tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215014942024-03-07T22:44:12.659+00:00Marathon Des Sables TrainingThis is my training diary for the 2008 Marathon Des Sables. It was a 2 year program with various events in 2006; including 10K's, New York Marathon to get me fitter, then my first ultra marathons, a multi-day ultra, then finally the MDS itself. I hope you find it useful.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-62056679696745116172008-11-21T16:33:00.011+00:002013-04-24T21:22:33.839+00:00What happened next?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
6 months later in September 2008, I started a new blog and found a few more deserts....<br />
<a href="http://www.desertracer.co.uk/">www.desertracer.co.uk</a><br />
<br />
In 2011 I created a global ultramarathon calendar and ultra events listing website, with race information, stats, maps, photos and reviews. Over 650 events are featured as of January 2013.<br />
<a href="http://www.beyondmarathon.com/">http://www.beyondmarathon.com</a><br />
<br />
Here is a direct link to it's global ultra events calendar<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.beyondmarathon.com/events" target="_blank">Ultramarathon Calendar</a></span></h1>
</div>
Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-57635685194404787322008-04-10T17:10:00.014+00:002012-01-17T23:06:36.501+00:00Journey's End<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkLhC1yL492ARH7XwRfq4uXBmpCLZQvQkSAXo3k0CouYBzYv2fQxX886xKVd2h8glEu8P43CQgEVZaJplzXNU-Zv66ToQBI_2QeuW_j2NQefN0-vb7oLB3PJ68MxPejG79tuL/s1600-h/MDS+end.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187665865550598482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkLhC1yL492ARH7XwRfq4uXBmpCLZQvQkSAXo3k0CouYBzYv2fQxX886xKVd2h8glEu8P43CQgEVZaJplzXNU-Zv66ToQBI_2QeuW_j2NQefN0-vb7oLB3PJ68MxPejG79tuL/s400/MDS+end.bmp" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
It is time to bid you farewell.<br />
<br />
The full story of my MDS adventure is in the post below this one.<br />
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Well, I have done what I set out to do and completed the MDS. I documented my two year journey on this blog, and I’ll let it stand now as record of my achievement. The donations page is now closed. I raised £4500 including gift aid in total. So thank you and well done to everyone who has donated.<br />
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There are so many people to thank that I hope I don’t forget anyone. Please kick me if I do and I’ll add you to the list.<br />
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<strong>Roll of honour</strong><br />
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Mum and Dad for their support for the past two years. Especially for looking after my son for much of every weekend as I trained. Thanks for all the words of wisdom, help with the sponsorship, the cards, and for decking out my house with celebration balloons and banners! Thank you for ever!<br />
My son, too small to understand just yet, but I owe you a lot of time to make up for that you have lost to the MDS.<br />
My sons mother for her support when I started out on my quest, and for her flexibility with him as the MDS drew nearer.<br />
The eldest of my sisters for her support, especially in Tenerife.<br />
My youngets sister for her support, now facing a challenge of her own with her new baby!<br />
My uncle, Dr K P Burns, without whose help I would just not have completed much of my training, let alone the MDS. His Chiropractic and sports injury knowledge has saved me so many times I have lost count. He has given up more of his time than I could have dared to ask. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.<br />
Also to his staff – Jodie, Katie and Andy for their sports massage. Thanks for putting me back together when I was broken.<br />
Thanks to all my other relatives, work colleagues, all sponsors, and neighbours for their encouragement, support and sponsorship<br />
Clive Hevey – personal trainer extraordinaire and member of the Bob Graham Round club (look it up if you don’t know). His advice and training over the last 4 years has taken me from literally zero to where I am now.<br />
Mike Perry at <a href="http://www.1stcontactphysiotherapy.co.uk/" target="_blank">1st Contact Physiotherapy</a> Stoke on Trent – for sports massage and physio over the last two years. He's an amazing physio!<br />
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All of my friends (those who still remember me anyway!). Especially Dan and Justin & Sally for their help and support when preparing, and also for the daily emails in the desert!<br />
Everyone at Blackfriars School – both staff and pupils who have supported and helped with the fundraising.<br />
The staff and students from Manchester Metropolitan University who have helped with my physical and mental approach to the MDS over the last couple of months.<br />
Friends from the TRO forum for their sponsorship, and support on the forum and in the desert<br />
Friends from the www.themds.co.uk forum for their words of wisdom, sponsorship, support on the forum and many emails in the desert – Too many of you to mention by name!<br />
You, all my readers over the last two years, and judging by the web stats there are many of you. Thanks to those of you who commented and thanks to those of you who sent me emails in the desert. Thanks if you have just read, and I hope the blog has kept you entertained and maybe even given you a few ideas if you are a future MDS competitor.<br />
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This medal is for all of you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw-8CpgRuKEA5w_db_LK2uT9NfUf1zE58TyYsooDM_EQOPf7ZBwb9nnR6JFEhTXsOjYukCcstYs-Y-Gd7ZUyka66okDdWARat9QVHQ5_HqXhzWCz02byQ3fAxwR5U3yhLRJ9J/s1600-h/MDS+medal001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188431735528886642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw-8CpgRuKEA5w_db_LK2uT9NfUf1zE58TyYsooDM_EQOPf7ZBwb9nnR6JFEhTXsOjYukCcstYs-Y-Gd7ZUyka66okDdWARat9QVHQ5_HqXhzWCz02byQ3fAxwR5U3yhLRJ9J/s400/MDS+medal001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
May 09:<br />
I've created a information source for ultra athletes accross the globe. A little bit of a thank you to the sport in general. I hope some of you find it useful<br />
<a href="http://www.beyondmarathon.com/">http://www.beyondmarathon.com</a></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-71797303282729211822008-04-09T09:05:00.143+00:002013-07-03T21:31:26.822+00:00Marathon des Sables 2008 - My Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>Introduction</strong><br />
<br />
Four years ago I literally could not run a mile. I had to stop at 3/4 of a mile gasping for breath on a treadmill, with a personal trainer called Clive probably thinking he had his work cut out here. I had decided to start running, get fit and get some personal training after a health check had revealed me mostly ok but dreadfully unfit for a 30 year old man. So, I started to do the odd short run over the next couple of years and eventually even entered an off-road 10k event. I found those 6 miles so hard I could not understand how anyone could run a 26 mile marathon. I certainly knew I couldn't. A few months later in January 2006 I was watching a TV show on the Marathon des Sables. I was in awe of spectacle and could not understand how anyone could survive such as extreme event. "I'd love to do that some day", I announced. "Why don't you then?" came back the reply from my girlfriend at that time. "OK" I announced boastfully, "I will then". I went upstairs, went onto the internet and downloaded the application form. I filled it in and made out a cheque for £500, the non-refundable deposit sum. The next day I walked to the post box, raised the envelope and let it hover in the slot for a couple of minutes as the enormity of what I had said I would do finally began to sink in. Eventually I pushed the envelope inside. A week or so later I got back a letter. My application was accepted into the 23rd edition of the Marathon des Sables in 2008.<br />
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I had two years and 3 months to train from really nothing, to be fit enough to stand at the start line with 800 others from across the world. Now I have no natural or genetic running ability. I'm still not a fast runner at all. I'd have to train the only way I knew how, which was to make a very detailed plan. What I lack in natural ability I make up for in preparation, attention to detail and the ability to stick to a plan to the letter. I'd never miss a training session because "I didn't feel like it today". This was the only way I knew that I could try and get in shape to even show my face in Morocco. Now the information I have researched in my blog, the training I have done, and the equipment I have used has worked for me but it may not be right for you. I have no ultra credentials, I am just an everyday Bob who had an aspiration to acheive something extraordinary just once in his life. If you find something in my pages that helps you then great, but know that I'm just a newbie and I'm learning every day. In other words 'don't blame me!'. I started the search for information on the race, sucking up every detail from every website I found. I read past competitors stories online and even found a few blogs, which I found useful. I closely followed one in particular, Alan Silcock as he trained for his first MDS in 2006. I subsequently got to know Alan and we both took part in this years MDS. Anyway, I decided that I would start my own blog to keep up my motivation for the event which seemed so far away, and also to record my journey as record of how far I would go in two years.<br />
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On January 25th 2006 I created my first blog post, and have updated it at least once a week ever since. In 2006 I set a goal of running my first (and still my only) marathon. I built up to 10k again, and then I ran my first and only half marathon in August 2006 in Newark. I ran it in a modest 1:52, which have me some hope I could crack 4 hours in the New York Marathon in November 2006. Just 7 weeks before the marathon, disaster struck and I got Illiotibula Band Syndrome in my right leg during my first ever 15 mile training run. For the next 7 weeks up to the event I could only cover a distance of 3 miles before the pain was too bad to continue. So with just one 15 mile run 'in the bank' I knew I was in trouble. By chance I spoke to my Uncle, a <a href="http://www.burnschiropractic.co.uk/" target="_blank">sheffield chiropractor</a> (he is also a <a href="http://www.burnschiropractic.co.uk/" target="_blank">York Chiropractor</a>, <a href="http://www.burnschiropractic.co.uk/" target="_blank">Doncaster chiropractor</a> and a <a href="http://www.burnschiropractic.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hull chiropractor</a> too! ). He told me that he treated this kind of injury, and not just back pain as I had assumed. He have me intensive treatment for a week and the problem went away. Too late for any long training runs, but patched up enough to make the start line. I ran and really enjoyed the New York Marathon but at 18 miles, deep into new mileage territory I hit the wall. I felt sick and terrible but I carried on at a much reduced pace and made it over the finish in 4:10. I was happy to finish, but just a little sad I had missed out on my 4 hour goal.<br />
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After New York I entered more Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) events, and even started to run parts of these events, which are typically around 20-25 mile with a few thousand feet of climbing involved. In January 2007 I found my interest in the MDS waning. I was feeling fitter after 12 months of training and knew that my MDS was still well over a year away. I entered a multi day ultra in France called La Trans Aq in June 2007. It sounded perfect training. It was the same format as the MDS, but a little less distance, not as hot, plenty of sand, but a little less weight to carry in the backpack. I trained hard, and completed my first self-designed ultra distance of 35 miles five weeks before La Trans Aq. I flew to France meeting two other UK competitors at the airport, Anne and Vaughan Wade. They are both superb ultra athletes, lots of experience and they were 2006 MDS successful veterans. I learned a lot of from as the week of La Trans Aq progressed. Despite finding the event very hard, I thoroughly enjoyed it and surprised myself my finishing 86th out of about 125 starters. I had expected to come last!<br />
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Brimming with confidence when I got back I then vowed to enter two LDWA events per month until the MDS itself. I would enter all of them as a runner, despite always carrying an increasingly weighed backpack to simulate MDS conditions. I entered and completed a very tough and 'character building' 29 mile event called the Rhayader Mountain trail in August 2007, then three weeks later the 40 mile Coventry Way Challenge. I continued with LDWA events and successfully completed my major goal for 2007; the 50 mile 'Round Rotherham'. I had trained in Tenerife just before La Trans Aq, and returned in December 2007 for another session. It is worth looking over those blog posts for Tenerife, and the close call I had there; That experience was recalled and helped me during this years MDS. I did a few other LDWA events in early 2008, but some injuries prevented me doing as many as I would have wanted. I also had to cancel my entry into the 54 mile Thames Meander, which would have been my final confidence booster for the MDS. Still I had put a lot of miles in and just rested my injuries ready for the MDS. The week before the event I felt fine, no sign of any injury other than that right ITB niggle which didn't feel too bad anyway.<br />
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I packed for the MDS; the detailed equipment/food list you can find in a previous blog post and set off for Gatwick on 26th March 2008. <br />
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<strong>Pre Race</strong> <br />
<br />
I stayed in a hotel at Gatwick and met a few other competitors that evening, including a top guy known as 'Cookie' who will feature in an MDS documentary, to be shown on ITV 4 in May 2008. This will be worth watching because he really had a bad time of it, but yet made it through anyway, superb. The TV crew got some great footage of him in pieces as he crossed the finish one stage, which will let some of you know how hard this event is mentally as well as physically. The following day all 250 UK competitors flew out to Ouarzazate and stayed at Le Berbere Palace hotel. I shared a room with a chap called Martin, who had failed the MDS on day 4 in 2006. It turned out there were a lot of 2006 abandons back in 2008 to correct their mistakes. Martin knew a couple of other 2006 abandoners; Andy and Ming. The four of us were then joined by Kevin, Hugo and Toby, and later by Michael. Tent 99 was assembled. We ate at the excellent hotel buffet, loading up on calories before getting an early night.<br />
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Everyone left Ouarzazate the next day for what ended up being a 7 hour journey, punctuated by water, lunch and pee-stops, and the coach I was on breaking down and holding up the journey for everyone for 40 minutes. The roadbooks were handed out as we departed, and I quickly skipped to stage 4 to see how far it was; 75.5k; 5k shorter than expected. This meant that the earlier stages were longer. I didn't study the roadbook in great detail on the journey down though. The journey was not enjoyable; winding roads over the mountains, and very hot. It was cooler outside the coach than inside. Eventually the coach turned left, off the tarmac road and started to head across the dirt into the desert. We had expected to be put on the back of open-back army trucks for the trip to the bivouac, but not so this year. The black tents of the competitors and white tents of the admin that I had seen a thousand times in photos came into view. I was here. After 2 years of waiting I had arrived in the desert. It all felt strangely familiar because I had viewed so much material on the internet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk21gwuBAp0Bh_UPQmh_54XC6wJ1O9PBUSqScSXPH-IX5_QE5eBhaVH81gZPIUQWA0mF9ZItAZ0v7-Zxvi6_o7G9__PJXgzQzPoYZ6xUhMoCAX0cHxvANHE21w81SBIQXhEVhV0g/s1600-h/CIMG0031.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187192360255400450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk21gwuBAp0Bh_UPQmh_54XC6wJ1O9PBUSqScSXPH-IX5_QE5eBhaVH81gZPIUQWA0mF9ZItAZ0v7-Zxvi6_o7G9__PJXgzQzPoYZ6xUhMoCAX0cHxvANHE21w81SBIQXhEVhV0g/s400/CIMG0031.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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We'd get close up and personal with those pretty red hills in the background soon enough. We dragged our suitcases through the shallow sand, into the bivouac and staked our claim for a tent, which happened to be 99. I put my kit on the outside edge of the tent, because I was hydrating like a mad man and knew I would be up in the night for the loo. That's my kit, nearest on the right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhozTS5Ii6bgYTqQbZ871Rf4Xa0lF6CdT6RRuDgHKKa9GofNIsE0t2q8mUKJJUt7-hlpAfJLgIdHnvOIBV6mppbJctn9uz5q2GLBh079GdGtbfuGKP8yLYRJML8CynIZzeHziyw/s1600-h/CIMG0032.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187193030270298642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhozTS5Ii6bgYTqQbZ871Rf4Xa0lF6CdT6RRuDgHKKa9GofNIsE0t2q8mUKJJUt7-hlpAfJLgIdHnvOIBV6mppbJctn9uz5q2GLBh079GdGtbfuGKP8yLYRJML8CynIZzeHziyw/s400/CIMG0032.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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We got to know each other a little better during the evening, and stood in the first of many queues for the organiser supplied dinner. The food was better than expected for the meals though the portion sizes not too generous. If you are a big-eater you might want to bring a little extra food for those couple of days before the race starts. It was dark by 7pm and we all got what sleep we could with a howling wind blowing. The next day was admin day and we all had time-slots to go and get our kit checked. We packed our rucksacks, adding any last minute items in. I decided to add a Helly Hansen thermal top and an extra pair of socks to my equipment, and a single emergency carb-gel. Alan Silcock, veteran from 2006 and 2007 came over to say hi. He was staying in tent 79 and it was good to remake acquaintance. He's a useful man to know with plenty of advice to get you through the MDS.<br />
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Here is Tent 99, left to right: Hugo, Me, Andy, Michael, Kevin, Toby, Ming, and Martin crouching down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkglKxCvV7t7ekbAn8BJCI2GQJKr4Du_XM-T90LaYTIUrJE0YzEDQRXiVdCfcCWnjyJmULYUseS0eppt3uHTfg7gJN8xzch5VYnDmMYwii1DChBHLgqPtyeNzl24z47Jg9tnE_Q/s1600-h/MDS+Tent+99.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187256978038369026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkglKxCvV7t7ekbAn8BJCI2GQJKr4Du_XM-T90LaYTIUrJE0YzEDQRXiVdCfcCWnjyJmULYUseS0eppt3uHTfg7gJN8xzch5VYnDmMYwii1DChBHLgqPtyeNzl24z47Jg9tnE_Q/s400/MDS+Tent+99.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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After packing, tent 99 decided to go and reccie the Merzouga Dunes which were those pretty red hills in the photo above. We walked the 1.5k to the edge and stepped onto them for our first taste of the finest powdered sand £2650 can buy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuRIRMpay_RcBv9fLNskBp9dOFVdhBhaieSH5M1zNk7RJbXwBilaDAUiUuh3Sctu5ddjML9MXNtX0MveBW1YSNiRlsjf5XhQF2FtPfevQgOrcMvB5S88ZXUSikHEWiLuHMciDRA/s1600-h/MDS+002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187207104878127714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuRIRMpay_RcBv9fLNskBp9dOFVdhBhaieSH5M1zNk7RJbXwBilaDAUiUuh3Sctu5ddjML9MXNtX0MveBW1YSNiRlsjf5XhQF2FtPfevQgOrcMvB5S88ZXUSikHEWiLuHMciDRA/s400/MDS+002.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sKJykyeJVvCCoB1HWhyphenhyphen61axL3_jbzTjRpn50aPEUEhyphenhyphen3_Q_rfU_dZ93vkroLx_j-8eG0REsYgWrGJm1ykWoeuFFaDEbzd5jzCtaXjn7M2gCdmDnqBQEiVjzBQvszf_fyYPCzAQ/s1600-h/MDS+003.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187206774165645906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sKJykyeJVvCCoB1HWhyphenhyphen61axL3_jbzTjRpn50aPEUEhyphenhyphen3_Q_rfU_dZ93vkroLx_j-8eG0REsYgWrGJm1ykWoeuFFaDEbzd5jzCtaXjn7M2gCdmDnqBQEiVjzBQvszf_fyYPCzAQ/s400/MDS+003.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I had a close cut 'racing haircut' done the day before I set off, though this makes it look like I had a close cut Mohican!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRT7C2Z9bagthq-HqhsnF4-fadrfosLpvi9XUPJCnzZKr5K_H-hDV6wbtFY5LB1NhqfaYJNnAu-mgU-83fGFj0RTh5ZKMTmBFD2hGyc3SwkIj_1WBO0-MbMVIReMRaasqazvB_w/s1600-h/MDS+004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187204506422913586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRT7C2Z9bagthq-HqhsnF4-fadrfosLpvi9XUPJCnzZKr5K_H-hDV6wbtFY5LB1NhqfaYJNnAu-mgU-83fGFj0RTh5ZKMTmBFD2hGyc3SwkIj_1WBO0-MbMVIReMRaasqazvB_w/s400/MDS+004.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I wandered and even ran up and down a few dunes and stared off into the distance getting to know my enemy. 8 miles through the dunes seemed like a rude wakeup call for stage 1. We all headed back to the tent and had a lie down to recover from the reccie!<br />
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I was approached by lots of people during the event who recognised me from my photo's on this blog, and we all very complimentary about it. I was surprised by quite how many of you there were. It's nice to know it's not just me and my mum who has been reading this blog for two years! Special hello to the guys from Tent 97, our neighbours, who I got to know a little and frequently bumped into a checkpoints during the week.<br />
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A sandstorm blew up during the afternoon, reducing the visibility from miles to a couple of hundred yards. Goggles on and buffs pulled up I realised I didn't like them, even though this was probably fairly low on the scale.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCWXQDZTtNEIhjEP79V6kWE2sQtp9Bwl0vqAZEeS5RCHYI1Ig-KiL4iMrOqHnrn0bPqOzkdI0xMLE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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My 3pm timeslot arrived and I dragged my suitcase and rucksack over to the admin tents. I was nervous about my ECG, despite knowing that many peoples showed the same abnormalities. At desk one we got our race numbers and handed in our suitcases, which were packed up on a lorry and sent back to the hotel in Ouarzazate. Next I was given a necklace with a medical card, water (pointing) card, flare, and electronic tag. The tag was new for 2008, and actually just being tested this year. The tag was scanned as we passed into checkpoints and may well be the new timekeeping system in 2009. The manual recording was the system used primarily this year though. <br />
Next I handed in a organiser-supplied sheet of paper to the kit-check desk. I had carefully listed all my equipment, my food and calorie content and the weight of my pack. I had signed the disclaimed to say I had packed all of this kit as well as the required items. They took it off me, wrote a few things down and said that was it. No detailed kit inspection at all. I don't know anyone who had their kit inspected in fact. At the end of the day if you want to cheat yourself out of kit and calories that it your problem I guess? Finally I approached the doctors table, somewhat apprehensively. I handed over my medical certificate and ECG to one doctor, whilst another asked if I had done a marathon before. Not wanting to attract attention I said "yes lots, and also a multi day race in France called La Trans Aq". She seemed happy enough with the response, and I watched nervously as the other doctor traced her pen over the heart-trace of my ECG. She looked up and said "OK" and sent me on my way. That was it, now it was over to me. I headed back to tent 99 and realised when there I had left my flare on the table in admin! oops. A quick unplanned run later, and I had retrieved it. We were told to pack the flare in an easily accessible place in our rucksack. I put it at the bottom, out of temptations way. Call me stupid, but it seemed wise to me (I was right as it transpired).<br />
<br />
During late afternoon we all assembled outside out tents for Patrick Bauers welcome and demonstration of how to set off the flare. Second time lucky after they forgot to take the lid off the first one when they fired it. Doh!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPuU5vpfpqNN3Ew926cpcfciWsbvf1sltrn_qp0QKdlBiItAHPnWUMxZm_MJuYkPJBaxxXxboDlbuCZWLen2D61GN-QS7gk1lq9AMJGlrvablj7ulJ7FZXKF6uhGUbzcbWOgTxQ/s1600-h/CIMG0034.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187201461291100706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPuU5vpfpqNN3Ew926cpcfciWsbvf1sltrn_qp0QKdlBiItAHPnWUMxZm_MJuYkPJBaxxXxboDlbuCZWLen2D61GN-QS7gk1lq9AMJGlrvablj7ulJ7FZXKF6uhGUbzcbWOgTxQ/s400/CIMG0034.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Afterwards we went back to out tents and settled in for the night. The wind was high and got stronger as dawn approached. I slept badly, grabbing just a couple of hours at best, which would be a pattern I would repeat for most of the week.<br />
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I am going to post the organisers press release for each day, along with the temperatures and map, before my own story each day from here onwards.<br />
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<strong>30/03/2008 - Stage 1 : Erg Chebbi/Erg Znaigui</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgRZqLTrsqig2lenlKN6ybhmltLIheONDBEqq8lHyf-q4Gk8QJQiLUInCICushuRM1xGAY_z086X0YiDSFJqsc8z8KXB-nVqPCKBRRMK4KD8BhscG6azAKahcftGoxWGJuef3Vg/s1600-h/Roadbook+Day+1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187231590486682242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgRZqLTrsqig2lenlKN6ybhmltLIheONDBEqq8lHyf-q4Gk8QJQiLUInCICushuRM1xGAY_z086X0YiDSFJqsc8z8KXB-nVqPCKBRRMK4KD8BhscG6azAKahcftGoxWGJuef3Vg/s400/Roadbook+Day+1.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Weather conditions at 8.00am: 20,8 °C / 31% hygrometry (humidity)<br />
Weather conditions at 12.00am: 36,8 °C /18% hygrometry<br />
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801 competitors, amongst which 94 women, set off this morning for an unusually long and difficult opening stage. With hardly more than a kilometre to warm up, our enthusiastic bunch of runners were confronted with the Merzouga dunes. Those 13 kilometres allowed a clear lead to emerge. Unsurprisingly, at CP1, the favourites Ahansal, Aqra and Ait Amar were on each other’s heels. Starting on the long rocky plateau that leads to the second set of dunes, Mohamad Ahansal moved to top speed and left everyone on the spot. In black and yellow settings (rocks and sand), the race got slightly crazy, exploding with young Ahansal’s incredible pace. He reached the finish line way ahead of anybody else, more than fifteen minutes before his direct competitors, slightly shock shelled from Ahansal’s performance: “I’ve been alone from kilometre 7; of course I miss my brother, we had the same pace, but I’m happy with my day”.<br />
Jorge Aubeso (Spain) also did a fine race. He himself was pleasantly surprised: “I don’t think I’m 1st place material, but my knee’s getting better by the day and I can be a patient man…”<br />
A less pleasant surprise for Jordan Salameh El Aqra’ who found the course harder than expected and also had to deal with tummy trouble.<br />
Today the Marathon des Sables was particularly worthy of its name: sand was on the menu, starter, main and pudding. And it’s only the beginning…<br />
-----------------------<br />
<br />
The tent was taken down from above our heads shortly after 6am, but most of us were already awake. There was a high wind and it was a truly demoralising start to the MDS. Trying to prepare yourself as a gale blows all around you wasn't nice. In fact I didn't get to prepare my feet the way I wanted to that morning, forgoing the pre-taping for fear of taping sand into my feet.<br />
<br />
I ate my standard breakfast of porrage oats, dried milk and honey-coated banana chips mixed up with about 1 pint of water and boiled up in my MSR kettle. Breakfast went down well and I washed it down with 50g of PSP22 tipped into a half-full mineral water bottle. We all collected our start line water ration which was rather unusually 3 litres instead of 1.5. The larger ration usually indicates that there is a tough section ahead. We had all roughly calculated that we would spend 3 hours in the dunes and so it was clear that the 3 litres would be needed anyway. Below is a shot of the 'pointing card' wore around the neck and clipped at every CP when you get your water ration. Also attached to this was the medical card, but this was taken away during stage 7. The medical card was clipped if you received attention from Doc Trotters. If you look closely you can see on the date 30(th) that 3L is indicated for the first ration.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsdS4Thqat4bqPMs-jkNmPVf21koREyu5KDfHVze-jrmMbabIMelMd8QhMlwSLNP1CqiCH571NUO4_Rdh8Fe0pkvhdsRQ79vAiujwegJQ4guBmAD-9OdhKHXoEtrkMBQnDFamsQ/s1600-h/MDS+pointing+card001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187212937443715698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsdS4Thqat4bqPMs-jkNmPVf21koREyu5KDfHVze-jrmMbabIMelMd8QhMlwSLNP1CqiCH571NUO4_Rdh8Fe0pkvhdsRQ79vAiujwegJQ4guBmAD-9OdhKHXoEtrkMBQnDFamsQ/s400/MDS+pointing+card001.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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After getting my water ration I got fully dressed and lay down using my backpack as a wind shield. The sand storm had rattled me and I was feeling a little demoralised. It was not a nice way to start the MDS. I took out a couple of cards and photos that I carried with me, from my family, to calm my nerves. This seemed to work some magic and the wind dropped almost immediately. At 8:30 we assembled on the start line and music played over the loudspeakers. Below you can see my chosen dress for the week. A Railriders Ecomesh shirt, Under Armour vented shorts with Raidlight stretch shorts over the top. Raidlight 30l backpack and frontpack. Outdoor Research cap and Wiley X goggles/sunglasses with light adjusting lenses. 800ml Raidlight bottle in the frontpack, along with a 1.5L water bottle, and I carried another 800ml in hand in that bottle on day 1.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfOGi-4vjNX6CwXQjsK1yMnD-41j4ktcDZMCIEvVKUi9aGoG-k66le4vV0Zo7ePaDY9P8unG3WpspTVp9hSvCrSHprFvxck1B0OxI-IFKqkr94ydatLPiqSuRHbJE9qJivNhE9w/s1600-h/CIMG0038.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187234854661827234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfOGi-4vjNX6CwXQjsK1yMnD-41j4ktcDZMCIEvVKUi9aGoG-k66le4vV0Zo7ePaDY9P8unG3WpspTVp9hSvCrSHprFvxck1B0OxI-IFKqkr94ydatLPiqSuRHbJE9qJivNhE9w/s400/CIMG0038.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The same tunes were played all week, but the clear winner was AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long". There was a real buzz of excitement on the line as Patrick introduced the race, and his nice assistant Sarah translated into English. Tent 99 shook hands and wished each other good luck, as the countdown began. Trios, Deux, Un and we were off to the loud cheers of everyone. The Eurosport helicopter buzzed overhead and circled us as we crossed the start line and were off. I set my first foot on my rollercoaster ride of the 2008 edition & 23rd Marathon des Sables. <br />
