So the long march is now under our belts – what a day! Started with a gentle introduction and then moved into what seemed like an endless up – course notes say moderate moving to difficult, very evident that the killer hills from the day before were the gentle intro to the continuous grind of jeep tracks topped with a crawl up an uneven grassland to a 2800m summit. Weather was great – sun and heat, all changed at the top – biting wind, not somewhere to linger any longer than getting more water. Then downhill for the next 9 kms – knees completely shot with my shin by this stage looking like an extra from elephant man – truly a redefinition of pain thresholds, got to learn a lot about myself to that point! Didn’t help that we basically got the typical Singapore weather chart – everything upto and including hail! Checkpoint 5 gave a chance to sit grab some noodles before “attacking” ( J ) the final 25 kms of the day. Check points 5 to 6 more downhill action, just what the knees were looking for! 6 to 7 and the uphill fun started again, described by the guys in the checkpoint as alpine like valleys with great views – read all uphill (Ironman come back, all is forgiven J). This time was done in the dark – an eerie experience of only seeing the area immediately in front of your feet illuminated by the head light and having no clue of what is around you. The first set of green eyes staring back at you quite interesting as one of many horses, sheep, cattle cross your path. This stage again had a summit at 2400m, apparently some stunning views – all I got to see was a snake of glow sticks going ever upwards in the darkness – has to be one of the longest 10 kms ever done! Again more mountain goat action to reach the top – maybe the comments about dry river beds was a touch hasty!! Last check point reached at just before 1.00 a.m. – freezing cold. All items of clothing on for the descent to the finish – what a fantastic sight to see the finish arch appear out of the darkness – unbelievable feeling to have completed still in one piece. Another strong showing from Masami, I finally finished the long march at 01.45a.m. into camp to try and sleep – no hope freezing cold and my body in bits not having anything to do with sleep. The couple of hours that finally managed to grab were sponsored by Neurofen J Today a rest day beside a truly beautiful lake – last 14 kms tomorrow.

To the Boys – guys you probably had no idea, but we had many discussions yesterday – great inspiration as another uphill appeared in the dark and a glow of light sticks looked like they just went upwards to the stars. In answer to the questions about cool birds and animals – someone on the first or second day saw a wolf (pretty cool), the best that I have done was a snake on one of the many (wet) river crossings we have had to go through – was hiding under the rock I was about to put my foot on. Some big hawks and many horses, dogs, sheep a couple of camels and loads of cows. To Eloic – no barn owls I am afraid, we’ll get maman on the case to try and find one J

So my turn at the key board. What a day, an unexpected bonus of being 50 kms just before the long march! Some real killer hills today, have to say that if I was meant to be a mountain goat I would have been born with 4 legs and horns and for the love of God I never want to see another dry river bed in my life. Quick plug for Paul and Pierre – many thanks for putting me back together. Ankle is probably the strongest part of me at the moment. Yesterday’s stage in the hail was interesting to say the least, and there is talk of snow on the higher parts of tomorrow’s course! Have to say that all the comments of being able to smell yourself are true and then some! The freeze dried stuff is still bearable (just) to eat, but the impact on kit just adds to the fact that we are running all day every day in the same kit – thank god I am not running behind myself!
To the boys – great to hear that all going well at home and that both Ghia and Mitchi still in control J. Maman had another very strong day and Papa is still here J Huge bisous and hugs from us both. More after tomorrow’s 68 kms of fun and games.

Stage 3 has been shorten to 24 km the highest point of the course being under snow… To be clear there is nothing desert like to this race! Alex and I stayed together the whole way which was nice. I did not freeze to death on the first stage. I love my Arcteryx gears. We are now camping in yurts for the night, our tent got flooded last night, so it is a nice break. Funny thing is that I am still enjoying myself who would have thought!
Tomorrow is therefore another long day with likely 50km. not too sure about the new route but we will be on Ghengis Khan territory. Bodies are holding, bring it on!

2nd day now over and we are in good spirits. Race was endless fields with lots and lots of dry river crossing. Not as scenic as yesterday but fantastic nevertheless. We have a nice campsite at the base of the Altai Mountains next to a river and sheltered by trees and surrounded by yurts. Weather is freezing cold and raining. I do not know if I am going to be able to survive. Local guys have just killed a sheep and are preparing a BBQ. I might sneak in and have dinner with them, the freeze dry packet are suddenly not as appealing!
For tomorrow’s program we are attacking the Altai Mountain it is supposed to be a hard day with some interesting climbs.
Thanks for the messages and again ennormous hugs to our loulous. Papa is going strong! Bisous

Successful first day, we are all feeling the aches of a great 50km walk in some pretty amazing sceneries with great stones formations, goats, lots of them and some camels. Finished the run with Cyrille quite famished, Valerie and Alex arrived under the beat of a local drum about an hour after that. Feeling quite cold nothing like hot desert weather so very nice. First night in the tent, no shower frankly they are overrated… Tomorrow we are attacking the Altai mountains.

Sending big bisous to the favourite loulous!

We have arrived in camp one, weather is cold and the wind blowing hard. I am now wearing all my cold weather gears!... The organisers had to change camp site do to potential heavy storm and lightning. We are now sleeping on a quarry site in workmen huts. Cyrille and Valerie plus 6 Koreans with the aim to keep ourselves warm Tomorrow is  the first day with 50 km in the mysterious stone valley! Time for sleep, more tomorrow.

In 7 days today I should have finished the first leg of the race, eaten my carefully chosen space food meal and attempt to sleep on my carefully chosen ultralight ultra warm sleeping bag lying on my super light sleeping mat. Gosh so much planning and projecting for the past few months. Can't wait to be there and experience it all! :) See you there!