RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RTP Home

Atacama Crossing Blogs 2010

Bert POFFE

22

Posts

Atacama Crossing (2010) blog posts from Bert POFFE

31 March 2010 04:27 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

   
 
My "Atacama Crossing 2010" has come to an end now.

It proved to be fun, frustrating, enriching, difficult, wonderfull, challenging, extreme and very emotional.

I tried to inspire the kids of the zeepreventorium, but I was inspired least as much by them!

I want to say 'thank you' to the many many people who helped me for all those months, looking all together in one and only one, direction: The Atacama Crossing 2010 finnish line ! There have been moments, before and during the race, where that finish line seemed further away than ever.

Finally, I crossed the line, but we made it all together!

And one more thing, Atacama desert, muchas gracias por esta experiencia, you inspired me and you are the foundation of next adventures and challenges.

Bert POFFE
www.inuksuk.be
 

Comments: Total (0) comments

27 March 2010 01:08 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

ROY PERRITT:
Okay, so my buddy Bert wants me to say a few words on the recent Atacama race that
I entered with him - and may I speak against my better judgment.

First I will give a quick background on myself. For five months of the year, May through to Sept. I work as a Park Ranger or more accurately as a canoe Ranger in Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada. Then for the next three and half months I am a hunting guide of upland game birds and deer. In the winters I usually find myself doing odd jobs and some trapping in the bush. I am also a once upon a time river or canoe guide and soldier. Along the way I met this Belgian guy named Bert and my quiet laid back Canadian lifestyle has never been the same since.

So old Bert pulls me into the Atacama competition. I found full sponsorship at first but then lost it to less then 50 % coverage (that’s a story in itself) so there I was paying a little more then I wanted to for a hike in the desert. As a result I decide to go on the cheap. By that I mean I grab my usual ranger backpack, some basic clothing, a US Army water canteen from out of closet, some wool socks and to my credit I went out spent some of my few remaining Ranger dollars on what I considered and was told to be totally decent hiking/ light fast trotting boots or what seemed to be a cross between a shoe and a boot.  I did do some training even hiking 44 km in a day, with no blisters. So I figure I will hike the Atacama as I’m really not into that running thing.

Well what can I say, they started us off at over 10,000 feet above sea level for the first 35 km stretch, most of it being uphill and I mean UPHILL. To say it almost killed me would be like me saying “Yeah a bear almost ate me once.” Now, you would immediately feel concern at such a statement, which I could in all honesty make. But you could in no way imagine the terror that ripped through my guts that day.  Now in the case of Atacama, switch terror to sheer agony. For 35 km my poor lungs screamed for air, not to mention my cold climate body trying to endure the 40-degree Celsius heat. But I made it, some how.

Day two started with the sun up and ended with the sun long down. Again it came with incredible heat and some 44 km to cover and I must admit a very enjoyable river gorge. But here my feet grew wet and soft. I believe my feet now react to water very badly after some fifteen seasons as a river guide – they wrinkle quickly and almost go trench foot like. The last thing I expected was a river on this race. Anyways, I think the blisters got started here. It was a long day but I finished, albeit after dark.

 

 

Day three…okay I admit it - I woke up that morning looked up at the sky and said “OH MY GOD WHY….LORD JUST TAKE ME NOW AND GET IT OVER WITH!” And you know I think I meant it. My feet were well taped by the medic the day before; sore but I could still walk. And so I was off, even running for the first while.  But somehow folks just started to go by me. I was moving my legs, pushing my legs but there seemed to be only so much energy and it appeared to be a lot less than what anyone else had. Okay it would be another long day all right? I said I could live with that, lets just finish the day. It was after the first 10 km check point where a medic examined my feet and then taped me up. I could tell by the look on his face that he really didn’t like what he had just seen. By then I had come to notice I was walking on the outside edge of each foot greatly decreasing my speed. Also by this point that rash that had started in a rather personnel area was flaming like a chilly pepper. In fact the night before I had dared to touch the said area (being it’s my body and I can touch it where I want). And well it felt like that of an electric shock the instant my finger met with the raw, and how I mean raw flesh. Anyway, this area was now in full flame mode and I was not only walking on the outsides of my feet but also as if there was a six cm pipe, stuck in the only major lower orifice a male person has.

