Housekeeping – Today is the 9th of March and would have been Christy’s 29th birthday. Im doing this race in memory of Christy to support the Malaria fund set up in his memory so if you havn’t already done so then please throw a few bucks into it. If you have, then thankyou.

Right folks, some serious drama on the long march. I started the day feeling like I had a second chance at completing this because my legs and feet were throbbing so much after stage 4 that I honestly was worried I wouldn’t be able to start. Thankfully, I didn’t feel too bad by morning and although I knew it was a pretty stupid thing to attempt 73 kms on almost broken feet, I said sack it and battered on out anyway. I buddied up with Australian Anne who keeps slagging me about the fact I put ‘wee’ in front of everything (something I know you can associate with Eireann haha). Anyway, we had a stormer of a start eating up the first 28 kms no bother – relatively compact terrain. After that it got tough with over 13kms of open salt flats during the hottest part of the day again, right at the end of which was an 800 metre ascent of a 35 degree sand dune – torture. After that we headed out on another 13kms plus stretch to Checkpoint 5. We immeadiately got hit by a sandstorm, followed by dusk and an amazing lightning show in the distance after dark. This was a very difficult stretch because we had been out so long, were tired, and it was pitch dark (glow sticks lit the course). I was also a bit paranoid because I had a metal cup attached to the outside of my pack (struggling for room). Anyway, we got to checkpoint 5 just before 11 at night, and after 15 hours on the trot. This was about 56 kms so were looking to have dinner and rest the feet at this checkpoint (it’s the only one on the course where you can have a long rest and possibly sleep but must leave again by 4 am. Anyway, as you might have read on the website status update the race was suspended last night and it was just as me and Anne reached this checkpoint. The organisers were just playing it really safe because of the lightning forecasts were to get closer. We knew this was a bit of an over protective big brother thing but the decision was out of our hands and we were taken off the course and bussed to the camp. We were all really disappointed at this because once you hit that checkpoint, you’re going to finish the stage that night. We were told we wouldn’t be disqualified or anything but it was still disappointing. Anyway, this morning we were given the option to go back out and complete it if we wanted during the rest day, but if we didn’t want to then it wouldn’t affect us in the race. I came here to do 250kms so I went back out, it wouldn’t be the same finishing but missing out in a 17kms section – sort of feels like cheating. It was good that I got to CP5 as the decision was made because I could start from there again this morning (they weren’t going to let others start further back in the course). Im so glad I did because it adds to the closure, I can hold my head up around camp knowing I’ve completed every single km handed out to me and I got to see some spectacular scenery in Valle de Lunas (it would have been nice at night but still well impressive). Anyway, I only have an 11kms trot into San Pedro tomorrow and the finishing line with pizza at the end – so, bar a broken leg, I’ve basically done it folks – yeehaaaa! Its been a very long week and actually feels a lot longer, just because I’ve been able to see so much. All the messages and support all week have definitely helped get me through it. Ive spent the long sections on my own thinking about what to write when I get into camp and who may have written to me, so its all very much appreciated. Definitely helped with the mental challenge involved in this.

Collar bones are well bruised, lower back a bit sore, feet are throbbing and covered in blisters (I took more photos), still have a bloody nose, and some seriously bad ring sting – sorry haha.

Its really strange to see what the human body can endure on so little because I’ve only had about 9500 calories all week. I havn’t felt my stomach rumble since last week and have been taking my gels for energy but that’s all the calorie intake I really needed. I’ve been beating the water and electrolytes into me obviously.

Eireann, haha, I don’t mean to sound unappreciative of where I am but it was really tough mentally from the 2-5 mark everyday. It tended to be a long section and I was usually on my own at those parts, hottest part of the day and tended to be open ground of either sandy desert or rugged salt flats. Very difficult mentally so your Ghandi quote is really apt. I would say this event is definitely about 70-75% mental and 25-30% physical. Simply because the body can keep going for longer than the mind. What happened you the other day anyway jabroni? I had to do 2 days with no quotes haha. Ill be able to contact you better tomorrow when I get into San Pedro after the finish so Ill chat to you then.

