Atacama Crossing Blogs 2019

Stephen Wise

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Atacama Crossing (2019) blog posts from Stephen Wise

04 October 2019 04:00 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

The Long Mach is done

 

I am sitting in camp on Friday, the rest day, having completed the Long March. I came in 35th in a time of 14:54, which was over an hour ahead of target. I am very happy and should finish under 50 hours on a very tough course. This would be my best result in these races.

 

What a day. Absolutely spectacular. It was a very tough 80km but hugely rewarding. We started with 14km cross the salt flats, which was very tiring and slow going. The course opened up, with some road and hard sand allowing for some running into CP2. I was feeling great at this point, so pulled away from some of the other. The wind picked up and meant we were buffeted across the desert. I flew through CP3. The next section was very tough, hard caked salt on the ground making it seem like frozen fields in winter in Scotland. It culminated with a 400m sand dune to limb, a ridge with a gale blowing and a descent down an equally massive dune the other side. I was 5 again!!! I took that energy and excitement on as I ploughed across what seemed like moon scape into CP5, the rest checkpoint. I didn’t stop, picked up Ben and Nat from England and we marched side by side for the next 30kms to the end. It became a slog as night felt, but the feeling as I crossed the finish line was indescribable. Tears of joy knowing that it was done.

 

We have 12.9km to do on Saturday morning, followed by beer, steak photos and more beers!!!! Thank you all for your messages of support. They mean so much to me each night. I am eating and resting today, chatting to all the other racers. Community is what this sport is all about together with seeing some spectacular parts of the world that are otherwise inaccessible.

 

I’ll update you all after the finish and post photos on Facebook.

Comments: Total (2) comments

Vicky Huffey

Posted On: 04 Oct 2019 11:29 pm

You absolute rockstar! 35th is an amazing position and ahead of your planned time too - really well done! The last 30km in the dark sounds tough but glad you had company to get you all through it. Enjoy the well earned rest, can't believe you're already so close to the end. Beers at the finish line!!!! Great effort!!

David Wise

Posted On: 04 Oct 2019 07:52 pm

Well Done Stephen!! Fantastic effort, great to see you climbing though the field. Those dunes must certainly have looked the way Gullane's dunes do to a 5 year old :-) You have broken the back of it, suspect you can cope with a short 12.5km tomorrow and absolutely certain you will cope with a few beers, a large steak and then some more beers. Congratulations again, awesome performance. Speak soon

02 October 2019 10:10 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

That was a tough day

 

We had our longest day so far at 45km. It was also the slowest at about 12.5 minutes per km. I finished inside the top 40 for the first time in 39th place

 

The day started with an uphill sand dune immediately and the next 5km were all ups and downs on the dunes. I was very worried that this would last and my legs would be killed, but it turned into 5km of rocks. A very tough first stage. After CP1, we went down through a river again, before heading across the hot, flat desert into CP2 where the greatest thing happened. They had cans of Red Ambulance!!!!! The coke refreshed us for the salt flats – 12km across very tough terrain, the first 5km of which was like walking on coral. Even the top runners couldn’t run. It was brutal. One of the girls described it like walking in stilettos drunk on cobblestones!!! The final 11km was on jeep track, bringing us into camp beside a lake.

 

So, a tough day but better than yesterday. We are 155km in to the race. Tomorrow is the long march which is 81km and should take me until about 2-3am to finish. Then Friday is a ret day, before the final 13km into San Pedro for beers, food and a celebration. There is still much to do. I need to focus tomorrow, keep calm and plod on.

 

The top athletes say that Every Second Counts. For those of us in the mid to back pack, I have a different mantra – Every Step Matters. I just need to put one foot in front of another and I’ll get there.

 

Speak to you after the Long March

 

Steve

Comments: Total (5) comments

Elektra Mararian

Posted On: 04 Oct 2019 01:28 am

You are doing so well!! By the time you read this you will have completed the Long March. Way to go!!! Rest up before the final stage. Almost there. So, so proud of you!!

Lesley Anne Rogers

Posted On: 03 Oct 2019 09:49 pm

Loving your Blog Stephen! Such an incredible adventure. You are doing so well and not long now until you’re on the last leg. Good luck for the long march. Keep going! Love Lan x

Melissa Wise

Posted On: 03 Oct 2019 12:14 pm

Wow sounds like a really hard day faj. Well done for finishing it though! Not long to go now, sounds like it'll be a big next stage. Have experienced walking in heels on cobblestones, but I'll be honest that sounds harder hahah no uber to call to help you either! Good luck for stage 5! You're smashing it

Vicky Huffey

Posted On: 03 Oct 2019 07:50 am

Ahh the restorative power of a can of cold red ambulance! Can only imagine how welcome that was for you after a long, hot stage. Inside top 40 is a brilliant result, well done!!! Sounds like a super tough stage, but also seems like you're in a good place, both physically and mentally. Hope you can rest up before the long march. You're doing great!!