Long story short my attempt at the Atacama was over as there was no way I would meet the five o’clock cut off time on the third check point that day. However I did stay with the camp and worked with the camp crew a bit each day and helped out as a volunteer and was there to help old Bert out as he limped and staggered in each day. Actually he did great, but it feels good to pretend he limped and staggered in.

What do I do now?  I have started to run and will continue to hike especially up and down very large hills all in the attempt to get ready for high altitudes. Plus I have about 6 or 7 hundred dollars worth of modern lightweight gear to purchase. Did I mention I had the heaviest pack at the race weighting 15.4 kilos. So I need ultra light gear and I need some sponsorship for the next year. I have a lot of food research to do as again I need to be lighter.

And I am going to do this because one day I am headed back to Chile as I have some desert butt to kick and I want to say one day, “Oh Yeah I did the Atacama.” Then I can once again claim my quiet laid back Canadian life style.

I wonder if old Bert will come along. 

 

 

 

 

Roy Perritt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 12 Oct 2010 02:59 pm

No doubt Roy would have finished if he HAD to carry someone less fortunate than himself..it may be the altitude and conditions that end the day, but it's the attitude that is the lasting factor..there are few people I would want with me in a dire, survival situation..Roy would be at the top off that short list..awesome effort Roy

Posted On: 30 Mar 2010 11:54 pm

Roy: HILARIOUS! Diego and I are going to finish this next year so I think you should sign up and come along with us. We can haul each other through the rough patches and spend the evening whining incessantly. Glad the flaming body parts have calmed down. Best, Clancy

Posted On: 28 Mar 2010 07:19 am

I am over the moon that you are going to get your revenge on the Atacama Desert. You were so great to have at the event and a superstar at camp.

Posted On: 27 Mar 2010 05:29 am

Roy...you did fantastic! I was so bummed when you dropped out. It broke my heart really. It's hard to fully prepare for something like the Atacama. There were things that threw me off and made me doubt if I had prepared properly too. Unless you live in a desert or near one, there's just only so much you can do. I think the key is to be ready to adapt to change because things will never go as planned. You should be able to find really weight efficient calories since you eat meat. Hamish gave me great advice about food....he said food should have a 4:1 ratio. So 4 calories per 1 gram. Anything less than that is not efficient. I also made a spreadsheet listing the weight of everything in grams so I could see where things could be dropped or changed. Plus, just pick peoples' brains who have done this before. It helps. - Anyhow...hope your feet are feeling better. See you at another race!

19 March 2010 01:32 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

During the 6 day long crossing of the driest desert on earth, competitors kept asking me “how do you feel?”. It sounded like a rather strange question to me. I couldn’t really answer it. I hadn’t crossed the driest desert before so I didn’t know how I should feel really.
“What’s gonna be your strategy the following days?” was another frequently asked question. All I could possibly answer was: “Should I really have a strategy other than just ‘keep going’?

Of course I was tired, hot, sleep deprived, thirsty, and most of all, always questioning what would be around the corner.
But I felt alive and maybe even more alive than ever.
As I said before, injuries had turned my preparation for this into a nightmare. But guess what? The constant hacking of my feet and blisters on that 250K was so dominant that not once did I ever feel any pain whatsoever in my actual knee injuries. I even believe that the long and intense, but well paced crossing had been a healing process in itself.
Every single person who had to drop out of the race was like a knife going straight into my heart. I could perfectly imagine how hard they had been training and preparing for this challenge over the last six months. It reminded me that we were all exposed to extreme factors which could stop us in the blink of an eye.

