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Archive for August, 2011

MEXICAN ROULETTE

Sunday, August 28th, 2011
SUNDAY 28TH AUGUST. I AM TAKING A REST DAY IN PUEBLA. A REST DAY FROM RUNNING BUT OFFICE WORK CONTINUES :(
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MONTH 10.  HAD 31 DAYS, 6 REST DAYS, 25 ROAD DAYS. 1,176.1KM WERE RUN!
TOTAL TO DATE: 10,904.5KM RUN IN 243 ROAD DAYS
 ANOTHER GREAT MONTH. THANKS TO ANGELES VERDES, SECRETARIO DE TOURISMO, PROTECTION CIVIL, THE POLICE, LOCAL HOTELS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,BAJA FERRIES, LOCAL PEOPLE, AND YOU THE READERS FOR ADVANCING THIS DREAM ONE MORE MONTH :)
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PRESS HERE FOR MY REMAINING MEXICAN ROUTE
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Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de mí tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino! Tony
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                  GOOD MORNING MEXICO CITY…  THE MATADOR ENTERS THE RING.
                                                             
When I started running from km marker 41 on my mind was I would be running into Mexico City today, one of the biggest cities in the world was just 41km in front of my nose. But I only got about 2 minutes down the road when Martin pulled me up to say his boss David was on the phone to say that there were problems down the line as I could only run to km 13 with the Angeles Verdes. After that all escorting is banned in Mexico’s Federal District.
Mexico has 31 states plus the Federal District of Mexico, just as the USA has 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Washington DC.
This was a bit of a shocker to me as I really did not know what to do if I was left at km 13 and now I am out in the middle of nowhere. I would surely have to backtrack several days and forget about Mexico City.
For the first time on the run I was actually stressed. The two maps I had were really useless for finding my way around the city. I guess I panicked and asked Martin to go back to a service station so as I could buy a decent map. So we went back and there were none.
I decided to take a chance and see what was after km 13, Martin kept saying ‘ IMPOSSIBLE, FIN, NO MAS! ‘
I decided to run on. The other patrolman would join us a bit later. A few km down the road we came to junction to get onto the autopista. It was around 5.30am and the traffic was hectic even at that early hour. Martin made the left turn and waited for me to find a break in traffic so as I could run across the road onto the autopista 15d.
It took me ten minutes to find that short break and when I did it was pretty scary stuff sprinting across. Martin was parked in the hard shoulder, so I just slapped his door and told him I was off running again.
So I ran on and on, a nice steady pace, I couldn’t help wondering if all this running was for nothing if I had to backtrack, and what a backtrack this would be. It was surely a mistake changing my route from the coastal route to go right through Mexico City, I thought the help would be with me all the way, always an optimist, sometimes it backfires like now.
I was greedy just trying to knock about 300km off my route.
Then we come to a tunnel, it’s about 400m long, I run it as hard as I can, Martin is holding back too far. I wave him to close the gap as I am always afraid of someone cutting in front of him, that’s why I asked for the second patrol.

                                                              TUNNEL VISSION
I hate tunnels not only because of the increased danger but there is always a risk that an officer will be there to prevent me running through. You don’t always know they are on your route till you hit one, and if you do there is usually nowhere else to go as it’s a mountainous area with no other road and the only other way is right up over the mountain and over the tunnel, which is what I would do if I had to but with Nirvana that’s a different story. So I remind myself of rule number 2… ” Don’t worry about things that are not imminent as you have enough on your mind for the moment. ”
Rule number 1 is simple… ” Keep it simple. ”
I have stopped many people in the past who have tried to make a science out of simplicity.
” Look, I just run, that’s it, nice and simple. ”
We get through the tunnel and stop at a rest area just as Maurice the second patrol man turns up. Maurice confirms what Martin said, that after km 13 there is a no go area. He takes out a half decent map of the surrounding area and then I start thinking I can run through the city solo, just me and Nirvana. I ask Maurice if he will sell me the map but he says no… Then laughs and gives it to me!
Oh! Maurice I could kiss you I joke,
” Hey what about me Tony? ” Asks Martin.
They are shocked and tell me it’s too dangerous to run through the city with Nirvana but I got no choice. I ask Maurice to stay close behind me.
So on I run, I look back and there is no sign of Maurice, I guessed he stopped for a pee, he could have given me a warning I thought leaving me exposed from the back like that.
I saw a sign with the altitude at 3,050m. A couple of days ago I was shocked to discover we were at 2,500m. My climbing was gradual and I actually did not notice the growing altitude.
The traffic is getting heavier and heavier, it’s manic!

NOW I AM THINKING I WILL CALL IN ALL THOSE AMERICAN PRAYER LISTS I AM ON!

