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really making headway. In this vast country, it has seemed as if I've
been running on the spot. Since the kids went home, I've found it
hard to motivate myself, though the people who are showing up have
been great for my heart and mind. I'm finding the 85 kilometres every
day a tall order. I need to recover physically and mentally, but I don't
have that luxury. It's remorseless. I'm hoping the impending change of
scenery will mentally, if not physically, refresh me.
I appreciate that I've done well to run so far, but I, and others,
expect nothing less than for me to complete the run and make lots of
money for the poor.
July 29
We are in Brownsville, and the Mexican border is just 30 minutes' run
away. My plan is to get a good night's sleep here, be up at 5 am tomor-
row and cross the border at 6 am. Meanwhile, the boys in the vans will
be driving to a safe spot 80 kilometres into the new country.
Greg Quail is in Matamoros, just over the border in Mexico, liais-
ing with the police and army to afford me protection as I run. Thanks
to the efforts of Greg and Kim Beazley, I will have an armed escort of
soldiers travelling with me, in eight vehicles. The Mexican govern-
ment is desperate to kickstart tourism, and an international incident
in which an elite Australian athlete and former politician falls foul of
drug lords or bandits is the last thing the country needs. Me either, for
that matter.
