The dreaded long stage is over and I made it. It necessitated a whole new game plan - a lot of sleep and a lot of rest. I think I slept more on this stage than I did the whole rest of the week, probably not what is intended for the long stage! I was ready for bed after 20k with about 80 to go. The strategy, break it into 3 separate stages. Powered through to CP 4 in good time, where i slept for 2hrs while 30 people passed me. Then to CP 6, overtaking about 20 then napping at CP6 for 4hrs while another 40 people passed, then to CP 8 passing about 10, sleeping for another 2.5hrs then tothe finish... so basially a ridiculous amount of rest and sleep! It was my best stage so far... these racescan be fun if you take this approach, i highly recommend it. It did mean i was alone with my thoughts for the whole long stage since i was working to my own schedule... being alone for that long walking in the dark certainly plays with your mind. I made good use of my i-pods, probably didn't need to bring all 4 with me, but got through 1 which is 1 better than in the Gobi. It is probably a good thing I was alone because I was singing my heart out the whole way in such a way that if there were windows they would be broken.I think my theme tune to this race has got to be Queen's 'don't stop me now' got me through some low points.
 
So the long stage, i  would say sandy is the most fitting description, there is really nothing else to it...much like the rest of the course! For someone who isn't even a fan of the beach because of the sand, i probably should have thought twice about the Sahara desert. Stage 2-3 was beautiful though, I got my camera out for the first time to a picture of something other than my feet. But still have only managed that one photo the whole race. I'm sure the photographer Zandy took some good ones, but to be honest all you really need it one good one as it hard to tell the difference between any part of this desert.
 
I will write a wrap up blog when I get back home, but for now, these flies that are swarming me because I smell that good are driving me nuts!
 
With 2km to go tomorrow I see nothing in my way to stop me getting to the end and if something does, my tent mates will jsut hvae to carry me up to the fisnish at the Pyramids! Hopefully in this finish I will have raised some good sponsorship for Kilimanjaro Porters Assitance Project (KPAP). Thanks to everyone who has kindly sponsored me in this quest, your support has been invaluable.
 
Now to escape these damn flies and perform my last blister surgery for a very long time!
 
Thanks again for all your messages and support! I look forward to talking about the last week with anyone who wants to hear about the torture and expereince. By far the toughest thing I have every done in my life!
 
xx

I might have caused a little concern for my lack of blogging activity... or pessimistic attitude. So thought, I would put in a few words before the long stage.... Go Big of Go Home. That is what I am going to try and hold in my mind for the next 48hrs. That is it and hopefully it will be done.
 
I came in pretty strong today, about 2 hrs ahead of my scheduled arrival. So far every day i've spent about an hour at every checkpoint, but i decided to power on through today. I'm suffering the consequences both in my feet at legs, but i think ive had a decent rest. Getting into camp today, a few things have been going on... at least a dozen people have asked if they can take pictures of my feet, aparently my feet have become some form of scale as to blister damage, another guy has thinks my most recent blister should be pinned with a british flaf as it would double its territory and then my new quote which has traveled through camp "its the same number of steps, the same amoutn of pain, but it gets done faster". The friendly faces out here are what get everyone, well certainly me, through this. I look forward to those final steps into camp to see everyone cherring you on and smiling. I think this is really what brings be back to these ridiculous events.
 
The most exctiting news out here, 2 of my tentmates got engaged on the course yesterday. That definitely put a smile on all our faces, and proabably part of the reason for their awesome finish... about 4hrs faster than yesterday! Congratulations Mike and Johnna!!!
 
So now to perform a little more blister surgery. I haven't actaully taken any photos other than of my feet... but they are photo worthy. I am walking about the camp a bit of a cripple, its almost embarrasing. Everyone is being so amazing though, offering to get my water, pick up my headlamp when it gets dark, prepare my freeze-dried meals etc. This race would not be possible without all these great people!
 
