Hello from a warm and sunny rest day camp!  Everyone is relaxing and attempting to recover from yesterday’s big effort, albeit for some it was also very much a today thing as well, with many taking 20+ hours to get it done. That’s tough!

I had a great day yesterday, managing the conditions pretty well, allowing me to enjoy the truly spectacular scenery.  Many suffered with the heat, I’m told it was around 40c (and zero shade all day), but it didn’t seem an issue for me.  I struggled a bit in the last 4k, but that was it.  No major suffering for me – I was back in camp, relaxing in its relative comfort, watching the most spectacular sun set, followed by the most amazing display of stars, whilst most people slogged on. It was pretty special.

Jess and Eddie, I’m afraid my colour limitations resulted in me not seeing a lot wildlife out on the course, primarily due to a backdrop of orange/red rocky mountains.  It also made following pink flags all day a little tricky at times as well!  Anyhow, hyenas were spotted again, along with lots of black scorpions and my favourite – cheetahs!  I so wish to see a cheetah.  Apparently they are plentiful in these parts, so I’ll keep looking.

Fitness wise I’m in good shape considering we’ve been roughing it for a bit now, plus the small matter of running 200k with heavy backpacks. Some people are looking a touch sore though, I have to say.  It’s a tough old course, way harder than I was expecting.  

Tomorrow’s last push I believe is 38k, with a sand dune section that climbs 700m plus, in just 10k.  I’m thinking that might sting a little! Thereafter I think it’s a quick 15k or so dash to an ocean front finish. 

I’m pleased it’s the home stretch, super looking forward to seeing C, J & E back in HK!

Rich

Hello from a super windy and rather chilly stage 3 camp! 

Today was an amazing and equally brutal day.  I took it steady on the 3 beach sections knowing what’s ahead tomorrow, only to get beaten up thereafter by the terrain in the last 10k.  Hard to describe what it was like, probably the hardest 10k section I’ve run, mainly due to some full on sandy head winds of maybe 50kph plus.  It was truly great to see camp and hear the beating drums welcoming me to the finish.  Anyhow, it’s done and now it’s all about the big one tomorrow!

You were right Jess and Eddie, hyena’s were spotted on stage 2!  Today was very impressive on the wildlife front. There was a 10k section of beach with 2 thousand plus seals resting on beach and playing in the big surf.  It was spectacular. Two jackals walked past me, maybe no more than 2m in front of me.  They jogged a long with me for a bit and then decided run at the seals for a bit of fun, only to get told off by a big group of angry seals.  I didn’t see them after that. I think they got bored and headed inland. 

In the last section of the course, maybe 5k out of camp, I did see some impressively large prints in the dirt that were easily as big as my hand. I seemed to pick up my pace a bit after that!

I don’t think I’ll get chance to blog tomorrow.  I suspect I’ll be out there chasing pink flags for most of the day, crashing and burning straight into my tent.  Thursday’s is rest day (or still race day for some), I’ll have plenty of time then to provide updates.

Right, time visit the medic tent and get myself patched again ahead of tomorrow!

I missing you loads C, J & E. Having lots of fun, but super looking forward to seeing you soon in HK!

Rich

Day 2 done, happy days!  A beautiful camp today, just off the beach in deep sand, with dunes all around. It’s warmer as well, meaning camp is a happy place J

Today’s stage was shorter than planned, due to lions being in the area.  I think that’s a pretty cool reason for a course change.  Anyhow, even though it was only 34k, it was a tough day at the office.  Lots of energy draining terrain with the last 45 mins being a little tough.  Despite this I had a solid day.  A few people stepped up today (and zoomed past me) after having a few issues yesterday. It’s a pretty competitive field, making it lots of fun.

Tomorrow I believe is going to be very hard. 44k or so all on the beach in deep sand. Knowing the long day is up straight after with temps of 40c forecast, I’m thinking I should take it easy tomorrow.  Well that’s the theory…I’m sure I’ll just crack on as normal!

Jess and Eddie, a few of the camp doctors spotted a couple of the big game - the funny looking ones with short back legs – can you guess what they were? 

Tomorrow is seal day, apparently we’ll see loads of them, along with lots of ship wrecks. Hopefully there will be lots of nice photos.

Off to annoy Ben and Rod now, my tent mates.

Love you Caroline, Jess and Eddie.

Rich

PS, Jess, your good luck message is running with me, attached to my timing chip J

It was a fun stage, especially after the sun finally came out.  Felt strong and moved pretty quickly, at least until 34k, thereafter the weight of my pack caught up with me a little, making the last hour something of a slog.  I should be good for tomorrow though.

We’ve seen lots of animal tracks crossing the course today, no idea what they were, but hopefully nothing too big!  The parks big cat tracker whose keeping an eye on things seem relaxed this afternoon , I’m taking that to be a good sign!

Off to get some food now, plus cheer on the runners coming in. 

Love you C, J & E xxx