Oh my goodness….I was told that today would be one of the most challenging and often called hump day.  I’d insert a few expletives here if I could, but the censors will get me…..#$@%&\_)15-38!!!!!!!!!! What a hell of a day.  Incredibly long desert walks……. Sand dunes up and down, and terrain rocky and uneven and like walking on the moon.  No face plants for me…..unlike Patagonia, where the consequences included a face full of mud or worse, dung; we are talking serious repercussions in Atacama.  Prickly cactus bushes and sharp uneven desert rock and mud.  The thought of going down is not allowed….. so Mr A Wiggins is at it again.  Used the slower method to navigate the tricky bits. My method of ‘pocket time’, now gleefully used by others in the race, consists of running when you can to pocket the extra minutes.  Not stopping at the checkpoints except for water fills another pocket of time, and voilà…… hit a rough, tough patch and dig into your pocket, and you have the time and sanity to focus on one step at a time.

A gigantic sand dune needed to be climbed to get to camp today.  The drum beats at the entrance and the cheering volunteers and other participants pushed me to top.  It’s such a great feeling to be welcomed back….. and then at the tent as everyone shares stories.  I have to say, these are the folks you want in your lifeboat. They are kind, generous, humane, and know how to save the world with duct tape and super glue. Something as extreme as this kind of event brings together people from all walks of life and from all over the globe.  109 of us here in the desert plus an incredible group of volunteers and race management…… it’s a truly special thing, and I count myself lucky.

Thank you thank you for all of the emails and blog comments!!! Wow, so great to hear from so many people including Patagonia race alum. Right back atchya all!!!! Hugs and kisses to R, E, and H!  and baby steps it is……

#29 signing off and diving in to freeze dried chicken tikka and some bark chocolate I am hoping hasn’t melted…..