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Colin Childes

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Atacama Crossing (2013) blog posts from Colin Childes

10 March 2013 01:39 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Bonjour Tous, Samedi journee de 8km200 jusqu

Comments: Total (2) comments

Jean-Loup Bevierre

Posted On: 13 Mar 2013 08:20 pm

Only one word: impressed! It seems it was worth it ...

xavier CHRETIEN

Posted On: 12 Mar 2013 10:26 am

Bravo super génial mon colin !! c'est super ce que tu as fait tu es the King Hate que tu nous racontes tes exploits profites bien de la fin de ton séjour ici il neige ile neige et il neige de quoi te faire rapidement oublier tes 40° à l'ombre Ici il n'y a pas d'ombre car iln'y a pas de soleil a ciao xav

08 March 2013 02:50 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Stage 6 c`est facile, journee de repos ...ca fait du bien.

Stage 5 - 75 km, premiere parti dans un super lac de sel sur 1km, mes ampouls ce sont alumer comme une phare....puis 6 km sur un plats - tout le monde marche jusqu`a checkpoint 1. Puis 11km sur un parcours classe tres difficile.Brian et moi avons marches avec 4 Sud African, moment tres drole et pleins d`echanges. On a rit tellement, que les 10km sont finis trop vite! Chckpoint 2 - on change de decors et attaquons du plat pour courir ou marche. La precendente parti a vraiment irite ms ampules et ma chevil. Devant nous 11 km sur un chemin pour une fois on peut regarder la vue et pas ou on place chaque pied. Toujours dans la vallee avec les Andes et Salers n arriere plan, le chemi9n est plutot sableux, cela faisait longtemps qu`on avait pas vue pareil!!

Checkpoint 3 on nous offre un coca ou sprite, wow c`est la fete. LE gout presque oublier de frais et sucre... on prend 15 minutes et on repart pour 14.1 km, je simplifie car cet parti etait tres lngue et pas interet, la fin est sur une longue montee d`une dune sur 1 km, la derniere parti est tellement raide que c`est du quasi 4 pattes, suivit d`une descente aussi difficile. Checkpoint 4, 43km, c`est la pause et recompense. Plus que 32km, mais plus de pillules de sel, et 13km dans une riviere aseches. pass mal pour n fin d`apres midi, mais mes pieds fatigue et nosu avons faim. A checkpoint 5, on s`rrete, mange un plat gourmet, qui nous donne la force pour repartir jusq`a checkpoint 6. Il commence a faire nuit, puis il fait nuit et la chemin est balisee par des lumieres fluo, franchemnt super l`organisation. D`ailleurs le staff t volntairs osnt vraiement incroyable > A Checkpint 6, nous avons formee un club de 4, et marchons les dernieres 9.7km au campement dans la nuit. Les etoils nous eclairs, le ciel est tellement pure, que la voute celeste est dans toute sa splendeure - incroyable. Arrivee 22h50. un peu moins de 15 heures de promenade. Chose inattendu, a la pesee 93.6 kg donc repris un peu de poids, apparement comme tout le monde. Un seule ampoule de plus, et une chevile gauche cmme une tres grosse orange. Plus que 8km1 demain.avant douche, manicure, cheveau, .... paron je m`egare :-)

Merci a tous pour vos multiples emails et commentaires et soutien. Fraanchement Thank you

Comments: Total (5) comments

Jean-Loup BEVIERRE

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 06:57 pm

Un corps frêle de 93 Kg ??? Quoiqu'il en soit, ils doivent te sembler loin les entrainements dans les chemins enneigés de la forêt de Chantilly ... Compliments t bon courage!

childes sophie

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 05:09 pm

bravo darling tu es le plus fort de la terre voire de l univers, on est très fier de toi tu peux rentrer mais après double douche et T shirt propre, je ne parle pas du reste !!!!!!