Wee man, its funny you bring up Ice Cold in Alex, I was just talking about that too yesterday during the long march – I cant wait for it now.

Aife – sorry I didn’t mention you chief, I didn’t forget you eejit. I was just so tired when I got in the other night that I had to rush the message and wanted to thank everyone who wrote to me. Yes Im still hanging in there and about to finish it tomorrow with a wee short run, so happy days. I might be able to come first if I run very fast because the man who’s winning is a bit of a pansy I reckon. I can take him tomorrow no sweat. Glad to hear everything going well in school, keep it up, not long now until I’m back xxx.

Cheers Una, I’m almost there

Eamonn, that’s it now, just the wee dander. I went into the steak in great detail a few times yesterday I must admit. And it was to a vegetarian haha.

Rony, that’s it – long march done and the strategy was taken out of my hands – done anyway, tough but very satisfying. Keep resting that knee, your next with the bike ride.

Hey Cara, glad to hear you are all following the progress. Thanks for the support.

Tommy and Roisin, a man told me a great quote today – If you want sympathy, you can find it in the dictionary between shit and syphallis. A fish supper on Tuesday night will be enough. Thanks.

McGinley, really hot day today and was thinking away about ice cream and ice pops. The only mirage I’ve seen was the next checkpoint around every corner haha. They never got any closer no matter how much you willed them nearer. I’ve actually been hearing water creaks all week but caught on pretty quick that it was my water cannisters on my shoulder straps haha. I’ve also imagined the drums a good bit which they beat as you come into camp at the end of each day.

Martin, I hope your feeling better after hospital. I’ve effectively done it now, tomorrow is a formality run 11kms to the finish line so happy days. Thanks for all the support.

Ok folks, thanks again for everything, yous were all brilliant. Don’t forget, it’s Christy’s birthday today and this is all in his memory. I‘ll update tomorrow when I get into San Pedro to let you all know that I’ve completed the Atacama Crossing 2012 by running across the finish line with Christy’s flag because I have it in the death grip now. Time to finish this sucker!

Diarmy, Out!

Housekeeping – there won’t be an update tomorrow as it is The Long March – 73 kms. Ill not get in on time. So happy birthday for tomorrow all the way from the Atacama desert to Keva Clinton (my sometime surrogate mother in Belfast) – have a drink for me in malin heed and enjoy the trot to 40.

Right, sorry its so late again folks – 39 kms today, started off strong for first 2 sections but the terrain was so rough I found it difficult to clock up the distance. 3rd section was probably the most difficult of the whole race so far – 13.5 km in open salt flats during the hottest part of the day with no water resupply. Got through it all though. Shoulders pretty sore, I'm ditching a load of food tonight as im eating less than 2000 calories a day and iv a load left over. Tomorrow is too long to be carrying a heavy pack of unnecessary weight. Sitting eating a pepparami now and a mug of oxo gravy (the best thing iv brought with me). Feet are throbbing now but I’ll do what I did last night and sleep with them elevated on my pack – should be fine by morning. Blisters aren’t causing me much bother after I get started on them.

Am, being rushed again here sorry, davey ill PERUse over to yours when I get back if you BOLIVIa it.

Cheers briege, keep checking updates for the banter

Mcginley, im pretty sure it woudnt work out – we be out in the middle of nowhere inbetween checkpoints during the day, and even at a checkpoint they wouldn’t have sat phones set up or anything – I get the proclaimers thing haha

Rony, Eamonn – ive learned my lesson from barca and yesterday – I had to go up to him today to see the craic, ungrateful or what haha

Tommy, roisin – ive received 2 I think from yous, Rony will be able to sort yous out now in cork anyway

Oh aye, bloody nose all week too – must be from exercise at altitude, not running though so its all good.

