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Taimali to 18km past Taimali and then back to 8km before Taimali.

We say goodbye to the Legend of the Shire, thanking him for all of his help, encouragement and companionship for both runner and motorcyclist. Neil and I set off early from Taimali. To make it back to Taitung Airport in time, Neil is under pressure to run at some speed. At 6km he is in good shape, but already the blazing heat of the day has us cursing- the last three days have been fresh, cool and cloudy. The day Neil most needs this weather, the sun decides to put its hat back on and shines away, seemingly unaware of the difficulties it’s inflicting. Adding to the adversity, a mountain springs from nowhere. There’s “none for mountains” today. Seven kilometres further, on the downward slope, a beach stretches away, white surf breaking lengthily thereupon, and the sweetest village overlooks the shore. Each house appears to be made from brightly coloured iron, palm trees sway and a pretty church peeks above the houses. I have the impression of Toytown, but Noddy and Big Ears are, unfortunately, nowhere in sight.

It’s gone 11.00 when I meet Neil at 18km. The heat is taking it out of him, making it impossible to run more than 500m without stopping to catch his breath (more…)

Golden Beach to Taimali.

From Golden Beach, Kevin spotted Neil for the first part of the day, which was overcast and the roads were flat, providing great running conditions. Neil found a good pace and reveled in how great he felt. I meet with them around half-way. Neil is running in 6km legs and at each break he is talkative and energized. He tells us that yesterday he passed a large family who ate dinner outside, children playing outside the house. On seeing Neil approach, they burst into applause and clapped and encouraged him until he was way off in the distance.

The topic of the day, confounding the madness of these two weeks, has been how to get to Taipei tomorrow night to see DJ Tiesto. Of course, there are two marathons to be run either side of this, and travel times from Taitung to Taipei aren’t short. Kevin suggests we fly there and deciding we deserve a half-way treat, find a flight to Taipei at 18.45 the following day.

Neil finishes atop a steep hill and Neil, Kevin and I share a beer. We learn what sparked Neil’s interest in (or obsession with) running marathons. He tells us about a friend from New Zealand who, some years ago, was partaking in a nine mile run. Inviting Neil along, Neil said, “Yeah, alright”, expecting it a breeze being so active playing (more…)

Changgung to Golden Beach.

Neil has now covered 420km of the east coast of Taiwan. He has completed each marathon before midnight and has not walked a single step of the way. His rules are strict and he sticks by them unfailingly. They also apply to other runners. I remember, back on Day One, he saw Tommy walk just a step or two. Neil made him walk back two feet and run those steps instead. Another thing you should be sure of is that all the money raised is going to the charities. Some people have asked us if we are funding any of the trip with monies raised. This is absolutely not the case. We are paying for everything ourselves, from hotel rooms to Super Supao (Taiwan’s answer to Lucozade, and far better, I’m assured). I should also extend an apology for the intermittent updates of the blog. The east coast is not lined with internet cafes and there are often days when we see minimal signs of technological civilization.

And to Day Eleven. Today was a tough day. Neil had little energy at the beginning due to late finishes preventing us from finding any form of nutritional intake bar 7eleven microwave food. A hunt for bananas proves unsuccessful, despite the banana trees that grow about us. The first 4km prove a challenging start for Neil. He drinks a little and leaves and soon after a despicable incident occurs (more…)

Dafangao to Changgung.

Waking early at the hot springs hotel, our Japanese Tatami room, which can be accurately described as a greenhouse, is ridiculously warm and provides no sound barrier from the elderly women who are gossiping below or the geese and chickens that roam noisily outside. We are all prevented from achieving the lie in we had hoped for. After an interesting conversation with Popeye, the hotel proprieter who tells us there’s no point to football (if everyone’s chasing the same ball, why not just give them a ball each?), we set off back over the mountain. The road in the daylight provides views of the steep mountainsides tumbling to the blue and turquoise river meandering below. On the back of Kevin’s bike I can enjoy the scenery without negotiating hairpin bends and we talk happily about the brilliance of “Top Gear”. I may write to Jeremy Clarkson and suggest he visits Taiwan. (more…)

8km before Jichi Beachj on Highway 11 to Dafangao.

Finally, after nine days on the road, the stars or gods that define the collisions of time and place came together to reveal Jichi Beach where one can swim and stare out to sea, a lone ship passing slowly by. Since Fulong, the coastal scenery has been fantastic, but on the whole it is not viable for swimming as the beaches drop rapidly and deeply into the sea where strong currents can take hold. We are overjoyed to take a dip in the ocean and cool down, crashing pleasantly about by the waves and practicing our American accents. Some of the pastimes we have developed today include Kevin talking in an American accent, one he has almost mastered with my teaching (I do this accent expertly), Neil must provide a mime to accompany the things he says, and I must sing my words instead of speak them. Other things we like to do are suffix words with ‘-age’: “My head’s hot, I need some (more…)