12 days to Go!

In 12 days time I will be at the start line of the Atacama Crossing. Where on earth did the time go?? First I was counting down the months, then it was weeks and here I am now with just DAYS to go.
I have got all my kit together, all the Mandatory equipment has been checked off (see list below) plus all the other optional equipment and things that I 'MIGHT' need as well. I have lists for everything, what I need on the plane, what I need for Friday while in San Pedro, what is coming in my backpack with me for the week, what I need for the Presentation dinner at the end and then for the plane journey home on 13th March etc etc. I love my lists and ticking off everything is the only way I can see myself getting organised.
One very good tip we got before doing the MDS was to carry all your essential equipment with you on to the plane(including three days food) as some people's luggage can get lost in transit and if you get to your destination without your shoes and all essential items then you are in deep trouble,, food, you can always get from other competitors(everybody brings too much anyway) but no one else will have a spare pair of shoes that will fit you.
My long training has now come to a stop and this last week now I will be using my exercise bike daily and will probably go swimming a couple of days just to keep off my feet as much as possible while still keeping mobile.

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
Backpack,(Berghaus 64 Zero suitable for short people like me,5ft nothing)
 Sleeping Bag(Marmot Atom)
 Headlamp(Petzl) & Back-Up Light
Compass,   20 Safety Pins,   Knife/ Multi-Tool,
Whistle,   Survival Blanket(Saved from London Marathon)
 Sunscreen,(P20 Fantastic if you have light skin like me)
 Lip Sunscreen
Blister Kit(with everything suggested by RTP but have never used Hydropel)
 Alcohol Gel,   Red Flashing Light
Jacket/Fleece(Helly Hanson top for nighttime)
 Shorts(1), Tops(2)1 short sleeve/1 long sleeve)
Shoes(Salamon)
Socks(Toe Toe,2 pairs, used these in Sahara Egypt and didn't get any blisters!!)
Headgear/Cap(Buff and Cap)
Fleece Hat,   Gloves,   Sunglasses
Nationality Patches/ 4 Desert Patches
7 Day Food Supply(at least 14,000cals) inc
Dried Meals(Expedition Foods 800cal meals, you eat SO much sweet,high carb stuff during the day in energy bars that you tend to crave savoury foods when you get back to camp so my favourites are Chicken Tikka & Vegetable Tikka, I brought desserts on my 1st Ultra but didn't use them)
 Energy Bars/Gels(Personal Choice/ Mule/Clif/Powers gels and this time I have found a lovely nut bar in Tesco's Jordans Absolute Bar 45g with 230cals, my brother makes his own Flap Jacks which are very high in cals as well.
Nutrition Supplements(I take 1 sachet SIS Rego Recovery every evening when I get back to camp)
 Snacks(Personal Choice/anything savoury)
Eating Utensil,   Electrolytes(Nuun tabs)
Hydration System(I use 2 water bottles and at each Checkpoint fill one with water and pop a Nuun tablet in the other)
Medication(Prescription from GP for Diclofenac-anti inflamatory & Co-Codamol)

My Optional Equipment
Sleeping Pad & Pillow
Trecking Poles,   Watch
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Nightcream,   Buff,   Jelly Beans
Gaiters,   Slippers(Flat white hotel type)
Sports Bra,   6prs Pants(1 for each day & throw away!!)
Wet Wipes(I tend to use the larger baby wipes, you can have a head to toe wash with just one!)Notebook/Pen(To scribble my thoughts)
Goggles,   Turbo Lighter(Useful for burning the toilet paper so it doesn't blow through camp!!)
Ireland Flag(To put on my backpack so there is no mistaking where I come from)
 Rosary Beads/Lourdes Water( That's the Catholic in me, have never gone anywhere without my Rosary beads and if I get an injury I treat it with whatever and then rub some Lourdes Water on it ,,just to be sure!)
Toilet Paper,   Leggings(For sleeping in)
Duck Tape(For Bag/Shoe repairs)
 Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion(In Sahara Egypt this was so soothing, after getting back to camp every day and washing my feet I smothered them in this and lay down with my feet raised for at least 20mins,,,Heaven)
And of course a Camera.

For those of you who have never embarked on one of these ultras, yes, all the above has to fit in to the backpack and carried for the week. I know I have been making light of it so far but there is no mistaking that 250Km over the Atacama Desert in temperatures above 40deg is nothing to joke about and it will be really tough going but as I've said before the determination is there and I WILL do this. I havn't weighed my bag and am not going to before the check in day at San Pedro.