I am writing today on my rest day - I have finished the long stage, but it wasn't without drama. I felt okay yesterday when I woke up, but my heels were sore and blistered so I spent an hour bandaging them very carefully before we set out, hoping they would hold out. When we had out morning briefing, it sounded like the first 20k were flat and easy running. As my heels were sore  and it was actually easier to run, I decided I would run as much as I could until checkpoint three to take advantage of the terrain and cooler weather. I took things slowly as my achilles and my heels were hurting. I was fine until just before checkpoint three whe we crossed a river no one had mentioned in the briefing. I spent ten minutes desperately searching up and down for a dry place to cross so I wouldn't have to get my feet wet. I found the narrowest part and took massive run up and fell feet first into it. I hauled myself out and then spent the next ten minutes crying as I ran because I had taken so much care bandaging my feet that morning, only to have to do it all over again. At checkpoint three I had to take twenty minutes to re-do everything, before eating something and setting off across the next section, deemed the hardest. It was like walking on mars - there was rock (it looks like coral) covered in salt. I ploughed on through for two hours when I saw the biggest sand dune I have ever seen. It looked like there were ants crawling up it. After a double take I realised they were people and that was where I was going. As I got closer I could see people on their hands and knees, it was far taller and steeper than the one we did on stage three. I took a deep breath and took my time getting up it. I had to follow other people's steps to avoid falling backwards. At the top it was an easy jog down to checkpoint four, where I watered myself down and set off acorss the next section to checkpoint five. It was the longest section, 14k, and it was the hottest part of the day. After a while I heard someone singing along to Donna Summer behind me, and I turned to find Stuart, a guy I met on stage two. We walked and talked through the section, but it was never ending. I started having a sense if humour failure after two and a half hours and still no checkpoint. Just as I was about to lose it, it came into sight round a corner. I sat and had a hot chocolate and was worried. I felt pretty terrible, I knew my blood sugar was too low, but I only had savoury stuff with me. At that time, like a gift from God, Richard and Fred arrived into the checkpoint in high spirits. Richard took one look at me and gave me a chocolate bar. I couldn't believe it - it was exactly what I needed and I felt so much better afterwards. Just before we left someone asked if anyone had dropped out and they said yes, Vikki had dropped out. I immediately started welling up - it was the wiost knews and I was so worried. For her to have dropped out I kew something was really wrong. We had two sections of 8k and 9k respectively to cover, and were making good time so we pushed on. As we left the last checkpoint we started climbing high into the mountains and the sky changed. We were at the highest point when the wind picked up and before we knew it, we could see a massive thunder and lightning storm approaching. I was panicking, the lightning was a very real threat and we were the highest thing up there. We ramped up the pace and pushed hard through the dark to get back into camp before the storm broke. We arrived into camp and within five minutes all hell broke loose. There was wind and rain hammering down on the camp and lightning all around. I have never seen anything so magnificent and frightening all at once. I went to see Vikki first thing in  the medical tent. She was on a drip and was really hot. I told her I would come back later when she was more awake and then went to sit with Matt as he had his feet taken care of. He had taken his bandages off and I am not kidding when  I say he took a huge chunk off the bottom of his foot, and it was just a big gaping hole. When we got back to the tent all I wanted to do was eat and go to the bathroom, but it was raining so hard I just got into my sleeping bag in my filthy clothes and waited for it to let up. An hour later jeeps started arriving into camp. They called the race off and pulled everyone off the course because of the weather. I was so glad everyone was okay. They all went back out this morning to finish their races, so we are cheering them into camp as they arrive. Vikki is getting better. She got taken to the hospital in Calama as a precaution. She was running a high fever and they think she had a foot infection. Thankfully she is supposed to be doing much better today and might be back with us this evening. We have a short 10k into San Pedro tomorrow and then the adventure is done. Pizza and coke awaits. Thanks to all again for your messages. It's been another emotional and amazing adventure, and I feel so privelaged to be able to do these things.They teach you so much about yourself and about the human spirit. Love, me x

Last night was great in camp - we al stood by the line cheering in the last people and handing them their country flags to run across the lines with. I felt so emotional watching people get in, yesterday really hurt all of us, no matter how fast or slow you are.  When we all woke up this morning there was a real feeling of solidarity amongst us as we huddled at the startline counting down. We had made it this far and today was about pain management and getting back in one piece. I decided to go as quick as my very sore feet would allow me - I have blisters but so does everyone else! I walked/ran the course with Vikki, my tentmate, and Richard, both of whom are six feet tall so I had to work hard to keep up, but it was great having people as my pacemakers. The hardest bit was walking across the salt flats for 14km. They were never ending and the sun was starting to cook us a bit towards the end. To be honest though, after yesterday it felt like a walk in the park, even though it was really tough. We are camping at Los Ojos (The Eyes), named so because of the the two pools of glorious cool water here, which I just swam in. It was amazing to finally wash the dirt off and stretch my legs. I feel so relaxed and clean for the first time in days! I did however cut my feet on the way in, but my left foot is so sore, a few more cuts won't do any harm! Vikki and I have been to the doctors tent to pop all our blisters and disinfect our feet. I will be taking painkillers tomorrow like candy at this rate. Hopefully things will heal up overnight. My gluts and hips seem to have healed up overnight. I woke up this morning and my legs felt really fresh, so I am hoping for the same with feet. Tonight is parmesan night - Scott in my tent has a block of parmesan he is going to be sharing bits of (he better). Yum. Tomorrow is the long day - 73km. I just want to save myself from getting wrecked so I can go straight back to training when I get back so my plan is slow and steady. Plus I have no idea how good/bad my feet will be. We have a rest day after tomorrow before the final day. I want to be in camp for midnight to be able to get a full night's sleep and enjoy waking up in my sleeping bag and not having to get up at 5.30.

