POTHOLES IN HONDURAS
ANOTHER COUNTRY ANOTHER RAIN STORM!
October 14th I ran from Santa Rosa in El Salvador and crossed into Honduras. Only about 140km to be run here, a long weekend job!
Though Honduras is about the same size as the other central, central American countries I will just be clipping through a small southern spike on my way to Nicaragua, right now my frame of mind is ‘ miles not smiles, ‘ well!
My tourist days are over, it will have to be special for me t make a detour, like the Inca ruins in Peru next spring.
Why do I travel ? Well I like to meet and talk to people in their own territory, I also like the challenge of the endurance, mad I know.
So I dumped my pack in another grubby hotel, of sorts about $10 for a basic room.
I ran on towards Choluteca, easy to remember that name, well not correctly anyway as a I kept calling it chocolate.
Border towns can be a bit dodgy, a bit shady. At the time I guess I was a bit intimidated but looking back the people were lovely, I too would stare at someone running around the world and everyone I meet is a different person. People came out of their houses which to be honest are very basic dwellings.Mostly constructed of whatever scrap building materials they can find, pieces of galvanized roofing nailed together for a roof and walls, or just a wooden framework with sheets of plywood or advertising hoardings covered by large strips of black plastic covering.
As I ran the 20km towards Puente Seise I ran past 5 lads kicking football on the highway. One of them gave me a great pass, I tried a backheel flick, enough said, I’m sticking to the running 
Time to go back to the hotel and yet again a bus driver changes his mind about stopping. I am lucky I stopped outside a shop and even though it’s lashing rain a young man called Hector stands with me for half an hour. His mam brings out two umbrellas. When a bus does come along the driver is visibly surprised when my savior doesn’t board the bus. I wonder was this guy going to stop and when I complain about the other drivers they just give me a knowing smile and don’t collect my fare.
Next day, Saturday I set up base in Choluteca. It’s late morning and decide it’s too late to go back on the road. I haven’t had a rest day in almost three weeks so I decided to take one. The internet cafe is closed and when I enquire at a restaurant next door a friendly man named David tells me I can come over to his bike shop and use his computer. First I settle down to breakfast in the restaurant. Well restaurant may be stretching it as its just a converted garage at the back of someone’s house.
So I spent the rest of the day happily clicking away in Moto Sur. David’s son Fernando tries to unsuccessfully find a program to retrieve mysteriously encrypted data from my USB stick. Somehow Windows Microsoft attacked my Wordpad and now all I got is a series of ‘ Y’s ‘ everywhere. All I want to do is run around the world, but I am supposed to be a techno wizzard too.
DAVES IN HIS MOTOR SUR SHOP.
I often wonder would an illiterate person be taken seriously if they wanted to do a run like this and obviously couldn’t do much of the logistical work. We are cursed in this sport by people trying to make a name for themselves by cheating, exerations, making false claims, so this is a difficult one. I think there is a case for the runners credibility and competitive background to be considered.
I had such a massive Chinese dinner that night, so enormous was it, it would have taken a team of world runners a night to eat a corner out of it! I ate enough for about three of these runners and packed away the rest of my mixed speciality plate into the hotel fridge. Not bad for 10 dollars.
Next night after my 51.5k I sent in the demolition crew in the form of my impatient teeth and a loving smile to finish off what the slacker left behind.
Not before another wait of well over an hour and more help to stop another bus as another gringo shy bus driver whizzed by no doubt his windows and dashboard displayed the usual Jesus loving signs.
Then on the way to Las Hormiga, a trot of some 56km I stopped for a break at an eatery and got talking to Luis a security guard. There was also a policeman there playing with his daughters who were obviously a school going age. I asked Luis why the girls were not in school as they were about ten years old and Honduras does have free education. His answer was shocking, yes education is free but some parents can’t afford the copybooks and pens. But the children of a policeman should surely be able to afford this,I thought.
I also noticed that so few people smoke here and was told it was because of the severe poverty
So bad are the potholes here that children actually get out on the road with shovels and fill them in with loose gravel from the side of the road. Then they ask drivers for money for this. Just like some construction workers I know in Ireland these kids have made a career out of filing in holes. They probably shovel the gravel out again later for the next days ‘work’
FILLING IN THE POTHOLES
There was one hole which was easily a meter deep. It was almost in the middle of the road and had a huge boulder in front and another behind to warn motorists!
