RacingThePlanet: Madagascar 2014 Blogs

So its end of day 1…good news is that I have completed the day with time to spare.. Km completed= 36km Number of toe nails on feet= 10 [good sign!!] Number of blisters on feet= zero Number of hotspots= 2…[damage limitation commences this evening!] Number of swollen hands= 2 [they look like they belong to an elephant…] Number of swollen feet= 2 [see above] Chaffing= lots!!!!!!!

We started this morning from camp one on an old disused army base and hugged the coast for much of the first 10km. It was stunning and the Indian Ocean was ridiculously blue. Paula, Susan and I made a good pace in the middle of the pack. By 20km we had spread out a little with Paula up front. Knowing how things went last time in Jordan I decided not to push it to keep up but instead went along happily at my own pace. I didn’t stop once between check points and made a point of staying no more than 5mins at every stop.

At check point 3 I had a little medical intervention from a course doc who was concerned about my swelling so pumped me full of salt tabs and away I went. I played a little game of cat and mouse with a group of Brazilians who would overtake me and then stop for a break, I would pass and they would catch up. This went on for a while and actually helped focus me to get to the end. [I beat them by 15 mins!!]

Got to camp two just after 4pm [ my goal today was 8hrs so was happy] camp is right on the beach, lovely and soft to sleep on tonight! Dipped my toes in the ocean to wash off the dust and then got handed a coconut from one of the locals. Now tapping away writing this sipping on refreshing coconut milk.

Onwards and upwards to day 2.. Alan I miss you and my little girl terribly but I carried your picture on my chest all day so you were both close to my heart. I love you so much. To everyone else thanks for the kind words-I’ll try and make you all proud. xxxxxxx