Danube Sea to Source: Day 4 Mad dogs, an Englishman and the midday sun

Stage 4: Braila to Stancutja done. Another big day today. Some of yesterday’s miles moved to today to even it out, a little getting lost and a detour to avoid the dog threats. Meant I ended up logging 37 miles in well over 8 hours. ⁣
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The route was a mix of leaving Braila town in a dual carriageway, some time up on the stunning dam trails like yesterday and then a big long 20 miles or so on some of the straightest, flattest, longest never-ending roads I’ve ever run. With vast mass agriculture of sun flowers and corn in either side. ⁣
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It wasn’t the most inspiring run. And when the temps hit 32 on the later tarmac stretches, it got brutal. But with the support of @jon and a lot of taking to the birds in trees, I made it. ⁣
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Legs are tired, brain is wired/tired, couple blisters and sore bits. But overall I’m in good shape. We go again tomorrow. ⁣
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Highs: the apple pastry I bought at mile 5 to supplement my breakfast from a bakery in Braila. Discovering the power of fizzy water to quench thirst when water stops cutting it.⁣
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Lows: Two dog encounters that ended up being ok but looked very sketchy for a moment. That and the dual carriageway. ⁣
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Today’s stage from Braila to Stancutja in 90 seconds. Had a bit of everything this. Started at the ferry port with a nice view of the Danube before trekking across busy city centre streets, a dual carriageway, big empty A roads and some off-road back along the dam with the Danube alongside - at least the other side of the forest. ⁣
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Switched the route to run more roads after a few dog encounters. And that made for a ling, hot final 10 miles on some of the straightest, flattest roads I’ve ever run. Great for dropping into a rhythm but brutally hot. Temps hit 32 degrees towards the end. I was draining my water bottles at a rate. But discovered the power of fizzy water to quench thirst too. ⁣
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A mixed day where the legs felt strong but I’ve picked up some problematic blisters. One on my heel, one my little toe that I nearly dehooded during the Thames 100 miler. So the syringe came out tonight to drain them. And I’ve repaired the damage as best I can. Not ideal so early on but stuff like this was always going to happen. ⁣
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Tomorrow is a shorter day with 24 miles to Harsova. And some walking is definitely on the cards. #runthedanube #ultrarunning ⁣