Genuinely terrifed about tomorrow... I plan to work to the cut off times and spend my hour at each checkpoint. It is going to be a long 2 days. I hope I find someone to hobble with, especially after the incidences on day one with one of the locals. My porblem is that, I manage a decent pace once the drugs kick-in, but then wait for such a long time at the checpoints, that there isnt anyone that is moving at about the same speed. But, i'm taking it slow... so hopefully will find someone. I would not have made the long stage at teh Gobi if it were not for Jeremey. Fingers corssed there is another Jeremy out here.
 
Thanks again for all the messages and apologies for the inconsistent blogging... as you might have gathered i'm struggling rather a lot here!
 
Hopefully, I will be back with news in 48hrs, but again (especailly mum/dad) don't panic if most people are in and I am not as I am taking it slow and there is still the chance I might not make the cut-offs with my max 2 miles/hr pace right now!
 
xx

Whoever said the Sahara is the easiest race - rubbish!

Apologies for no blog last night, I did promise to write one every day, but was in a bad state coming through the finish line yesterday and surprised I even made it that far! Mind you, the lack of positive attitude and suffering today does not bode well for this blog.. be warned! I was going to be a non-starter today, but managed to get my act together and decided I would just go for check-point 1 and see what happened. I'm crawling in, with the cut-off times plaguing me on the course. In the Gobi I didn't stop at any of the check-points during the day, now I am taking an hour at each to re-tape my feet. To those who saw my feet at the end of the Gobi... end of day one here is certainly comparable, now I'd say they are considerably worse.
 
Nothing other than pulling out of the race has crossed my mind on the course. So, I would love to be positive and say things are going well, unfortunately that would just all be lies.  I thought I could blame my fitness levels, but thankfully that can't be the only problem out here. Those nutcases who have done a number of these have no qualms in saying this is the toughest so far. It is just RIDICULOUS.  Unfortunately, 7 pulled out day 1 (supposedly the easiest day of the  whole race) and 4 at check-point 1 today, with a fair few more throughout the day! It does not look good for the next few days. Sadly, a couple of these guys were going for the grand-slam. Hopefully they will make it to Antarctica - 3 in 1 year is still unbelievable!
 
One thing I have discovered from this race, is that I will never be a housewife! The flags on my shirt fell off day 1, my gaitors were lost somewhere on the course on day 1 between checkpoints 2 and 3 I think! Sewing is clearly something that I am useless at. Though I have tried to come up with alternativs. Duct-tape.... that lasted not even till the first checkpoint! Now I am sort of safety-pinning parts over my shoes - not effective at all! Tomorrow, a whole 42k of dunes... going to be 'interesting.
 
Strangely, I can't eat out here. In Gobi, I could get my food down. But I would say I am getting just over 1,000kcal in a day. So, I think my pace on the course is just going to get slower.
 
Anyone following, just a warning that it is quite likely I may be a DNF tomorrow. For now, the only goals I am setting are to get to the next checkpoint.  No intentions for a mid-field place, or even a top 100 finish... those thoughts do not cross my mind at all. Honestly, it is just about surviving each day.
 
Thanks for the messages, they mean more than anything right now.
 
Until, possibly tomorrow... hopefully it will be good news!
 
 
Nick- I would say I have taken over your role in my tent out here... I am trying to get rid of my food almost by kilo!
Amanda- pjyamas ... not much use out here with the silly amount of sand, but still a nice luxury.
Lucy 0- Xfactor updates- excellent!
Lucy T- How was snowdon? I wish I was there now!!
Celebrity slim- you are missed! I feel too young!
DAUR crew- miss you guys... I haven't actually seen stu at all apart from before the start of day 1! Hopefully he is going strong.
Nicky- Hope someone has as goodas a checkpoint at 6 set up.. just it case I make it that far!

A week to go and finally booked my flights! I would say my preparations are underway, though struggling to find some of my gear. I thought I never unpacked from the Gobi, so it is a mystery to be solved in the next few days. Top of the list on this treasure hunt, the sleeping bag

Training will begin tomorrow, when I put on my running shoes - for the first time since the Gobi and have been gathering dust - to run the 4miles into university to hand in my Masters dissertation, the cause of my lack of training and no life away from this computer the last few months. But this short adventure for my running shoes will be just as much a token effort at training, as it will be a result of a last minute panic