The job was done but not over!  We still had the Charity day to complete which involved us being given a new t-shirt the night before to wear which was a lovely cotton yellow which inspired a few moans and groans but was at least nice to put on a clean shirt.  The bag seemed to be full still which was a little alarming but the weight was considerably different.  I was now able to include my sleeping bag on the inside along with any other bits I had hanging off the sides.  I gave the roll matt away to the berbers as they cleared up camp for the last time in the morning. All that was left was a little bit of food and the remaining kit I wished to keep.

Paul and Tim enjoying the morning sun in preparation for this final leg of our adventure.  It was all smiles and laughter this morning as we knew we had done and finished it was just a matter of completing the 7.7km back to the coaches.

It was a completely different atmosphere this time as nobody was really racing off to try and finish as quick as possible.  It was a more social plod with your tent mates and friends chatting and laughing about the weeks adventure and hotel that we'd soon be in having showers and beers and food!

Legs were weary, shoulders sore, skin sun burnt, kit falling to bits and general desire to actually just be finished.  Apart from that we were all just happy to be at the end, just a few dunes to cross but this was easier knowing that it was only to be a few km.  We had discussed a plan for the finish, this plan involved a tip off that Paul had received from a previous competitor. Don't get on the coach keep walking and there'll be a taxi rank.  Commandeer a taxi between the four or five of us and head back to the hotel this way.  This was genius, even though I was slightly apprehensive as could end up any where and being robbed, but I had to put these thoughts out of my head.  Eventually we set off ahead of the coaches.  Straight out on the route and stop at the first petrol station for snacks and drinks.  Boom this was the first advantage of our decision, the second was to be able to lounge out in the back of the car with space and windows that open!  This taxi ride turned out to be whole new adventure just in itself, but we ended up at the hotel in about 4.5 hours and soon got ourselves into the shower.  The idea was to get sorted and meet at the bar for beers, except I thought the boys said they'd knock on the door and we'd all go together ooops lots of wasted drinking time! Whilst this was happening John had a serious problem to contend with, he'd left his phone in the taxi!  This was a nightmare and so glad it wasn't me.  He just dropped his bags and ran back to try and catch the driver but in the end he needed the assistance of the receptionist and eventually, unbelievable, he got it back after tracking the driver down via another taxi and guessing where he would be!

We were sat slobbed out knocking back the beers and having a few laughs retelling the stories of the week and hearing new ones.  Then they all started coming in looking half dead and broken.  Their coach journey had got delayed and had taken them near on 9 hours.  Lynton's face was a picture as he hadn't come with us in the taxi as I couldn't find him to grab.  He came and just started shouting and moaning it was priceless!  We continued enjoying beer and food for the next day before it was time to get our flights and head home.  Apart from a slight delay for our flight it was great to be heading home.  Everyone was waiting for me at the airport and Olivia came running up to me like I'd just won the Olympics or something ha ha!  It kind of felt like that actually but I'd obviously achieved quite that high a level.

After we got back and I'd had a few days to let it all sink in I couldn't quite believe I'd actually done it, it was almost like a dream or should I say a nightmare lol!  One of the greatest experiences I've ever had and one of the greatest achievements I've ever managed.  Would I recommend it to others, definitely, it was amazing but the preparation is critical to their success and mental survival.  I loved it, its maybe not for everyone but it was for me!

Would I go back? Yes, but not just yet I have too many other adventures I want to do first.  One day though maybe!

Ok nearly there now, just marathon day to go and I can collect my medal!  What a nights sleep I woke feeling energetic and refreshed.  Its amazing what a good nights sleep can do for you.  After the normal, I say normal but there's nothing normal about it at all, morning routines of toilet, food, prepping the kit for the day and maybe having a little stretch we all headed once more to the oh so familiar start line.  There was a bit of buzz about today because the top 200 runners were setting off a few hours after the rest of us so they would at some point come flying past.  With 'Highway to hell' blasting out of the speakers we set off.

