IT'S ALL OVER AND I'M STILL ALIVE!!!

The final day was pretty uneventful...

...apart from being told by one of the photographers that myself and Mark (one of my tent-mates and a fellow Monty Python fan)'s rendition of 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' was very good. I thought this was particularly apt since his shemagh and general appearance made him look rather like Brian from ‘The Life of Brian.’ Probably a 'you had to be there moment' but it made us smile.

...and the moment it became apparent that inhibition had finally left the arena. It had been common practice for those needing to relieve themselves to disappear off the beaten track in order to respect their fellow runners. On the final day however - I assume because spirits were high and everyone was keen to get finished – I saw one couple – yes that’s a man and a woman – each take a single pace off the track (which was being trampled by about 5 people abreast) before going about there business with people running all around them.

...oh and when we passed through some bushes just before entering the dunes. The chap in front of me had kindly held a branch until I’d taken it from him, so that it didn’t whip me in the face – as you do. I then did the same for the guy behind me. As I turned around to check that he’d got the branch I saw he was holding something that I really hadn’t wanted to see! (I refer you to the previous paragraph for ideas). Valuable seconds saved by multi-tasking though, hey?

Unfortunately I couldn’t send pictures from Morocco as I was limited to one e-mail per day, to one recipient, and of limited length. Probably just as well – otherwise I would’ve been well boring! So I’ve attached a few pictures below.

After finishing we were herded onto coaches for the 6 hour drive back our 5* hotel, where we sat by the pool drinking beer and drinking beer (yes that was deliberate). Here’s the gorgeous swimming pool which we were not allowed to enjoy due to infected feet…

As briefly mentioned, one of our tent’s favourite memories was the guy seemingly advertising camel rides at the campsite each night.

And it wouldn’t be right not to include a picture of one of the camels (who followed the last runner around the course each day)!

And while on the subject of animals, all I saw during the week were two or three lizards, a few birds (very small ones), many beetles…and a camel spider (we think). I didn’t notice him until I was standing up having my breakfast, but he was sat about a foot from where my head would have been as I lay in my sleeping bag. Although they are not dangerous (they are arachnids, but Solifugae rather than spiders and hence have no poison glands…"John, you loser!"...sorry!), this one was most of the size of my hand, and had large pincers (which they use to kill and chew up their prey...sorry again!) and he could run very fast!

It was suggested that camel spiders had been known to chase US soldiers around the dessert in Iraq, which we all found very amusing. They were actually chasing the shade which the soldiers were providing, and when you see pictures of camel spiders found in Iraq (the body of the spider alone being the size of a grown man’s thigh! This can be found on Google images. Search for “camel spider” and it should be the first picture) I’m not surprised the soldiers ran a mile. Anyway, enough about animals, here are the guys I shared a tent with…

(From left: Welsh flag, Selwyn, Carl, Richard, Mark, Mark [aka Brian..."He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"], JQ)

Those who had taken part in the event previously said that although this year was neither as hot or as long as that of last year (when they had the biggest drop out rate yet), the course was much harder, with more climbs and many more sections of dunes. I’m very pleased it was, as the alternative was walking over long barren plains for miles at a time, which I attempted to capture in the following photo. It is easier to see if blown up to full screen size but towards the bottom left hand corner are a couple of white 20-25 foot inflatables which mark a checkpoint (one of several each day). You can then see a few bodies and 4x4s heading towards it from the right, but despite the distance shown in the picture it’s still not discernible where they’ve actually come from.

