Done!  I am done and have accomplished my goal of the last 12 months which was to complete the race.  The last day started off at 9.30am and I made my way to the finish line in my pink crocs as I just couldnt fathom the idea of squeezing my poor blistered feet into my shoes.  As I rounded the corner and saw the finish line I couldnt help but run the last block or so across the line, yelling with joy.  No tears this time, just a medal put around my neck by Teresa and a big hug from her.  Hugs all around from everyone and then to the serious business at hand:  Pizza and ice cold coke.  No water from plastic bottles for this girl.  

I headed back to the hotel after awhile and took a 45 minute shower, slowly peeling the bandages off my feet and finally able to asess the damage inflicted on them.  I must say the bed felt heavenly after the lovely hot shower and clean clothes and clean hair.  Aaaaaahhhhhhhh

Damages to body:
Lower back rubbed raw from pack - must look into that
Hands - boy do I need a mani/pedi
Feet - my poor, poor feet:  
- both pinky toes are a mess and hurt just to look at them
- blister at base of toes on left foot
- blister covering heel of right foot
- Left big toenail is a goner along with right big toenail
- heel blister as well

I would spring for a mani/pedi but what could they do at this point - NOTHING! :)

I couldn´t have done this without my family, my friends, my sister Teresa who slept at the finish line after the Long March so she could be there when I came in after 24 hours on the trail.  Diego was constantly by my side encouraging me on and not letting me get down on myself - all the time he was in constant pain with his knee and ankle - how fortunate I am that he is my friend.

I am very lucky in my life.

DONE!  I am done except for for the “trip” into town tomorrow morning.  Let’s see, a brief recap (HA!!!!!!)
 
Diego and I were the last ones over the start line yesterday- both of us still buckling ourselves into our packs.  Walking across the lake was incredibly beautiful and smooth – lulling me into a false sense security and RTP bliss.  Right at the edge there were hillocks of crusty salt, the kind that held onto your pole and caused you to teeter, arms flailing as you try to keep forward momentum.  We got through this and were on a “trail” that alternated between hard, brown crusty stuff and clumps of grass and who knows what else.  It took us 4 hours to get to checkpo int 1. So onwards we went.  Diego was in incredible amount of pain with his knee and ankle and I’m hobbling along like my feet were just recently bound.  I am sure we were quite a vision.
 
We made it to CP2,rested and continued on to CP3 where I saw Teresa and had my toenails drilled for the second time.  Teresa got pictures of the ducks lined up on my torso and then kept on talking while the doc was busy twirling away (seriously, it doesn’t hurt).  Then onwards to CP4 which involved going up a HUGE sand dune and down the other side to CP4.  Diego’s and my strategy was to rest at least 30 mins at each checkpoint and then at CP5 to get hot food. We decided not to sleep but to hang around with our feet up for an hour or so and then continue on our way.  We figured that with only20km or so left to go we would try to get back to Camp by 6-7am.  We left CP5 around 2.30am but it took forever for me to get any pace more than “ooh,ouch, urf, &*%(“ as my feet are completely ruined.  I made it to Camp by 8.30am which was fine with me.
The last leg was spectacular.  Started out pitchblack and by the time we reached the sand dune above (more or less)the sun was starting to rise. Down and around and around and down some more we ended up on pavement and about 30 minutes later I heard the drums,rounded the corner and ran/staggered/lurched/flailed my way in grand fashion to the finish line with Teresa waiting for me with open arms.  It then took me about 1 hour to get to the tent (okay slight exaggeration but it  felt that long).
 
It is an amazing feeling.  I know I did not win or place high but the fact that I did it is just the most amazing feeling right now.  Of course now it takes me forever t get anywhere in camp along with everyone else.  Its pretty comical.
 
Some observations:
 
1.        The salt flats aren’t that bad just long and tedious and when one is a walker, going through them at heat of the day sucks
2.       The desert is beautiful. So many shades of red,gold, brown
3.       The night sky is amazing. Truly amazing.  When I would turn off my headlamp it is so overwhelming and when you have been on your feet forever and a day you don’t have anything to intrude on the wonder and amazement of stars reaching from horizon to horizon with the milky way stretching across it
4.       No, I won’t do this race again. One and a half times is more than enough for this girl. However the woman who was pulled at salt flats was waiting for me this morning when I crossed the finish line to talk to me about what I did differently this year to allow me to finish. Go figure that one out!
 
