There are no words to explain yesterday, I hardly know where to start. Yesterday was undoubtably the toughest day of my sporting life EVER!!! Whew! Tough Tough Tough! It really did feel like doing an IronMan after several marathons. There were times were I was sure my legs would pop out of my hip joints, just like a toy doll. Blisters were/are diabolical, feet on fire but you cant stop to think about that for a minute. It was our day for truly experiencing the isolation and desolation, and intensity of the desert. And the Valley of the Moon - I totally forgot about it!!! How could I forget about that???! In saying all of this it was also one of most incredible days of my life...
 
We set off yesterday morning, across the salt pans (again???!!), which looked and felt like a snow lake. I think I might have forgotten to mention how cold it is at night here. Whew... it is FREEZING!! Every night I have slept with my space blanket in my sleeping bag for extra warmth. This was a great concern for me for the long day as I just don't have extensive warm clothing (food vs clothing) and my lycra compression pants don't retain any body heat! So my incentive from the outset was to try and get as many kilometers in during the day and to make the night as short as possible. The other concern was arriving into camp with all your clothing on and being wet/ sweaty - what do you sleep in - the nights are brutal. But I thought I'd cross that bridge when I get there. So the first 15km were pretty tough going. More crud, salt, narrow /no tracks. I was nervous! This long distance is something so new to me... how do you fathom 75km??? 15km down, day is warming up and we started to head out into more desert terrain. Nahila was just ahead of me in the distance and after a few kilometers, she shouted across to me to join her and run with her. Wow! 1. What a privilege and 2. Unbelievably grateful for company. 4 days of you and your head is pretty interesting going. iPod helps but another 60km on your own and a long long day....so we teamed up and oh my word did we have fun! We chatted endlessly - life, family, sport ...etc we laughed, took pictures, discussed our first meal, bath, spas, played games, shared food, plodded along in listening to our iPods. We celebrated every checkpoint and from 24km counted down and celebrated each and every kilometer. We cheered each other up through our bleak patches - luckily they were at different times, we pulled each other along! What a day! So incredible to be able to share it with such an amazing lady! But oh boy did we work hard too! She is one very strong and tough lady! I was very grateful for her wisdom and experience which she so readily shared with me. At one point I was keen to push a bit harder, to get more miles under the belt, but with her experience she knew it would be wiser for us to back off in the heat and rather conserve the energy for later, when it was cooler. So into the baking desert we headed, crossing minor sandy dunes but with this big sand dune /ridge looming in the distance. Ai aai!! So through the checkpoint we went and headed into the desert canyon, with this major dune to climb just ahead of us. Honestly it felt like climbing at 90 degrees. But we were thankful for the compact sand and being light enough to not break through the sand. And then into this insane landscape, which we were convinced was the moon. Strange rock outcrops, dry dusty crunchy underfooting. Radical! And then down into another valley. Love those downhills! So through another valley.... this was probably the toughest point for me. Midday heat - well actually it's more the early afternoon heat... when that heat has built up. And then you feel like you are in no-man's land! Aside from the point that it is dry and desolate out there, you're around 30km to go and after 44km, you're just somewhere inbetween. It's also the point where you slow down the most, to combat the heat and the toll it takes on you. I was taking strain here. It felt like that point of 10km into the run on the IronMan, when you still have a long way to go and you need to tap into that mental toughness reserve. So we chatted through, plodded along and counted those kilometers (thanks to my Garmin)! Checkpoint 5 we stopped for a minute or two longer than our other stops so I could quickly add water to a meal supplement. Oh my word, that was just the best thing I could probably to do. Within 15minutes I felt like a new person and ready to take on the last 23km. 23km!! That's all you think... come on, that's just over a little half marathon. I kept visualising the distance of the Two Oceans half. But after 50km, and a couple of marathons from previous days, it felt like a long long way! But with renewed energy I felt in better spirits and we hunted down the next kilometers. With the sun retracting and getting a little cooler, we headed into the official Valley of the Moon and up a little monster hill. Of course, this is the 4Desert Crossing, so don't for a minute think that you will cruise into camp after 60-odd kilometers. Not a chance. Up a hill and into the valley of the moon, where there really is no life. It's barron, desolate and beautiful! More sand dunes to climb - had to take a picture of that. I was feeling strong again. Across other dunes, sand plains, through the rocky outcrops and then Zandy, the photographer....almost home.... not much longer and we were on road trotting down, desperate to see a glimmer of the camp. Running along, turn off the road, and then....the sound of those drums... I could hardly believe it! 11hours and 43minutes. We had made it!!! And before sunset!! Unbelievable!!
 