I always knew that if I stayed hydrated, avoided illness/injury and kept my feet in good shape that nothing would stop me completing the MdS. Some people got very dehydrated and had to have IV drips administered. Battered feet were even more apparent as the week went on. Mine stayed in fairly good shape throughout due to the use of oversized shoes (one size too big), two pairs of toed socks (reduced to one once my feet had swollen – as indicated by a couple of blisters on the ends of my toes), and feet caked in vaseline (until I reduced to one pair of socks, making the likelihood of sand induced foot corrosion too great). Again, I thought it would be wrong not to show a picture of some ‘trashed feet.’ These (which belong to one of my tentmates) are not the worst feet I saw by a long way (yet I iwould still recommend enlarging the picture to full screen in order to appreciate the plethora of injuries suffered, including general weeping, blisters and minor infections...which appear to be healing very nicely compared to earlier on in the week). In fact some feet didn't even resemble feet at all. One Brit was pulled out of the race at the start of Day 4 and told that had he continued he would have lost toes. The amount of self inflicted damage to feet incurred during the course of that ‘holiday’ was incredible, and I only saw a fraction of it.

So, would I do it all again?

Although I very much enjoyed the experience, I wouldn’t rush back. Mainly due to the boredom of being on the move for so long each day. Although I’m a firm believer in ‘never say never’ I think this was a tick in the box and move on activity for me. (...Although there is a similar 120 mile run through the Amazon called the Jungle Marathon which some of my tentmates are planning to do…I also read in the Times at the weekend about a couple of Frenchmen who got lost in the Amazon and survived for 7 weeks on turtle flesh, snakes, frogs, tarantulas and beetles…one guy was found with a numb tongue due to the poison of a tarantula he ate without cooking it sufficiently. Apparently had he spent another two or three days in the jungle he would have died. Sounds interesting)…

753--DAY 5

DAY 5

Whose the Daddy?!!
Well, a survey of the local fly population would indicate me. I cant smell me though...except when I sit down at checkpoints - then I positively hum! Well another day done; just the fun run through the (biggest) sand dunes (in Morocco) left. I pity the poor coach driver who has to spend 6 hrs with us on the way back to the hotel!!

Tonight we have opera singers which will be quite surreal. Beautiful singing combined with someone squatting behind a tent taking a...

My shoulders hurt so much that it feels like Ive carried a damn camel across the desert rather than just a backpack. I feel like I could go to bed and sleep for 16 hrs, but Ill tell you what Ill do you a deal...Ill watch the opera, get v little sleep, then finish off with 1 last effort. Then ill get blind drunk (on 1 beer).

I forgot to tell you about the camel spider I found about a foot from my head in the tent...

Thanks very much for all your messages. Youve been fantastic!!

753--Day 4

DAY 4

Well thats the daddy done. Starting at 9am yesterday, myself and 2 tentmates maintaned a continuous good walking pace until 6pm, stopping only to refill water bottles and answer calls of nature. After 26 mikes, as shivering wrecks we stopped for dinner before setting off for the final 16 miles in the dark across more nasty dunes. Never before has it taken me 3 hrs to walk 3.5 miles!! Also saw leaders as they started later - awesome running!

Theres a rather sombre mood in camp this morning as the organisers told us that a seemingly healthy 49 year old French guy - who came 45th place in the 42 mile stage - went to sleep last night and didnt wake up. Helps put things into perspective.

Feet still good-ish: Today is rest day, followed by the Marathon Stage and 7 miles across the highest dunes in Morocco (the world?). Thanks very much for the messages, be they support/general abuse, great news or simply things to ponder on those endless days. All really appreciated.

753--Day 3

DAY 3

Tick in the box for stage three. Another 21 miles done. Thats 60 miles in three days now (which is a first for me). I still have no blisters (hes a liar hes got three). My shoes are now too tight and causing me problems, despite being a size too big before I left. Theyve also started to come apart - which is impressive as theyre only five weeks old. Campsite is looking like a prisoner of war camp (except for the comedy local guy using a quad and trailer to advertise camel rides..?). Eco-friendly toilets line the route - bring your own paper and lighter!!
Well tomorrows the one weve all been waiting for: 42 miles, a good 5 of which are in sand dunes. Tasty stuff (unlike my breakfast which now seems to taste like cardboard). No update tomorrow as wont get in until about 5am Thursday which will hopefully then be a rest day. Still enjoying the holiday though despite quite achy shoulders. Backpack getting lighter by the day. Getting some great pics - wish you were here!

