What a beast of a day, but you know what?  I’m still here.  23 miles later, with a head full of thoughts, stories, pictures, and unforgettable moments testing me to a level I’ve never experienced except for childbirth labor and lawsuits.  And why, do you ask?  Because it’s there, I guess…I started, and I will focus on finishing each step as I can.  Today started so strong – I could feel my body and brain adapting to the challenge and saying, “hell ya, we’re going to do this”.  That lasted beautifully until the last checkpoint and 10k to the finish.  Do you know when you are sitting in horrible traffic, and all you want to do is get out of your car, walk, and leave it there on the highway? Yeah – well, that was me today, but I was ready to ditch my pack and leave it on the side of the road!  It would have felt so good, especially as I eyed the skeletons and leftover fur of animals who hadn’t quite made it down the road.  But I didn’t.  One step in front of another. Michelle from the Berkshires paired up with me by universal happenstance of similar pace and demeanor, and we pulled each other through the 9 hours in the course today.  Horses.  Bulls.  Birds.  Mountains.  Stunning songs being sung by the breeze through the trees—- did you know that every tree has its own melody? As I walked and heard the music, I looked to see which one was singing – often with the accompaniment of the rushing waters melting from the snow-tipped mountains.  Rushing water…..that will be us tomorrow crossing them throughout the day – they tell us to stay strong and be wary of the strong currant.  I think I may eat some more mac and cheese tonight.

Random:

As we started the last 10 k, a truck pulled up alongside, and the window rolled down – the man yelled out, “Do you know where you are going?”.  That just made me burst out laughing.  A nice conversation ensued as he was so curious about what was going on.  

A great trick to help with the weight of a pack:  throw your hands behind your back and above your tailbone.  Pretend you are a professor walking the campus of a lofty Ivy League.  Push up on the bottom of your pack slightly, and voila!  A rush of blood and a surge of energy.  Alternate with your best POW impression by putting your hands on top of your head —- hold for a bit, then throw them up in the air and wave wildly, yelling Hallelujah! Yeah…..maybe that’s why the locals are so interested in us walking around….ha.

Culling the herd.  I can’t help but have this thought as we are proud “back of the packers,” well within time limits, and focused on finishing each checkpoint rather than thinking of the whole week, the pace is really not a concern.  We are really having a good time – we see everything and get to talk about it.  Unfortunately, the DNFers (aka Did Not Finish) are often in the back, and at one point, when we saw a sweeper clearing flags, we skedaddled quickly.  I yelled out they are attacking the back of the herd – let’s get ahead of the Americans so we aren’t next and taken down for dinner!!  made us laugh.  and Michelle made the comment, “So sad that so many of them are our friends…”

time to go.  food.  rest.  sleep.  huge huge day tomorrow – 27 miles plus mostly difficult on the course, and lots of river crossings. going to need lots and lots of oomph…..

R and G – lu2.  bus ticket working just fine here thankfully.  the notebook being put to great use and im trying to capture thoughts and stories all along.  by night my brain is murakami’s void 100%.  xoxo

To M, D – love you too!!!!