Apart from a 2 km stroll through the pyramids tomorrow, this race is over and not before time.  I arrived at camp at 1:45 this morning and could not be happier.  I spent the last 40km of the stage thinking about laying down and sleeping.  Unfortunately I have been hit with a bout of nausea and cramping since I've been in camp and could not sleep a wink nor eat or drink.  I imagine things will return to normal though once the sun goes down again in a few hours.  Either that or I really will have lost a shed load of weight on this race by the time I get back to Hong Kong.
 
What a stage it turned out to be.  I was not particularly looking forward to a 100km given the state of the heel but I managed to start ok once the first Volatarin kicked in after 3 km or so.  I ran the rest of the checkpoint to take advantage of the early morning cooler weather.  At checkpoint 1 we entered the Valley of the Whales, an open air fossil museum.  Believe it or not I did have a quick look at a couple of the exhibits as we were running through and am not convinced that the fossils were real and, in any case, they were largely covered in the sand that is getting blown everywhere.  In the interest of getting a move on I did not bother to knick any bones either.  The run through the park was truly amazing in all seriousness and the amaxing views probably distracted me so that I ran most of the stage but that was all the running I did.  Checkpoint 3 was time for the second Volarin of the day because they were really making me feel good and that allowed me to plow on for a couple more stages at decent pace.  We hit a sanddune to get up to checkpoint 4 and I was still on a bit of high when asked for a quote for the RTP webwsite.  I believe I said sometheing quite stupid about enjoying my self.  I lived to regret those words.
 
Things went a little awry on stage 4 as I completely ran out of energy on the hard slog.  I sat down at checkpoint 5 and ate a bar, had a tylenol and was pleased with myself for getting halfway and looking forward to the hot water stop at checkpoint 6.  I shuffled a bit of the next 10km as I really wanted my noodles and ended up getting to the checkpoint about 5:30 which was an hour ahead of plan. The rest of the day was downhill however.  Although it got dark as we left the checkpoint, my foot was killing me and my legs were aching (just not fit enough Pete, i guess I need more training on Wanchai Gap Rd).  The thought of having to still run a marathon was depressing.  I partnered up with Cole from checkpoint 6 though and our strategy was too keep our heads down and take each stage in turn.  The temperature was beautiful as was the sky full of stars (we don't get to see them in Hong Kong) but the terrain was very heavy going between 60km and 80km.  The problem with running this stuff in the dark is that you cannot distinguish the hard packed sand from the soft packed sand.  As a result my legs only found soft sand to walk through.
 
I cannot remember much of the last two stages, apart from the two Ibuprofen and last Voltarin, none of which worked.  The last stage was half descent from a plateau through sand dunes followed by a slog across hard packed mud. There were nealry tears of joy and huge relief when Cole and I crossed the line in just over 19 hours.  Well ahead of expectations.
 
So we have a rest day in the sun which is not making me feel better.  Planning is already underway for Antarctica as we only have month to go.  There were bits of the day today during which I questioned my sanity for trying this. Once I've calmed down a bit, I'll start looking forward to the cold desert.  I will nevfer ever underestimate a race again.
 
I cannot thank everyone enough for all the messages and blog comments.  The support has been overwhelming and I am stunned so many people are following the progress.
 
I believe I ended up in the top 50 which was my goal so misssion accomplished.  I really cannot wait to get home.....
 
Phil

Chelsea 2 - Arsenal 0
Europe win the Ryder Cup
I got through day 4
 
What a week in sports it's been!  Only one more day to go, albeit a long day.  I am really looking forward to the finish now.  This race has been far harder than I ever anticipated.  My bad.
 
As expected today was a bit easier than yesterday.  Started off running the first 14km or so and then settled in to a decent walking pace.  The last 9km stage was a bit of a pain as my heal was acting up badly by then and my hip flexors both started to play up.  The intention was to get to camp as quickly as possible so I could rest for tomorrow and the mission was accomplished. I have had plenty of rest already, the heal has been re-taped, I have eaten most of my food (spag bol today which is pretty horrible but I managed to spill half of it on the ground anyway when I was congratulating Lucy R-B on finishing the day).
 
We spent most of the day on relatively flat territtory interspersed with a couple of climbs up on to ridges.  It is amazing to walk along kicking fosssils with every step and contemplating this place as an ocean a few years ago.  Eric Lahai found a shark tooth when he was setting the course the other day.  No such luck for me. Tomorrow we go through the protected park where they found all the whale bones.  Might try and stick one in my pack if noone is looking.
 
The feet are holding up remarkably well except for the heal. The doctor has had about enough of taping it now.  Apparently she could kind of see bone today and recommends that I don't not lose any more skin.  Not sure how to avoid that tomorrow but I'll try.  Haven't used painkillers yet but tomorrow will be the day for all sorts of artifical aid.
 
So 95km tomorrow and it is all over.  We are aleady discussing the Antarctica trip and looking forward to the cold (I'm going to regret saying that).  Great to see no more grand slammers have dropped out.  Dave, Diego and Lucy have been amazing competitors to keep going depsite very significant sickness/injuries.  I doubt I would have done it.
 
