Hard, as I expected anything different? The first day is always the hardest to calibrate. Packs are at their heaviest, and they added a 9-mile stretch with no checkpoint, so you had to carry extra water from the start, making the pack even heavier.

Playing conservative today. Every rock, every root, because somehow I don’t think my body is going to bounce right now if I miss one. My trekking poles are the best thing, like an extra set of hands holding me up along the way. Without them I don’t know where I’d be right now.

Trying to turn off all the negative voices in my head and just focus on today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

One of the doctors, when I commented on the flies sticking to my shirt and my backpack, told me that dead flesh is blue. That’s why the flies like darker colors so much. He was telling the truth. I decided I loved that. Gruesome and interesting.

The mosquitoes here are polite like the Finns, but hell, I had one on my side like he was at a rodeo, going through my spandex. Eat the blue ones, I was lovingly advised at the beginning: any berries or blueberries you can eat; anything red, do not eat. And of course, if you are colorblind, do not go berry-picking.

Met some people on the course. I always wonder why they think I’m in trouble when I’m moving the way I move. Tough day? Are you all right? But I don’t care what it looks like from outside. I’m here.

One of the best parts of the day: 74-year-old man from Japan came into camp, the oldest participant in the group. When he arrived there were tears, and not just from him. He bowed to all of us as we cheered him in for completing the day. How fast or slow you are, this group truly respects the miles and certainly the hours out on the course.

I finally got to enjoy some perks of camp: Jeremy the doctor from North Dakota led me to the lake and beach. The water was ice cold but felt so soft on my feet. I felt like I had entered a scene of heaven.

Somehow I don’t think Siri is translating well today. Maybe I’m talking too fast. Too heavy. But: we’ve got it. Forward.