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We are on the inside lane of a 12 lane highway, 6 lanes each direction. By now we are about 22km out from the center. Martin is in front, he is driving too fast, I am constantly shouting, waving for him to slow down. He does but then he is too slow, I don’t complain but Maurice flashes for him to speed up. So he does and so do I back to to about 12-14kmph, a little too fast for me at this time of my life and 10 months on the run. And when I do catch up he assumes I am ok and capable of going faster!
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It’s amazing the traffic is moving this freely despite this volume, I can see the shocked faces of motorists as they drive by. I am running as hard as I can and all the time screaming and calling him all the names I can think of! My biggest fears are potholes, and there were a few I went into and was lucky not to fall or twist an ankle. I looked to the left and just couldn’t believe the sheer volume of traffic.
Then a horrible thought crossed my mind… I hope we don’t have to make a left turn! I will have to get out into the 3rd or 4th lane of this 6 lane highway! I think I would just lie down and die first!
Sure enough that’s what happened but it was not as bad as I expected as Martin and Maurice blasted their sirens and flashing lights and after vehicles held back they just drove over at about a 30 degree angle, me in the middle trying to keep the angle the same, and all the while looking out that I didn’t get a smack from somewhere. Eventually they straightened up and on we went. Now I was in the middle of the 6 lanes! And Martin was still continuing to speed. I just flung my water bottle in the back of his pickup and went for it sprinting as hard as I could.
RUN LIKE HELL  > PLAY  It was terrifying stuff as shocked motorists sped by on the inside and outside lanes. No time for listening to my music now, no I wont be bouncing, singing and dancing my way to Mexico City. If I fell now I was history. Blood on the tracks.
I took out my camera knowing if it fell it was history, still I had to get some of these crazy photos! I took about 20 blind shots pointing the camera in all directions and got about 3 or 4 really good shots with my terrified look, and even fake smile!

IS THAT A SMILE? IS THIS WHAT I DREAMED ABOUT ALL THOSE YEARS?

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For some reason the two lads pulled over on a hard shoulder at about km 17. There was a series of phone calls going on. I was hoping the Tourism Secretary would sort something for me to get through the city. Instead someone on the phone kept telling me he had a hotel room for me and wanted to know where I was, I was shouting into the phone that I was at km17 on HIGHWAY TO HELL >  PLAY  and just wanted to get out of the city as fast as I could get into it. I told him my only concern was not the hotel but keeping the run continuous, but don’t think he understood. The lads were saying it was too dangerous to go on further, too dangerous for them as they could get a smack. Too dangerous for them! I thought, what about me! Selfishly I begged them to go on to km 13 and they did. I think it was down to about 3 lanes now. We were stopped there for about half an hour.

IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?

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Eventually we got going and as usual there was no slowing Martin down. I think the problem was he couldn’t see me as Nirvana was in his way as he looked in his rear view mirror. I should have asked Maurice to take the lead. It was just as well I had the two of them I thought. I continued to sprint, in and out of more potholes and dodgy manhole covers. Sometimes Maurice let a huge gap develop.

CLOSE THE GAP MAURICE!

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 The last thing I needed was someone getting in there especially with Hard Foot Martin in front then I would be on my own in the middle of the road like a matador in a bullring surrounded by carnage!

I RAN OUT OF NAMES FOR HARD FOOT MARTIN!

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 So I had to keep waving Maurice closer.
I never actually saw km 13 as we veered off onto another road which luckily was where the Mexico DF Angeles Verdes office was. Outside waiting for me was the boss Ricardo, his two men Efrain who spoke pretty good English, and Daniel.
Efrain told me that there was a ban on much of Angeles Verdes normal activities in the Federal District. He said the next time they would be able to help would be when I get to Puebla city about 130km away, and then it would be the Puebla office as that is the next state.
I asked how come I could get help this side of the city but not the other. Different zoning was the answer. Angeles Verdes here only had the one patrol truck, the supervisors.
Then Efain suggested to me it would be best I stayed in the city tonight as they had a hotel for me, I guessed it was him on the phone to me earlier.
Thanks very much for this Ricardo and staff. They told me the hotel was about 5km away and the same direction I will be going out of the city in the morning. A straight run down Paseo De La Reforma and turn left just after Torre Mayor Shopping Center. I have a lot of work on the computer ahead of me tonight,sorting out an escape route. Many days when I finish my run my work is only beginning for the day. About 1 hour each day is spent emailing and re emailing people that don’t bother to respond. This time is compounded when I have bad internet connections, which I frequently do.
They wanted me to go in the patrol truck to the hotel but that would be pointless as I would have to come back here in the morning only to retrace my steps to where I started!
No it would be better to run to the hotel now, and tomorrow I will run straight from the hotel right through the very heart of this monster city.
I was delighted the lads were going to deliver Nirvana to the hotel now as this would save me a 5km push through the busy Mexican capitals streets. I had hoped they would be able to deliver Nirvana to the Puebla office,or at least the Puebla Angels could come here to pick her up, guess I have been spoilt! But they didn’t seem keen on this saying they didn’t have a driver.
The run to the hotel turned out to be about a 7km plod as I was understandably worn out. I stopped and had the most delicious cola in many a month from a street vendor. It was ice cold with slush on the inside.
I ran down the Citys main Avenue, Passeo De La Reforma where the majority of foreign embassies are located. Initially I was not supposed to be running through here.
While in Ireland I had been in contact with the Irish ambassador, Derek Lambe who had been most helpful, thank you ambassador Lambe. It would be nice to stop and pay him a visit, I only realised this when I saw the other embassies, I totally forgot about him. Now I was too stressed and just wanted to do one thing…. RUN! Besides Efian said he would meet me at the hotel soon with Nirvana.
I had to be careful not to trip as many of the street pavements are rising up out of the ground, perhaps as Mexico City is built in a valley and on a lake. From time to time they have to pump water out from under the city.
I collapsed into my bed and thought…
” My God is this what dreams are made of?
” Or nightmares? ”

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RUNNING TOWARDS MEXICO CITY.