<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6396817893059091069&hl=fr">Video of the start</a><br />
I set off at a light jog amongst the 800 others, waving to the Eurosport copter as it made frequent passes. The first 1.5k was easy flat terrain but bought me closer to the nightmare start-day obstacle of the Merzouga Dunes; up to 150M high in places. I stopped to pose for a photo which really gives you a flavour of the task we had ahead. You can just about make out the field of runners snaking into the dunes.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_s3g50dvunJqQDqtv4hApVapIfAnF-Ta-yCcXbOmL1M1dwvteOmzwJH3hXSWTZ_qjWazk-UYVveDIkh9x96QPFsYfHq0ei1nJoaSrI6y1Q_02IofJlCb41066LCXxd5gtt7TIQ/s1600-h/CIMG0041.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187234442344966802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_s3g50dvunJqQDqtv4hApVapIfAnF-Ta-yCcXbOmL1M1dwvteOmzwJH3hXSWTZ_qjWazk-UYVveDIkh9x96QPFsYfHq0ei1nJoaSrI6y1Q_02IofJlCb41066LCXxd5gtt7TIQ/s400/CIMG0041.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
We had 12.5k of the dunes ahead. Doesn't sound like much does it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNR8hqv3F-OHPDGpBLwFK82wfhyphenhyphenBOjLU7R7pMio7WgA1iUulUW1_nwF4-v7X7ND_FVvnnvRLf8iHWAcntpasxgGyKfdOaZRsoDBR0AOVYTzMCd09vIcOkk3mjJDbSTlyhCWs1yQ/s1600-h/CIMG0040.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187236280590969522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNR8hqv3F-OHPDGpBLwFK82wfhyphenhyphenBOjLU7R7pMio7WgA1iUulUW1_nwF4-v7X7ND_FVvnnvRLf8iHWAcntpasxgGyKfdOaZRsoDBR0AOVYTzMCd09vIcOkk3mjJDbSTlyhCWs1yQ/s400/CIMG0040.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I was with Hugo and Toby as we set out across the dunes, our pace rapidly slowing to around 3mph (less at times), which is what we had estimated it would be. The wind had dropped but was still blustery and depending on the path you selected across the dunes you could be sand-blasted as you crested a particularly high dune. There was of course no path to follow, you just made you own. Most competitors just followed one main 'snake', but sometimes two snakes would appear as some would judge one path easier than another. It was of course hot, but the wind took the edge off. It was by fortune the coolest day of the week; the only day under 40C at 36.7C. It may have peaked higher in the dunes themselves but the official temperature was given as above. I clocked the humidity as being around 18% - 21% which was higher than I had expected. Certainly sweat clung to my skin under my shirt, and I was conscious of maintaining hydration. I sipped my water ration frequently, every 2 or 3 minutes. The dunes rose and fell before me. Sometimes I could see a high one ahead and would hope to view the end from it, but my hopes were dashed when I crested and just saw miles more in every direction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHJPIDAatDEpUGN48OuPcdu-b4QSAdCB5OYEb2UYPwtwNf88xAG8RXs71irvZ4ncRgTkxqep4P4Qc_33qtUspjtE4mNzznRDxKlgahz-5qS0AcR9OozFKnnOVFfVl7nM8phX_UQ/s1600-h/CIMG0042.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187238758787099330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHJPIDAatDEpUGN48OuPcdu-b4QSAdCB5OYEb2UYPwtwNf88xAG8RXs71irvZ4ncRgTkxqep4P4Qc_33qtUspjtE4mNzznRDxKlgahz-5qS0AcR9OozFKnnOVFfVl7nM8phX_UQ/s400/CIMG0042.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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You can't get a rhythm walking in dunes. The sand density changes from very soft to sometimes firmer. Sometimes it seems firm but gives way half way through a footstep. You feet slide backwards and sideward’s and it is very tiring. Sometimes it is better to step in other people’s footsteps; sometimes it is better to make your own. You learn which as you go, I can't tell you how! Some of the dunes are shockingly steep on the 'downside' once you have crested them. In fact some dunes are actually vertical drops; sheer walls of sand. You will have to see it to believe it.<br />
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I had split from Hugo and Toby at some point in the dunes as we had each stopped for the 'loo', or to adjust equipment etc.<br />
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After what seemed like an eternity I saw the end of the dunes, and after perhaps another half hour I emerged from them and to checkpoint 1. All the walking seemed to be irritating my right IT band. This caused me frequent discomfort during the week, but was never a show-stopper thankfully.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZd4A6X2yStRRgR7Zf5yk82LHA4323ZW6BsvJeBSQY3zutHP_UnLATjf0p6NPoEhR1nuXemlzYpUIwrRROjsZYOtL6kdMgyIJl8VAbuv-trRMg2oIOYiCKHB5QWvu3QDZt2VPT4Q/s1600-h/CIMG0043.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187244578467785426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZd4A6X2yStRRgR7Zf5yk82LHA4323ZW6BsvJeBSQY3zutHP_UnLATjf0p6NPoEhR1nuXemlzYpUIwrRROjsZYOtL6kdMgyIJl8VAbuv-trRMg2oIOYiCKHB5QWvu3QDZt2VPT4Q/s400/CIMG0043.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I failed to notice that you had to filter into a particular lane depending on your race number and was ushered away to the furthest right lane to have my tag scanned, time recorded, and fresh 1.5l of water supplied. It had taken me 2hrs50 mins to reach CP1 at 14k, more or less what I had expected, average speed just 2.7mph by then. My feet and toes felt ok but I could feel my socks were wet with sweat. There are small tents setup at each CP for competitors to use for shade. Here they refill water bottles, eat food, or just generally crash out for a while and recover. There is also a Doc Trotter tent. I got into the shade, took off my pack and swapped my socks for a dry pair, after airing my feet for a couple of minutes. I hung the wet pair of socks on the outside of my pack to dry as the idea to swap between two pairs a day came to me. By the time I had done this and mixed up some electrolyte 10 minutes had passed. I got back on my feet and trotted out of the CP.<br />
The terrain went immediately from one extreme to the other; Now a totally flat stony plain stretching to the horizon. I was finally able to achieve my target pace of 5mph.<br />
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This pleasant terrain continued until for the next 10k. You can see this stony flat terrain below with a photo looking forward, and back (where you can see the end of the Merzouga Dunes).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPPIMloBkUyqkMaEEkk2Gzrj3BQLgJroTJnU8GBCBy5zInejsqYln_wvLKBLhsL5r5mMDKlma3PAABW_Fx9XLO1h8sz6bdrCJjiKJkELeGjYOJy7yeL0a9gQZtscGmpiOwFzzaA/s1600-h/CIMG0045.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187255861346872050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPPIMloBkUyqkMaEEkk2Gzrj3BQLgJroTJnU8GBCBy5zInejsqYln_wvLKBLhsL5r5mMDKlma3PAABW_Fx9XLO1h8sz6bdrCJjiKJkELeGjYOJy7yeL0a9gQZtscGmpiOwFzzaA/s400/CIMG0045.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38Oenb-tedEoBZBFb5KjR6WTqWd8Dgon8RyQxEu6K6K1bvlVO8pVmDW9amVMiPzUAFLu9zUpuvcSdvwXyCt9teECEhKlaAoF9usuYhc5d0qtLWi3QtS0rrW6z9x3TEq9JIAMx1g/s1600-h/CIMG0046.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187255169857137378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38Oenb-tedEoBZBFb5KjR6WTqWd8Dgon8RyQxEu6K6K1bvlVO8pVmDW9amVMiPzUAFLu9zUpuvcSdvwXyCt9teECEhKlaAoF9usuYhc5d0qtLWi3QtS0rrW6z9x3TEq9JIAMx1g/s400/CIMG0046.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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It was plain sailing across the flat to CP2, where I swapped my socks for the now dry originals, refuelled with another electrolyte and set off again. I would be eating on the move; a small mouthful of food every ten minutes or so to stay topped up on fuel. Thee k's later I crossed some sandier terrain again, which for all purposes may have well as been full on dunes. I was getting a little tired by now. The early dune onslaught and then quickened pace across the flats to recover time had taken it's toll, but I was still feeling ok. That was until the sting in the tail on day one came into sight, another 2.5k of substantial dunes. They can be seen in the distance, ahead of a couple of locals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3HO3qTOLYlMqvV3OKQOaXS8UeKNu4uAoChEm5IDsmjkJAbTeurjOgl0GrcOhDu1rEph9Aip8d1NsHZJoMPE-xjqoDiSxiI0DoYKY_YGZ_UBlwksXxUdQUUrYWYJiykfRwejHmg/s1600-h/CIMG0047.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187259116932082450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3HO3qTOLYlMqvV3OKQOaXS8UeKNu4uAoChEm5IDsmjkJAbTeurjOgl0GrcOhDu1rEph9Aip8d1NsHZJoMPE-xjqoDiSxiI0DoYKY_YGZ_UBlwksXxUdQUUrYWYJiykfRwejHmg/s400/CIMG0047.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The dunes really wore me out and once again with every crest my hopes for it being the last dune were cruelly dashed by tens more. Finally I crested a dune and spied the finish line. Energy returned to my legs and I managed a jog up a down the last few dunes and across the line. I finished in 05H51'58' average speed of 5,39kph. <br />
A word about the average speed at this point; sometimes this differs from what I posted in my nightly updates. This was because the stage lengths were not always exactly as advertised in the roadbook, versus my GPS measurement. Some were slightly short by a few hundred metres, and some were longer (such as day 5 and day 6).<br />
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I was then ushered through to collect my 4.5l water ration to last to the following day. There is nothing crueler than handing a tired athlete an additional 4.5 kilos in weight to struggle with back to his tent. I stripped off my shoes and socks, and checked my feet. They were fine. I aired them whilst I had a Rego recovery drink, and then ate my Mountain House 800 kcal meal within the hour to replace my carbs as quickly as possible. The others all came in at various times in good order, but we were left missing Glaswegian Michael and Banbury-based Ming. Both of these guys were sporting hefty rucksacks and we were concerned for them. Michael eventually arrived beating the 10 hour cut-off. In fact as long as it took Michael to complete some stages we always knew he would make it. This guy is slow, steady and unstoppable; The Terminator. We knew if there wasn't a way over the hill, he'd smash his way through it to get home.<br />
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Ming however, was a different story. A few of us gathered on the finish line as the deadline approached and then passed. Dusk came, went, and pitch darkness fell over the dunes. How demoralising to be finishing your first day in total darkness, and have to be using your head torch. Ming had failed on day 2 in 2006, and it looked like he could go out on day 1 on 2008. A few competitors abandoned and were brought back on quad bike leaving Ming the only person left out there. Many people and camera crews gathered on the finish line, as did Race Director Patrick Bauer. There was some concern Ming was lost for a while, but then he was found and apparently abandoned, but then it was announced he had rejoined the race to cheers from everyone. A head torch blinked into view in the distance and a camera crew raced out for some advance footage. Ming, walking sticks in hand, was on autopilot, marching towards the line. He crossed the line without stopping 40 minutes after the deadline. He was walking with his eyes closed! He was totally out of it and didn’t know where he was, and afterwards had no memory of that evening . He was stripped of his pack by the doctors and half carried into the medical tent where he was asleep before his head was on the bed. We were all worried but doctors assured us he was fine, but exhausted. He went back to our tents positive that was Ming out of the race, either by time elimination or medical direction. Once again I slept on the outside edge of the tent, and kept awake by the raging wind that picked up during the night.<br />
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<strong>31/03/2008 - Stage 2 : Erg Znaigui/Oued El Jdaid : 38 km </strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTfsdCB2J3USq5wLLfeQrYOKjg7pBNuT1_kbVtU5o9EsPCa5mvXhOr6fZplLp7aMjNe2HpaE-PvxNveYliox8u5oFufaT3Z6UUo3UT0dG_w5IsfzW-CAKoO_o8jlgFSgcdq7hwQ/s1600-h/Roadbook+Day+2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187271215854955298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTfsdCB2J3USq5wLLfeQrYOKjg7pBNuT1_kbVtU5o9EsPCa5mvXhOr6fZplLp7aMjNe2HpaE-PvxNveYliox8u5oFufaT3Z6UUo3UT0dG_w5IsfzW-CAKoO_o8jlgFSgcdq7hwQ/s400/Roadbook+Day+2.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
Weather at 8.00am: 19,8 °C / 40% hygrometry<br />
Weather at 12.00: 40 °C / 16% hygrometry<br />
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Runners awoke with a smile on their lips. The dunes belonged to the past, but they did some damage (6 competitors gave up), cooling down the least experienced competitors’ ardour. Today’s stage, with less sand and more rocky surfaces, was done with at infernal speed (13,5km per hour) by the lead runners, and most notably the two favourites Mohamad Ahansal (1) and Salameh Al Aqra’ (71) who never let go of their top positions. On the finish line, the Jordanian competitor, who seemed happy enough with his second rank, paid homage to his Moroccan rival: “yes, yes, he’s the champ”. Mohamad looked at him, thanked him, but didn’t seem to believe him: “the race is far from finished”. The Spanish runner Jorge Aubeso (622) gave renewed proof of his great shape, with a beautiful third ranking. He’s now fully reassured as to his knee trouble and can officially admit at last he would like to finish amongst the first three.<br />
On the women’s side, Toda Didi keeps shining. Not only was she the first woman to reach the finish line, but she came 33rd in the general ranking.<br />
Runners went through a village called Jdaid where a cooperative workshop, a day centre for children and a health centre were built in 2007 thanks to the work of the EAUSOLEIL charity Yet another sign that the Marathon des Sables is not just a sport competition…<br />
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------------------<br />
<br />
I didn't awake with any smile on my lips. I was tired. I had got 2.5 hours, perhaps 3; broken sleep that did little to repair my mind or body for the day ahead.<br />
On the flipside, the course looked easier despite the increased distance. I foolishly hoped that I could complete the day faster than the previous one, despite the mileage difference. The problem with the road books is that you can never tell what the terrain will really be like.<br />
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Much to everyone's amazement Ming came back to the tent, announced he was still in the race, ate some food and strapped on his pack. We were amazed and impressed at his resolution. Patrick Bauer announced at the start line that Ming's effort was so impressive that he had waived the cut-off time as it was the first stage.<br />
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I had the time to prepare my feet properly today; pre-taping all the areas prone to blister. I was tired but breakfast perked me up and we wandered over to the start line at the earlier time of 8am to stand amongst ropes to spell out the number 23 for the helicopter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc_AYLaypb7QIJblAhkpnGe7mmtVRfnZzvb1b33wyWfmt8aeDh7Z9DeejKdNCsAGJPgxBlLynpJcbhMgDOxidl1vlV56ntBy6a-lUmM6OO19C3GJhq32VnExsFCLLLxqc2fLayQ/s1600-h/CIMG0048.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187272783518018370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc_AYLaypb7QIJblAhkpnGe7mmtVRfnZzvb1b33wyWfmt8aeDh7Z9DeejKdNCsAGJPgxBlLynpJcbhMgDOxidl1vlV56ntBy6a-lUmM6OO19C3GJhq32VnExsFCLLLxqc2fLayQ/s400/CIMG0048.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpAIYlEb55VheOReFxUmAM93p_3y-UaY3oxErpp9lHkTzGFM9i-X_WAmCbYXWJwIoAaHe9NEiFlPJsdxqmahlNfd9GVCjF3TFGeCXn__Ej5qy_LxNVOFMDdT2-jXwH0iKFak2wg/s1600-h/CIMG0051.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187272409855863602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpAIYlEb55VheOReFxUmAM93p_3y-UaY3oxErpp9lHkTzGFM9i-X_WAmCbYXWJwIoAaHe9NEiFlPJsdxqmahlNfd9GVCjF3TFGeCXn__Ej5qy_LxNVOFMDdT2-jXwH0iKFak2wg/s400/CIMG0051.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080331/MASS_0483-WEBz.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080331/MASS_0483-WEBz.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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You know it is strange; you feel tired from the previous day, you tell yourself to start slow, maybe even walk, but the music starts, the countdown begins and you find yourself running across the line.<br />
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Nevertheless I could see there looked to be a lot of 'runnable' ground, at least for the first half of the stage so I decided to adopt a run/walk strategy. In the cooler temperatures of the day I ran for the first 45 minutes, walked for 5 minutes, and then did a 20 minute run and 10 minute walk strategy all the way for CP1. The ground was good, but stony, as can be seen below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7IxmdZ9grizj3PyYv6j-kxpUrAGvwgiexd-lTqqDgxUVyW6CrhzZdifxDlRzG_HItprYsJqFpcuXN48BJS19dkXo4whkiYDhYWq-Ova4_mGLU-sE3JQ9b1MeBLPD5U9sX4Z96Q/s1600-h/CIMG0053.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187275510822251346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7IxmdZ9grizj3PyYv6j-kxpUrAGvwgiexd-lTqqDgxUVyW6CrhzZdifxDlRzG_HItprYsJqFpcuXN48BJS19dkXo4whkiYDhYWq-Ova4_mGLU-sE3JQ9b1MeBLPD5U9sX4Z96Q/s400/CIMG0053.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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A cushioned shoe with a sturdy sole to prevent bruising is what was required this year I thought. The New Balance 1100MDS is just what the doctor ordered for me. Three people in our tent used them, and they had no complaints. I had not ingressed any sand from yesterdays dunes, which meant that I was unlikely to all week. The Raidlight gaiters were glued and stitched and were working well. Hugo in our tent was in Trabuco's, an MDS competitor favourite, and he suffered on this type of ground. His gaiters were fine, but his shoes caused him problems as you will read later.<br />
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At CP1 I swapped my socks as was now my routine, mixed up my electrolyte and carried on. I continued on, maintaining my run 20, walk 10 strategy which felt comfortable initially, but became tougher as we entered Wadi's (dried river beds) which typically have sand maybe a few inches deep at most, but making progress difficult much like dunes. I decided to slow down and walk the last few k to CP2 to conserve energy. It felt hotter that the previous day, but it wasn't affecting me too much I thought. I flipped between 10 mins running and 10 walking as I crossed the furnace like salt plains which seemed to radiate heat back at you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SgNwC4XotVVCN9CGd1l6OvL31NtiUVvNy0t0hgXvsSlmd_lvHWyFBvnGaZ_9cElliFKIFv19viVxj-d97YO0pAaY_De9J-0t3zDKR8j86BjfmbTumt4mscOn59Ud_ImSDtUsNQ/s1600-h/CIMG0055.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187280162271832946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SgNwC4XotVVCN9CGd1l6OvL31NtiUVvNy0t0hgXvsSlmd_lvHWyFBvnGaZ_9cElliFKIFv19viVxj-d97YO0pAaY_De9J-0t3zDKR8j86BjfmbTumt4mscOn59Ud_ImSDtUsNQ/s400/CIMG0055.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZpbQtXx4WPXdSBHZHo8uy1ovjDOs1WHiL_pG57ACzu4jz66W2pp9y5GCwrst0gZj3UriovV_LHvhdDbPnQqh4TsXG2TmP1bmuLewxzs4CbtI0EQoRPkcnwYiqNLX26JFej7Y-Q/s1600-h/CIMG0054.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187278255306353506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZpbQtXx4WPXdSBHZHo8uy1ovjDOs1WHiL_pG57ACzu4jz66W2pp9y5GCwrst0gZj3UriovV_LHvhdDbPnQqh4TsXG2TmP1bmuLewxzs4CbtI0EQoRPkcnwYiqNLX26JFej7Y-Q/s400/CIMG0054.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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After the salt flats I was slightly anxious about an area marked 'crevasse, difficult passage'. This turned out to be little more than a 3 or 4 feet drop into a 15ft wide track and 4ft climb out the other side. Worry over, easy.<br />
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The other side there was mud flats; packed dried out earth. It kind of looks like broken chocolate doesn't it? No Steph, you can't eat it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsjjisgzpmhAFHaKgT-la2PH1No_H4bJwlKbbYzV0OO9J35b9eb8xQ6WQc_d7wi_E06WE5Z6LbRuNHsN05uds0LALHv2Q76wZ4MKU4tkUvxlSkTy2bnijCGcw_FM_btSBKk0JMA/s1600-h/CIMG0056.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187281261783460738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsjjisgzpmhAFHaKgT-la2PH1No_H4bJwlKbbYzV0OO9J35b9eb8xQ6WQc_d7wi_E06WE5Z6LbRuNHsN05uds0LALHv2Q76wZ4MKU4tkUvxlSkTy2bnijCGcw_FM_btSBKk0JMA/s400/CIMG0056.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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After that there was a short section with some vegetation used for camel grazing, on the lead into CP2. At CP2 they made the mistake of announcing to everyone that it was 40C. It was only when I sat down to swap my socks that I suddenly felt very hot and uncomfortable. I hadn't really noticed the heat much whilst on the move. A hot wind blasted through the tent. I aired my feet and took an extended break. I upped my fluids and ate extra food. After 20 minutes I felt fine again and continued on, though more cautiously.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3osbY5QQPGg2UXcu1GwgnjVWukmHPUyTacC1Taewc-zIjM9fgzvFmoFmucTQdMapzbjU7-BdZC2YRObojIgx3dmHZnnxLAxdsfTYcqbGbfkyXDK0_M92Pdmtua8Pfi3936BermQ/s1600-h/CIMG0057.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187281871668816786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3osbY5QQPGg2UXcu1GwgnjVWukmHPUyTacC1Taewc-zIjM9fgzvFmoFmucTQdMapzbjU7-BdZC2YRObojIgx3dmHZnnxLAxdsfTYcqbGbfkyXDK0_M92Pdmtua8Pfi3936BermQ/s400/CIMG0057.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I had read in the roadbook that there was a 300M over the El Habet Jebel (hill/mountain), so my pace was slightly more cautious mixing in a little more walking to conserve energy on the way to CP3 at the foot of the climb. Across the stony plains the climb came into view; the hill crossing to be made where the ridgeline dips in the middle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH9VGhA65cH_u3UIsquCcCa6xiIZQ3BiodRUG1zVH1ECnny_qzVYe2w9PSBsfzl4WcCsgT9-nsVf7IflGFz5Z8URptXLdnGcyn_D0TiAofRzO-rsKelMEWP3NrJ467o0Vp6ikWQ/s1600-h/CIMG0058.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187283228878482338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH9VGhA65cH_u3UIsquCcCa6xiIZQ3BiodRUG1zVH1ECnny_qzVYe2w9PSBsfzl4WcCsgT9-nsVf7IflGFz5Z8URptXLdnGcyn_D0TiAofRzO-rsKelMEWP3NrJ467o0Vp6ikWQ/s400/CIMG0058.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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That doesn't look like a 300M climb I thought to myself as I approached? In the middle of the desert there were kids that would line the route, appearing from nowhere, no houses in sight and as young as 3 or 4 years old. Some would just watch and clap, but most would beg for 'Bon bon' or 'Gateaux' or anything they could get in fact. Also, they all wore jumpers? Some competitors would give them half empty bottles of water or energy bars. I would avoid high-fiving them for fear of catching infection. I'd just give them the thumbs up usually.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ReA9OSarRcwAcQydLdfmv7HUFMICz-fI8YfpS6lMucRUFXWk6XrEkP62PpH74OMrnFbFpRqjWsZlL5hyphenhyphenfrQGeCE8kXEP65sw4LXd4g8KwQztjoKzDFNzzbSqZ7ncRAYlO9-Yg/s1600-h/CIMG0059.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187286024902192050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ReA9OSarRcwAcQydLdfmv7HUFMICz-fI8YfpS6lMucRUFXWk6XrEkP62PpH74OMrnFbFpRqjWsZlL5hyphenhyphenfrQGeCE8kXEP65sw4LXd4g8KwQztjoKzDFNzzbSqZ7ncRAYlO9-Yg/s400/CIMG0059.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I spent my now customary 10 minutes at CP3 with the foot airing, sock changing and refuelling. I felt pretty good and looked up at the hill absolutely sure that it was nowhere near 300M. In fact 100M gain was more like it. I strode out as I ascended and even though it was a sandy climb I made it in good time and wasn't at all fatigued. I took this shot looking back down the way I had come, CP3 in the distance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjyW-WnTWTVep6Pr7j-FVCvJH_MtJygQqVwxptu8AQ9GSTYlhyphenhyphenNgdgmRKoSJle06BLoN8wQeHYbC4HQODeLx0Oz9vjMZfTYMR4U9S4dof_jtGz2N1og3QmZP0UO8m45tsQAHnjw/s1600-h/CIMG0060.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187287725709241282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjyW-WnTWTVep6Pr7j-FVCvJH_MtJygQqVwxptu8AQ9GSTYlhyphenhyphenNgdgmRKoSJle06BLoN8wQeHYbC4HQODeLx0Oz9vjMZfTYMR4U9S4dof_jtGz2N1og3QmZP0UO8m45tsQAHnjw/s400/CIMG0060.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The shame shot with me spoiling the photo, sorry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-XZmWsfDzM8XuhiMldcn5Lh-Ztb7J9z1Amsktvy-fiCyxA1Uk8iALYo6q3sdAA2kl6gxQTw8va6Cw62apzH_tIj66LHdmWgSj8fkKn23qn-NzMr-q81OextYmOLjB841iyDhAQ/s1600-h/CIMG0062.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187291453740854242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-XZmWsfDzM8XuhiMldcn5Lh-Ztb7J9z1Amsktvy-fiCyxA1Uk8iALYo6q3sdAA2kl6gxQTw8va6Cw62apzH_tIj66LHdmWgSj8fkKn23qn-NzMr-q81OextYmOLjB841iyDhAQ/s400/CIMG0062.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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This one looks forward over the next few smaller climbs and into the distance to the finish some 5k away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykWfT0nKC2FH_y6W5-3Ti-NZXqLSWL_J-MST5IsASchopfh9JlvbGIVhPZJ156zGfuCkyz4NKmKILHd_FIrDWU_iHp1GRJuJadkFJa6YJTfEcVbQsk8om_WvM1LycVlV8lJAc2A/s1600-h/CIMG0061.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187291170273012690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykWfT0nKC2FH_y6W5-3Ti-NZXqLSWL_J-MST5IsASchopfh9JlvbGIVhPZJ156zGfuCkyz4NKmKILHd_FIrDWU_iHp1GRJuJadkFJa6YJTfEcVbQsk8om_WvM1LycVlV8lJAc2A/s400/CIMG0061.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I ran down from the summit and across the stony ground hoping to finish the whole distance running. However about 1.5k before the end the faint path in the stones vanished and there was just rocky ground, with stones the size of tennis balls. Running across it was risky in my tiring state, so I opted to walk it in and ensure I didn't turn an ankle.<br />
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I crossed the line in 06H28'52 with an average speed of 5,86kph; a faster average speed that the previous day. I was happy enough with my performance, not too tired, but still annoyed at having to carry 4.5l of water back to my tent. Martin had arrived before me, having passed me during my extended 20 minute rest at the second CP. He'd had a better day, opting to run more and walk less. He was a 2hr 45 marathon runner before being the victim of a hit and run accident which left him in a coma. Still, he miraculously survived and resumed running managing to do a 4hr30 marathon and then a 3hr 15 marathon. He's hoping to improve further at his next event.<br />
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The others came in over the next couple of hours, even Ming who made it in on time. We were impressed with his effort. He had a better day and looked to be on the road to recovery. Everyone ate and settled in to sleep as the sun set on day 2.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldHmkZfOLxWf49GhzFYx8X3JSWRULc6O2xcloDBd7D2iI3tIbUqUVk6DRxxREDn7CkGLUeUaqZ2DA8lOCgcvxFcN0Xsbqp1gxXPmS1pqRWeJshwJRaX5frHo5A-fSp1jPjkC2Jw/s1600-h/CIMG0063.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187295012304456514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldHmkZfOLxWf49GhzFYx8X3JSWRULc6O2xcloDBd7D2iI3tIbUqUVk6DRxxREDn7CkGLUeUaqZ2DA8lOCgcvxFcN0Xsbqp1gxXPmS1pqRWeJshwJRaX5frHo5A-fSp1jPjkC2Jw/s400/CIMG0063.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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More high winds kept me awake, and gave me another poor nights sleep.<br />
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<strong>01/04/2008 - Stage 3 : Oued El Jdaid/Ba Hallou : 40,5 km </strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcApgtWlGXNVbPipVEi85ObokM4J5TieHdYTBbzQ4tZp1zUVWsws-JlS4ez4uVH019W03riPynrZgxIWVdUgk9D1miUREXgwjcT_ld83dRyfVDbchzb7omf9NOZV4dxBMbf0tDwg/s1600-h/Roadbook+Day+3.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187295888477784914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcApgtWlGXNVbPipVEi85ObokM4J5TieHdYTBbzQ4tZp1zUVWsws-JlS4ez4uVH019W03riPynrZgxIWVdUgk9D1miUREXgwjcT_ld83dRyfVDbchzb7omf9NOZV4dxBMbf0tDwg/s400/Roadbook+Day+3.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Weather at 8.00am : 19,7 °C / 24% hygrometry<br />
Weather at 12.30 : 48 °C / 11% hygrometry<br />
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Today’s heat was simply stunning, with incredibly beautiful and ever changing landscapes. The desert is most certainly not some boringly lengthy flat piece of land, far from it. Here, one goes within minutes from golden sand dunes to black marbled mountains, from a white dried out lake to reddish peaks that wouldn’t be out of place in classic Western movies. A feast for the eye. Both for onlookers and for competitors, who were taken by today’s course through most of what the desert can offer in terms of relief. Only 787 of them were left on the starting line this morning, and those were rather anxious about the long and hot stage ahead. Salameh Al Aqra’ (71) didn’t mind, choosing today to challenge Mohamad Ahansal (1) : he started off at full speed and kept the lead all through the heat, winning it with panache but not managing to shake off the Moroccan favourite. In Mohamad’s words: “we played cat and mouse”. Spanish competitor Jorge Aubeso (622) got a bit lost in the dunes of the Easter Erg, ending up in 5th position, and rather tired too.<br />
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The bivouac is set at the foot of the impressive bar of the Jhing El Jebel, which means runners will have a very precise view of the 1000 metres sandy climb awaiting them tomorrow, as opening for the long 75km stage. Looking up to the mountain, Mohamad Ahansal speaks of “bou’ou”, a monster scaring children off in the Moroccan oral tradition. Like everyone else, he can hardly think of anything else but tomorrow…<br />
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As a special treat to his runner, Patrick Bauer ran today’s heat. Tapping into his last reserves, he reached the finish line just one second behind Patrick Haddock Paddy Haddock, as he’s known to his friends, advised our very own Pat to drink lots of water.<br />