Must go get dinnr and serious rest now for tomorrow – it could be a mind breaker so Ill do my best to keep er lit.

Ill update some point on Friday if I survived the long march

Later dudes

Sorry Im late tonight folks,

Generally accepted as the toughest section of the whole course today - full 40 kms, the last 2 days were slighytly shorter due to last minute course alterations. I didn't get in til after 6 so it was a long tough day. A few detours on the way, I had to come off course to help the motorcycle fella who follows were trucks cant, he got stuck in the salt flats, I then climbed 30 metres up a 45 degree sand dune on the wrong side of the bank of river canyon - broke my heart,k right at the end too. Mostly salt flats and proper sandy desert today, some tough sand dunes at the end, very draining mentally. First 20 kms were actually fine but it was the boredom that got to me in the end. I had the most impressive blood blister in between my big toe and the one next to it - dont worry, I took a photo and will show every single one of yese until your sick. Feet held up well in general, shoulders still pretty sore, left one is  numb and I get a burning sensation now and again. Im sorry, Im really rushing this because they're closing the cybertent. I still have to get my dinner and sort pack for tomorrow and its dark now so cant respond to you aqll, sorry. Really appreciate all the messages and support. Thats another stage done now so Im just going to keep rocking as best I can (medical tent patched up my blood blister so I dont expect it to cause me any problems. Sorry again this is so rushed I had more craic but Im too tired to remember and Im being rushed.

Eireann - where's your quote of the day? tutty tut tut tut haha

Rony, all etiquette is gone at this stage anyway so may give it a go.

Cheers Annabelle and Eamonn.

Cheers little Karny

Conor - get your work done.

Aife - it wont be long now, glad your having good dqays in school.

Must go folks, thanks again - keep er lit

Cheers for all the messages folks.

A bit of housework here first – Rony glad surgery went well. The quicker you recover then you can join me on the next one? Head up and don’t rule out Mizen to Malin just yet. Sure Tommy and Roisin will nurse you now for a few days.

Happy birthday all the way from the Atacama desert to my niece Cara, 2 years old today.

Right, today was longer in distance but I found it much easier mentally, I think yesterday may just have been a bit of a shock to the system. I missed the start this morning by a few minutes because of last minute surgery I had to make to my right gaiter, the elastic slipped inside itself (no laughing lads). I caught up pretty quick but got quite frustrated because the first section  was through river canyons and fairly single file. I had to jostle a bit to get past – some of the back of pack came in at 10 hours yesterday and I had no intention of being there with them today. My plan has been to start off pretty quick and get a few jogs in just to make ground – Im going to be out here at the hottest point of the day in the early afternoon so I might as well be out with as little distance to go as possible. After the first section it was pretty barren but it brought us up to a cliff face, when you looked down into the valley on the other side it was spectacular with greenery from a stream. Amazing what a difference it was from where we were to what it was below. From there we headed on along the ridge until we hit the great sand dune – I made no qualms about running down that (a few hundred metres), no doubt my legs will pay me back in kind for that one. Little did I realize at the time but I was running into a place called ‘the valley of death’. Needless to say I quickly got out of there (one for Davey – ‘death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back’ – Troy’s still better though haha). After that a few more river crossings and open ground before we hit the salt flats – they were horrible, then a dirt road home. I thought walking 130 blocks in New York with nobody but Keyso was a fry, but I’d take that any day now.

As I say though, all in all, mentally this was an easier day and I think I felt that physically too. I didn’t get in though until just before 4.

River crossings and sand has taken its toll on both equipment and body. I didn’t use the trekking poles at all today, didn’t really feel the need for them. But both my gaiters are now hammered, elastic strap nipping on them both. I reconfigured my bag to get the sleeping bag inside and some of the food strapped on the outside. Its essentially the same weight but sits better. My shoulders are numb at the minute which should be good for getting through tomorrow. I’ve counted 7 blisters on my feet at the minute, one is actually under my toenail which is quite painful, but I’ve got one on each of the ball of my feet which I only got in the last 2 kms. I’ve treated them but they’re still pretty painful. I slapped on loads of petroleum gel a few times out in the course but there was only so much I could do with constant river crossings and sand patches.