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino! Tony
Last week I enjoyed my run across Michoacan state, with its long rolling hills and lush green fields. It is not so hot now, at least when I am running. I try to get going now between 4 and 5am and just run at a nice steady pace, as it comes, no racing this is a journey run, a long one and I got to keep myself injury free. I notice when I time myself between km signs that my competitive instincts kick in, I run harder and it is not as enjoyable as just a nice steady pace looking around at the scenery while taking in my surroundings. I have had a very intense competitive career, now it’s FUN TIME!  I make lots of very short stops, for water food, to take photos and talk to anyone that wants to talk. I think if I had a running partner I would drive them crazy!

In this region by late morning its like a warm summers day in Ireland, so not too bad. The early mornings now are quiet chilly and by the time it gets really hot by mid-afternoon I am usually off the road.
In the mornings  I even have to put on a second top and wear gloves for the first couple of hours till the sun comes up. Yes its that last hour before the sun comes up that’s the coldest time of the day. I remembered that from running 24 hour and multiday races.
I  made some good progress too 50km per day, Edgar a quiet spoken man was my support this week. We joked that it was not an easy day working with me and he would enjoy his sleep when I was gone. In all Edgar was with me for 4 days.

THANKS EDGAR!

 We used the state capital Moreila as a base commuting to and from each day. One night I was put up in a sports councils complex where they had spare dorms, two nights I stayed in the Angeles Verde’s base on a camp bed and one night the Tourism Secretary put me up in the very posh Casino Hotel. Many thanks Sr. Secretary :)
Every time I mentioned this  to someone they said in a slightly jealous tone.. ‘ What! you are staying in the Casino Hotel? ‘  I was up on the first floor and noticed there was a gymnasium next to my room.  Smiling out the open door at me was a treadmill, so after my 45km today, I did my fastest sprint of the day right past it not looking back.

ALEJANDRO'S CREW AT THE MORELIA BASE. NIRVANA IS VERY JEALOUS THESE DAYS.

Then one day on the way back to  Morelia at the end of my run Edgar stopped for a man with a broken gearbox. We were almost 40km from Morelia. What did Edgar do? He pushed the Chevy all the way with his patrol truck. His spare tyre tied to the front. The driver freewheeled down short hills and was pushed up others. It was interesting when we got to a tollbooth.The lane in front of us had 3 vehicles in line but the motorist, impatient as all drivers here seem to be chose to change lanes to enter a free lane, no bother to Edgar to sort him! We pushed him all the way to a garage.

AT YOUR SERVICE! EDGAR PUSHING THE CHEVY THROUGH TH TOLLBOOTH AND ALL THE WAY TO MOREILA

 
Just for new readers to the blog: Los Angeles Verde’s / Green Angels are a Federal body incorporated into the tourism sector. They have a remit to help broken down motorists and help tourists. They scour the roads of Mexico offering free assists whenever possible. They are all expert mechanics.
I have been so short of time lately with these early starts and so much logistic work to do that it is a luxury if I have the time to go out for a sit down meal. Twice this week as I couldn’t afford the time I had takeaway meals. Am also starting too eat pot noodles, so much easier to get than pasta. I just add some hot water from my thermos. This I fill up whenever I stop at a gas station or ask in a restaurant.
Most evenings in my hotel or wherever I stay I play music from my ipod with my external speakers attached. There is a decent sound and I am really enjoying music more now than I ever did in my life. Back in Dublin I was a talk radio junkie, so music was played less. Here I never turn on a television, just my music.
On the road I go through phases when I listen a lot but there are phases when I don’t listen for a few weeks.
There was a day last week when I played it non stop and bounced the whole 50km, it was such a joy!

TODAY I BOUNCED 50KM... THE PACE WASWAY DOWN, BUT WHO CARES :)

 Back in Dublin during my timeout in June I got my sister Ann’s  friend Ger, a  clothes maker to add extra pockets to my blue cycle top.
Thanks Ger!
On top of the shoulders I have velcro straps to hold the speakers in place. The job was a total success and I can blast my ipod along quiet country roads.

SAVE OUR SONGS (OR SANITY)

 This cycle top is very sentimental to me. After my first ultra race I bought it from a work mate for $20 when I lived in Colorado. I have worn it under my singlet for almost ever race ever since. I noticed that many runners were putting their snacks into waist packs. For me cycle pockets are more comfortable for snacks, money, ipod,phone,camera and just about any small item I need on the road. I become accustomed to the extra bulge and it is quiet comfortable.
I couldn’t resist it as I ran through a toll booth with Edgar behind me in his patrol vehicle.
” What you doing? ‘ Asks  the tool booth attendant.
So I go back a couple of clicks on my play list…. ‘ I’m Working on a Dream ‘ >> PLAY

IM WORKING ON A DREAM AND SOMETIMES IT CAN SEEM SO FAR AWAY,

IM WORKING ON A DREAM AND SOME DAY I KNOW IT WILL BE MINE,

MY FEET ARE SO ROUGH FROM WORKING ON A DREAM.