Today the plan was to just get it done as quick as possible, no hanging about, no taking my time and pacing it, just get it done asap!  The poles had served me well all week and today wasn't any exception.  I was pushing on at a reasonable pace using the poles to ease the work load on the legs.  I was able to do a slow jog on the flats and pushed hard in the dunes which were by now very hard work after the weeks effort so far.  The day seemed to drag on but I had an extra zip in my stride knowing that this was it, when we cross the finish line I will receive my medal and that's all that mattered and the quicker I could make that happen the better.  Like the previous 4 stages my strategy was to work as hard as possible in the morning before the full heat of the day set in and then finish as soon as I could.  I was aiming to finish before 5pm that was the goal therefore allowing 8 and half hours which sounds loads to do a mere 26 miles but I now new the terrain and this was certainly not going to be easy.

The day was tough and I was pleased to get to the last check point which felt different to all the rest.  Ah yes that's because it was the last one lol!  I was greeted with a cheer and a congratulations, followed by 'well done you've done it.  Just last 5km to the end.  Enjoy!'  So once I'd sorted my water bottles and had something to eat I was quickly on my way I wanted to get finished I could taste it!  We came to what I can only describe as a mine, a run down ruined mine.  It was a bit eerie I thought, the ground had changed colour slightly too which was a bit weird making my eyes strain slightly as they had to adjust to focus.  As I scrambled my way along this track through the disused mine I had many thoughts and emotions running through my head, I was nearly there, all the work and training was coming to an end.  I wasn't crying but my eyes had weld up slightly as I thought about all things that motivated me and got me where I was.  We turned a corner and there it was like the wizard of Oz and the yellow brick road.  I could see the Emerald City it was magnificient.

Of course I knew this was going to be at least 2km away though, but my steps became stronger and faster and the race was on for the finish line!  I was really pushing hard switching from running to walking and hurrying myself along.

I passed a few people, not on purpose more along the lines of I just wanted to finish rather than gain a few extra places on the leader board.  I had a chat with a few mainly French so the conversations were limited as my French is fairly limited ha ha!  Then all I could hear behind me was some singing and what sounded like a eukulele.  At first it was ok and fun but since I'd been running away from these guys all afternoon it was like torture to me ears.  I pressed on hoping to finish well ahead of them but unfortunately they court me and we all finished more or less together.

This was the moment I'd been waiting for, my thoughts were 'just don't fall over near the line as that will be your lasting picture of the race forever!'.  I was approached my Patrick the race director, handed my medal and given a hug and a well done.  I stood to have my photograph taken but the bloody eukulele man was hogging the limelight aarrrgghhh!!!!  I took my sweet tea and collected my water ration and headed back to the tent.  I received a good cheer along the way and met the boys who were already back sat with Lynton.  They clapped me in which made me slightly emotional again.  I'd done it, I'd achieved my dream, my goal and I'd broken 'The Worlds Toughest Footrace', get in!

Once the euphoria had calmed down a little and I was sprawled out on the rug sorting kit and stuff out I was ready to eat and they meant everything I had left lol!  I'd carried the Union Jack flag the whole distance in my pack so it was time to unveil it.  We tied to the tent post in celebration of us finishing and being proud to be British.  Great photo with my mate Lynton, very proud moment that I will always look back on with fond memories.

Looking at this now I can see how tired and exhausted I looked.  I didn't care at the time as I'd completed it.  My feet had survived, slightly battered and bruised and blistered but nothing too serious.  They had served me well and got me through.

We were all very giddy and full of it.  Why not, after that week!  It was such a great feeling and to be able to share that with others made it even more so.  We still the little matter of the charity day to do but it was to be only 7.7km and didn't affect the race times.  We kicked back and chilled out for the rest of the afternoon watching everyone else come in and clap them back to their tents.

I got cleaned up and refuelled and then just rested, I don't think I quite realised that was it, I'd finished, I'd achieved my goal that I'd worked towards for so long.  We were asked to head over to the finish line in the evening as there was some live music and presentations, and yes another Patrick speech. After hobbling about a bit I started feeling ok again to move, in fact I looked in pretty good shape compared to some people.  They were in a right mess, bandaged from head to toe almost lol! I headed over with John, it was just starting to get dark but we could see something on the ground scuttling about near the French lads tent.  I went over to investigate because I thought if its a little nasty they would want it sneaking in.  Turns out it was a little Scorpion.

