Another scenic tough day. I’ve never descended 9k feet in a day before. Happily it wasn’t technical.  I struggled following the flagging for some reason today. A couple of the people I’ve been running/leapfrogging with thought I had gotten lost and made sure I had checked in at the next checkpoint.  Runners are a great community. 

At the high point today there were amazing views of the Himalaya. I just stood there and took it in.

Oh we lost the soccer game but I did at least block one goal. It was so fun playing with the monks. Note in the photo that they are all wearing one shoe and one flipflop. And they still won.  I blame the altitude.

Today’s highlight was a hot stone bath. Before you can get in, a local woman scrubs you down.  Let’s just say she got every nook and cranny. 

In the photo with me, the high point in the background is where we started.  The photo was taken at about the halfway point today. 

We’re staying tonight in a farmhouse. I have to say I’m looking forward to sleeping in y own bed without 20 of my closest friends around. It’s a good thing we’re all too tired to really care. 

We have reached the halfway point of the race. Because the last day is so short, most consider tomorrow with the 50k running the last day. It’s still about 6k climbing but it’s rolling hills.