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I sat up, rather than awoke, having been awake for what felt like hours. I had stomach pain for much of the night, and took some Imodium when I got up. Also, I was going to sleep in the middle of the tent from now on I decided. I was sick of taking the full force of the wind. I lay in my sleeping bag and took a photo of the camp at dawn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThyd08bcGFUmCJTWoiccybDZm4F1bQIjNSBI4buItKK6GfxNvxQ2U90lWPzPOp4n3oJbvMLSb07sW-OV0Qb-wkRKhzDB5154Q86QeoKfoGi8sIcd7_G0ZlhJ0WpuvTWb5fWkXPA/s1600-h/CIMG0065.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187296970809543522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThyd08bcGFUmCJTWoiccybDZm4F1bQIjNSBI4buItKK6GfxNvxQ2U90lWPzPOp4n3oJbvMLSb07sW-OV0Qb-wkRKhzDB5154Q86QeoKfoGi8sIcd7_G0ZlhJ0WpuvTWb5fWkXPA/s400/CIMG0065.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I managed to get out of my sleeping bag and took a couple more. The white tents are the admin tents, except that little white square tent by the black ones which is a toilet tent. These were not as bad as I had feared. They had a plastic floorboard with foot outlines to stand on, and a hole in the middle with a pit underneath.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhy1IcWEa-P0etz8_0fHls3Rfr4gEpR9cuuMfjQAnmnj_GZEH5yF7X6B_Gs_wHA57pGXBxZ2uGynVT744V0yYWW9G14dc2jqO8ICYYfZSWV6r1dzAEnVGW4lS9DEZ9FNa6tiIyA/s1600-h/CIMG0067.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187348639266114418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhy1IcWEa-P0etz8_0fHls3Rfr4gEpR9cuuMfjQAnmnj_GZEH5yF7X6B_Gs_wHA57pGXBxZ2uGynVT744V0yYWW9G14dc2jqO8ICYYfZSWV6r1dzAEnVGW4lS9DEZ9FNa6tiIyA/s400/CIMG0067.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6Wy7kuC1tXuyeQWZwfdyFk_5TmFtxIEJil9JKy-ThOJBx3D5NXaD9_TZA7elmwsevcWFj-rlmBUQu7wYJIMKE3By78akOIxq5vPXmJyneCQ_MyoxyTyZ_Oev3-VNh8jMWqDvYw/s1600-h/CIMG0066.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187349854741859202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6Wy7kuC1tXuyeQWZwfdyFk_5TmFtxIEJil9JKy-ThOJBx3D5NXaD9_TZA7elmwsevcWFj-rlmBUQu7wYJIMKE3By78akOIxq5vPXmJyneCQ_MyoxyTyZ_Oev3-VNh8jMWqDvYw/s400/CIMG0066.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
I managed to eat my breakfast ok, but was fatigued and knew that I would struggle today. I looked at the roadbook and knew there was a lot of sand today, and people around camp were already referring to it as 'Dune Day', as if day 1 hadn't been enough! I started off at a jog as usual, but this soon became increasingly broken by the sandy terrain encountered in the first 9k. It was all sandy wadis and Glen's; like a series of small dunes with a bit of gravel in between. It wasn't enjoyable and I switched between walking and running to suit the terrain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DQQtnXWHs9RlgMCDKS574KoQlkztPt_EImea-EBb2QXn0eFScmNSMgQwej944Nir9QFkZdU2-IGusaSICHwyDpCv020SKM2Ih75DOBtV_22_uaZaVcDwoFXqVx7mf0EXNi0xtw/s1600-h/CIMG0068.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187351379455249298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DQQtnXWHs9RlgMCDKS574KoQlkztPt_EImea-EBb2QXn0eFScmNSMgQwej944Nir9QFkZdU2-IGusaSICHwyDpCv020SKM2Ih75DOBtV_22_uaZaVcDwoFXqVx7mf0EXNi0xtw/s400/CIMG0068.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The mixed terrain continued until the dunes proper came into site at 9.5k.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiKsuPL_46f4QXN6FjdOwmsQ6SCJTjRMx4CW1Kj8esw1SXWZcGL61Msy6mOX9JVBAxROu-krSa88ynDSbynWHVFCoHxxD_z1gdopUk7WXB8Mq1OhwmpcL0FrYIquDZCRtDKlUYA/s1600-h/CIMG0069.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187351993635572642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiKsuPL_46f4QXN6FjdOwmsQ6SCJTjRMx4CW1Kj8esw1SXWZcGL61Msy6mOX9JVBAxROu-krSa88ynDSbynWHVFCoHxxD_z1gdopUk7WXB8Mq1OhwmpcL0FrYIquDZCRtDKlUYA/s400/CIMG0069.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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We entered the dunes and already it felt hotter than before (it was 48C that day and some people registered 54C in the dunes!). I took this shot just entering them, plus the second shot looking back at the last fairly (and I use the word loosely) good terrain we would see until mile 18!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-HrLVfOdAmq1Tzn7_DtS3uIOshAOh5hnTRvvt40ZWFZTfTaIVHdTnDAFIfpsSg2N4bN_ZBrTCsc2nOCQzxVgRJP7e4PTX82M2RjeFQNdkshfYJ9hpxTHSPTjy76vXW7F0RP1ww/s1600-h/CIMG0070.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187353131801906114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-HrLVfOdAmq1Tzn7_DtS3uIOshAOh5hnTRvvt40ZWFZTfTaIVHdTnDAFIfpsSg2N4bN_ZBrTCsc2nOCQzxVgRJP7e4PTX82M2RjeFQNdkshfYJ9hpxTHSPTjy76vXW7F0RP1ww/s400/CIMG0070.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ANAaVhMsJYEJqN12cb4xHeaq9vTOsM-PtReqBd_Wt-LxgYXeoDRNl7-P4Mh2hyphenhyphenatThm_AHTa_d0R-PEbaNq2Mn_2nUEAUwoUL9TzyVxKY0oPcBcArNPHpzbUliOGJMqE6NFwKw/s1600-h/CIMG0071.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187352831154195378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ANAaVhMsJYEJqN12cb4xHeaq9vTOsM-PtReqBd_Wt-LxgYXeoDRNl7-P4Mh2hyphenhyphenatThm_AHTa_d0R-PEbaNq2Mn_2nUEAUwoUL9TzyVxKY0oPcBcArNPHpzbUliOGJMqE6NFwKw/s400/CIMG0071.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I took this a few kilometres in, looking back. Sometimes the dunes were not always high, but walking in sand is never easy anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsddPx-qdsgje4o9UK3mjkHc7Mq9EGqOTH3U4HotxMJ5uiWtFRZvy0bFksuurHw6kHIk0pzdEu5S47W3xJ1w_GwUGrP8xaiDVRPtWxFxwcxlZmklfCW9iccOjXwc0nBrfINZiQGg/s1600-h/CIMG0073.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187353763162098642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsddPx-qdsgje4o9UK3mjkHc7Mq9EGqOTH3U4HotxMJ5uiWtFRZvy0bFksuurHw6kHIk0pzdEu5S47W3xJ1w_GwUGrP8xaiDVRPtWxFxwcxlZmklfCW9iccOjXwc0nBrfINZiQGg/s400/CIMG0073.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
On stage 1 I talked about climbing a particularly high dune, hoping to see to the end of the dunes section, but just seeing more dunes. This is what I meant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZTn7XCrVvgerNp-RGUUbJSs8V5I7vCxvc4gvYCJWJm6p9bharQ5z8w9LI1VqjnXPjcPjH2YmRu7u5Xfovk9HIhSTtNV8OxSKyg4qRhs3YUJ45WPClWyz3EzDEixYmPGGDcR9/s1600-h/CIMG0072.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187354553436081154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZTn7XCrVvgerNp-RGUUbJSs8V5I7vCxvc4gvYCJWJm6p9bharQ5z8w9LI1VqjnXPjcPjH2YmRu7u5Xfovk9HIhSTtNV8OxSKyg4qRhs3YUJ45WPClWyz3EzDEixYmPGGDcR9/s400/CIMG0072.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdcheRVszNFX-DvYQZsF4_lG5QAJiYnXuxvMuiDVIE7QdJBGq62oHEEeRx2N6QJXhC5z2SRcuEnICZ1p_qiRzGFIdruNrXq-4XATFXP_W14LpdkZ8pfoo0RFXqjmWT4sk0tvm/s1600-h/CIMG0074.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187354192658828258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdcheRVszNFX-DvYQZsF4_lG5QAJiYnXuxvMuiDVIE7QdJBGq62oHEEeRx2N6QJXhC5z2SRcuEnICZ1p_qiRzGFIdruNrXq-4XATFXP_W14LpdkZ8pfoo0RFXqjmWT4sk0tvm/s400/CIMG0074.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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After 4.5k CP1 came into sight, but much to my dismay the dunes continued immediately. If I had studied the roadbook more closely this would not have been such a shock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DqPQYKVWvdt1PXmMMN0Mmkwklg0cPL9_SKms4RwZpGPsgXYM0Xm9ivHA8zFx4XP2ytazhtGW2zSwNqJJ9rsA-YpwwsyEuaHKysonwn_s0ImQpi9R_1g9EW3qgbIeELKe9p7u/s1600-h/CIMG0075.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187355244925815826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DqPQYKVWvdt1PXmMMN0Mmkwklg0cPL9_SKms4RwZpGPsgXYM0Xm9ivHA8zFx4XP2ytazhtGW2zSwNqJJ9rsA-YpwwsyEuaHKysonwn_s0ImQpi9R_1g9EW3qgbIeELKe9p7u/s400/CIMG0075.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I was feeling rough at CP1, and had to take 30 minutes rest to clear my head. The tiredness from lack of sleep was beginning to catch up on me, so I upped my fluids and ate more food to compensate. I got to my feet and ploughed back into the dunes for the next 5.5k. I didn't know it at the time but the slight dip in the mountain in the background (top right) was where I would be climbing about an hour later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48jF97Zr7vTuS3nQyT6Du-TEnBz-qjzkU3TjaK5qJcd0Mzu1WHYRuqVTWhAvd67rJtAOWxgKznjNTJJojxo23hcJt4K4WhdY8nOhNjl5nZ6o2ooJyIRZ6h0KLkQAl_e2HQfGH/s1600-h/CIMG0076.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187356245653195810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48jF97Zr7vTuS3nQyT6Du-TEnBz-qjzkU3TjaK5qJcd0Mzu1WHYRuqVTWhAvd67rJtAOWxgKznjNTJJojxo23hcJt4K4WhdY8nOhNjl5nZ6o2ooJyIRZ6h0KLkQAl_e2HQfGH/s400/CIMG0076.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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As I got closer to the hill, wading through the soft dunes, I did put two and two together and realise that was where we were headed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zkncw8iUXG7G1Nw-lhm01yOkhPNV5weqQZiFwgdZogJjE02N2JnPD0rQNIkDflcpVEJcpWI4B2q8GGrqg4g_3vuqZmYYEVjw0aMU4K8SkPC-bx0LDXIuTmnn0cBKabhpoSN7/s1600-h/CIMG0077.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187356980092603442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zkncw8iUXG7G1Nw-lhm01yOkhPNV5weqQZiFwgdZogJjE02N2JnPD0rQNIkDflcpVEJcpWI4B2q8GGrqg4g_3vuqZmYYEVjw0aMU4K8SkPC-bx0LDXIuTmnn0cBKabhpoSN7/s400/CIMG0077.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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If you look very closely you can just see the little dots (people) on the top of the 200M climb, which really was 200M this time and not a misprint (I assume) like yesterday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYZXSwOtTykgY8teikclK2ny2fTeioPeP0SfE2SwsRZJii1j9JWDxE-uiNo_adh7U6-pSZSkY4A0pRF4nc9WMQ2IubzDex57Rn-opgAm8_SRYIfiAkiAWvNTWCLd_Og9sg9MX/s1600-h/CIMG0078.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187357345164823618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYZXSwOtTykgY8teikclK2ny2fTeioPeP0SfE2SwsRZJii1j9JWDxE-uiNo_adh7U6-pSZSkY4A0pRF4nc9WMQ2IubzDex57Rn-opgAm8_SRYIfiAkiAWvNTWCLd_Og9sg9MX/s400/CIMG0078.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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It was a very steep ascent; a mixture of chunky rock at the base and a little sandier with boulders further up. Hands were needed to climb here, the first bit of scrambling all week (but certainly not the last!). This sequence of shots gives you a flavour and hopefully illustrates the steepness of the climb.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolfrBdIpx2notLIWweRyoDwLdpyivxb_stW-PvPG-pCxnR8t8wBHCLaMBQyhwKCz28Uk5J4MRwdSb2uDxA9wBUdbZwqhsf68uMk5M_QrndsFCMXwneHXNSyZFnstLGuyTIR8B/s1600-h/CIMG0079.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187359380979321986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolfrBdIpx2notLIWweRyoDwLdpyivxb_stW-PvPG-pCxnR8t8wBHCLaMBQyhwKCz28Uk5J4MRwdSb2uDxA9wBUdbZwqhsf68uMk5M_QrndsFCMXwneHXNSyZFnstLGuyTIR8B/s400/CIMG0079.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MrSJdL_NtRzURSYOpT4M5VAtUrkkDENRjSdNb4ehyAfObJR0xybO1OjQloox5A7SXz9_sntcgxzybmZ_wPy2xS4ly1ZMD23cy6sTxPynjinVWV8GN4Hh6392g-j2myGoawOi/s1600-h/CIMG0080.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187358972957428850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MrSJdL_NtRzURSYOpT4M5VAtUrkkDENRjSdNb4ehyAfObJR0xybO1OjQloox5A7SXz9_sntcgxzybmZ_wPy2xS4ly1ZMD23cy6sTxPynjinVWV8GN4Hh6392g-j2myGoawOi/s400/CIMG0080.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpQaSypGnHLCm0PCSauLPEHXMeKftbtLlbsB9SBmaPJo-aS5ez9QxpVdpKpSJq5-67CxSypFDPPygH7o7ukrkZlhS3TipJZxmIett1yQMiKchYLsHqhQoABQGPsrug7_nYsBf/s1600-h/CIMG0081.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187358577820437602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpQaSypGnHLCm0PCSauLPEHXMeKftbtLlbsB9SBmaPJo-aS5ez9QxpVdpKpSJq5-67CxSypFDPPygH7o7ukrkZlhS3TipJZxmIett1yQMiKchYLsHqhQoABQGPsrug7_nYsBf/s400/CIMG0081.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ql3O_HfBqqc2sRNIN8bf57YLDEx322jetKjswFYWEJd3bngHdo_mB5qVqKE8jb4cgW-xn25nvM07MlqQRzLWJ9ErBQ_EUu-DYa9LaHLUqHTxkh6ZrU4N973ZvZFnUDBBZAiH/s1600-h/CIMG0082.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187358277172726866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ql3O_HfBqqc2sRNIN8bf57YLDEx322jetKjswFYWEJd3bngHdo_mB5qVqKE8jb4cgW-xn25nvM07MlqQRzLWJ9ErBQ_EUu-DYa9LaHLUqHTxkh6ZrU4N973ZvZFnUDBBZAiH/s400/CIMG0082.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The way down was a slow, picky descent, amongst the boulders to reach the basin the other side which offered no comfort as it headed straight back into yet more dunes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceNJsr9Yxrjy5_oHwoHpDltYV4VWxTXrjcYzzkgGm0WXHwzx5779vfbccELro_QajTlbxbFEkgztxRz1JAvRl-G5AKMx2NKDE4YyvwWn_MAbr2wKYB8uXCyphnxYK2VvCLDLS/s1600-h/CIMG0083.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187359780411280530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceNJsr9Yxrjy5_oHwoHpDltYV4VWxTXrjcYzzkgGm0WXHwzx5779vfbccELro_QajTlbxbFEkgztxRz1JAvRl-G5AKMx2NKDE4YyvwWn_MAbr2wKYB8uXCyphnxYK2VvCLDLS/s400/CIMG0083.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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As a walked through them I noticed a young child, carrying something on her head, glide along the dunes some 100M to the right. I don't know how she moved so fast on the soft sand, and with no water either, but I felt very inadequate. 3k later the dunes gave way to CP2, and I took 20 minutes this time adding some additional tape onto my feet in areas I felt hot spots appearing. 400M after CP2 it was back into dunes again for another 3k. This really wasn't funny anymore. The slipping and sliding around was tiring me out, and I wasn't very awake to begin with. Mercifully 3k later the dunes ended for good. It was mile 18 (29k), and it had been soft sand and dunes all day, as well as baking hot.<br />
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The dunes gave way to flat ground, initially with a light dusting of sand and then to dried packed earth and finally something that resembled runnable for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAkhxHZ17neoOlERUj4MrsP_L3em5OZGSBa0SzzKk3A-DcU6FxGNESlIU6QErTxj_6euWfkVQwt4t86FEavbkX67DAbQs-oIh69IdE4Gmm2D-wF8niobiMi2jMrkLjjkKpoQZ/s1600-h/CIMG0084.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187361476923362482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAkhxHZ17neoOlERUj4MrsP_L3em5OZGSBa0SzzKk3A-DcU6FxGNESlIU6QErTxj_6euWfkVQwt4t86FEavbkX67DAbQs-oIh69IdE4Gmm2D-wF8niobiMi2jMrkLjjkKpoQZ/s400/CIMG0084.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfk06E_ySDQwSENXG-jmPCAhG6xYkDGI7iGcnuSBVfb4Yj-eG9BaaP0LdNC3dPJ5C0VLnTY-X8NpreeAGBECz22FKjFZchf2j0JQfaKaxgLgk4Oxdhm00yhaqJD7mkTkAQcc5/s1600-h/CIMG0085.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187361081786371234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfk06E_ySDQwSENXG-jmPCAhG6xYkDGI7iGcnuSBVfb4Yj-eG9BaaP0LdNC3dPJ5C0VLnTY-X8NpreeAGBECz22FKjFZchf2j0JQfaKaxgLgk4Oxdhm00yhaqJD7mkTkAQcc5/s400/CIMG0085.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The packed earth continued all the way to CP3. My taping had done the trick, with no foot problems seen when I swapped my socks, so I continued on after just my regular 10 minute stop. I didn't time the 10 minutes, but by the time you walk over to the tent, detach yourself from your pack, sit down, change socks and then mix up some electrolyte, then put yourself back in your pack and shoes, 10 minutes had passed, always. This is one of the reasons that average times for the day always look slow. People are running, but stops at checkpoints drag the average speed right down and it looks like you are out for a stroll every day.<br />
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I left CP3 but it was back into a sandy wadi, and fairly soon passed the Ba Hallou ruins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9yheES7VDSMzhd8KQxgrUn5bNq8QwsjNTEmSm1zgu4cHmp3cdeDIkKiHxSzE4gUvPauaMkMuoaX22ob-hiX6VImiSMSpmj4PW6fe1JXWzTHsRdqmOZlhyikB9uBwsIvAcMLd/s1600-h/CIMG0086.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187362344506756290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9yheES7VDSMzhd8KQxgrUn5bNq8QwsjNTEmSm1zgu4cHmp3cdeDIkKiHxSzE4gUvPauaMkMuoaX22ob-hiX6VImiSMSpmj4PW6fe1JXWzTHsRdqmOZlhyikB9uBwsIvAcMLd/s400/CIMG0086.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
We then crossed small dunes, but I had got my second wind at this point and was running, regardless of terrain. I had lost stacks of time that day and wanted to make up a few places. I ran virtually the whole way from CP3 to the finish, peaking at 6mph at times and taking about 30 places. 30 places doesn't mean much when you are in the 400's, but if kind of makes you feel a bit better! I finished the 25.5 mile course in 08H08'56 with my slowest average speed yet of just 4,97kph.<br />
<br />
Martin was already in, and had been in about 40 minutes I think he said. I was clearly getting slower and suffering. I drank my daily Rego, dehydrated and ate my meal as everyone else drifted in. I was obliterating my food every day, and not leaving a morsel. I thought that 3000 calories would be enough, but it clearly wasn't for me. Others felt sick and could not eat, but I was permanently ravenous. I was obviously burning a lot more calories than I had to consume.<br />
<br />
Ming did not come in before the 11 hour cut-off. Once again it went dark and we got concerned. In the end he came back in a total time of 12hrs 15 minutes, a hour and 15 over the allocated time. He had got lost in the darkness and we think poorly directed by an official who also told him not to worry as there would be no penalty and he was fine. We were pleased to see him back and settled in for the night.<br />
<br />
It was no surprise that I slept poorly again, even though I moved to the centre of the tent; 2 hours sleep again. That was about 6 or 7 hours sleep since I started the MDS; not good, and it was about to all catch up with me.<br />
<br />
<strong>02/04/2008 - Stage 4 : Ba Hallou/Oued Ahssia : 75,5 km </strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG5q4t_UVxpulC59baUtXhmlTug2j0_kOTZHx_142TP_09U0Z5NfhBTXkLyZXROFIVLzXxzTD3VcasMQndF6Idlec5taUzNc_1hEbyYa7AhTQ48uwWtt2zb8T53KiC6fARUDw/s1600-h/Roadbook+Day+4.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187367245064441058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG5q4t_UVxpulC59baUtXhmlTug2j0_kOTZHx_142TP_09U0Z5NfhBTXkLyZXROFIVLzXxzTD3VcasMQndF6Idlec5taUzNc_1hEbyYa7AhTQ48uwWtt2zb8T53KiC6fARUDw/s400/Roadbook+Day+4.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Météo at 8:00 am : 17,5 degrés et 23% d’hygrométrie<br />
Météo at 12:00 am : 34,1 degrés et 16% d’hygrométrie<br />
Météo at 2:00 pm : 47,0 degrés et 11% d’hygrométrie<br />
<br />
It’s obviously the « main course » on the MDS menu, the mythical stage everyone is most longing for or dreading: 75,5 km to pit oneself against the desert and, even more so, against one’s own resources. Rather merciful weather conditions allowed both waves of runners to set off with a smile, at a three hours interval. An opportunity for the slowest runners to admire the leaders’ pace and, often, to stop and cheer them.<br />
This stage is a “tour de force” not only for the runners but also for the organisation: everyone has to give its best, especially in the night time. A laser will be guiding the competitors who also have luminous sticks and distress flares. Doctors and race officials are spread along the course in six check points. They will not getting more sleep than the runners, staying up all night, under the supervision of two most useful helicopters. Today more than ever, managing the race is a real challenge. Some competitors plan to run straight to the next bivouac; others will be making good use of the last three check points to get some rest and have a bite to eat.<br />
<br />
Coursewise, the heat is in two phases: an extremely difficult first one, with a terribly steep climb (25% slope factor), and an easier 2nd one, with flat and straight grounds, an opportunity for the lead of the race to have a bit of a fight.<br />
<br />
One thing’s for sure though: tomorrow night, all competitors will be champions.<br />
<br />
-------------------<br />
<br />
I felt shattered in the morning after my broken and worthless sleep. I had 47 miles ahead of me and they weren't easy miles either. The course looked tough and where it wasn't hilly it was sandy. I decided to start the day walking instead of running, a change from every day so far. I reasoned this would enable me to stave off fatigue for longer. I fully intended to go straight through to the end and estimated that at an average pace around 3.5mph or a little less I would finish in under 14 hours. I knew I would be out for a long time, and with less running to focus my mind I decided to use a small MP3 player I had packed. This was suggested by the students at MMU. I had been breaking up the sections between CPs with landmarks as they suggested, so using the MP3 player was a new weapon today.<br />
<br />
We got a shock about 7am when race official came to our tent and said to Ming "You do know you are out of the race don't you?" What followed was a two hour battle which sadly ended in Ming's elimination for coming in 15 minutes outside the already 1 hour extended finish time. We all felt for him, as he had failed in 2006. To get this far and to fail on a technicality and not for a medical reason was terrible. He went back to Ouarzazate that afternoon and we didn't see him until our return there.<br />
<br />
We set off at 9am, 3 hours before the top 50 athletes, who lined the start to wave us off. I enjoyed the MP3 accompaniment as I walked along that morning. I was tired and apprehensive, but cheerful somehow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAqvYSuU3fUfRj_phyphenhyphenPCdQMZ7ArCLsaSgvzzZ0zJgk4cgStPBZ6dHJpvWjPAc07PCofKAAAnS8bmd9sJLxYFEtfVyFsYKw55AeNQUrbh083oFZKeZxO8pDOun1o_RtB7K0wkb/s1600-h/CIMG0087.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187366910056991954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAqvYSuU3fUfRj_phyphenhyphenPCdQMZ7ArCLsaSgvzzZ0zJgk4cgStPBZ6dHJpvWjPAc07PCofKAAAnS8bmd9sJLxYFEtfVyFsYKw55AeNQUrbh083oFZKeZxO8pDOun1o_RtB7K0wkb/s400/CIMG0087.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
From the roadbook I knew there was mostly flat stony ground for the first 7.5k before we hit the biggest obstacle of the week, the El Oftal jebel; a 1k climb of average 25% gradient. I set off at a quick march, around 4mph and watched the jebel approach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBIGN_5Mmgo0ZYk_g5fb3eQBlnQKn6qI6Ixf7Mf7UrcOyybglF0Wcpl11BCtxHpV8GhiyHBeRoPEbx44TOun6QJofWHpHCeXVs362y6RyXUDxUH6fx_gBbY21thskWbbVhxFK/s1600-h/CIMG0088.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187368636633844994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBIGN_5Mmgo0ZYk_g5fb3eQBlnQKn6qI6Ixf7Mf7UrcOyybglF0Wcpl11BCtxHpV8GhiyHBeRoPEbx44TOun6QJofWHpHCeXVs362y6RyXUDxUH6fx_gBbY21thskWbbVhxFK/s400/CIMG0088.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAt3e-yuaKriEJIdFT2y-r9Xtzc7vd7bCMlDh_aEF9DIq_q2KejucdsUX7ByGtC57LLJrsiyCBOGm6OlOPWSR-3dq5qoN8ouMky1wYzb8j508UNanoze7a670v9lgUv79sfqS/s1600-h/CIMG0089.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187368262971690226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAt3e-yuaKriEJIdFT2y-r9Xtzc7vd7bCMlDh_aEF9DIq_q2KejucdsUX7ByGtC57LLJrsiyCBOGm6OlOPWSR-3dq5qoN8ouMky1wYzb8j508UNanoze7a670v9lgUv79sfqS/s400/CIMG0089.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
The rocks turned to boulders on approach, and the pace slowed and became much pickier. There was a shallow valley on the route just before the main climb, as if to add insult to injury.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrypk0rPF4KJasND9iPGeuSE1IcJkjaNlk8rflpA15TNn4F5GCpR4j8KPF112XV2NG7fPyi18N12tKDRNbhgYISvD7l5Vd9ODikgrj3QwjRl0BGrD3z6Z84sTuzShsOwZpFX9M/s1600-h/CIMG0091.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187370058268019986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrypk0rPF4KJasND9iPGeuSE1IcJkjaNlk8rflpA15TNn4F5GCpR4j8KPF112XV2NG7fPyi18N12tKDRNbhgYISvD7l5Vd9ODikgrj3QwjRl0BGrD3z6Z84sTuzShsOwZpFX9M/s400/CIMG0091.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
After the valley we began the ascent proper, everyone choosing a route they deemed best.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z-K1mx_rNz8-Pz9ZYYkra8DCo9iFYOkpWQ4Hh3lNcthlaOgMsHr-YHMlOa1tS_K4hJDYV-rSwVMWdxbjEkLb_43UeGKQz8cZS_8No90HxnaspkiWJ3WYo7SgNtPvOgYhep6V/s1600-h/CIMG0092.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187371235089059138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z-K1mx_rNz8-Pz9ZYYkra8DCo9iFYOkpWQ4Hh3lNcthlaOgMsHr-YHMlOa1tS_K4hJDYV-rSwVMWdxbjEkLb_43UeGKQz8cZS_8No90HxnaspkiWJ3WYo7SgNtPvOgYhep6V/s400/CIMG0092.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnceUeQbYc1qf1qs3Gz2xa7rFBNkrokvfbgbCnW4Iy5U2g6MUVDATz8yoDPJDAexwMb5WiXAw5l2GZqabSM5UJExki2S5-95l9zwH0P9FXWX2zLxF7prETwFrEHiPYnWg21_y3/s1600-h/CIMG0093.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187370938736315698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnceUeQbYc1qf1qs3Gz2xa7rFBNkrokvfbgbCnW4Iy5U2g6MUVDATz8yoDPJDAexwMb5WiXAw5l2GZqabSM5UJExki2S5-95l9zwH0P9FXWX2zLxF7prETwFrEHiPYnWg21_y3/s400/CIMG0093.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2hx2mQGyWPrGLtADUCOinBkZ1X2euqeU3LWfZ-cn75LGN93oml2jCKOzT21TIzyHAougcuxlqfDMd2TzLtcDoSqfQigW2ZWAtcOYBcuvWheTZBCteVq5bkwT3Ve3n8mcg-Mk/s1600-h/CIMG0094.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187370590843964706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2hx2mQGyWPrGLtADUCOinBkZ1X2euqeU3LWfZ-cn75LGN93oml2jCKOzT21TIzyHAougcuxlqfDMd2TzLtcDoSqfQigW2ZWAtcOYBcuvWheTZBCteVq5bkwT3Ve3n8mcg-Mk/s400/CIMG0094.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
The boulders gave way to a pure hill of sand for the second part of the climb. It doesn't look much but this was a draining climb.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9s_t4XudpJjqbrZPEsBSTm8WIR9nBpu7f62hsEUkO3Wz15JIJ-blH3Hwkv6GkT7X7MokLpkCqX91kNzNl6RC5w3coS6gEFHceqWMOjptWn3B48nN1J-pzFAF1ypvbQTKwA4r/s1600-h/CIMG0095.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187371643110952274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9s_t4XudpJjqbrZPEsBSTm8WIR9nBpu7f62hsEUkO3Wz15JIJ-blH3Hwkv6GkT7X7MokLpkCqX91kNzNl6RC5w3coS6gEFHceqWMOjptWn3B48nN1J-pzFAF1ypvbQTKwA4r/s400/CIMG0095.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
You may get a better perspective looking back down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOJAzs4tUYyu5kZ9NJbtfSixcxezhNFyJTtVOwPSkhccq7b3LdLPbujGZ-RdUzRD5GeFnX3lTL_d6fKolsfSXp0Ng-m3hn5rVgA1InLryAZVwG9xpc0VijfBDTQlxN3zK55w8/s1600-h/CIMG0096.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187371960938532194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOJAzs4tUYyu5kZ9NJbtfSixcxezhNFyJTtVOwPSkhccq7b3LdLPbujGZ-RdUzRD5GeFnX3lTL_d6fKolsfSXp0Ng-m3hn5rVgA1InLryAZVwG9xpc0VijfBDTQlxN3zK55w8/s400/CIMG0096.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
I met Martin adjusting his pack near the top of the sandy section, and took these shots looking up to the third and most dangerous section of the climb.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdJmjYHtX3fd7kP0eCMEuCJ7MaE0NubsGytpCd0fGeD3lgo3mQwK1WP8OlEZNRNcz0D_Wh_7JienH6Kq10-ifrhnh8RMMYN998qXjPmYuyvcjBOMD6ZhkOhvit3c-eDt5lGbh/s1600-h/CIMG0097.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187373073335061890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdJmjYHtX3fd7kP0eCMEuCJ7MaE0NubsGytpCd0fGeD3lgo3mQwK1WP8OlEZNRNcz0D_Wh_7JienH6Kq10-ifrhnh8RMMYN998qXjPmYuyvcjBOMD6ZhkOhvit3c-eDt5lGbh/s400/CIMG0097.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1QSjV949Cuhro6zsoCETTe0BxFP8qu6ap55cBIHzkqhd_ROfwKKiBMqBjMFio6lpxRbcxMxb79yg90L7_V8PAxbEkuH-kl5iP3J4eInxR88xZ7dGXbPO3CQuGUsRWH662cbs/s1600-h/CIMG0098.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187372545054084466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1QSjV949Cuhro6zsoCETTe0BxFP8qu6ap55cBIHzkqhd_ROfwKKiBMqBjMFio6lpxRbcxMxb79yg90L7_V8PAxbEkuH-kl5iP3J4eInxR88xZ7dGXbPO3CQuGUsRWH662cbs/s400/CIMG0098.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Most people went to the right and climbed the rocks, but a few brave souls climbed the much steeper sand to the left. It was undoubtedly quicker but what cost to the level of exertion I don't know? I took the rocky path. Half way up it became a full-on all four limbs climb; pulling yourself up with your hands. It was a little scary, as wearing a backpack if you overbalanced you could fall backwards and go sailing down to certain injury and even taken tens of runners (well, climbers at that time) with you! The rock once again gave way to a steep sandy climb that warranted a rope being fitted by the organiser. It would have been way too dangerous without it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080402_1/2008PERMDS_2MG_5739z.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080402_1/2008PERMDS_2MG_5739z.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
I took this photo looking down; the rope is just obscured by the athletes, but is about 10M lower. Long way down eh?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwrFlHozAzVhFyFViP_G_0s7ruqgFRpBdReKEFyShD_J6sFmFP6Z-wYUGjabaw_o12UEw-gaqrGdhS3PQio8mfKaMzDbCZAauinC_Nbw9axqW_QYTvJFymTa-KitLpW0430d-/s1600-h/CIMG0099.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187375478516747666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwrFlHozAzVhFyFViP_G_0s7ruqgFRpBdReKEFyShD_J6sFmFP6Z-wYUGjabaw_o12UEw-gaqrGdhS3PQio8mfKaMzDbCZAauinC_Nbw9axqW_QYTvJFymTa-KitLpW0430d-/s400/CIMG0099.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Here, a 180 degree turn and view of the very slow and picky rock-strewn descent.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qPwNtRJ0aG5-u9uWUuAREhuPUNk2fIr-Ustkb3qaJSQ3Bx8arGn0IRmpWzCyYuuQ21wzC7PTjgWN8DVo88F9KTW-6eNe-pa5W9fJcH0EhEjkKiboClu02SL28UTvrV8e9aQH/s1600-h/CIMG0101.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187376324625305010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qPwNtRJ0aG5-u9uWUuAREhuPUNk2fIr-Ustkb3qaJSQ3Bx8arGn0IRmpWzCyYuuQ21wzC7PTjgWN8DVo88F9KTW-6eNe-pa5W9fJcH0EhEjkKiboClu02SL28UTvrV8e9aQH/s400/CIMG0101.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy-koAZWzTh_z6ka1YyPbnqCDLNLuRJvUMF4MbIPn1gcjwY58q9-eo0eKGXllbSxJdv1llZgRchPsV3oZMIJYn4D372klthRCQqi0xc88TeLqJzWulyr4H3xtdhV1c84KYczK/s1600-h/CIMG0102.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187376011092692386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy-koAZWzTh_z6ka1YyPbnqCDLNLuRJvUMF4MbIPn1gcjwY58q9-eo0eKGXllbSxJdv1llZgRchPsV3oZMIJYn4D372klthRCQqi0xc88TeLqJzWulyr4H3xtdhV1c84KYczK/s400/CIMG0102.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
By the time I hade made the descent an hour had passed since the climb began. My GPS had shown an average speed of 0.0mph when climbing; that is how slow everyone was going! It had been a slow process queuing up the slope. Someone more impatient had taken an 'off-piste' shortcut, dislodged a large boulder which nearly landed on a guy behind. I was told he picked up a 5-hour time penalty for his trouble.<br />
<br />
