My dear friends, It is official. I have crossed the Atacama desert! The last seven days have been an incredible experience. 250 KM at a crazy altitude of 2600 to 3200 meters, with a temperature ranging from -4 at night to +40 during the day. Sand dunes up and down, river crossings, salt flats, fairy tail valleys and gorges. The organization and all the other competitors were great. Everybody had such interesting background and histories to tell, although every single conversation was always starting or ending with a question about each other's feet conditions. I have never though that you can talk about a foot for 7 days in a row..... But it is possible :-). There were moments were I thought I would not make it. Eddie leaving was the hardest part of the race for me. It really SUCKED!!! We have been talking and training so much about this and I really hoped we could finish it together. We will definitely find another adventure to accomplish together! And then the infamous blisters that hurt so much, I have been walking in flip flops since I finished the race. But it still hurts. Before the only blisters I ever had we're the ones you get after using a new pair of shoes and dancing all night in a wedding. But next day you change shoes and it is gone. These ones stay there forever...... OMG I am talking about feet again!!! Ok that's it. Fortunately the Chilean Goddess of the Moon was very favorable to me and made me meet an extraordinary women called Marisa, not only randomly in my same tent, but sleeping just next to me. We bonded immediately and we became inseparable for the last 3 days. I think she is one of those people that will stay in my live... At least I hope so. The most amazing thing I learned in this journey is that the human body is capable of incredible things, if you keep your mind strong and focused. One pessimistic thought that comes into your mind and everything seems lost and your goal seem impossible to reach. Than something happens that changes everything. It might be a smile from another competitor, a lizard in the middle of the desert, a stupid song that comes suddenly into your head.... and you are invincible again!!! What else can I say, apart from thanking everybody that supported me on this incredible adventure.. Especially Thomas.... He not always agreed with my plan, but was always there, whenever I needed it. Menu for tonight? Let's see what IBERIA chooses from me. I am coming home :-) With love Marco

Hello my friends.

16 hours, 76 KM, a 70 meters vertical dune climbed, a couple of water crossing. It must have been the hardest thing inasked have asked my body to do, but I MADE IT. Passing through the finish line last night was so emotional!! I was almost crying. This has been such an incredible experience. So much training, preparation, expectations, self-discipline.. but now all makes sense. Thanks to all of you for the support you gave me, for holding with me even in my “no I can’t drink this, no I can’t eat this, no I can’t go out tonight because tomorrow I need to run” phase. I know I wasn’t fun… I promise I will come out, drinking and eating more…. Until the next one ;-) justkidding.

I know everybody must be curious about my blisters. I have a few more, but nothing too crazy. The nail is still there and my legs are not swollen anymore. It was surprising to wake up this morning and realize that I could move my legs. The human body is such an amazing thing.
Many people didn’t make it and the one that did are right now all walking like zombies.. it is kind of fun to see.

Today I will stay at the camp, recovering and using the last package of wet wipes to get my final ‘shower’.
Tomorrow is the last bit before the BIG PARTY in San Pedro de Atacama.

Need to go now because the zombies are waiting to use the computer

I want to finish this blog with my favourite quote of the race. “If I dye, you can eat me” said Eddie towards the end of day 3.

With love from the desert

Marco

Hi my friends.

Here I am again at the end of stage 4. It was a tough one today, mostly because Eddie had to leave because of his injured Achilles tendon. It was sad to see him leaving, but we had 3 amazing days when we gave it all.

Thanks Eddie for being an inspiration. Without your motivation and your tips I would not be her now. My backpack would be 4 kilos heavier and I would have thick winter black pants and not enough electrolytes. I hope you had a good trip back.

Today was a long day. I walked most of the day with my tent mate Marisa, a wonderful Italian girl with a lot of experience and a great attitude. Stage 3 of the day was the hardest: 14 Km walking in the salt flats with 42 degrees outside. But now I am here ready for the last big challenge.

Tomorrow is the long march: 78 Km in 8 stages. I hope I will be back in the camp before midnight. After this is the rest day and on Saturday only 10 km to the finish line.

The blisters and nails and legs are not much worst. Need to go now. Dinner is almost ready: chicken curry with rice.

Yammy!!

Thanks again for all your messages and comments. They really help me stay motivated. I miss you guys!!

Hi all,

Here we are at the end of day 3. This will be a short post. It has been a very hard day. Most of the race it felt like walking barefoot on frozen broccoli fields. The last leg was even worst: sand dunes up and down for 12 km. Eddie and I made it to the camp at 5 PM and we are now trying to recover. My blisters are not more painful than yesterday, which I good, but my legs are quite swollen. The doctor says is the heat.

Eddie

What a day today my friends!

It started in the most incredible way. The first stage was so much fun! 10 km going through an amazing river canyon with several river crossings. The feet got all wet, but it was worth. Second stage was a lot of uphill. The view on the valley and the mountains was stunning and the best was the end of it. The longest sand dune I have seen. It was great to run down. The other 2 stages were not as fun. The sun was hot and hey seemed to never end. The worst part is that I got a couple of blisters and a nail that might not make it to the end. But we finally made it around 5 PM. The camp has a unique setting next to a beautiful lagoon. In few minutes the sunset is coming. Cannot wait. Many people today had to withdraw, but the spirit at the camp I still very good.

Live at the camp is great. We are 10 in each tent. 7.00 AM breakfast, 12.00 PM lunch and 7 PM dinner. In bed by 8.30. I know somebody that would be very happy if I kept this live style when I am back. LET

Here we are

When you are leaving for a long trip and you think you are forgetting something? Well.. I wanted to take the first picture of the trip and the camera didn

Here we are! In e middle of e Atacama desert! Eddie made it to San Pedro very late last night after a crazy journey through South America. I am so glad he is finally here. Many competitors got delayed, but hopefully everybody will make in time. We spent few hours chatting and relaxing in the village. The weather is nice today: warm and windy and incredibly dry. The village has a very laid back atmosphere with many backpackers, dogs freely walking in the street and pease&love music played in any of the many bars and restaurants around. Not a bad place to hang out before e race :-) Next step: Getting the backpack ready for tomorrow, since we will be moving in the afternoon to basecamp.

The race is getting closer and the adrenaline is high. Now the questions start getting around my head: have i trained enough? am i forgetting something? can i shave off a couple of grams from my bag? ..... Why am I doing this again? Do i have enough wet wipes? But then I think of how beautiful the desert is going to be and how fun the preparation and training has been and all makes sense. I cannot wait to start the adventure