So John, being 'The Terminator' started trying to get rid of it.  The more he antagonised it by trying to stamp on it the more it reacted and started going for him.  In the mean time I was just backing off slowly, keeping my distance just letting John go about his work!

Once he'd exterminated the little fella we headed over to see what all the fuss was about.  Tim was still at the Medics sorting his ankle out so we just had a wonder round.  There was a little stage built and a guy playing guitar with a female singer.  She was trying so hard to engage the audience and make it a fun occasion but everyone so just preoccupied with what they'd just achieved so weren't taking much notice of her.  We cheered the last runners in, everyone gathered and made it a special thing with photographers everyone and a fairly large welcoming committee.  I felt very sorry for these runners as not only had they probably just had the longest day ever and had to finish in the dark again but they then had everyone fussing about at the end when all they wanted to do probably was collapse in their tents.  We then moved over towards the stage where there was a few speeches and then the presentation.  Whilst this was happening a huge lorry turned up which was actually the free bar where I proceeded to get a beer and chill out on some stools Paul and I pinched.  It was a nice evening but I was done and ready for bed so headed back.  The problem was I now had visions of scorpions being in the tent eeeeekkk!

Morning had broken!  I arrived into camp at about 7.15am which meant it wasn't too hot yet and I'd achieved my target.  All I had to do now was to get across camp and find my tent.  What torture, you finish after 23 hours get a warm cup of sweet tea, 3 bottles of water and a poop bag lol then have to walk 1km to your tent.  Bearing in mind my left arm wasn't working any more and my legs were so tight they'd barely bend.  I crossed the camp and received a few claps from other tents mainly as most were collapsed or still out there.  I got to the tent and the boys were there to welcome me back, it was a great moment quite emotional actually.  A few cheers and claps then all the talks of the days labours.  I could barely get my pack off but I needed to a quickly.  I need my refuel drink and then some food, but mainly I needed to lay down I was done, broken................ but not beaten!

I spent the rest of the day flat out  resting getting patches of sleep and then sorting my kit out with the knowledge there's only the marathon day to go.  We were all exhausted now, it was catching up with us.  I was fairly ill throughout the morning, hoping that it would pass.  I knew it was just the exhaustion and sun stroke from the previous day.  I just needed to sleep it off the best I could and eat as much as I could afford to.  The pack was now getting to a reasonable weight, the problem was my body was feeling fairly beaten up so the weight difference was that apparent as it hurt no matter what.  We were told that in the middle of the day we would receive the famous 'can of coke', we couldn't wait this was golden.  I had wondered over to the medics tent to receive some treatment on my legs where I had managed to get a couple of blisters that were the size of grapes and I just didn't fancy treating them myself in case of infection.  Normally I wouldn't be bothered but so far into the race hygiene probably not at its best I just thought it would be safer.

I headed back with the great big patches of red on my legs where the iodine had stained the skin. I noticed a lorry in the middle of camp and queue's of people gathering.  I just joined the queue not actually knowing what I was the for.  It turned out we were receiving a fresh race number and then, yes you guessed it, the can of coke. WWWHHHAAAOOOO!  So I took my can and made my way back to the tent.  The boys could not believe I'd got mine, they hobbled off to get their rationed can.  It turned out that there was a shortage of full fat coke so Tim ad Paul ended up, to my amusement, with a can of Coke that was suger free, fat free, and feel great free lol!  Mine was great lol!

Preparations continued as the last runners came in, some on the cut off of 35 hours.  Massive respect to these people for being out there all that time and knowing that their recovery time was going to be very little before the next days race.  I got myself sorted and bedded down hopefully to get a full nights sleep in preparation for the last day.  We'd made it this was what the it was all about, the plan had worked, now it was time to finish the job!!!

Day 4 had arrived!  The dreaded 'long day'.  This was what my strategy had been all about, getting to this point in as best shape as possible.  I was feeling good, no major blisters or foot problems, no injuries, no set backs!  I was tired, hungry, and broken in other ways but ready to attack this day with everything I had, everything I'd learnt over the last few years and everything I had done in training.  The game was well and truly a foot, because if I get through this day then I only have a marathon do complete for my medal and finishing time.