A short rocky plain gave way to more dunes at the base of the descent. I had been steadily pushing calories into myself to cope with the increased exertion, and had felt well hydrated up to this point. I didn't realise quite how much of my snack ration I had got through though, until later on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEi2QwZ4TagLuh5v8cD5j42txoNQoKQp8mtgiYKImq9hyVaaXbdXYhOiaUa-C-IJsMPlj-T3AbYrdElNpM90LlJnlWeqFg4P3QTaX0TzYulopR1zBX3WhIGyZvAw3hr8uIzL1/s1600-h/CIMG0103.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187378570893200850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEi2QwZ4TagLuh5v8cD5j42txoNQoKQp8mtgiYKImq9hyVaaXbdXYhOiaUa-C-IJsMPlj-T3AbYrdElNpM90LlJnlWeqFg4P3QTaX0TzYulopR1zBX3WhIGyZvAw3hr8uIzL1/s400/CIMG0103.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0_Yk0Pl3RCjMuc3bGtHe5RvW7k7lA17krDC507ShnXbZIMyLVoKbhentj9Al7MRe0norNRBcuV68XYJWaALMSLA3dYImd_OlI4GCgoRDYCNLpLoJiAEYHoEaWgAcla9AWYf5/s1600-h/CIMG0104.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187378210115947970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0_Yk0Pl3RCjMuc3bGtHe5RvW7k7lA17krDC507ShnXbZIMyLVoKbhentj9Al7MRe0norNRBcuV68XYJWaALMSLA3dYImd_OlI4GCgoRDYCNLpLoJiAEYHoEaWgAcla9AWYf5/s400/CIMG0104.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The dunes lasted only 1.5k and then CP1 sprang into view.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5E-zGYXWhHPfyTnQnSFSiFsdSoZf43AJ8b2yj-7Sbgbo5yIPr947tfM3rMwixf69U7BWZisXW11XfZEefjiDP1VxPrR-e752cOEaZD7fXQvE3KppA-mDvKBb7WWemufgklhM/s1600-h/CIMG0106.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187379275267837410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5E-zGYXWhHPfyTnQnSFSiFsdSoZf43AJ8b2yj-7Sbgbo5yIPr947tfM3rMwixf69U7BWZisXW11XfZEefjiDP1VxPrR-e752cOEaZD7fXQvE3KppA-mDvKBb7WWemufgklhM/s400/CIMG0106.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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It had been a long haul, those first 12.5k to CP1 with just 1.5l of water, which would not have been enough. I had saved extra from the night before in order to stay hydrated. 3L was given at the CP in recompense. I didn't stay at the CP any longer than normal and decided to push on. The next section was absolutely flat, another stony plain. I really enjoyed this section. I was doing a fast walk, still maintaining around 4mph and literally skipping along to the sound of Renaissance Classics on my MP3 player. Oh, when I say Renaissance I mean the dance club and not classical, sorry! I sang along to my favourite records from 15 years ago, including the awesome uplifting Yeke Yeke by Mory Kante. I also put on my favourite trance track of all time, Delirium - Silence; has to be the 'Tiesto in Search of Sunrise Mix', or it's not worth listening too! I was really happy as I went along. People I passed and passing me, must have thought I was crackers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPNSMCujRYs2YhkxQ5EMolMpmaEWo8J4-G7u4fWAaTfuqvLuIeOLT2ZUAdtRBvdH1FysQuXdXppyJ5J8s38683gSggYgoX7lPEoZc64tIKYCw9T1hauplx7rxS02xFPWLUhpW/s1600-h/CIMG0107.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187381208003120658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPNSMCujRYs2YhkxQ5EMolMpmaEWo8J4-G7u4fWAaTfuqvLuIeOLT2ZUAdtRBvdH1FysQuXdXppyJ5J8s38683gSggYgoX7lPEoZc64tIKYCw9T1hauplx7rxS02xFPWLUhpW/s400/CIMG0107.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqzn61OzGFdKzFJXrln6Kjyyta5MUtk0eO-FkgNm9Ef7r5tswB24_bQ5bPmbWt-XqYg6SLk4jYdYTJQZWTgT3RCjFYHMaoElrdaN5kWM1hSmfL-7zMnZvJ4_Fy_qwqyNX0EN-/s1600-h/CIMG0108.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187380701196979714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqzn61OzGFdKzFJXrln6Kjyyta5MUtk0eO-FkgNm9Ef7r5tswB24_bQ5bPmbWt-XqYg6SLk4jYdYTJQZWTgT3RCjFYHMaoElrdaN5kWM1hSmfL-7zMnZvJ4_Fy_qwqyNX0EN-/s400/CIMG0108.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW_7_mE_0hWgM1Ef2UcxsT_owrtSaGF4tSZwt8UQW9rTSO3h-0M7xKGs-aWc6h9b5soFEp6pllgTcemsJkn2u56cB1-kCE1gfSFdqSYsl7InIFS-UfN2dU2KBNrnP9Vitvovo/s1600-h/CIMG0109.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187380357599596018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW_7_mE_0hWgM1Ef2UcxsT_owrtSaGF4tSZwt8UQW9rTSO3h-0M7xKGs-aWc6h9b5soFEp6pllgTcemsJkn2u56cB1-kCE1gfSFdqSYsl7InIFS-UfN2dU2KBNrnP9Vitvovo/s400/CIMG0109.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The sole of my left foot felt very sore as I crossed the plain and I was certain I had picked up my first blister. 10.5k of stony plain later I reached CP2, which was next to a solar pump paid for and installed by the MDS organisers from proceeds from the race.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdbpi1JvLG7jW9GIVqjw6grjdWIFunNVcz3ButjqWPAnJTk67DYUtNlUJJjGLKTxfzMhcTVKsmzHoRIqFaNlUK_p4WkuQNPI3Se2yxdtsyDtmdToq6H-Gs70PE6OelmAkwuhW/s1600-h/CIMG0111.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187382152895925794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdbpi1JvLG7jW9GIVqjw6grjdWIFunNVcz3ButjqWPAnJTk67DYUtNlUJJjGLKTxfzMhcTVKsmzHoRIqFaNlUK_p4WkuQNPI3Se2yxdtsyDtmdToq6H-Gs70PE6OelmAkwuhW/s400/CIMG0111.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I went to the recovery tent and stripped off my shoes, saying hi to my Irish friends from Tent 97 who I kept bumping into all the time. The sole of my left foot, right between my big and second toe did appear to have a blister. I got out my hypodermic needles, fitted one to syringe and pricked it, but nothing came out. I pricked it a few more times, nothing? I decided to play safe and inject some Friar’s Balsam into it anyway. I had forgotten just how much this hurts. Forget the red iodine that Doc Trotter put on your blisters; that it like being tickled in comparison to the intense burst of pain you get from injecting a blister with Friars Balsam. I made a strangled cry as the liquid filled the blister and sealed itself back to the skin. I put on a small dressing and put my shoes back on. The stop had cost me about 30 minutes, but it is better to repair than to soldier on and make it worse I thought.<br />
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A packed earth track and slight incline lead out of CP2, and I passed a restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Wonder if it gets much business?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmH5Te3WUN-a7Acc0_Lu-h4a4-AJCcqEohIjHt82Mb9M7aqH3VBMwZByBwGhjW4oX5CbDQPBQ8cDD4FQl6K16uABAjDdxHeFLg_W1IfQxsUgsGd3sGBWAVkI7scz2-ITeKv9_c/s1600-h/CIMG0112.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187385563099958850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmH5Te3WUN-a7Acc0_Lu-h4a4-AJCcqEohIjHt82Mb9M7aqH3VBMwZByBwGhjW4oX5CbDQPBQ8cDD4FQl6K16uABAjDdxHeFLg_W1IfQxsUgsGd3sGBWAVkI7scz2-ITeKv9_c/s400/CIMG0112.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYkErBDyKhRKT8sq3VDDxFNjJ_qgyyi-V0A4NbCY5iCBIj02BBqBxUshYotYGiZWUdgb5xvcFy0Kf8aB6Ja312w_7ythBwpgkO85_sjNEfYRJAOLyKpD0qBYFk0kfB9hpo43C/s1600-h/CIMG0113.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187385262452248114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYkErBDyKhRKT8sq3VDDxFNjJ_qgyyi-V0A4NbCY5iCBIj02BBqBxUshYotYGiZWUdgb5xvcFy0Kf8aB6Ja312w_7ythBwpgkO85_sjNEfYRJAOLyKpD0qBYFk0kfB9hpo43C/s400/CIMG0113.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Then the terrain gave way to a salt flat. I distinctly remember looking at my watch and seeing that I had been going for exactly 5 hours at this point. I remember it distinctly because I was passed by the first of the Elite athletes, who himself had only been running for just 2 hours! What surprised me more was that it was not Ahansal in the lead, but number 4 who was some kind of a long day specialist I was later told.<br />
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The flats continued until the Ras Khemmouna jebel came into view; we would cross in the centre on that sandy pass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k4k5ByL1i91CmuRFAomRgHvhymg9Hx4PD4JZqYaE4FwxTfP_TMFvleeYhMfflYlxize1kQd1QHNZiZlD7ajgkOqVgrvsjvBwIzMj95yHWeQcoFl53RdFSagKmTt24FoFfJQh/s1600-h/CIMG0115.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187386933194526290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k4k5ByL1i91CmuRFAomRgHvhymg9Hx4PD4JZqYaE4FwxTfP_TMFvleeYhMfflYlxize1kQd1QHNZiZlD7ajgkOqVgrvsjvBwIzMj95yHWeQcoFl53RdFSagKmTt24FoFfJQh/s400/CIMG0115.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Although nowhere near as high as the big climb earlier, this was still a taxing ascent, being mostly sand climbing again. At the summit I reached into my snack supply for the today to find that it was gone. I had eaten my thousand calorie supply after only 30k? I'd also eaten one of my Peperamis, but had one left so ate that. I was now worried at how much I had gotten through, and that there was 45k still to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKagrwoMTjm30naZnIp3Ph4RsZbB2JYGFA8Cq5wcayeRfgx76gxamNrGo2-JrtOqahS_OJwomh_tF5wgJWIt3ZxcWu6CDMycROPaygMRd_eaQlsVNRxSGX-pgwZtL0wsfgkgM/s1600-h/CIMG0116.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187534967832317554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKagrwoMTjm30naZnIp3Ph4RsZbB2JYGFA8Cq5wcayeRfgx76gxamNrGo2-JrtOqahS_OJwomh_tF5wgJWIt3ZxcWu6CDMycROPaygMRd_eaQlsVNRxSGX-pgwZtL0wsfgkgM/s400/CIMG0116.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt6WPhCdFE2DUBHX4qSRsmUbxv-MOsI93_ga__JsTaHKQCe-nY6h9BP8_P3PFhvE0-4Yd1EG9Hl8WR_SObLaXj8thvR41ZVIazqkOFT44BFdAW-zuRcRkQInuVl9k1PEHzEKM/s1600-h/CIMG0117.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187534104543891042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt6WPhCdFE2DUBHX4qSRsmUbxv-MOsI93_ga__JsTaHKQCe-nY6h9BP8_P3PFhvE0-4Yd1EG9Hl8WR_SObLaXj8thvR41ZVIazqkOFT44BFdAW-zuRcRkQInuVl9k1PEHzEKM/s400/CIMG0117.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Of course the other side of the hill, there was always another hill, albeit after a short stony plain! I was in CP on one of the days when I guy asked "what's the next leg to the CP like?" to no one in particular. A girl answered "A bit sandy, a bit stony, couple of climbs". He said "You made that up", she replied "yes, but I'm probably right!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK79eK7CfPL2hRsouXqkCi4nRGlcce5c74tr5vH3pfhhXo8f_y6yOFUSNHQxO468S4hJweFsuurqvDlxKVyO24e_g-4czn_dxHv-omNCBWUO658cN1fGzDbtXifDMi4sogwUL/s1600-h/CIMG0121.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187537025121652354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK79eK7CfPL2hRsouXqkCi4nRGlcce5c74tr5vH3pfhhXo8f_y6yOFUSNHQxO468S4hJweFsuurqvDlxKVyO24e_g-4czn_dxHv-omNCBWUO658cN1fGzDbtXifDMi4sogwUL/s400/CIMG0121.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Now, accept my apologies for a gap in the photo's here. It was in the next 5k that the wheels came off the wagon. This was despite having a few minutes amusement as a local guy came riding past on a pink moped, to the howls of laughter from competitors. After the next jebel pass the ground was mainly stony, with a slight incline and it was around then I started to feel strange. It was just a 'I'm not right' feeling. This got worse, so I upped my fluids in case I was dehydrated. By the time I got to CP3 I was feeling pretty terrible. I went and sat down under the shelter, stripped off my pack and shoes and hoped to feel better. After 30 minutes I wasn't feeling any better. I decided to use my one and only rescue carb-gel for whole week. I ate it and I guess I was hoping for an instant response, to spring to my feet and feel fine again. I didn't. I thought maybe I was dehydrated, and this worried me. I asked a guy to keep an eye on my pack for 10 minutes and went to the doctor’s tent. I told them I didn't feel well at all, and I wasn't sure what was wrong. I actually asked for an IV, but she said I did not appear to be dehydrated, so I asked if she could test my blood sugar, which she did. In hindsight I think the gel I had consumed gave a bit of an artificial reading, because she said it was ok. She offered a dehydration sachet, but I said I had my own Diorolyte. I went back to the shelter tent and had the Diorolyte, and maybe 10 minutes later I felt well enough to carry on, but by no means that great. I had spent an hour at CP3 already, and knew I had to get moving.<br />
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What I didn't know, again from poor study of the roadbook that day, was that the terrain between CP3 and CP4 was very difficult. First there was a climb up the Mhadidd El Elalhau jebel which was long and taxing, followed by a series of very slight descents immediately followed by another climb. It was like you took 3 steps up, 1 down, then 3 more steps up over again, all over the next 5k. I was back to feeling dreadful by now, really not right at all. I was worrying more because I had upped my fluids, but was passing water almost immediately after drinking. I knew that if you had not taken enough salt the body would dump water, and also if you had taken too much salt the body would dump water. I didn't know which it was, and I knew both were dangerous. This caused a knock-on stress effect, which was actually worse in hindsight, that any actual symptoms probably. The light was fading now, and I was in single file marching behind about 10 others. My mind was racing and I was convincing myself that I was very sick and in trouble. This just created a spiral effect and I was getting rapidly worse. It was at this stage that I thought I was going to have to quit the race.<br />
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Over the last summit there was a very long unpleasant sandy descent. Half way down there was a doctor in a land rover asking how people were as they passed. I indicated I needed assistance and he took me over and sat me down on the floor by the car. I explained my symptoms of continually passing water and just generally feeling dreadful. I had got it into my head that only an IV would rescue me, and so asked the doctor for one. He said that they only had them at the CPs. I started to shiver now, as the light failed and day cooled, and my body cooled rapidly after the tough ascents of the last 5k. I was shivering too much for the drop in air temp. The doctor put a thermometer under my arm and it read 35.3C. That's too cold, and I knew it. I sat on the floor feeling like I was dying. I stared off into the distance and pondered giving up right there and then. It would be so easy just to say "Finished", and they would pack me off in the car and take me to a CP. They wrapped me up in a blanket, and I had the presence of mind to retrieve my Tyvek suit which I put on, before going under the blanket again. The doctor suggested that I eat something, but I told him I had eaten all my snacks already. He said "don't you have anything left in your pack". Then I realised of course I did, I had food and snacks for 3 more days. I reached into the pack and took out rest-day 5's food. Inside was my temporary rescue remedy as it happened, Pop Tarts. Now these saved me in La Trans Aq last year. They are quick calories, and lightweight too. I forced them down me over the next 30 minutes. I asked how far it was to CP4, the doctor said 7k and it was all flat (he lied to me, or maybe I assumed flat meant not sandy!). I told him I didn't know if I could make it, but he just said try and make the CP.<br />
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I finished the second Pop Tart and also ate two Peperamis from other days rations. I didn't feel a great deal better, but I knew I had to get up or I would be out of the race. I had warmed up again by then, and got to my feet, the doctor helping me put my pack back on. He radioed my number ahead to ensure a medial check at CP4. By now it was almost dark and I could see people ahead with head torches on, and glow sticks attached to their packs (they were provided at CP3). I set off down the sandy descent but could not raise the effort to stop and locate my head torch, which I had unwisely packed it inside my kettle (to save space), somewhere in the middle of my pack. In the distance a laser came on at CP4 (and CP5) to guide athletes in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080402_1/2008PERMDS_2MG_6207z.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080402_1/2008PERMDS_2MG_6207z.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The descent through the soft sand was awful, and the flat was just as sandy. I started to feel worse again and fumbled around in my front pack for more calories. I thought maybe I dropped my MP3 player, but it was dark, and I really was beyond caring by then. I heard other things fall to the floor but it was too dark to see them without a torch, so I wandered on. CP4 just wasn't getting any closer. The green laser just seemed to always be the same distance away. I knew I had to find more calories, so I opened my pack and took out half a dozen electrolytes from other days. Over the next hour I would tip them into my bottle, mix with 50cl of water (just a mouthful of water) and just drink them, trying to get a rapid sugar hit to carry me through the next 10 minutes. I considered just pulling out my flare and quitting, but I had wisely packed the flare at the bottom of my pack, and it was hassle to get it out. Also I figured it would take help as long to reach me and take me to medical as it would for me to get to CP4 on my own.<br />
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I was continuously going to the loo; I think this was a stress reaction, rather than any physical problem. I began to recognise that fact, and think back to my <a href="http://mds2008.blogspot.com/2007/12/tenerife-day-2-what-doesnt-kill-you.html">brush with death training session </a>in Tenerife. I questioned myself. Did I feel as bad as I did that day? Probably not. I kept repeating to myself that my body was strong, and it was my mind that was weak. My mind was the problem here. I was stressing, I was panicking, and there was no genuine problem. I repeated this for what felt like miles, but in reality was just a few k. I had little care for my belongings and even self esteem but was having trouble seeing where I was going in the darkness. I found the glowstick was given, and lit it. Rather than put it on my back as directed, I used it as a torch of sorts. Also I reasoned that if I collapsed, they would have a better chance of finding me with a glow stick lit.<br />
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I staggered on for what seemed like an eternity, continuously drinking, then passing water straight away, and overdosing on sugar. None of this was probably helping in hindsight. Slowly CP4 got closer, and I wanted to break into a run to get help but it was too dangerous in the dark. I had a single minded focus to get an IV, sure that it would rescue me. This thought kept me going as I wandered into CP4. I asked for medical straight away and they took me into the Doc Trotter tent. I explained my symptoms and asked if I needed an IV, but also this time I said "I don't think there is much wrong with me, other than I have got myself into a panicked state". I sat down and unwrapped my foil blanket to avoid a repetition of the earlier temperature drop. The doctor looked and my eyes, tested my blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar and everything was normal. The doctor's demeanour was excellent, and he reassured me there was nothing wrong. He thought I was likely exhausted and probably needed some food. This made sense to me. Just a few hours sleep in the last few nights and my voracious appetite for calories had come to a head. I was irrational due to tiredness and low on calories. He said I need to stay at the CP and sleep. He gave me a 1/4 of a sedative, but I later lost it (probably a good thing). He took me to the rest tents where many competitors were sleeping. By chance Andy from my tent was there and he agreed to help me cook a meal. I thanked the doctor and asked his name. It was "Jan", pronounced "Yan". This was a good omen. My grandfather’s name and my middle name is also "Jan". When you are feeling low, sometimes good omens are what are needed.<br />
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I opened my pack and took out my food for day 5. There were two meals, one of which I cooked, the other of which I must have accidentally lost or thrown away in the darkness there (I didn't realise until later). The Mountain House meal tasted amazing and it wasn't long before I actually felt good again. A lesson for everyone and one that I mentioned in previous blog posts: I always knew that my mind was the weak link. My body would be convincing me that I was dying but my body was in fact much stronger than I gave it credit for. As you are going through that feeling, it is so hard to convince your mind and this is where mental strength comes in. If I had not had such traumatic episodes in my training then I would have likely thrown in the towel that night. Try and endure some misery in your training, because if everything always goes well you will be ill prepared for when things go wrong. Most important of all, just don't whinge and moan in self pity, get your head down and get on with it. Lesson learned, again.<br />
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It was 8pm and I should have set off straight away, whilst feeling good again, but the doctor had told me to rest and so I did. Andy said he was going to leave at 11:30pm and I asked him to wake me. I rested poorly, maybe grabbing half an hour’s sleep and when 11:30 came I had crashed again and wasn't feeling like getting up. I told Andy I would leave later on and tried to sleep again. The tent was getting crowded by then as more people tried to rest. I didn't get any sleep of worth, my mind continuously saying I should get going. Eventually I got up at 2:30am in the cold of the night. I lacked motivation and again it crossed my mind to just quit. However, I wasn't that weak anymore. I recognised I needed more food and ate my breakfast for day 5, cold; eating from inside my sleeping bag to stay warm. I got myself together, slowly, putting on my Tyvek suit, attaching the glow stick to my pack this time, and putting on my head torch. I looked around and miserably realised there were just 4 people asleep at CP4. I was at the back of the field after being at that CP for 7 hours. I had lost an hour at CP3 and another half hour with the doctor en-route to CP4. I had lost 9.5 hours through weakness of the mind; idiot.<br />
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I was feeling pretty sorry for myself as I set off alone from CP5 at 3am, heading towards the laser at CP5 which was 12.5k away. Luckily I didn't know it was that far, otherwise it would have made me more miserable. The course flags every 500M had orange glowsticks. It doesn't show up, but this was a typical course marker that night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_44RB9qUj_ANryJLHbnR5ccGhnN5ncJTl-jtZYxiHyvrKyGaAxYlZIUf4Zljnmks4V71zqfbPPdtJpgShg8klLC5sqRo9xjFeH3GamwGefaFua7bsemYkETHtfgkhIeCSfFOZ/s1600-h/CIMG0126.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187555592265272978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_44RB9qUj_ANryJLHbnR5ccGhnN5ncJTl-jtZYxiHyvrKyGaAxYlZIUf4Zljnmks4V71zqfbPPdtJpgShg8klLC5sqRo9xjFeH3GamwGefaFua7bsemYkETHtfgkhIeCSfFOZ/s400/CIMG0126.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I was wallowing in self pity and being on my own with 20 miles left to go, and even made a video where I generally sulked about my current state, and moaned that I had so far to go all alone. I was however not altogether 'with it', and the camera was set to photo and not video, so I just ended up with a black photo! So you have been spared listening to me being a sulky child. During those cold lonely hours I pulled out this more than a couple of times. My mum had written a note on the back, but it was the verse that was extremely appropriate and gave me strength. Sorry it's in such bad shape, but it had been through a lot. Click to enlarge it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24yVp6YXLvYax3itdcHQOhBx3YSaecyxRsVw8cI-8OI70LVrnON2fElNddZI3qroMNctn9HgtfuC7LJNNUGxEYIqk47weS8QYYFUFS_TTbWaI95Lb-IUizC6i5las0zNTQdhW/s1600-h/MDS+words001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187951708509049186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24yVp6YXLvYax3itdcHQOhBx3YSaecyxRsVw8cI-8OI70LVrnON2fElNddZI3qroMNctn9HgtfuC7LJNNUGxEYIqk47weS8QYYFUFS_TTbWaI95Lb-IUizC6i5las0zNTQdhW/s400/MDS+words001.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I realised I had lost my MP3 player, much to my annoyance and so I sung to myself. It probably was a good thing I have no video of that too!<br />
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CP5, like CP4 never got any closer as I walked on in the cold night. The laser failed at one point and I was forced to take a compass bearing to keep me on track. They revived the laser about 15 minutes later so all was well. I looked at my compass and saw that East was behind me. I kept glancing back waiting to see the first light of dawn. Eventually a faint light appeared and I just about captured it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDIHQ-fJU1D_xRBFQN1xLL2hPZ-9WSHZMDnAhirixK-YJipY67bQg_85DG01_iTNicbzhhZesIiFZKpu7KLEGCxbZ72V2W4m2gOc6fDsw9dfqk3JZ7TMmmNObLDjiSa6AcFxX/s1600-h/CIMG0125.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187555884323049122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDIHQ-fJU1D_xRBFQN1xLL2hPZ-9WSHZMDnAhirixK-YJipY67bQg_85DG01_iTNicbzhhZesIiFZKpu7KLEGCxbZ72V2W4m2gOc6fDsw9dfqk3JZ7TMmmNObLDjiSa6AcFxX/s400/CIMG0125.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Seeing the first light of dawn, made me feel much better. It was a new day, light was returning and things would be ok. I approached CP5 alone and asked the checkpoint staff if I was winning? They all laughed. I didn't notice but the official photographer caught me there and they posted up a picture of me on the Darbaroud website.<br />
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<a href="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080403/2008PERMDS_2MG_6235z.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/medias/mds/23mds/photos/20080403/2008PERMDS_2MG_6235z.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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There were lots of people asleep at CP5. I guessed at about 30, but it must have been over 100 because my placing leapt up from 4th from back, right up to 652 overall that stage. I didn't spend long at CP5. I just removed my Tyvek jacket and set off. A few minutes later I took off my head torch too as dawn had well and truly arrived.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kBf48-XYfKym7s16Qhk1NqcDBghhB5I-Y-7fB8Av5ms8tNPyc7H9MqP28Nj-V9HCarRyrKkDe2Oue6jZXoJYtzU7LKQbAhgquTzrcs8lwtE57o8vR_lZI4pctNjqWTztOF7J/s1600-h/CIMG0127.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187560887959948978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kBf48-XYfKym7s16Qhk1NqcDBghhB5I-Y-7fB8Av5ms8tNPyc7H9MqP28Nj-V9HCarRyrKkDe2Oue6jZXoJYtzU7LKQbAhgquTzrcs8lwtE57o8vR_lZI4pctNjqWTztOF7J/s400/CIMG0127.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I was walking at about 3.5mph at that point as I headed into the horrible sandy wadi that would take me to CP6 and beyond. I passed the Geordie guy 'Cookie' who was limping along with his sticks with ripped up feet, doing about 2mph. He was surprised to see me and I told him the wheels had come off my wagon. He later told me he was secretly pleased to see my suffering as it made him feel better! Still, at least I helped someone that night! I moved on and through the wadi trying to stick to what would have been the river banks and the firmer sand. I took this shot just to show you my 30ft shadow in the early light!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsQgUM5h4Uz6-6weVIOjQ_0wXE_2VngN6Z1HopPLvSmpEJ5_jw9VYXzrVwbxeVbrTMx45cC8r_3_Vc0SRNuonVUnOEJ_fwgyd7m8IXP-5FbbWyxwF_2Ct9ustfMZF0H4W-KXw/s1600-h/CIMG0128.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187561905867198146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsQgUM5h4Uz6-6weVIOjQ_0wXE_2VngN6Z1HopPLvSmpEJ5_jw9VYXzrVwbxeVbrTMx45cC8r_3_Vc0SRNuonVUnOEJ_fwgyd7m8IXP-5FbbWyxwF_2Ct9ustfMZF0H4W-KXw/s400/CIMG0128.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I'm not sure what time I got to CP6 but I guess it was about 6:30. I was going just to truck straight through and calculated at my pace I could make it back by 8am. Then Alan Silcock came out of the rest tent and saw me. He and his pal Westy had just arrived there. They had not stopped at all since the start the day before, they had just kept on moving, but at a slow pace because of Westy's destroyed feet (He ended up in a wheelchair after the event incidentally). Westy was totalled and was staying to sleep. Alan asked if he could come along with me, but he was not moving that fast. I figured sure, I had lost so much time it didn't matter anymore and it would be good to make it to the finish with Alan anyway. We set off in the sandy wadi still, and Alan gave me one of his walking sticks. I used it now and again, but I was pleased I had decided not to take mine in the end. I had definitely picked up more blisters that night from all the walking. It began to get warmer quite quickly and I stripped off my Helly Hansen top that I had also put on at CP4.<br />
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The wadi path dragged on, but eventually we emerged onto the flat stony plain and saw the finish in the background. That's Alan with the white tents of the bivouac and finish just visible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauPnhCDXzdbuN3l1XGAPuQz_koyGDLYCATo4_BftQP0DR4A1gTy_9U6vrZNlG-XrRwz6e8xukuljAZVTmSHTSjJlTckL3oQJkGGnxx1DsQ1HqnQ2WMCaQzyhwqlrf_tD9mbmr/s1600-h/CIMG0130.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187564706185875154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauPnhCDXzdbuN3l1XGAPuQz_koyGDLYCATo4_BftQP0DR4A1gTy_9U6vrZNlG-XrRwz6e8xukuljAZVTmSHTSjJlTckL3oQJkGGnxx1DsQ1HqnQ2WMCaQzyhwqlrf_tD9mbmr/s400/CIMG0130.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I took this tongue in cheek video near the end. Me and Alan decided to run the last k, and I professed we'd trucked right through the night!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGdByRtlqZZWoclZYP8vWL5jQqHICwd30lmXN7owIzeFO1TDSaZlfTnSuvHTm1iH_Rb4goBjTwWRA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Running that last k felt good; some kind of redemption. We were both tired, Alan's feet were a lot worse than mine, but we ran about 5.5mph right the way through to the end to claps and "Bravo" from competitors who had finished 12 hours before us, and knew we had had a rough time out there. It's a nice feeling, the camaraderie out there. Me and Alan shook hands and went our separate ways.<br />
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I finished in 23H39'10 with a woeful average speed of just 3,19kph. I should have finished in less than 14 hours, what a disaster.<br />
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Everyone in our tent was back, except Michael the unstoppable who came in later. I rehydrated, but then realised I had lost some food. The excellent Best of Morocco rep, Rob, managed to get replacement food for me that was donated by others. A big thank you to everyone who donated stuff to me; without your help I would not have had enough calories for the last couple of days. I discovered 'cliff' energy bars from a donation and they were wonderful; highly recommended.<br />
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Day 5 was spent resting and repairing my feet. I'd picked up a few blisters, some especially deep ones on my soles at the base of my toes that I had to get Doc Trotters to treat. They did a good job, even if the nurse stuck the scalpel into some healthy tissue! I gave out a healthy yelp! I was shuffling along at about 200M every 10 minutes wearing some borrowed flip-flops. Do make sure you pack some, or even better some slippers. Walking around in your running shoes, even if you put your feet in a plastic bag first is not nice or easy. Take slippers, you have been warned! One tip, the Hotel in Ouarzazate 'Le Berbere Palace' will give you some if you ask. Take them out to the desert with you. I only found out about this when I got back from the desert.<br />
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My feet were fine compared to Hugo's, who was walking on raw meat. Here are his feet bandaged up. He was missing about a 1/3 of the skin on his soles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwzW3O4xgG77eG7aKIA5aWL01pfrMmcU92by0Yho27Hm8TwfYP65ypUdPgsVNLTfo3FJV1itz5js2LOeQDWM4jXd8-WXQRGJdDtKnTvYVMaauG4V2ssqcOKr3E8KBgLFASWDB/s1600-h/CIMG0133.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187569997585583842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwzW3O4xgG77eG7aKIA5aWL01pfrMmcU92by0Yho27Hm8TwfYP65ypUdPgsVNLTfo3FJV1itz5js2LOeQDWM4jXd8-WXQRGJdDtKnTvYVMaauG4V2ssqcOKr3E8KBgLFASWDB/s400/CIMG0133.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I shuffled along to the internet tent and wrote my daily update, wondering how my sore feet would carry me through the marathon day the next day. As usual I got lots of emails that night. You all did me proud. I got the most in the tent every day. I was kind of hoping I would get tons of pieces of paper and after reading them, shove them into the storage bag for my sleeping bag and get a nice squishy pillow. Sadly my plans were scuppered where they put about 10 or 12 emails on every page! Still I got 4 or 5 pages on most nights. Thank you so much. There are far too many of you to mention, but it was nice to hear from complete strangers as well as good friends. You all really helped, trust me!<br />
