A week ago today I had just conquered my El Guapo in the form of an enormous sand dune at the end of 13km of salt flats and heat. The journey that started almost exactly a year ago was coming to a close. As I sit with my beautiful wife here in Buenos Aires after a week of reflection and recovery I have come to a few realizations. The most important is that I didn't do this alone. Throughout the year leading up to the race, a few people have been there to support me on a daily basis. Since Sarah is here with me I will save everyone the mushy details and myself the writing space. It will have to suffice to say that she is at the core of all that is good in my life. The other two are Rob and Dave, my training buddies. Rob, your patience with the thousands of questions, your advice when I was struggling with motivation, and willingness to slow down and push me the extra mile when I thought I couldn't run one more step gave me the confidence to start. You will be happy to know that I didn't see a single freakin monkey in the Atacama. Dave, where to begin? As tempting as it is to write a long blubbering post that would make it really awkward at work next week, I will refrain. I will sum it up in one repeated conversation. Will: "My foot/leg/knee/back/etc. hurts/is bleeding/is broken/etc." Dave: "You know what you can do about that?" Will (eagerly): "What?" Dave: "Suck it up and quit whining" The only question that's left is what is next? These three got me to the starting line, but the rest of you got me to the finish. I am disappointed that there aren't more pictures of us all huddled around the laptop at the cyber tent. Everyday after we finished and I had my noodles I would head to the CT to start my mental recovery. Scott, thanks for the gentle reminders that this buttercup needed to suck it up. Barry, I have a scrap of paper documenting each beer you promised and the round of golf you will be buying next time I am in Thailand. Iain, looking forward to getting back to our normal after work rowdiness now that my short journey is over and your very long journey is about to begin. Rosh and Jane, I promise that 'fun Will' is back for at least a month. Melissa, your new BFF has vowed to keep you company and insure you get a trip to an exotic destination should I convince young Hugo to abandon all reason some day. Meg and Andy, you two crossed my mind a few times in camp when I would come across those people who always seemed happy and couldn't understand what the big deal was despite their bleeding feet and look of exhaustion. You two may be the 4deserts next victims. Mark, if I do this again, we are going to train at the ranch. I've learned a few new recipes here in BA and that is the best place to test them. Kevin, great to hear from you! I spent the first half of the next day roaming through our high school memories. I remember why you had my truck, but I will keep those skeletons locked away until we catch up. Aunt Tina, after a week in the desert I think we may be able to convince Uncle Jerry of my Saudi Arabian origin if you want to try again. Frank, Dad said he would do it if you would and I said I would be on the support team. Ela and Elissa, thanks for the support from the road. I can admit now that there is no way I could have done this in June, thanks for the support and the sanity check. Gregor, I think it's safe to say that you started this whole mess. Your willingness to get out of your comfort zone and set out for new adventures has always been an inspiration. I'm looking forward to finally being able to share a few of these experiences with you in the near future. JOW, brother, you did what in two days? Until then clang, clang. Mom and Daddy David, the toughness it took to finish came from you. You have instilled in me to never quit and I can't thank you enough for that attitude. Dad, thanks for the perspective. You were on my mind each morning when I slung on the pack and I remembered no matter how hard it got, at least there wasn't anybody shooting at me. The Buchanan family, especially Shari, the blogging champion. I looked forward to your posts each and every day. You were inspirational and your posts had me smiling each day until I went to bed. Rebecca, the Tabasco was my luxury item each day and allowed me to enjoy my meals just a little longer than the rest. By the fourth day I could see the other co petitions eyeing my packets. That almost covers it. My other lesson learned is that it is going to take a while to recover. My feet are still blistered and my legs sore, but it is a happy reminder of the time I did something crazy and everyone came out to cheer me on. My last comment to close this blog is the most important. I have kept quiet about my faith through this entire affair, but I cannot close without acknowledging that throughout every step of training and my race my faith was strengthened and reaffirmed.

It's all over but the crying now.  I don't know how to begin describing yesterday.  I walked the first 25K with Eric from Richmond and had a great chat.  I came to check point three to find quite a few people camping out under the shade before the most difficult stage.  I took advantage of my days of riding around in the suburban with no AC, grabbed some extra water and headed out.  It was tough, but some tunes on the shuffle to distract me from my feet and the next thing I know I am facing "The Dune".   We had been warned that we would see this monstrosity off in the distance and think "there is no way they will make us climb that", but sure enough, the pink flags led to the top.  I took it 100 feet at a time and made it in good spirits. 