We were up a little earlier to day as they wanted us off quite early with it been the greatest distance.  So all fed and watered, back packs ready! We headed off to the now very familiar start line and antics.  To be honest as fun as it was on the first day it was starting to wear off a bit now and I just wanted the countdown and to get on with it.  Mentally I had prepared myself for a long day, literally!  I knew I was going to be out there for a good 20 hours it just all depended on the terrain and level of difficulty of the day.

My plan was to power through the morning trying to cover as much as possible before the sun became a major factor, which it did.  I became nauseous again during the hottest period and worried about my longevity out there.

My plan was to get through checkpoint 4 in good time and have something to eat and a little rest.  I arrived there around 6pm which was perfect, I was starving by this point and actually struggling but I knew I just had to get there and refuel.  Since I was there in good time I decided to push on to checkpoint 5 before I had any dinner.  This plan served me well even though I was struggling it wasn't a time to stop for a break I wanted to get more distance done before I allowed myself  treat.  I stumbled through the checkpoint gates collecting my water and pretending I was in great form and smiling.  There was a massive light hoisted up and tents built all around it for people to crash and rest.  I found a spot on the dusty stone ground with groups of others who were just get there kit out and eating and evening meal.  All I could think was calories, I must get calories in me, and salt.  I made up a recovery and refuel drink and began getting a meal prepared.  The head torch was on by this point and I needed to change the batteries I could barely see my own feet.  Once I'd eaten I wanted to have a little lie down and rest.  Mainly just to allow the food to go down before I started again and also to rest my eyes for a little bit.  I think at this point we had done about 30 miles, and a tough 30 miles let me tell you.  I gave it 15 minutes before I decided if I rested any longer I'd be in danger of falling into a deep sleep and staying for a lot longer which wasn't to my liking and not in the plan.  So up I got like I was 100 years old, tight legs, sore feet and incredible sore shoulders.  Off I trotted once I'd worked out which direction lol!

It was always going to be a mental battle I knew that, seeing a lot of very ill and weary people out there I was glad I had some experience of the distance and how my body would react.  The further I got the more my body was breaking down.  Not only battling dehydration and limited calories but my left arm became so painful I could no longer lift the pole in front me, it just dragged behind and I used it to push me along.  My bicep had become that sore it too was making me feel ill.  My shoulders were also destroyed but that was now the norm, no escaping that. Last but least, my hamstrings were starting to tighten up to the point that they weren't going to be able to bend soon so I had get going it was time to push on and get this last section done.  The sun was now up which was an unbelievable experience just watching sunrise in the desert, beautiful!  We came to an old mine, the grit and sand had changed to a darker brown which was a bit weird after all this time, it a while for my eyes to adjust.  As we passed through shacks and falling village I could sense the end, my watch had run out of battery but I managed to keep the clock going on it so I knew roughly by my average pace how far I had to go.  I was desperate now to get back, I didn't want to be out there when the sun started to get hot again my body was already in shock and needed rest.  We turned the corner and there it was, the bivouac!

So all back at the tent, this was a celebration in itself.  Runners were now dropping like flies, people hobbling round camp at the end of the stage and limping into the medics tent or doc trotters. I could hear people now discussing foot problems and rubbing in areas that you don't want to be.  My feet were gradually degrading and blisters appearing, which to me was inevitable and par for the course. It didn't bother me as it was nothing I hadn't seen and dealt with before.  Clean it, iodine, then tape it up!  What was more unusual was the mini nose bleeds I seemed to be getting each day.  It was nothing serious, I guess just from the small particles of sand that was like dust in the air.  My nose wouldn't bleed out but would be more crusty and blocked. Pretty disgusting to be fair but not too much I could do about it.

Here's Tim and Paul discussing the days challenges whilst refuelling and having their three course evening meal. I think this was where Tim was just talking us through his bathroom experience.  It went along the lines of the plastic seat breaking and how he fell to the side obviously nothing to hold on too so ended up crashing through to the next cubicle and introducing himself to some French dude.  Whilst using his best Francais he was losing control of 'the bag' and ended up in a bit of a mess.  I won't go any further into this but it was highly amusing for the rest of us when he came back and said something like " hey boys, YOU DO NOT!!!!! want to go in the middle cubicle, I've just found out its broken!" ha ha!  I found myself cracking up to this all night.  Cheers Tim lol!