I have not had any of the parma ham by the way.  Diego came in about 20mins after me and is in a lot of pain so am not nagging him at this point.
 
Teresa, Diego and I are laughing because it appears that we have been quoted quite a bit.  I cant wait to read all the breaking comments for a good laugh.
 
Damages thus far:
Same as I blogged the other day with the exception that toenails were redrilled, blisters the size of hazelnuts still mean your shoes will go on (albeit gingerly with much groaning and some unladylike words) and you can continue.  You are NOT allowed to take a lot of Tylenol as its not good for one’s live therefor I am drinking a lot of water to flush the body of the amount of Tylenol I have taken.   The pain in my toes is actually the sensation of feeling returning to my feet according to the docs. I have been advised to soak my feet and let the bandages fall off on their own (unless there is infection of course).  I will be wearing
Coordinating flip flops with toe socks for a few weeks it appears. 
My right toe nail is loose and, yes, I will lose pretty much all ofmy toenails.  Ah, but I GET A MEDAL!  Woo hoo.
 
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful messages – they are so funny, inspiring, kind and encouraging.  I have made sure that I will get a copy of them to keep.
 
Peter:  I stayed hydrated and ate my food.  Well most of it, some of the bars were just disgusting by yesterday evening.
Mette:  My feet arent’ going anywhere near a reformer bar for at least 2weeks!
Linda, Lucy RB, Maya/Billy - THANKS
Tina:  My nickname is “Kenya” now.
Peter:  I will send you an separate email
Daddy:  Really I am fine, just don’t look at my feet
Maman:  Teresa pinched me while the doc was drilling my toenail, I jumped, he almost dropped the needle –she needs to be gounded……..
To Everyone:  THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I will send an email to Peter and then spend 20 minutes getting to my tent – thank heavens I brought along one of my poles

I RULE THE SALT FLATS.  It was a brutal day to say the least.  Not to be the last one in (as if itmatters at this point) so Diego and I got by 2 and ran in the last few meters or so to ensure we were notat the bottom.
 
Will write more tomorrow after long march.
 
Damage so far:
2 drilled toenails
blisters on both heels
blister on 2nd toe on right foot
blister at base of 2nd/3rd toes on left foot
Heels taped.
bandages galore and I don't want to even look
 
Why am I walking/running?  I have  no clue.  I put one foot in front of the other and concentrate on the road I suppose.  I know that I would not have anything different (well except for blisters).
 
I need to go. I need a long cry, blow my nose and eat some dinner.  Tomorrow is going to be long.
 
Thanks for the messages and emails.

Yikes.  I did it and it wouldnt have been possible without Diego, Anne, Catherine and the volunteers.  It was a hard day but with the help of some vicodin and the use of Diego;s ipod for about an hour I got through it.  Bonus is that I didnt get lost, saw the camp during daylight, blisters dont seem to be any worse and I can walk.  Dinner is steaming away next to  me so I will go sooon.  Plus they are going to shut down cyber tent in a few minutes.  I took about 30 mins with feet up when I first returned so that cuts into time.
 
The sunset is so beautiful, snow capped Andes and the sun casting a rosy glow on the snow.  The stars are starting to come out and it is beautiful.  Except for the wind.  That is blowing and always when I want to eat!  Its great on the course, not so goodwhen you are tiptoeing around on tender feet.
 
Tomorrow is my Waterloo, i.e. salt flats where I was pulled.  I will get through and get through in fine fashion, more or less.  As long as I can walk I am set for the Long March.
 
Thanks for the emails and blog posts. 
 
Eric:  I miss you very much and thought about you all day.  Diego and his fiancee are planning to visit so they can meet you.
 
Max:  You are always on my mind and I think your ears must be burning as I was bragging about you all day.
 
Peter:  I am staying hydrated.  Forgot dessert last night so will eat it tonight or tomorrow morning.  I love you and miss you.  I think I have popped a few toenails but they are under tape and the doctors see no point in removing the tape as nothing seems to be infected.  Sigh.  So much for toe modeling.
 
Fred:  Thanks for the long distance rah rah
 
Lois:  Thank everyone for the rooting, that must have been them lifting my pack for a while.
 
