Howdy Fans and Friends,

As promised, this last blog post is one to give tips, tricks, and so on for those that are to follow us in the Atacama Crossing next year. As a first timer to the 4 Deserts Series, and to a multi day ultra marathon race, I scoured the blogs prior and anything I could find on the internet to learn what to do out there. Even still, I came a bit unprepared unknowingly with a 12.3kilo (27 poound) pack at the starting line that cost a lot of time on day one. So from there I learned tips extremely quick. Below I will share mine on my pack, training and event tips.

YOUR PACK: The pack is going to be your very best friend in the planet over the course of the 7 days (even closer than your husband or wife), and to be frank the weeks leading up. With 7 weeks from sign up to race day, I raced through this phase. Do not do what I did. Go to stores and literally try them on. Run all around the store, pack the bag with many items and run around some more. Or buy 5 of them online and pack them all and see what fits. For ladies this is harder because we have little backs and the packs are big. I bought a raidlight 25 liter pack. The pros were the bottle placement but the cons were the spacing for items was really tough as it narrowed at the top and it was too big for me in the end. Find an ultra light pack that you can fit all items in and it still feels good. In my case I had to borrow another strap from my friend to tighten it around my waist more. OMM was mentioned as a great brand to check out. Buy compression sacks to squeeze all of your gear and items into to consolidate space.

ITEMS TO PACK: The gear I chose I wouldn't change so here are some favorites. Black Diamond Carbon Z light poles, Marmot Plasma 30 sleeping bag, Sleeping pad (don

Howdy folks: This note of words last night spoken after accepting 2nd female overall sums it up quite nicely. Enjoy =)

"Wow! What an experience eh?

Thank you so much for this honor and all of you for the experience that we have shared together. These past 7 days have tested every part of our physical and mental beings. We have had to dig deeper into our levels of strength, tenacity, determination, and mental grit than any of us ever knew was possible.

Howdy Folks,

Stage 6 results: 1st female

Overall result: 2nd female

Today marks the last stage into the town of San Pedro where it all began a week ago! It was another great day and another stage win. The ligtest pack of the week, poles tucked away, american pride in place, and we hit the path home. It was a super fun last 5 miles

I must make an additional post to you all and say THANK YOU for the emails and blog comments. Brought so many tears to my eyes reading them. You support has helped out here along the hard moments and great ones. I am so blessed for the support worldwide from you all! So much love back to you all and as always I hope to continue to inspire everyone daily.

XO

JAX

Howdy folks,

Hi friends and family!

hot hot hot and it 8k feet! We are down to 7,900 now and dropping a little more tomorrow on the long march.

Stage 4 is in the books! It was a really good day today! I ended up 1^st

Howdy!

Day three is a wrap!

Current stage position: 2^nd

Howdy folks friends, family,

So day 2 is in the books. It is really hot at camp so hard to sleep so I'll have a voke tab and blog

Current stage: 2^ndfemale

Overall standing to date: 2^ndfemale

It was a super fun but very hard day. 27.3 miles of varied adventures from 35 stream crossings to start, heading up and up to a sweet view and then a 150 meter tunnel. That was followed by running along a ridge where we could see the town of san pedro and then flying down a giant sanddune. Then we entered "death valley." I would say it was close to that. We then were bush whacking across the desert. Then we hit the last segment and I literally felt like we dropped into Mars by spaceship. The soil was gnarly epic. Super crusty like a creme brulee and it had a layer of crispy salt on it. Your foot would just crack through and sink in. I didn't mention this yesterday but the terrain here is like nothing you have ever seen before. I took the time after the stream crossings and sand dune to swap socks. Took time but greeeeeat decision for the back half and I caught up to those that passed me. Thanks to CEP compression.

Body meter: Body is all good. No blisters. Toe nails on one foot are sore so who knows where that may go. Shoulders are super sore. I shed a bunch of weight from my pack but it is still a pack on your back. Its nuts the tricks people have to shed weight. So gaining tips from the pros and making changes as I go.

Food and hydration: much better! I think I have my system now. Thanks drip drop big time. My saviour out there. that plus salt tabs every hour. Lots and lots of liquids.

Camp is great. Everyone is really bonding which is fun out on the run too. We are all a big family out here in our new life for a week. We are all starting to stink too. Imagine day 7. Wonder if my husband will even want to hug me at the finish.

Highlight of the day: well 3! Stream crossings for 8k, flying down the sand dune, and the tunnel

Challenge: the Martian soil for miles upon miles.

Cheers,

JAX

Yo,yo! Stage one is in the books.

Stats: 2^ndfemale finishing around 13:00 (forgot to stop my watch.)

The run: It was a good solid day out there. I had one goal and that was to stay below 160 heart rate on any hills and 150-155 on all other segments. It worked like a charm. Nutrition wet well but there were some questionable moments as stage 3 and 4 lead to bathroom breaks. Ya the fun stuff eh! Stomach is great now so it could have been altitude since it was 9-11k today. Favourite moment: running in a really cool slot during stage 2. Reminded me of Zion. Most challenging moment: climbing forn3 miles from mile 17.5-20.5 that was never ending up a canyon. Super amazing out there! Now to regroup recover and recharge! PS my pack is SO heavy. The gal that won today is going to help me make some adjustments...

Camp: camp life is fun. A few of us had a blast playing dice. It was hilarious. My entire tent was asleep by 7pm so I went social out at the fires. It was really fun. It is a special part of the whole experience. Comradery building hourly.

Health meter: thanks to a washing station I had a very nice foot bath. my shoulders are VERY sore from the pack. Feet: blister free! Yay!

Thought of the day: around stage 3 in the never ending winding hill all I could think is how tough every athlete is out here.

Highlight: the slots. My husband would have loved that part.

Ok! Until tomorrow, time for a nap!

JAX

Today has been a packed day. Starting with a small run in town to shake out the travel legs and feel the altitude. That was followed by a team meeting and checking in which lead to the adventure

Hey there!