Well, we did it. 80 km, 50 miles, yesterday. We started at 8 am and I again was feeling bad. Just so tired and really worried about the heat. John was awesome again. We held hands and walked slow and put one foot in front of the other. We took the day super slow. This day is called the long march, because the distance obviously. The day is different because there is a check point where you can rest, has hot water and get medical care. It was 50 km and took 12 hours to get there. The heat was unbelievable some said 45 C other 47 C. I have never been in that heat before, let alone carry a pack. We rested at the check points longer than normal to cool down, as well as when there was shade, not much, we rested. I was very glad we did because there were some people really struggling. At check point five, we took our shoes off, ate and hung out for a couple hours. Sun does not set till late. We waited till it went down and then headed out for the last 30 km. that was really hard to get going again. Poor johns feet are really bad. He has so many blisters. He was amazing though, we cranked the last 30 km and got in at 4 AM. You could see the finish line in the distance and it seemed like it was never going to end. Finally we made it and collapsed in our tent. Last person to come in was at 10 AM. She is a rock star. We are all now hanging out at camp with the worst wind I have ever seen, hope our tents stay put. Now we just have tomorrow which is about 7 miles or so. We just want to finish! Everybody is in rough shape limping around camp. We all have our feet up in the shade. We miss you all and cant wait to come home. Thanks for the prayers, we would not have come this far without them!!!

I (we) can do all things...Another 42 km done. this morning was really hard for me, leah. Last night was really cold and the tents were set up on rocks so I got, no joke, about 30 minutes of sleep. I looked at my watch at 430 am and then got woken up by the early risers. Woke up super nauseated mostly because of sleep deprivation, but managed to get breakfast down. Took a Zofran and got better. I really did not want to continue, but john was awesome and said lets just go to the first check point. 8 km. after that I was a little better and we even ran some today. We got to check point three and that heat we have be3n waiting for is finally here. We took the last 11 k super slow. We got in and are now getting ready for the 50 miles we will do tomorrow. every day has a cut off time. Tomorrow is 36 hours.

Well today we can say we have experienced the full range of weather that the Gobi has to offer. It snowed the first day, poured yesterday, and was baking hot today. Luckily, today was flat and we were able to get out of the sun a little after 4. The race has certainly been a team effort for Leah and me. She needed help day one with her twisted ankle. Last night after finishing I had a touch of hypothermia and combined with not enough calories in, I almost passed out. Leah nursed me back to health and I was back in fighting form this morning.

Camp is abuzz with excitement as we all prepare for the 50 mile long march tomorrow. Spirits are high as we hobble about with perhaps a little spring in our steps. I don't think I've ever seen so much KT tape in one place. Foot care is the top priority every day. At this point, even my blisters have blisters. It's ok though, it will all be over soon.

Hello everyone, leah again. We did another 42 km today. Ran a little and the ankle held up, but still don't want to risk it, want to finish. Thank you for your prayers they were felt! Today was hard lots of up and down rocks and then the cold wind and rain set in for the last 17 km. it was pretty discouraging. We made it though and they have brought in buses to warm up and dry our stuff. I must say this is getting hard but we just take one check point at a time. Have another 42 km again tomorrow. We hope it doesn't rain again. So far people are comparing this to the Iceland race. First day we had snow, second day up an icy incline for 600 meters this is the coldest desert race. Not what we expected. Our packs get less each day and that is nice. Please keep the prayers coming. We are feeling them and will need them every step of the way!

Leah writing today. As you know I sprained my ankle pretty badly yesterday at 2 k. totally discouraging. But I managed to make it through. When I woke up today I could barely walk to the bathroom and thought the race was over for me. Then I put some kt tape on it took some Tylenol and it felt a little better. We had a huge 600 meter climb through ice and snow from the start. Then it was mostly downhill. It was hard but we finished! 40km today. It stinks because we trained to run and are forced to walk due to my ankle. Truthfully I can't believe we are still going and not in last place. The mountains are beautiful and the walking lets you enjoy the view! We are still in this even though my expectations have had to change and the running is over. (We tried about a

Well we survived stage1 of the Gobi March, a 23 mile run that included sand dunes, fantastic mountain views, and a small blizzard that was reminiscent of training in Maine.

Hello everyone.

We are finally here in Hami China! It's 4 AM because I could not make myself stay awake any longer and went to bed early. It was a long trip! Portland to jfk to Detroit to Beijing to Urumqui. That night we stayed in a hotel and then a private car we hired drove the 6 hour ride to Hami. All of our luggage and gear made it!!!! That was a huge concern. There have been lots of lost luggage and since there are mandatory items you might not be able to start the race of you don't have them. Friday is when everyone shriek be here and Saturday they go over our gear. Then we leave for the first campsite after that. Can't wait to get started!! Thanks for all the encouragement!

Are you ready? We're not....well at least we feel that way sometimes...then other days