Before I even think about writing my experience on the race, I

rumor has it that stage 5 is now bumped up to 100kms. really? what do you say to that? 90kms was giving me nightmares, but now....where is that crack/cocaine diet when you need it. so, i just stuffed in some more hammer perpetuem to give me that extra oompf. there's nothing else i can do for preparation. as lisa tamati said, it's 90% mentality, 10% physical fitness. i can only hope this rings true. well, cc, david c. and i take off for urumuqi soon. i guess we'll be some of the last to arrive. the weather seems even more unpredictable than previously thought. heavy rains will surely make things more difficult. at least though i got an answer to my sandstorm dilemma: swim goggles. i'll look like an idiot, but darn it, i'll be prepared! thanks to all of those giving us moral support. special thanks to sam, for without her, we'd be completely gear-less, and hungry! 加油 fellow participants.

there has been recent discussion amongst the shanghai gang in regards to the hypodermic needles listed on the required check list. Thankfully I was reminded we needed these (I

after two weeks of fat & lazy syndrome, I finally got some exercise in this past weekend. I

I was never good at analogies, clearly reflected in my sat/lsat/gmat scores. Although it could of been my lack in grammar skills.

Jetlag. Once again I

Last Saturday john mckenna, Campbell and I made another trek out to Hangzhou and did a 42k hike. We all carried heavier packs and with the weather getting warmer, this trip felt a lot harder. at least for me it did. it wasn't easy keeping up with the boys. So much so that on the way up one steep section, a 60+yr old Chinese man passing me by insisted I take his walking stick. I

it wasn't until last week that my observant husband (yes, picture him rolling his eyes as i write this) pointed out to me that my nifty omm backpack bought from racing the planet has a built-in whistle into its front clasp. yes, i could have looked at the sticker that labelled it 'whistle' or looked at the bright orange color distinguishing it from the other black clasps, but that would have been way too easy. and yes, probably the majority of backpacks have this clever, built-in piece of hardware. but i'm still fascinated. and that's what counts... (anyhow, one check off the equipment list, and i didn't have to do anything. yay! that's like, .0000000001kg extra i don't have to carry?!) it must also be noted that my trusty decathalon backpack that i've been hiking with is really hard to part with. bought in shanghai, i think it was made for smaller frames. thus, i am torn. the omm sits too low on my back and there is no more room to tighten the straps to make it any higher. on the other hand, my decathalon bag does not have a built-in whistle. ya see where i'm getting at? a dilemma it is.... in regards to dehydrated foods: the mountain house brand rocks. at least the lasagna does. rich in flavour, it is quite hearty and surprisingly could be mistook for being homemade.yes, it is that good. (note to self: remember to take out the packet with the crystals inside that keep the contents dry. once steeped, this packet is not very tasty.) ...the chili mac wasn't bad either, but isn't on my check list just yet. we've also tried the expedition foods' spaghetti with meat sauce, which got an all-around, french-ified 'poo poo'. unfortunately i bought 4 other flavours of expedition dinners. the hunt for the perfect meals continues. .. i've also been taste testing energy bars--power,clif, luna,nutri,hammer. you name it, i did them all.....no, that didn't sound so good. anyhow, already i'm sick of all of them. they're usually too sweet. gu gels work their magic but i need substance. i might just have to live on slim jims during the day. i'll worry about the cholesterol consequence later i guess. so all-around i've been doing a lot of eating, and not so much exercising. i guess i should get on that. but the eating thing is so much fun....

Inconceivable! --flashbacks to