J24 – 1/10/2006

Serge has renamed the Alto Adige Valley “death valley.”  He counted more than 1000 vehicles.  He had a bit of relief the first 14 kilometers, which were on a well cleared foot path.  This enabled him to get a fast start  This famous valley is extremely narrow but still it accommodates a toll road, a highway, a river and a railroad line: all of which just barely fit in the limited space. 

It wasn’t until we reached Bolzano that we saw some of today’s sunshine.  Bolzano marks the beginning of the Dolomites which we will skirt until tomorrow.  The road is very hilly, a real pain, and none of us were at ease watching Serge run toward these speed demons.  The temperature never got above freezing.  We didn’t notice the scenery, which is very industrial and denatured.

Serge’s body is changing, he is getting thinner by the hour.  He has tightened the chest strap of his heart rate monitor twice in three days.  He eats enough but his body is drying up.

René and Pascal followed Serge most of the day.  Eliane and Laure went ahead to reconnoiter the route through Bolzano (not easy for a runner because of a tunnel and an express lane) then on to Trento and the possibility of following a small road tomorrow to avoid the national 47, which is unfit for a runner.

It was a busy day for everyone: no rest until bedtime.
 
At last, sweet dreams in the arms of Morpheus…..