On the trail, any form of living presence was an oasis of energy in the midst of a hostile environment. A dog running by, the 4 deserts cameraman, a photographer, the medical staff, or the many volunteers at the check points, they were all able to boost your morale within seconds. Thanks to all of them.

Is taking part in a Crossing dangerous? It sure is! There is the danger of getting infected by a "virus" that will never ever leave your body again.

Feeling small and vulnerable, feeling thankful for your drinking bottles to be refilled again, feeling thankful to find a chair at the campsite, feeling happy with that one more raisin in your expedition food pack.
Those are feelings you probably will be chasing over and over again. 

Hasta la proxima!

Bert POFFE
[email protected]
www.inuksuk.be

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 20 Mar 2010 02:13 am

Bert, great blog. Hope you are gettting over your jet lag and your feet are recovering. I will get Vince's email address and send it to you. Cheers. Ken

15 March 2010 01:16 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Hola a todos,
 
Yesterday we started at 07:40 and arrived 76 long Kilometers later at about at 01:40 in the morning.
I kind of collapsed at about 300 meters before the finnish line, so I did rest like 20 minutes to recover with the arrival in sight.
today we have to run the last 10K into San Pedro. Don t know how, you would understand if you would be able to see my feet.
 
Anyway, the last couple of days I tried to keep you updated a bit, but only today I read the messages today, must be also the fatigue, but this is becoming way to emotional.
 
Guille, casi la tenemos en la mano!
Un beso
 
Bert

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 18 Mar 2010 03:23 pm

It was such an emotional race! Great job on finishing and hope your feet feel better soon!

Posted On: 15 Mar 2010 04:18 pm

Hoedje af!

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 04:12 pm

Ongeloofelijke prestatie Bert, echt buitengewoon. Geen woorden voor! Toch nog de tijd gevonden om Vero een hart onder de riem te steken. Respect man!

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 09:56 am

Bert dit is top, wat een prestatie. Proficiat!

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 07:58 am

na brussel heeft nu ook leuven zijn eigen AB the Amazing Bert woaw

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 07:44 pm

fantastisch, je hebt die zwaarste etappe gehaald!!echt respect Bert! Nog veel moed voor de laatste loodjes morgen, maar als er iemand is die t kan ben jij ´t wel !

11 March 2010 06:17 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Hi there,
 
Incredible day today, 44K, 45 degrees, and 14K of salt flats.
Now I know I don t wanna go to hell, I have seen it today.
 
Don t know what to expect tomorrow, except pain, 73K on the menu.
 
Hasta pronto
 
Bert
 

Comments: Total (9) comments

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 06:12 pm

Pues si mijo, lo hiciste como no podía ser de otro modo, locura para unos pocos, inspiración para muchos! Te queremos!!! Muchísimo

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 04:20 pm

just checked the results of the longest day.... you did it man...18 hours fantastic, the rest is peanuts now, just do it love;rudi

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 04:09 pm

pretty sure you will make it!!!!

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 01:21 pm

Sjitiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ni idea de como ha acabado la cosa, en candela seguro pero absolutamente formidable!! Indescriptible. Nada q envidiar a super Ryan (:-)))) Muchos mucho que envidiarte. Hasta ya!!!!!!!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 11:00 pm

you are doing absolutely fantastic!!!!! make your dream come true, get access to that animal part of your self and give everything, and when you think you have given everything, stand up and give more. I have 100% faith in you, I will be there with my spirit to cheer you up at the finish line, you rock! stef

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 05:13 pm

Bertje, Geef er nog een laatste lap op ! Je kan het ! Je wafels zijn in aantocht ! dikke knuf

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 11:41 am

Heel veel moed en sterkte toegewenst voor de verdere etappes!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 09:17 am

Bert, Succes en veel moed voor de zware etappe die er aan komt! Filip

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 06:54 am

all right man we can't even imagine the conditions you have to put up with, but look at it from the bright side 4 down, 1 to go go for it bert bring back that medal you can do it

10 March 2010 06:18 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

today again incredible heat, arrived at 17:45
40+ kilometers
still alive, but feet are worse every day.
Tomorrow the fameous Salt Flats are on the menu, and if make that, it s the long journey of 73 K.
Many people quited today, you see a lot of sick people on the trail, scary.
 
