Running is generally not fun for me. Running a marathon in 128 degree heat, on inhospitable Sahara Desert terrain after running a total of 113mi over the previous 5 days, and doing so on busted up feet is even less enjoyable.

Admittedly, today felt different than the others. It was a very good day. The heat was oppressive and unrelenting as usual, but I felt an unexplainable, strong power helping me (as well as a first dose of heavy painkillers from the French docs). The emails many of you have sent were quite inspiring to me and highly motivating. I thought about them the entire time.

I am truly honored to have been one of the few selected to represent the USA (among 43 countries) and Endure to Cure in the fight against pediatric cancer.

There are only 11mi to go and we are going TO DO THIS! This has been the most physically and mentally taxing thing I have ever done. I couldn't have done it without a higher purpose and your inspiring support. See you at the finish line tmrw!

Stage 4 (day 4 & 5) was a 52mi/84k run over all different types of terrain--mountains, sand dunes, dried river beds, rocks, salt flats, and sandy passes. This stage had a 34hr cutoff and came after running a total of 66mi over 3 days so the cutoff time is not as generous for the "common runner" as it might seem. Tack on the fact it was about 125 degrees and you get a lot of people dropping out on this stage.
I had a pretty decent day overall. I got stuck getting new blisters cut up at checkpoint 3 for about an hour, slept for a few hours at checkpoint 4, got lost for 3hrs in some major dunes between checkpoints 4 & 5 (some local kids took the route markers down), and made it in at about the 31hr mark with some seriously beat up feet. Unfortunately, my blisters are keeping me from running as much as I would like, but out here you just have to deal; find a way to keep moving forward...with purpose. 112mi down, 38 mi to go. Tmrw is the marathon (26.2mi) stage. Thank you!

Day 2 here in Sahara was much different than the first but equally as brutal. There really is no way to describe the difficulty of this event and the level of mental toughness required to get through each day. I hope I have 5 more in my tank. I just keep thinking of the kids going through treatment, my grandfather's request of me on his deathbed, and the people I hope to inspire to redefine their own limits and life and it is all worth every last drop of blood and sweat.

Though today wasn't too hot the terrain was challenging, with high winds and constant sandstorms over all 23mi. Out "tent" was blown over in the night 3x. My trip to have subcutaneous blisters treated just 20min ago was one of the most painful experiences in quite some time. 43mi down, 107mi to go. Thank you for your support. If you are ambitious, please email me by going to www.darbaroud.com and selecting ath #622!

Today was pretty brutal on the body and mind, but mostly on the body. Quickly realized groin is not healed so must go slower than I prefer, but in these early days it is important to be conservative anyway. Day 1 featured a run through the toughest dunes of Morocco, some reaching 150 meters in height. High temps, a full pack, and some mild sandstorms made the 10 miles of dunes interesting. Just kept focusing on the cause which pushed me through. Feel decent overall but have some subcutaneous blisters forming on the balls of feet. 20mi down, 130 to go. Thanks for your support of my effort for Endure to Cure!

Hi all—arriving in Ouarzazate, Morocco and nearly a year and a half since I was invited to do this event, it is now only 4 days away. I just want to thank you in advance for your support. As a reminder, to me, this event has nothing to do with running as far as I am concerned. It is about challenging my own limitations to inspire people than they can do the same—especially for the brave young children that my fellow Team Endure to Cure athletes and I are trying to help cure from pediatric cancer. A special thank you to our sponsors (notably Elevate Studios for our web site, RaceTracker for this very platform, Mizuno, KINeSYS, and Endurance Sports Institute who helps train my team members. Without our sponsors, donors, supporters, friends, and fans, we are not possible. Thank you!