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I took a shot at sunset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmhWoxMgADz17ECdet0tI7reC7FH_HHCO83qG_Cizwow6mWN4f-_N6430dg9mZZAoZj7fVgCLigK_oC5pmO7w9IZ8ldnhxkKZ0oBVYHyXJdxpsqXOiG23Vu_1xfeyB8gCqLMK/s1600-h/CIMG0134.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187571784291978994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmhWoxMgADz17ECdet0tI7reC7FH_HHCO83qG_Cizwow6mWN4f-_N6430dg9mZZAoZj7fVgCLigK_oC5pmO7w9IZ8ldnhxkKZ0oBVYHyXJdxpsqXOiG23Vu_1xfeyB8gCqLMK/s400/CIMG0134.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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That night I fell asleep at 7:30pm and was told I was even lightly snoring imediately; unheard of for me! I was totally out of it and got an incredible nights sleep; the sleep I had badly needed all week.<br />
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<strong>04/04/2008 - Stage 5 : Oued Ahssia/Isk N’Brahim : 42,2 km </strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88uiCPr9kx9iGxFw4Iz-t_EDViNphvxv89ifivSLkR0w82XxWiVNLQ7C9ki6Jop72CMmbf6ZqNJYQw5WuAHdgjvLoWIcR1EY7nxBSKWgbjLO4gWnF8hwphH8maZZxgn1_tM8D/s1600-h/Roadbook+Day+5.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187572303983021826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88uiCPr9kx9iGxFw4Iz-t_EDViNphvxv89ifivSLkR0w82XxWiVNLQ7C9ki6Jop72CMmbf6ZqNJYQw5WuAHdgjvLoWIcR1EY7nxBSKWgbjLO4gWnF8hwphH8maZZxgn1_tM8D/s400/Roadbook+Day+5.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Weather conditions at 8.00am : 16 °C / 24% hygrometry<br />
Weather conditions at 12.00 : 46,7 C / 12% hygrometry<br />
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After the mythical 75,5 km stage, completed over two days and causing 19 competitors to give up, comes the classical 42,2km marathon stage. This year’s edition of the MDS may have been lucky enough to be spared violent gusts of wind, but it got its full share of heat: temperatures went wild today, turning the race track into a proper furnace and giving each runner the feeling to be “sous le soleil, exactement” (“under the sun, precisely” as the Serge Gainsbourg song goes).<br />
Today’s stage winner, Moroccan runner Aziz El Akad, is a true “classic marathon” expert ; he was extremely motivated from the start. Together with Jordanian competitor Salameh Al Aqra’ he gave on-lookers the surreal spectacle of a final sprint. Mohamad Ahansal, happy to follow the fight from close behind, was escorted by many children all through the stage: “that’s what I did too, many years ago. I hope that one day they can run the MDS as official competitors”. Fellow Moroccan runners El Akad and Ait Amar consolidated their 3rd and 4th position in the general ranking, right before Spanish runner Jorge Aubeso.<br />
As to amazing Touda Didi, the fireworks go on with no true challenger: no one can doubt she is simply the best.<br />
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I woke a little early that morning, but I was refreshed. I took this from the comfort of my sleeping bag, which if anything was too warm that week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wOHq7qrAvJE39EKszYYZ3LDaWV9Z4wOyd2iCVSoS8i9nfVOMjgRyXPaBknw9hLP8nmQKyWRwCONBs_87H1HMUFrI4XnszJgNWzbFCFzHgW5Gaa-9PDcvikdpgBWP34khTGq2/s1600-h/CIMG0135.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187572862328770322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wOHq7qrAvJE39EKszYYZ3LDaWV9Z4wOyd2iCVSoS8i9nfVOMjgRyXPaBknw9hLP8nmQKyWRwCONBs_87H1HMUFrI4XnszJgNWzbFCFzHgW5Gaa-9PDcvikdpgBWP34khTGq2/s400/CIMG0135.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The tents came down and I took a few photos and a video to give you a flavour of camp life in the mornings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriB57Rb9IWA-y9dJ6e0WDVNJ5TgUT98fJAD1GkoATlpMnCkWSrk48ix2R__kKMIZVoM14gLMZgTbpp_Lr3fvf6Mu24YDIO_ucIiMjOEQiEQa-ZDPlUf4ursa2gy_-xzhZQsFe/s1600-h/CIMG0138.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187574279667978050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriB57Rb9IWA-y9dJ6e0WDVNJ5TgUT98fJAD1GkoATlpMnCkWSrk48ix2R__kKMIZVoM14gLMZgTbpp_Lr3fvf6Mu24YDIO_ucIiMjOEQiEQa-ZDPlUf4ursa2gy_-xzhZQsFe/s400/CIMG0138.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHuelA-YSEoLQk3Q4E2ga3yr40A46ylTrtRu_3f1kaO9r0rSRUkV3DQLGBtEDn3a2EBe6UZShwmyn7zeaSMDr7h95OUxq1iC-Q5JilikO1FZ0EclfQmULWPcIHVHT3fvTyEHK/s1600-h/CIMG0139.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187573979020267314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHuelA-YSEoLQk3Q4E2ga3yr40A46ylTrtRu_3f1kaO9r0rSRUkV3DQLGBtEDn3a2EBe6UZShwmyn7zeaSMDr7h95OUxq1iC-Q5JilikO1FZ0EclfQmULWPcIHVHT3fvTyEHK/s400/CIMG0139.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JIlgn9w8iuhsvjE1h0NDTgKATIws8IqYzdJjxVq6EPR_dfcIkqLu_Q_FbpQDo1km9VBU1rhyiFId5-auGWi5EhR2-ZY_SNpaF29rgvVLy5Zgv_Eh6vWjzLcbVLev5RmIqAcf/s1600-h/CIMG0140.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187573429264453410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JIlgn9w8iuhsvjE1h0NDTgKATIws8IqYzdJjxVq6EPR_dfcIkqLu_Q_FbpQDo1km9VBU1rhyiFId5-auGWi5EhR2-ZY_SNpaF29rgvVLy5Zgv_Eh6vWjzLcbVLev5RmIqAcf/s400/CIMG0140.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Others in the tent were apprehensive about the 26.2 miles ahead (actually it was 26.5), mainly due to their ripped up feet. I however wasn't nervous, and I said I was after a good time that day. I had destroyed any hope of a decent placing overall because of the day 4 wobble. The other days I had finished in the 3 and 400's, but on day 4 I had come in 652nd; a disaster. I could not do anything get back the 9.5 hours I spent lounging in medical tents, but I could make myself feel better by running the marathon stage to my expected ability. My feet were sore, as were everyone’s, but after painkillers for breakfast you strap you pack on, get into your shoes and the pain mostly goes away, at least until the finish line.<br />
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I didn't care much about the final stage, because it was so short, everyone would come in within an hour or so of each other, so this was the stage where I was going to perform. I said I wanted to finish sub 8 hours, but actually I wanted sub 7 hours. I analysed the roadbook in detail, something I should have done on previous days, although even analysis didn't always tell the whole story sometimes. I could see that the first and last legs were good, but from CP2 to CP3 it was a sandy wadi that would warrant caution to avoid exhaustion. I had plenty of on-the-go snacks donated by competitors, enough to fuel me through the day.<br />
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We lined up to AC/DC's music once more and were off. Today felt different. It felt like a race, and everyone went off fast. My sore feet gradually numbed themselves and my average speed rose from 4.5mph up to 5mph; my training pace. I ran the first 4.5k to the base of the first hill. I slowed to walk for the ascent and also added a few extra minutes walking as a rest. I resumed running after 5 minutes and then did my run 20, walk 10 strategy. Stony plains followed on the way to CP1.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsKBIsec_b_Efal5aWmBmHcceD6tkjzeT6Fd_w_hO1vFSoU7i-GcPpZTB5uACpX5Fnt1pbqidpxT1WFaJlWKzvJTJQZULk2t6x1FgxjJKGk0mCHLhGNku26d21hvaJN341Y7x/s1600-h/CIMG0143.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187586305576406898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsKBIsec_b_Efal5aWmBmHcceD6tkjzeT6Fd_w_hO1vFSoU7i-GcPpZTB5uACpX5Fnt1pbqidpxT1WFaJlWKzvJTJQZULk2t6x1FgxjJKGk0mCHLhGNku26d21hvaJN341Y7x/s400/CIMG0143.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<br />
Today I didn't stop to change my socks at the CPs; the damage was done as far as I was concerned. Besides, today I was running more and walking less which would cause me less problems anyway. I mixed up an electrolyte on the move and headed straight out. I was feeling good. Straight after CP1 was another short climb.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAe1D8FkmiPQy9XDjNwMGMRPPJUZVlNDEXwnGcyMpiYtrjYXX3G2_FtIbswEY0fJhyPo8o0WJtHZv70kNFo_rV13qN8Yb8rMPG679gxt23dGCBYbpzKHMLXvWUoJF7t1Hu0bFR/s1600-h/CIMG0147.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187587211814506370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAe1D8FkmiPQy9XDjNwMGMRPPJUZVlNDEXwnGcyMpiYtrjYXX3G2_FtIbswEY0fJhyPo8o0WJtHZv70kNFo_rV13qN8Yb8rMPG679gxt23dGCBYbpzKHMLXvWUoJF7t1Hu0bFR/s400/CIMG0147.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
The other side of the hill was a sandy section, then a sharp sandy climb.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4fG3K8LCqwSbEYhV4nhnmfoInhtgnrFqrSTZURqvoODfs2U8DK0wxntszG731MH4bd5pnFWEQY3T9AkZ10jewAXJ-tzOmnIFW_uYTu0RHRdi3iOVWGejWVpkWMmzZ1HafnjS/s1600-h/CIMG0150.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187588049333129106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4fG3K8LCqwSbEYhV4nhnmfoInhtgnrFqrSTZURqvoODfs2U8DK0wxntszG731MH4bd5pnFWEQY3T9AkZ10jewAXJ-tzOmnIFW_uYTu0RHRdi3iOVWGejWVpkWMmzZ1HafnjS/s400/CIMG0150.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
The descent from the hill was another slow one, picking your way down amongst the boulders, but a welcome stony plain lay ahead; good running terrain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG3r2uBE2oHxCK5MIIkbLTWbabE_2cEG51Vrr5bTqu8yY6bdcjz2L1u3wH0oye-ZjTpn4Prx-cirgvgjyBaWv9Aki5vPQxVsnvL-_kaDcZo8cIDDNywLYqiAg-ktwE8YfTYHo/s1600-h/CIMG0152.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187589337823317954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG3r2uBE2oHxCK5MIIkbLTWbabE_2cEG51Vrr5bTqu8yY6bdcjz2L1u3wH0oye-ZjTpn4Prx-cirgvgjyBaWv9Aki5vPQxVsnvL-_kaDcZo8cIDDNywLYqiAg-ktwE8YfTYHo/s400/CIMG0152.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
Just before CP2 we entered the wadi and the inevitable sand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRajMcLCKHNnaHRL9wjsuPS373jMAH8YQ2XSzhlFjo-IGgKviqLI3DyF6S8x1QTHQWUPpEi3iwo0XjSnZNYc0pARWlyZEC2VT0MyCdnzKXdEvPl7k70aQ3je1cChavUxx8YUY/s1600-h/CIMG0154.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187591970638270434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRajMcLCKHNnaHRL9wjsuPS373jMAH8YQ2XSzhlFjo-IGgKviqLI3DyF6S8x1QTHQWUPpEi3iwo0XjSnZNYc0pARWlyZEC2VT0MyCdnzKXdEvPl7k70aQ3je1cChavUxx8YUY/s400/CIMG0154.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY0kxaH5WKm9GyslHlEDSJPl1Bhj078jLwH83VK6h1qBE5afkkBxc_YKhESXnxYBUjeabhPDTPMXQzQsVOreUpsdvF4bhuugnNAqBvWwWB5IbpPV5YydQJhwEqLbE7Jzcm5sv/s1600-h/CIMG0155.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187591382227750866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY0kxaH5WKm9GyslHlEDSJPl1Bhj078jLwH83VK6h1qBE5afkkBxc_YKhESXnxYBUjeabhPDTPMXQzQsVOreUpsdvF4bhuugnNAqBvWwWB5IbpPV5YydQJhwEqLbE7Jzcm5sv/s400/CIMG0155.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
At CP2 I mixed up more electrolytes, took a few bites out of the Cliff bar and headed back out. I knew we now had a 9k wadi stretch. We were also travelling 'upriver' so to speak, so it was a slight 9k incline. I made a tactical decision to walk the majority of this section. The sand wasn't too deep, so I could maintain about 3.8mph. <br />
Shortly after CP2 I passed the Aït Kherdi ruins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqpsB-smZfZPVG1WBFEwUpeAdzM-qPkKuPu33XEK2poKDkDdV9e7iW9CEcftO6BfskwXAlR8z4yJKT__eL5IZdvP7cKuejHtUaJx78ePhZ1rTNeDooOKu_IJwBQMRc10xgR1G/s1600-h/CIMG0156.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187593804589305842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqpsB-smZfZPVG1WBFEwUpeAdzM-qPkKuPu33XEK2poKDkDdV9e7iW9CEcftO6BfskwXAlR8z4yJKT__eL5IZdvP7cKuejHtUaJx78ePhZ1rTNeDooOKu_IJwBQMRc10xgR1G/s400/CIMG0156.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
I was still feeling pretty good. I knew it has a hot one that day (almost 47C) but the heat wasn't affecting me. I was single-minded in wanting a good time and ploughed on regardless.<br />
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Eventually the wadi gave way to a palm grove just after some ruins, and then finally CP3.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglg7IyzkJSCxR6AtU5JFe-g4AQ0DWugIafsJ3cYw7DhbE9sAP2mpj26xPqTgX3_Hr__9EEmpxeExzkS33UVHCYhUc79bjgQRwPlTjT9GXUF_nxSxUtSg77Z1Q4sCBs77-eEUu/s1600-h/CIMG0158.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187594143891722242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglg7IyzkJSCxR6AtU5JFe-g4AQ0DWugIafsJ3cYw7DhbE9sAP2mpj26xPqTgX3_Hr__9EEmpxeExzkS33UVHCYhUc79bjgQRwPlTjT9GXUF_nxSxUtSg77Z1Q4sCBs77-eEUu/s400/CIMG0158.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBl5CAGqbFoXP09T8slK9PioxEpFZxIQho1GO8HwRISIEKZ6TO4vLVqH6ykV2J80AFstS2GiNn2IDG6SIiVB8n2DXShv-ZGyLUqRc_UXuLF9P7OgVd_0PQ25FIOLZ1H88SQKXx/s1600-h/CIMG0159.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187594745187143698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBl5CAGqbFoXP09T8slK9PioxEpFZxIQho1GO8HwRISIEKZ6TO4vLVqH6ykV2J80AFstS2GiNn2IDG6SIiVB8n2DXShv-ZGyLUqRc_UXuLF9P7OgVd_0PQ25FIOLZ1H88SQKXx/s400/CIMG0159.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<br />
I had no electrolyte left by CP3 having dropped half a sachet by accident but I did have a donated gel, as well as the remainder of the Cliff bar. Back running, I headed out and across the stony plain that would lead all the way to the end of the stage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYq-mzTegXQvEbROey0r2TU3seM02Gd7m4811YVnhXO_UPoFLEk1BxoFaxMdoMJ3lrojFUuYzRRdWrFVrDa45SlwtQ2Z2u87qdQjt7mqrsjuSJv6Bjv-68dBE3XW309bwySbz/s1600-h/CIMG0160.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187595453856747554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYq-mzTegXQvEbROey0r2TU3seM02Gd7m4811YVnhXO_UPoFLEk1BxoFaxMdoMJ3lrojFUuYzRRdWrFVrDa45SlwtQ2Z2u87qdQjt7mqrsjuSJv6Bjv-68dBE3XW309bwySbz/s400/CIMG0160.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I ran most of the way, but built in a few 5 or 10 minute walking breaks to ensure I didn't tire myself out. I finished alongside a Frenchman, who I had caught up over the last k. I suggested we finish together rather than I overtake him a couple of hundred metres short of the line. We enjoyed the camaraderie of it and congratulated each other at the finish.<br />
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I finished in 06H33'40 with an average time of 6,43kph. My GPS logged the overall distance as being a third of a mile more than the 26.2 advertised, so I read a slightly higher average speed of exactly 4mph. This was the kind of performance I was more than capable of each day, but through fuelling mistakes and fatigue, failed to always live up to my potential.<br />
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I was first back to the tent, and thankfully everyone else made it in on time too.<br />
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I had crossed the line on stage 5 and it was all over bar the shouting. Stage 6 was an 11-mile fun run and I was going to just enjoy it. I slept ok that night; not great, but not too bad. There was a concert from the Paris Philharmonic orchestra and an opera singer, but I wasn't too fussed about it to be honest. I could hear it from my tent anyway. Some people got up and sat in front of them and maybe soaked up some atmosphere, but the connection between the MDS and a classical concert was a little lost on me. I'm obviously lacking a romantic soul.<br />
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<strong>05/04/2008 - Stage 6 : Isk N’Brahim/Tazzarine : 17,5 km </strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEHrEpr_dxhq6eV0z01hPiHLTky1JoFtXzE9GNxc1cREMvr4FpMJKAvJAKIUPbaBQOR-6Lfga4vs1gXFyZldKu5DsCt_hoLkpLwH5D3DLX3g_cModgI-W9yCXfijkOHzH7Qmi/s1600-h/Roadbook+Day+6.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187607217772171314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEHrEpr_dxhq6eV0z01hPiHLTky1JoFtXzE9GNxc1cREMvr4FpMJKAvJAKIUPbaBQOR-6Lfga4vs1gXFyZldKu5DsCt_hoLkpLwH5D3DLX3g_cModgI-W9yCXfijkOHzH7Qmi/s400/Roadbook+Day+6.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Moroccan competitor Mohamad Ahansal won his second Marathon des Sables, treating himself to a stage victory, and the crowd to a splendidly accrobatic cartwheel on the finish line in Tazzarine. After a long series of MDS coming second after his brother Lahcen, this child of Zagora demonstrated this year a great strategic sense. He took a clear lead on the first stage, gaining 17 minutes over his challengers, and then simply kept control over them. Despite his best efforts, Jordanian runner Salameh Al Aqra’ could never make up for his stage one defeat, although we owe him much of this week’s excitement. Just like last year, Aziz El Akad won a well deserves third rank.<br />
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On the women’s side, no surprise: Touda Didi from Morocco won all the stages way ahead of her competitors. It’s her first MDS victory, but most probably not her last, considering her utter domination of the race. After her come Simone Kayser and Lis Kayser, ex aequo – mother and daughter ran together all week long.<br />
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On the finish line, competitors expressed their joy, their pride or their relief in various fashion. Many broke in tears in the MDS director Patrick Bauer’s arms. Many also chose to pay homage to their country, holding out brand new flags, from Morocco of course, but also from the UK, Jordania, Colombia, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Luxemburg… Families were there to share the runners’ joy and many competitors held their children’s hand to run the last few yards taking them to the finish line.<br />
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Some kissed the ground while others, despite their exhaustion, insisted on a final sprint.<br />
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Thus this 23rd Marathon des Sables comes to a close: once again, the human and sportive adventure was completely out of this world. Our 1200 runners and organisers will be going home with stunning images and extremely moving memories. No doubt they’re already thinking about the 34th edition. In Cha Allah.<br />
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The tents stayed above our heads this morning and we got ready in relative comfort. The Berbers came around collecting items from the camp. People donated food, and even bed rolls, pots and pans, all sorts.<br />
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Michael, obviously eager for the off, snook away before we could get him for the final-day tent 99 survivers photo. Ming of course had gone on day 3, so we are left with: left to right<br />
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Me (sporting a buff instead of my usual cap today), Andy, Kevin, Martin, Toby and Hugo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObw8jHQqG4BlIC-tnEhFw_b2HwYvKku7anLa8lEtYl2Hcwhre9Kuu2HPyKcOybfMnHxdP4k5hQ8tComPos_m2FMdAUYB7W4upOwnz0cuDcRo97ai9bsViwBGXbJR1PtVHPf3F/s1600-h/CIMG0162.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187609154802421826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObw8jHQqG4BlIC-tnEhFw_b2HwYvKku7anLa8lEtYl2Hcwhre9Kuu2HPyKcOybfMnHxdP4k5hQ8tComPos_m2FMdAUYB7W4upOwnz0cuDcRo97ai9bsViwBGXbJR1PtVHPf3F/s400/CIMG0162.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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After that we gathered ourselves together and everyone headed out for the start line one final time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim-t-bj_ScMqbRrvK__6xQwuVzgNhq8q02rQV2yajAGiou5JjVBgxe_txDfryH1uwH9sfBgkHlPdkwF3rDX64vjTZx9EPqUsb3NK2WjVLxwpftAaoQ_ek8C9nPk7vrPwkLgTG/s1600-h/CIMG0165.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187611113307508850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim-t-bj_ScMqbRrvK__6xQwuVzgNhq8q02rQV2yajAGiou5JjVBgxe_txDfryH1uwH9sfBgkHlPdkwF3rDX64vjTZx9EPqUsb3NK2WjVLxwpftAaoQ_ek8C9nPk7vrPwkLgTG/s400/CIMG0165.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_nHF4dic8oVkk8V0v9kPf0-B43rWRPDq8_iFP54cbEbYKt0z09KFmNwaDE8K-xuzRwdVzdUfvgJ0u1r16aMIzXBg2ybRA95yWxLVZg4e0jfGiOf5eS8Ja0Lar0ETZf4Vlim_/s1600-h/CIMG0164.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187610816954765410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_nHF4dic8oVkk8V0v9kPf0-B43rWRPDq8_iFP54cbEbYKt0z09KFmNwaDE8K-xuzRwdVzdUfvgJ0u1r16aMIzXBg2ybRA95yWxLVZg4e0jfGiOf5eS8Ja0Lar0ETZf4Vlim_/s400/CIMG0164.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdgYEabvgHolbu4TkF_Wh90BAM_jB1WgZjB9dzj7XsQyPqseHdQ5QGTixYDXV-zboZdpKyRCSjNez26uYQSmYovkX9hMI5BMAmDDAtwWt9lTt0eEUDYHpAeiQSaLpd8gYbTl6/s1600-h/CIMG0163.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187609592889086034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdgYEabvgHolbu4TkF_Wh90BAM_jB1WgZjB9dzj7XsQyPqseHdQ5QGTixYDXV-zboZdpKyRCSjNez26uYQSmYovkX9hMI5BMAmDDAtwWt9lTt0eEUDYHpAeiQSaLpd8gYbTl6/s400/CIMG0163.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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A shot as we stood waiting and a video as we all soaked up the atmosphere to the sounds of AC/DC, one final time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc652aUQl-YMqonWhBf-0du11EziHvAgFylGlUJcLJt-l_frQoO8GbgS0_GKdMxGcBHvIqd6n2faBtndUkGwsZo-V-bE1M1jjDb4YExLDgwYTDDHPiuZmNnriAuTk5HJVv2z3B/s1600-h/CIMG0166.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187612333078220946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc652aUQl-YMqonWhBf-0du11EziHvAgFylGlUJcLJt-l_frQoO8GbgS0_GKdMxGcBHvIqd6n2faBtndUkGwsZo-V-bE1M1jjDb4YExLDgwYTDDHPiuZmNnriAuTk5HJVv2z3B/s400/CIMG0166.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwOYS3xdxO02coAeZcZkT8kJab_DGRUfsXk7dQhnpLZQJAoy8z4IRujdvlWve9ayqP8rGq2nL7RH04' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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A video and picture of the final coundown, the Eurosport copter buzzes overhead and we move forward to cross the start line one final time.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxTvpwLLmdnIOuldjLYhM1dTKoyZSUyXeu6J5CdppnAl3oyfgCjg82qXf6ONvbFhvOMIT24zjnSMe4' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-v7cFlpdzcTGxPIttY0_mN0KuivsiLRt3cvBz2ifPeuctWWHvBA2dEK72zR5XMPQAYpgVDmxKwbEbTDWmM6t4QausiTbqIQZ5bWo7IqIQe6zAWaQWr-lh2dQjVRGfIyhi34W/s1600-h/CIMG0169.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187611684538159234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-v7cFlpdzcTGxPIttY0_mN0KuivsiLRt3cvBz2ifPeuctWWHvBA2dEK72zR5XMPQAYpgVDmxKwbEbTDWmM6t4QausiTbqIQZ5bWo7IqIQe6zAWaQWr-lh2dQjVRGfIyhi34W/s400/CIMG0169.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I set off at a nice steady 5mph. Many people dashed off at best speed, but today wasn't about time for me, that was yesterday. I set myself a goal of 2hrs 30 and headed out. We were warned the ground was very stony today and to watch our step to avoid turning an ankle. All the more reason to take it steady I thought. Imagine breaking your ankle with 11 miles to go? There was some mild undulating terrain, but mostly it was stony plain all the way into CP1 where our medical cards were collected. I thought of poor Hugo's feet. Hugo loved the soft sand now, and not the rocky ground.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NAJ9ydGxkgiBe_kwHpO4KIyCEn9ql17Fq3wZ7xrFaakImFzU90w3siVEH59RtPIUkrpNYCEFnXGndvWQ9Tt3cGN0oy-9idg_BX5gqJRivYLFRGPx6i56TM8d7e6TkoV51E0P/s1600-h/CIMG0170.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187615867836305586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NAJ9ydGxkgiBe_kwHpO4KIyCEn9ql17Fq3wZ7xrFaakImFzU90w3siVEH59RtPIUkrpNYCEFnXGndvWQ9Tt3cGN0oy-9idg_BX5gqJRivYLFRGPx6i56TM8d7e6TkoV51E0P/s400/CIMG0170.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c7QXqece7y7hP1n9bODbtHsnadxDrRKNh6sfkW9HOmWOwdEYHU14lTtLWOUsNfs6bCMPUaNktntIkgRZ95h5o6AP0c9sXidhdclQQlYS2KFx23SsvYY78isyVz26MqMomQot/s1600-h/CIMG0171.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187615571483562146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c7QXqece7y7hP1n9bODbtHsnadxDrRKNh6sfkW9HOmWOwdEYHU14lTtLWOUsNfs6bCMPUaNktntIkgRZ95h5o6AP0c9sXidhdclQQlYS2KFx23SsvYY78isyVz26MqMomQot/s400/CIMG0171.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I refilled my water bottle at CP1, took a few bites of energy bar and then set off on the last lag, across the plain with the town of Tazzarine in the distance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3f0gOKY-sNS5vqGu3jgVJ7He75UHidjFkPt7DYv40q2dEhKlRLACqOVWvI1fA4T7NhyJWPuCFJ7D1rt0dx96DEC2tsq6NfMCfUmDgmNRosjeofGWWKPQoRgTlY8P2AJMC4Xu2/s1600-h/CIMG0172.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187617723262177474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3f0gOKY-sNS5vqGu3jgVJ7He75UHidjFkPt7DYv40q2dEhKlRLACqOVWvI1fA4T7NhyJWPuCFJ7D1rt0dx96DEC2tsq6NfMCfUmDgmNRosjeofGWWKPQoRgTlY8P2AJMC4Xu2/s400/CIMG0172.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Just before the town we left the plain and I walked along the packed earth road that lead into the outskirts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zVlFs9LUb4pCbvL2OTF2eSneCQ2uSJbI9HuJop8bdpyXiaVyJOCBiH3tgzGlj30taNEu1vbyAkMqjmcflIFDUwo-eg4TYh3cOA0a7kvc5QYlL6EjPIDGxSkuY0DMuBRNTWfh/s1600-h/CIMG0173.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187618938737922290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zVlFs9LUb4pCbvL2OTF2eSneCQ2uSJbI9HuJop8bdpyXiaVyJOCBiH3tgzGlj30taNEu1vbyAkMqjmcflIFDUwo-eg4TYh3cOA0a7kvc5QYlL6EjPIDGxSkuY0DMuBRNTWfh/s400/CIMG0173.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk73U81PLGU5-BMfcr3uc559kfoqoSdoUm-LwbLB4g875qG1Ux5opQwjjqP6H7b46bv_awOKqnlPrO1cdE7CN5wqiEfnbCNiLBsVKi5Xa-qp1E213JdtFOF_7bjwcgGb0TonE/s1600-h/CIMG0174.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187618642385178850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk73U81PLGU5-BMfcr3uc559kfoqoSdoUm-LwbLB4g875qG1Ux5opQwjjqP6H7b46bv_awOKqnlPrO1cdE7CN5wqiEfnbCNiLBsVKi5Xa-qp1E213JdtFOF_7bjwcgGb0TonE/s400/CIMG0174.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWQoJN2Gc8pQbx-2Du1G-Q1saxwRZ3GlM1w1oLHmAJJufpdHUVnon775wURsMJ8OpDiaLtq6rSrynrpYraDXz5mdjrBlBYzEzMAG6qI3PNPzRjoyohwoLRLJMr7uY0h2lV10t/s1600-h/CIMG0175.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187618281607925970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWQoJN2Gc8pQbx-2Du1G-Q1saxwRZ3GlM1w1oLHmAJJufpdHUVnon775wURsMJ8OpDiaLtq6rSrynrpYraDXz5mdjrBlBYzEzMAG6qI3PNPzRjoyohwoLRLJMr7uY0h2lV10t/s400/CIMG0175.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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The houses on the edge of the town are little more than mud-brick buildings, the kids have no shoes and there is certainly no sewerage. I feel sad as I see the people who live there, knowing I am going back to a life of luxury in comparison to theirs. I have saved a few energy bars and drinks powders which I throw out to kids, as I walk this stretch and head towards the tarmac road and 1.5k to the finish line.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGbFen_BsazJ90M_cjds-n816ba6MSNfjqKipCaO4sNYa82Vhzcu7FXIPNuZyyOJMK77b-PGViRV5U8z76NUh2rofajRWOUViE4Vki1d20WrJu5P_wmmQs_n_LC6Lat_KyMgp/s1600-h/CIMG0176.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187619926580400386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGbFen_BsazJ90M_cjds-n816ba6MSNfjqKipCaO4sNYa82Vhzcu7FXIPNuZyyOJMK77b-PGViRV5U8z76NUh2rofajRWOUViE4Vki1d20WrJu5P_wmmQs_n_LC6Lat_KyMgp/s400/CIMG0176.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I walk the first few hundred metres and then break into my 5mph jog. I'm not interested in snatching 1 or 2 places, I just try and gather my thoughts and feelings about the upcoming finish line which still lies out of sight around the corner. I think I'm more emotional about the thought of crossing the finish line, than I am when I cross it. The last week has been very tough, I got very low on day 4, and I have been on quite a journey. I pass Mohamad Ahansal, however he was walking back the other way! He is posing for photos with locals and other runners. I give him the thumbs up as I pass, which he does back to me. I turn the final corner and the finish line is ahead. I can't help myself and double my speed to almost a sprint, only slowing to avoid overtaking a couple of other competitors. I slow and cross the finish line behind them and Patrick puts on my medal and hugs me. For some reason I find myself thanking him over and over again "Merci, Merci", for the torture he has put me through! I get someone to take a picture of the moment for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxnU_85BWMskpSdaWhTmMFl_NbaZRIi_8EyNKywfjXYv8SMZp3f5Jj2sUgoNbMaH0f0AyFzsHg_haVw5k8359aH3kun-ECvdYCw4bFKRPnhLivRY1XL3YnmXKwh1RUO6OKdsv/s1600-h/CIMG0177.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187621923740193042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxnU_85BWMskpSdaWhTmMFl_NbaZRIi_8EyNKywfjXYv8SMZp3f5Jj2sUgoNbMaH0f0AyFzsHg_haVw5k8359aH3kun-ECvdYCw4bFKRPnhLivRY1XL3YnmXKwh1RUO6OKdsv/s400/CIMG0177.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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I finished in 02H23'06 in an average speed of 7,34kph. My quickest average, but it was only a fun run after all, and I really didn't put in a great deal of effort for a time either!<br />
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Overall standing: 53H35'42 with an average speed of 4,58kph. Position 556/802.<br />
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I thank Patrick again and filter down the finish to pick up a packed lunch and a timed-departure bus ticket.<br />
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I am a little overwhelmed by the amount of people at the finish. It is a scene of chaos as competitors try and find a bit of space to sit down. I find a spot but as soon as I open my packed lunch I am swamped by kids begging. There is no way I am going to be able to eat it, so I just close it and send them away. I reflect on my achievement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRS_5zMB0uJtQwjlB1FC02DF8ui9u4nuIv_S1HMz4ExcRJY79nRfdnh7YbH7yqLHvrGfY83tarsknUitfqr1vWSqZzH9U50bB5sH7SMEBm-WWMruTIimkbTt0M6REg7gfse41/s1600-h/CIMG0178.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187623263769989410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRS_5zMB0uJtQwjlB1FC02DF8ui9u4nuIv_S1HMz4ExcRJY79nRfdnh7YbH7yqLHvrGfY83tarsknUitfqr1vWSqZzH9U50bB5sH7SMEBm-WWMruTIimkbTt0M6REg7gfse41/s400/CIMG0178.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybwMmJhZsE7SPwcdB-yeTjhUR7K3BJ3jAV5NORbJW89IghT2XIc1MKpHkSUx8I_4JhgEQWs2EVZOc' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<strong>Afterwards</strong><br />
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The coach journey back was only 3 hours, thankfully. I took the photo with the medal you saw on the earlier blog post whilst in my hotel room. I got showered and washed the desert out of my hair and body. We descended on the hotel buffet like a plague of locusts. The sweet trolley got a severe beating especially. Most were too tired to prop up the bar until the early hours and headed to bed, me included. The following day we wandered round Ouarzazate, and believe it or not, there was a hailstorm! I managed to upset a few locals with my aggressive haggling, to the point where one guy refused to haggle. "Won't haggle!?" I thought; sadly lost on him. Back at the hotel I successfully put back on all the weight I had lost that week at the evening buffet and then went to bed. The journey back to the UK was a nightmare; a 5 hour delay leaving Morocco, £110 extra for a new flight to Manchester after a missed connection and even <em>that </em>was delayed. I got home at 10pm to get a call at half past that my son and his mother were on the way to A&E in an ambulance. I was at the hospital until 2am, they are both fine now, some kind of respiratory virus.<br />
