Run Diary Week 1
Friday 6th April 2007
First thing to mention is that Martin had covered 463 km on reaching Independence yesterday. He stayed in a more expensive hotel than usual because holidaymakers had filled all the cheap motels! This meant chaining up the buggy, which he has recently named Apple (?). He realised that it was their first night apart and he felt guilty! I hope it repays his loyalty with minimal punctures on this trip! Today was hot and dusty and hard going. He stopped at Big pine for a 3pm break and pushed on to Bishop, where he had planned to meet up with his brother Paul, who flew out to Las Vegas last week and is exploring.
Saturday 7th April 2007
Martin met up with his brother and they stayed at a motel with Internet access, so he was able to look at his website for the first time in nine days. Paul may seek out some snow boarding on Mammoth Mountain. Martin would like to assure Lesley at work that he has washed his running shorts at least once (although the top is as yet unlaundered). He will continue on to Benton, which is just before the Nevada border, and prepare for a remote week ahead.
Sunday 8th April 2007
Having started today, at Benton, just before the border into Nevada it was satisfying for Martin to be entering a new state. However, he realises that he faces a tougher challenge in the next ten days. Nevada is remote and there aren’t many places that Martin can get access to a phone to inform us of his progress. So be patient! We will have updates as soon as possible. Today he found it hard going because of the mountainous terrain, but he pushed on to Coaldale (or near to).
Monday 2nd April 2007
Martin began today in Lancaster after stopping overnight here in a fifty dollar motel. The region is even more deserty, as in desert -like, than he imagined. He was stopped by a Californian state policeman, who said, that they'd had dozens of calls from passing motorists, reporting a mad man running along with a baby on the hard shoulder, The officer was pleased to see that Martin was actually carrying his luggage and equipment, not a baby and he wished him luck. He stopped at Mojave for his midday break. After this there would be no town or village for about 50 miles, so he was ready for camping out. He noticed many wind turbines and by the time he finished in Cantil, it was very windy for setting up his tent. It was a bit spooky.
Tuesday 3rd April 2007
After a fairly restless night in the tent at Cantil, Martin pressed on to Inyokern. He has covered about 200 miles in these first five days. He felt very much in need of a more comfortable stop, and found the Mayfair motel for 28 dollars.He is having to eat burgers for the first time in ages, as there has not been much choice. It's interesting to wonder what is more risky, running 3000 miles of USA roads or eating 3 months worth of gbr 3 burgers. What does Ralph think?!
Wednesday 4th April 2007
A very early start today, setting off at 4:30am. The bicycle light came in handy before daylight. Martin has encountered some very friendly, encouraging people along the way today. Sounds like they have sought him out after seeing the website or hearing by word of mouth. Scenery has been amazing today, with views of mount Whitney ahead (Sequoia national park) reaching 14494 ft. Stopping at Olancha for the night.
Thursday 5th April 2007
The world of ultra running is a small one, it seems, and Martin would very much like to thank Linda from Inyokern, who met up with him on the road yesterday after reading about his venture on an ultra runners website. Support like that gives a tremendous boost to weary legs and aching feet. Martin had reached lone pine by 3pm. Here he is at 3700 feet and sandwiched between Mount Whitney and Death Valley. This is Badwater marathon territory and he was pleased to be tracing some of its steps. He is aware that he ahs been very lucky with the weather, mainly sunny and calm. Tonight’s stop will be Independence. Martin is pushing himself to the border now. Possibly only two days.
