Day 2 (Atacama Crossing)

Day 2 07-Mar-2011
Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2011
Before I drone on about myself and today's stage, I want to take a moment to mention Soper's heroic effort yesterday and an even bigger performance today - he's pulling out all the stops.

There is a Brit girl in our tent - Wanda Summers (cool name!). Following a paragliding accident 18 months ago, she broke her back and was paralysed for 4 months. Made a miraculous recovery and is here running the AC2011. She can.t feel her toes (pretty useful for blister pain!!) and her knee gives way unannounced due to nerve damage. It took her 11 (eleven) hours yesterday. She arrived at the finish line in last place to an almighty welcome and all competitors waited for her and clapped her in. Sensational!

Right then, today. I'm pretty tired and really not sure how to attempt to put into words my emotions.

After little sleep (again - 4 hours may be), I was out of my tent at 5.15am making breakfast. It was cold and dark and with the mountains providing an impossing landscape it was a surreal experience.

The first stage (10km ish), was predominantly run through narrow canyons with vertical sides from the river up to the sky. It was majestic but meant the only way through was to wade through/criss crossing the Rio Grande (river) for the best part of 10km. It was awesome but tiring.

CP1 to CP2 was outrageous. A climb up (from the Rio Grande) the side of, a run through the mine shaft access and then up the other side of a copper mine. It went on and on and if not concentrating one found oneself going backwards it was so steep. we then followed the ridge for approx 5km before descending an unspeakably steep 400m sand dune. Now, I'm not a good enough skier to go 'off piste' and ski 'powder' but I reckon the sensation of free fall knee deep in sand was damn close (Coops/Rowls?). CP2 awaited at the base. At the time I sat 3rd, 10 mins off the lead. Unfort river crossings, wet feet and sand had trashed my feet - swollen, blistered and bleeding. I spent 10-15 mins trying to put them back together ready for the remaining 20 ish km. I lost approx 6 places which I struggled to make up over 2 horrid stages.

I ultimately came in joint 6th with a Canadian chap (Derren). I was struggling to not run/walk/stagger sideways for the last few miles. It hurt, really hurt, I was spent but Derren and I pushed eachother on. He/d just had some caffeine shots of some sort and was on some sort of high - singing, dancing, talking relentlessly. I couldn't respond - I needed my energy to put one foot infront of the other.

So, not sure where that leaves me? I think I overtook 4th but was beaten to the line by someone behind me from yesterday. I guess I'm 4th at best and may be 5th/6th at not best (couldn't really use the worst word!)

Thnaks for all your messages - much appreciated. I'm astonishingly tired so will sign off. Love to all at home, esp S, C & O xxxxxxxxx