Any way, a couple of hours to recover, eat and drink as much as possible.
 
Hope to talk to you tomorrow
 
take care
 
Bert

Comments: Total (11) comments

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:31 pm

Sin palabras! Imposible de imaginar pero lo haces de p. madre. Seguimos en telepatia. Bs

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:10 pm

hola papi sige asi lo haces mui bien aunque te hagan pupa los quesinos no dejes la carrera suerte.... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx....

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 06:58 pm

geweldige prestatie heb je daar al neergezet, Bert , echt knap ! Nog heel heel veel moed voor de laatste dagen , ik hoop dat je niet teveel last meer hebt van je knie en voeten ...

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 06:21 pm

Dag Bert, Hup met de beentjes ! Je bent al meer dan halfweg dus nog even in het zand bijten...we sturen je wat positieve energie in ruil voor wat zon van bij jou! Dikke kussen

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 06:01 pm

Hey Bert!! Amaai, zo'n super prestatie tot nu toe!!! Nog even volhouden hè :-) Respect!!! tot gauw, Natalie

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 05:58 pm

Mucho ánimo desde Valencia, cuñao! Te esperamos para que nos cuentes todas tus aventuras! Nos acordamos mucho de ti. un beso grande, Can & Nacho

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 05:37 pm

Yow Bert, Super man ( of superman ), veel geluk voor morgen, dit zal waarschijnlijk de zwaarste zijn. Niet te veel last van de knie ? Respect ! Met Veronique gaat het meer dan de goede richting uit, mag vandaag al de intesieve verlaten ( dit moet ongeveer een recordtijd zijn ) Mario.

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 04:54 pm

Bert, ik ben supertrots op jou. Jij bent mentaal zo sterk, een voorbeeld voor velen !!! Ik loop in gedachten met je mee. ;-)

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 01:38 pm

Super goe bezig Bertje. Keep on running !!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 10:21 am

No dogsled or horseback this time :=) You wanted it, you got it :=) Respect !!! you crazy man :=)

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 07:42 am

Bertito! We are thinking a lot of you and following your adventure every day! Keep on going! We are proud of you! Mucha suerte y besos desde Belgica, Pat&Bas

09 March 2010 06:56 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Still alive
after the finish I felt dizzy and went to the medical tent.
Not a good place to be in, looked like a warr zone
 
Anyway, I bit proud to still be in, many people had to pull out today, mostly because of heat.
 
a lot work to do now, tape feet, eat, drink, prepair backpack and food for tomorrow.
As I have been on the trail for exactly 10H, I have had a lot of time to think about you all.
Would love to bring that medal home, but itis really a gamble. Big athletes had to call it a day, so as I said, this is a gamble and real survival.
 
See you
 

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 08:05 pm

hola mi "call of the wild"te echo mucho de menos pero estoy entrenando mucho. estoy mui orgulloso de ti. xxxx... te quiero.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 06:47 pm

wow bert, the more comments I read, spread by you or other competitors, the more I am amazed by what you are accomplishing keep it going, you're doing great in god's country Yeah Desert sky Dream beneath a desert sky The rivers run but soon run dry We need new dreams tonight

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 03:29 pm

Por si no has visto el otro mensaje, estamos todos siguiendo muy de cerca la carrera, superemocionante, sois todos unos cracks!!! Estamos contigo! Beso

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 01:29 pm

Congrats for having survived till here and hang in there. One step at a time, just like you so wisely told me :=) Rock on Bert !!!

09 March 2010 06:07 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

16:10 :  Arrival at camp 1
35 kilometers and extremely hot: 45+ degrees
 
Happy I arrived in one piece but really don t know what to expect the following days.
 
Say hi to everybody
You can email me:
Go to RACING THE PLANET
ATACAMA
EMAIL A COMPETITOR
 
Hope to talk to you all tomorrow!
 
