about the race leaders and their physical and mental strength. I think that what you are doing is pretty "out there". I guess there are degrees of "out there"! Huge admiration for what you are doing dude. Stop by in England for a cold one when you finish.

MW said...

by the way, in talking to my aunt and dad, they're convinced that runner didnt see an Elk but it must have been a moose or a deer(more antelope looking than texas deer) You are slowly moving in to Elk country, but they simply dont live that far south.

also, if you follow tennis at all, know that Rafael Nadal LOST to a swede yesterday in french open. 3 sets to 1. first time in 4.5 years he's lost there!

dennis menchov won the giro of italy with a dramatic last time trial. he had 18 seconds on second place and in the final km, he slipped on the rainy wet cobble stone streets of rome, but got up and still finished in time to keep the pink jersey and win it!

MW said...

ok Mr Russ, you're not going to believe this. The 5 videos I shot and posted of you have a minimum of 132 views. The one i shot when you were eating chicken and rice soup at the aid station has over 230 views. You have many more supporters out there than you ever imagined.
If you reach far enough out there, I bet you can find all the energy over 132 of us are sending your way!
5-1 posts, baby!