Thanks once again for all your messages, they are so lovely and really do lift my spirits. I am so glad I came on this journey, and am so happy to have been able to share it with you. Love to you all x

When we had our talk this morning about the course, the race director said that this was, in his opinion, the hardest day. With that I knew I was in for a treat. We started the day ploughing single file through waist-high grass and boggy ground. I walked pretty slowly – it was futile to try and overtake anyone on that ground. Once the ground gave way to a track I plugged the iPod in and ran the next 20k and felt great. I could actually take in the scenery for a change because the ground was pretty flat. I made it to checkpoint two and that’s really where the fun started. The next 10k was more boggy ground and I stumbled my way through it, stopping to eat and pop on some more sun cream. I was having a serious sense of humour failure when I walked with a great Aussie guy who was having problems with his hamstrings and knee. We made it in to checkpoint three in good condition,  walking the entire way. At checkpoint three they insisted we take additional water because it was a long slog to the finish. I still felt pretty positive as we moved into sand and dunes. I don’t mind that terrain, but after 5k, I was starting to cook in the sun and was feeling totally exhausted. We then ran into another temporary checkpoint they set up to hand out more water. They told us we had another 4k to go and that it was up and down massive sand dunes. It was actually pretty cool – we ran down what can only be described as vertical dunes and had to crawl on our hands and knees up the other sides. After a few I  was seriously running out of energy, when out of nowhere we came across this beautiful green oasis in the middle of nowhere! There was a river running through it and we had to run down into the oasis, through the river and up the other side. Unfortunately for me and Richard, another guy I have made friends with, we missed the flag and ended up way too far downstream. We tried cutting back when I got caught in a bog up to my knees. It was sucking me in and I couldn’t get out. I honestly thought I was in serious trouble when Richard managed to haul me out. We decided it was too dangerous to cut back so had to haul ourselves out of the side of the gully. The first time Richard tried the wall collapsed, but then he took his pack off and the walls held. We then started a very painful process of him hauling himself up onto a ledge, I would hold out bags and pass them up, then he would haul me up. We finally got out and we were tired beyond words. I was so tired I felt dizzy and like I wasn’t really there. We got ourselves together and trudged up another hill when  thankfully the camp came into sight – up another vertical sand dune, and  after a 1km detour because a farmer wouldn’t let the course cross his land. I told Richard if he ran all the way up the sand dune I’d give him a hundred quid and guess what – he did it!!It was hilarious and everyone at the finish line was screaming in encouragement as he did it. Brilliant.

I AM STARVING is the other thing bothering me at the moment. I think about food constantly and ten minutes after eating am starving again. I am in serious calorie deficit, I had to tighten my waist strap a good couple inches this morning. I spent quite a bit of time today thinking of all the places I want to eat at when I get home today. Needless to say the list is pretty long!

I also spoke to the ladie’s race leader today who is amazing. She is so humble about her achievements and she gave me some good advice and perspective. I really hope she continues to run strong because she deserves top spot in my opinion.

Finally, thank you all for my messages, they are so great to get at the end of a brutal day where you push yourself till there’s nothing left! And guys in the office, I was wondering today whether being out there was better than being in the office and it was a pretty close run thing, I’ll pass judgement after I’m done – I still have another two hardcore days ahead!

I woke up this morning and felt like someone gave me a new head and stomach overnight – I felt completely back to my normal self and was so thankful for it! Shame they didn’t replace my sunburned hands at the same time, but I’m sure I’ll survive. If you see me with winter gloves on in the photos tomorrow that’s the reason! Today’s run was just monumentally beautiful. We crossed some rivers which were up to most people’s knees – clearly they were much deeper for little me, and I did almost get swept under on the last one when I stepped in a freakishly deep patch. I got a bath which at this stage is no bad thing! We did a lot of climbing today – it was so hard but the views made every step worth it. We ran along a ridge overlooking a valley and then down the biggest sand dune which was amazing – I charged down head first whooping the whole way down. I walked a lot of the second half with an American guy I met at the airport after I lost my luggage. I was so thankful for his company through the salt flats which sapped all your strength and were never ending. Thankfully his eyesight is better than mine – the little pink flags were hard to  spot and I am in no doubt that were I by myself I would have been found wandering ten miles off course. All my tent mates are in and looking good – one of the Japanese guys belts out a song every morning at the start line which all the other Japanese join in on. I am going to see if I can learn the song and perhaps we could choreograph a dance as well – that would certainly pass the time better than the current game we are playing which is name all fifty US states. We are up to forty eight and stuck and it’s driving us all a bit insane. I am also taking part in a medical study where they weigh us and take our sodium levels each day. I get the results afterwards so it will be interesting to see if yesterday was anything to do with my sodium levels.