Whats next, whats the next day got in store for us?  Oh  yeah its the long day, preparation done and feet ready.  Need fuel and rest, oh well I'll just have cope with what I've got which was kind of the way I treated the whole week.  Its only for one week, 'suck it up buttercup!'

Day 3! Wow I was just so glad to be able to say that and be there still.  I had been so worried about my foot flaring up and making it a complete nightmare but it hadn't and I was sticking to my strategy of just getting to the long day in the best shape possible.

So with the jebels in the background what did day 3 have in stall for us.  To my horror, sand dunes, and lots of them.  The road book said it was a 30km day which normally that would mean it shouldn't be too hard.  I knew that it couldn't be that easy, its The Toughest Footrace in the World!  How right I was, it might have only been 30km but wow what a 30km.  This day really sapped me as it was relentless dunes and slow moving progress, but at least progress.  All I wanted to do was to get through today, push on and get it done.

So today I had use the knowledge learnt from the last few days regarding salt tablets.  This was fairly easy to grasp.  'TAKE MORE'!!!!   So I knew that when it starts getting tough, as in when i'm having to work harder and sweat more, I need more of everything.  Salt, water, and calories!  Yes you will hear me talking a lot about this and if it sounds repetitive then sorry but it was.  If I am to explain to you how it was, with thoughts and routines then this is exactly what it was.

This is one of my favourite pictures.  This started of as a tough climb in the dunes but then developed into a Jebel. As tough going as it was I loved this.  Getting up high with the views and getting different terrain broke it up and made it feel exciting. Once I'd done the hard climb, which was at least in the morning so the temperature wasn't ridiculous yet, we got up on to the ridge this was amazing.

You can see on this picture the soft sand, this was like when your on the beach walking between the small dunes or just up down a long hilly beach.  This kind of sand was so hard to walk, run or climb in as it felt like one step forward and slide back two.  My heart rate was rising rapidly, so guess what???? Yep, get some salt tablets downed! This trek up the dune felt endless and mentally was a tough challenge.

It was worth it though, just look at that view.  This is another one of my favourite pictures, I love being able to see the line of runners they just look like ants ha ha! Incredible view and what an experience.

 This was another great moment in my day.  I was ahead of the 'COW' thank goodness!!!

The day just seemed to go on and on, ploughing through the soft sand and crossing dune after dune after dune.  I was now taking 2 salt tablets every hour and extra when I knew I was going to be working harder or just after a tough stretch where I thought I'd sweated more.  All I could keep thinking was its only 30km and once its done I was on to the long day which was always the target.

We crossed many long dunes but the one above felt significant.  The view shows the flat plains ahead of me which showed me that for the next hour at least I will be on harder ground, not necessarily easier as I found out.  It was only slightly more compact and kept switching in patches from soft to hard.  This messed with your mind, as you thought you were through a tough section and were going to get a slightly easier period, but no I was straight back in and out of the soft, draining, energy sapping sand.

So after about 20km we ended up back at the mountain range from the previous day, just slightly further along.  From where I stood to take the picture it didn't look too bad, but once you were half way up and sheltered from the breeze it just got tougher and tougher.  Near the top of the long climb was the rope from yesterday that had been moved and clipped in.  We needed it to help climb up the final section which was made awkward with the poles and slightly dangerous with other people at the same time pulling the rope in all directions in their bid to make the top.

Once over the top I assumed it wasn't going to be too far to the bivouac.  We were back on flat hard ground that was very stoney.  There was one single trail path that lead us across yet another plain.  I was suffering now as had been in the hottest part of the day and I just wanted to be back at base camp laughing and joking about my day just gone. I still had some work to do as the camp wasn't in sight yet.  All I could see in the distance was a hilly bank and people seemed to disappear at this point.  So it was either that the camp was there or we had to go up the bank.  Again with it being the 3rd day there seemed a pattern with the placement of the camp each day.  We always seemed to have a tough climb then a spectacular view once over the top of the camp.  This now became my target and I decided to get a move on as I could sense the finish line.  I wanted, or should I say needed a distraction.  So I started coming up with a rhyme to occupy my mind.  Before long I was up and over the bank that seemed so far away at one time and I was on my home.  In the picture above you can see what I saw, this was about 2km away aarrgghhh!  Anyway it gave me plenty of time to fine tune my rhyme ready for my grand entrance to the tent for the boys in the tent.