IM WORKING ON A DREAM AND SOME DAY I KNOW IT WILL BE REAL.

IM WORKING ON A DREAM, WORKING ON A DREAM.

I promised myself last week when going through toll booths I would be more careful as that time I shouted.. ” How much for me? ” Just then the barrier from the previous car shot down, missing me by inches, yes that would have been a bizarre way too exit the world run!
Then I ran into Mexico State. The traffic is getting heavier and heavier as I run towards the capital. I got a new Angeles Verde’s support driver, called Martin, a bit of a loco, but a nice guy.

MARTIN

No sooner had we started when a woman cut in front of me and asked him to have a look at her wailing car. It turned out to be just battery acid in the engine. Martin had it cleaned out and running smoothly in 5 minutes.
At our first toll booth as I run through a security guard is charging over in my direction with his monster black baton in his hand. I think he realises at the last moment that I am on some kind of a mission so he continues his charge towards a toll booth beside me and starts talking to the attendant.
I didn’t get any sleep last night as I was working on the laptop till 1.15 and then couldn’t sleep with a couple of mosquitoes looking for a meal. I pulled on my netting but found it so hard to sleep with it on as it was so hot. So today’s 50km were a bit of a slog,
By contrast the next day I was full of running and didn’t want to stop at 56km.
We commuted to Ixtlahuaca for the night. Angeles Verde’s had paid for Martins room so he kindly shared it with me, greedily I grabbed the big bed leaving him a small single.
It was a lovely hotel, nice and clean and not an insect in sight but they seemed to have a trust problem. Guests were not given a key, instead we had to knock on the hotel managers door to be let in! Remote controls were screwed into a wooden holder on a bedside table.
Next day about 12k before  Lema a cyclist shoots past us, up a ramp and onto the autopista.
Just as I start running up the ramp an autopista police officer charges out of  his hut. He is stationed on a parallel road just below the ramp.
He shouts up to me to stop, then he and Martin are on their phones. The guard is told I have special permission to run on the autopista, his attitude is; ‘ Nobody told me ‘ So after a nervous 10 minute worry about my continuous route being interupted I am off running again.
A few minutes later we arrive at a toll booth and there are about 5 or 6 security guards in different locations on the road all talking into their phones. I am escorted behind a barrier and through a pedestrian zone. I expected to be stopped by the Federalis, but they only give me a friendly smile.
I have been in Mexico over two months now and nobody has asked to see my passport.
About 2km up the road I saw a couple of pedestrians and then a drunk drinking from his bottle while walking in the center island.

DRUNK WALKING IN THE CENTER OF THE AUTOPISTA!

 
By contrast when I was running in Canada and the USA,  (there and I documented it in this blog) there was hardly a week that went by when I wasn’t stopped by a highway cop. I often think about the officer in Maine state on I think it was the day before new Years Eve. I had got hopelessly lost and ended up on the freeway for a 4 mile stretch. The officer told me that had she had a pick up truck free she would have me dragged off the road. She let me go on to the next exit.
Back here I had 54 up before lunch and as I wanted to get a bit closer to Mexico City I went out for another hour to finish at 62km for the day. Another strong day.

ROADSIDE SNACK

I sometimes notice that when I run long days like today and yesterday that I am not stiff imediately after, unlike countless days when I run my usual I am usually very stiff for a couple of hours, holding the rails as I go up the stairs etc, but I am fine in the morning.
The stiffness I experience in my legs every morning compares with when I was training for marathons. Say after a Wednesday track session I now experience the same stiffness every morning compared to what I experienced on the Thursday nights run: minor stiffness still in the legs but the important thing is I knew I would be ok to run my regular run.
Tomorrow for the run into Mexico City, I have asked for and been promised 2 patrol vehicles, one in front of me and the other behind me.

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RUTA PROPUESTA DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO EN LA FRONTERA GUATEMALA/… PROPOSED ROUTE FROM MEXICO CITY TO THE GUATEMALA BORDER

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW.

ESTE ES MI RUTA PARA EL RESTO DE MEXICO.  Para un mapa Y PLANOS DE PRENSA POR FAVOR>> AQUÍ

Me esperan llegar a la frontera alrededor de 25 de septiembre. A estas alturas es difícil para mí estimar las fechas OTRA LLEGADA.