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The MDS was a tough week, and the difficulty I had on day 4 should have made the achievement of completion that bit sweeter. However, after 2 years of training "just finishing" turned out not to be enough. My target of finishing outside of the back 100 was acheived easily, but if I would have not lost those 9.5 hours on day 4, in the medical tents and CPs then I would have finished in the top 400. OK, there is not much difference between 556 and 400 in real terms and if I would have finished in the top 400 I would have thought I should have finished in the top 300 or 200 probably. Everyone is their own worst critic and I should be content with my achievement and look at where I came from; from nothing, someone who could run about 3 or 4 miles two years ago. I've moved the goalposts as time has gone by and I have got fitter. I have yet to realise my full potential, I know that. I could get fitter and faster. What will I do next? I don't know at the moment. Maybe nothing, maybe endurance knitting? I set out to complete the MDS and complete it I have. I may well revisit this post later and add more, or post my thoughts as the days progress.<br />
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Over two years of training, and for the last few months training has felt like my full time job. 80 miles a week; it's felt like I was training like a professional. I've used up a lifetimes worth of babysitting credits with my parents, and my son deserves to get his father back at weekends. I will phone up my friends and see if they still remember who I am too. I have now got my life back from the MDS which has been all-consuming. I'll make one final post though with my thank you roll call, because there are a lot of people who deserve to share this medal with me, for their help along the way.<br />
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I was asked to attend Blackfriars School (the charity I ran for) acheivement awards last week.<br />
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I did so and they kindly said thank you to me up on stage and gave me a huge card from the students and staff.<br />
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It's shown below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ZT0KUlvrpQlwupfaNYB9OwntojMsHzLgKTk7VJSLeOf4joxfmCfweZzmWxpFV1tse3HEl-U8DTS-UiQI64xrItS3pEJbPTevE6IwvRx_8jlz4fb2eCvQ1Wd6qrPO4TXFVJs/s1600-h/DSC00599.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271150588104104786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ZT0KUlvrpQlwupfaNYB9OwntojMsHzLgKTk7VJSLeOf4joxfmCfweZzmWxpFV1tse3HEl-U8DTS-UiQI64xrItS3pEJbPTevE6IwvRx_8jlz4fb2eCvQ1Wd6qrPO4TXFVJs/s400/DSC00599.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Py4x1TnA5esS-82l0ifFm_GSBLSBXvGlAG91p5CKYv56S_YvJRkAiaqWf-8MTzBopfsVnEs9CQ9zxEyHGDB9EaiCM2P7mOmWUDobPizQJVT1PvMzkQqxfJhPU7pKJck2sid/s1600-h/DSC00600.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271150810486539682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Py4x1TnA5esS-82l0ifFm_GSBLSBXvGlAG91p5CKYv56S_YvJRkAiaqWf-8MTzBopfsVnEs9CQ9zxEyHGDB9EaiCM2P7mOmWUDobPizQJVT1PvMzkQqxfJhPU7pKJck2sid/s400/DSC00600.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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It's a really nice gesture I think. I thought you'd like to see it too!</div>
Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-62723291559947181382008-04-08T13:00:00.002+00:002008-04-08T13:06:14.373+00:00HomeGot home late last night after a nightmare day full of travel delays. I am thankfully able to shuffle along at a respectable pace (with slippers) and will pull together my thoughts and photos over the next few days and write up my MDS 2008 report, which I am sure many of you will read with interest.<br /><br />I will try and publish it all in one post so it reads top to bottom, rather than in stages where a latecommer would see the last stage at the top. I'm sure I'll get something up by the end of the weekend if not sooner. Bye for now.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-41125957632070126812008-04-05T16:44:00.001+00:002008-04-05T16:44:29.783+00:00Stage 7 11 miles<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNm71jZ0QwT3VPfqCL83b4QQBNkq_AMqv9FyZ1KkXREHcTMmAT8jcaRwU_p5VMSaoEhQXLCfy-aIuLgdCLoVTj72MCgmg3u7OPGaJhqIFGwbzzjvO6xwn6R9ll_BAxcqbk2dVeQ/s1600-h/image-upload-143-767162.jpe"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNm71jZ0QwT3VPfqCL83b4QQBNkq_AMqv9FyZ1KkXREHcTMmAT8jcaRwU_p5VMSaoEhQXLCfy-aIuLgdCLoVTj72MCgmg3u7OPGaJhqIFGwbzzjvO6xwn6R9ll_BAxcqbk2dVeQ/s320/image-upload-143-767162.jpe"/></a><br /><span>Photo says what needs to be said. See you at home.</span><br /></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-10465950764980548262008-04-04T21:21:00.000+00:002008-04-04T21:22:33.519+00:00857--stage 5- the marathon day - 26.2 milesToday I re-wheeled the wagon...with Bridgestones. Today injuries are forgotten, blisters ignored, and its painkillers for breakfast. I got my first good nights sleep and was well fuelled from food donated by everyone, after losing my food on stage 4; Today properly rested and fuelled I ran the stage I am capable of. Everyone goes for it today treating it as the final stage as tomorrows 11 miles is well, a fun run in comparison to the rest of the week. Despite 3 steep ascents, checkpoints, and lots of sand I finished the marathon in 6hrs 30, 4mph average position 367 (unconfirmed). Oh and it was 46C. thank you everyone for messages I got about 40 last night, a record I think. you have all helped me through this. I wont be given any messages sent after about 6pm today, so any after then send to my blog or own email. I will cross the line tomorrow even if I had 2 broken legs. it has been quite a journey, lots to tell. thank you and see you back home. from a very sore but happy Me.<p>-----------------------------<br>N'utilisez pas la fonction "REPONDRE", l'envoi de message se fait uniquement par le Site Web Darbaroud.com !!! MERCI<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE<br>-----------------------------<br>Don't use "REPLY TO", mails are only sent via the Darbaroud.com Website !!!THANKS<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALERichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-24522098144369306122008-04-03T21:13:00.000+00:002008-04-03T21:14:51.342+00:00857--stage 4 - 47 milesThe wheels came off the wagon yesterday. Stage 3s brutality was nothing on the long day. soft sand underfoot all day, many climbs including the 1k which was all fours climbing and pulling yourself up on ropes. been living off 2 hours sleep with nightly wind storms and burning through my 3000 calories a day still starving. all caught up yesterday when I had used up all of my on-the-go food (1200 cals) + fuel from breakfast by cp3. dazed and in a mess I begged for IVs at every CP, they would not give me one. lost equipment and food in dazed state. got to cp4 in 8 hours (16hr cutoff) and tried to sleep. didnt, left alone at 3am with 20 miles to cover in dark alone, hit rock bottom, but dragged myself through and home in 23:40, i guess 30 places from back? feet started day 4 fine, now bad. taken me 10mins to hobble 200m to internet tent, have to run a marathon tomorrow and beat cutoff. other than that im fine. seriously I am; last big hurdle tomorrow. off to get feet butchered now.<p>-----------------------------<br>N'utilisez pas la fonction "REPONDRE", l'envoi de message se fait uniquement par le Site Web Darbaroud.com !!! MERCI<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE<br>-----------------------------<br>Don't use "REPLY TO", mails are only sent via the Darbaroud.com Website !!!THANKS<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALERichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-62154781776138568602008-04-01T21:35:00.001+00:002008-04-01T21:35:56.393+00:00857--stage 3 - 25 milesbrutal. absolutely brutal. was not well in the night, stomach. barely slept. had to start slow; whatever the map says the first 18 miles were dunes in blazing temps, only puncutated by a hard 300M climb. needed 30 mins at CP2 to pull myself together and 20 at cp3 to apply foot tape. realising I was well down from previous days I ran from cp3 to the finish and got back maybe 30 places. took me 8:10 just 2.9mph average. tomorrow is what it is all about; 47 miles including huge 1k 25 percent climb. thanks for messages they really help. send me good thoughts for tomorrow, it is going to be hell.<p>-----------------------------<br>N'utilisez pas la fonction "REPONDRE", l'envoi de message se fait uniquement par le Site Web Darbaroud.com !!! MERCI<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE<br>-----------------------------<br>Don't use "REPLY TO", mails are only sent via the Darbaroud.com Website !!!THANKS<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALERichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-16236849003663941842008-03-31T21:23:00.000+00:002008-03-31T21:24:40.104+00:00857--stage 2 - 23.5 milestoday was further but looked easier on paper as there was less dunes and mianly flat. ran most of way to cp1 and onwards to cp2 but walked last few k to cp feeling hot! told at cp2 it was 40c so that was why. had to take a break for 20 there to cool down and rehydrate. decided to walk to cp3 accross blazing hot salt plains and continued to take on extra water. felt v good by cp3 and got up the 300m 25 percent climb with ease. ran last leg to finish except last k - too rocky and unstable under foot. -6:28 average 3.5mph. feet still ok, feel good. dune day 25 miles tomorrow. check mds website for updates from organiser too. bye for now. thanks for messages!<p>-----------------------------<br>N'utilisez pas la fonction "REPONDRE", l'envoi de message se fait uniquement par le Site Web Darbaroud.com !!! MERCI<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE<br>-----------------------------<br>Don't use "REPLY TO", mails are only sent via the Darbaroud.com Website !!!THANKS<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALERichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-55989299529307299732008-03-30T22:36:00.000+00:002008-03-30T22:37:14.246+00:00857--day 1 19.5 mileshardest day 1 ever possibly. 10 miles of big dunes in the stage. sandstorm blew up at 5am and made prep difficult and spooked me a little. read some cards from home and that sorted me out. everyone walked first 8 miles of dunes to cp, I only averaged 2.7mph. Then I did what I trained for and ran. I alternated walking sometimes. 2 Miles of dunes at end, big sting in the tail. got in about 5:50hrs 3.3mph average. no idea of place, not imporant. feet still ok, hydration system seems ok. right quad pain from IT band likely to cause me probs as week goes on, hope it doesnt get too bad. I look forward to getting messages from you. Mum confirm this gets posted on the website please. so far so good, 23.5m tomorrow. bye for now. Rich<p>-----------------------------<br>N'utilisez pas la fonction "REPONDRE", l'envoi de message se fait uniquement par le Site Web Darbaroud.com !!! MERCI<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE<br>-----------------------------<br>Don't use "REPLY TO", mails are only sent via the Darbaroud.com Website !!!THANKS<br>ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALERichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-10622207717351629532008-03-30T17:45:00.002+00:002008-06-02T22:59:10.630+00:00Correction on distances on previous blogarrived at camp. Distances this week are, in miles, 20, 23.5, 25, 47, 26, 10. First day starts with 12k of sizable dunes. Longest day includes the 25% 1k ascent. toughest climb...33c in shade at 10am 18% humidityRichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-73260600513047285802008-03-29T14:24:00.001+00:002008-03-29T14:24:28.897+00:00In campArrived at camp. Distances this week are in miles, 20, 23.5, 47, 26, 10. First day starts with 12k of sizeable dunes. Longest day includes the 25% 1k ascent. toughest climb... 33c in shade at 10am 18% humidity.<br /><hr />News, Sports, Entertainment and Weather on your mobile. <a href='http://mobile.uk.msn.com/pc/msn_content.aspx' target='_new'>Text MSN to 63463 Now.</a>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-28589086658082768652008-03-23T21:03:00.013+00:002008-09-04T12:00:15.084+00:00After 2 years and 3 months of training...the MDS is here.<br /><br />Before I post any further remember that later this week you can go here to the <a href="http://www.marathondessables.com/index_uk.php">Marathon Des Sables </a> website, and a link will appear allowing you to "Write to a competitor". My race number is 857 - Richard Weremiuk. You can send only text, no pictures, and send as many messages as you like. It is going to get harder as every day goes by, so I'd love messages every day. Even if you've never spoken to me, commented on my blog or anything. Just to know that someone somewhere is supporting me will give me strength. The organisers distribute the messages on paper to the competitors every evening. You will also be able to see the results on line. If all goes to plan I should be able to send an email which will be published as blog post update every day, so check back here between the 28th a 5th April for news.<br /><br />My main website is <a href="http://www.desertrace.co.uk">here</a> and please remember my fundraising effort <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/desertrace">here</a><br /><br />It does seem a long time ago since my <a href="http://mds2008.blogspot.com/2006/01/i-ran-3-miles-yesterday.html">first training post.</a> where I ran 3 miles, but it also feels like it has flown by?<br /><br />Lets wrap up this weeks training first. I did 45 min sessions at MMU on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I am eternally grateful for their support, and have 1 final session on Tuesday. I went to the gym on Tuesday and Friday; I did a 30 minute interval session, followed by strength and stability work on Tuesday, and just strength and stability on Friday. Everyday this week I have spent a total of 45 mins each day in the sauna. <br /><br />On Saturday I ran 10k with my actual fully packed MDS backpack (more of that in a minute). <br /><br />Here are a couple of shots. You get a feel for the countryside I have been running on for two years. I am standing at the top of a hill in Apedale, a former mine. I've climbed this hill and those all around in almost every training run I do. I feel kind of obligated to post a shot! I look tired (eyes)in that first picture. The second one is bleached out, but what you are actually looking at is my actual MDS pack with all kit and food inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />On Sunday I ran 8 miles (850ft ascent) with no pack. I seem to have a right Illiotibula band niggle. I'm not too worried about it, but I'm getting a sports massage on Tuesday evening anyway, so hopefully that'll help. My left calf seems to be ok, but I didn't tempt fate by running with a full pack today just in case.<br /><br />I weighed out all my food and kit, bagged it all up and packed it into my 30L Raidlight pack on Saturday. It was a squeeze getting it all in, but I managed it. I am concerned about the state of repair of my rucksack. On Tuesday I picked it up and a 12-inch rip tore open. I've stitched, glued and taped it back together. This isn't the first repair I have made to the pack; it was stitched up before La Trans Aq last year. The pack is 2 years old and quite literally falling apart. I just hope it'll make it 152 final miles. I am carrying a needle and thread in my equipment, just in case.<br /><br />Here is my food list. (Click to enlarge)<br /><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSFoodList1-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSFoodList1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSFoodList2-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSFoodList2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />You can see I am carrying around 3000kcal per day, which is way over and above the 2000Kcal requirement. I remember feeling hungry on La Trans Aq sometimes (I carried around 2600kcal), so I have a little more food this time. Also because technically you are required to carry 2000kcal per day, including the last day for some bizarre reason (short distance usually and then straight on the bus to the hotel), I have added a 200g bag of trail mix for almost 1000kcal. I will be eating that bag of food throughout the week, and not on the last day. In case you are wondering what the Oxo cube is for, it is to make a quick hot drink if I want one. I also have 14g of coffee granules to use if required. I am carrying mostly savoury snacks to eat on the move, and will take Endurolyte capsules hourly as well as drinking SIS Go electrolyte mixed to half strength.<br /><br />I am carrying 19,400Kcal versus a requirement of 14,000.<br /><br />Next my backpack contents:<br /><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSKitList-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSKitList-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Most of the kit needs no explanation really. I am only carrying spare socks, not spare clothes. I am taking a Tyvek suit for the cold evenings and mornings. I will take a Helly Hansen Lifa top with me and make a call on the administration day if I will actually include it in my pack; it just depends how cold it gets at night. I have a first aid kit of pain relief tablets and blister care products. Because I am very concerned about hygiene out there I am packing hand cleansing gel, and chlorine tablets to keep my eating equipment and drinks bottles clean. Most of my items are individually sealed in plastic bags for hygiene and to protect from the sand.<br /><br />After getting the fuel tablets, distress flare and road book on the administration day, plus the 1.5l mineral water bottle on the start line my pack should weigh around 10.5 kilos. This will reduce my around 750g per day as I eat the rations.<br /><br />Finally, what I am wearing:<br /><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSwearinglist-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/MDSwearinglist-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I have not made a final decision on some items, hence the OR between them. I will likely wear the Ecomesh top instead of the UA compression top though. Not sure about my legs yet; shorts or full length cover (sun protection). My goggles have a removable seal to leave them as standard sunglasses. I am carrying my GPS watch, it's a Globalsat and not the Timex which got lost in December in Tenerife in that storm I got caught in. I use the watch purely to get my average speed, and the other watch to keep an eye on the humidity.<br /><br />On the kit subject I have had some terrible service (theft) from a website called aktive8 (www.aktive8.com). So I am posting an attive8 review here to hopefully give people a heads up on what kind of company they are dealing with. Just type aktive8 reviews into Google, and read the horror everyone else has experienced as well.<br /><br />-------------<br />I ordered some goods on the aktive8 .com website which was easy enough to use. 4 days later I checked the order status on their website and the status still showed only "Payment Taken" and not "processing" or "dispatched". I emailed the company and said "if the goods have not already been sent out then cancel this order". They clearly paniced and emailed back to say "it was dispatched yesterday". Then mysteriously a few minutes later, my online status changed to "goods dispatched on [previous days date]. Two weeks later the goods still had not turned up and the company could provide no proof of postage, and took days to answer emails. After being threatened with trading standards they simply stopped emailing or contact of any kind. <br /><br />My take is that they did not have the goods in stock, and then panicked when I said to cancel the order and made out as though they had already sent it, when in fact they had not. They hoped to fulfill the order at some later date, but when told I was no longer interested and would be pursuing a refund (which they refused to do) they stopped emailing.<br /><br />They are currently under investigation by trading standards and my credit card company. I still have no refund (14/05/08)<br /><br />Beware of this company, who clearly employ terrible business practice and customer service. There are countless reviews of the web of customers getting worse treatment than me. As a matter of standard practice, the company takes your payment in full even if they do not have the goods in stock. Rip-off merchants.<br /><br />EDIT: (01/08/08). My credit card company has investigated and concluded the same as me. They have pulled my money back out of Aktive8 account and refunded me in full. <br />------------------<br /><br />So that's it. I am virtually all packed and ready to go. I'd better say my goodbyes to you now because I am not necessarily going to get time to post again before I leave for London on Wednesday. Thank you to everyone who has already posted or emailed their best wishes. I fly out on Thursday, the race starts on Sunday 30th March and runs through to 5th April. I am hoping to get some treatment on my back and IT band to hopefully get rid of my last niggle.<br /><br />Working on the assumption that is successfully treated then I have no excuses for myself. I am happy that I am fit as I could be.<br /><br />I was looking at the average speeds of last years MDS finishers and was shocked to discover that a mid table finisher (position 300) averaged only 3.7mph for the whole distance. Now these will have been athletes certainly a lot more capable than I am. I finished 3/4 down the table in last years La Trans Aq, so I must work on the assumption that I could be averaging around 3mph. I will be running when I can, but stopping to refuel/rest at checkpoints as well as tough terrain are the reason that the pace looks so slow. It just goes to show how hard this event is. <br /><br />For me there are just two worries in the MDS - heat and feet.<br /><br />My feet are in as good condition as I could expect them to be. I take care of them nightly, but just this week I watched an MDS DVD and people who had never had a blister in their lives got them just 6 miles into day 1! Everyone I am sure secretly hopes that they will not get blisters for a few days, when the reality is far worse. None of them could explain why they were getting blisters, but I imagine that it is a combination of the heat, uneven terrain and being forced to walk rather than run. Everyone is going to get blisters; it is just a question of management. I have all the tools to repair my own feet and hopefully avoid a visit to the infamous doc trotters who cut off the entire blister at soak in iodine to avoid infection. If my feet get in a real mess then I will reluctantly seek their help, but minor blister and can treat. I have sterile syringes, hypodermic needles and Friars balsam to drain and then inject the disinfectant into the blister, before taping it down with bandage and Leukotape. I know my own feet and the areas that I typically blister, so I will just have to keep a close eye on the situation.<br /><br />Heat - well this boils down to hydration. In it's simplest terms I must stay hydrated to complete the MDS. It really is that straightforward. However, it is a trap that dozens fall into every year, so it is obviously not as easy as it sounds. If I were to average a pace between checkpoints of 4mph then I have calculated that I should be drinking at least 750ml every 45 minutes. This means I would have 1.5 hours to get between checkpoints which could be 6-8 miles apart, at a guess. Obviously 8 miles apart I have to make 750ml last an hour. Regardless, the amount I am drinking will never replace the amount I lose over the day. I will always end the day in some state of dehydration, so rehydrating at the finish line and during the night is absolutely essential. I have to adjust my pace to my condition, the terrain and the weather conditions. If I feel rough, I slow down and up my water intake. I have to drum this message into myself. I feel as though this is all I have to do to complete the MDS. I am not overly concerned about the distances. Yes some are long and it is going to be hard, but I have covered them all and more in training, so endurance is not an issue. I just need to stay well hydrated and well fuelled.<br /><br />Mental toughness is what everyone says is needed. I've had some tough old times in my training, and I fully expect to have to call upon the strength gained through misery to bring me through the week.<br /><br />So, I am about to embark upon what has occupied what feels like my every waking thought for over 2 years. My entire life for two years has been devoted to this goal.<br /><br />I am well motivated, I am well prepared, and I am well trained. I am going to complete the Marathon des Sables.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-90977522806435668752008-03-16T16:41:00.003+00:002008-03-16T20:32:11.245+00:00Taper, at a temperatureSo, I began my taper this week.<br /><br />Monday was my usual day off, and on Tuesday I went to the gym. I did 25 minutes on the treadmill doing intervals; 3 minutes at 14kph and 2 minutes at 10kph, repeated. Following that I did an hour long workout, concentrating on stability and strength work. I then went into the sauna and did 2 x 15 minute sessions (just seated, not working out, bathing suits only allowed!). The sauna is 80C, so you lose a lot of fluid. I'm constantly sipping water whilst in there and also rehydrate at home.<br /><br />On Wednesday I did a 6 mile trail run, taking in over 800ft of ascent. It seemed like a holiday just running 6 miles instead of 12 or 13. I wore 5 layers of clothes for the session; a thermal baselayer, 3 thick jumpers and a waterproof jacket zipped up over the top to keep me on the boil. Add to that a fleece hat, I was literally cooking.<br /><br />On Thursday I did 6.5 miles, this time as an interval session, including 4 interval reps on a hill. Again, I wore the same 5 layers of clothes and baked even more on this tough session which took in almost 1000ft of ascent. <br /><br />On Friday I did my usual gym session, and then later that evening had some sports massage and chiropractic treatment from my uncle Kevin. My left calf is still not in great shape. At the moment it is not causing me major problems, but it is tender to the touch and knotted still. Then finally I had a late sauna just before the gym closed; time totalling 40 minutes between 3 sauna sessions. I had also had late sauna sessions on Wednesday and Thursday evenings too.<br /><br />On Saturday I loaded my pack with 8 kilos of weight, put on all my layers of clothes again and did an 8 mile trail route taking over 1000ft of ascent. The lighter pack allowed me to run at a better speed, averaging almost 6mph. Straight after I had another 40 minutes in the sauna.<br /><br />Today, Sunday, I have done my last run of any significant distance before the MDS; 12.5 miles. I used the same 8 kilo pack, and same 5 layers of clothes and hat, but also wore walking trousers on top of my shorts too. I chose an enjoyable and familiar route through Swynnerton old forest, adding in a new short section and taking the total ascent over 1500ft. I got through 1.5l of electrolyte quite comfortably due to the excessive fluid loss (all the layers) and averaged 5.5mph for the distance. <br /><br />I have covered 36 miles this week, which is to plan, and intend to cover 20-25 this final week.<br /><br />I have got all of my kit, and more or less weighed it all and have it all finalised. I will pack everything towards the end of the week, enabling me to do next weekends runs with the actual MDS-weight pack and see how it feels. I intend to get some more treatment on my calf and see if I can get it in better shape for the event. It is not causing me major concern, but I'd like to get it as good as possible before I go. Also this week I will continue to train with layers of clothes and use the sauna. It's obviously a poor substitute for actual acclimatisation in a hot country, but it is the best I can do. I'll do all my final preparation such as making sure my nails are all cut, and I'll probably get a Lionel-Blair-cut (if you remember the advert!). The less hair I have the better, for heat loss I figure! That said, I won't be shaving my legs!<br /><br />I will be running on egg shells this week, scared that I will turn an ankle! I just need to make it through one more week of light training! I will also start loading up on carbs, but since I eat so many anyway, that won't be anything new. However, I do hope I will put on a little weight; some fat stores to burn in the race week. I am less than 63kg now! My hydration has improved, and virtually every day this week my score has been in the low 500's (less than 600 is well hydrated). I will continue to monitor that this week, especially closely because I am losing a lot more fluid with all the layers of clothes, and loss of around 1 litre every 15 minutes in the sauna.<br /><br />So, I enter the final week of training. <br /><br />Have a good week.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-12163168116983919232008-03-10T20:54:00.004+00:002008-03-10T21:14:17.231+00:00The final training planThis weeks update is one post below this one.<br /><br />Here it is, the last 4 weeks plan. It doesn't seem so long ago since I created my two year plan. Well, just over 2 years really, since I created it at the end of February. I still have the entire spreadsheet from day 1. I don't think there is a lot I would change with hindsight. I wrote a plan for myself as someone with, at best, very modest running ability and transform them from a half dozen miles a week runner to an aspiring ultra-endurance athlete. Do I consider myself an athlete now? No, not yet, but I have come a long way my early postings where I would run 3 or 4 miles or so. It would be fair to say that the MDS has totally overtaken all aspects of my life. Every waking thought for the last two years has been about this race! I'm sure some professional would scoff at my training schedule, but I'm happy with the place it has bought me to and that's all that matters really. <br /><br />Four weeks left and I then can un-pause my life and rejoin society!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsUPS-9krQzDZHuOfiNI9REiP-2D89BhHQCXUyC9kiwYmXT4NQXZ0gD4xiLIKKqc8gfc6ef_r0-s8FiGT3PXAxg0TuDn6g_WOWH3yHkV52FtQ7e5IQEj_7MzxTujsfi5_RFqjYA/s1600-h/Training+2008+March+-+April+-+Final+Plan.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsUPS-9krQzDZHuOfiNI9REiP-2D89BhHQCXUyC9kiwYmXT4NQXZ0gD4xiLIKKqc8gfc6ef_r0-s8FiGT3PXAxg0TuDn6g_WOWH3yHkV52FtQ7e5IQEj_7MzxTujsfi5_RFqjYA/s400/Training+2008+March+-+April+-+Final+Plan.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176223181077673714" /></a><br /><br />Here's something nice. I recently gave a talk to the pupils at Blackfriars school, <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/desertrace">who I am raising money for</a>. They posted this thank you letter to me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup0Xw6Zb9LxaDSkjGd0_cIkDMrD4kAnlu8jLqObksoDxHX9hQ_eAc_S1z_64Zaykm0huJTo15Lv-7r2xJnq7AP78RZfjP6V7uKtSTCiFBNdOy_uk0fvvU8HLneuzyusOBRjfiNQ/s1600-h/Blackfriars+Thank+You001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup0Xw6Zb9LxaDSkjGd0_cIkDMrD4kAnlu8jLqObksoDxHX9hQ_eAc_S1z_64Zaykm0huJTo15Lv-7r2xJnq7AP78RZfjP6V7uKtSTCiFBNdOy_uk0fvvU8HLneuzyusOBRjfiNQ/s400/Blackfriars+Thank+You001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176224001416427266" /></a>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-17843999642866758422008-03-09T20:51:00.007+00:002008-03-10T21:26:26.272+00:00Old FaithfulIt has been an up and down, then back up week!<br /><br />I rested on Monday and on Tuesday did a 13.5 mile trail route, taking in 1400ft of ascent. Despite the nights getting lighter I am still finishing the weekday routes in the dark, so I have had ample practice with a head torch now. Despite the manufacturers claims of 80 hours life on the Petzl plus, I've noticed that the brightness deteriorates after a lot less than half of that. In fact I'd go as far to say as it is probably a quarter of that. I'll have to make sure I only use the torch on low beam in the evenings on day 1-3 of the MDS to ensure my battery is still at near to full strength on the long day 4, when I really need it.