David Wise

Posted On: 03 Oct 2019 06:08 am

Well done Stephen, that sounds like it was prety hard. When the going gets tough, the tough get going!! Into the top 40. And you didn't have the benefit of previous experience of walking drunk across cobblestones in stilettos - or do you? :-) One big push to go. All the best for the Long March, will be thinking of you today. Hope the weather stays favourable

01 October 2019 10:10 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Wow – that was mental

 

The thing about desert stage races is that you have to take the good with the bad. After yesterday’s best day ever, I had today’s worse day ever. A 39km stage of unrelenting monotony  and pain. Sand. Salt Flats. Rocks. Dunes. Continual ups and downs. I was worried constantly about twisting my ankle and therefore had to be very cautious. The good news was that it was overcast most of the day, so at least we didn’t boil over.

 

The other good news is that I haven’t had many of my snacks yet, so I still have lots to catch up on. So, I guess tonight I’m going to be eating some extra special munchies J

 

The mood in camp is still good. Bill, my 75 year old tent mate, Hs just finished for the day, so our whole tent is still gong. Munir was 2nd today – absolutely brilliant. Tomorrow is our longest day yet at 47km. I’m hoping for some jeep tracks but I know that we have sand dunes and 10km of salt flats. Hopefully I’ll get a good night’s sleep – onwards and upwards.

 

When I speak to you next, we will just have the Long March to go. Take care everyone

 

Steve

Comments: Total (4) comments

Gail Crosbie

Posted On: 02 Oct 2019 03:27 pm

You’re sounding grand - sleep and fuel good idea ✅ Loving the updates and rooting for you so sending more positive vibes for the next load of sand x

Vicky Huffey

Posted On: 02 Oct 2019 07:58 am

Amazing work on getting through what sounds like a brutal stage. Glad ankles and everything still in tact and that the weather was kind. Must have been super tough, but you did it! Snackfest sounds like the perfect way to recover. Good luck for stage 4, you're nailing this!

David Wise

Posted On: 02 Oct 2019 07:00 am

Well done Stephen, Looks like that was a tough one, almost everybody was slower than on Day 2. Congrats to Munir, outstanding result. There were quite a few after Bill, too. Hope the tent is still feeling positive, could Munir give you all a tow tomorrow? Spurs lost 7-2 (Seven goals to two) at home, against Bayern Munich. Champions League Final must feel like a long time ago to them. Nobody sent off, just thoroughly outplayed. Man Utd drew 1-1 with Arsenal on Monday night, two mediocre midtable teams that Sutton claimed would struggle to beat Rangers and Celtic!! Man U's worst start in 30 years, so Richard will not be happy. All the best for tomorrow

Elektra Mararian

Posted On: 02 Oct 2019 06:17 am

Way to complete stage 3 on such a difficult day! Super job and impressive physical and mental energy. You can continue to do this...one step at a time and one thought at a time. We are rooting for you back home!

30 September 2019 10:10 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

xtraordinary. Spectacular. Magnificent

 

I know that I said that in my blog yesterday but today needs that as a title. Wow. Just WOW. That was the best day of trail running of my life.

 

It was a bit warmer last night and we all had a good nights sleep. The first 6km stage was on a jeep track so I was able to run for the first time. Then it went incredible. We went through some slot canyons, traversing a freezing river about 30 times backwards and forwards. Although my feet felt like ice, it was an unbelievable experience.  Almost fell in twice, but thankfully kept dry. The 3rd stage was equally amazing. We hiked up a long winding road towards a tunnel, with breathtaking views across to the Andes. After the tunnel, we hiked even higher until we reached a ridge which had a sheer drop on one side and the wide expanse on the other. Then…WOW. We ran down an 800m high sand dune. I was screaming with joy and felt like a kid again. I couldn’t stop smiling for over half an hour. The final stage was long, hot and tiring but eventually I got home.

 

I am tracking well and had a higher finish today than yesterday, so happy with that. My tent is great fun. We worked out this morning that we have a combined age of 331 J Mike s 45, Munir 50, I’m 52, Steve 53, Dean 56 and Bill an incredible 75. Munir, Steve and Mike are all in the top 10, which is brilliant. It’s all due to my influence of course J

 

I’m away for food now and hopefully a good rest. Speak to you all tomorrow

 

Steve

 

Comments: Total (4) comments

Dorcas Foo

Posted On: 01 Oct 2019 12:28 pm

😮 Wow... everything sound incredible! Keep the energy and smile 😃 going.. we are rooting for you! Keep up the great job and have a lot of fun!

Vicky Huffey

Posted On: 01 Oct 2019 11:12 am

So glad you got a chance to run, especially after all your training with the new pack. The scenery sounds like it's a dream to race through. Hope your feet are holding up after the river crossings. Keep it up, you definitely sound like you're in your happy place right now!

