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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2010

Tom Naughton

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Atacama Crossing (2010) blog posts from Tom Naughton

15 March 2010 01:40 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

The last stage is over. After the long day all we had left was a 10km run into San Pedro's town square. It was the only stage that I ran all of and it was great to cross the finish line and head straight for the pizza. I don't think that I've ever tasted food as good as that in my life. After heading back to the hotel for a long shower and even longer shave I headed out to the awards dinner and concentrated on replacing some of the lost calories by eating several plates of pasta and drinking about 3 bottles of Chilean Merlot. I'm now back at home and it's been great see Amanda, Zac, Fin and Xavi after 2 long weeks without them. Many thanks for all the messages and blog comments. It's great to read through them every night and they do provide a much needed boost when morale is flagging. I was lucky to get a great set of tent mates and they really made the event for me. BT, Si Rob, Eddie, Mark, Graham, Phil and Angus were all superb guys and we had a lot of laughs even though at times I think we all felt pretty low at times for different reasons. I was gutted that Angus didn't finish as we had trained together for months but anyone who saw how he looked at the end of day 3 would have been stunned that he even started day 4 let alone completed it. It's a bit of a cliche to say it but we were all inspired by the guts Angus showed to keep going even though he was clearly under immense physical stress and it took the fact that he was peeing blood at the beginning of day 5 to force him to stop otherwise I know he would have completed it. Not sure I can convince him to do another RTP event now though. Also I think I was helped by having trained in HK with the heat and hills and so thanks to all the WBs - Jimmy, Glenn, Knuckles and of course DT.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 16 Mar 2010 09:36 pm

Thanks for all your support during the race and well done for a fantastic result. Look forward to catching up soon for a debrief hopefully over some very fine wine!

12 March 2010 06:34 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Thank God the long march is over.   Yesterday we had a 42km stage the highlight of which is the salt flats.   As one of my tent mates described it like running over a combination of frozen broccolli and apple crumble.    Your legs are either sinking into it up to your knees or else it is cutting your shoes to shreds.   And to make matters worse I had managed to get salt in my eyes and so they were so painful I couldn't keep them open for more than 20 seconds so was doing 10 steps with eyes closed and 10 steps with them open.   I also knew they would take 3 hours to get through but for some reason had drunk most of water after an hour so it was a long slog.  
 
Today was the long march.  78km including some big sand dunes and more bloody salt flats.  They had a staggered start with the faster runners starting later so we could see them for once.    I was just approaching a 200m high sand dune with a 45 degree slope and the leader breezed past me and proceeded to run straight up the dune.    And still had time to say hi to me in the process.    Probably why he finished in 6 hours and me in 12 today.   
 
Tomorrow is just a short 10km into town where there will be beer and pizza followed by a big dinner in the evening.  I am fantasising about eating real food again as well as being able to have a shower, change my clothes and see my long suffering wife and children.   I think they are what I have thought about most this week.   Roll on Monday!

Comments: Total (13) comments

Posted On: 15 Mar 2010 08:31 am

Brilliant effort. Well done!

Posted On: 15 Mar 2010 07:06 am

many congratulations on you amazing result! a fantastic achievement.

Posted On: 15 Mar 2010 12:42 am

25th! You must be stoked. What a great effort for your first major event. Is this the last?

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 05:34 pm

Huge congratulations Tom!!!!!

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 05:32 pm

Keep going Tom and enjoy every drop of that well deserved beer! Our girls are very impressed xxx

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 11:05 am

Amazing job and the speed as well. You should be ok for Three Peaks now :)

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 09:37 am

Tom, Great effort. Well done! Enjoy the festivities at the end of the last 10k. Lieven

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 02:18 pm

There really is a cold beer very very soon. Amazing effort. Your boys will be so very proud of you - one day! - and of course the top fashion look of the event. Glad to hear Si's tent etiquette didn't freak you out completely. Well done Tom!

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 10:36 am

Surely you aren't the same Tom Naughton who I interviewed many years ago professing to be a active rower on your CV but I never saw you go anywhere near water apart from on Bondi beach? Amaziing performamce Tom,I take my hat off to you.

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 08:11 am

tom, you have been a machine as well! what an amazing race you have had. I would have never believed it a few years ago when i first met you. All that training in snowy england and honkers has certainly paid off! cant wait to see your photos in july, and hear all about it when we are doing a short 100km over the south downs. Enjoy the last day! lots of love, Jo, jessie and katie and glennxx

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 06:13 am

Fantastic Tom, and race position up yet again! How do you do it! Enjoy your stroll tomorrow, shower and real food again. See you soon, Lots of love from us all.