It was a glorious moment, I'd planned it  for the last couple of hours.  The rhyme was based on my day and I used my Hardmoors classification title of 'Shire'. It went something like

There was a shire from Yorkshire

Who crossed the desert that was his desire

Over a dune and a jebel or two

and then he felt pretty dire!!!

I know I know its that imaginative but it was the best I could do at the time.  It took all my powers to remember that, but a brilliant distraction and a great way to end my day.  Like I say a glorious moment.  Once I'd managed to get the pack off and out of my horrible salt lined smelly clothes I managed to lay down and relax.  Head on pack, feet raised up on sleeping bag and roll mat, and recovery drink in hand.  I was glad this nice easy 30km day was done.  My feet were boiling and starting to look like they'd been in the wars.  I picked up a couple of blisters but nothing major.  I empty my shoe from the thin soft sand that manages to get in, cleaned them down then popped them splashed in some iodine and left to dry.

With day one done we were in it, no turning back only forward progress would do.  For me it was like a job now, I was there to get it done and I was going to treat it like work.  There were routines in place now that I needed to follow in order to feel prepared for the day ahead and to deal with the challenge of that day.

The day began with what was now becoming the norm, the elephant stampede to the toilet block.  For some they couldn't wait, literally.  So the idealic holiday morning draw back of the curtains where you look for blue skies, beautiful landscapes, ocean views, nope not here!  You were most likely to get the view of someone's backside or frontside depending on the direction of the wind! Once I had sorted out my own morning ablutions I needed to get some food in me, sort my water rations and the attend to my feet.  Today was meant to be quite tough, it was 40k with numerous testing jebels.  Now after yesterdays little teaser, intro day, welcome to the desert, I was preparing for a battle.  I knew today was going to be about getting the salt tablets, hydration and calories right.  Legs felt good and ready for a marathon, since we'd only done one day this was pleasing ha ha!

Off we went still showing signs of energy and excitement.  We knew we were in for a test today so the mental games began straight away.  Boom straight away, up we go!  Heart rate nearly through the roof and a gradual feeling of nausea, oh great!  I kep pushing on and trying to work through but all I could see ahead of me was this mountain.  The breeze abandoned me and the heat became the new battle.  I could feel myself getting worse and worse, people were collapsed in heaps under any tree or shadie bit they could find, which in the desert ain't much!  I ground to a halt, there was a medic under a tree treating a coiple of people who looked pretty ill.  I was reluctant to stop because I didn't want them thinking I couldn't cope and giving them reason to pull me out but I had to. I had to just take a few minutes to get me back on track.  I knew the feeling well as have felt like it before on other events.  I needed not just water, but food and salt tablets.  Then I just needed a few minutes to compose myself before heading off.  I had a little chat with the medics they were just wanting to make sure I was ok before heading off.  One told me it was 1 and a bit kilometres up and over, then you'd be able to see the bivouac.  Great sounds so easy!

So off I trot, the ascent started ok but I slowly began to become weary and struggle.  My heart rate was much higher now and I was sweating profusely.  The need for mini breaks became often, just to let my heart come down then off I'd go again putting in another bout of effort.

So all I had to do was keep going. prevent myself from being sick and get to the top.  Another mini break and I'd be there!

The view back now was amazing, we'd covered such distance and gained great elevation.  I needed to reach the top then it would be done, just a matter of getting down the other side but I'd worry about that when I got there.  I turned the corner of the never ending climbing and I could see the pinnacle before people just seemed to disappear so that was the target.  Heart in mouth and desperation written all over my face I got there.  Instantly shovelled two more salt tablets down, a shot block and a gulp of water.  What was next!  The view was amazing, breath taking!

So all we had to do was start the descent by holding onto a rope and kind of abseil down before just making a run for it!

"Right here you are" the marshal said, "off you go!  Allez Allez!"

