Here I am after the long stage really enjoyed the day to a point keeping with my run walk and managing the knee I have learnt it is about excepted once you go through all the other emotions.

So I have enjoyed he moments of walking to fill my soul with the beauty of the desert and everything is so much more vivid and picturises when you are able to look around and not constantly look at your feet while running so it has been quite empowering for me and told Col as I past him at a CP I am training for our next hike as I slipped a kiss in and kept running.

The heat was brutal early in the day but I managed it well as the walk run I think helps and carried and drank plenty of water too.

We were told at 6pm we had to do a mandatory pair something hard for me  I like to do my own thing but I paired up with Eric and  we continue together to the end it was lovely sharing both stories and silence.

It was brutal under feet but we finally made it to camp woot hoo. Sleep a must.

Had my moments out there got really emotional at one stage but thought about messages and love ones. Very teary reading messages and emails now so many emotions love to all Dune day tomorrow woot hoo love the dunes.

Oh dear that was cruel today but just took it all in my stride and enjoyed the beach with the seals swimming in the surf, the birds, the Jackals hunting around and the ship wrecks along the coast. The day started alright and I kept the run walk strategy. 30 odd km of beach running was so punishing so I just kept pushing through but the winds were intense all day. Last check point and 10 km to camp over rocks with the most horrible head wind just criminal. I was head down and just power hiking at this stage. Caught up to Col who was out checking the pink flags as so many were now blown over but I walked with him for a few kms until the car met him - but no not me I continued into camp feeling very overwhelmed at this stage as the wind was horrific and I was over it. Tried to keep a smile and think of all the positives the family friends and adventures but I was never so happy to see camp OMG that was one tough day. My highlight was seeing Col out there and walking the 2 km together. Long stage tomorrow 80km I think but all doable just need to stay focussed. Just read my emails and blog comments. So so nice will respond to you all when I get home so so appreciate all the positive energy sent my way. Love you all now I need to rest my poor knee. Check in tomoz xx

Well woot hoo I had a good day different head space today last night the pain in my knee had me in tears wondering what the hell I was doing out here and nearly pulled the pin. So regrouped in my head decided very humbly to accept what is and give it another go today but with a positive "I am so lucky to be here" attitude and hey its Cols bday so I was happy for him we share in the desert together (thanks Peatling family gave him your lovely message).

So motored on today through breathtaking scenery large open vistas of nothing but stunning scenery. I played the game with my knee and didn’t compromise on having my 2min walking breaks and it seems like nothing is any worse. And yes Linda, in Sandy style I just kept it going doing the Sandy thing which at times thought was a grandma shuffle but hey it got me in.

Check points said I looked so happy today I was glowing and that I was doing what I love albeit a bit slower okay quite a bit slower. Saw Col at CP 1 then in at camp CP4 that made me happy too. Well of to sit at finish line with him to cheer on others still coming in. love to all. Miss the family heaps check-in tomorrow xx

Sitting here in the cyber tent hanging on to everything as wind is so bad it was horrid for hours coming into camp head wind just awful but here I am get to live another day out in the desert. Not my finest of hours out there knee giving me so much grief but I got it done. Had a walk run strategy which worked to keep knee from getting any worse albeit it is very painful sitting here. I will try my best tomorrow the walking makes me mentally challenged stay positive Sandy I keep saying. Stay patient whoasy that is the hard one but check point to check point. The desert is beautiful and the serenity magical have great tent buddies and so nice to see Col at CP 2 today. he is sweeping at present doing 16kmof the course bringing in the final competitors. Drums bring us all in as we approach the finish line it is great and the volunteers cheer us on. Feeling a bit flat at present as worried how tomorrow will go trying to get some ones poles that aren’t using them no luck so far.  LOve to all will check in tomoz. Thanks Sam for your message very much appreciate.