I guess my level of stress and anxiety have never been that high.

I JUST CAN'T WAIT to be in San Pedro.

Last night when I realized my pack weighs 21lbs I was NOT happy. I gain 4 pounds from nowhere!

My goal was 7kgs / 15lbs and now my goal is set to be at or under 9kg / 19.8.

Another problem I have is that I have too much food/calories: 21,896 calories! I need to shave some during the run food. I always struggle to eat during races anyway.

I have done a way better job in selecting the gear. I went the almost minimalist route except for sleeping. For now, I still have the inflatable pillow but this one might make the short list. Same for the iPod shuffle. I never listen to music anyway during my runs! One thing that does not fit in or on the bag are the flip flops. Am sure I will miss them but hey I will leave without!

The titanium cup might be left over as well. I hate to have stuff hanging on the outside of the bag. I think I will reuse an old packaging.

I won

It's called FREEDOM.

I was in the French alps this past July. I did lots of vert. and had a blast running the mountains. There is no other feeling than the one of being free.

It

The hill was too steep!

May 20th 2017. Reality check: I am a slow runner and I overestimate my legs. 48 miles is as far as I was able to go today. Not running anymore, I stopped 12 miles before the finish line. I was going too slow to make the 16-hour cut off time.

What a day. Beautiful trails. Great company and organization.

So, what happened?

Background: I trained all winter doing regular uphills and back to backs. First race was Badger 50k in March. And first time experiencing hip flexors issues. I finished super strong but was a bit concerned. April 28th, second race: Slat Flats (UT) 50 miles. Pretty flat terrain. Hips started to hurt at mile 22. Could barely run towards the end. Finished that one in 10h15min.

Since the last race, I have been stretching the hip flexors and started some strength work on the legs. Definitely something I should be doing more. And will continue to do.

I knew Sun Mountain 100k will be a very challenging one. With aid station cut offs pretty aggressive for me. To be comfortable I thought I had to run under 7 hours the first loop (31 miles). Which I did. And that

Last week I ran 27 miles with a 22lbs backpack. Earlier this year I completed my second 50 miler and third 50k a month apart. Am feeling strong but tired. I am thankful to have good genetics and great family support. After all, I now run more than 10 hours a week.

Two years ago, I was not a runner. I was not exercising either. I was not overweight and my overall shape was ok though.

I was 49 and as my kids were growing up, I could not keep up with their activities. Doing a hike was a great physical effort. Playing soccer with the boys was only possible for a few moments. I was frustrated.
That's when back in January 2015 I started to workout every day. After a few months, I was bored and went outside. Bought my first pair of running shoes and hit the asphalt. 3.5 miles was a good run. 6 miles was kinda like "am I dying?"

I registered to my first half marathon (9/2015). I had 3 months to get ready. As I like to test the waters, I ran 13.1 miles three weeks before the race. Took me 10 days to walk normally again. Race day has arrived and finished in 1h51. Not crazy fast but super happy to have done it sub 2h.

A month later in Spokane, WA I did a Marathon relay with my older son. Piece of cake I thought. Only if I would have stopped mid-way after giving the relay to my son. Because I did not stop. And that's how I did my first (and only) unofficial full Marathon in 4h40min. The last 10 miles were horrible. Cramping, walking, "running". Good lesson though.

A month later I was doing my first trail half Marathon with 2,200 feet of vert. Was painful but finished.
I have been running the trail ever since.

The pain and suffering is now part of the experience and is synonymous of a good run. After this first half on trail I said why not do an ultra.

And so, I did. In April 25th 2016 I was doing my first 50k. Back then I was running about 30 miles a week on trails.
That's when I listened to Marathon Training Academy podcast about Atacama Crossing. I was fascinated by the adventure.

When I was a teen I wanted to do auto Rallye race in Africa. So, doing a self-supported stage race across a desert was pretty similar, right?

To better trained I signed up for my first 50 miler in July 2016: White River 50 miles and 10,000 feet of elevation gain!
But before that, let's climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Which I did in June 2016.

The 50 Miler was hard and painful and I had a blast. I finished in 13h15min. Again, pretty slow but I finished the damn thing. The drive back home was another adventure and I was glad my wife was behind the wheel.