 

Once on the plateau I started allowing myself to think about the finish.  With a short decent to checkpoint four and a quick stop I was off to my favorite part of the day.  I headed out through a valley that looked a little like West Texas.  I had the tunes cranked up and I could see two small spots on the horizon to try and track down.  There were a couple of thunderstorms on the horizon, and with 13K left I kept thinking that I was going to have to just sit back, relax, and enjoy it.  I somehow managed to stay out in front of the rain, but got caught in the sand storm.   Finally, and advantage for team Clydesdale (Matt from New York coined the phrase early on).  The two smaller Chinese competitors in front of me were getting blown all over the course.  I just covered my face and head and plowed on. 

 

From here the story isn't great.  When I reached CP 5 with only 20K to go, I sat down for a quick drink and energy bar.  It was just getting dark so I pulled out the head lamp anticipating what a beautiful night it would be.  There were storms all around and a good bit of lightning, so as I was getting ready to head out, one iron in hand,  they stopped the race.  We were supposed to wait at the CP until the storms passed.  An hour later I was paired up with another racer and set out in the dark and rain.  The clouds started clearing 30 minutes later and an enormous full moon broke through.  With 13K left I felt like I was barely touching the ground.  The headlamp was off because the moon was so bright I could read my watch.  About this time a truck comes rumbling up beside me and one of the race director informs me that the race has be postponed for the night and that I needed to get on the bus waiting at the next turn.  I'm not proud to say this, but I through a bit of a fit.  I was 12K from the finish at this point. 

 

This morning we were informed that our average pace from yesterday would be used to figure what our total time would have been, but if we so wished, they would take us back out on the course and let us finish from our nearest checkpoint.  Not the same, but I couldn't claim to have done it if I hadn't actually put in the distance. 

 

I'm happy to report that I ran the last 10K into camp in just over an hour.  It helped me get my head right and quit complaining.  Everyone is back in good spirits now.  I won't get that elation that I would have had after 73K, but the total result is what matters.

 

One more good  run tomorrow, then showers, pizza, and cold beer.  I am looking forward to my week in BA to celebrate Sarah and Dave's birthday, and the Rucker's 4 year wedding anniversary.

 

To everyone who took the time to comment, you were inspirational, funny, and thought provoking.  I couldn't have done this without your support.  To my wife, you have been remarkably patient and supportive.  You have given up weekends, date nights and getting up after 5 in the morning for the last 6 months.  You have endured sweaty clothes, grumpy days after a bad run, and whining about injuries.  You continue to amaze me each and every day. You are and will always be the LOML.

Well, the easy stuff is done, now for the long march. 

 

Today was hot and flat, but overall not to shabby.  I spent most of the time looking at the ground 5 feet in front of me, although from time to time I would sneak a peak at the racers in front of me long enough to realize that the curvature of the earth was the only thing keeping me from seeing the camp.  The only thing I can compare it to is walking over freshly plowed earth for 10 miles.   

 

I can't say enough how the encouraging and funny posts help at the end of the day.  I'm off to scarf down another freeze dried meal and dream about beer and pizza.  I will be thinking of all of you tomorrow to help me get through.  At the next post I will only have 10K to go.

As my beautiful wife pointed out, I met my El Guapo today.  It was ugly, there was a plethora of salt flats and sand.  I came into camp very unsure of how I could continue to find all my tent mates waiting for me, cheering me on, helping me with my gear.  I'm in much better shape as I write this now, and looking forward to another brutal day tomorrow.  One blister on my heel to report, but it has been cleaned and dressed and ready for more salt flats tomorrow.  comments have lifted my spirit once again, thanks to everyone.

Well, despite what I thought this morning, I actually made it through the day unscathed.  The scenery was unimaginably more beautiful today that yesterday.  Started out sluggish and didn't catch my stride until around 20k today.  Tomorrow is supposed to be brutal so we are all sitting around trying to keep our minds off the salt flats and climbs tomorrow.  Spirits are high, and I'm looking forward to scratching off one more day. 

 

Once again, the emails and comments are brilliant and inspiring, thanks to all. 

greetings from the windy Atacama.  Made it today in one peice, feet are good, shoulders are sore from my 30 lb pack.  I cant even begin to explain how beautiful it is here.  I'm hoping the pictures can do it justice.  Yesterday was stressful.  I was lectured about the weight of my pack by a few folks which didn't help matters.  Met some great folks on the bus and had a laugh which helped me relax quite a bit once we were at the sight. 

