Hi everyone and thanks again for all the comments. The long march is now over and there are only a few competitors not yet into camp. I got in last night just after 10pm. Yesterday’s terrain was as bad as all the days put together. We went through salt flats that were more difficult than the day before and twice as long. At one point it was 45degrees celcius and 2% humidity. That’s crazy! I had to cut my compression socks off my legs because my lower leg had swollen so much that it wouldn’t slide over it. I have no shame in saying I ran most of the day in tears from the pain in my leg. I finally scored some Tylenol, which definitely helped. Otherwise I didn’t get any blisters unlike most. Camp looks like a mash unit. Everyone is walking with a limp, but they are as jovial as possible considering the hard part is over. Now everyone is stressing about how long tomorrow will be. 10k, 16k, 20k? They won’t tell us until later, and when they say 10k it usually means 10k-ish, which could mean anything. All of the racing the planet people are super nice, but the course designers must have some pretty good friends because no one here is going to hang out with them. Hahaha just kidding. It’s about over and it was really really hard. I suffered a lot and the day after tomorrow I’ll take a shower, fly home to my wife, my son, and my little girl and everything for me will go back to normal but I’ll hold onto the pure joy of seeing the finish line at the end of the long march forever. It is an indescribable feeling. I was really honored to have the support of everyone in our effort to raise money and awareness for the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. I felt one week of suffering compared to a lifetime of seizures is really insignificant. I’m contemplating what the next one will be.

Also, I’d like to think that all the people who’s name was on my shirt joined me on this difficult journey, or maybe I joined them on theirs. Well I’d like to do it again as I enjoyed their company.

Looking forward to seeing Dad, Clint, and Roger tomorrow. I’m looking forward to a shower. I’m looking to several pieces of pizza at the finish line. I’m looking forward to a Gatorade followed by a beer.

Deana/Mom, my flight leaves Calama at 11:30 on Sunday. Could you ask Clint reserve me a shuttle to the airport on Sunday morning from their hotel. I plan to stay probably in Dad’s room and the shuttles might fill up.

For now I’m going back to my tent and spending the rest of the day sipping tea and getting to know the other competitors better.

The last competitor is just now coming in and everyone is getting up to clap him in.

I can’t thank everyone enough!

Rich

The Atacama doesn’t disappoint. I seem to be having trouble with my IT ban so I’ve been told. I am having excruciating pain running downhill. It’s incredibly frustrating and making me incredibly slower. The rest of my body, my heart, my lungs, my brain is saying turn it up and soon as I do I get this pain. Nothing could keep me from finishing though, so no worries. We ran through the salt flats today and it must’ve been 120degrees at least. The heat was reflecting off the ground back up under my visor and the air was so dry my lips cracked and bled. People were dropping like flies and other runners were having to help them with water as the terrain is impossible to get any vehicles in. Water conservation was a serious concern. I went for a pee and it almost instantly evaporated. At that moment I felt like Bear Grills “PEE ON IT!!!” Two of my tent mates have dropped out unfortunately.

I’m really sorry I’m not responding to everyone’s well appreciated comments, but today was harder than yesterday and tomorrow is the long march of about 50miles, so I’m going to put my feet up and try to get a good night’s rest. I need it, I’m so tired. Thank you all again, it really is the fuel I need. Oh, and if you can get me that whopper, or in-between, or the juiciest, globbiest anything, with tons of ketchup just name your price, I’ll even consider getting a loan for it.

Rich

All your comments provide more energy than any power bar ever could. Please keep them coming, it makes getting up tomorrow and doing it again soooo much easier. Today was long and I mean time and distance. Slightly longer than a marathon and we did several river crossings(which felt great on the legs, and did damage on the feet later), and we ran down a giant sand dune. It was more like skiing, but it was fun, again not so good for the feet when they are wet and sandy with 22km/13miles left to go on rugged terrain. I did stop and change my socks. And I did stick with the plan. And I did have a better day. Others changed their socks too soon. They are going to have some really messed up feet. Early cut off tonight, I’m worried many people may not make it.

One of my tent mates is Japanese and he’s quite fast and today as I was running about half way done, he comes past me and said hello. I was shocked because he’s so much faster than me. He explained to me there was a Japanese competitor running with diabetes and all of the Japanese competitors were taking turns to run with her making sure she was ok. That’s amazing!

Following the Dunes one of the doctors came out and was joking with me just about life and kids to take the pain away and turns out he is from Cleveland Georgia! I almost fell off my stool, I think he did too. Going to catch up with him later.

First yogi bear today!(it’s a little inside bathroom humor joke with our friends the I’ons.)

Deana, tell Connor he is my hero. I don’t think I would’ve got off my behind if not for him. Tell Sulli he is also a DUDE.

Sara, please kiss my William and Isabella for me and tell them I am carrying them by my side all the time. I love you so much! I feel bad I won’t be home for your birthday, but I promise I will make it up to you. Please don’t celebrate without me.

Laura, thank you for your comments, it was a great motivational surprise.

Amanda, thank you! The simplest notes have such a great power!

Yota, I’m definitely in for a brai!

Chris, love the comments. I actually have to turn my disco off as I believe this is contributing to my high heart rate. The only wild life out here is the lizzards Bear Grills eats just before he pee’s on it.

Carol, Thank you and Uncle Bill sooooooooooo much for your donation and the T-shirts you bought. I am so lucky to be part of such a great family.

Mom, thanks for the encouragement! I guess the fun didn’t end at Wesleyan. Can’t wait to see Dad, Clint, & Roger at the finish

Tonight we are camping beside one of the salt lakes but they advised us not to enter as we will come out covered in salt which will add to dehydration.

NOT ANOTHER MOMENT LEFT TO SEIZURES!!!!!!

Rich