POCKETS OF TIME: in Patagonia my theme was a running speed of “slow as shit” or rather “Patagonia speed” meaning that I wouldn’t run out of “gas” and be able to keep on going and going. This year, Atacama provided a completely different terrain of challenges, much more mental that I had ever expected. My theme this year was POCKETS OF TIME. Whenever I could I pockettime……straight road? Run it, don’t walk, and get ahead of the cut off time. Checkpoint? Do you really need to stop, take of your pack and sit? Nope = fill up on water and pocket some more time to use when the terrain gets really tough and slows you down. And you know what? It worked. Days 1 through 4 I had the cut off times and trail sweepers distant in my rear view mirror. It kept me pushing, nothing like I did last year, running, pushing, getting ahead everywhere I physically could without fear of running out of gas. Push push push. Pocket pocket pocket. I joked with Ernie from Chicago all along the way about how full our pockets were making us rich and relaxed that we were ahead of the game. He got it —- and would yell it out to me as he jogged past encouraging me to dig my hands deep in to my pockets and fill er up.  Because we knew the flip side all too well — when you do run out of gas, or are staring at a huge sand dune going straight up and knowing full well that this is going to take a loooooong time to accomplish.

It was Day 4 though – the killer day —- when I found that my pockets were sewn shut, like when you first get a suit from the store and your hands slip down your hip not finding the usual welcoming pocket to give your hand safety. No pockets available, and damn it, no opportunities to fill them with time. Hard hard day……. The gift was Day 5/6 on thru the end when cut off times were so distant there was no need to worry. My pockets were ballooning with time and funnily enough, that push stayed put. No stopping at checkpoints for long, and an ongoing drive to get thru the miles. My body bounced back, found new strength daily, and pulled me through and gave me such a strong sense of accomplishment.  I will always relish my pockets!  Especially as I crossed the finish line feeling so strong and just plain happy.

NEXT TIME NOTES (or for those considering or planning for Atacama). A few notes I jotted down – things that would have made life easier now that I can look backwards:

• all food to ziplocks. Don’t keep them in the expedition packaging – too much space and heavy. Transfer at the hotel (take out the little freshner packet – you will be so tired at night that there’s no need to have to think of an additional thing). Then use a hot pocket to hold the ziplock when warming (the size of a CD mailer). Thank you Dean – genius idea!  One hot pocket to use for ALL ziplocks on the race.
• Pop a few paper towels in with your kit. Cups and spork got mighty disgusting. A quick wipe would have made all the difference and they can be reused.
• Missed my knuckle nights for the Long March (in addition to the headlamp).
• LOTION. OMG. How could I have NOT brought lotion. Unbelievable dry…..face, hands, and so on. LIPS – ouch!
• I might consider an air mattress next time and keep all in my pack.
• Need to find a lighter solar charger.
• Worth bringing a cheap light watch in addition to my Garmin. Didn’t want to waste the juice and would have been helpful in early mornings and late evenings.
• Check out other packs. I like my OMM but Raid Light looked like it worked great for the female racers. Better spread of weight and not so big when on back. Straps comfortable.
• Lightweight gloves to go with my poles (oh how I love my poles). My hands seriously brown (maybe burnt?). My miss on packing – I had them in Patagonia and should have brought them.  Serious chafing on hands from the handle loops (ALWAYS loop on your hands when climbing up or down, if you let go you know that you still have your poles with you and it doesn’t fall down the hill!).
• Bring a few large garbage bags to leave in the hotel to help with clean up when you return at the end of the race. Can be used as tarp, for packing, or just to throw out a lot of garbage!
• More more protection from sun: longer bill on my hat. Sunscreen stick in addition to lotion for quick recoverages throughout the day.
• Add an extra day or two and arrive early to adjust to the altitude changes. Running is very different than skiing and I, along with many many others, truly felt the challenges for the first day or two.
• Thank god for the last minute advice: brought my extra thermal shirt – it was FREEZING the first few nights. Less socks – you don’t need a pair a day. Worked just fine for me.  And yeah, you may not need a fresh pair of underwear daily – personal choice:-)