What an experience!! What a day!!
 
So as I am writing this right now, having had a full night's sleep, there are still people coming into camp from the long stage! Hectic! I can't even imagine how tough going that must be. I glance down at my feet, what a mess. Blisters on blisters! And chaffe on my back. Incredible that we can tune it out to focus on the road ahead. I am skanky beyond skanky. My hair is a matted mess that does not move. I can't even get it into a pony. I smell. Even the deodrant I brought along doesn't help. My nails are disguisting. Everything is filthy. But funny, up until today it's barely crossed my mind as it's been about the race, preparation and survival. I can tell you that I have honestly given this race every ounce of my best. Every day I went out and pushed as hard as I could, to do as best as I could. Even on day 3 when the race was taking it's toll and I backed off a little, I still pushed hard, determined never to give up. I honestly could never have expected to do as well as I have done or to have known the strength that I have found. It has been life changing.
 
There is no doubt that all the support from everyone here and back home has helped so much. I can't tell you how much I have valued and appreciated getting into the cyber tents and reading emails and comments from everyone.Thank you thank you thank you.Thank you Rob, Andrew and Chris for the cheering on. Thank all my friends - Karen, Jess, Martha, Jules, Annie, Tam. Kathy, thank you so much for all your support. Inky I have thought of you often, especially compared with the experiences and growth from the Epic. Larsen family - Renee from all the wisdom and knowlege shared. Extended family - Tishie, thank you so so much! Dad I kept so many of running tips and all your advice top of mind often. So often I pictured you at the bottom of Southern Cross drive and encouraging me up the hill and telling me to keep my head down and to keep going. Mom for all your love, support and helping out. Mike and Bron for all my messages and all the love and support you send me. HUGE HUGE GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT and time taken to think of me xxxx

Wow today was quite a brutal day but I luckily I had good day. Felt so much stronger this morning, it was just great. I was beyond happy. My body seems to be responding so much better, which is fantastic. Such a contrast from yesterday morning, which was pretty tough going slogging through a brutal 18kms in the morning when my backpack felt about 20kg. But I think the small reprieve yesterday afternoon definitely helped, I just went out there and gave it my best.
 
The day started out stunning, beautiful running and a bit of climbing. It was a day in which we could get quite a bit of running in, particularly at the start, so I just tried to run as much as possible until we got to the infamous salt flats...
 
Ok, so I have a correction to make... I told a few people that there is a coral floorbed on the Atacama Challenge, I think I got that from the videos that I watched but actually it's salt pans, wow and.... brutal. The salt is so crusted and big, it looks like an uplifted coral floorbed. 14km stretch in baking midday sun over hard crusted salt. Interesting going where there are often no tracks and you are just running across sharp coral type salt! Made slightly more challenging with multiple blisters on your feet. At one point I tripped slightly on the salt and then felt this weird sensation in my sock, only to realise I had popped a blister! But no time to stop and off load in the middle of the heat in the salt pan so I carried on running. So luckily when it happened again, I knew it would sting for about 1 or 2 kms and then would be ok. It was great to have a little reprieve on the weight of my backpack but the tradeoff for that is the chaffe ... chaffe on my back and on my collarbones so when you run, it bobs and chaffes away. But it could be worse, I have seen a lot worse so I am not complaining. My feet are shocking. Blisters on every toe. It seems that Inji (??) socks are the way to go. There is definitely an art to this. I also need to work on my gaiter strategy... but all the lessons you learn through experience!!
 
Really enjoyed today even though it was tough going. Can't begin to tell you how excited I was coming off the salt pans...eeeissh it was hot and tough going!
 
Managed to finish second again so that was really great. Need to rest up now... tomorrow is a massive day. It will be the biggest running undertaking of my life. 75kms is a long long day out there. If 43km takes around 7hours I am likely to be in for at least a 14hour to 15hour day. Aaiaaaiaa!! But it's a count down to the end so every single km will be a countdown.
 
