Hey guys sorry for the inconsistent blogs. It's quite difficult to describe the scene here at the moment. Yesterday was a wicked stage taking us down a massive ridge into a gorgeous and lush canyon that narrowed to as little as ten feet across in some places while a fast moving river split the 300 foot high walls. I ran well with the leaders through the canyons crisscossing the river more than 26 times and at some times actually running with the river in waist high rushing water. Amazing! This is why I love these races. Coming out of the slot canyons and into shoulder high waving grasses I was actually in view of the leaders and running in 5th position.
From there it was a massive climb up a 2700m ridge. 9km later we were jumping off of this ridge onto the most incredible dune you have ever seen. It was like Mother Nature herself had pushed the sand up to the lip of the ridge to catch our fall. Running at 6th position through checkpoint 2 it was time to slow down as the heat began to bake us in yet another canyon. Unfortunately, due to the numerous water crossings by the time I reached camp 26.2 miles later I had developed some pretty nasty trench foot and a blister the size of DuPont Circle.
Today was just brutal in terms of both terrain and heat and it has claimed at least 10 competitors that I know of and frankly wouldn't be surprised to see another 10 not start tomorrow's 42km stage. It's 8:49pm and people are still coming in while others are laid up in the Med Tent. To give you a sense of how hard today was, my friend and Grand Slam competitor, Tremaine Kent was a former British Special Forces Officer and said that today was by far the hardest thing that he has ever done. It hasn't helped that we've had a plague of gastrointestinal issues hit the camp and as a result more than a few runners are also hooked up to an IV, incuding unfortunately, yours truly. (Jem, Cowen Family and all the Paughs please know that all is ok and that IVs are fairly regular at events like this...just a quick way to push the liquids through :) I will have taken a hit in terms of ranking but I actually planned to take today easy and will do tomorrow as well in preparation for the 76km Long March on Friday. Tomorrow is the infamous 'salt flats' stage and will try all of us again. I will give it everything I have but I will also be smart and am not afraid to make the 'smart' choice if forced to. I mean, I still have visits and FUPAs to do next week, and a girl that I owe a hug to!
Thank you to everyone for your support, it is so great to know that when it gets really really brutal that you are all out there cheering.
Love from Stage 3 camp amidst the dunes,
Ricky
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