The “long slog” title is for those who entered into the endless day yesterday of the Long Stage.  It was so interesting to see a race start of the day where participants were NOT at the start line.  You could feel the procrastination, the concern, and the respect for the 50 miles ahead….and off they went with some prodding and reminders of timing.  As for my new team (yet to be named) of Bill (WA) and Daniella (Swiss) on hand to help and support – and very importantly, to EXPERIENCE it all, we watched in amazement as one camp came down with the same joy, lightness and humor by the Mongolian team.  They are wonderful to watch as an example of team work.  Fast track to several hours by bus to our new camp – the very anticipated Long Stage/Rest Day spot which we were told was several hours away.  The “benefits” – a rest stop (oh joy!  Real toilets and running water!!!! – I have neglected to blog just yet about the “latrines” – a dug hole in the ground with planks on either side. Don’t want to scare anyone off, by oh my.  That is an experience and a half – helps your squats, and certainly keeps you focused and mindful.  Adding in a desert frog in the pit today though…..well, RTP affirms new challenges daily! You can creatively write your own story and outcome of that one!).  The thrill (and wanted to picture to share) is when after the rest stop the caravan stopped by the palace where the finish line will be…..there are about 40 in the local team who make the fires, prep the water, build the tents and dig the latrines (and MUCH more)….they had their rest time which was WRESTLING in front of the magnificent view!  Amazing to sit and watch and I found myself whoopping and hollering as one was truly a champion throwing the others to the ground.  I hope I will be able to return to this page in the future and add the picture.  Truly another world.  And the energy of this crew!

Might I add that the rest stop was a whole other experience as well……the 3 of us stared at the snacks inside and COULD NOT DO IT.  It just felt wrong….we are still “in the race” and embracing the experience, so certain rules do apply so no food bought.  I do have to apologize to the rest stop people though…….as much as I was thrilled to see a real toilet, the fact that the “machinery”, like a lot I have seen here is “jerry-riggered” (right word?), so was this toilet – with no flush and the lid off and pieces I have never seen before.  There was a sign with instructions on how to flush that I tried to dutifully follow but I only managed to pull the lid off of something and found myself departing before I did any more damage.  As my 6A fam says, Mom ain’t “crafty” and i didn’t have duct tape on me to right my wrong!

Fast track to the new camp by a river…..absolutely stunning.  Wild horses drinking in the stream, many baby colts among them nursing.  I just stood and stared.  My big Mongolian horse question (DAD??) is a quirk they seem to have here – I see it with the herds everywhere.  They nod their heads continuously, while standing, while walking – I’ve not seen that back in the states.  Mary, who always has the best answers to everything, shared that with the huge horse festival coming up they are training/breeding horses for 2 purposes: racing, and for food (?).  I think I’d rather not know the second reason……and maybe that reasons the “nod”…. 

Herds of sheep, cows, herders tending to them on horses and motorbikes.  As the camp was built a local family was enjoying the river doing laundry, swimming and then washing the car as they stared across at the city coming to life.  I can only imagine what they were thinking.  In no time camp was done and amazingly enough the front runner was coming in – UNDER 8 HOURS for 50 miles thru incredible heat, hills and hell.  And you know what – he looked great, fresh,  like he could have kept on going.  Thrilling….absolutely thrilling…..with the Japanese Film crew who is along with us capturing it all.  

“Hey Iris – you want to do a 6K?  Its a very important job – to glo stick and add/fix pink flags for the last bit to the finish line?”.  HELL. YA!  At this point I was definitely needing movement – and the chance to get out on the course, help those who will REALLY need that light to the finish, AND to meet up with some more runners coming in was a true gift.  Bill joined me for the trek and we breathed in amazing vistas, sky, running horses and the most beautiful of sunsets (aren’t they ALL beautiful though?) as we made sure that the last bit would be well lit and bring ‘em on home. The best part was the conundrum we provided to some of the runners we came across.  They were already on gas reserves, and that’s when the brain goes a little soft.  So seeing the 2 of us, with packs headed their way with pink flags probably signaled to a tired brain that they had looped the wrong way? There were many relieved smiles as we not only explained why we were there, but that we could share how many miles to the finish and describe the final bit (downhill, flat and easy – you got this!).  I was SO happy to see Linds (one of my beast tent mates from OR) and cheer her on.  And the “perk” of the night – we were told to go “approx 6K” (translation: bring extra food, water, and a warm coat just in caaaaase…..) and we will meet up with Po, an awesome volunteer who of all places is from NYC – well, Westchester! And then flag a car back to camp.  Well – success in meeting up with Po – not so much with the car back (I did ask for a Horse from the amazing course creator Carlos, if anyone could get me a horse, he could????) until Po flagged down the Japanese film crew in their minivan, that looked as if they have been living in there for a week!.  They were so kind and moved gear around to accommodate Bill and I (sorry Po – not enough room – but you looked happy to stay/walk!).  And along with some fun conversation and the chance to look at cool equipment they offered us a bag with some type of Mongolian doughnut.  I cannot explain the JOY and TEARS at the first bite after a week of no appetite, freeze dried crap (and so on).  Bill and I debated sharing that news with others back at the camp – but hey, they got a can of coke at check point 6!

The day ran long with a hot fire kept blazing at the finish line along with the drums and a great soundtrack playing (thanks Nick!  Well done).  I lasted until just after midnight and made my way back to the tent just as the largest rain drops you could have ever imagined started to come down.  Talk about white noise to help you sleep!  Linds was OUT, and Amy my other tentmate (US but technically UK!) came in just after.  Our tent over and out……and the mexican jumping bean game began (another topic of how our tents are a bevvy of sounds – snoring, air mattresses, and to quote another participant to remain nameless, farting and burping – combined with the sleeping bag roll trying to find a balance on the body).

A blissful morning of no alarms or push to get ready.  As some got coffee and breakfast we took breaks to clap and cheer on the morning finishers (that would be ME and my pack – SO happy to see so many make it – and for those who tapped out you get to join a great team that cannot be EXTINGUISHED, hey some start of a name perhaps…..welcome Arthur (portugal!).  As I’ve been writing this the LAST participant came in (26 hours or so for the long stage) – WOOF – SHE DONE GOOD – the whole camp coming out to cheer, and yes, she was not the only one crying (and I don’t mean just ME neither).  An extremely moving moment.  Continued morning banter…..”What time did you come in?” Being the most repeated question – my own response to dial down a long story “f**-a-clock”.

Well, as you can see, a bit more sleep for me has helped with my word count.  Thanks for making it this far – and thank YOU for the blog comments and emails.  I wish the photographer could capture all of us at the cyber tent – it’s about now that the layers are thin and the heart is clearly see on our arms as the tears flow and participants read comments.  That is not an exaggeration.  It just hits deep, hard, and meaningfully – full of love.  These types of extremes make you realise how little you need, how to feel deeply with who and what matters, and to just stop, breathe and be.

Rob and Ella: I LOVE your emails…..ohhhhhh……home……and the freedom you are both relishing (in 2 very states – see what I did there:-)).  Enjoy, embrace, and keep those stories coming.  I love it.  And tell Hugo that £2 will be home soon (the number sign doesn’t work on this damn ipad). I love you!!!!!

Thank you everyone for notes and love…..ALL family and friends – thank you!!!! And Sam Fanshawe in the UK – rockstar!  I hope everyone knows how important you are to this extremely amazing connection we get once a day!  And the Chorus Am Family – wow, you guys are amazing.