Bert
 
ps: Hope Veronique is well
 

Comments: Total (0) comments

07 March 2010 06:54 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Afer a 1H30 bus ride we arrived at the first camp from where we start the Crossing tomorrow.
Good vibes in the camp. Just met the tent mates, Germans, Italians, Canadians, Brits and myself.
 
Roy will sleep outside because he snores way too much.
The food bars are all melting because of the heat. Hope to get freezing temperatures, so the can stiffen up.
 
See you all tomorrow !
 
Bert
 

Comments: Total (0) comments

03 March 2010 01:34 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris


The past six months we all have been preparing for one of the toughest ultra races in the World: 250 kilometers through the driest desert of the World. 
My personal ‘Atacama Quest’ was much more than only satisfying the hunger for adventure. 
Fund raising events were organized for the Zeepreventorium hospital. This Atacama project also became an extra motivation for the Zeepreventorium kids to eat healthy and  move to cure

But unexpected  circumstances lead to unexpected decisions.
After the terrible earthquake, I kind of lost focus and motivation to get into racing in Atacama.
Now all that is coming back: Together with the people and the patients of the Zeepreventorium, I decided I had to take this Atacama project into a new direction. The terrible earthquake not only shook the Chilenians, but also our hearts and minds.

After brainstorming with our Chilean friends in Belgium, we decided that from now on we will race-run-walk and raise funds for the victims in Chile. 
This way, the  Zeepreventorium  kids can show their strength and determination, committing themselves to the Atacama para Tomé project.

More details on the the Atacama para Tomé project asap on www.inuksuk.be

 

 

 

 

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 03 Mar 2010 09:47 am

Bert that's awesome. Look forward to hearing much more about what your plans are. How are your travel plans going? Have you got your route? If you can put me in touch with the contact point in Belgium whilst you are away I can get photos/logos/press releases to them. Thanks Sam H - RacingThePlanet

24 February 2010 08:31 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

TENT and MATES      
 
Together wit my good friend Roy PERRITT and 7 other competitors, ever night, we will share the same heavenly residence "SIERRA NEVADA" (canvas tent) in the Atacama Desert.

12

BAGSHAW, Matthew

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

United Kingdom

71

KOSKER, Inan

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

Germany

77

LATTIMER, Charles

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

United States

79

LECHNER, Frederik

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

Germany

81

LEE, Stan

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

Canada

86

MARION, Giampietro

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

Italy resident in Germany

108

PERRITT, Roy

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

Canada

110

PETERSEN, Harald

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

Peru

114

POFFÉ, Bert

18 - SIERRA NEVADA

Male

Belgium

 
THANKS FOR WALKING ALONG ROY !!!!      
 

I met Roy Perritt in September 2002 on the Algonquin Canoe Crossing.

Needless to say i learnt a whole  lot from this trapper, ex special forces, ranger, hunter, canoeing guide, and so much more!

We crossed the Algonquin Park together, both in winter and in summer, we did a 3 weeks canoeing trip in the Verendruye Park in Québec and Roy came over to Belgium a couple of times!
The distance hasn't made it easy preparing together for the Atacama Crossing 2010, but as always I am looking forward to meeting Roy in Santiago, from where we fly together to Calama.

Other competitors will be faster, better equiped, better trained and better whatever, but noboddy will have a better Atacama buddy than I do!
Thanks Roy for walking along! (for all these years)
 
 
OFSETTING CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH CO2logic      
 

On the 3th of March Bert's flight route will be Brussels – Madrid - Santiago de Chile - Calama.
From Calama he goes by bus to San Pedro de Atacama.

All flights have an important carbon footprint and thus an impact on climate change.

In order to reduce this impact we will offset the CO2 emissions from Bert's Atacama Crossing by supporting a UNFCCC certified renewable energy project with CO2logic.

