Done with the ‘long march.’ That was most definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but it feels amazing to be done. I ended up making it into camp at about 11:30pm last night. We started at 8am which means I was constantly moving for over 15 hours. Instead of 4 checkpoints there were 9, each about 10km/6miles apart. I’ve been hearing from competitors who have done other 4 desert races that this was the hardest long stage they have ever done.

The first 20 kilometers went through an amazing canyon and I felt really good. I made it to checkpoint two in 13^th place overall, ahead of the female lead…I knew that if I kept that pace up for much longer I would crash and burn eventually, but my strategy was to get as many miles out of the way as fast as possible. I stayed in the top 20 for the first 40km I believe which felt great. At the 40km mark we started a very long ascend, about 6 miles of straight up. After that the course was incredibly hilly. Anything that wasn’t downhill I had to walk. At checkpoint 6 there was hot water so I made some noodles and ate them as quickly as my stomach would allow. There were also a few tents set up for the slower competitors to rest, but I passed up the chance and kept pushing on.

As I was leaving checkpoint 6, I learned from one of the race managers that Chet had withdrawn from the race. It was very emotional for me to hear as we both trained incredibly hard and she pushed her body as long as she could. But with her blisters and a stomach virus that set in on Wednesday night, she was unable to keep any food down during the long stage. She is currently back and the race hotel in Petra. I am still here in camp and looking forward to seeing her tomorrow when we finish in front of the treasury (if she can make it). I know she is incredibly heartbroken about having to withdraw – it’s hard to think about her having to deal with her sickness and defeat alone at the hotel. But it’s probably better than camp right now.

All the competitors today who finished last night have an entire day to relax before our final 5k run into old Petra tomorrow. Most people have either run out of food or are sick of eating the freeze dried meals they brought (myself included). I cannot stomach another freeze dried breakfast, so I had my last clif bar this morning. I have one final meal – chicken korma with rice – which will most likely be the last thing I eat until tomorrow at lunch.

Physically, my body is pretty drained. My right Achilles tightened up around the 70km mark and was incredibly painful getting into camp. The last 5 km was very technical downhill with lots of rocks which required more of a fast hike than anything. However I do not have any significant problems and no blisters.

I may blog again later today since we have nothing to do…but if I don’t, I’ll write a final blog once I get back to civilization!

There was a comment on my last blog about whether we have to carry our own meals or if they are provided by the local Bedouins. We have to carry everything except for our water and tents. Most of my nutrition has come from freeze dried meals, energy bars, beef jerky, almond butter and electrolyte drinks. At the beginning of the race I was just eating as I was hungry, but now that we are nearing the end of the journey I have to ration the rest of my food and be patient and wait until actual meal times to eat my dinner/breakfast etc.

Today was one of the hardest days for me. It was very uphill most of the route and quite sandy. I came in around 64^th today and was being conservative with my energy due to the long stage tomorrow. The scenery wasn’t as interesting as the past few days, however between checkpoint 1 and 2 we passed a few amazing rock arches that you can see if you go to the 4deserts page. Today was also the warmest so far, so I made sure to drink as much water as my body allowed and was sure to regulate my electrolyte intake. I am taking a combination of electrolyte tablets which dissolve in water and also salt tablets in pill form.

One thing I haven’t commented on so far is the bathroom situation. It’s not the most pleasant, but quite entertaining…er, yeah. Entertaining. There are about 6 ‘bathrooms’ not too far from our main campsite which are tarp cubicles which zip closed. Inside is a hole in the ground. Anything that doesn’t come out of your body has to be thrown away in a small trash bin inside. If we are out on the course and have to go, the race organizers have provided us with tiny trash bags that are usually used for dog waste. All toilet paper has to be picked up in the bags and carried to the next checkpoint.

So far we have completed 4 marathons, in total around 100 miles.  Tomorrow’s stage is 87 kilometres (I don’t know the mile conversion of the top of my head…around 55 I believe). Instead of 4 checkpoints there are 8, and either 5 or 6 is the ‘overnight’ checkpoint where there will be hot water to make food and tents for people to take a short rest. I’ve been talking with other competitors who have done these races before, and they’ve recommended to take your time and refuel, but not spend too much time as you don’t want your body to cool down fully if you’re still holding a steady pace out on the course.

Thank you so much to everyone that is reading and commenting on my blogs! It is such a luxury to be able to read the words of encouragement and type each day, if only for 15 minutes.

Each day is split into 4 checkpoints. Between camp and checkpoint there was a canyon with steep rock declines and then deep sand. There were a few of the race staff there to help competitors over the obstacles. Checkpoint 1 to 2 there was more deep sand, but there was a group of about 20 American tourists on camels who cheered me on shouting USA USA! J That really helped push me onto checkpoint 2. Out here there are really no locals cheering us on. I think that is the biggest difference between city races and one like this. There is no one out here besides the compeitors and the people at the checkpoints. I definitely got a little emotional after hearing the cheers just because it was so unexpected and helpful. Between checkpoint 2 and 3, we decended down onto massive salt flat where the ground was very hard and easy to run on. Next to the course we ran by a huge camel racing track – apparently it’s very popular here. Before coming into checkpoint 3, we crossed a highway and through a small village. There were a few small children on the side of the street not really knowing what to think about all of us running through with our backpacks on. Checkpoint 3 to camp was the hardest (as it has been for the past two days). The first half was uphill and sandy and very hot compared to the past two days. It’s definitely gotten progressively warmer each day. Also, when running accros huge sandy plains, it’s challenging to stay positive because you can see for 5 miles or more in front of you and everything seems to go in slow motion.

We’ve gone about 70 miles so far. It’s surreal thinking we’ve already come so far. I never thought I’d be able to do as well as I’m doing. The culture at the camp is so multicultural and I’m picking up short phrases in many languages. Even when two competitors don’t speak the same language, it’s amazing clear we can be with each other via eye contact or very comical hand gestures.

I only have 15 minutes to type so excuse typos and grammar.

Today is the first chance we’ve had to blog due to rain. The past two nights have been quite challenging, maybe more challenging than running itself. We sre sleeping in Bedouin tents that are made from loosely stiched fabric which allows the rain inside. We have had to sleep inside our emergency bivvys to stay dry. The temperature hasn’t been too bad. My tent section has 8 people from all over the world: Mexico, Spain, Finland, USA, Canada. It is very tight sleeping quarters, we sleep side by side head to toe.

We are at the end of the second day now. The first was 24 miles and today was 22. Today’s last quarter of the route included a very narrow canyon where I had to take my backpack off to get through. The scenery is absolutely incredible. For any friends of mine reading this who have been to Bur;ning Man, think of that but put gigantic rock mountains in the middle of the playa.

My body is holding up better than expected. No blisters yet and besides the expected soreness from running 46 miles in two days, everything is great.