Yahhhooooo we did it All of us got across the finish line. It was a real struggle and tough stage. I am really proud of the guys who had never even done a maraton before yet alone something like this.
 
Kaspars is a really strong and tough guy. Lots of respect for him. At checkpoint 3 he told me his right foot was so swollen that he had 2 options: 1. Cut the side of his shoe off to provide room for his foot to expand (we were not even 1/2 way).  2. Cut his small toe off. After he finsihed his shoe work things went ok for him.
 
Nikita managed the entire race without a blister. Past that he wore hiking boots. Really. Heavy and fairly clunky they got him to the finish line without a scratch.Chris wont believe this.
 
The 3 of those guys did shots of whiskey starting from CP5 (50k roughly). This helped them speed up on a few parts which helped them get through to the final bit as the day started and the sun became strong They also teamed up with some Chinese guys for shots at one CP who were so impressed they took pictures. Amazing Baltic toughness.
 
As usualy Dainis and Nikita sped through the first few parts. They always start out really strong. Past CP4 we all got together. Dainis then began to run. I followed and we quickly got to CP5 - anteother 10 ahead. At CP 5 Dainis decided to sleep for a few hours so I took off. I started walking but seemed to feel strong. I then started to run bits. I felt stronger. I then passed every I could see to the finish line. I barley stopped at checkpoints and felt great. Actually one of the most rewarding runs i have ever had. I have hardly any feet damage and I feel fine. Really. I feel tired but I could run today. Contrast this with Atacama where I was really in bad shape.So I actually finished 64 out of 123 that finished. I might say for an old guy thats not too bad.
 
When I was running alone - for what was about 7 hours - lots of strange things happen to you. The demons come out and things also get funny. I had taken 3 Immodium so far that day to prevent a stomach leak :) I spent from 60 to 65k running and deciding whether I should fart. I weighed the consequences. I even tried a tester. Everthing seemed to say no. I finally decided no. Good decision in retrospect. That might be too much detail for some of you but Randy, Lisa, Chris and a few others will relate.
 
Well we are off to Cairo tomorrow for a 2k fun run to finish in front of the pyramids. Then to the hotel. I really look forward to brushing my teeth. Shower and beer after that.
 
Thank you so much to all of you guys that posted. It was really fun to read those ever night. I really really appreciated it. Love to all you guys.
 
Lisa you would have actually been impressed with my final 35k section. A Chinese runner I chased for what was about the final 3k waited for me at the finish line. He said I kept him going as he did not want me to pass him. I told him he made me use all of it - everything I had trying to catch him. We cheered our finish together. Was cool. Love u and call you tomorrow!!!
'
Fred and the boys

All in and accounted for!  Dainis and I went off ahead of Kaspars and Nikita after about 25k. Dainis was super tough – even though he had a sore knee he pushed me all the way to check point 4. I left him there and got in a bit before 4. He was about an hour later and the boys shortly after. 

We had a blessing today – a fairly strong wind from the side. Kept it pretty cool but hard to notice you were sweating. Then we turned into the wind. For about 14k. Felt like I was not moving. I did the last nearly 10k in 1.5 hours so somehow the headwind helped me. I am still trying to figure that out.

I feel quite strong. One small blister.  Even though tomorrow is 86k I may actually go for it. Well maybe not. 

Kaspars counted 10 blisters today. Nikita with his hiking boots has none. Really unbelievable. Dainis has a few but thankfully his knee seems ok. Nikita well he is just tough. 

Thank you so much for the wonderful messages. Lisa had to talk me into the blog thing and truthfully I like it. 

The guys from Japan do a very very inspiring and cool cheer in the morning. It raised the hair on the back of my neck. It was somehow part warrior and part just Japanese. Uber cool. I stopped by their tent today to thank them and ask them for it again. They said my words were a very big honor. The smallest things sometimes are really the most important. 

I keep snoring fairly hard and loud. Last night I woke up and noticed one of guys standing over me with a pocket knife. In case:


-          Dave M gets my Bang and Olufen hifi

-          Matt gets my mountain bike 

-          Randy gets my motorcycle but only if he promises to ride it round the world first (I put this on my list today)

-          Lisa gets a husband that does not snore

-          Val gets my hiking equipment (good for her new home and life!)

-          Chris gets my running equipment – finally it will break 1:50 for the half marathon

Well love to everyone. Really appreciate your comments. Very huge hug to my fantastic wife Lisa who actually registered us for another 250k ultra while I am still running one. Now if that’s not love what is?


Lisa I love you deeply. 

See all of you in 86k.

Fred

All boys arrived safely - around 11 hours though so its a bit hard to walkaround and I was nearly sick while trying to eat. Temp was over 40 and at times it was really just too hot. Kaspars and I went together and Nikita and Dainis were together. We drank easily 11 liters of water today.
 
Only 1 crisis today for me and it was just 10k into it. Felt like i was low on energy and wobbled a bit then seemed to get it together.
 
A few notes on the course and day:
 
- todays course was named - Sea of Sand - perhaps a touch too accurate. it was endless mountains of sand which was mentally painful
- you know you are really hungry when someone drops a jelly bean at a checkpoint and you pick it up and eat it when they are not looking
- Kaspars sings really loud when he has his ipod on
- we saw a scorpion and a scarab beetle - that was cool
- this morning I had to hide in the poo tent because i did not want to reveal that it was me that made such a horrific noise
 
 
Some replies to your posts:
 
- I was not the one farting
- decitin and sheepskin are in fact dangerous combinations - slippery fur...
- no locals selling beer although we kept praying
- if no pain no gain: some of my body parts fell off today - what do I get for that?
 
Really appreciate all of your comments. One last thought. Most of the day I thought about my wife. I am really luck to have her especially because she likes to do these events together. I missed her a lot and cant wait to give her a hug.
 
Fred

Well that was a tough day at about 43k and again probaby in the 40s for times.Thankfully we had some wind most of the time. Kaspars and I were around 4:23 and Dainis and Nikita around an hour later. Simply incredible course. Very dramatic views except for the 4km hill in the sand - that was a bit tough.
 
Tomorrow is a real test - as we start off with 250m of incline in soft sand. If we can get past this day 4 should be somewhat easier although one should never underestimate the desert.
 
A few thank you messages:
 
Randy the Decitin idea saved me today. Really. I look a little funny from behind now but in no trouble.
Margret the sheepskin really works and all of the team from Japan wants one it seems.
 
So far no  blisters for me - Kaspars has a few good ones. Dainis has a pretty sore knee
from around 10k so hes a tough guy for finishing today.
 
Nikita says hi to Anna and Tatjana. He also says to say to Tatjana that his gear is really great.
 
Thanks for all of the message everyone it is really nice to read them. I got to go as someone close to me in the cybertent keeps farting pretty bad.
 
 
Fred, Kaspars, Dainis and Nikita

Hi Everyone, For some reason Fred has not been able or doesn't know I have set up his blog yet. I received an email from him yesterday & all 4 of them finished Stage 1. He said it was incredibly hot, peaking at 46C with no wind..brutal. Haven't received any news today yet but I hope to get an email from him overnight. I will update his blog tomorrow if he hasn't already. I know he super appreciates everyones well wishes & following him & guys along their journey. Stay posted...Lisa xo

Test. Arrived at first camp, ready to start day 1. My wife had to set up my blog for me from Riga because I didn't listen to her when she told me that I had to set up before I left :). Take it away Fred, we're all very anxious to hear from you & the guys after day 1. Have fun & take it easy. xo