Bert and Antoine from CO2logic decided to support the following biomass project in India:

http://www.co2logic.com/home.aspx/en/projects/project+4


Pura Vida
Bert
www.inuksuk.be
 

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 25 Feb 2010 04:36 pm

Go you good thing!!!

12 February 2010 01:06 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

 
WHITE INSPIRATION

The right knee is not yet perfect, but I guess it could be much worse. In the meanwhile, this winter is magic. Cold temperatures and loads of snow. The last couple of weeks, the Hautes Fagnes (Belgium) have been the perfect “training resort” for a combination of good workouts and fun!
Both my son Guillermo and good friend Dirk (teammate in Algonquin Winter Crossing 2006) are with me whenever possible to make training sessions feel like a holiday in the Swiss Alps.
Of course these winter conditions are not ideal as acclimatization for Atacama, but to me snow is a well of inspiration and power! And I am convinced of one thing, if you train yourself to take care of your body and mind in freezing temperatures, you will have the natural reflex to do the same in the desert heat!
 
 
'ATACAMA GEAR'

“What’s this” she asks with a comprehensive look in her eyes, “What’s that” she asks with still a comprehensive look in her eyes. My answer is the same time after time: “That’s Atacama gear”.

The desert fever is now taking control over the house! We are talking calories, flight tickets, backpack weight, kilometers trained and not too much more !!!

Comments: Total (0) comments

26 January 2010 03:42 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

The last couple of weeks, due to a nasty knee injury, serious training and preparation for Atacama has been impossible.

A lot of icing and physiotherapy was needed to get me back on track again. I can slowly get back int to training mode! However, caution is still necessary.
The hike with the Rangers of the National Park Hoge Kempen, last Sunday, felt like a new start. I am not yet back where I was a couple of weeks ago, but I am in good spirits again!!

Pura Vida!
Bert
www.inuksuk.be


Comments: Total (5) comments

Posted On: 10 Feb 2010 01:15 pm

Ahhhh I am in the same boat. I was in great form leading up to January and then two weeks into the new year I did a foot injury and spent three weeks on crutches and only got off the moon boot yesterday. I still cant really run yet so I am hitting the bike, pool and weights just hoping to be recovered to be able to do the race. ewwwwk. Best of luck

Posted On: 04 Feb 2010 07:53 pm

Sounds good Bert. You are on the mend and on target for the Atacama! Chris www.tss2010.blogspot.com

Posted On: 26 Jan 2010 07:29 pm

I've heard of people doing barefoot running...sounds crazier than Atacama! I agree with you on just getting to the race healthy. I was pretty consumed with the getting into shape factor, but you're right...it'll be hell no matter what so I might as well get all these joints and tendons happy and focus on staying healthy so I can at least walk the race.

Posted On: 26 Jan 2010 04:11 pm

Hi Maya, Thanks for you comment and good luck with your results. Me, after this race I'm gonna get into barefoot running. You know, In november/december I felt like i was flying iso running! Now, because of the injury, I only have one goal: be healthy when starting Atacama, don't care that much anymore about the "shape" I am in. It wil be "hell" anyway !! :-)

Posted On: 26 Jan 2010 03:59 pm

That's awesome! Glad your knees are getting better. Getting some kind of activity in before Atacama must be a real morale booster. I see my doctor tomorrow morning about my achilles tendon. I hope I have the same luck as you.

18 January 2010 07:09 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Since Christmas I have been struggling with pain in my right knee ! Training has been a bit of a mess. After a couple of weeks I was diagnosed with tendinitis on the pes anserinus (knee) - intensive icing, physiotherapy and careful and very balanced training are the way to recovery.

Of course it could be better,  but it could be much worse !!  The good thing is that I realize again how much I want to be part of the Atacama adventure! More than ever I will do everything possible to just arrive fit and well at the Atacama start.