 

Thanks everyone for the emails and blog comments.  I waited two hours for the computer and it was worth every second.  Sarah my love, I cant wait to see you a week from today. 

 

Tomorrow promises to be long and miserable.  I'm going to chunk some of the extra food I brought tonight in hopes of getting the pack weight down. 

 

More tomorrow

I had an epiphany after spending half the day triple checking flights, kit, transport, and sanity.  Focusing on anything but work and the first week in March from here on out is going to be an exercise in futility. 

I will peak this weekend with back to back 40K's with a full pack.  Then what?  Days of staring at pictures of salt flats and far off volcanoes, counting individual granules of Perpetuem, worrying that every time I step off a curb I risk breaking my fully trained ankle, threatening the cobbler with physical harm if the Velcro holding on my gaiters comes loose... trust me when I say this list is much longer, and the crazy isn't limited to the first 4 statements.  I think it's a safe bet that the mentally challenging part of this race has begun.

All that is left  to do now is perfect the playlist.  I may have a quick read of Richard Bachman's "The Long Walk" for a little inspiration. 

Only 89 days left.  I have a panic attack each time I see the countdown so I have placed a piece of duct tape over that spot on my monitor and it seems to help.  What concerns me is that no one has bothered to point it out.  I'm not sure if that says more about me or my cohort.

The good news is that I have two solid races done and dusted since my last post.  Dave Carr (fellow future Atacama victim) and myself completed the Singapore 100 duo (50K each) in October, and I have just returned from Italy were I completed my first marathon.  I finished both races close to (Singapore) or under (Florence) my goal time and enjoyed all but about 5km of each race. If I would have know that I could travel to exotic locations, eat twice as much food guilt free, and drink excessively post race I would have start running in my teens (just kidding Mom, I meant 21 of course). 

I'm headed back to the States for the holidays in a few weeks with the grand plan of stocking up and testing out gear for March. There is a good chance I will get a serious two day training session in by hitting the Outer Mountain Loop in Big Bend National Park.  Having this under my belt will help me trick myself into believing that I am ready for the Atacama and will give me a good chance to test out my new gear since, besides elevation, both spots have similar conditions.  You know, 7th level of hell with scenic views. 

Thanks to Tom for pointing Dave and I in the right direction on gear and packing.  You have undoubtedly lowered the stress levels for the end of Feb.

Looking forward to getting back into the normal training routine and testing out some new gear.

It's been a week since becoming an official competitor, and now that I have had a chance to let it sink in and tell the family, it's time to begin documenting the journey from now until March. 

I guess the best place to start is to list out all of my previous races....(uncomfortable silence)...

Now that we have that out of the way I can give some insight in to how this all came to be.  After a beer infused challenge in February of this year from my buddy and partner in Atacama crime, Dave, I jumped on the "it makes no since to run that far so let's do it" bandwagon.  After following last year's Crossing from the safety of Malaysia, I was hooked. 

I started my weekly runs with a massive lung burning, leg aching, heart bursting 1.6K run (that's a mile for my friends keeping score in the States).    Thanks to continuous encouragement from my beautiful wife and fastest girl I know, Sarah, Rob the Euro, and Dave, I managed to finish my second consecutive 50K week in time for the 6 month countdown to Chile.

This week was a light week in the schedule which gave me a chance to don the pack for an hour and a half run/walk this morning on my favorite route, the KDE loop.  The Loop involves a 2.8K gradual climb to a, yep you guessed it, loop.  The loop totals around 2.7K but is all steep uphill or downhill, save one section at the top of the hill (where at least 100 monkeys like to hang out and wait for passers by to drop food).  The road is surrounded on the outside by jungle and filled in the middle by a 9 hole golf course.  As you climb it allows you to look down on to the course and curse all the guys playing golf.  This alone would make it a good route, but what pushes this route over the greatness line is the reservoir. 

About 2K into the loop, there is a trail between two houses that slips up into the jungle.  After a grueling 206 ft (sorry to change units, but 63 m doesn't do it justice) straight up you come to a reservoir surround by a 1.3K trail complete with roots, stream crossings, and sounds of the varmints echoing through the rainforest.  Being able to go from the road and civilization to the trail and solitude mid-run makes all the difference.  It also allows for adding distance on LSDs (long slow days). 

Getting through the why and where of my training is probably enough to put anyone to sleep so I will digress.  Next week is should be good week of running culminating with a 28.5K LSD on Saturday.  I will be sure and update again next week and cuss Rob for being on vacation and not around to pull me through the last 5K.