Latest update from the RunTex forum:
"Hello all. My name is Gilbert, I am Sam’s older brother and I have been one of Sam’s “Domestique” for the past few days. As of 11am, Sam and Martha are the last man and woman standing. I am so amazed at how they endure such torture. All of the competitors are winners in my eyes.
Sam’s ankles have been swelling and during breaks we elevate his legs, ice his ankles, and massage his feet and calves. He gets a little coffee, gatorade, water, orange juice and some “Odwalla” vitamin shakes. He will eat fig newtones, chips, clif/power bars, cereal, fruits, tacos, donuts, and rice on breaks. He has been able to power nap on the 15 min breaks that he gets every 6 hours.
Mentally he says he is strong, but his lower legs are in pain. Ibuprofen has seemed to help some. I tell him to just remain mentally strong…a strong mind and the body will follow I tell him. He says “Yes, I know”
He has been hallucinating, especially at nite. All the competitors have admitted to this happening. It’s so surreal sometimes he says. He’s seen elephants, pizzas on conveyor belts at Wendy’s Hamburgers, a mirror that doesnt exist in front of him, and sometimes he asks me what he is doing there. I tell him he’s in a contest to win this bike, the one in front of him. He replies, “Why am I standing in this line, what are we in line for” He asked me what time the test, what test?? I get a real kick out of some of our conversations, but I know he doesnt like feeling so out of it, he tells me he hates not being able to control his thoughts and vision at times.
Jack and Adam and there whole staff/helpers/friends have been so awesome too. I commend them on the great, fair, and orderly fashion they have conducted the contest in. They surely didn’t think they would be going for this long. I mean the rented chairs had to go back on Monday, they didn’t think they would need them past then. They brought in some new, sturdier chairs though. They are a real class act in my book.
Whatever the outcome, I love my brother and I know win or lose he will always remember how hard he pushed, how much pain he tolerated, how much he ate even when his taste buds were gone and everything was like styrofoam. This will help him to know he can accomplish whatever he can in life if he sets his mind to it. He is only 20 yrs old and has much to learn, but I am thankful for him to experience this.
Thanks to all supporters so far. Go by Jack and Adams and cheer them both on. I am sorry if I ramble and have grammar errors, but I am very tired ( just finished my domestique shift) and I need to get some sleep for the night shift, if there is one tonite. Hopefully not though… 
Ciao
Gilbert"
