I finally made it! Today was such a perfect day.  My tent mate traded some coffee for a chocolate pudding (anything besides those eggs) and we were off. I went determined to run even a little bit. I put in my music and hit the course. Even though it was skipping back and forth between songs I caught the beat and carried on.  I figured I would only get a few miles in – but I managed to run a lot today.  Which was all I had wanted to do for days.  Just one respectable run without my knee blowing up. It was a beautiful course through some valleys – an uphill bit through a forest (lots of wild lavender here) and lots of cute cows and goats on the last bit.  I passed by several kids who high fived me and lifted the spirits.  There were quite a few river crossings (some knee and higher with a decent current) and even they felt great on the legs. 

When we got to the downhill part I was worried but I was determined and I even managed to run the downhills.  I ran into two of the lovely Americans (Kim and Jerry) on the downhill which seriously lifted my spirited.  I love these types of events – I honestly think they make you a better, more caring person. It’s really special to see how much everyone bonds and just wishes the best for each other.  I know I will miss it.

The camp is fantastic –it is on another river. We have all been bathing in the river – this one has a slight currant so it was even fun to get into it and let it shoot you down to another little embankment.  I will miss this place – but it is nice to know that only a 10 K is left and that I will finish this thing! Much love to you all – I look forward to a lovely egg brekky with you Tony! It’s going to be a tough job to get me back onto them again. And Martha – you are absolutely right.  The meaning of life is definitely not FOMO.  I cannot pretend to begin to know what it really is but I imagine it’s about enjoying where you are and finding those folks that make you feel loved always.  Then FOMO couldn’t be an issue. I am thankful for you all and I am so blessed as you say Siobhan to be able to share so many miles with such dear friends.  

Tomorrow I am going to wake up, have a coffee, eat a stroopwafel (this is all I have that I think I might like to eat) and finish this thing!

Cannot wait to see you all on the other side!

Hi all!

Your words mean everything! I didn’t write yesterday because I was shattered. I woke up and assumed my phone was dead and thus no music. I listen to music a good 75% of the day so it all seemed impossible.  We had an epic storm the night before stage 2 so it was difficult to sleep (yes I actually have to sleep when I run this much) My knee was such a mess and I just was in a low place. Thankfully my tentmate, Chris, and Ulaanbaatar roommate, Jennyfer, stopped to help this silly crying fool laugh heaps on a downhill.  Im gonna finish this thing and spend all my money so I cannot sign up again was the mantra. I couldn’t run at all yesterday – which meant that stupid bag was on my shoulders longer.  But we made it.

We stayed in a yurt last night instead of a tent which was awesome minus a little mouse that had me worried about my snacks. Also the wolves/scary dogs were a nice touch.  Today I woke up more determined but still in pain. We started with a massive scramble straight up a rock – downhill still hurt and 6 miles of dunes. I turned on my music on blasted through.  Feeling more determined – learning to walk on this stupid knee and walk faster.  Its so amazing here – I am happy and glad I came. Onward to the 47 mile day tomorrow. I am feeling more myself and ready for this thing!  Thank you all – you are all my heart! You make everything possible and I think of everyone often!

Just a short one to let you know that I made it! And I had no Diet Coke!!!!! I find it hard to type on this (missing the mechanical keyboard so much) so it will likely be very stream of conscious. 

Its incredible here and it feels so good to be back to running – albeit slower and with more aches!  My knee got me again downhill.  I will try not to steal anything from a mountain shop Martha because I certainly won’t get away. 

And my bag came apart twice while running. A packing expert I am not! I tried a whole bunch of new things today and tonight will feast like a king so that sleeping bag fits in the bag and cannot fly off in the wind again.

I packed way too much food – I may even have too much coffee! The tent mates are heaps of fun.  Everyone is so lovely. I am so happy.  This is almost as good as Thanksgiving!

Thank you so much for the love – you mean so much to me! Cannot wait to share, photos, and real food soon! Wish you all were here… its all so awesome. London folks hug tilly for me!

I have packed and repacked my bag for the very last time.  The last six months all seem very surreal.   I look forward to meeting you all very soon!  Safe travels and happy organizing to all!