<br /><br />On Wednesday I was up at 4am and flew to Belfast, then drove to Londonderry where I was working. After work I checked into the hotel and went straight down to the gym to do a session I was dreading; 13 miles on the treadmill. Given I am training at an steady endurance pace, there is nothing more demoralising to know that you will be running on the spot for the next 2 hours. Still, it is good mental training I told myself. So I watched plenty of people arrive, workout and then depart whilst I jogged away. I think I heard every track of the music they played twice, and had no headphones to listen to the TV's. Still I got through the session and was left very hungry. The hotel restaurant had absolutely no pasta on the menu whatsoever, so I told the maître d' I needed a high-carb meal and she said it was no problem. She suggested a big bowl of pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto. Since I eat this myself at home twice a week it sounded perfect. She came back and asked if I wanted any meat. I thought about it and yes, but just a little. The food took an absolute age; 40 minutes I'd guess, and when it arrived there was about half a chicken piled in slices on top of some (and not a very big bowl either!) pasta in full on tomato sauce with some pepperoni. So, absolutely nothing like she described! Still, I wasn't about to wait another 40 minutes, so I just ate it, needing to replenish those burned carbs. I was still hungry, and unsurprisingly there was no rice pudding on the dessert menu, so I left. I went down to the bar, eyed up a couple of scones, then bought and ate them to top me up.<br /><br />I worked all day in Londonderry on Thursday and drove back to Belfast for my 18:45 flight back to Manchester. It was the first time the flight had actually been on time; a miracle. However, when I arrived the car rental place had no cars at Terminal 3 and took about 20 minutes to get one brought over from terminal 1. I eventually got home at 20:45 and just decided that it was too late to start running 12 or 13 miles. It's not so much the distance as the risk involved with running over rough ground; fields and woods, at night. If I were to put a foot wrong and twist or break my ankle I'd never forgive myself this close to the MDS. I decided to defer my run to the following day.<br /><br />I woke on Friday and knew immediately my calf muscle was in bad shape again. I had tightness from the Popliteus behind the knee down the inside of my calf. It was tender to the touch again too, and the stubborn knot that I have had for weeks was worse too. It was not as bad as a few weeks ago, but I certainly didn't fancy my chances running 13 miles, then a full weekend running with heavy pack on top of that. It was almost as if sensing my need that my Uncle phoned and said that he could fit me in for an appointment; life-saver! I drove over and had 40 minutes sports massage on just the left calf. I didn't realise it, but my Peroneal tendon on the other side of that calf was in really bad shape too. So bad in fact that even after the full session it was still really painful and poor. My uncle then came in and continued, but with added 'oomph'. It is a case of just grinding your teeth and whimpering as he works it (knowing it is doing you good!), but it did ease he said. After that I hobbled (you would too after all the treatment!) into the next room and onto the interferential machine for 10 minutes. My uncle didn't want me to run at all; not on Friday or all weekend. In fact he said he thought I'd done enough miles and he'd be happier if I didn't run another step until Morocco.<br /><br />I compromised and said I would not run that evening, and I would see what I was like for the weekends planned routes. I thanked him, as always, and I will no doubt be going for a few more sessions before I go to the MDS.<br /><br />So I didn't run Friday. After the treatment there would have been no chance anyway, I was just too sore. I applied some Voltarol cream to the calf at the same time as doing my nightly foot care routine.<br /><br />On Saturday it still felt tight, but I thought I could manage some kind of a run. I had planned 16 miles in with a full pack. Not wanting to tempt fate, I opted to try and run the distance but with a lightweight pack of just of 2kg (mostly fluids). However, to offset this, I decided that I would run at 9 minute miles instead of the usual pack-bearing 11-12 minute miles. I started running and just really struggled from the off. I always stop (stopping my watch) after about 10 minutes and do a full stretch routine, but this did little to help, even though I stretched for longer than usual. My left Soleus was tight and so was the area behind that knee. After about 3 miles I stopped to stretch it again, but again no improvement. I was getting the pins and needles, loss of feeling in my feet which is a sure sign my calves are not good. I was time conscious that I had to get back to collect my son from my mother, who was babysitting him, by 12:15pm. These extended stretch sessions had eaten badly into my time. I decided I would have to cut the run short, but wondered if I would even make it another couple of miles? Already I thought that Sunday’s long run would be lost. I was really demoralised at the thought of my last big mileage training week in ruins. I continued on and after 4.5 miles, almost in the space of 200M, I suddenly felt right. The numbness went, as did the tightness. Everything had just taken a really long time to warm up.<br /><br />I had lost a lot of time and could only target 14 miles. My pace had suffered too and I had only averaged 9:19 minute, at the 7 mile stage. I turned on my heels for the return trip and tried to pick up the pace. I thought maybe I could grab a few seconds per mile back and bring the average down. I watched it tick very slowly down as the miles went by and wondered if I could actually get it back to a 9 minute mile average? Of course this would mean running the second 7 miles at around 40 seconds per mile faster than the first 7 miles. My pack wasn't too heavy and getting lighter as I drank, so I pushed that little bit more, and despite the route ending on a 2 mile incline I somehow got the average back to 8:57. So, the session had gone from disaster to triumph. I was happy, and Sundays run was back on.<br /><br />I went out for a friend’s birthday meal on Saturday night in Manchester, but drove home afterwards leaving everyone else to go onto the bars. I got in just after midnight, and slept well, right through to 9:15am. I packed my rucksack, weighing in at 12.25kg and planned a route that would take in 2000ft of ascent; more than the 1500ft of ascent in the 'Grindleford Gallop' event that I had wanted to do that weekend. I wore clothes that I would wear in the MDS, but at the last minute threw in a lightweight Pertex jacket into my rucksack 'just in case'. I left in glorious sunshine and sunglasses but just 1 mile into the route at the top of my local 'hill' exposed to the elements it started hailing and went very cold. I slipped on my Pertex top to protect from the wind, but the hail turned to sleet, then rain and soon soaked me to the bone. Then, almost as soon as it had arrived, the weather changed again; back to sunshine. I dried off my glasses and ran on, and dried out in the process. It took me a long time to warm up again, but eventually I settled back into it. I ran the route from memory, even including some small 'new' sections which I managed to navigate successfully. After 10 miles there is a good 3 mile ascent which was quite steep at time leading into Swynnerton Old Forest. I stopped at 11 miles to fill up my electrolyte and found to my horror that the bag had burst. I had stored it in an unusual place, and I made a mental note not to do it again. So, I was down on electrolytes but had been getting through my cashew nuts at a steady pace.<br /><br />My legs and calves started to feel tired after about 16 miles in the hilly forest terrain, aggravated by the lack of electrolytes no doubt. I was averaging 5.1mph at this point and was determined to keep it like that to at least the 20 mile mark. I remembered that sometime last year I had done a similar route and managed a 5.0mph average up to 20 miles before dropping off to a 4.8 or 4.9 in the last mile or so. Of course at that time I was carrying a much lighter pack. I can't remember exactly, but I'd guess it was 7 or 8kg. If you want to be a train-spotter you can look back over my old posts and find the one where I took a photo of my watch showing the 5.0mph average at 20 miles and tell me what my pack weighed!!<br /><br />So I wanted to beat that average time despite having a much heavier pack. Despite tiring, I picked myself back up with a few psychological tricks and distractions and hauled myself from 18.5 to 20 miles and maintained 5.1mph! Yay! Still, when I did it, I knew that wasn't enough. I now had to finish the route and not lose any more time. In between then and the end were two unpleasant inclines, which tortured me. I was running on empty by now; no water or nuts left. I ran down the last hill and stopped my watch, fairly well spent, still at 5.1mph average; 22 miles covered. The heavy pack really had made itself known later in the route, but vitally had not rubbed me at all. You know why? I was using my old faithful two year old Raidlight Sac Runner pack, and not the Raidlight Evolution II that I have been using since December.<br /><br />As soon as I had put the pack on that morning it had felt right. The Evo II has been serving me well, but as the weight has increased, so has my discomfort. I was getting rubbed by the pack, something I had never experienced with the old Sac Runner. Additionally the Evo II has some design flaws in my opinion. The elastic strap which houses the 1.5l water bottle on the front pack has frayed and torn because of the stress of the bouncing action. I don't think it will last much longer. The elastic on the Sac Runner is about 3 times thicker. Also when the Evo II straps are pulled tight, preventing any sideways 'swing' as you run, it sits too high on you back, again in my opinion, and causes the rubbing I have been getting; The Sac Runner always sits around the waist. I wanted so much to like the Evo II. It has some great features like the road book holder and it's smaller and more lightweight, but it is just not working for me. I did contact Raidlight about the quality issues, but they could only offer me a front pack from a Sac Runner in replacement, which lacks the two centre clips that the Evo II pack has. I declined as that would make the front pack bounce too much.<br /><br />You've already guess that I will of course be taking old faithful with me to the MDS. It needs a lot of patching up in the form of sewing and duct tape, but I'm sure it will see me through the event. I feel strangely comforted knowing that it is coming along, battle scars and all.<br /><br />So this week I didn't quite manage my planned 75 miles because I missed out that Thursday/Friday session, but still 62 miles isn't bad. I am also happy because it was with an overweight pack of over 12kg. I hope that my pack for the MDS will weight around 10-10.5kg, including 1.5l of water. I've always had this piece of probably totally groundless knowledge in my head that it takes 3 weeks for any physiological changes, from any running, to have an effect on my body. I am happy because today is my last 'big' run, I carried a very heavy pack, and it is exactly 3 weeks to the start of the MDS.<br /><br />I am relieved to make it through this week and can begin my taper now. I will get plenty of treatment where required and must now concentrate on getting strong. That's not to say I am putting my feet up, as I still have about 35 miles planned for this week, and if I am feeling fine I may do a few more (but not too many!).<br /><br />Have a good week.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-14874814155332173412008-03-02T22:10:00.008+00:002008-03-03T17:20:55.950+00:00No rest for the wickedIt's been a tough week. I've had no rest; none from work, none from training. I haven't had a day off work for 2 weeks (it'll be 3 by the end of this week). Factor into that a lot of early mornings and air travel, and general disruption.<br /><br />Usually I rest on Monday, but I had my second heat chamber session at MMU. After Fridays session, where I was pulled out after 33 minutes when my core temp hit 39.6, we decided to start slower and with slightly lower humidity (30-42% - still high!). I ran at 7kph for 20 minutes with no ill effects, and then the speed was upped to 8kph for 10 minutes, but with my temperature hitting 39.3 we decided to slow it to a walk, and just jogged the last couple of minutes. My temperature was 39.4 at the end, so I was still very hot, but at least I had made it through the full 45 minutes. I had used 1.5l of water and gained 0.4L in weight, so I had sweated out 1.1l; quite a lot! certainly more than I will have the luxury of drinking in the desert. My urine hydration scores had still not improved; still in the 700's (600 being 'Hydrated'). Although I only covered 7km, which doesn't sounds like much of a run, it was quite tough.<br /><br />On Tuesday I ran into town during my lunch and collected my New Balance 1100MDS trainers from the cobblers. I'll post more about those later. So, I did 7 miles at lunch. In the evening I went back to MMU for my final heat chamber session with the students. I weighed in before the start at 62.1kg. This is perhaps the lightest I have ever been since being a teenager! After some discussion, they had left the dehumidifier running for most of the day and got it down to 18% at 40C (it did go up to 25% whilst running before they got it back to 18% again). The difference when I walked in was immediate; the air felt drier. Still, we decided to take it steady and start at 7kph and only upped to 8kph, then 9kph in the last 10 minutes. The difference was incredible. This time, I was not covered in sweat on my stomach and limbs, just sweating from the head. In other words I was evaporative-cooling. My core temperature only went to up 38.5C. I drank 900ml of water, and still weighed 62.1kg afterwards; so fluid balance. This was a great relief and confidence booster. It means I can run at temperatures of 40C with a low humidity and hopefully get between checkpoints 9-12k usually) using only the supplied 1.5l of water. I estimate to use 750ml every 45 minutes, so that is what I will budget for. I hope CP-CP will only take me perhaps 1.5 hours, though I realise there will be times this could take longer.<br /><br />My hydration level had not improved after testing, so I'm taking more drastic steps to improve it. Firstly, one of the Students, Sarah has very kindly given up her own time and written me a document on Hydration. It explains the difference between Hypotonic, hypertonic and Isotonic and has recipes for each. I'm currently sipping one of those recipes as I type! Secondly, I have ordered myself a pocket osmometer to measure my own urine osmolality. This is a little over the top, but given that my body appears to 'normally' operate at this 700 - 800 dehydrated level, I need to address this and fast. If I get to the desert feeling my normal '700' self then I am going to get in trouble on day 1. I'll no doubt take the osmometer into the desert, at least to use up to the admin day and keep on top of this situation. Just bring me your <strong>first morning</strong> sample for my 'hydration drop in centre' if you are taking part in this years MDS! <br /><br />I thanked all the physiology students, and the psychology students who I saw on Thursday evening, for their support before and I'm sure I’ll do something to show my appreciation when I get back from the MDS.<br /><br />On Wednesday I did a 11.5 mile trail run, taking in 1000ft of ascent. I know I promised not to run too many hills, but I have no choice where I live!<br /><br />On Thursday on did 12 miles, practically the same route as the day before.<br /><br />Friday was my usual gym session, a little more focus on strengthening and some higher weights this week.<br /><br />On Saturday I got up early and drove to Swansea, where I worked until 2pm. I then went to my hotel and changed, packing a 12kg pack and heading out on a pre-planned 16 mile run. Eight miles of the routes was on the beach from Swansea towards The Mumbles. I was pleased to take the opportunity to run along the flat featureless, and not to mention cold and windy beach. It was good mental training as well as getting some sand underfoot too. Because of the time I started (after 3pm) it was quite dark as I finished the last bit of the beach, again something which I can draw parallels to in Morocco on day 4. I got back to the hotel sometime after 7pm, after averaging a steady 5.2mph. The pack had no so much rubbed me, but given me a painful massage. After some pretty poor food service (1.5 hours late!) I went to bed.<br /><br />I was up at 7am on Sunday for work and finished at midday. I then drove 3 hours home and set off for my run at 4:30 pm. It was one of those situations where I though, "do I really want to START running 22 miles at 4:30pm, knowing it will be getting dark in a hour". Still, of course I set off telling myself it's good mental training. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnv5z_MfbQC0BGubJahFBLtC5kk-S8KFSmv3eRJsOZOiMokXYkDSnzlxMh4zAXZSlVs_X9zjoA7VFtplkhKIc4SNJcVQDwah8vHfGWLsMtjLbBqU4Bw8WeQCvnXjSlpSYEptnkA/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnv5z_MfbQC0BGubJahFBLtC5kk-S8KFSmv3eRJsOZOiMokXYkDSnzlxMh4zAXZSlVs_X9zjoA7VFtplkhKIc4SNJcVQDwah8vHfGWLsMtjLbBqU4Bw8WeQCvnXjSlpSYEptnkA/s400/22.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173545558331018418" /></a><br /><br />I had a few minor hold ups whilst I adjusted my pack, which with 12kg was really hurting my back now. I carried on but at 4 miles I stopped and decided to start taping up my back to prevent even worse damage. It was then an old man, in his 70's decided to walk past with his dog and strike up what I can only describe as a fairly bizarre conversation. I say conversation, but he just talked at me for 20 minutes. I just could not get away. Initially I felt sorry for him, assuming he had on one to talk to (probably true), but I made my excuses when the conversation took a particularly strange turn. Ask me about the budgie-man in the desert, and I'll tell you.<br /><br />I managed to escape and it was already getting dark and I'd not even covered 5 miles. I ran on as the light failed and even took in a new piece of planned route, which I enjoyed and made me forget about the back pain. At the top of a 2.5 mile climb, at the 11 mile point, I stopped and put on more tape on my back. I had also been adjusting the straps and gradually lowering the pack down. This made the pack bounce more, but took away some of the pain, albeit temporarily. I ran down into Newcastle-under-Lyme and past my old high school, which looked much smaller than I remember before heading towards Apedale. By now of course it had been pitch black for a long time. I had been running with my head torch on, totally alone on footpaths that I think only I use. My mother phoned me, worried about me, and said she had stopped off at my house and left me some dinner. I felt slightly guilty as it was mother’s day and I hadn't even seen her. I sent her flowers today to make up! At 16 miles I walked up a 2 mile long hill. My back was torturing me by now. I had also not picked up one of my electrolyte sachets, so I was running low on fuel and flagging. I felt pretty rotten, and was strangely pleased by that. Tough, miserable training sessions are what get you through tough actual events. You draw on the mental strength from the training and tell yourself that you've been here before. It is this kind of miserable experience that I hope will give me the will to continue in the desert. <br /><br />I half-promised myself I'd knock a mile off and only do 21, when all the time I knew I'd do no such thing. Doing less than I had planned, for no reason that feeling rough and tired, would be the first step to giving up when it comes to the real thing. I dragged myself through the last couple of miles, much of which I did with one hand between my back and the pack to ease the pain, and made it home; 22 miles and 2000ft of ascent, mostly in the dark. I dropped my pack and got straight in the car, drove to the nearest shop and bought a few bottles of Luzozade sport to boost my ailing blood-sugar levels and give me the strength to cook the dinner my mother had kindly left for me. I ate as much as I could, tried a bath but just could not relax, so I went to bed about 10:30pm. I slept quite well and got up at 8:30. <br /><br />This morning my ankles and knees are sore, but I am in better condition that I expected to be. Including the heat chamber sessions I have covered 76 miles this week, and today I am resting from training as planned. This is my last week of high mileage, so I just need to get through it. I'm working in Ireland for some of the week, so it's more early morning flights and disruption. I expect to feel equally terrible next weekend, but can then take my foot off the gas and taper.<br /><br />As mentioned, I picked up my MDS shoes from the cobbler this week. The cobbler is a true old skool craftsman. He first glued the Velcro on (I gave him a speech about not using super glue when I dropped them off, so he hasn't). Then he has machine stitched the Velcro, in one piece, at the top AND bottom of the Velcro strip. He'd even managed to get it to stitch through the hard plastic at the back of the MDS1100 shoes. Only across the toe where big rubber toe- stub is has he used glue only. He's also gone all the way around the edges and sealed it with more resin-type glue. There is now way a grain of sand is getting in that way. The only way it will happen is if the gaiters rip, or it somehow gets in over the top (I doubt it because I will use ZO tape around my ankle). He charged me £25 (and was worried about the amount!). To be honest, if they hold up (and I'm sure they will) and I survive the event, I'll go back and give him another £25. If you are struggling to get yours done, get them to this guy! Ask me for his details if you need to.<br /><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2001.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/ibizarich/pack2004.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />ECG tomorrow. It should make for some entertainment when it shows up a load of heart defects that are attributable to endurance training. Should frighten the nurse anyway! Medical certificate and ECG sign off for it isn't until the 18th March. Who said you could get into see your doctor in 48 hours these days? <br /><br />I'll have to change my plans for this Sunday. I can't make the Grindleford Gallop because I am staying in Manchester the night before and can't take my kit along. I'll still do the distance, just not the course.<br /><br />Finally, a sobering thought. This was posted on the MDS organiser’s website this week. The route for 2008 is 245.3 Km long, making it the longest ever in the history of the MARATHON DES SABLES.<br /><br />Have a good week.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-21943262995432672842008-02-26T21:10:00.003+00:002012-02-04T15:17:17.796+00:00Legend in my own breakfast time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, I've made the transition from the <a href="http://mds2008.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-numbers-up.html">printed word</a> to the airwaves today. I got a call late yeserday afternoon asking if I would come in to BBC Radio Stoke for an interview on the Breakfast show. Of course I agreed, a golden opportunity to raise the profile of the sponsorship effort. The interview was only 6minutes long (it flew by and felt like less). I was a little nervy, but I think I just about carried it off ok.<br />
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So, here's what I sound like, in the unlikely event you've ever wondered! I hope this link works. Oh, don't ask me why I named it BBC Radio <strong>1</strong> interview when I saved it. I think it was a bit of wishful thinking!<br />
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I've got more news for you on the climate chamber, that I'll post up in the main weekly slot.<br />
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<a href="http://digitalvault.bt.com/invite/login?c=3330393137&i=7881d7-1181dcb2063-gemini01&t=55d8aaa0adbc0f2e&r=mg&lang=en">BBC Radio Stoke Interview link</a><br />
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Just need to make it onto TV now, for some serious coverage. Still working on that one. I should have taken the oppotrunity to plug my tea shop company. I run <span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Fine Tea Company </span><a href="http://www.fineteacompany.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tea Shop</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, selling green tea, white tea and holding tea tasting days. Missed opportunity there! Ah well.</span></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-1147301246055316702008-02-24T20:33:00.006+00:002008-02-24T22:36:48.681+00:00Fixed and HappyGreat week.<br /><br />I worked in Ireland Monday to Wednesday. Monday I worked in Londonderry, then Tuesday and Wednesday in Belfast. On Tuesday night, instead of using the hotel gym treadmill, I decided I would see if I could find my way around the city centre and down to the river for my first run in almost 2 weeks. I managed to find the river and followed it for a while before hitting the docks and ending up in some industrial park. I carried on for a little while before returning by almost the same route, just tagging an extra section on the end. I didn't want to run too far, especially since the whole route was on concrete or tarmac (however totally flat). I capped it at 7 miles and felt fine. The calf didn't cause me any issues, despite there being a smallish residual knot (even now). <br /><br />I did intend to run on Wednesday night but my flight home was delayed. I didn't get back home until 10pm.<br /><br />On Thursday night I ran 9 miles. This time there were a few hills probably around 1000ft, but I had no choice due to lack of time to drive to somewhere flatter!<br /><br />A change in plan meant that the climate chamber sessions were changed to Friday night, and also tomorrow and Tuesday nights. On Friday I did my usual gym session with no problems.<br /><br />I'm really busy with work at the moment, so Friday was a rush. I finished work temporarily at 3:30pm and drove to the university where I was met by the three students and one lecturer (I'd better not mention names until I get permission, but they know who they are!). I wasn't sure what to expect and had brought all my MDS kit.<br /><br />I had a few surprises in store. Firstly I handed over a urine sample taken that morning. I was a little dehydrated, but not too much, though I was told off a little and told to drink more in the day! Next they took a blood sample, which was the first surprise, but I think the scar will heal in time (finger prick)!<br /><br />I had to fill in a medical questionnaire and disclaimer too. I went into change and gave them my naked body weight too. They told me for the first session I would not be wearing any shirt so they could attach wired temperature sensors to me. I then got a free body shave; well little squares in various places at least, and sensors were attached to my arms, legs, chest and back. The next surprise was that I would be having a rectal core body temperature sensor. It was certainly an unnatural experience [me] inserting I'd guess the final 5" of a wire. I also had a heart rate monitor strap attached too. I was clearly already agitated by all this with a HRM of 72 standing still!<br /><br />The climate chamber had been heated to 40C with an approx humidity of 50 - 60%. I walked in and my famous last words were "Is this 40C? You know I thought it would be hotter." I did however add "I bet I won't be saying that in 10 minutes though". I'm glad I added that last bit, on reflection!<br /><br />All of the temperature readings were logged at the start and I was told I would be asked to read from 3 charts in front with numbers from 1-20, 6-18 (I think) and finally "a cold to hot chart". I'll have to check what the first two charts meant specifically, but it was all around how comfortable I was feeling at any given moment.<br /><br />Two of the students stayed in the chamber with me, slowly baking, whilst the third student and the lecturer sat the other side of the window. The treadmill was set to 8kph and I started to run. This is of course a leisurely pace, especially without a pack, and one that I could maintain for literally hours and hours and hours without effort under normal circumstances. I chatted to them for the first 10 minutes, as they took readings every 5 minutes and asked how I was feeling (from the charts). I chose the numbers which were generally "Very comfortable", "fairly easy", and always "Hot" though!<br /><br />After 15 minutes I was getting hot, and my 'chart' answers were creeping up the board to "less comfortable" and "less easy". My heart rate climbed from an initial few minutes at 120 to 150, 160, then 168 was the last I remember hearing logged. My core temperature started at 37.4 I think and also started to rise.<br /><br />From 20 minutes onwards I was feeling fairly uncomfortable, and the easy 8kph pace though not hard in itself, was just cooking me. I asked for the speed to be taken down slightly around 25 mins I think. By 30 minutes I was giving answers of "feeling very uncomfortable" and "quite hard". My arms and legs didn't feel particularly 'hot' though they were bathed in sweat. My head however by this time felt like a balloon, and I had touch of light-headedness. They called the lecturer in once my core temp reached 39.6 and then stopped the session, as that is the safety cut-off. I certainly wasn't about to argue as I was feeling fairly ropey at this point. <br /><br />Stepping outside the chamber was blissful! Still I was feeling quite hot, so they sat me down and began cooling with a fan and a bucket of water to dip the wrist into, plus some towel down with cold water. It was a good fifteen minutes before I felt fine again. More blood was taken, and also initial estimates could put me at burning through 1.5litres of water an hour at the rate I was drinking, verus weight loss. However, it's too early to tell off one session, so that may change.<br /><br />It was an interesting experience and I look forward to the next two, in which I may well be wearing my MDS kit and pack. What makes it so difficult is the chamber humidity. The desert will hopefully be less than 10% humidity. When there was 20-30% in the MDS in 2006 over 150 people retired from the race; 61 ended up on IVs, 2 ended up in comas, 1 person was medivac'd to France but survived. So here I am running at 40C in 50-60% humidity, which is way over and above what I can expect the conditions to be like (at least in terms of humidity). If I had been pulled out at 33 minutes on a low humidity then I would have been concerned, but as it stands I am not. There is no way to drop the humidity in the current chamber, though there are plans for a higher-tech chamber with all sorts of capabilities. In the meantime, I am experiencing overheating the likes of which I hope I won't face in the desert. It's all good practice!