I’ve finally stabilsed my emotional state to sufficiently be able to sit down, take the time to blog – hopefully without crying!
Not sure where to start really. whether to provide a ‘macro’ overview of the ‘long day’ and my emotions or a blow by blow account.
As blogged, the previous day, I was tired physically, emotionally and mentally. I’d given it my all. Day 4 was tough, really tough for me and I just had to try and hang on in there to protect my overall standing and take something into day 5 to give me a shot at a top 5 finish….if not top 3!
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Today is the first and only “rest day”, it is officially the second day for the long stage and as I write this the final racer has just come through the finish line, about 10m ahead of the “sweepers”, by my calculation this means that they have been on the course for 27hours and 11minutes. I can’t imagine what that is like, walking for that amount of time, through the heat of the day and the cold of the night with only a head torch and glow-sticks for direction.
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If we have learnt anything over the last 24 hours, it is probably not to take sporting tips from me. The long stage is finished in 13 hours.
It was quite a push and there were lots of highs and lows, topographical as well as mental. Ultimately the driving force was that I didn’t want to run anymore so it seemed sensible to get to the finish line as soon as possible – it’s very nice to know that my sleeping bag is only a few meters away, the first time this week that it has seemed appealing.
I am now very tired and after the usual routine with my feet, I am going to get some sleep.
Tom and Ian also arrive back safely and are now sleeping.
Will update more tomorrow.
Chris
I did manage to take my foot off the gas today, thank goodness. The first stage was very sandy with plenty of dunes, followed by a long long section of shale and then a drop down into a river valley via a very steep and dangerous sandy slope. We crossed the small stream a few times (not getting wet feet this time thank goodness) and then climbed a steep hill up to CP1. Soon after we went through a very sleepy town where we met a black dog, who started following us. It ended up following me, right on my heals, for another 20km! I gave it some water when we reached a water station and it continued to follow me until CP3, 6km from the end of the stage – it looked pretty hot by then!
Taking my foot off the gas. Well.
I felt rotten last night. Had the most surreal night. It felt as though my body was eating itself, searching for calories, fat stores, muscle fibre to burn. I was burning up and it almost seemed like my body was fizzing – weird. Anyway, suffice to say I didn’t get a cracking nights sleep!
What a well deserved dinner Photo: RacingThePlanet Ltd/Zandy Mangold