Bert Poffé
www.inuksuk.be

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 19 Jan 2010 06:45 am

Thanks for your support Doug! Will see you there !! Bert

Posted On: 19 Jan 2010 01:50 am

Hang in there. Try to be conservative(I know it is hard) so you will be healed by race time

01 January 2010 11:01 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Our annual Christmas family visit, turned into a Atacama Crosssing training camp in the South of Spain, didn't go as planned!
After leaving Brussels with a 5H delay, we arrived at Madrid at 03:00 in the morning, were we found out after waiting for almost an hour, that our luggage was still in Brussels.
The next two days I had planned (and had been looking forward to it for a couple of months) to go to Navacerrada/Peñalara and train in the deep snow.
But all my gear (yes, including running shoes) was still in Brussels! The blue sky and sunshine during these 2 days made it even more painful!
 
After 2 grumpy days in Madrid we headed south, where late in the evening, our luggage was delivered!
Serious training could start now.
The expected sunshine (except 1 day) was very absent! But I couldn't care less.
The first day I did a 29K backpack beach run, followed the next day a 28K fast walk.
But than serious problems occured, knee pain held me from continuing this training pace. The next day I limped for about 18K before calling it a day. After a two days break I started jogging again, but still something is not ok.
Back in Belgium I better get this sorted out asap!
I definitely could use a moral boost !!

Bert POFFE
www.inuksuk.be
[email protected]

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 05 Jan 2010 10:38 pm

Hello mate, I've only done one race, the sahara, and will now do Atacama. I'm not a runner, spent most of my training doing long distance quick hikes. only added weight 45 days before the event and not the full weight. It sounds like you are real athlete. But pushing yourself with weight like that carries some real risk. I hope the pain lessens and you can push through. I look forward to seing you, and being passed by you, in March.

Posted On: 02 Jan 2010 04:47 am

Oh Bert, not sure about how to boost your morale. Some things are sent to try us and we just need to suck it up and get on with it. Maybe training in the snow would have caused your knee even more trouble... Hope you get it looked at as soon as possible and get the right exercises to recover and strengthen. Happy New Year! Sam H

19 December 2009 04:27 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE_OxX3JMiY

 

 

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 01 Jan 2010 10:01 pm

I look sharp ! But am I ?? :-) knee is disturbing me righ now !!! weight in the pack? don't know any more see you

Posted On: 23 Dec 2009 01:59 am

Hey Bert, love the video, you look very sharp! How much were you carrying in your pack?

13 December 2009 11:34 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

MONDAY

 

2H15 backpack hill Running

 

THUESDAY

 

1H tennis

 

Pilates

 

WEDNESSDAY

 

Gym: weights and abs

 

1H15  fast run

 

THURSDAY

 

1H05 run

 

FRIDAY

 

fast walking 1H30 – 15K / treadmill

 

SATURDAY

 

Rest

 

SUNDAY

 

Backpack street run : 23K 


Still have to sort out some gear issues, but training is going ok (I think)
Every once in a while I talk to my patron Ray Zahab.
Very happy with feelmax socks, still have to decide which running shoes I'll use !!!!!
The weak point, (budget can't be stretched more) being heat and altitude training!
Advice or comments more than welcome

Hasta Pronto !!
Bert
www.inuksuk.be

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 19 Dec 2009 10:05 pm

Hi Orren, To be honest, I don`t know any better than this. An average week, as you see, is nothing special, no special plan, One day I decided to try to run 30k with backpack, and i did my approach to AC2010 is more like an adventure type of thing, I have never been into training plans, heart beats and so on; My Patron, Ray Zahab is gonna start advicing me more, starting jan the first keep checking out www.inuksuk.be see you in atacama

Posted On: 15 Dec 2009 07:58 pm

Bert, I would like to know more about your training. I plan to run in October. Presently, I run 5 to 8 miles (and sometimes lift) every other day. My goal is to build up to 10 to 15 mile runs but I have no real plan. Any thoughts? Thank you, Orren Adams

02 November 2009 08:40 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

       
 
On november 6 I will meet the "Zeepreventorium Atacama competitors"!