Tomorrow is going to be really tough, but I feel positive and am looking forward to getting past the next three days to the rest day. My feet are ok (bar some bruised toes), but my hips and gluts are very sore (Nick, I promise I have been stretching like you told me!).

We are at camp outside an amazing salt lake today – the view is great, and we have a bit of a wind (instead of hurricane winds like yesterday), so conditions are feeling much better.

I want to thank you all for you messages – they have made me laugh and cry, often at the same time. I cannot wait to thank you all in person for your support – it means so so much to me.

I also want to congratulate the toughest lady I know, Sophie Power, for finishing the Thames 100 in a cracking time, despite getting partial hypothermia. They had to pull the plug on the race after loads of people got ill (and one person fell in the Thames!). Sophie – you are amazing and a total inspiration x

Other highlights: The weather is unbelievable. We got into camp last night as a massive storm rolled in and it rained like you wouldn't believe. The volunteers did a great job of trying to waterproof the tents, but not before we had sprung several leaks. A small lake formed outside camp and they were digging a dam to try and stop it from entering camp. It rained on and off all night and then we had the same thing this afternoon. It went from being sunny to crazy wind and black sky out of nowhere. So we're in for another fun night! My tent mates are lovely and I've met some super cool people. My plan is to try to take it easy and enjoy tomorrow.

Thanks to you all for your amazing messages! They mean an enormous amount to me so keep them coming.

x

The old analogy I always use when I give people when they do these races couldn't be truer. Today was probably the worst I have felt in a long time. I started out just trying to get used to the weight and terrain - it was super rocky and I spent the first hour trying not to fall over. Thankfully I had my poles to give me some balance. I then managed to get into a decent stride, when just after checkpoint two I started feeling weird. At first I thought I was hungry so I had something to eat, and shortly afterwards was hit by a wall of nausea. I have seen it happen so many times to other people so was massivley worried. It was getting hot and I was making okay progress, but I decided I needed to take myself into some shade and did a check on my water, electrolytes and body temperature. I drank, topped up my electrolytes and cooled down for about 10-15 minutes then went on. After about ten minutes I started to feel better so pressed on. We ran across the most beautiful flat which was surrounded by mountains. It really lifted my spirits and for a while I felt good. Then we entered a valley which went on forever. The heat was so intense and before long my old friend came back to visit me and I found myself gagging every time I took water and food, I felt so incredibly nauseous. There was no shade so my priority was to get to checkpoint three, where I saw the doctor, who reassured me I was doing all the right thing and that it could be a number of things. It was only three kilometers back to camp so with the help of two lovely guys and Vikki, my tent mate, I walked back. I feel fine now apart from a dull headache which a lot of people have. I have a game plan for tomorrow - I am going to go easy and try to eat more for breakfast and am drinking constantly and taking electrolytes. I hope this will pass.

Other highlights: The weather is unbelievable. We got into camp last night as a massive storm rolled in and it rained like you wouldn't believe. The volunteers did a great job of trying  to waterproof the tents, but not before we had sprung several leaks. A small lake formed outside camp and they were digging a dam to try and stop it from entering camp. It rained on and off all night and then we had the same thing this afternoon. It went from being sunny to crazy wind and black sky out of nowhere. So we're in for another fun night! My tent mates are lovely and I've met some super cool people. My plan is to try to take it easy and enjoy tomorrow.

Thanks to you all for your amazing messages! They mean an enormous amount to me so keep them coming.

x

Whilst frantically tying up loose ends at work, I realised today that I have forgotten that I am about to embark on another amazing adventure! One of the reasons I am so looking forward to the race is the fact that it's an opportunity to leave modern life behind, to be able to ignore my blackberry and phone and to just 'be' for a few days. 

Whilst I haven't done as much preparation as I could (more a factor of signing up late than lack of effort), I feel relatively well prepared. My bag is packed and all I have to do now is get on the plane. I am looking forward to meeting my tent mates and the competitors from London who I met up with a couple weeks ago. 

If Marathon des Sables taught me anything, it was that these sorts of races foster amazing friendships, and I really hope to meet some awsome people and to have another unforgettable journey!

5 days (and counting)....

I wondered if there were any competitors in London who fancied a quick drink so we could swap ideas on kit and get to know one another before we head out in.... gulp.... 3 week's time?