Once I'd made it to the bottom, bit of a scramble the last bit but actually quite good fun, exciting, I headed off towards camp.  We were are able from the top of the climb to see the camp.  Yet again it was about another 2k from here but everyone suddenly had a spring in their step and they were racing it home.

This was a great feeling, as it meant I'd got through day two and we were now well on our way to getting to the long day.  Just the matter of the dunes day tomorrow, but lets worry about that tomorrow!  I stormed into camp, the boys were all back and crashed out in the tent.  I entered to a round of applause and a few cheers which was nice, I then proceeded to untangle my pack from my body.  Oh my lord I cant move my arms let alone use them to lie down.  My shoulders were so sore it was unbelievable, they were that bad I couldn't rest on my arms or use them to prop myself up, the pain was immense.  This took a good couple of hours to wear off, but thankfully it did wear off otherwise it was going to be a long night.  Again!!!!

With my head resting on my pack, legs elevated on roll mat i'm having a well earned rest.  Once your back you have the privelidge of watching others return back to their tents, dragging their heels and carrying their water rations.  What I did like was that when someone does does return and pass your tent or surrounding tents, the runners who were already back clapped them in and congratulated them.  So instead of the walk of shame it was the celebration shuffle!  Next thing I know in hobbles Tim, 'whats happened?' I asked.  Tim's ankle was swollen, in fact it looked a tennis ball on the side of his foot.  The reply was that he'd fallen and wrecked his ankle.  They weren't quite sure to the severity but it didn't looked good at all.  Tim was having to go backwards and forwards to the medic tent, mainly because he kept forgetting either a bottle of water or his medical card.  They strapped it up and gave him a high dose of pain killers because he was insistent on carrying on no matter what.  Legend!!!  He still beat me back that day and the rest of the week lol!

What did I learn from this first day then, apart from don't fall over and wreck your ankle like Tim?  Lots of basic learning which confirmed all the things I knew I was going to have learn about and fast.  How much water, how often to take the salt tablets, how many calories, did I need the poles, was I hampered by foot if so how did I deal with it and keep dealing with it????  All these questions needed to be answered and as I found out each day it was going to be a constant learning process.  After my little rest and the excitement of Tim's ankle I needed to have a bit of a clean down and start sorting my feet in preparation for the next day.  First though I needed food and I wanted to do this before I tended to my feet.  I felt pretty good after this section, my foot held up well and my legs felt strong.  The pack had been heavy but it was only going to get lighter, thank goodness my shoulders were destroyed and it was only day 1.

Whilst I re-taped my feet I was planning my next days strategy for water, salt and calories.  This seemed to be our initial main topic of conversation and whether we thought we were getting it right.  What we decided was, we were pretty much on it but if anything we need to take more salt tablets.  Especially for me when I knew I was either going to be working hard or if I had just been working hard therefore seating more and had a greater need for replacing it.  We also decided that in the hottest part of the day, so 1-4, we needed to be taking more salt on as again would be sweating more therefore much greater need to replace lost salt.

The tape I had used and put on the vulnerable areas of not just my feet but my shoulders and lower back had held up ok and were doing there job it seemed.  I treated my feet, a mini wash and clean then covered them in the goo!  Yes Gurney Goo.  As most things in our tent, we hadn't used it before or tested it so it was a little into the unknown.  We were all using it, you could tell as we lay there feet raised and drying in the breeze.  It was amazing stuff, I'd recommend it to anyone.  We all couldn't believe how much it helped the recovery and protection of our feet.  The smell though was something else.  A cross between 'Vicks' and 'nail polisher remover' which got right up your nose and let off a party popper.  Wow!  Pungent stuff!

So apart from missing my shower I managed a slight clean down and a change into my evening wear.  A different pair of shorts, a merino wool long sleeve top and if needed a windproof running jacket.  I wasn't able to get into my sleeping bag initially as it was too warm for me.  This soon changed as my fear of scorpions and camel spiders grew the darker it became!  The headlamps went out and noise quietened, then there was darkness and eerie silence.  Before long the snoring started, then the flatulence took over.  It was gong to be another long night!!!!

