Today is why I signed up for this craziness. Beautiful jungle trails, remote, tons of climbing, scenery that defies description. But I did not read about the leaches or the black flies in the brochure. Happily I think I only got one leach bite, yay Dirty Girl gaiters. The black flies, however….

With 6k climbing and ridiculously technical trails, Stefan said it was the most difficult stage of any of his races.  I believe it. Fortunately most of the technical was on the uphill and there was less downhill. But I do love the up.  Oliver, the German runner, called me “so fast”.  I’m pretty sure he was mistaken me for someone else, but I’ll still take it. 

Last night, we stayed at a monastery and were invited to a Buddhist evening ceremony.  That was pretty special.  It’s not often westerners, particularly women, are allowed to attend.