I am sitting in the media tent at Camp 4. Lucandandor still keeping one eye on us. This time she looks across the expanse of a vast salt lake. The Andes fills as far as the eye can see.

The hilarious thing is that we are purging salt at such a rate when running in the heat that electrolytes or salt tablets are necessary. However, could have saved myself $10 and sucked my shirt or licked the floor J So concentrated is the salt it looks like dense snowfall in all the vast rolling fields. The track was more level today and in some places monotonous. Sucked it up and hankered down for a long slog across the well named infamous salt flats.

After a shocker of a day yesterday I felt back in the driving seat today. A good night sleep and purging the nausea that had interfered with progress yesterday the day rolled on. REALLY HOT, but was more in control. A lot of shuffling across the salt flats, bit of semi paced running along the jeep track at the end.

I have learnt so much from hanging out with some extraordinarily talented runners this past week. The main thing is and, I know it sounds obvious, but how critical keeping pack weight down is in terms of performing on the day. Now don’t get me wrong, the top 20 will win or lose the race if they get it wrong. From my perspective, I can win a position or two and also come in stronger. Unfortunately Qantas had more of a play in my bag mass than I would have like – my check in luggage from the direct flight to Santiago never made it in time. This small issue has added about 20% to my mandatory equipment since have kindly been leant heavier sleeping bags and other gear. That said, of couse thanks to the very generous folks here better to be running than not..

This afternoon in the shade of the 40oC heat, Kyle one of my tent mates and a real solid runner said to me, for tomorrow’s stage get rid of EVERYTHING you don’t need. Go super light … so you know what I will be up to for the remais of the afternoon J

Tommorrow is the start of the Long March. 75kms across some of the best and most challenging course that Atacama has to offer. I am a little reflective since we are already over the hump of the race distance and the end is already in sight… I will enjoy every remaining moment as I have already simply adored everything about being here with these splendid people in Atacama. Tomorrow, I cant wait, really cant wait!

A really massive thank you for all your emails and blog posts. I cannot tell you how wonderful and such a source of massive support this is to read notes from you all on this little laptop in the middle of the dessert.

Until tomorrow…or the following day…

Jx

WOW! What a day. We were promised the most challenging one day race of the event today. The camp is in general agreement that it was the endurance stage of the highest order. I planned to hold back a lot today in light of the challenge promised. We ran sand, UP dunes, down dunes, across kms of ‘crud’ sand, soil caked with salt which prevented even the best talent on the course from making pace. Then after our 43oC adventure the day ended spectacularly. After a climb up rock and sand of some two hours you could actually see the camp from the top of the climb. 5km as the crow flies apparently the dude said at the final checkpoint to home…… Well in that time we dropped down dune and canyons, climbing the other side not once but five times! At the highest point of each of the five climbs the camp site appeared within easy reach…Wrong!!Sick but clever… Completely spent and in deficit, I earned my freeze dried spag boll!

Thanks so much for all the messages in blog and email. Lee Nathan I think I feel a team event coming on next year….only joking Paula… Mike, careful of the sharks mate. Ali, sand is in the post ;) Look forward to seeing you all soon!

I survived, just. Unbelievably tough. People dropping like flies in the pecking order. Tune in again tomorrow for more craziness.