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 05:32 am

Tom, Simplay a fantastic effort. The WB's have been rather inspired and are thinking about doing a 4 deserts next year, you up for it? Maybe decide after your beers and pizza! Enjoy the shower.

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 05:26 am

Amazing effort, Tom! Congratulations on a fantastic run and enjoy the beers and pizza tomorrow as you definitely deserve it.

10 March 2010 06:21 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Well, the optimistic way of looking at it is that we have completed 3/5 marathons and so its downhill from here.  The other way to look at it is that we are less than half way through the 250km still have another marathon tomorrow and then a double marathon the day after.  
 
Yesterday was a brutal day of 42km (or, as it turned out, 44km according to someone's GPS) and started with some great running through river canyons which I was enjoying so much I went a bit too fast and the next thing I knew I was with the "proper" ultramarathon runners who were running up and big hills.    We then walked up out of the canyon and along a ridge which had some of the best views so far.   Then came the highlight which was running down a 300-400m high sand dune which felt like skiing.   It would have been great if that was the end but we had to put up with another 20km of crunchy and soft sand which is a nightmare to run or walk over.   I had a couple of blisters and so went into the medical tent at the end and saw people being carried in unconscious due to dehyration.   Lots of very sick looking people.   Bins in camp melting in the heat.  
 
Today was another 40km over crunchy sand and lots of sand dunes.  Very hot again but I felt better than yesterday.   Its a slightly nasty stage as you can see the camp near the end but you still have another hour of walking before you get to the end so everyone basically runs out of water which isn't ideal.     Tomorrow ends with the infamous salt flats which are meant to be just awful.   Also muddy dirty salt water not great for burst blisters.    Just want to stay well enough to start the long day well.   Came 25th I think today which I'm very happy. 

Comments: Total (15) comments

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 04:47 pm

Are you sure you're not having us on Tom - that looks like the South Downs to me? Great effort though - think today is last day so good luck - mucho beers to be had tonight I hope! Promise to buy you a free razor blade when I see you in London as a completion present!!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 10:49 am

Mate, I was impressed by Phil T's performance but this is incredible. Not so sure about the white shorts - bold move on such a venture! 2 more stages to go - all the very best.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 08:01 am

Hey Tom, Fantastic effort over past 4 days and all the best for the big 80kms - shorter than the Mac so must be easier! Really wish Amanda and I were there to meet you guys at the end... next time. Btw, saw a photo of you in those white lycra tights and you better run fast tomorrow as the fashion police are definitely after you!! Can't wait to see the results tomorrow and congrats for a fine effort so far. Paula x

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 05:29 am

Sooo impressed. Good to see that you are using your free time to good use. Good luck for the big one.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 04:43 am

Dear Tom Brilliant effort and you are so photogenic too. Great to confirm you and Blair are truly competing and not just having us on. Look after each other We think you are amazing and look forward to a grand finish. Betty and John

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 01:00 am

Tom, You are doing a great job, the big one today fingers crossed for that, looking good for top 30 finish come on the WB's

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 03:12 pm

We are all so proud of you and rooting for you! Loads of luck and can't wait to hear all about it. Go Tom! xxx

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 02:28 pm

When Zac and Joshua had their play date last Friday they were also out in the dessert playing...their spirit is there to make sure you get to the finish line! Keep it up and Best of Luck!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 02:05 pm

Tom, you are doing a fantastic job and making it sound easy and even fun. Keep it up.

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 01:37 pm

Fantastic stuff Tom. I am off to the pub to see Clive Ed and he will be mightily impressed. Will have a few drinks (and peanuts) for you!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 01:33 pm

ON ON Tom !!!! We can't believe the amazing feat you're achieving, and extra well done for being in the leading pack. We look forward to following your progress through to the finish line. x

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 01:24 pm

TOM you are absolutely amazing!!!!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:37 am

Great effort Tom - Sounds like you've got the proper runners within your grasp! Best of luck for the last couple!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 07:16 am

Wow, can only admire your amazing progress. You know you can get to the end and we are all beaming positive thoughts - good luck - you are nearly there!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 06:46 am

Hey Big T, sounds like you are tearing it up out there! Conditions sound ludicrous - almost as tough as Stage 2 of the Big Mac in July 2008! Ho ho. Keep it up and as you once said to me, pain is inevitable, suffering is optional! You can metaphorically shove those words down my throat the next time you are in the kong...