<br /><br />Just as valuable was speaking to the lecturer and students afterwards and getting all of the technical knowledge around overheating, and hydration. Also on the way out one of the students pointed out the most useful piece of advice in that I must learn to recognise when I am starting to feel unwell and take appropriate action. That may sound obvious, must when you are fixed on the goal of the finish line I think it is easy to ignore your own well being. As much as I want to run as much of the MDS as possible, I have to know when to slow or even stop and sort myself out. In fact I don't want to even be in that position, so I must really keep on top of my hydration. I'm really grateful for the help from the Uni and students who are geniunely interested in my challenge. <br /><br />I am toying with the idea of setting my watch to interval mode and on the alarm, say every 5 minutes, take a sip or two or water. This might drive me nuts, but it might also keep me alive. I have also been wondering about a wrist cooler. I realise that these take a quantity of water to activate but this does seem an effective method of lowering the core temperature. I might quiz the students about this tomorrow.<br /><br />The session finished about 6:15, slightly later than anticipated, so I had to dash off and then drive to Stockport to work until midnight. I had to be up again early and back at Stockport on Saturday morning and worked until 1pm. I got back home and 2pm and went for a run along the canal (short drive away). The idea here was that I would do minimal climbing to easy my calf muscle back to work this week. <br /><br />I had already clocked up 20 miles this week of a planned 35 miles. However, I decided I would do a little more mileage and also carry more weight instead of the 5kg planned (this was a recovery week in the program). I packed 10kg and did a steady 5.5mph for 5 miles, before turning on my heals and returning at 5.6mph. I can hand on heart say that I got back to the car and barely felt like I had been for a run. I wasn't the least bit out of breath or tired at all, despite the 10kg weight.<br /><br />I decided that was too easy, so on Sunday I did the three elevens. <br />11 miles<br />11 kilos<br />1100ft of ascent<br /><br />I ran around Swynnerton old forest, in between Newcastle-under-Lyme and the A51 Stone to Nantwich road. This time I of course ran a little slower, around 5.3mph, but still finished strong. 11kg is the biggest weight I have carried in training so far (discounting day 1 of the disaster in Tenerife in December). I had attached my sleeping bag and bed roll to the backpack for some extra realism.<br /><br />I enjoyed the run and was glad to finish feeling fine again. I sit now with a very sore spot on my lower back though. The pack hasn't so much rubbed (there is no mark) but I think the bouncing action of the contents (lots of 1.5l water bottles) has bruised my spine. Sadly I can't actually see the area, being where it is on my back. I'll have to ask some random person tomorrow, to see what I've done to it! I don't think I’ll be carrying a pack for a few days though. Hopefully this is just due to the nature of the training pack content, and it won't trouble me 'on the day', but it is something to be aware of. So 41 miles covered, and well.<br /><br />You know what; I'm feeling inexplicably happy at the moment. I can't quite put my finger on why? Yes I am pleased that my calf injury seems to have gone, and I don't seem to be worse for wear fitness-wise, but it's more than that? Oh well, whatever it is, its welcome!<br /><br />Hopefully my training will go well this coming week. I am ramping up to full scheduled mileage (74 miles). I may have some disruption because my son's mother has gone to the States on holiday today, so I have my son for the whole of this week and not just the first couple of days like normal. I will just have to fit in my training around his nursery hours. I may have to run at lunch and work late if my workload allows. I am going to try and get in a weekly clinical sports massage to keep the calf and other injuries at bay.<br /><br />Enjoy your week. :-)Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-33485896750517081072008-02-17T19:26:00.003+00:002008-02-17T19:40:43.264+00:00Almost fixed (I hope)If you just check in here weekly, then I have made quite a few blog posts last week you may want to look over. The news of the week was that I had to pull out of the Thames Meander. I felt justified because on the morning of the event I knew the leg was not ready. It was a lovely day and I sure the event would have been fantastic, but it wasn't to be. My uncle very kindly came over to my house on his way back from a wedding and gave me some more treatment on my calf. The bunched fibres are gradually untangling, and are much improved but there is still a stubburn knot that is persisting and I feel tightness from my knee to my toe. My uncle confirmed that I would not have been wise to attempt the race as he treated the leg. It is sore at both ends of the muscle, as well as at this knot, so I did a pretty good job of 'pulling' it. I have been applying some Voltarol over the last few days to ease the soreness.<br /><br />I did 35k on the bike on Friday, rested the leg on the Saturday after the treatment, but then did 2 hours in the gym today. I did an hour on the cross trainer, then 10 minutes on the rowing machine, followed by 45 minutes (28K)on the bike. None of that is a good replacement for a 54 mile run, but it is the best I can do right now.<br /><br />I will try a short and slow run on Tuesday, and if that goes ok I will try a little further as the week progresses. On Thursday and Friday I have some sessions in an exercise climate chamber at the local campus of Manchester Met University. I'm looking forward to those; my first chance to sample 40C in full kit. I have a final session the Monday afterwards. My goal is to hopefully run 34-40 miles next week, and then back on schedule (70+) the week after. Right now, I don't know if that will be possible, I can only hope so.<br /><br />Have a good week.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-69048208229250455182008-02-15T14:57:00.002+00:002008-02-15T15:05:24.742+00:00No Go - Thames MeanderThe calf is much improved, but it's not right. I'd say it's 80-85%. It needs a few more days (hopefully no more) to get back to normal. Everyone who has seen it this week says to do the event would be too risky. <br /><br />I woke up this morning, moved around and it is still too tight down the back of the leg, and some of the fibres and still kotted up. It is still tender to touch in a few areas, so there is no way it will improve significantly in 24 hours.<br /><br />It's heart-breaking because I want to do it so much, but 54 miles is serious mileage for being in perfect condition, let alone injured. I know I am doing the right thing though. I hope to resume running on Tuesday night, maybe Wednesday, albeit a shortish run. If that goes well I can rampt it back up fairly steeply I hope and resume a full 70+ miles the week after. I will target flatter routes to put as little stress on the calf as possible for a week or two. If I do this then I should make the MDS in first class condition, as long as I keep on top of the muscle-tightness.<br /><br />I did an hour on the bike last night, which made me feel a little better for doing some cardio work at least. I will do more bike word on Saturday and Sunday too.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-80499652618295224432008-02-13T19:13:00.003+00:002012-10-17T15:05:00.465+00:00Wednesday treatment update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just come back from another treatment session. I had half an hour with the sports masseur, targetting two problem areas. Firstly my left <a href="http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/popliteus.html">Popliteus</a> is acutely painful. I've complained about a 'twanging' at the back of my knee as I run, and this is what is causing it. If you have never had this massaged before, take along something to bite down on. The other area is the top of inside leg calf muscle (Gastrocnemius) which is knotted up beyond belief. His sports masseur was really good and worked the knotted areas. They have released a little, but are still not there. There is almost a visible ridge on my calf it is that knotted. I had 15 minutes on the interrential machine aftter the massage. My uncle saw me afterwards and repeated more of the same targetted massage, then did some chiropractic adjustments on my back too. After all the treatment I has hobbling, and still am now! Neither my uncle or the sports masseur think I will be able to do the Thames Meander. If that muscle were to tighten up further, I could pull it even worse than I have already an risk shredding the already damaged muscle. <br />
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No treatment tomorrow, but possibly some on Friday. If I actually need treatment on Friday then I can write off the Thames Meander. To be honest it's looking very unlikely. I haven't run this week and have been told not too. Possibly a swim tomorrow or see how I respond to cycling. I may go and see my uncle a <a href="http://www.burnschiropractic.co.uk/" target="_blank">sheffield chiropractor</a>.<br />
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I'm playing the long game and the MDS is the goal here, not the Thames Meander. I'm prepared to throw that away if i'm not 95%+ on Friday. <br />
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Also I forgot to mention that I am using a exercise climate chamber two evenings next week, and also one evening the week after. This is courtesy of MMU, Alsager campus. I am working with students in their final year of study, and they needed an athlete to work with. I get to train in 40C and see what the desert heat might feel like. These sessions are not beneficial for acclimitisation, they are too far from the event itself, but they will help me mentally prepare and also try out my hydration strategy and my clothes too. So, I need to be in good condition to use the chamber, another good reason not to do the TM on Saturday.<br />
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I have just brought some Voltarol cream; my uncles recommendation. It's anti-inflamatory and apparently better than Ibuleve, which I don't find very good to be honest. I'll put some of that on now and try get this calf on the mend.<br />
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I'll update on Friday with my final decision.</div>
Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-51149015204773936262008-02-13T09:20:00.004+00:002008-02-13T09:40:25.109+00:00Feb to March training plan, plus update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBN4ehzjg9B-u2lISfzJvlW_MoIwihPWWc1ETtxIPGBhlqclUMr9ysVqvLhmxkqOrgGXfkk3iNyUBkYoPzJjvIGnLozlVcncHXkiQSCpBt5UPK8DFwbpbdxbsV7ZBU1SmUNPc7A/s1600-h/Training+2008+Feb+-+March.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBN4ehzjg9B-u2lISfzJvlW_MoIwihPWWc1ETtxIPGBhlqclUMr9ysVqvLhmxkqOrgGXfkk3iNyUBkYoPzJjvIGnLozlVcncHXkiQSCpBt5UPK8DFwbpbdxbsV7ZBU1SmUNPc7A/s400/Training+2008+Feb+-+March.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166394128157486306" /></a><br /><br />Next four weeks plan above. <br /><br />That first week isn't going to plan so far. My uncle took a look at my calf last night. Doesn't look like there is a tear, which I didn't think there was, but the fibres are knotted up good and proper. I mentioned something was twanging on the back of my knee when I ran. he found that. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of it, but if you were to push your finger into the back of your knee joint in between the two main tendons it's there. I had a half hour session with the clinical sports masseur, then some targeted deep tissue massage from another specialist, 15 minutes on the inferential machine, then my uncle set to work on me. It's was really painful as he worked the back of the knee and also the areas on the calf which are all knotted up. The back of the knee definitely improved and released, but even after all of the treatment the calf still needs more work. "It's not good, but at least we caught it before it got worse" my uncle said. He says as it stands I shouldn't do the Thames Meander, but he says I may be able to make a difference if I have more intensive sessions this week.<br /><br />I am going back tonight and then again on Friday. Only on Friday will he make a judgement call on if I should do go. I didn't run the scheduled 9 or 10 miles last night, and it's unlikely I will run tonight. I may try a run on Thursday before the last session on Friday just as an indicator for how I am progressing.<br /><br />This changes how I will run next week. This week was my peak mileage week, 85 miles. If I do manage the Thames Meander I will run higher mileage than the planned recovery week and still attempt my 85 mile week target. I will do a light weekend afterwards though. As you can see, I am still hoping that I will be in good enough shape for the Thames Meander, but if my uncle thinks no, then I won't and just do a normal week (no recovery) next week.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-65668683245883476922008-02-10T20:58:00.000+00:002008-02-11T08:57:10.215+00:00My number's up.<div>The final payment instalment has gone through and the UK names submitted to the MDS organisers. This week I had notification that the race numbers had been released; here.<br /><br /><a title="blocked::http://www.darbaroud.com/detail.php?pub=" href="http://www.darbaroud.com/detail.php?pub=265&langue=en" langue="en">http://www.darbaroud.com/detail.php?pub=265&langue=en</a><br /><br />I am number 857. You'll need that number when the race is on so you can send me messages of support every day throughout the event! The MDS website has a facility that allows you to 'write to a competitor'. That facility becomes live when the event itself is on. I'll post further details when I get them, but usually it is just a direct link from the <a href="http://www.marathondessables.com/index_uk.php">http://www.marathondessables.com/index_uk.php</a> homepage.<br /><br />There look to be more entrants than usual. It used to be limited to around 750 but the race numbers appear to go up to at least 890 this year.<br /></div><br /><div>I have been featured in two local newspapers this week. Here are the articles. There are few innacuracies in the first one. Firstly, I don't actually work for BT, but I do contract work for them. Second, water is not ration to 1.5L a day in the MDS!!! Next, it was four years ago when I had the poor health check and couldn't run a mile, not two years ago. Finally, my mum still works at the school and has done for over 20 years, not 46! Apart from that it's not bad, and was almost a whole page.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlPV_BWuIpTtnJJYxs-CMc8wxhdNsYNo3orT77KF_EH4Xi151Hj5jJ9g31y9W0SfR_aINnHQWwbbEZUInHWPD2KsX9SltQyy1u3MU4kbJgAlHl2k5lS1dsqUO8RmNPj9d3xcLWQ/s1600-h/MDS001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlPV_BWuIpTtnJJYxs-CMc8wxhdNsYNo3orT77KF_EH4Xi151Hj5jJ9g31y9W0SfR_aINnHQWwbbEZUInHWPD2KsX9SltQyy1u3MU4kbJgAlHl2k5lS1dsqUO8RmNPj9d3xcLWQ/s400/MDS001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165641864635591890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEsGdmywAl-IcExs1iU8CiZpRppV5n5g04SL0w7mu2LTAbSrzMNOG5GygDxVYMM9m31tRroodrvdmJnYuE4BufYV607f5jFglz8IGRsk_xYvLnMnxMJk8i32xTZG4mtDQR1OAhQ/s1600-h/MDS002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEsGdmywAl-IcExs1iU8CiZpRppV5n5g04SL0w7mu2LTAbSrzMNOG5GygDxVYMM9m31tRroodrvdmJnYuE4BufYV607f5jFglz8IGRsk_xYvLnMnxMJk8i32xTZG4mtDQR1OAhQ/s400/MDS002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165641482383502530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1B8TCnjWSDEGxo6b24GLb1rbcDk4vTz-aIhGImvl4E2b_PohQX3tBxh-doD1HsHEyPIvJIccKr0ZIPHGO2w1vEGbuqqfh2a6Yolh2qoDUGjN83-ri0sRysDR1jokx-dUczSNaw/s1600-h/MDS003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165641306289843378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1B8TCnjWSDEGxo6b24GLb1rbcDk4vTz-aIhGImvl4E2b_PohQX3tBxh-doD1HsHEyPIvJIccKr0ZIPHGO2w1vEGbuqqfh2a6Yolh2qoDUGjN83-ri0sRysDR1jokx-dUczSNaw/s400/MDS003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />That's the good news out of the way. It's all downhill from here.<br /><br />This week was my scheduled recovery week. In my last blog post I said how much I thought I needed it. Turns out I would have had little choice in the matter anyway.<br /><br />I went to visit my uncle, the chiropractor, on Tuesday. He looked me over briefly and said I was in such a state I would need to see his clinical sports massage therapist first. As it turned out, I was two of them before my uncle! My back was locked up as usual, but I didn't realise quite how bad my calf muscles were, until they set to work. They were hard as bullets and working them caused me quite a lot of discomfort. Even after 45 mins of work they were still tight, though better.<br /><br />My uncle then did some chiropractic adjustments on my back, as well as ankles and feet. He then put me on his interferential machine for 15 minutes. My back felt better afterwards, and the strain on my right ITB had gone, but the calf’s were still sore.<br /><br />I took off Monday and Tuesday as rest days, but also added Wednesday as a rest day because I thought I needed it.<br /><br />On Thursday I planned a 10k route. Because I had not run all week, I decided that I would try and run it faster than normal. I probably set off too fast, and because the route starts on a 3/4 mile long hill I think this tightened up my calf muscles again. I stopped and carried out a full stretch routine after 1 mile (as I do in every run), then carried on at a fairly quick pace. I didn't feel right at all. I was getting pain behind the right knee and right calf, and it felt as though something was 'twanging' with every stride; like a tendon snapping over something during the stride cycle. Both calf muscles tightened up further and then both Soleus muscles. The Soleus muscles becoming tighter were really painful. I had to stop and tried to stretch them, but couldn't. They were locked up good and tight. I carried on and then I started to get pins and needles in both feet, to the point of losing feeling almost totally from the shin down. I stopped again, took off my shoes and rubbed some feeling back into them, and also attempted to stretch out. The feeling returned albeit temporarily as I ran on. I made it home, but was unable to stretch my calf and Soleus because of the pain. Something clearly wasn't right. I did some self massage. The right calf responded well, but the left calf was very tender to the touch on the inside of the leg near the top. I thought it was just knotted and got my fingers in and worked it. This was very uncomfortable, but I figured it was doing me good. I finished and then got up to find I just barely hobble! I iced it and then went to bed. I was worried, but the following day it was back to just being tight, no extra pain.<br /><br />On Friday I saw a local sports massage therapist. I was determined to try and get the calf and Soleus sorted out. I had a 45 minute session, which was agony; virtually the whole session on my calf muscles again. The right calf was much improved afterwards, but the left still very sore.<br /><br />I did my usual gym session with no problems that day, and decided to run to make up for the extra rest day I had on the Wednesday. I decided to run very slow and steady to see if the fast start the previous day had been to blame. It hadn't. It felt better than the previous day initially, but I still felt the twanging and pain behind the left knee and calf. I stopped a couple of times to stretch it out, but it wasn't really working. That night I worked the left calf and Soleus again, with identical results. The pain afterwards was worse and I was hobbling during the night I noted too, when I got up to use the loo. I did ice it before bed again. In the morning it had subsided back to just being tight. I made a decision that I should not run on the Saturday or today, Sunday. The calf muscle on the inside of the leg, just to the right of the Tibia (near the top), is tender even to the lightest touch.<br /><br />I can only assume it is a calf strain, doubtless bought on by the amount of hill work I do in every training session. This isn't good news at all, but I can only hope that it is not to severe. An actual tear would take months to heal. I've worn a compression sock all day today to promote healing, and am just going to do some alternate heat/ice therapy when I finish this post, plus some gentle stretching. If possible, I will go and see my uncle again for some advice and probably get some ultrasound done on it too. I am hoping that a few days rest will sort this out, because I can't afford for it to be any worse. At the moment next Saturday's (16th February) event, the 54 mile Thames Meander, is looking in serious jeopardy. I will just have to play this week by ear. I am due to be running on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; each day about 10 miles. Naturally I am not stupid enough to run these just for the sake of it, if my calf is still not right.<br /><br />I have a decision to make: If it is just minor, then I could take the next week off with not too much impact to my fitness and pick up where I left off and still finish the last few weeks of full training hopefully in perfect condition. Alternatively I could see how I feel this week and risk the Thames Meander. I have paid for the event (£35), plus all travelling costs (about £60), so If I am fit I want to do it, not least because it is the last chance to run 50 odd miles before the MDS. Doing the event would be a big psychological boost, knowing you can cover 50 miles with a full pack. However, I could just aggravate the injury and put myself out for a lot longer, possibly putting the MDS in peril. Logic says don't to the TM, but at the same time I want to!<br /><br />Whatever happens I will have to stay off hills for a few weeks, which is difficult as it's all hills near me. My only option would be to drive to a local canal for each run, which I think is the most sensible approach to take. Injury worries this close to the MDS are my worst nightmare. Fingers crossed this goes away in a couple of days. I know at the moment it doesn't feel too serious, but I have read that with calf strains that they can get progressively worse if you try and run through the injury. Most runners will run with a calf strain assuming it is not too bad, which is what I have been doing, but then it becomes serious and can cost 1-4 months in recovery. I will just have to wait and see what each day brings, and take on some professional advice this week.</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21501494.post-91314678285689713782008-02-03T20:34:00.000+00:002008-02-04T09:10:37.935+00:00I need a restOver 200 miles covered in the last 3 weeks and it's starting to take its toll.<br /><br />On Tuesday I did a 12 mile trail run, once again armed with my head torch as I ran through local fields, hills and woods. There was around 1200ft of ascent in the route.<br /><br />On Wednesday morning I had to be up at 4:30 to catch a flight to Belfast where I would travel to Londonderry to work for the next couple of days.<br /><br />After work I then faced what I dreaded the most; having to run 12 miles on a treadmill. Given the choice I wouldn't run 1 mile on a treadmill, but in a strange city at night with no map I was forced to. The hotel was quite nice, but the gym was poorly equipped. There were three treadmills; two looked older than I did with frayed belts and notices that said "this machine must not exceed 8kph". 8kph? useless. The third machine was more modern but was in use. I had to use one of the old machines for 10 minutes whilst I waited for a girl to finish. I jumped on it and just set it to start; a nice steady pace of 10.5kph, but foing the last couple of k's at 12.5. I can't tell you what mental torture it is looking at the clock knowing that the best part of two hours would be spent in that one spot. Half way through I started to get a tight Illio-tibial-band (ITB) on my right side. I've felt this coming on for a few days now, but it started to get sharper. I thought to myself I'll stop at 18km, but when 18km eventually came I forced myself to stay on longer eventually clocking up 13 miles.<br /><br />I'd only had one small cup of water, which obviously is not enough for 2 hours running. Also the gym was too warm so I had sweated a lot and had lost a fair bit of salt. I had a few more cups of water and then went back to the lift where there was a tray outside a hotel room, with the remains of someone’s dinner and also a salt pot. Much to the horror or passing guests I pulled off the top, emptied salt into the water and drank it. I felt better though not long afterwards. Me and a colleague then went into the town for an evening meal. We found a Weatherspoon’s pub, and I loaded up on pasta as usual.<br /><br />On Thursday we finished work a little earlier than expected and took a slightly longer route back to the airport. We stopped off at the Giants Causeway as neither of us had seen it. I wasn't too bothered to be honest, but I was the driver, so I agreed. We arrived and it was <em>literally</em> blowing a gale. A bus takes you down to the causeway and we both got off the bus took a handful of photos and were back on 2 minutes later. I feel obliged to post these photos, despite having nothing to do with running, because I froze half to death taking them!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ar0oY3v1px_s-vC1-vCDza4-4aZ4-JwXgcrb3RFn7k73KYtln6mWV7MNjERPEgGPZzv7GYrkae-Wd4LZ12HrDgUXJ7zIRrwfQuWhmE1WvwoD4RGBUAtx0wqyQfL04AQDRc-lw/s1600-h/giants+causeway+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162860004340720802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ar0oY3v1px_s-vC1-vCDza4-4aZ4-JwXgcrb3RFn7k73KYtln6mWV7MNjERPEgGPZzv7GYrkae-Wd4LZ12HrDgUXJ7zIRrwfQuWhmE1WvwoD4RGBUAtx0wqyQfL04AQDRc-lw/s400/giants+causeway+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5_oFa8OWZdASRphdJFDUidwG4CecRwVxYGVycStOJqB8y-gi-pttf90J87TlkEyEcfY9OMkz3g2GG5tiZMW1hijbnSEKwYQfsx4qBLpUMw3TI7d-kNAt9SQinyklrlDcZ8QTUA/s1600-h/giants+causeway+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162859738052748434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5_oFa8OWZdASRphdJFDUidwG4CecRwVxYGVycStOJqB8y-gi-pttf90J87TlkEyEcfY9OMkz3g2GG5tiZMW1hijbnSEKwYQfsx4qBLpUMw3TI7d-kNAt9SQinyklrlDcZ8QTUA/s400/giants+causeway+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My flight was delayed because the pilot had to abort his landing, only just making his second attempt. He was going to give up and go back to Manchester. The take-off and first 15 minutes of the flight were pretty scary. It was only a small jet, just 3 seats in each row and only 20 rows so it got blown around all over the place. Thankfully the landing, though blustery, was not as bad. I drove home straight away but didn't arrive until after 9pm so I decided it was too late to run.<br /><br />So, I did Thursdays run on Friday. I did 11.5 miles with around 1100ft of ascent on the trail. My ITB was aching, and my knees and hips a little sore too. I don't think running on the treadmill the day before had agreed with me.<br /><br />Due to those work commitments I didn't do my usual two trips to the gym for strength and stability work this week.<br /><br />The gales and severe weather hit on Friday, but we got off lightly with only a dusting of snow on Saturday morning.<br /><br />I had a 14 mile run planned, but added an extra mile and did 15. I always carry my full backpack at weekends, and was wrapped up in a waterproof jacket, hat and gloves. This is what I wear for most runs at the moment. I took a couple of photo's during the route. Clear, crisp and cold would best describe the day. I took the opportunity to run with my buff over my mouth, as much to fend off the cold wind as to practice to see what it will be like running with one in the desert. When a sandstorm hits I will be wearing one, so I had better get used to it. Surprisingly it did take me about 5 or 6 miles to adjust. It's not very pleasant at first, so I recommend any other 2008 MDSers having a go to. Better to have trained with one on that to use one for the first time 'in anger' in the desert.<br /><br />That white circle visible on the horizon in this second photo is the 250ft high Lovell radio telescope at Jodrell Bank.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKEvI2ucAMXewjBDlwDpbeD6DvkH69naoq8kfpd7DckS3Xn3AaDH-LAPgOHE91DHUTS8po86lHzod60lNoldSiTfC-cGvNQqKE6oQWNILiIn8e6e7qBwimE4cUigqIbDbgMqZlw/s1600-h/frosty+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162862310738158786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKEvI2ucAMXewjBDlwDpbeD6DvkH69naoq8kfpd7DckS3Xn3AaDH-LAPgOHE91DHUTS8po86lHzod60lNoldSiTfC-cGvNQqKE6oQWNILiIn8e6e7qBwimE4cUigqIbDbgMqZlw/s400/frosty+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaARBUz62dXSYZYlJz0r0EYAtRphKPSQBTOHHXrERsh3SP5FJxJ7l4wIk9NRMJSLHBZa2Qg8-aal_flTbw6KTIxh4uL78nIWZCCCj8pzBBaZZ4bc4YPfHQpOYgpUJE1vyNFrkoSQ/s1600-h/frosty+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162861941370971314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaARBUz62dXSYZYlJz0r0EYAtRphKPSQBTOHHXrERsh3SP5FJxJ7l4wIk9NRMJSLHBZa2Qg8-aal_flTbw6KTIxh4uL78nIWZCCCj8pzBBaZZ4bc4YPfHQpOYgpUJE1vyNFrkoSQ/s400/frosty+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There was around 1500ft of ascent in the run. I completed at a good pace, considering the full backpack weight; around 5.7mph. However, the extra weight did makes all the bits that ache, ache more! No sooner had I arrived home when a photographer from the local newspaper, The Evening Sentinel, arrived to take my photo for an MDS article that will be featured soon to help boost my sponsorship funds I hope. I looked a mess. I was just back from a run (literally!) and had not shaved for a couple of days. Still, all publicity is good publicity they say!<br /><br />On Sunday I was forced to do my own route, after contacing the LDWA event I planned to do and told that it was full. So instead I did 20 miles with 1800ft of ascent, again with a full pack as planned. It was harder work today. I felt tired earlier, and was getting ITB pain and knee pain too. I was glad to finish the run, averaging 5.3mph for the route.<br /><br />71.5 miles covered this week.<br /><br />I am thankful that next week is my planned recovery week. My mileage was due to half; down to 35, but depending on how I feel I may even scale that back further. I have also booked a appointment to see my uncle, the chiropractor, on Tuesday evening. I know that my pelvis is twisted and rotated again, and that is the cause of the pains. The problem is that the muscles at the side of my spine tighten up so much that they pull my pelvis up and around, stretching all connecting muscles. This is typically why I get ITB pain. Usually I will see one of my uncle’s clinical sports massage therapists first who spend 20 minutes softening up those muscles so that my uncle can then make chiropractic adjustments to bring me back in line. I have not seen my uncle since early December, so I have lasted fairly well this time, despite the increased mileage. Other areas need attention too. I know my Plantar Fascia in both feet, but mainly my left is very tight. I do usually sort this out myself, but I know my uncle will look at it, and usually manipulate both feet and ankles. I must remember to take some leather to bite down on this time! Seriously though, I am so thankful for my uncles expertise. Yes sometimes it hurts, but its good hurt! That good old phrase - pain is just weakness leaving the body comes to mind.<br /><br />I know that after the week’s lighter miles and treatment that I will be fixed, and better rested and ready for the week after when my training mileage peaks at 85 miles. This is mainly down to the Thames Meander 54 miler a week on Saturday. After that week I have a couple more weeks doing mid 70's miles, then my final taper for a couple of weeks before the big event.<br /><br />Off to rest and recuperate. Enjoy your week.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270238890823415087noreply@blogger.com0