Abby Bruce

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 02:22 pm

Go Go Go TEAM CASTLE TRIATHLON!!! Brian and Colin - We are reading your blog in Chantilly and sending you strength on this exciting last day!!! Well Done, very proud, even if you are completely NUTS. xxx Abby

cedric garault

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 10:12 am

Now everything is clear: Colin likes oranges, shampoos and manicures ! It's beautiful vacation

Gez Hester

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 07:01 am

Well done Colin. I can't really read French so Rosie has been translating, she tells me you've found it really easy and like eating oranges. Fantastic acheivement. Looking forward to hearing about it over a beer. Gez

06 March 2013 03:31 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Desoler pour le manque de news hier. Stage 3 est l`epreuve le plus difficile et endurant de toute ma vie. Une premiere parti en file indienne au travers des terrains ondulant et peu stable pour le pied, .soritr du chemin est vraiment a vos risques et perils. 10 km de terrain des fois vide, des fois des herbes a ma taille. Tres long, suite 11 km au travers un desert qui s`effondre sous chaque avancee... c`et beau mais faut vraiment regader ou on mais le pied. Brian et Gavin avance sans problemes quelconque, mais notre avancee est lent et le soleil se leve. Stage 3 etait fr 40km , au Checkpoint 3 il faut tres chaud avec deja 3h15 de course! Il reste des dunes a traversee de sable fin et le mi chemin est singale bien trop tot, il fait bien trop chaud pour un petit anglais tout frele. Le decor toujours ondulant des longues montees longe le pied des Andes, c`est vraiment tres tres beau. Ssudainement on passe le mi chemin on passe vers plus de sable et des descentts de dune a pic ... puis montee a pic... il ne reste plus que 4km ... mais la chaleur est vraiment insupportable. A l`arrivee au campementon nous avons fait 7h30 pour 44km. Brian et moi sommes Hors sdrvice. Je pese 90kg, avec 1kg4 de sable dans mes chaussures, Brian lui a perdi 7kg. J`ai fait l`aquisition de 3 ampouloes supplementaires.

Stage 4: Distance plus longue de 44km en 3 parti - premiere dans les dunes comme hier, puis apres checkpoint 1 12km dans un faun plat mais attention au pied! On s`arrete a checkpoint 2, besoin de OMBRE et de detente, la suiteest 14km dans les salers jusqu`au prochain Checkpoint. Il doitfaire 29 degrees. Une logue traversee - on pense a plein de chose - on regarde beaucoup ou on met le pied ... et le decors qui lui ne change pas - c`est un vrai soulagemnt d`arrivee au checkpoint car je commence vraiement a avoir un envie d`appeler un taxi!. 6km600 jusqu`au camopment, 8h10 pour 44km Quand aux ampoules 3 de plus.
Tres heureuex d`avoir fait Stage 4. Brian aussi!

Mercioour vos multiles messages de soutien, ca fait fait vraiemnt plaisir. A tres bientot.

Comments: Total (12) comments

Jean-Loup Bevierre

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 10:43 am

You told me it would be tough, I did expect that! Un anglais "frele" de 93 kg? Ca m'a bien fait rigoler. Bon courage chief, we'll resume with the running tomorrow.

Rosie Hester

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 11:34 pm

Colin, you legend. Well done.....what a fantastic achievement. Hope those poor tootsies are holding up. Have fun in San Pedro. Love Rosie and Gez xx

caz adcock

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 05:29 pm

Well done Colin !!!! lovely pic of you and Bri crossing the line _ a big hug from me too.. Hope the feet are holding out . Enjoy the last day and savour every moment in the desert - you may not go back !!... lots of love to you all.... caz xxx

Colin Childes

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 04:56 pm

Bravo Colin. The end is in sight. Love to the other 2from castle series. Mum and dad

pyzza napoli

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 01:16 pm

bravo je regarde les photos tous les jours

François Perraguin

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 12:34 pm

Avec toutes ces ampoules tu vas pouvoir changer de métier et devenir électricien! :-) C'est bientôt fini, profites en bien . Good Luck François

Cédric Garault

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 11:43 am

Pas mal du tout Monsieur le président ! Beau travail sur le physique et sur le mental... Mais la je n'avais aucun doute ! Trop fort le grand Breton !