753--Day 2

First of all, apologies for accidentally misleading people. Although I was led to believe the mds was 151 miles, it turns out this year is only 133 miles, as follows: miles (km)
18 (30)
21 (35)
19 (32)
42 (70)
Rest
26 (42)
7 (11).
Ive decided not to complqain as I expect the response would involve a solo run on the rest day. Yesterday was a tough intro to dune and hill running in extreme conditions. One person had to drop out due to heart problems.

DAY 2
Todays 21 miles was a grueller. I was fine <13 miles (clearly too fast) and suffered somewhat for the remainder. Hey ho. At least one more dropped out today and several IV drips had to be administered. Scary stuff. Fortunately, the worst worries in our tent are: tents gettng blown down in the night, blogging using French keyboards, snoring, and a few blisters. All good for now (cream crackered though!)

PS Thanks for the messages guys. Much appreciated

D-Day has arrived

The day has finally arrived (almost). On Thursday 22nd March I will fly out to Morocco, and the run starts on Sunday 25th. The race will be (approximately) as follows:

 

Sunday 25th March                    -           13 miles

Monday 26th March                   -            26 miles

Tuesday 27th March                  -            26 miles

Wednesday 28th March              -            50 miles

Thursday 29th March                 -            Rest Day (or finish miles 36 - 50 from yesterday)

Friday 30th March                     -            26 miles

Saturday 31st March                 -            13 miles

 

I will endeavour to update my blog each evening whilst I am away (but make my apologies in advance for any days missed due to fatigue!)

 

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Across Wales Walk

Saturday 24th June 2006 saw the re-introduction of the Across Wales Walk. This was a highly enjoyable day which involved walking 45 miles, which as the name suggests was more or less the width of Wales. Walkers gathered in Newtown at 2am, many of whom probably wondering why they weren’t staggering home in an inebriated state like those on their way home from a night out Newtown’s Crystals Nightclub.

Despite waiting on a bus, which was elongated by a loud pop (apparently coming from the suspension), we were driven to Glandyfi and had started our walk at 4am. I was accompanied by my eldest brother (Happy Birthday Brian I’ve entered you in a 45 mile walk!) and three other friends.

From left: JQ, Ian, Brian, Kean, Barry

As the day wore on we were increasingly grateful that we had managed to drag ourselves out of the local pub at around 10pm in order to get a couple of hours shut eye before the big walk.

It was still dark for the first hour or so. That along with a distinct lack of insect repellent led to what could only be viewed by the resident midge population as Christmas come early. The first hour also saw us tackle a steep incline, which was an accurate indication of the remainder of the course. We followed Glyndwr’s Way as far as Trefeglwys, where after 16 miles we stopped for a long awaited cooked breakfast. Another much appreciated feature of Trefeglwys was the presence of toilet facilities. Shy I’m not, but there are occasions when a tree just isn’t up to the task. Anyway, refreshed and satisfied we continued on our way. Unfortunately, after breakfast there was little to motivate us other than the thought of a night out on the lash in Newtown once we’d completed the walk.

After 26 miles we stopped in Llandinam where we provided with a great lunch, as well as some much appreciated foot care from St John’s Ambulance. Much appreciated guys and apologies for what may well have been the smelliest feet known to man. With only 19 miles left to walk on our tired legs and blistered feet, we ascended another tremendous hill.

My dinner at Devil’s Elbow was accompanied by a couple of Ibuprofen to soothe my aching legs. We then walked a further 10 miles before finishing in Kerry at 7:45pm (after 15h45m!). Despite the pain and hard work we all agreed that it had been an enjoyable experience that we will probably repeat next year. However, woe betide the next person who says “Only half a mile to go and it’s all down hill from here!” In the last mile and a half of the course we were told this no less than three times, each followed by a steep incline. Grrr!