Exactly!  When patients heard about my upcoming  challenge, they decided to have the same challenge. Together with counsellors and physiotherapist they’re having their own Atacama!
This way they want to give me the necessary extra positive energy and convince other people that moving is healthy.

2 challenges have been set up.

Veronique, an adult patient suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, waiting for new lungs (lungtransplantation), started the challenge to run the whole Atacama distance by the time that I start in Chile. She ‘ll be doing it with oxygen- and Bi-livel respiratory support.

In the coming weeks you’ll be able to follow Veronique’s improvement on www.inuksuk.be

The Piranhas group (a group of patients suffering from obesity between the age of 16 and 18 years old) will run, starting on the very moment I  start in Chile (March 7, 2010) a total of 250 km.

The coming months they will train to be in the best shape ever to start their "Zeepreventorium Atacama run"!

Lots of respect guys!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Bert
 

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 13 Nov 2009 11:22 pm

It must be a rewarding feeling to know you're inspiring others to make lifestyle changes! Veronica is in my prayers and I wish her the absolute best. I hope my husband and I are able to inspire others the way you are too.

12 October 2009 06:13 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Not too long ago 1H sessions were my “long runs”. Today I try to put in to my training schedules, runs as long as 3 or 4H. At first you think these long work outs will pretty soon get boring. But soon you start enjoying things you believed where only possible enjoying somewhere during a far away hike or adventure.

Of course the necessary hours are spent in the gym for the much needed dumble and machine workouts.

But I try to train as much as possible “outdoors”. After all, Atacama is an outdoor event. De Hoge Venen, the Belgian coast, the National Park Hoge Kempen, but also the woods, surrounding my hometown Leuven are good locations, except for one thing; we don’t have any mountains close by !!

After a short while of running, you don’t care that much anymore about how your legs feel today, about your heart beat rate or your average speed. You get to see, feel and hear things you don’t notice when running for your “personal speed record”.

The winds sounds different every day, the insects on the ground are moving slower or faster, depending on the weather of the day . You enjoy a “hello” from an squirrel or crow passing by and you leave your “planned” trail to approach a deer. Blinding sun rays and shadows produce all kinds of “visions”.

And one more positive thing, while running and training for Atacama, I make like a thousand plans for more adventures and expeditions!

Bert POFFE
www.inuksuk.be


Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 03:01 am

I completely agree! nothing beats running (jogging, walking!) in the great outdoors and forgetting about the finer details of training plans. See you in Atacama!!

09 October 2009 07:40 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

       
 

Flights have an important carbon footprint and thus an impact on climate change.In order to reduce this impact we will offset the CO2 emissions from my flights for the Atacama Crossing 2010 by supporting a UNFCCC certified renewable energy project with co2logic.
We decided to support the following biomass project In India:
http://www.co2logic.com/home.aspx/en/projects/project+4

Bert POFFE
www.inuksuk.be

Comments: Total (0) comments

04 October 2009 10:31 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

 

Preparing for Atacama,  I read whatever I can find to have at least an idea about what to expect when taking part in an ultra run.

I came across “Born To Run”, a book about an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt?

In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, the Tarahumara. A story about the American First Nations and running combined, exactly what I needed to really get inspired!

Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of kilometers  without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every kilometer  of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity.


The Tarahumara and the other runners in this story have one thing in common, they don’t run for money, they don’t run for glory, they run because they adore running! It’s no training, it’s no workout, it’s fun!

Born to Run even made me realize why I like running: When I run, I feel free, and when I feel free, I run!

Bert POFFE
www.inuksuk.be

Comments: Total (0) comments

04 October 2009 09:44 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi


Hi to the world,

this is my first blog on the RACING THE PLANET BLOG about my participation in the ATACAMA CROSSING 2010!

My first goal is to meet lots of inspiring people in Chile !
I have no race experience what so ever, so good advice is more than welcome!
Nevertheless, I have a Patron to be proud of, Ray Zahab!

Please check out my website: www.inuksuk.be

Hasta Pronto !!

Bert

Comments: Total (0) comments