EverySecondCounts: April 2013

Monday, 29 April 2013

Pre-race: Marathon des Sables

Related Posts

From the dessert: Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5

Post-race report: Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5

The whole incredible adventure began on Apr 2, flights from Osaka to Tokyo, Tokyo to Paris and Paris to Casablanca. One day in Casablanca (Apr 3) but no sightseeing as it was rainy, and I still had gaiter sewing to do!

Casablanca from the air

Final flight was Casablanca to Ouarzazate, which I found out after a few embarrassing episodes is pronounced Wa-za-zat. It was in the airport that I met my first MDS friends, Danielle and Glenn, and we promptly began talking training, kit, possible kit changes, weather, terrain, etc, etc. It was so nice to meet people as seemingly neurotic as I :)

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate from my hotel

Waking up, Apr 4, in Ouarzazate, I headed for a 40min jog holding my eager legs back from taking off. Buffet breakfast at the hotel, Tichka/Riad Salam, where I came upon much of the North American contingent. There was a buzz in the air, and the stories of past years and other race successes (including the Antarctic Utra!) were excellent and inspiring.

After stuffing myself (note this for later), it was time for the pack your pack talk with Jay, our fearless leader and then then 9/ now 10-time MdS vet. A great talk that sent 30 or so first timers rushing off to cut, sew, change, peel, re-package, test and weigh. Little did I know, it wouldn't be the last time I'd be on this mission.

Apr 5 - Up early to stuff my face again (note) before catching the buses for a ride out to the desert.

A beautiful ride it was.

Atlas Mountains

lunch provided: taboule, sausages, bread, crackers,
cheese, dried fruit, orange, peanuts juice and a crepe

Six hours later we arrived at the end of the road. Or, at least the end of road buses.

Moroccan military took us the rest of the way

didn't know when I took this pic,
but the man in the middle with the grey sweatshirt
is running all-star and my soon to be tent mate, Steve

The military took us a couple k from the road to our home away from home.

Bivouac 1 (bee-voo-wak) aka Camp 1

After a tasty dinner provided by the organization, the sun had set, so without electricity, it was off to bed at 8.30.

Chicken cous-cous, carrot salad, bread, soup,
red wine (to put me to sleep) and desert

Apr 6 - Check in day. The North American team checked in late, so I had all morning and early afternoon to second guess kit and ditch stuff: deodorant, sandals, silk blanket, extra shirt, extra socks and others.

provided: egg, ham, cheese, bread, jam,
yogurt, cereal, oj

check-in: drop off non-race bag, get number,
time chip, emergency flare, road book and salts
pic by Mark Gillett

check-in: check medical form, bag weight and food
(min bag 6.5kg/ min food 12,000cal)
pic by Mark Gillett

hauling non-race bags back to Ouarzazate
'That's how my bag got smashed!'

Post check-in was chill out, race briefing, dinner and bed. Tomorrow's race day!

Tent 58, killin time

Race briefing
pic by Mark Gillett

Monday, 22 April 2013

Home Sweet Home

From the dessert: Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5

Post-race report: Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5

Back in Japan and trying to take it all in. The whole thing is much more than just running: awe inspiring nature, sleeping and waking up with the sun, brilliant stars, new life-long friends and humbling acts of determination coupled with smiles and team work.

Not a life changing experience, more a life affirming experience. I've changed a lot over the last several years and those decisions led me to the biggest and one of the best adventures yet. I'd do it again at the drop of a hat.

Full race blog, MDS tips and more to come. Stay tuned.

Saturday, 13 April 2013

12/04/13 Stage 5

From the dessert: Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4

Post-race report: Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5

Done and done! What an experience. The final competitive stage was good for me. Boiling hot, but pushed it a bit and finishd well. Charity 7k tomorrow, a long bus ride to Ouarzazat and a shower :) The simple pleasures.

(Made it to the video! check 0:17.)

Thursday, 11 April 2013

10/04/13 Stage 4

From the dessert: Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 5

Post-race report: Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5

Another good day. followed the same strategy as stage 3, start slow and build. The heat of the day was overbearing, so it was half k jog/ half k walk. Around 50k, the sun was going down, it was getting cooler and I let rip, dropping from about 10min/k to 6-7min/k. Best part, the 4 and 5th place elites past me around 64k (they started 3hrs after), I was feeling good, so i ran with them for 6k. It was amazing! Rest day and one marathon to go.

Wednesday, 10 April 2013

09/04/13 Stage 3

From the dessert: Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 4, Stage 5

Post-race report: Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5

What a difference a day makes! Felt roughthis morning so took it slow. Ran 1.5k walked 0.5k almost the whole way except the mountains and some deep sand which i walked. Finished strong the last 5k and feel like i barely used energy toady. Ready for 75k/ 50m tomorrow.

Tuesday, 9 April 2013

08/04/13 Stage 2

From the dessert: Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5

Post-race report: Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5

Change of plans. Take that top 50 finish and throw it into a desert sandstorm! Today had 3 INSANE mountains with 2.5k on what seemed like a knife edge and the last climb was an AVERAGE 25% gradient. Finished but felt terrible the last 4k, headache, weak stomach, slighty dehydratd and difficut to keep my eyes open. Reailization, I'm not equipped physically or mentally to race this. So, I'm going to run when i can, walk when i can't and going for finish. But most importantly this is good fun!

Monday, 8 April 2013

07/04/13 MDS Stage 1

From the dessert: Check-in, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5

Post-race report: Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5

Day 1 was 37.5k and overall, feeling good. I've underestimated the terrain, so 7min/km are not likely, but still racing. Going to start a walkrun srategy to conserve. Got a bit dizzy today as not drink enough, so lesson learned for tomorrow. In 250ish now, so hope to break below 200 tomorrow and chip away from there. Tomorrow is 30km with some killer mountains, 25% gradient. Cant wait. No major injuries and legs feeling good. Carry-on:)