Today was a day I’m glad I survived. Day 29 got underway at 0600 to the east of Indianapolis in Cumberland. Despite a decent sleep in the Walmart car park I felt quite tired.
I just about managed to cross the road amidst busy traffic at 3.5 miles to meet the RV for breakfast. As well as porridge, I had to have a 30 minute tactical snooze. It’s most unusual to feel that tired so early these days.
I got going again and spent the next 6 miles trying to find a way through roadworks. I think John had similar problems in the RV.
I heard from John that he was moving from the next meeting point. The RV had attracted a bit of unwanted attention so he moved a little closer to Indianapolis city centre.
I noticed a lot of sad sights as made my way through more roadworks. Closed businesses, derelict properties, homeless people and many unhealthy looking people.
I met the RV again for more porridge. I didn’t hang about and was soon on my way again.
I made to the city centre of Indianapolis after 10 miles. The sights and sounds were a refreshing change compared to the earlier part of the day.
I ran past the baseball ground which I remembered from 2011.
I got a call from David Fairlamb as I crossed the White River and ran away from the city centre. It was the usual update but it ended with much laughter. I haven’t laughed a great deal recently so it was nice to let it all out.
As I got to the 13 mile point, through yet more roadworks, my heart sank. Where a bridge should have been was just a huge gap. There was no way through. I quickly plotted a detour and back tracked a bit. I think it added 1.5 miles to the route.
The detour took me through a huge cemetery, onto a really poor quality road before crossing route 36.
In fact the end of route 36 was just around the corner. That’s the road that I spent 1000 miles on from Denver back in 2011.
I eventually got back on Highway 40 and met the RV at 16.5 miles for some pasta. Unfortunately, I needed another 30 minute tactical snooze which I could ill afford to have.
The next section was up there with any of the risky running I’ve ever done. Running parallel to the airport, there was no hard shoulder or path for 4.5 miles. I spent a lot of time stepping on and off the road or sometimes just hoping for the best.
A hard shoulder appeared at mile 21 and then a path all the way to the finish line at mile 22.7. This is where my digs are for the night. A motel. So a shower is back on the menu. John is staying in the RV outside so I’m feeling 1% guilty about that.
The RV will be getting some attention in the morning just a little way down the road. It’s make or break time to resolve its issues. Life on the road will be even more difficult if they aren’t resolved.
The next target is to make it to Effingham in 4 days time. That’s 126 miles away. John will leave the tour from there. By that I mean, drive to St. Louis and handover to Alan who will then drive back towards me. Alan is then on the tour all the way to the Rocky Mountains.
TUNE OF THE DAY: Lonely Road - mgk and Jelly Roll
The charity fund smashed the £18,000 barrier today which is great news. Continued thanks to those that have donated to St Benedict's Hospice.
If you would like to donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025