Daddy:  We arefine.  Teresa is hard at work, no pointy stick yet.
 
Maman:  I am good but tired as one can expect.
 
To Everyone else:  THANKS.
 
Now off I go eat dinner.

Ugh, blisters onn my heels. Ughll  At least this time a couple of good things  The sand dune was AMAZING since my feet weren't buried in blisters.  Made the cutoff with time to spare and then the "fun" started but I did make it to camp in daylight and it  is so  beautiful. I managed to lose my camera this morning so am hoping that someone realizes they picked mine up in error.
 
I am going to make this short as its freezing and 8.10pm.  I'll write more tomorrow.
 
Jo:  YAY for you first in woman's.
 
Ian and Rod:  Not cool telling me about delicious food whilst I am here.
 
Tina:  See, I did wear the headband.
 
Eric:  Mommy loves you
 
Max:  You and Aunt Teresa would have a blast right now
 
Peter:  So much love
 
Thanks to everyone for all of the messages - email and blog.  I can't wait to see the pictures of the shirt and headband.
 
Tomorrow promises to be long, will do my best to get into camp in plenty of time.  Hopefully blister sitch stabilizes.

Thanks everyone for the messages and emails.  They really do mean a lot.  Today started out with me in a panic.  Everything appeared to have expanded overnight and I was absolutely freaking out because my pack looked like a giant red zit on the verge of exploding.  Needless to say it all ended up fitting although it still looked like it was on the verge of exploding. Made pretty good time all the way through CP2 and then there was the infamous Canyon From Hell that I had to make my way up - sans cursing this time.  Teresa was waiting at CP3 so I received a big hug, water spray and sent on my way.  One of the crew at CP3 was feeling a little dodgy so the 4 of us pretty much left as a group and made our way home.  Of course it was those last few miles that the blisters turned up on my pinky toes BUT nothing like last year.
 
Everyone thinks my shirt is pretty funny and Tina - a shout out to you for the headband, the photographer took a shot of me wearing it last night.  Hopefully its a decent shot and he can send it to me separately.  My friend Diego is calling me "Kenya" now.
 
I laid down in my tent with feet propped up and feel much better.  As a side note I was able to run in to CP2 which amazed me and a few others who watched me stagger last year.
 
Tomorrow is through slot canyon, up  the hill, through the tunnel, to top of ridge, down the sand dune and then miles of flat to camp. 
 
I will sign off.  I have some blisters to tend to, dinner to pour boiling water on, dessert to eat (thanks honey) and then done.
 
Eric:  Thank you for the heart.  I laid down in my tent after I crossed the finish line today and held onto it while I napped.
 
Max:  As I said last year you would love it here.
 
Peter:  I miss you and love you
 
Bonnie:  Yeah "Im a sissy."  Thanks for the toast, it is much appreciated.
 
Tina:  Sorry race is all sold out.  How about Santa Monica 5k/10k with Eric.  I told him I would do the 5k with him.
 
Thanks again everyone.
 
Off to blister duty.  There are still a few people out which means Teresa cant come back to camp until they clear CP3.

First of all I must tell everyone who reads this blog that I have the most amazing, incredible  husband ever.  As I was packing - for the umpteenth time - my pack I keep his menu with calorie count close at hand.  For those who don´t know, Peter went through all of my food and sorted it out by day according to the mileage and how well he knows what I will need to suceed.  Everything is numbered for each day and is bagged accordingly, no guessing on my part except for some sundry snacks and the oreo like cookies I bought today.

In the same bag I have the heart that Eric gave me to take with me and I have pictures of Max on my camera.  I am set now for the home support.  Teresa went off to the volunteer hotel last night and I saw her briefly today.  I wont see her again until tomorrow for kit check.  We aren´t on the same bus either.  So I have family here, family and friends at home - life is good.

I met my roommate  Wanda- who arrived tonight after 34 hours flying.  She is competing after breaking her back paragliding 2 yrs ago.  Makes my various aches- pains appear paltry to say the least.  Its been lovely catching up with Diego and fnally getting to meet people I had only talked to via FB. 