I puede ser rastreado por mi dispositivo de seguimiento en este sitio. Por lo general RUN 45 y 50 kilómetros por día. Así que tal vez ME PUEDE PISTA DEBE SER capaz de ayudarme cuando me ven correr a través del área me gustaría mucho aprecio

MI NÚMERO DE TELÉFONO CELULAR DE MÉXICO (que sólo funciona y recibe mensajes en MEXICO) ES:     646 107 22 57       TEXTING funciona mejor para mí y por favor mantengan EL ESPAÑOL SIMPLE Mi correo es: www.theworldjog @ gmail.com

Muchas gracias, TONY

THIS IS MY PROPOSED ROUTE FOR THE REST OF MEXICO. FOR A MAP AND ROUTE DETAILS PLEASE PRESS >> HERE

I EXPECT TO REACH THE BORDER AROUND 25TH SEPTEMBER. AT THIS STAGE IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO ESTIMATE OTHER ARRIVAL DATES.

I CAN BE TRACKED BY MY TRACKING DEVICE ON THIS WEBSITE. I USUALLY RUN 45-50KM PER DAY. SO PERHAPS YOU CAN TRACK ME SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO HELP ME AS I RUN THROUGH YOUR AREA I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT :)

I AM ALMOST CERTAINLY GOING TO TAKE A 3 DAY MINI BREAK SIDE TRIP TO ACAPULCO PLUS TRAVEL TIME WHICH WILL MAKE THIS ABOUT 4 DAYS AFTER I ARRIVE IN MEXICO CITY TOMORROW, TUESDAY.

MY MEXICAN CELL PHONE NUMBER  (WHICH ONLY WORKS AND RECEIVES MESSAGES IN MEXICO) IS: 646 107 22 57. TEXTING WORKS BET FOR ME  AND PLEASE KEEP THE SPANISH SIMPLE :) MY EMAIL IS: www.theworldjog@gmail.com

THANKS SO MUCH, TONY

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MEXICO STATE, MICHOACAN STATE, JALISCO STATE AND NAYARIT STATE DAILY LOGS.

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

                                                                                      

TOTAL RUN 10,826.5 KM = 6,727.3  MILES FOR 241. ROAD DAYS.

                                                                     MEXICO STATE. (Including Federal District)

Aug 25th, 2011.  Hotel Hollywood Drive Inn, Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza 839.Mexico D.F.

To Rancho Tinacal ” Loma ” Ancha, km 23 on Route 190 Libre. Ran 52km today.

 Crazy day clearing the city,Owner kindly let me stay on Rancho, Ran unsupported today

Aug 24th. 2011. From Hotel del Angel, Rio Lerma 154, Mexico D.F. to Hotel Hollywood Drive Inn, Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza 839.Mexico D.F.

 Route: Local roads and Av.Viaducto and Av.Zaragoza. Very late start, 28.2km measured on a Google map. The reality is I ran a lot more as I ran on the service roads which were very difficult to negotiate. I have just about cleared the city but the Fedral highway 150 tomorrow may be a bit crazy as I am still near the city. I may take some service roads, will see.

Aug 23rd 2011. From km 41 on route 15 to Hotel del Angels,( Rio Lerma #154) 35.3 crazy kms today into Mexico City. Route 15,15d, Paseo de La Reforma, and local roads.

Aug 22nd 2011. From km 35 on route 55d to km 41 on route 15. Todays route: 55d, A-6d,  and 15. Today I ran 62km. Felt really strong! About 41km to Mexico City. I have asked for 2 escort vehicles to make my way through the city tomorrow and am getting them, one in front of me and one behind me.

 Thanks so much David, local chief of Angeles Verdes who have sponsored mine and support driver Martin’s night in Toluco Holiday Inn. We commutted there.

Aug 21st 2011. From km 122 on route 15d to km 35 on route 55d. Route today 15d, local roads, 55d.

Today I ran 56km and felt so strong in the last 20 that I did a few extra :) Thanks to my support driver, Martin from Angeles Verdes for doing a great job as all AV men have done. We crossed into Mexico State.

Commute to Ixtlahuaca.

                                                                     MICHOACAN STATE

20th Aug 2011. From km 172 to km 122. Today was a 50km plod as I didn’t get any sleep last night. Commute to Atlacomulco and staying in hotel paid for by Angeles Verdes Mexico City  base  for their man Martin to crew for me, so sharing his room. Thanks so much.

19th Aug. 2011. From km 222 on route 15d to km 172. Today I ran 50 glorious km’s. Lovely day. Staying in Angeles Verdes base. Commute about 75km to Moreila.

18th Aug 2011. From km 267 to km 222 on autopista 15d Today I ran 45km. Commute about 25km to Moreila, stayed in Sports Councils dorm at their center.

17th Aug 2011. From km 317 to km 267 on route 15d. 50 km run today. First 30 were fairly easy. Last 20 very tough hills. Staying in Hotel Casino,Moreila  sponsored by Tourism Secretary. Thanks so much :)   approx 45 km commute to Moreila.

16th August from km marker 367 to km marker 317. Today I ran 50km on route 15d

This morning I was very tired as I only got 3 hours sleep. This is an ongoing problem with my heavy workload early starts and no help. 105km commute to Moreila

15 Aug 2011 from Oxxo seervice station at km marker 417.5 on route 15d to km 367.

Commute to Zamora.

50.5km run today. Felt strong. Crossed into Michoacan state (my 6th) after about 20km today

                                                                      JALISCO STATE.

14th Aug 2011. From km marker 465 to km 417.5, Oxxo service station,Jamay. 47.5km run today on route 15d.

