Day 4 and 160km done - 50 of which completed in bright pink crocs. Running shoes are over rated. Shuffling around in crocs is almost like having a mini trampoline on your feet. Squishy, spongey and just in general awesome. I dread teh stages where I can't wear them now. The salt flats would have done a number on them. They are starting to fall apart... and their funeral is going to be a sad moment. They jsut need to survive another 90km since my desert days are over after this one.
 
So far, the race has gone as predicted.... blisters, blisters and more blisters. But to add novlety to the standard, this time, day 1 brought a nice blood blister. What I did not plan for was the never-ending sand of the Atacama desert. I thought I left that behind in the Sahara! Certainly not. I think my shoes are collecting more sand on this race. What is worse is that the sand is left out on the course for us to suffer through and not at the campsites that would help with a decent nights sleep.
 
Sleep... always a bonus. My -15* sleeping bag seems to be doing the trick. My tent mates aren't my biggest fan when it comes to sleeping bags. I've been waking up baking hot, unzipping my sleeping bag, wearing shorts and t-shirt, no gloves, socks, hats, whilst everyone else's teeth are chattering at the cold! But, I am having to lug around a 1.8kg sleeping bag around for 250km... so it is a trade off. But I think I made the right call. It is not as if I am out here to do well... just getting to the end is a big enough achievement for me. Hopefully I'll get there one last time. That will be 750km in the last 9 months. SLightly ridiculous since last June in the Gobi was meant to be my first and last!
 
I still hold that training is not a huge player in getting to the end of the race. I think I'll go with the 80% mental, 10% physical and 10% luck ratio. Training is fundamental if you want to perform I guess, but just getting to the end like I want to do, it is so far from being key. My training was non-existent and the only think I am noticing is that my legs are a little more tired and achey at the end of the day. I better not speak to soon though, the biggie is tomorrow! I'm taking it like the Sahara.... slow. I'll stop and rest as  many times as the cut off allows.
 
 But the cut offs for this race are harsh! I've never actaully beenin really concerned about cut-off times out there, but this time I am constantly looking at my watch and working out if I will make it or not. There is no way I could stop like I did in the Sahara and make it in on time. That said, this is a very strong, fast and competitive field. The back of the pack here, who are chasing cut-offs would be strolling through care-free at the Gobi or the Sahara... at least from the Gobi and Sahara that I did last year. One of the volunteers agreed though, comparing this field to last year's Atacama.
 
Thanks everyone for the messages and encouragement. They help get me through the day! I have been useless at blogging on this race (no surprise there), but the days are LONG! By the time I get back and get my act together I can never squeeze blogging time in. But tomorrow is the long stage, so thought it was about time to give an update before it is all over (hopefully)!
 
I'll be checking in again in about 36hrs if all goes to plan. Anything can happen, but I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed, hoping my feet will hold out just a little longer as they are suffering big time!
 
xx

I decided to get on board this whole training palaver

I think I was 16 when I first volunteered on the Atacama and when I said that IF I ever did one of these ridiculous races, it was going to be the Atacama and ONLY the Atacama... 6 years later I somehow found myself on the competitor list for 2 other races in 2010 - the Gobi and Sahara... not exactly what I had planned! So, I'm back again for more torture and 'fun'. People say you are meant to get better at these after the first one. Not me. I have only myself to blame... virtually no training and a few too many margaritas... it looks like this downward spiral is set to continue for Atacama 2011!! No longer a student, now at a desk job, great New Zealand wine... not exactly conducive to good training. GEAR Since I only just decided to do the Atacama, moving to New Zealand with not much more than suits in tow and basically living out of a suitcase, my race kit is scattered all over the world. It might take a while to re-stock, but no matter what, there are a few things I cannot do without... 1) Crocs... bright pink ones 2) i-pods x4... plan on being out on the course a long while 3) Camera + batteries ... i'm going to be in no hurry 4) Pj's ... best decision ever 5) Garmin FR60... if it can be located BLISTERS The one and ONLY aspect of desert racing that I think I can call myself a pro. There are more pictures of my feet than there are of me at each race; when the medical tent is bust people seem to flock in my direction with questions about how to fix feet; some blisters were referred to based on the 'emma scale'... thanks Diego; but with some antibiotics and good drugs I finished the races sporting my stylish pink crocs. Good times. TRAINING n/a 2011 A new year, another race, unprepared as ever.... some things never change!