08 March 2010 05:31 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Well we have finished the first stage which was a mixture of canyons, desert and dirt tracks.   A short one today thankfully of 35km and apparently it gets harder from here.   I ran most of the first 2 stages as it the weather was quite cool and the altitude wasnt as bad as it could have been.  And then it got very hot..    Last 15km were a bit of a slog and was difficult to stay hydrated.   Body in not too bad a shape although thought of running tomorrow not pleasant.    Time for some noodles to try and recover...   Scenery is just incredible and does look something from the film "Total Recall".   

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 10:26 pm

Keep it up Tom, looking good.

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 01:55 am

Hey Big T - sounds like you have started well in true WB fashion - measured and methodical as establish yourself in the conditions, before picking your way through the field as the race progresses! Sounds fanastic - well, bits of it! Keep up the great work - looking forward to tomorrow's update already.

25 February 2010 12:58 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Looking forward to getting to the starting line in Atacama although I'm dreading running in the heat again after 3 months of the English winter. Pack is finally sorted I think although I am sure I will realise what I should have taken with me about 5 minutes into stage 1. Kids keep eating my sachets of Quakers porridge about as fast as I can buy them. Wife is a little tired of hearing about calorie/weight ratio of peanuts and so it feels like time I just got on with it. See you all next week Tom

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 11:56 am

Tom, You have clearly reviewed the tapes from WB first outing and decided the black full body - ski suit look is indeed a winner. Whatever the result you are the winner in my book. good luck mate....

Posted On: 07 Mar 2010 06:36 pm

Best of luck Tom, it looks impressive if a bit mental!

Posted On: 05 Mar 2010 03:24 pm

Very best of luck Tom! I had not realised you were doing this until very recently. I am very impressed and look forward to hearing all about it when you get back. You look like a total nutter in the photograph

Posted On: 05 Mar 2010 11:36 am

Big T, have you made it yet? I hear you are trying to replicate the top gear special but in a taxi! Glad to see the WB's are branching out of the island. Good luck and I look forward to the bloggs.

Posted On: 04 Mar 2010 01:46 pm

I think your biggest challenge is just getting there darling. If you are reading this I assume you haven't been kidnapped or got lost in the rainforest (nor found some Kathleen Turner type to accompany you I hope). Let me know when you are safe at camp. xx

Posted On: 04 Mar 2010 02:49 am

Go Big T! The WB Steering Committee is expecting great things...you have the mental fortitude, you've done the training, and you've had 7 years in the Kong to build up your heat resistance! (2.5 months in the UK cannot undo that...hopefully!) Tuck behind BT and draft him up the hills...good luck!

12 January 2010 06:16 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Hello all Having just moved back from Hong Kong to the UK I am slowly getting used to training in sub-zero as opposed to sub-tropical temperatures. God knows what Atacama will feel like after this - at least I should be prepared for the nights! Anyway, I have been doing circuits of Richmond Park with another Atacama competitor (Angus Mackintosh) on Saturday mornings and wondered if anyone else wanted to join us. I find it a lot easier to get the motivation to get out and run when there's other people going and so if there are any similarly minded people out there then get in touch ([email protected]). This weekend we are aiming to do 2 circuits (approx 23km) with a pack at a gentle (10km/h with wind behind us) pace. Plenty of time to talk about training, kit and even the odd non-Atacama related subject while shuffling around. Also easy to extend or reduce the distance depending on time availability etc... All very relaxed.

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 18 Jan 2010 10:43 pm

Hi Louise, Am doing the Merrell Wild Man 16km next Sat with Tom but may be on for a circuit of Richmond Park on Sunday morning at low tempo? Angus

Posted On: 16 Jan 2010 09:13 am

Hello Angus, If you are running next weekend I would be keen to meet up for a run next weekend. Louise

Posted On: 13 Jan 2010 10:17 pm

Thanks for the offer of the Ultra but may be a step too far for me as I want to avoid any injury that close to the event. I am looking more at 30-40km back to backs instead. Angus

Posted On: 12 Jan 2010 05:22 pm

i'm planning on doing the London Ultra 50km race on February 13th if either of you or Angus are interested? Quite a good pre Chile warm up! Shout if you'd like the details.