Napoleon Ultra course reconnaisance

With just two months to go, I spent a great weekend driving the 230-mile Napoleon Ultra course from Moscow to Paris (Texas), and making accommodation arrangements in overnight towns. I am very pleased that (a) the course is quite attractive and mostly runner-friendly, and (b) there are suitable places to stay.There are very few turns on the road, so getting lost will be difficult!The roads are generally rolling, but not hilly. I have added some photos of my trip to the www.napoleonultra.com website, and put together a roadbook and list of accommodations. At the moment, we have 8 confirmed runners (from France, Switzerland and the USA) and 10 more “possibles”, plus some stage runners and cyclists.

The start in Moscow (hardly St Basil's by Red Square, eh?):

The finish in Paris (hardly ...errr... Paris, eh?):

Space shuttle sighting

THE most amazing run this morning! At 7:40am, the space shuttle (aboard a 747 and with an F-16 in close attendance) flew right over my head just a few thousand feet up. The noise and the view were both incredible. I found myself standing alone on a deserted street whooping at the sky and beaming from ear to ear.

This photo is from our local paper as it passed over downtown. I had a much closer encounter!

Location:Austin, Texas

Happy anniversary

Tomorrow is Grito de Dolores - Mexican Independence Day. It also happens to be our wedding anniversary, which we will spend on separate continents. (Last year we celebrated in style by running across Ireland together.)

I passed some time today organizing our baubles and trinkets from races run over the last twenty years. It was nice to reflect on many of the long-forgotten efforts; between us, we've run 223 marathons and ultras.


Happy anniversary, Claire...good luck next weekend completing three more ultras...and "¡Viva México!"

Napoleon Ultra - 3 months to go

There are now just three months to go before the NapoleonUltra, from Moscow, TX to Paris, TX. At the moment, there are 6 confirmed runners, from France, Switzerland and the USA. More are hoping to take part, including some French, Germans, Dutch and of course Americans. It will not be a Grande Armée... more of a P'tite Armée, really... but we will hopefully have a great time together.

Location:Austin, TX