Thanks to everyone for following me and supporting me throughout the 4Deserts Sahara race; it truly means a lot to me.

I've transferred my blog posts here to my blog at: www.thesahararun.com and I've also loaded it up with some of the photos and videos that I took during the race. I also jotted down some tips for those who are interested in signing up for future RacingThePlanet events.

Thanks again,
Jason

This will be a short post since Im exhausted but I finished stage 5, which was the final stage of the race. Tomorrow we will have a ceremonial run of 1/2 mile (1 km) to the pyramids. In the past 5 days, Ive run [115] of the Sahara Races 155 miles.
 
Today was a tough day and I lost one more toenail and finished off my big toe on my left foot, which is now completely dead. I also developed rashes on my ankles from my filthy socks, I think they are blisters. Also the heat rash on my knees was quite bad yesterday so I had to cut my buff in half and pin each to a leg of my shorts to keep my knees out of the sun. My hip flexor was bad for most of the morning, but then I got a second wind at checkpoint 3 when I started running with one of the races frontrunners. It just felt good to run and I was able to run the next 10 or so miles which put me in a good position to continue.
 
Over the course of the race, I lost a water bottle, my gloves and three toenails. My flashing red safety light was also stolen by the kids in the village and I had to run through the night. But I ran 55 miles today.
 
(Time to lay down and put my feet up.)

Today was the 4th stage and the last day before the `long day`, which is a 55 mile (90km?) 48-hour stage.
 
Made it through the first 15 miles quite easily today but then I strained my left hip flexor and had to drag my left foot for the last mile until the checkpoint. Not terribly exciting. After this Im off to the medical tent to fix myself up because Id like to participate tomorrow. Either way I think that Ill be good enough to start the day off and we`ll just see from there. 
 
My tent mates are holding up admirably, some better than others but thats really the story behind everyone here. Saw a few people really struggling -- several delirious and some looked close to tears in the checkpoints. Yesterday was officially the hottest day on record for a Racing The Planet race at 49C (130F). A volunteer baked bread on a rock yesterday -- literally put some batter on a rock and it baked in ~15 minutes.
 
Thanks for everyones support both in East Texas and in the UK.
 
(Two thirds done now, one final push and then it will be on to the pyramids. Im afraid most of my pictures will be the same -- desert and sky)

Despite pulling out yesterday, I still ran today and Im doing decently. Injuries are starting to take their toll, even on the seasoned competitors. Two accomplished marathoners that I know have dropped out today. Richard was too ill to leave checkpoint 3 and Tom was sick during the morning and threw up at checkpoint one. The other racers arent faring much better. Matt almost passed out about 16 miles in and a car had to come get him. Karen had to cut the toes off of her shoe and then didnt make the cutoff times for the next checkpoint. Many others are sporting a lot of duck tape to keep the sand out of their shoes.
 
About 20 miles in today we came across an oasis (checkpoint 3 and also literally an oasis). [Picture of oasis]. Blisters are starting to become a factor but they arent nearly as bad as some of the other competitors. Also there was a breeze today, which made the [130F] heat much more bareable. Ive lost the toenail on my little toe on my right foot and the nail on my big toe has half detached itself. [Picture of foot] Some minor heat rash but not too bad -- the wind made the sandstorms a bit unexciting though. The food is still difficult to get down; what I wouldnt give for a fresh green salad.
 
Thanks for everyones support back home - there are too many of you all to name but Ive received all of your messages. Its around 730pm now and for the competitors that have finished the day that means its nearly bed time. Many more are still out and arent expected until midnight. The people here and the camraderie constantly amaze me, everyone has a reason for why they decided to do this and there are a lot of moving, personal stories.
 
Lindsay -- dont worry about me, Im being very safe, see you soon
 
(It amazes me how many times its possible to walk to the horizon)

Today, [50] miles into the 155-mile 4Deserts Sahara Race, I dropped out. Its extremely disappointing, especially with how well I held up -- but in the end, the heat was too much. I entered this race with the aim of finding or pushing some sort of limit, and in that I succeeded -- but it was a harsh way to find out.
 
My gear held up well, my legs and back held up well but the heat was just too crushing -- even preparing in Texas didnt prepare me for this. It was a bleak [135F] for most of the day with no wind and at the checkpoint that I dropped out at there were 7 other people that dropped out as well. It got to the point where it was very worrying because I was drinking more than my water ration but still having problems with overheating. Ultimately, I grew concerned for my own safety and I had to give it up.
 
I have so much respect for the ones that finish the race at the top, but in some regards, I have more respect for the ones that will finish at the back of the pack. I plan to continue again tomorrow, but since I officially DNFd (did not finish) this stage there wont be an official record of my time/completion. Many thanks for all of your support back home and best of luck to my fellow competitors that are still in the Race.
 
(I will continue to write about the Sahara Race and my experiences with it for the rest of the week.)

Wow - I am so over my head in this. Today was hellacious and it was the easy day. Something like [22] miles in [120] degree (F) heat.
 
Finishing was a real miracle. I got passed by everyone. Passed by the youngest competitor (19). Passed by the oldest (75). Passed by several people smoking. Passed by the blind guy and his guide. It was a rough day.
 
Having to choke down dehydrated food is proving to be difficult. The only thing to compare it to is when you have a hangover and you dont want to eat but have to force yourself. Had one dinner tonight,  barely, but will have to try for another one before sleeping because i need the calories.
 
Tomorrow will be harder -- more difficult terrain, etc. Hope to perservere.
 
(Oh and we got to the campsite last night after midnight - five hours later than planned. Had some bus trouble and spent most of the night on the side of the road. Got to camp, choked down some food, went to bed - got up five hours later for the run today)
 
Lindsay - really wish you were here with me

I'll be trying to maintain two blogs in the run-up to the 2009 Sahara Race (this one and another), but my attention will probably go towards my other blog first since it will be able to accept donations. I'll be competing in the Sahara Race for the East Texas Crisis Center, a haven for thousands of victims of family violence, sexual assault and violent crime in East Texas.

Oh, and the other one is located at: www.thesahararun.com

Look forward to meeting everyone in October!

Jason