Day 23: Over Hill and Dail

It started out with rain and clouds, humidity and coolness. By afternoon, the clouds disappeared, the temps normalized at 85 to 86ºF. For a summer in Queens, NY, this is almost optimal running weather.  Ashprihanal Aalto took advantage of the gift and cranked 70.24 miles out of his strong, supple legs. He is happy to be pain free from top to bottom, and later today, Tuesday, he will reach halfway and beyond. The last six days have shown a solidifying of his position and adaptation to the high mileage. It is a joy to watch. Meanwhile, the normal excellent runners continued on with their journey and its revelations. Nirbhasa the machine has set a high bar for himself, and he is reaching for his maximum best effort. No bad days on his scorecard. He is five laps ahead of his pace from 2017. Meanwhile, Harita Davies has fashioned a cushion of 22 miles, having passed 60 miles for 18 straight days of effort. She has climbed to within 25 miles of fifth place, and is only getting better. First timer Todor Dimitrov has kept the demons at bay and is riding the effort wave. He is adjusting to the lack of extended sleep and general fatigue well, whilst fashioning a small cushion of four and a half miles.  ‘El Capitan’ is representing Varna, Sofia and Bulgaria well. Stay tuned, as today two men will pass halfway.

Ashprihanal Aalto- 1500 miles- 22:08:38:58