I woke up after a long restless night, half dissapointed with myself for the previous performance on stage 4 and have dreading the fact that once i fell asleep, i would have to wake up and run 80km.  My 50th placement the day before knocked me out of the top 25 which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  We found out that night their would be a staggered start.  The top 25 starting at 11AM and the rest starting earlier at 830.  This means I started and got a few hours of cooler weather before the sun baked everything.  I could hardly believe that I was in the lead at the first couple checkpoints.  By checkpoint 2 I knew that the top 25 were starting and I felt like 150 wolves had just been released to hunt me down.  The adrenaline was amazing.  I kept at a steady run for the first 50km, then i was forced to walk when i hit a dry river bed.  I have found that I am the SLOWEST walker in the lot so this was somewhat depreasing.  I just know that if I run, I win, if I walk, I lose.  My thoughts were on all the friends and family who have supported me with their words, prayers, and donations to operations smile.  I knew people were rooting me on from the other side of the world and I forced myself on.  Almost by miracle i finished in just under 12 hours.  This boosted my spirits and my placement into the top 20!  Just 14km to go and it will all be over.  It's a good thing because my feet are getting infected, my ankles are overused and creaking, and my knees feel like they have been drilled.  For the brave at heart, and stomach, I have lots of pics and videos of the disasters that are my feet.  The Medical staff are over worked, underpaid, but certainly not underappreciated.  Without them, we would not be here....
 
Much Love,
Austin

Yesterday was a beautiful day, rolling hills a couple of farms and lots of confused villagers.  We also ran by a graveyard and some farmers.  I ran very well, beating my previous day quite easily.  The one down side was the water we had to cross at multiple points.  Sinking up to our shins in muck it really didn't make it easier to run.  We ended the day with a 900 meter climb to the beginning of heavens gate where camp was stationed.  Really a beautiful site.  Lots of room and it was a bit cooler so we could actually venture out for a bit. 

 

Today was a different story.  we started out climbing ladders to the top of heavens gate.  which is a huge rock tunnel on top of a mountain.  quite a hike but well worth it.  after heavens gate we had 7 huge valleys to traverse.  I was following an experienced group which turned out to be a bad idea.  I took a little spill, cut my hand up a bit and twisted an ankle.  I guess It's harder than i thought' running down rocky terrain with a big pack on my back...  I finished the day by walking the rest of the 20km... not fun.  It was my worst finish yet, but i am just happy to get it finished.  I was going on my own for a big portion of the race and sometimes i forgot i was in , but rather in a fiery hell like endless rocky path.  It's really hard to describe the pain I feel all over my body, but just imagine being a punchng bag for a week and then someone putting your feet in a blender and then telling you to run 80km....  That's what i have to look forward to tomorrow.  I had my nail on my big toe drilled to release the pressure and I hope my nail stays on and my blisters don't get too infected. 

 

I'm almost done and I can't wait to rest in a real bed.  l have decided that this race is not for anyone under 30 years old and in a midlife crisis.  It takes a certain type of individual to push their bodies this far.... While the people here are some of the best people I have met, I think they are each a bit loco.....  i bet they are thinking the same about me...

 

Much Love,

I finished stage one yesterday in one piece. Not knowing what to expect was almost beneficial since everything can change so quickly. We drove in and it was raining, the next day the temp rose to upper 90's. My first surprise was hitting multiple runner walls. I learned quilkly it is so critical to keep electrolite levels up along with calorie intake. Stage one went smooth.?I kept up with Dean for the first 20 yards... Then I told him I'll meet him at the finish. I made one mistake on the last checkpoint when i didn't monitor the support team filling my water. I was left with two bottles instead of three in the hottest portion of the race.... I ran out about 3km to the finish and I would have been in serious trouble if it weren't for my new friend Sandro, we had been running together for the past 15 miles or so and there being no one else in sight, he literally saved my life. Today I just finished stage two. I felt strong the entire race and shed 30 minutes off the previous day. 50 ft ravine after 50 foot ravine played a messy game with my feet and I have a couple of blisters to keep me company for the rest of the race. I am feeling good so don't worry about me. The only thing I'm worried about is trying to get some fresh air with 4 Irish guys stinking up the tent!!
Much love,
Austin

Arrived into Kashgar with no issues.  All my gear made it past 3 layovers and 36 hours of traveling.  I'm about to go through the competitor check in where the mandatory equipment will be reviewed, inspected and weighed.  I never expected to become such an expert on camping.  In attempt to reduce the overall weight of my pack from 13 Kg (28 lbs) I have removed all foods that won't provide 4 calories to the gram.  I am now down to 12 Kg, so I have some more cuts to make...  I'm a little sad that the Q-tips, facewipes, deoderant, hand sanitizer and economist mag won't make the cut

 

I am feeling good.  Ready to race. 

The biggest challenge tomorrow will be holding myself back...

With love,

Austin