Quite a good day really. Scrapped myself out of bed after some insightful snoring throughout the night. Sleeping bag is cozy as, thank you again to all those involved.

So dawn broke, we all rose, I wanna say we all got dressed but tbf we all wore our running clothes to bed so that was easy enough.

As in many races, the excitement and euphoria of the countdown led me to race off way to fast, like achy shins fast. It didn’t last long till I was cantering liked a disabled horse through the undergrowth.

This place is amazing, we are 4-5hours out in the middle of nowhere running through endless plains, over 500m hills through potentially people’s back yards. Truly mind blowing place, cold and hot and cold again. Running with a 11kg bag is difficult. The aches and pains are currently very real.

The atmosphere is great and the volunteers here are super chirpy which always helps. Finished the first day I think in under 5 hours, not sure, I’m running without a watch for the first time, so time I guess is no concept. Apparently I’m 25^th tho, which is nice but to be honest the first thing I have learnt is that this race is all about damage control and just surviving, so that’s my goal.

Also there’s some big ole bug in this place, dunno what it is but its massive and everywhere with a thickmas body. Nobody told me about that, I’d take the wolves over that any day.

So here I am. Sitting peacefully in the hotel room, which in any other circumstance would be way above my pay scale, hat's off Racing P for this gem. 

The bag is lacked after 17 long efforts, general objects  have been discarded, a towel, why I had that I'm not sure, deodorant, not a chance, except your stenching fate young Spash. Some food which I'll be honest hurt deep down. Seriously, how some of these guys only carry 6kg of equipment I'll never know but fair play to them. Would love to see in their bags. 

Exciting times ahead. 

Had a quick word woth the Genghis statue, hope the fella throws me some luck.