Keep checking website for photos and video clips, I was taken in a few today.

Baz and Leech, Ill get them in the long grass, don’t worry.

Glad to hear about the ruggers Eamonn, I was going to ask you, there was a Welshman asking me last night but I hadn’t heard.

Thanks Una, oh by the way, I’ll not be in for work on Saturday haha.

Cheers Denise, keepin er lit as best I can, don’t be jealous haha.

Eireann, that fair city comment was for you jabroni, I knew you’d bite at that haha. I saw 3 shooting stars this morning after I got up. The stars are so clear out here you’d love them, jump on a plane haha. I was actually going through your last quote in my head today towards the end when I was getting it a bit tight, one step forward at a time.

Tommy and Roisin, I can’t believe you got that far with technology without my help too, glad you got to see the start, I didn’t think it’d be up that soon. Keep watching.

Hey buddy Aife, yeah I’ll be bib number 9 for the whole race, keep checking it out and you might see a video clip or a photo of me. That’s ‘shocking’ news about that game (do you get it, eh eh eh haha). Take care grow hair yourself x.

Right that’s me out, update again tomorrow, fingers crossed blisters are ok in the morning because the rest of me seems fine, no major muscle worries (I’m hard as nails though me!). Keep sending messages, they’re much appreciated.

Hasta manana amigos

That was tough! Mountain terrain to begin with - tough, then open valley with the mountains up ahead that might as well have been a rainbow because they did not get any closer - tough, then an incline up through canyons that did not end either - tough, then down a dirt track to camp - still tough. Started at 8 and trekked most of the day, got in after 2 sometime. I ran sporadically throughout the day but it was just too difficult with the terrain and the weight of the bag. My shoulders are in pain now but plenty of active gel and ibuprofen gel should sort it out. I have blister on my thumb from trekking poles, and on one toe as a result of my gaiters on the right foot are pulling back from the velcro stitching causing the shoe to be pulled back too. First time I didn't wear tape on toes so Im surprised there aren't anymore, but I did lube up with petroleum gel first (which is why I couldn't tape).

Eireann - my hammer toe is actually fine, I know you'll be concerned about that haha, keep sending quotes, they're great because I am just taking it one checkpoint at a time, and hopefully one stage at a time from there. You better be missing me! Besos!

Aife, glad to hear your doing well and not missing me too much, not long now, I hope you didn't stink out my bed haha. Keep being good x.

Rony, Eamonn, aye house of value bag but I ordered it specially for Kilimanjaro. They're too expensive to order new ones that are the same temp gage but half the weight so I gambled. It means Im going to have to trek for basically all of the week but no odds. Its too tough to run it anyway and most people seem to be doing something similar.

Driest desert in the world, certain parts have no record of rainfall for over 400 years, 5 minutes after arriving at camp 1 last night and there was a thunderstorm, I must have brought the weather haha. Nothing too bad though, quite stormy at this camp now, we seem to be up in a plateau. Getting plenty of photos anyway, the place is so scenic its unbelievable.

Im hoping my legs won't be too tight tomorrow because its a full marathon distance and today was tough enough.

I cant wait to eat another freeze dried meal for dinner - yous all better enjoy those roasts and vino. It could be worse though, I could be working tomorrow, instead Im in a remote desert in South America slowly killing myself for a bit of craic (and bragging rights if Im honest). Im signing out here because there's a queue and I desperately want to go lie down. I should probably reconfigure my bag as well as best I can for tomorrow. Another 8 start so Ill update whenever I get into Camp on injuries, equipment problems and general banter etc.

Whats happening in 'Fair City' by the way haha?

Keep 'er lit