Thanks very much to everyone involved with organising or helping out – it was a fantastic event. And thanks very much to Barry’s mum for meeting us at various locations with whatever supplies we may have required. If you’re free next April there may be an opening on my personal support team. If anyone else is interested I haven’t had any applications for the ‘Manky Foot Masseuse’ position yet.

This was without a doubt the hardest physical challenge I have attempted to date. It is a small relief to know that this is not too dissimilar to the longest section of the MdS. Whether I could’ve done another hundred miles in the same week I very much doubt. Still, that’s what training is for...

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Training Commences

Although I would consider myself a runner, having run off-and-on since the age of 7 years old, it has always been something I’ve done simply to stay in shape rather than as a serious hobby. For this reason, a structured and varied training programme is something entirely new to me. Similarly, diet is something which I have never thought much about. Don’t get me wrong – I do try to stick to a healthy diet in that I eat plenty of fruit and veg and avoid eating too many unhealthy foods (although I have to admit that one of my favourite meals is the ‘MFU’ – Massive Fry Up!).

However, much as it pains me to admit, this beast of a run clearly requires thorough preparation and dedicated training. I ran the Wilmslow Half in March, having previously only done one run since the New Year, and no other training unless you count a walk to the local shop. Although I struggled somewhat in the latter stages of the run, I was fairly happy with my time given my lack of fitness and preparation. My proper training then started in early April with three short (4 mile) runs (or games of football) per week. These led quite nicely up to the Chester Half in May. This I ran at a similar pace to Wilmslow. Fortunately the training in the interim enabled me to feel comfortable all of the way around the chester Half, and increase my pace for the last few miles. Since then I have run three slightly longer (6-7 mile) runs per week for a couple of weeks. I am currently doing fewer runs each week, but trying to increase the duration, as regular training is not only a struggle to fit in around work, early starts and other commitments, but also very tiring.

I recently run up Snowdon in searing heat, followed by an 8.5 mile run in sunny Sutton Coldfield. Today I took part in the Delwyn Walk which was without doubt the hilliest 15 miles of my life, not made any easier by the extra stone of weight I was carrying on my back. Still the weather was gret though...for ducks! I mustn't grumble though - the conditions were far more pleasant than those I'll be facing next April.

As well as training, I am making steady progress in terms of publicity, sponsorship, equipment gathering, and reading/research in relation to training methods and dietary requirements. I began thinking that the amount of time I would have to devote to this initiative would possibly leave me having second thoughts. However, on the contrary, I have already noticed a dramatic improvement in my time and self management skills, together with the excitement of learning a tremendous amount in such a short space of time.

Anyway, it’s on to the next challenge: The Across Wales Walk. At 42 miles in length you may well ask ‘why don’t you catch the bus?’ and that's a good question. However, I’ve never run or walked further than 26.2 miles and can’t wait to attempt this new challenge (and no that’s not just because they provide a cooked breakfast part way through!). I'm conscious that in addition to becoming accostomed to running considerable distances, that I will also have to training with an increasingly heavy rucksack. I agree with you - many times have I seen these strange people running along in ridiculously hot weather with heavy rucksacks on their backs, and thought 'what on earth are you doing?!' However, very soon I will be one of those people. Please don't think I'm weird.

19th Mar 06 Wilmslow Half Marathon (13.1 miles) 1h 52m
21st May 06 Chester Half Marathon (13.1 miles) 1h 47m
18th Jun 06 Delwyn Walk (15 miles) 2h 51m
24th Jun 06 Across Wales Walk (42 miles)
Mid July 06 Holiday / Running in Cyprus (It's not hot there is it?)
10th Sep 06 Robin Hood Marathon (26.2 miles)
1st Oct 06 Great North Run (13.1 miles)
15th Oct 06 Amsterdam Marathon (26.2 miles)

I'm hoping to start taking some photos during more scenic runs so that I can use them to brighten up my blogs. I had my camera with me today, and would have taken a few pics had I not been afraid that it would have drowned. Anyway, footy calls - apparently there's some big tournament taking place at the moment..?