Thank you all so much for all the support. Tomorrow will undoubtably be the day that I need the support that most. Annie and Jess, I had most of your GU's today with your wonderful messages. Thank you so so much!
To everyone that has sent me mails and comments on my blog... thank you so so much. Most of you are fellow friends and athletic women.... you would all love this experience - Jules, Vanessa, Sandra - Caroline, your bike would love the tracks and adventure here!
 
Lots of stories and pictures to share when I get back. Can't believe I have come so far so quickly. Tomorrow is going to be a very interesting test of mental resolve. They are pretty relentless here, so I am told not to underestimate track vs distance.... it's going to be a long day!
 
So will no doubt be in touch again on Friday as I am sure to be in around 11pm tomorrow night.
 
Thank you all. This race has exceeded my expectations and have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. Hoping I can keep it all together until the end of tomorrow.
 
Lots and lots of love xxx

Hola! Tough day in the desert today, she really showed us what she’s all about! You just can’t believe all the contradictions of endless sand, baking sun, and then these gorgeous snowcapped mountains! Day started out slow for me… hmm…lots of crud we were told…translate…crunchy crusty dry salt. Mmmm… Took us 1 hour to cover 5km in the crud. And then loads of bundu-bashing. Yeah about that track…what track…through the bundu’s but of course that just goes with the territory. And loads of fun. Right up the adventure alley. I decided today was the day for taking it a little easier and backed off a bit and did quite a lot more fast paced walking. My thinking was that rather try and take it easy in lieu of tomorrow and the long day 5. Just seemed like a wiser strategy especially with the heat.  So the second part of the day I really enjoyed even though it was endless rolling sand dunes, it was something so different to what we have seen before and so so beautiful. Actually everything I expected from the Atacama anticipating desert. Once again I put on my iPod and favourite tunes and hit the desert and dunes. I have decided that Kings of Leon rock in the desert! It really is so special and such a privilege to be here, I really can’t begin to describe this but rather tell you… come and see for yourself!! So all in all not such a bad day, even after quite a tough start more mentally than anything. Had the privilege of coming in just behind the leading lady, an amazing lady from Cuba, now living in Mexico. I have to say everyone here is just AMAZING! From the organisers to fellow competitors. Everyone looks after everyone and helps out in so many ways. I have a wonderful bond with Anne from Boston. We shared hotel room and tent. She is such a great companion! All the ladies are tough cookies here, no room for sissies!! Such a privilege to meet such great people!
 
Day 3 is done, and on to Day 4 we go! Loving all the news and emails! So exciting to come to the cyber tent and read news.  Thank you famdamily and all my amazing friends!
 
So far this has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life….

Wow today was a tough day but as always, spoilt with just spectacular sights! I had a rocky start in both sense of the word… trapsing through the rocks and river crossings, trying to balance with the backpack, going through the canyons, crossing this river apparently 27 times where sometimes the river was deep and other times shallow but never quite clear! I think it was just frustrating because I wanted to run but couldn’t find a rhythm. Anyway made it through and changed my socks, ready head up to the ridge, which was just beyond stunning. Climb was a little hectic but not so so bad. I had my favourite songs playing on iPod and looking across the ridge down to the valley that we had been running / walking – STUNNING, STUNNING, STUNNING!! I am not sure if I can begin to describe it. Snowcapped mountains,  stunning canyon beneath, incredible ridges and desert pinnacles, just had to stop for a few pictures! And then…. This insane drop off down this massive sand dune. It was soooo much fun. Silly me had not put my gaiters on so had to do another sock change at Check Point 2. I rushed in and out, keen to get the next 15km under way and then …eeeissh…. These dry canons just don’t seem to be my good place! Battled a little through it and then on to sandy tracks….  Endlessly, so hot, sandy…. Until I came across the Japanese cameraman. I think may be on Japanese TV going : I LOVE SAND!! I LOVE SUN!!! (And I have the SA flag all over my cap, sorry guys!!) It was a little of a bleak point and I was trying to boost myself!
 
