Completed the long stage yesterday and am in pretty good shape for the last leg tomorrow.

The love and support from your e-mails have been truly over whelming. So glad to hear that all is well from home. Can’t wait to catch up on everything that has happened.

The long stage consisted of roughly 50 miles of up and downs across the mountains. I literally had face to face encounters with herds of wild horses, sheep, cows, and yaks. That’s right, yaks. Like all days, I prefer to go out alone and see if I can handle what the course throws my way.(though I am very thankful for the help and support I received) The uphills were brutal. Just long, long climbs. Brianna, the anklet you made me expanded a bit, so I tied it around my wrist for the long stage. Whenever the going got really tough, I would like at your anklet and could actually feel you tugging my wrist and telling me “ come on Dad, you can do it dad. Stride it out”

You helped me secure 8th place. My best finish. Thank you. My buddy from New Zealand, finished in rough shape. He could not remember what had happened. Bit of first aid got em back on track. Proud to say that everyone in the tent finished through the night, well done everyone!

Special shout out to Jack and Ben: Thanks so much for your awesome messages. Teenage mutant ninja turtles absolutely rock. The next time you play with them, please tell them that I said hello! J

Keep those messages coming Melissa, not much longer now…….

I love you guys so much. I am so thankful that you and mom are in my life. I could not do this without you. You two are my everything. Last stage is tomorrow. 15k and then party time. Wish me luck. We have the rest of today off. Our campsite is on the shore of a pristine mountain lake. There is not one building on the shores. The tents are pitched inside the ruins of an old fort so I am pretty happy. Out of food but tomorrow will come soon enough. My body feels pretty good except for a few blisters and torn toe nails.

The people here are pretty amazing. Even with scare resources they are of compassion and charity. Truly remarkable. We get back to the hotel tomorrow afternoon. Sunday I fly to Beijing and Monday home. Besides my fond thoughts of you, I am can clearly see a floating pepperoni pizza and a ice cold beer on Monday night.

Had a really tough 30 miles today. Aggressively pushed the first two checkpoints and hit the wall, right before the big climbs. not enough calories led to a bonk. Maybe because I had a good day yesterday. Thankfully, Paul from Canada saw that I was in a world of hurt and handed me two gels. I am not sure I could have made it the next 18 miles without his help. Thanks Paul!!!!!

Started feeling better and finished strong for the last 10 miles. So finished 12th. Not bad recovery for an aggressive push. I learned so much about running up mountains. (zig zag baby) Had an amazing experience running through the main streets of town. Running with the kids, high fiving people, and saying neho about a million times. Brianna, it would have been a great selfie moment but I did not have camera. I will re-enact the full sequence for you when I get home soon.

Tomorrow is the longest stage of the week, I think 42 miles. He first third is up s mountain of around 9000 ft. Based off today’s test case, I am going to easy jog/power walk up that thing and then turn it loose! Then day of rest followed by a 12 mile sprint to finish this off.

Couple of fun facts: The hardest and toughest Chinese officials light up like a Christmas tree if you wave at them like a maniac. As far as animals……Lots of sheep, some horses, and 3 camels so far.

Ok, I really appreciate everyone’s amazing support. I will be running through the day tomorrow so no blog for me until the following day.

First top ten finish today. We had lots of up and down over the mountains today but on a much larger scale then yesterday. The scenery was epic! Snow capped mountains and rolling hills. Upset tummy slowed my first 10k.(everyone goes by k’s here.) then it started to rain ice cold rain. Its just what I needed to wake me up and get me going. It was freezing cold so after two hours I put on my running jacket. It felt soooo good that I shouted like a madman as I ran down the side of the mountain. Truly awesome. A strong runner from south Korea joined me.

My Chinese experience has been pretty awesome. There are a lot of things that I have learned about North-western china.
We are currently camped out in a yurt, that’s right a yurt. Rumour has it that we go back up to the mountain tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Lots of love to all. I really appreciate your emails. Keep em coming. Can’t wait to get home soon. It’s yoga time.

Special shout out to my girls. I got interviewed this afternoon. You will have to let me know if they post it.

Hidy ho family!

Keep those emails coming everyone.  I love you guys.  Please give rosco a big kiss from me and let him know it’s ok. 

I am so glad summer started with a bang and I can’t wait to see you again soon.  Just a few more days now.

I had some pretty big lows today but was able to finish around 14^th.  Had very little left in the tank.  Gonna get hydrated and crash in my tent asap.  My hokas are coming apart from hitting the rocks.  The tent is doing great although Inia has bad guts.   He is in for a long night unfortunately.  I am feeling much better now.

Will somebody send brett foote from Australia an e-mail asking him how it feels to finish second in the tent again?

The landscape was sprawling and spectacular.   Everyone was very friendly.  Our camp tonight looks very much like Sedona.(only colder) we are camped out by a stream.  I am looking forward to tomorrows run as we have a nice climb in the mountains. Again there were very few signs of civilization besides the occasional, and very cool, farmstead.  Its starting to rain so I have to go.  Love to all and thank you for the great messages.

Pheeeeeeewwww! What a day.  First stage was extended for 30 miles which is 11 miles longer than the first day in Jordan.   First top 20 finish.(16^th I think)  super proud of my buds and tentmates with strong additional fantastic finishes.  The best part of finishing quickly is picking your sleeping spot.  You can find me by the door of tent 10.(Kristi  ;))  Tent 10, home of the camels.  Which is completely appropriate.

We left the mine today to enjoy some technical legs, panoramic vistas, and a lot of very small, loose rocks.  Memorial to local hero ghengis Khan, high fiving the locals, and chatting with everyone here are definite highlights.  The last three and half miles of the course I imagined that I was running with my girls like we did the morning  before I left.  It got me through, as always.

My pack is pretty light and I have some ideas to lighten it tonight.  Huge impact on the race.  I definitely do not regret leaving the sleeping pad at home.   Sleeping pad, we don’t need no stinking sleeping pad, where are those chinese bears?!

My love to all,

Rob

Made it to base camp on the outskirts of Bole.  The trip was amazing with stops in Beijing, Urumqi, and eventually Bole.  Just about everyone has been very pleasant.  I fell asleep on the plane and woke with a blanket and pillow.  Someone had tucked me in!

It’s good here at camp one, taped up, fed, and ready to rock.  I would like to thank my brothers Kevin and Tim for their military experience.  I had  an mre in your honor….. beef stew.  Part of my secret strategy is to mix up my food.  Simply Fascinating, I know.

Pack came in at 8.2 kilos and I am going to lighten it a little more tonight.(even more fascinating!)  Special shout out to my amazing wife, lovely daughter, and steadfast sister.  Melissa is in the lead with 6 e-mails.

First stage is 30 miles tomorrow.  I am going to hit it with a pair of short shorts and funny hat. Charge!

I love you guys and hope you are all doing fantastic.

Rob

Hellooo! just checking to see if my blog is up and working. Very excited to begin the adventure.