Since there is no easy way to drop this Gobi thing into a single post, I’ll split it up into a bunch of smaller ones. 

However, if I were to reduce it to a single entry, here it is:

Before the race, this is all the stuff I took.

And all the stuff I took in my pack.

At the start.

During the race, this is the blister under my big toenail being drained each day.

After the race, this is me with a beer and a medal, or a medal and a beer.  It just depends on your priorities.

More to follow in the next few days (week). 

That said, the general question I keep getting is whether or not I would do it again.  The answer is,  without hesitation –  YES.  Probably the Sahara or Atacama race in 2014.  Let me know if you’re interested in joining me.  (Not kidding, anyone can do these things.  It’s just a matter of preparation, stupidity, and a reasonable amount of stubbornness to carry you through to the finish.  A little support from your Mrs. Stockdale doesn’t hurt either.)