I have to say the Epic is good preparation for an event like this. I kept thinking of how in the early stages of the Epic, you’d be riding along, see a stunning track to the one side and then this crazy track to another side and think … of course we’ll go along the nice track but… NOT!  That really messed with my mind in the beginning until I came to realize it was all about how I approach it. So every time I saw the wicked climb or track, I thought, Dr Evil, bring it on! Today was pretty much like that… every time there was a nice runnable road, we were sent off to no track, lots of rocks but I just thought… BRING IT ON!! It helped a little! So I got the 3rd checkpoint pretty exhausted having walked quite a bit of the crazy track but thankfully today was the day of the Garmin (love the Garmin!!) and I just thought… 10km….come on Miss Tostee, you can run this. And so I set out to run as much of the last 10km as possible. I refused to stop, too afraid that if I stopped I may not be able to start again… so plodded away at 7 – 8min per km!!! Rejoicing at the buzz for each km. Still carrying a crazy heavy backpack. Gotto to work on this! And the counting down every half a km. The end just seemed that much further, according to my Garmin it was in fact 44.5km instead of 41.8km… also a little tough going on the mind, especially when you just can’t see the camp and that welcoming yellow banner. And then finally I see the finish, and this gorgeous blue lake in the background…ahhhaa bliss… a dip in the lake, what a treat after a long day. But sadly NOT! It’s a salt lake just dipping your feet in and you end up with white legs. But that’s ok, we took our stools down to the water and soaked our feet anyway!
 
So yes, Day 2 is done and all in all, it was good, tough but good. Tomorrow is apparently equally relentless but that’s ok, just go out there and give it my best!
 
Only small blisters today so feet are still ok. Have a little of swollen bones on my back from my backpack but then that is to be expected!
 
Sister, loved your message on my Rehidrate today. Was at taken at CheckPoint 3 when I was needing a little boost!
And the messages on my GU’s – you guys have NO idea how much they help! As do the GU!! I keep thinking that we should ALL come back next year to do the Atacama Desert Challenge! It would be so much fun!
 
Tonight I ate my chicken, vegie and couscous meal from Dad, from France. Thank you pops. Thanks to the Larsen family I am good health, take all my supplements and vitamins! And so grateful for all those bars!
 
Thank so so much for all the support. Bianca, my First Ascent kit gets a lot of attention! I feel very privileged to be part of the Salamon SLAB gang J!
 
Thanks guys xxxx

This race is just incredible!! Amazing!! Honestly its so so stunning, insprining and surreal. Picture setting off at dawn from an ampitheatre surrounded by gorgeous mountains. Heading off through the rocky terrain, over a ridge or two to be suddenly greeted by these stunning snowcapped giants and volcanoes. The sky pink and the main volcano with a whisp of cloud just sitting on top of the crater, looking like the volcano is smoking!! Stunning and surreal is an understatement of note! Just the inspiration required to continue on running, that and all the amazing support that I could feel all the way from South Africa. First 25kms were amazing through stunning riveer beds, and then into this canyon, which took it;s toll!! But gave me time to figure out my running strategy which is definitely to get through as many kilometers while it;s cooler as those last kms in the desert heat are pretty intense!! Race is tough, sometimes on a track but often not, just a rocky strewn...  but incredible.I just kept thinking how many of my friends would absolutely love this... Rob and Andrew, this is a MUST! Ok I do realise this is still day 1 so I will check in with you again on Friday after 75km in the desert, which is estimated to take about 12.5hours... ai ai!! So feeling ok and definitely going to be off loading my backpack today... no issues anymore deciding what is required and not... carrying the backpack that weighs over 12kg probably 13kg with water is pretty hectic. Not much that can prepare you for that! I had a chuckle when I read Kathy;s GU message which was along the lines of ... to be read in an old Granny;s voice, in 2011 I did the Atacama Desert Crossing. Kath, I was feeling like a granny just plodding away. If only you guys knew how slow I run!! So very lucky to have such amazing friends who have taken the time to put these incredible inspriational quotes on my GU;s. It;s just awesome to read. I have shared with a few fellow competitors too, who love the inspiration. Thank you! Anyway looking forward to more spectacular landscapes tomorrow and no doubt that much more pain on the tired legs and shoulders but out for fun for sure! Thank you thank you thank for all the support. Mum, Dad, Bron and Mike.... Mike have an awesome trip and all family and friends. Lots and lots of love xxxxxxx

Wow, so much excitement, so many nerves and all this anticipation for the days ahead! Right now I am in the middle of Atacama Desert in the most beautiful location. It’s just STUNNING here. Very special. We’re camped out in the desert, in a valley, next to a river and surrounded by such gorgeous mountains. Apparently the green stripes are copper and the silver snow, salt. I am just trying to take everything in! Not sure if I can explain the feeling of arriving at the camp and seeing the country flags and the Atacama Desert Crossing banner after this bus ride from San Pedro and into this incredible desert. Just seeing these sights has make the trip worthwhile! This adventure is right my alley!!
 