Commute to La Barca. Thanks to Hotel Kristal for a night in their lovely hotel.

13th Aug 2011. From  tequila distillery near Zapopan to km marker 465 on autopista 15d near Puente Grande. Ran 53.3km today. Ran thru Guadalajara. Felt strong all day. Commute to Ocoton. Thanks to Hotel Sol for a beautiful room in their luxury hotel.

12th Aug 2011. Lovely rest day  in Gran Hotel Los Reyes, Guadalajara. 9 hours sleep! Magnifico! Thanks so much for 2 lovely nights in your wonderful hotel.

11th Aug 2011. From Magdelena exit at km 46.5 to km 0 on autopista. Then ran 1 km to suitable. Finish location at tequila distillery near Zapopan. total today = 47.5km

Thanks to Opal Hotel for a nights stay.

10th Aug 2011. From Inspection station km 91 on autopista 15d Ran 44.5km to finish at Magdelena exit = km 46.5. Commute about 2km to town. Note after about 4km today I ran from Nayarit State to Jalisco State. Time Zone Change to Central Standard Time = -6 hours GMT.

                                                               NAYARIT STATE.

Aug 9th From km 127 Ran 36km  to finish at inspection station on autopista 15d at km 91.

Commute to Ixtlan del Rio.

Aug 8th 2011. Start km 0 in Tepic City ran 54km thru local city roads, route 15 and autopista 15d. finish at km 127. Commute to Achatalan.

Aug 7th 2011. From km 39 Ran 31km today on local roads, Route 15 and Autopista 15d. Finish at km 0. *** 10,000th KM RUN TODAY :) *** Finish in Tepic City.

Aug 6th 2011. Commute from Tuxpan City to start at km 89 marker ran 50km today to km 39 marker. Note: Spot started today but did not update.

Aug 5th 2011 From Nayarit State Line km 145.7 to Rosamorada Cross. km 89. = 56.7km run today. Commute to Tuxpan City, guest of the city.

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JALISCO FIASCO!

Saturday, August 20th, 2011

Just before the Jalisco state line two new Angeles Verdes men picked me up at my hotel. Jose the driver and Marco.  Also accompanying me as I ran to the line were a couple of Civil Protection guys and a Federali Police patrol vehicle. About 6 or 7 men in all. Once I got to the state line all this support dropped. Jose and Marco stayed in the same hotels as me and escorted me all the way across the state. I stopped running the first night near a town called Magdelena, so commuted there. It was a nice town, famous for it’s opals. The very friendly town tourism director, a woman called Christina first brought us to the town hall. The mayor wanted to meet me but unfortunately was delayed in Guadalajara. I agreed  to return at 6pm.

So we went off and ate in a restaurant provided by the town and then went back to our hotel. I took a couple of hours nap, today had been a routine 44.5km day but I was shattered. I made my way down to the town hall, it was locked up. Nobody had bothered to tell  me the mayor still hadn’t made it back, in fact the guards thought I was a bit off the wall.

Next day I ran just under 50km to a small town called Zapopan, finishing at a tequila distillery. I guess Zapopan is a suburb of Guadalajara, the 10th largest city in all of Latin America and Mexico’s second city.

Initially I was very impressed by this states overtures. They had an email list of about 10 people promising food and lodging to Senor Tony before he had even set foot in the state.

Somehow Jose managed to get hold of the Tourism Secretary on her office phone. I had not realised she was not on the email list either. The phone was handed to me and I was told they did not realise I was so close to town, despite an email sent out and the email list. Of course they wanted to know my route and as always another case of not checking the ROUTE page on my website, usually the first thing one does upon visiting a travel website. And nobody seems to pay any attention to my gps tracking device.

No worries, I am here and was told she would call back in half an hour. The boys knew better and we went back to their base for lunch.  She  would call back in a Mexican minute, I was to hear that so much in this state. Three hours later I called back and a wonderful hotel was provided but no food.

I said I would take a rest day Friday and run on Saturday. The Tourism Secretary said she would like to meet up with me and perhaps hold a press conference. I said I was available for this on my rest day and emailed same to the ‘ gang of ten ‘ ’

I never heard anything back.

We started out for Guadalajara about 4.30 in the morning. It was about 20km away. After a couple of km Marcos girlfriend met us on the road, actually one of his girlfriends as he has got children by (he thinks!) 5 women.

I thought we would have the road to ourselves at that early hour but it was bumper to bumper stuff for the last 12km on the 4 and sometimes 6 lane highway. As I ran on the / motorway in front of the guys patrol vehicle I thought to myself if I have had some hairy traffic experiences in the past, well Guadalajara was Grizzly Adams stuff. What will Mexico City be like in about ten days time I wondered.

 There were dozens of junctions and I had to be in 100 percent concentration mode as cars cut in front of us from the left and from the right and out of junctions on my right. I had to have Jose drive within a  meter and a half of me, total trust between the two of us. This is no time to trip or loose stride due to on of the many objects in my path. I motored on over a huge bridge, thru a tunnel and all the while Jose driving as close as possible to give me maximum protection. What a man! And Marcos too watching out for potential hazards. This high intense drama went on for about an hour and a half.