I am off to bed for some sleep.  Tomorrow promises to be long-boring while waitng for kit check, briefing lecture, etc.   I need my sleep as I anticipate unpacking the pack yet again before kit check and of course having to pack it after they look at everything to confirm I have everything.  We are supposed to be on buses around 3pm for 1.5 hour drive to start line.  Sunday the fun starts.

Thanks again for the posts, they always mean everything to me and I know how much I will be looking forward to reading them in the coming days.

Eric:  Listen to your papa and remember that I love you very much.  I will have Aunt Teresa take a picture of me with the heart tomorrow.  Ask papa for some dog biscuits to feed Shadow.

Max:  thanks for just you

Peter:  You know.  xo so very much.  Say hi to everyone at game nght.  Dont forgt to get booster seat for Eric at Pantages for Beauty and the Beast.  Miss you terribly. 

Arrived safe and sound with Teresa in tow. Met up with Lucy and Emma in Santiago, introduced ourselves to Team HSX and scads of other competitors. Arrived here only to find that it's been raining! Seriously now. I have been looking forward to no rain, lots of warm and here I am confronted with prospect of rain in the area that has had no measurable rainfall in 200 years. ack. Had lovely dinner and met up with Alina and more - I know you will find this hard to believe - competitors. ah well. This morning am sorting through kit (without disturbing the menu a la Peter Johannsen) and starting to compress, discard Etc. By Friday night I expect there will be a mountain of stuff in the stay behind pile. Post more later. Adios!

Counting down, going through my work stuff and in the back of mind am consumed with minutiae such as "will M&M's live up to their promise of melt in the mouth, not in the hands" cuz I'm thinking the AC will give that promise a run for its money.

My pack has been slightly modified, will try it out this weekend on the trail.  I might have one more modification to make but will know by Sunday.  My pack feels lighter than last year (thank heavens because 10.6k is more than I can stand this year). 

My sister is packing the drink umbrella's so there will be something festive to jazz up those lovely warm water drinks we will be having at camp.

This weekend will be last week of "Big Miles" as my long suffering and very patient husband has advised.  There is also supposed to be something like 6 inches of rain too but I suppose it will give my muscles "misery memory" if that indeed turns out to be the case.

I feel like the kid who keeps asking "Are we there yet?" because really I am ready to go.  And, as I look out my office window, i see the rain clouds gathering, the wind has picked up and tomorrow should be an interesting day.  Sigh........  No clouds in the Atacama though.

So my husband is ecstatic.  Ever since he stopped coaching volleyball at his old HS he's been jonesing for some coaching work.  I being the kind considerate wife that I am have allowed him to take control of final prep for AC.  Last night was brutal as follows:

I was instructed to do windsprints - 1 mile total of them, in the park, no lights and ready, set go!  Oh yes, I was a gazelle fleeing the lions nipping at my heels........ oh wait that was Eric my 5 year old running along behind me, chanting "I'm going to beat Mommy, I'm going to beat Mommy."   Clearly I am not running fast enough!  So I pick it up, get to the other side, catch my breath, take off again with my shadow trotting along, laughing and zig zagging back forth across the field.  Seriously - this is so wrong.  So I did my mile of which the shadow did at least 1/2 to 2/3 of the of the total, then it was lunges.  Got through that and then had to broad jump/leap my way back and guess who was behind me - yup you got it, Eric.  Laughing as hard as his little body would allow, telling me how easy/fun this is, while keeping close to my heels.  Ah yes, then back to windsprints.  I am now a wounded, gasping wildebeest (with my shadow along) praying that I won't trip because then the 5 year old will beat me and I won't hear the end of it.  And then mini windsprints which Eric participated in as well.  Then lunges, etc.  Eric is now bored and is climbing up/over the fence in front of the bleachers because its fun, jumping from step to another on the bleachers (also fun), trying to shimmy up the light pole (way funner than running Mommy) and I am dying, gasping.  Then we were done.  We then got to chase the soccer ball back to the car too and go home.  Did I mention that between all of this stuff he was also kicking the soccer ball around?

I stretched, Eric ate and ate some more and then mid-bite on the apple was asleep.  This morning it was scootering to school with me running behind trying to keep up.

Between the two of them I should be quite ready for AC2011 otherwise I'm sending Eric in my place.  I have tonight off due to a business dinner.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds for me. 

Six weeks to go - dum di dum dum dum di dum dum dummmmmmmmmmmmm........