So the backpack is definitely too heavy and I have too much food. But in comparison to any other race, it’s the bare minimum of food. Eeeish not easy deciding what food to leave behind, such tough decisions. My white running top is already dirty…aaaii how long did I think that would last?? And the people… just amazing! Everyone from runners to volunteers are fantastic!
 
Tomorrow we head off on one of the shorter days but also apparently one of the tougher days due to the altitude and a climb towards the end.
 
Tomorrow is also a very special day… it’s my parents wedding anniversary. 36 years of marriage is a very long time! I am so hugely blessed to have such incredible parents who are just amazing support through all my crazy ideas, adventures and travels. Their support is just incredible, they provide such a solid base for me to go out and venture in the world. I’m a very lucky lady. So mom and dad, when I run with my amazing backpack, listening to my iPod, I will be thinking of you and the wonderful examples and lessons you have taught me in life! Sending big kisses xxx
 
Thanks for all the support everyone… very excited for such a new and different adventure! Woohhoo…. Desert Warrioress!!

This morning I woke up with the most enormous bout of butterflies in my tummy.... the fear was there and so real that is for sure! It had something to do with arriving at the base town for the race, San Pedro d Atacama, and then something to do with my visit to Arica, my first stop in Chile from Bolivia. I was quite excited to head down to Arica, only 20km from the border of Peru and a coastal town well known to the surfing community. The thought of sun, sea and oxygen was very welcoming as the altitude was definitely starting to take it's toll. 2 days of pounding headaches, and I was quite keen for a small reprieve, and a little warmth from the coastal sunshine. So with great expectations I headed off from La Paz down to the coast, ready to get to Chile! The first sight that caught my eye was the expanse of the desert as we came out of the Andes....spectacular and dramatic and as we got closer to the coast I realised it went straight to the sea! Wow! Arica is quite an interesting town but dramatic and severe in many respects as the desert sand dunes stretch straight to the sea, and the sun, well it's relentless. It's known to be the driest town in the world, and has the feeling of a lost town in the American outback. I felt sick to my stomach. I just kept thinking, oh my word... what have I got myself into! Madness... So then all that panic sets in ... will my bags arrive, do I have enough food, is my throat sore, am I getting sick, what about... should I ... arrgghhh and with a 5 hour stopover in the airport of Antogafasta, I have no doubt I drove the locals nuts as I paced the airport. Such a long wait for such a short flight, but finally I arrived in Calama, which is only 1 hour from San Pedro. Most of my race equipment was with me in the 3 bags I was carrying as hand luggage, but the liquids, and bulky stuff was in my main bag. So our flight arrives with another flight and only one small luggage carousel and lots of people and luggage, and me, waiting expectantly... bags coming, bags going, bags being offloaded until finally no more bags. "No more bags?" "No more bags!" I rush off to the Sky airlines desk... "My bag, it hasn't arrived!!" "Oh, your bag is black? It arrived on an earlier flight!" Faith Miss Tostee, have faith, it's going to be fine! A short trip and this incredible sky full of stars along the way, so so stunning, and we arrive in San Pedro. The air is crisp but not to too cold and the hotel... well I have gone from backpacking to 4 star luxury. It is stunning! What a treat. I dose up on all the vitamins and supplements so kindly given to me by the Larsen Family - they have kept my body in great health throughout this journey, I am so so grateful. I have all my food, all my belongings, am in a stunning hotel, time to settle in for good sleep. But the fear awoke with me this morning and I headed off for breakfast with great butterflies. A chat with Kath on gmail chat and a walk around the town and all this great inspiration came flying back. It is so so so beautiful here. San Pedro is a fantastic town with such a buzz and surrounded by these spectacular snowcapped mountains, which just ease a slight bit of the heat intensity that was felt in Arica. It is amazing here. I am starting to understand the calling. I spent the morning in town, enjoying lunch at a great restaurant on the square before heading back for a snooze, and then the great pack of my backpack! Yes, so weighing in at 9.1kg at the moment with no water... It needs a repack and re-evaluation of what is absolutely required! Exciting times for sure!

