So sorry last nights blog was short can now admit was not in a good place - really tough day and my feet were agony!!! Apparently it was the hardest day - till today lol!! The feet held up well today which was great then my piriformis (?) decided to rear its ugly head and walked from check point one in agony!!! Thankfully have had an elbow in it this evening and some NSAIDS so fingers crossed for tomorrow!!

Got back to camp to find it was right next to a small lake/lagoon and yes we got to have a dip it was BLISS!!!

Thanks for all the messages really keep me focused during the day through all the pain.

Lost a contact lens halfway between check points 1 & 2 which was interesting - but all sorted by the time I left again...... long day tomorrow start at 8am for the mammoth 70+km stint but once its done then just a little leg stretch on sat. Plan is continue steady and slow and push through - the end almost feels in sight but just going to take eachcheck point at a time. Likely no update till friday now as wont be in early enough tomorrow to get in cyber tent.

Any way keeping strong and sending much love to all of you, keep your fingers crossed for me. xx

Day 3 – done!!! OMG it was SO difficult – the terrain was once again a challenge and the sun baking hot. It was really difficult to get any sort of consistant pace. 40km today again wonderful scenery and managed to get some good pictures. Spent the day with Inny again really good support and needed it today.

Later finish today so the evening has been a little bit of a rush to get everything ready and get in the cyber tent before it closes.

The feet where not too bad today the pain was less than yesterday but just had to have my big toe nail trefined (basically they just stuck a needle through the nail to get rid of the blood etc – couldn’t bring myself to do it)

Off to bed in a bit as really exhausted. Thanks for all the messages they are really appreciated – it is the best thing to come back to after a hard day.

Promise to try to send some personal messages tomorrow.

Unfortunately Adam decided to pull out today – he is in good health and has done fantastically over the last 3 days but felt it was the right time – very proud of him and he really enjoyed it.

So all being well the next time I type it will be stage 4 complete.

Love to all stay safe and see you all real soon xx

So day 2 complete, 34.1km today. Three river crossings so the feet took a pounding - have a few blisters on blisters despite trying to take really good care and tape them - the terrain is tough!! Today started with running the river edge with the crossings a few hills and then we ran the top of a traverse it was truly beautiful got some great pictures - i think! The best part of the day was a massive sand dune - luckily down!! Ran from top to bottom truly awesome - should be some photos on the website.

The last 10km was hard - salt flats/rocks/sand/mud really difficult to get any momentum going. Stuck with Inny again it really is much easier to have someone with you who paces the same. One small wobble 30 minutes from camp due to foot pain and what seemed like the longest 3km in the world - but soon picked up and managed a run across the line.

Camp tonight is next to a salt lake - very picturesque and plan to go and soak my feet after blogging to try to perk them up a bit.

Despite my feet it was a great day, felt good in myself well hydrated and managing to keep energy levels up - it is just as expected HOT HOT HOT! Except for the flies!! Hoping they will disappear when it gets cooler but the portaloos are a little bit of a reminder of Op Telic 1 - yuck!!!

Adam doing well - also few hot spots to feet but in good spirits and we are supporting each other - even popped his blisters this am lol!!

Freeze dry food is going down surprisingly well, not sure my plan for a wicked tan and weight loss is happening - currently look a little raddish like and 'puffy' due to the altitude and sheer volume of fluids consumed.

It certainly gives plenty of time for reflection and perspective out here which can't be a bad thing! I have been thinking of you all and looking forward to seeing you all when I get back - you have all got me through various difficult spots along the way.

As crazy as everyone thought it was for me to attempt this it is already the best thing I have ever contemplated - the people are so friendly and encouraging - those that have finished all come out to cheer/clap you in which is such a boost.

So I guess its time to sign off for today and go give my feet some RnR - hopefully next blog tomorrow night at the end of another successful day - fingers crossed. Much love to all x

Hello from the Atacama Desert - Thank you so much for all your messages so far - first time logged on today as yesterday it rained....again and they didnt set up the cyber tent.It made for an interesting first night in camp!! Now it is really windy and we have been rushing round putting rocks on the tent edges - not easy when its difficult to walk!

So end of day one - its been HOT i guess mid thirties and funnily enough not a lot of shade. Just 20ish miles today!! Ha! Have met lots of great people from all around the world - I spent my day with one of the other girls from the UK, Inny we kept each other motivated and moving. The scenery is truly awesome got some great photos but the terrain under foot is really difficult to cross.....not a lot of sand but loads of rocks mud and well more rocks. Managed to get away with one small blister so am really pleased - first 10 was really good last 6 really hard and hot but we got there and crossed the finish line in a reasonable time - im never going to be at the front of the pack!! lol

So off to eat some more freeze dried food and get into some warm kit - loving the jacket Tim - thanks for the loan has kept me dry and warm - i owe you a beer or a skittle bomb!!!!

So hope all is good at home - keep the messages coming please - have around 26 miles to conquer tomorrow and the plan is to get as much under the belt before the sun gets too hot - plan to stick with Inny and do our best. No injuries (touch wood) no lost kit - though have a rather fetching bit of micropore holding my sunglasses together after i stood on them this morning!!!

Any way lots of love and will stay in touch xxx