The call was made, it sounded like  a festival horn.  We all kind of guessed what it meant but if we weren't sure the marshals were doing the rounds ushering us to the start line.  All kitted up and ready to go, we walked across to what can only be described as big bouncy castle arch start line. We first had to move over to where some ribbon was and gather.  Number 32.  This was for the aerial photo from the helicopter, a spectacular vision each year but a little over indulgence I feel from the organiser Patrick.  It did look good though!

We moved over towards the start line expecting another Patrick speech, and yes we weren't disappointed.  We had a mini speech since he had done one the night before explaining a lot of things about the race.  This time it was just to cover a few key points, especially about the bag de kaka and then the birthday shout outs for everyone.  This was all wonderful but I really just wanted to get on with it now.  The music was blaring out, every song you could think of relating to heat and the desert, such as 'Two tribes go to war', 'On a horse with no name' and then the big one 'highway to hell!'  Patrick loves this song its the signature song of the race.

The countdown was done and we were off!  I love remembering how everyone looks at the start, all fresh, energetic, laughing and joking, talking to everyone, then compare it to the end of a race or the last day in a multi-stage its the opposite.  Quiet, looking rough, broken, probably mumbling a few profanities and looking ready to drop. The start to each day was the least enjoyable for me as so many people all around you hustling and bustling, pushing in front with no regard for others.  It was like a rat race till the first checkpoint then suddenly it just spreads out.  Mainly because people taking breaks and resting before carrying on.  The start of the first stage, everyone was off like a shot.  Short easy introduction day they said, a mere 18 miles taster they said.  Well trust me, this was not easy, a taster yes!  It gave us an insight to what the week had in store for us.  A few little hills, a few long drawn out dunes, a few long salt plains to cross and that was me feeling sick on the first day.  One poor chap I passed with the medics looked very ill, it turned out he'd suffered a heart attack.  There were others too suffering quite badly and this first easy day was turning out to be a test, it weeding out the ones that shouldn't be there.

This was one of the first long sessions across the dunes.  We had just ascended a tough climb and heading across to the plains.  This sand was so hard to get any purchase from, I found it slowed me right down.  You could feel the pace change as soon as you got back on to the hard ground, it was easier on the body and you were off again.  The dunes were like running in treacle, a long slog, the poles helped though and were a life saver in the end.  The pool running that I did in training really helped.  I knew the feeling instantly, as soon as we hit the soft deep sand and the legs suddenly had to work much harder I just said to myself 'we know what this is like, we've done this in the pool' so would just work through it knowing it would end at some point and then I could get going again.

As we crossed the plains the views were just amazing.  With the mountains in the background and all around you I loved it.  The ground was now a harder more compact sand with lots of loose stones on top. It literally looked like the sea bed if you took all the water away that's the best way to describe it.  We were now working through the hottest part of the day 1pm-4pm, and oh boy did we know about it.  With it being a short-ish stage today many runners would be finishing shortly and able to rest up  Not for me I was going to get longer acclimatisation time, value for money all those wonderful excuses for being a tad slow!  I spent the day trying to understand how my body coped with the heat, learning about the salt tablets and trying to guage my water in take.  As I found out this was going to be a steep learning curve and one that was probably going to take most of the week to get right.  My plan was to use the first three days to learn as much as I could then use that information to get through the long day.

Once I finally got to the point where we had made a climb up some dunes you were given a view that would rival any in the world.  This view didn't have mountains, didn't have dunes, wasn't the prettiest but you could see the bivaouc in the distance and it just looked amazing!  The best view ever after you'd slogged your guts out for the day.  This suddenly put a spring in my step as I'm sure it did for everyone else.  You could tell everyone suddenly put a bit extra into there effort and pushed on to get across the line.  After a mini sprint finish at the end I was greeted with a hot cup of sweet tea, this was amazing loved it.  I headed on to the next queue and tent, got my water card clipped and received my next allocation.  The worst part of the day now, carry your water and head across camp back to your tent.  Aaarrrgghh as if you hadn't done enough lol!  What a feeling though when you get back to your tent, all the boys were back and Lynton was visiting so I got a little cheer and then I collapsed on to the carpet whilst trying to get out of my straight jacket of a backpack ha ha!  Time to rest, thank goodness, day 1 done.........