Just one week to go to the start of the Atacama Desert Crossing and I could not imagine being in more of a magical place. It is just breath-taking and stunning here. I am on Isla del Sol, an island on Lake Titicaca, in Bolivia, right on the border with Peru. It´s like a step back in time here as culture is so prevalent with women in brightly coloured skirts and bowler hats, men with cowboy boots and a great abundance of very fat pigs, donkeys, sheep and lamas (I think that`s how you spell it!)

The island is quite hilly with stunning walking paths. To walk from south to north on the island takes 3 hours, so it´s relatively small. From the ridge, you look out across the lake to the Isla del luna and beautiful snowcapped moutains, and then across to Peru on the other side, with several smaller islands scattered on this really big lake. But unfortunately no running as yet as this lake is the highest largest lake at an altitude of 3800. Right now I can barely walk 2 flights of stairs without having to stop, a great excuse to take in the majestical views!

With that altitude comes the cold! Wow! It has been pretty chilly! To give you a small indication: I generally don´t venture out in the day without at least 3 layers on - top and bottom!! Last night I slep in my First Ascent thermal compression tights, with compression socks, followed by these awesome First Ascent fleece pants. On the top I had First Ascent compression top, followed by thermal base top, gloves, beanie, wrapped up in my cosy First Ascent sleeping bag, underneath the little hotel blanket!! Bianca, I am beyond grateful for all the kit - everything is being put to such good use!

Being on Isla del Sol, island of the sun, of course there is an abundance of sunshine, which I learnt all about the hard way yesterday as I forgot to put sunblock on. Won´t be making that mistake again! The island and people are so amazing, it really makes it worthwhile wrapping up and heading out to enjoy the high altitude sunshine.

Food has been pretty interesting too! I chuckled this morning to think how I have been following the prestine diet in preparation for the race only to be faced with an interesting breakfast....well I thought I thought I was off to a great start with a freshly squeezed paw paw (I think!!) juice, but was then followed by 2 solid breadrolls! So much for gluten free!!! Not wanting to offend my extremely nice and friendly hotel owner, I waited for him to leave the restaurant and broke up the roll and stashed most of it in my pocket. I ate a few pieces with jam for good measure and then promptly headed up the hill for an omlette at another restaurant! Not entirely healthy but a better option!

I have also come to learn that cafe con leche is infact coffee with condensed milk! Couldn´t work out why the coffee was so sweet! Ai ai! I know I will have a few friends and fellow athletes chuckling at this! There are no cows on the island and actually coming to think of it, I haven´t seen a cow since I landed in Bolivia! 

As far as Spanish goes, I am pretty useless. There is a lot of ´Hola´ and ¨Moocho gratis´!! My basic French does come in handy but also seems to amuse the locals when I try to Spanish-ise my French and then end up following the sentence in French anyway! Luckily evetryone is very friendly and helpful!

So yes, it seems a far cry from running across the blistering heat of the desert in just 1 week and being able to breathe with ease again. But right now I am enjoying all the sights and experiences and am off to explore more of this island.

I hope you are all well and had a great weekend? Lots of racing on in Cape Town this weekend, hope you all had fun. Dying to hear how the Songo kids went in Xterra, BMX racing and CA2C.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to songo.info, your donations are greatly appreciated!

Lots of love xx

Hi all, 

Thank you so so much for supporting me in this undertaking, it is greatly appreciated! 

Those of you who know me will know that I am taking this opportunity to raise much needed funds for songo.info, a sports development program based in Kayamandi, a township on the outskirts of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. 

songo.info strives to provide cycling including BMX, mountain biking and road riding, and duathlon opportunities to the children of Kayamandi, providing a fun and safe place for children to play and develop sports skills beyond the streets of the township. 

The program is lead by a very special gentleman, Songo Fipaza, who is well recognised leader in the community of Kayamandi and who works tirelessly to provide opportunities to the children of Kayamandi. The project gained significant momentum through the collaboration of Christoph Sauser, world champion mountain biker from Switzerland who spends a lot of time in South Africa, and Burry Stander, a South African national and in 2009 U23 XC world champion. The guys are actively involved in the program using their brands to attract sponsors, and provide great inspiration to the children.

