Six hours in my right foot started developing a pain underneath my arch. I had never experienced pain in that location before and didn't know what to make of it. I kept going, hoping it would disappear, but it progressively became more and more painful. Eventually I slowed down my pace, and when that didn't help I swapped out my shoes for some more cushioned, supportive runners. While the pain in my arch subsided a bit, my right ITB decided that right now would be a great time to flare up. I had had ITB troubles years ago and knew how detrimental it could be. Within two laps I was out of those shoes too, changing into the third pair of runners I had brought along. The ITB irritation subsided, the pain in my arch was present but manageable, now it was time to focus on this race. 

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Until I hit the seven hour mark, when my bowels made themselves known again. I had no idea what set them off, other than just copious amounts of running in desert-like conditions. Over the next couple of hours I was in and out of the toilet block another three times, hoping that whatever was making my stomach angry would pass. By this stage I was off the real foods and could only stomach fruit (mostly watermelon), icypoles/popsicles and soda, but I was making sure to consume something at least every second lap.

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The heat steadily progressed throughout the day, topping out at 47°C (116°F) mid afternoon. Why this race was organized in the middle of the hot season I will never understand. To make it worse, Thailand was experiencing its longest heatwave in 65 years. Fantastic. The heat definitely affected everyone's performance, but I didn't find it entirely unbearable. I guess because it rose gradually and I wasn't struck by a giant wave of heat in one go. Several people were stretched off from the course, succumbing to the effects of the weather. From roughly midday onwards, I started sticking ice under my hat, letting the cool water drip down my face and neck. At the water stations I would have a few sips of water before tipping the rest over me. It eventually got to the point where I would walk while going past these stations, using them as an excuse to give my weary legs a break. It would only be for 10-20 metres, then I would force myself to get going again, usually at a shuffle. I ran every single lap I was out there.

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I never once wanted to quit. However, the impact of GI complaint, the relentless heat and humidity, plus the pain in my foot started to get the better of me later in the day. I had started the day reciting positive mantras to myself, choosing words and phrases that suited how I was feeling and that would lift my spirits. I lost these later in the day. I went deep inside my shell, focusing on the negatives and not taking in what Danny and others were telling me. It wasn't until I could sense the finish, about an hour before the end, that I came out of the fog and returned to the present. Looking back I realise that mental strength is an area I need to work on if I continue competing in longer races. 

Just after the nine hour mark I calculated how many more laps I could fit in within the allocated time. I had slowed so much during the last couple of hours that I had let slip the chance of completing 100 km, but at that stage I didn't care. I increased my pace again to make sure I had enough time to get through another four laps. I finished my final lap at the 9 hour and 56 minute mark, and was greeted by Danny on the finish line. I almost fell into his arms, wanting to laugh and cry at the same time. I had just run for 10 hours, clocking up 98.7 km. 47 laps of the one course. I was tired, exhausted, sore, but I had finished. I had almost doubled my previous longest running distance, in insane temperatures, without stopping to rest at any point (except on the toilet). It was an incredible feeling. I was proud and delighted with my performance, as well as the effort and achievements of everyone else out there.