The day has been very calm. I have managed to do

A day off, sunshine, nice people, nice music BUT

I didn

Have to admit that today was a tough day. Until 28km everything felt perfect but then suddenly something happened. I finished but the last 12km were hard.

Maybe too little water and electrolytes. Need to prepare the whole night to avoid dehydration tomorrow.

But already after having read your emails, I got extra energy. You are all fabulous. Thanks for thinking of me.

But the stage itself was one of the nicest I have experienced. Very beautiful scenery. I got once blocked by sheep, once by cows. And the views were something cannot describe with words.

I just decided to take it very easy tomorrow as in two days we have the long march. I need to get some more energy. But it is not the first time I have felt like this so don

First of all, I had a fantstic night lat night. Slept almost 10h. full of energy for day 2.

We heard in the morning that we will climb up to 3000m, during 17,5km and then the same back. The extra spices to the stage ws brought by mother earth, it was raining all day!!!!!!!

The climbing was cool and actually the rainy day was like a typical summer day in FinlandJ

But to be honest, I have never had my pulse on 190 for 3h in a row. And when the same beating was in the head, it was like in a discoJ

But as I arrived the top, where we had 2 degrees and strong wind, I thought that now it is easy to go down. BUT, as it rained, the ground was slippery. I felt that coming down was as hard as going up.

It was a good day for me!!! Very satisfied. And again, NO BLISTERS. Im amazed. Now I had double socks on right and a toe sock on the left.

The challenge is now to get everything dry until tomorrow. Because all stuff is soaking wet.

I plan to enjoy a pasta carbonara now but I want to thank you all readers for your encouraging words. It is really giving me energy. THANKS!!!

I love you all, and greetings from a happy man out in the Gobi desert! Tomorrow is a mentally important day!

Micke

One clever guy said once to me. You should celebrate small victories, even though they are really small.

First of all, this is the first day of my life in a desert when I haven

Hi,

that was a trip. Left from Helsinki Wednesday evening and flew over Shanghai to Urumqi. Had an airport transfer in Shanghai but I made it, as well all my belongings. Happy to get a good night sleep now and then take the train tomorrow to Hami where the race hotel is.

Met already many familar faces which just gives me energy for the race.

It is very hard to get any internet connection so it might be that the next blog text is after the first stage.

Feeling happy, and ready for a new desert experience.

Greetings,

Micke