My decision to take part in the Atacama Desert Crossing has taken me on one of the most exciting journeys of my life! Shortly after signing up I contacted songo.info wanting to use the opportunity to raise funds for the organisation. From there I became more and more involved including co-organising a fundraiser through to joining the organisation from the beginning of this year to help take the organisation to the next level of growth. 

It has been privilege to be part of such a special program, working with amazing people including Songo Fipaza, Christoph, Burry and the songo team, and most especially the children.

I have said on an occasion that if you had told me last year this time that I would have left the comforts of the corporate world to work for a sports development NGO and planning to run across the Atacama Desert, I probably would have told you; you’re mad! But here I find myself 1 year down the line training hectically for the Atacama Desert Crossing and passionately working for songo.info. 

For a little insight into songo have a look at this 4 minute You Tube video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGdpU9kJgA0&feature=related 

I’d love to be raising funds for Theo, the boy interviewed in the video to buy a downhill bike, as he is just the most passionate downhiller you will ever meet, but unfortunately right now funds really tight and critically required to ensure songo.info’s sustainability and to cover the costs of the program including transport to races, bike maintenance, and cycling kit. 

These children are my inspiration for the Atacama Desert Crossing. They are so strong and resilient, going out on many 5 hour training rides and stage races on only water. They are amazing kids.

I’d like to ask you to please consider donations to the organisation. Our philosophy is that every contribution no matter how big or small, it all helps.

Donations can be made the South African Bank Account: 

Bank: Absa Bank (South Africa)
Account Name: Songo.info 
Account Number: 9255351304 
Branch Code: 632005 
Account Type: Savings 
Swift Code: Absazajj

Reference: My surname (Tostee) and your surname

More information can be found on: www.songo.info or go to the songo.info Group page on Facebook or lookup on Twitter! Thank you!

 

 

 

 

Finally I have a few minutes to sit down and start my Atacama blog! Wow, where to begin? So much excitement, so much nervousness but mostly I can't wait for what undoubtably will be an adventure of my lifetime.

In 4 days time I embark on my journey to the continent of South America, a continent that remains untravelled as yet by me! I feel so fortunate to have a very close friend coming along for the acclimatisation leg in Bolivia, and who will no doubt help keep nerves at bay. It's going to be great fun sharing some special experiences with her before the race. From there I make my way down to San Pedro d'Atacama for the start of the race! Whew, just can't believe how time has flown!

With this race there just seems to be so much to think about and to plan for, particularly as a novice. Food, kit, apparel - lots of odds and ends that need to be carefully weighed and evaluated in terms of importance for that backpack and survival on the race. Getting advice on what to pack, how much food is required, what to optimise on has not always been easy as there is just not an abundance of people in South Africa that have actually done the Atacama race. I have been fortunate however to get a few tips from Ryan and another female participant, Kimberly Dods, plus several others who have completed similar races. Just being able to talk to other people who have done the race or similar events has been so useful!

I can't deny that it's a great big relief to be getting to the end stages of training and heading downhill on the tauper plan to get me to the start line. The only downside is that now I have my thinking capacity  back to  to start analysing whether I have trained enough, whether there has there been enough specificity, have I run sufficiently with my backpack and the right weights...etc. etc.!!! Ai ai...all the crazy thoughts that go through our minds!

What I can tell you is this journey to the Atacama Desert Crossing has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I can honestly say that never in all the world would I have expected to have the amazing experiences I have had since I signed up for the race last June. I have met such incredible people and have been graced with the wisdom that has been shared by so many special people. That is one thing that never ceases to surprise me, the exceptional people that exist in the world of sport, especially the endurance adventure kind.

And then the support that I have received form sponsors has just been incredible: Salomon who have provided me with amazing shoes (SLABS!!) and First Ascent who have kitted me out from head to toe with amazing adventure kit. Then there has been the very special people who have helped make this race possible for me - I am so so unbelievably grateful to all of them for their support.

So now with just a few days left in South Africa, before I head off on this epic adventure, I practice packing my backpack, loading up the iPod, testing out the solar panal recharger and finalising all my last travel arrangements! I am now so looking forward to heading off to Bolivia and then onwards to the Atacama.