David Wise

Posted On: 01 Oct 2019 06:15 am

Running down a sand dune for 800 metres sounds like a lot of fun - that's a lot bigger than the ones at home!! Not so sure about traversing a freezing river 30 times :-( but you made it, that's the main thing. How come Mike gets into your tent if he is under the minimum age limit of 50? Do you all have to babysit him? And will you still be doing theseraces when you are Bill's age? 75 is quite astounding. Glad you are still going strong. Keep up the good work David

Elektra Mararian

Posted On: 01 Oct 2019 05:12 am

The WOW is contagious! Love the energy and sounds like you are doing so well. Very well done and super proud of you, my seat mate. All the best for stage 3!

29 September 2019 10:10 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Hi from Camp 2

 

Day one is over and we are at Camp 2. Last night was so cold – it fell to -1. Really not my kind of weather. I was in bed by 7 and managed to sleep, unlike some of the others. I was up about 5.30am and we all huddled around the camp fire to eat breakfast and try to keep warm. Even by 8am when the race started, it was still cold but we warmed up as we got underway.

 

There are times when you see something so amazing that you stop and gasp – Extraordinary. Spectacular. Magnificent

 

The scenery today as we came over a hill truly fitted that category.  We were flanked on the left by the Andes, with Icancabur dominating the horizon. To the right was the wide open expanse of the Atacama Desert. Just breathtaking. We went through rock formations, along dried out riverbeds and through canyons. From the cold of the morning, the afternoon surely warmed up and the final 6km through the canyon was hot and difficult.

 

Hoping for a good night’s rest tonight and onwards tomorrow, when we will go through slot canyons and rivers.

 

Steve

Comments: Total (5) comments

Melissa Wise

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 10:33 pm

Sounds like you're doing great dad! Good luck for stage 2!

Sarah Witt

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 10:05 pm

Amazing work my friend! That weather sounds pretty tricky but good that you managed to sleep! Don't forget to take it all in. My tent mates and I just realized it had been two whole months since we were all running across Mongolia. It goes by too quickly. Keep your head up , keep your feet moving, and enjoy all of the laughs!

David Wise

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 09:29 pm

Well done, first day done and no problems. Scotland got a Bonus point win against Samoa, played the way they should have played against Ireland. Hope Day 2 is going well, take care and good luck

Vicky Huffey

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 06:19 am

Sounds utterly incredible Steve, and that you are holding up well. Awesome job on finishing the stage. Good luck for Stage 2!

Elektra Mararian

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 05:43 am

Great job making it through stage 1!

28 September 2019 11:50 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Three steak dinners eaten - done

Reconnect with old friends - done

Meet new friends - done

Kit packed, unpacked and repacked 3 times (Big Steve style) - done

Race briefing - done

Check-in and kit check - done (bag weighed 8.25kg, which is 1kg lighter than Gobi - very happy with that)

Now all that needs to be done is do my final blog before the race, eat lunch, get on a bus and head to Camp 1

I woke with nervous excitement and this has turned into excitment. I've done the training and I've done the prep. I just want to get on the course and enjoy what I think will be a spectacular week of racing. The course looks extraordinary, challenging but beautiful. 

I'm going to miss thse nearest and dearest to me so damn much over the next week but I know that mental images will keep me going when the going gets tough. 

I'll be updating on a daily basis from Camp and I  look forward to reading your messages of support.

See you all soon.....Steve

 

Comments: Total (2) comments

Elektra Mararian

Posted On: 29 Sep 2019 02:47 pm

Enjoy! You got this!

David Wise

Posted On: 29 Sep 2019 09:47 am

Stay strong Stephen and enjoy it -as best you can while traversing 250 kilometres!!

25 September 2019 12:19 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Well, the bags are packed and it's timw to start the long joruney to San Pedro in 9 hours from now, via San Francisco, LA, Santiago and Calama. It's going to be a long journey but by midday on Thursday local time, I'll arrive. Just need to sit back, relax and enjoy the trip. 

Training has gone well in the build up to this race. I've combined the running with dragon boat training, including races in both and I think it's helped my general fitness. I've gone injury free, which is great, although i seem to have strained my right pec in the last week. Hopefully it won't cause too many issues. My backpack is the lightest it's been in what is now my 3rd race and is about 2kg lighter than I've been training with.

I'm relaxed but now I'm worried I'm too relaxed - time to get stressed and worry about nothing :-)

I'm so excited to be heading to a new continent, to be meeting old and new friends alike, to see what is supposed to be a beautiful desert and to again challenge myself, both mentally and physically.

Speak to you all from Atacama

Comments: Total (2) comments

Gail Crosbie

Posted On: 28 Sep 2019 08:45 pm

Have a wonderful time - sending you some midgies to worry about - looking forward to updates x

Elektra Mararian

Posted On: 27 Sep 2019 06:17 pm

Exciting!! You have trained and prepared well for this trip. Time to now take it all in and enjoy!