My feet have been a bit sore these last couple of days, I don’t know why.
I am just a few kilometers away from the Nicaraguan border now.
October 23rd, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Enjoyed the blog Tony. Take care of those feet and continued success with your run. John
October 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Thanks John. I have had to take a few days off ot being able to dry my feet etc as I wrote in the blog with Athletes Feet, both of them inflamed, and sore due to all the wetings etc as mentioned in blog. Also stupid of me not to wear flip flops in showers as thinking of reducing weight etc.
On the mend, hope to be running Monday or my anniversary on Tuesday. The most important thing is it is not an injury and have used it as a chance to rest up for a mini break. Am staying in an American missionary compound… My luck as ever continues, just when I need help! They are wonderful people and the doctors helped me here. They are called Amigos for Christ and doing wonderful work for the poor and sick people here. They are also feeding me with nice changes like peanut buttrer and jam and not so rare ice cream and lovely food.
Their work here in Nicaragua is so inspiring. I will write about in the blog. Have a nice week, Tony
October 24th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Ha ha! I just got an email from the ex girlfriend, see ‘ the genesis posting ‘ a few days back. She tells me to keep running, didn’t know she was following this!
Tony
Back on the road today ,Monday,it seems the rainy season is over and now back to the heat, always something
October 24th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Hey Tony–let me be the3 first one to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY——hard to believe–well maybe not so hard to believe, a whole year has gone by—lots of miles, lots of new friends, lots of experiences —-I am really happy we got the time together in Arizona—-it was great to connect again on a personal note. I enjoy booting up the blog and seeing where you are and reading how things are going—and keep cheering you on. I wonder how many people I have now told, that I have this crazy Irish friend who is literally running around the world—–believe me–makes food for a great conversation!!
Anyway—-one year down—and a few more to go—–GREAT JOB—–HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY FRIEND!!!!!
GOODS RUNNING—-Greg
October 24th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TONY. 1 year, 13,000kms and 8 countries. We are all so proud of you and your wonderful achievement. CONGRATULATIONS.Take care. Ann
October 24th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
HAPPY 1st. ANNIVERSARY TONY. Well done on this wonderful run, Nearly 13,000kms and all your wonderful blogs. I am so proud of you. Stay safe. Love Mam
October 25th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
hi tony
look out for the potholes,we will have some new ones in ireland.cause we had a severe storm in dublin last night. i would say worse than hurricane charlie.
keep well and iam not forgetting d music adair
October 25th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
tony congrats on your anniversary, great to see you are back on the road after the feet problems. i am constantly amazed and entertained and inspired by your journey. keep safe and dry!!!! kevin
October 25th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Congratulations Tony on your 1 year anniversary running the world! You are doing an amazing job and we are all cheering you on and are so proud of all that you have achieved this year. You are truly inspirational and it really has been a magical year for you living the dream. Even though you have been running a full year, you’re never far from our thoughts and we’re always looking forward to seeing what interesting story you’ll have up on your blog next. Congratulations on one of the greatest Irish athletic achievments of all time. Love Serena x
October 25th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Hi Tony congratulations on the 1st annivarsary of your run. May the 2nd year be as successful as the 1st. Gary
October 26th, 2011 at 12:51 am
Hi Tony;
Big congratulations on the 1 year anniversary. I just emailed an active blogger in Panama a reminder that you are approaching. Hopefully it stirs some interest and support. His blog is ChiriquiChatter.net and he (Don Williams) lives in David, Panama. He’s a wealth of information should you need to ask questions about the area.
Cheers,
Greg Tice from California
October 26th, 2011 at 4:03 am
Thanks Greg! Hopefully they can help and find runners to run with me. Could you please send Don an email for me please?
Thanks to everyone for your great and loyal support! Heres to year two… Everything is possible!
October 27th, 2011 at 12:35 am
Tony;
Don did post my message on his blog. Don almost always responds and it might go further if you contact him directly (www.chiriquichatter.net), but happy to pass along your message as I know internet is difficult. We’re going to be in Panama from the 1st-12th of November, just ahead of your schedule. Otherwise, would definitely share some miles with you.
Cheers,
Greg