After about 4 hours we had the city behind us. I did not run downtown, just bypassed it. I ran about 33km past Guadalajara that day.

Jose and Marco told me they couldn’t get hold of the tourism secretary, she had gone home for the weekend and left no cell number. My emails were unanswered. We were abandoned. Somehow they managed to get hold of a super efficient lady called Eva, who I think just worked for tourist information and obliged us by ringing up some hotels to see if one would sponsor us. One of them Hotel del Sol said they would and I am not sure if I misunderstood, but I thought it was for two nights. No food included.

That’s up to the Tourism department if they want to get nights sponsored but my deal is with them and I should not have to wait 2 or 3 hours for them to find something. If they want me to help spread a good message, but I insist it has to be a truthful message, of correcting misconceptions of this country abroad, well they need to just pay up front, food included and not have me wait around after a long hard days run. I never could figure out why the phones only started ringing when I had finished running for the day.

Next day Sunday, the Tourism Department were still gone fishing while I ran over 47km. As I mentioned I thought we were returning to the same hotel and had left Nirvana in my room.

I bought the lads breakfast, as I didn’t think they should be out of pocket. I ran strongly that day. Luckily Eva was still on our case and had arranged a second hotel for us. When we arrived at the hotel, a wedding was going on. I was falling asleep on a comfortable sofa in the lobby. For some reason we had to wait another hour for our rooms. Four hours wait in all today.

A decision was made to feed us, lunch only, no dinner or breakfast. The bizarre thing was even though this hotel had a restaurant and the Tourism Department was paying for this one meal for each of us, we had to return 40km  to last nights hotels restaurant!  This was not as bad as it could have been as I had to pick up Nirvana anyway, which had been hastily packed up with all my belongings by the cleaning staff and pushed out to a lobby, as the hotel was now sold out. Well this lunch was an eat as much as you wanted lunch buffet, so I had a good fill of steaks and deserts! I was unusually slow in that I hadn’t got my tupperware dish with me.

Next morning after buying Jose and Marco breakfast I ran out of Fiasco State.

Imagine I ran right thru this state and despite the gang of tens great plans for El Marathonista da  Irlanda,  I never even had one official photo taken, or spoke to a single reporter! Not one run though a town, nobody knew about the world run and I wondered if I was still an animal as nobody reminded me!

Hey nobody ever said it would be all roses, I am 6 days closer to realising my ultimate dream, to run around the world and that’s all that matters. My commitment and focus are cast iron, cien percent.

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ROUTE TO MEXICO CITY

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de mí tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino! Tony

45 to 50 km per day. Thursday 18th I will run from km 167 to Morelia on autoista 15d. I exect to arrive in Mexico City on Thursday 25th August. Please check my website for my location when running, I use a gps tracking device.

ROUTE TO MEXICO CITY. THIS ROUTE IS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION.

WHEN  I APPROACH MEXICO CITY  I WILL NEED TO TAKE LOCAL ADVICE.

PRESS  HERE TO VIEW.

ALSO FROM MEXICO CITY TO TAPACHUALA. PRESS HERE  TO VIEW

I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO GO GO TO ACAPULCO BUT IT IS VERY FAR OFF MY ROUTE.

IN MEXICO CITY IF I CAN SWING IT I MAY TAKE A MINI BREAK AND GO THERE

CLICK  HERE  TO VIEW A MAP OF THE MEXICAN STATES

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THANKS FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES NAYARIT STATE!

Saturday, August 13th, 2011

 

Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de mí tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino! Tony

I had a lovely run on the way to Achatalan. I had gotten off to an early start and had been reeling in the kilometer posts, nice and steady, all 54 of them this morning. Just before town a local runner came out to meet me on the autopista. His name is Montero and he owns the local hotel here, Hotel Quinta del Real When Montero heard I was coming he offered me a place to stay.

The autopista seems a bit laid back here. Yesterday I saw a group of 10 Sunday morning walkers walking in the shoulder towards the traffic. Not to mention a few runners and cyclists. I even saw a horse near Tepic!

Today I finished my day at km 127 and we commuted a few more to the towns outskirts. I offered to do a ‘ ceremonial ‘ run into town with Montero.

RUNNING INTO ACHATALAN WITH MONTERO.

We ran down Main Street towards the mayors office. The mayor was out of town today but the towns officials and residents sure made me feel welcome. They gave a very nice briefing to the about thirty or 40 people. I said a few words saying how happy I was to be here.

My friend, Esteban the Green Angels boss for all of Nayarit state came over to Montero’s hotel and we had a really delicious fish salad lunch.

As I sat on the edge of my bed eating my lunch off a bedside table Montero told me it was funny I was in that same room 9 and the same bed as Jamel Bahli who came through here about 10 years ago.

I asked who and discovered a French runner had run from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego running 24,000km, which seems a bit on the low side to me.

So I spent the whole afternoon checking him out and it seems he has run a lot of short journey runs which have added up to a huge total over the years.