We've had a fair amount of rain here in So. California and what better time to go trail running.  My husband pointed out that I was going to be miserable in the heat so might as well get used to being miserable by running in the rain and on muddy trails.  Its that German logic of his - its inescapable.

I ride my bike to work more frequently and periodically head to the beach on my lunch hour and trot across the sand with pack on back.  I did a 13 mile trail race this past Sunday which was quite beautiful but there was a horrific 4 mile slog starting at 200 feet and ending at 1800 feet - uphill albeit through a lovely green tunnel of trees, chaparral and uphill, alot of uphill.  Reminded me of the canyon on Day 1 between Checkpoint 2 and 3 except that it was colder, greener and no sun beating down on my head.

I guess, in retrospect, my training seems rather haphazard.  I ride my bike, I run a little bit, run alot more on the weekends, Pilates every week, gym for treamill or ellipitical and weights.  Just trying to fit it all in around my little one's weekend activities, being with my family and work.  Its all about balance I guess

My latest mantra as I slog uphill is a spin on Dory from Finding Nemo.  Instead of saying "keep on swimming, just keep on swimming" its become "just keep climbing, just keep moving."  I figure as long as I don't sing it aloud all is good.

Until next time...............

So, received my first ultra marathon medal - 50km in the California Desert.  I surprised myself by being able to pretty much accurately predict when I would arrive at a checkpoint.  I am so pathetic about things like that that I was constantly amazing myself through 9 checkpoints.  Probably took my mind off the fact that I was trotting along for 31 miles!   I think I have convinced a girl friend of mine that she needs to do either a 30km or a 50km with me in January (maybe Maya from Atacama as well).  It should only be around freezing in the Barstow, CA area that time of year.

I have convinced one of my sisters (I have 5 of them not to mention 2 brothers) to volunteer.  She bought into me telling her that it will be fun.  Fortunately she and I travel well together and she doesn't mind camping.  I hope she forgives me when all is said and done.  I saw the training schedule for the volunteers - not easy for them.  I am excited about having her along, if for nothing else waiting for her tell me that our mother can move faster than me at any particular moment.

I must admit I am very excited about returning to AC.  I can't wait to see Diego and meet his lovely fiancee Marie (who has tolerated him on his quest to complete all of the RTP events).

Keeping my fingers crossed that my ITB stays on its best behavior as I just started getting serious about keeping the pack on my back (its up to 25lbs right now).  No running though but alot of walking around.  Its a very smart look with my business attire!  See y'all!

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I managed to get in some running which is good along with various bits/pieces of exercising.  I have signed myself up for a 31 mile run on Sunday, December 5th so all this running is good.  In the desert, in the cold, with chance of snow.  Seriously wonder about my state of mind at times.  I only hope that I can finish ahead of the 74 year old and the 71 year old couple - at least by a couple of steps.

Time seems to be marching quickly to AC2011.  I need to order new pack, backup headlamp, sleeping bag, food, new shoes and the list is growing, growing, growing.  Once again REI is going to fall down into the worship position when I next enter the store and my husband will collapse when he sees the bill.

Until next time!

Where on earth is 2010 disappearing to?  I realize that we are only 5 months from AC2011 and at the rate this year is going by I should be hopping on a plane to Santiago/Calama in about 3 weeks.

I have convinced one of my sisters to be a volunteer and she has been accepted.  I only need to make sure she has a flight down/back and we are good to go.  We are scheduling ourselves to arrive March 1st and come back March 15th.  Hopefully no earthquakes this time and we have a chance to get a day or two in Santiago before flying back home to reality.

Training is moving along - I seem to have managed to figure out a stride (now I have jinxed myself) and hopefully that silly IT Band issue stays away.  I have signed up for a 10k, half marathon and a 50k between now and the end of the year in an effort to keep me on track training wise.  Then into 2011 to meet up with Jo (who won women's AC2010) and Ian for the Mardi Gras marathon/half marathon in New Orleans then off to AC2011.

My life = family, insurance and running.  Well at least I have it in the right order........

Am back to training for the AC2011 and I find myself retracing the route from this year.  Well at least up to the point when I was done.  Lots of things to think about - really what will I do differently to ensure that I complete this time around. Lots to ponder and the Backbone Trail will give me lots of pondering time.