Next update will be after the long march.  Please pray for cloud cover.
 
Thanks to all for the amazing support through blog comments and e-mails and keep them coming.
 
Cheers
phil

Apologies but this blog will be short.  Today was meant to be the toughest day of the race and it did not disappoint, nothing but very hot sun and sand dunes.
 
I went out hard to take advantage of the cooler ealry morning weather so ran the 17km or so.  After  that it was a matter of survival so I just ploddded along and tried to stay hydrated.  Camp could not come soon enough  and I am very glad I have some decent recovery time before tomorrow. 
 
Just one blister on my heal but it is a bit nasty and bloody unfortunately.  Doctors are taking good care of me.
 
Off to rest now.  Apologies for the lack of good cheer but tomorrow should easier and I should be in a better mood.
 
Phil

Surprise surprise it was another hot day in the desert today.  It was pretty much a war of attrition but I live to fight another day. 
 
Had another good night's sleep thanks to stilnox and a Cathay Pacific eye mask.  Was up about 4:30 for a 6:30 start which was godsend as we got to do the first 11km stage before the real heat set in.  My plan was to run the first leg and get to the dunes of stage two in decent shape before it was hot.  For the first ime ever, my plan worked.  Stage two and three were then a slog but just  maintained a steady pace (with arms swinging all the time - Pete).  The final stage was a 5.5km slog to camp with two dune climbs.  I managed to get into camp (appropriately named the "Sea of Sand") about 12:30 so have plenty of time to rest and recover.
 
We had some pretty dramatic but stark views of  the Sahara desert, which is really quite beautiful. Saw a bone today but don't think it was a fossil.  Looked everywhere one of those whales with vestigial legs no luck so far.  Will keep hunting but am not holding out much hope.
 
Very sadly we have had to say goodbye to two grandlammers already - Tremaine and Ricky.  Both of these guys are tremendous athletes and it horrible to see them go.  It does make you sit back and take stock ofthe situation.  Even after two races, you cannot take anything for granted.  It is a harsh environment out here.
 
The amount of messages I am recieving is overhwleming and I cannot thank everyone enough. The support is really appreciated. I owe many beers when I get back.
 
I'm off to get some dinner now.  Chili con carne - yum!. 
 
Until tomorrow.  One step at a time...
 
Phil

Well what a day that was.  Probably the toughest first day I have been through on a desert race and I am glad it is over.  The heat is unrelenting (supposedly 45ish); apparently they are experiencing a bit of a heat wave here...Who'd have thought?
 
The check in went smoothly on Saturday - pack weighed in at 8kg so was very happy.  It was a shame to leave the hotel as it really was quite beatiful but buses took us on a 3.5 hour ride to the starting line and we got there just after dark and in time for dinner - Freeze dried chicken korma. What a treat for me; as soon as I opened the pouch to put the water in, I realised how much I missed this cuisine.  I managed to sleep well, thanks to the sleeping pill Amy provided pre-race (definitely not anti-depressants this time) so I felt pretty good this morning.
 
Today's course took us around the egde of two lakes (never expected those here). I probably went out a bit hard (sorry Pete, couldn't  resist) but calmed down for the tough second stage which was mainly soft sand.  I was really feeling the heat however by the middle of the the thrid stage and just put my head down and thought of being able to lie down in the tent.
 
I feel ok now I have rested a bit. I have no idea what place  I came in but it should have been ok as there are still loads of people coming across the line.  I am now off to eat, strecch and sleep.  I will dream of a cold front heating Egypt very soon.  I would beg all of you to do so as well if you are so inclined.
 
Thanks to everyone for the messages of support so far.  They really help.  I keep trying to smile for the cameras so you'll believe I'm enjoying myskelf.
 
Tomorrow is after all another day. One step at a time.....
 
Phil

Well my bag is packed and I'm (just about) ready to go...

I'm looking forward to catching up with the rest of the competitors, especially the other grand slammers.  I have managed to keep a pretty consistent training schedule going since coming back from China.  Most importantly I have managed to stay injury free which is the name of the game coming into the last two races of the year.  For that I owe a huge debt to Peter (who has made me re-learn how to run), Jonine (the osteopath who has made my back mobile again) and Justin (who manages to manipulate my leg muscles and create pain like I have never exerienced before).

I am a bit more anxious for this race, probably because I can now see the grand slam is possible but also know that anything can happen on these races to prevent me getting to the finish. So I will revert to basics and take the race one step at a time.  "The six inches in front of your face - that's what living is..."  (Al Pacino - Any Given Sunday)

Next blog will be from Egypt.

 

 

Cheers

 

Phil

 

 

 

http://www.cancer-fund.org/scripts/diy_detail.aspx?diyid=99

 

 

 

So I got back from Gobi in one piece, relatively unscathed.  Enjoyed a bout a week of rest and congratulatory drinks but figured I better get back to some light training pretty quickly or I'll enjoy laziness for far too long.  This week has therefore been about gentle runs and hill climbs but it has been tough being out there at lunchtime in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong.

Looking forward to getting to Canada in August for some beautiful trail running in a more temperate climate.