RacingThePlanet: Madagascar 2014 Blogs

Another exhausting day, completed 46km in 12 hours. Yesterday did 36Km in 8.5 hours. What an interesting course today starting with beaches, erosion rocks, bushes, bumpy hills, Baobao forrest (my favourite), rice paddies, sandy and dirt road, passed about 5 river streams up to knee levels and many small villages. The level of the sand here is like been to Sahara or something (though I’ve never been there). The most adventurous part was crossing a long tree branch above a stream…really testing our balance. Another one was crossing muddy rice field. It sucked my whole shoes in. Luckily, with the help of Cana, he pulled me up. I don’t think I’m keeping my hiking shoes when I get back. Haha..extremely dirty.

I’m glad that I have my Deep Cold Gel with me. I’ve been applying on my shoulders many times today to loosen up the muscle. They are hard as rock. Thanks to Victor waiting for me every time I put down the heavy backpack twice in an hour. Thanks Cana to help me reorganize the weight of my backpack, putting my flip flops at back as cushion.

By the time we got to the camp site, it was 7:30pm. We just made it to their original cut off time. It has been extended for an hour. Some members are still out there. I need to clean up my clothes, shoes, socks and refill energy, then rest early for another 40Km tomorrow. It’s just the 2nd day of race. It seems a week already =)

To my coach (Dad): You are right about the socks. I should have gotten more cushion ones. After touching water and friction from the sand, blisters are coming out. I’m wrapping my front sole with paper tape. Shoulders are my weakest. Back is strong. Arms are good too for controlling the poles. I miss the massages.

To my equipment checker (Mom): You reminded me about the vest. I should have brought that over as night is windy and that is light. I didn’t even bring the heavier red wind breaker. I just got the thin Mont Blanc one. It’s fine with the weather at the moment.

To Janis: I got your message. Thanks for your greeting. Victor is strong. He guided me a constant pace and reminded me to drink water and keep eating.

Don’t worry, I’m enjoying every moment…no shower, no cleaning of clothes, no hair washing. I can’t believe I haven’t look into a mirror for a few days already. Quite busy once we get back to camp and wake up for race, getting prepared for breakfast, queue for toilet and hot water. I’m a wild girl..ha