 

Next morning I had a lovely run the first 15 km, it seemed so easy and then Montero and his friend Julio came out and joined me for the last 21 to Ixtlan.

RUNNING ON THE AUTOPISTA WITH JULIO AND MONTERO ON THE WAY TO IXTLAN

We stopped at the edge of town to end my day. Then I asked Montero if there were any other runners in town, he said yes, phones started ringing while I sat in the shade of the Angels truck and waited fifteen minutes for three more to come along. A Protection Civil official came out on his motorbike and together with, a  couple of cop trucks, the Green Angels and a couple more vehicles we ran about 1 km through the town.

A couple of people closed the side roads to traffic, we had the whole road to ourselves as we ran five abreast through the quaint town.

A lot of people came out to cheer, clap and the usual ‘ ANIMAL ‘ name calling!

As we ran by a grocery store. On the blaring radio the  stations presenter screamed out to his audience the all too familar words..

‘ Vuelta del Mundo ‘ or around the world.

We ran down Main Street and there right in front of us was another great reception at the town hall.

RECEPTION IN IXTLAN

The people are wonderful in these small towns, they just whip up a wonderful welcome like this and at very short notice.

Inside the town hall Iwas introduced to the gathered with a rundown of my competitive career, they did their research! Thanks to Rebeca for arranging an hotel for me at the towns  expense. Later that evening she even had a takeaway dinner delivered to my hotel!

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MEMORIES AND FRIENDS MADE IN NAYARIT STATE.PHOTOS FROM TEPIC TO GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

Friday, August 12th, 2011

TO VIEW PHOTOS PRESS HERE

FEELS LIKE HEAVEN!

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THE RISE OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE

Friday, August 12th, 2011

Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de mí tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino! Tony

I CAME ACROSS THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE BY JOHN P SCHMAL.

PRESS  HERE  TO VIEW

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THANKS SO MUCH TO GRAN HOTEL LOS REYES, GUADALAJARA

Friday, August 12th, 2011

THANKS VERY MUCH TO GRAN HOTEL LOS REYES IN DOWNTOWN GUADALAJARA FOR PROVIDING ME WITH 2 NIGHTS. I AM STAYING IN LUXURY TONIGHT AND WILL TAKE A RESTDAY FRIDAY.

ON SATURDAY MORNING I WILL RUN THROUGH THIS HUGE METRO AREA OF 5 MILLION

GUADALAJARA  IS MEXICO’S SECOND CITY AND THE 10TH LARGEST IN ALL OF NORTH AMERICA.

PLEASE CHECK OUT GRAN HOTEL LOS REYES  WEBSITE: WWW.GRANHOTELLOSREYES.COM

In a 2007 research of the fDi magazine Guadalajara was the highest ranking major Mexican city having the second strongest economic potential of any major North American city and only Chicago scored more highly for sheer economic potential,[7] in the same research was considered the “city of the future” due to its youthful population, low unemployment and large number of recent foreign investment deals, it was also found the third most business friendly city in North America.[7]

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE HERE

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About Tony

I have always considered myself to be an average runner. In school, I was even bullied for I was a sports wimp. Through hard work, dedication, perseverance, self-belief and a strong mind I succeeded in not only running around the world but breaking four ultra running world records during my competitive career. Having previously cycled around the world I didn't start running until I was almost 30. Then I had a dream of running around the world. For many reasons, I waited for over 20 years. One reason was to establish my pedigree as an endurance athlete. I started and finished my world run as the current World Record-Holder for 48 Hours Indoor Track 426 kilometres (265 miles), a record I have held since 2007. I also broke and still hold the World Record for 48 hours on a Treadmill 405 kilometres (251 miles) in 2008. When I retired from competition, more pleasing than any of my world, European or Irish records I had the respect of my fellow athletes from all over the world - in my opinion, sports greatest reward - an achievement I am most proud of. Then I finally put myself out to pasture, to live my ultimate dream to run around the world! This blog was written on the road while I struggled to find places to sleep and to recover from running an average of 43.3 kilometres or 27 miles per day for 1,165 road days. There were many nights I typed this blog on a smart phone, so fatigued my eyes closed. Many journalists and endurance athletes have referred to my world run as the most difficult endurance challenge ever attempted. During my expedition I rarely had any support vehicles, running mostly with a backpack. In the more desolate areas I pushed my gear, food and water in a cart which I called Nirvana, then I sent her on ahead to run with my backpack once again over altitudes of almost 5,000 metres in the Andes. I stayed in remote villages where many people had never seen a white person before. I literally met the most wonderful people of this world in their own backyard and share many of those amazing experiences in this blog. My run around the world took 4 years. There were no short cuts, I ran every single metre on the road while seeking out the most comprehensive route across 41 countries, 5 continents, I used 50 pair of running shoes and my final footstep of the run was exactly 50,000 kilometres, (almost 31,000 miles) I eventually finished this tongue in cheek named world jog where I started, at the finish line of my city marathon. I started my global run with the Dublin Marathon on October 25th 2010 and finished with the Dublin Marathon on October 27th 2014 at 3 05pm! Thank you for your support, I hope you can share my unique way of seeing the world, the ultimate endurance challenge! Read more...

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