Around 2 AM I woke to what I thought was the sound of someone banging pots and pans together. I knew we had an early start, but that's just crazy. I rolled over and got in about another hour and a half before I could hear most people rummaging around in their tents. It was still dark, but we had to get packed up and ready for that 5:30 AM start. More importantly was breakfast at 4:30. We were served a simple, but effecient breakfast of eggs, rice and beans, along with cold cereal and sandwuches if you were so inclined.

Under the nearly full moon poking out from time to time between the clouds we broke down camp and got ready for the days run. Today was to be the longest of the week, at just a hare under 60 km. It would be my longest ever run today, but I was feeling pretty good from a decent nights sleep and some good food. As we gathered at the starting line daylight finally broke and we were off. Not to make the days run too easy, the first thing we had to do was run down to the river and wade across. I don't like starting a run in soaking wet shoes, but we didn't have a choice. We followed a very rough trail along side the lake which gently rolled up and down giving us some spectacular yet misty views. I was hoping to see Arenal again before we left, but the clouds were low and would actually be a blessing as the first half of the day was cool with the occasional sprinkle of rain.

Coming off the rough jeep road and out of the jungle like forrest, we got onto a few slightly more traveled roads, but after a while we were directed onto a trail running up the hillside beside a beautiful field. The footing was firm, but the road was mostly grass, with a few rough spots where the livestock had torn it up. In a couple secitons you couldn't see more than 40 feet because of the clouds, but the scenery was amazing. I already think that this section will be my favorite of the whole week. I felt strong, relaxed, and ready to run. I passed about 4 people on this section before it came out to a radio tower where we were greeted by the volunteers of check point 2.

I refilled my hydration pack and set off down the hill towards a town and what looked to be a row of wind turbines. As we decended the wind continued to blow, but got a little drier, and the sun came out. The run through town was on road, and was largely unmemorable for me, as I was still thinking about the last section we did. The climb out of town was pretty tough, as we seem to take the most direct route up all the hills around here. Add to that the heat from the sun and I was starting to feel a little fatigue.

As I had suspected, we were climbing up the hill on which I had seen the row of wind turbines 10 km back. As we crested the ridgeline the few I had seen were only one of a large wind farm which stretched out as far as I could see. Obviously it was pretty windy there. Several times I nearly felt myself being blown off the road. I had to lean sideways into the wind to keep it from knocking me over. The ridgeline went up and down over a series of hills, which really started to sap my strength. I was well hydrated, and had plenty of food, but yesterdays run left me with sore legs and I wasn't sure if I would cramp up like yesterday.

Like an answer to my prayers we broke away and headed down into a wide plain that looked completely different from where I had just been. Climbing up had brought us through dry but tropical vegetation. This other side looked like a very dry savanah. The clouds disappeared from the sky and the sun beat down mercilessly. I found myself emptying my 3rd 70 oz bladder and hoped I would be able to get more liquids soon.

The road we were running along was dirth and rock, the kind that drinks up any sweat as soon as it falls, if any was actually able to make it to the ground. I finally reached the 4th and last checkpoint of the day relieved that I less than 8 km left. Great, I'd be done in less than an hour, get some real food, and some much needed recovery. I felt a little quickness in my step and took off down the road, excited to be nearly done. Unfortuantely, it was not as easy as I might have believed. The downhill turned into a climb, then a steeper climb, and I realized I was headed right back up to the ridgline that had the wind turbines on it. I told myself, walk the steep parts, jog the not so steep parts. By this time the sun had been beating down on my for at least 3 hours, and I was starting to wonder how much I had left in me. I started talking out loud to myself and saying hi to the horses and cows. I imagined them as my personal cheering section and tried to run by them so I would "look good". It didn't provide me the motivation I was looking for. I told myself to run for 20 paces, walk 20 paces, the faster I go the sooner I get done. In the end, that was the longest 8 km I've ever done. It took me 80 minutes and the finish didn't come a moment too soon.

I headed straight for the food table and wolfed down some solid food as I sat down and watched the runners behind me come in. All in all, a great day. By my estimates we climbed 2400 meters, almost twice what we did yesterday. It seems a lot easier today, at least until the very end. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and a nice short 18 km leg.a

Peter