Quentin LEGRAND

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 11:21 am

Bravo super Colin,on est tous derrière toi (dans le taxi), ça doit être extraordinaire de faire cette course, garde la pèche, @ bientôt Quentin .

Christophe Lépicier

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 09:26 am

Colin, que la force soit avec toi pour la 5ème étape.

childes sophie

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 06:10 pm

allez chouchou, le panneau arrivée est proche t es trop super fort biz d amour

Corine Ewen

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 02:27 pm

Waouh!! Nous sommes de tout cœur avec toi mon grand, surtout pour le grand 5e stage! Bon courage amuse toi bien, on pense bien à toi, bisous Corine et Vincent

Philippe Martin

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 12:34 pm

Well done mate. Don't give up it's the final countdown now. Wish you good luck for the terrible stage 5

04 March 2013 04:13 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Aujourd`hui c`est francais. Desoler pour les aaccents et erreur. Le PC fait lat un main, et pas d`accents :-)

7 heures 15 avec Brian et Gav. On ne peu d`ecrire le parcours qu`avec un seule mot "Suit Kaput!" 44 km en 4 parties, la premiere dans l`O des canyons superb, eau glace.... Deuxieme parti, "le ridge" une montee tres longue, un tunnel et encore une tres logue montee. Le decor etait epoustouflant. JE frissone justeavec le souvenir d`un decor use par l`Oet le vent.

La deuxiem partitermine avec une superbe descent d`un dune de sable - incroyable sensation de se jetter dans le vide et courrir dans un sable profond - le fun s`arrete ici malheureusement. A ce point j`avais bu et manger comme pevu - qqs courbature d ela veille mais sinon rien de particulier.

Les parties 3 et 4 ont etait trest tres long. oleil a plus de 40, sol soit rocheux, soit instable. Brian et moi avions marche depuis checkpoint 2 - franchement dure dure dure. Les KM psse le decor desertique suit une rivere autour de San Pedro puis sort pour un traverse d`une brousse jusqu`a la dernieree arbre. Le decor est toujoursavec Les andes en fond de tableau, cape de blaanc, le sol aussi,comme s`il avait neiger sauf que c`est 40plus et du sel! Pas d`animaux, personne en vusauf Brian. Chose drole on avait laisse Gav pour mort dans les canyons, il y reveient tres fort pour finir preque ensemble. Suoerbe Perf Gav!

Bn en stats, dans la famille des ampoules ju`ai la collection totale. LE pere, la mere, .On est tous trois epuise, fracasse, sous infusion de Sel, eau etc. Icroyable ce que notre frele corp peut subir. Besoin cronique de dormir, 2 soir sans someil, mais visiblement suispas seule car tous le monde est dans lemem etat.

Bise a tous

Comments: Total (3) comments

leone vincent

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 07:49 pm

Bravo Colin pour ta performance !!!!! Je te suis tous les jours ..... Ca doit être une course incroyable..... Aller courage soigne bien tes pieds !!!!!! A bientot !!!! Vincent

Cédric Garault

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 05:58 pm

Bon courage à vous trois! Superbe ce que vous faites... La Breizh

Childes Sophie

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 10:07 am

welldone darling tu es worderfull superb Ps tu peux changer de tee shirt !!!!!! en attente de tes nouvelles on t aime - les childes

03 March 2013 03:59 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Well the rsce strted this morning and my first thoughts go to My Wife and Children. Its hard! The stage started early, after a short night in rough conditions. At 8:00 am iwe all set off 'n nice cool weather, a fast start, justlike a triathklon, anyways the team were off, Castle Triathlon, sepnt the first KM together, and then both Brian and Gav slowed on the first incline. We only saw each other gin at the finish line.

The first 20 km was over some rolling ground, setting for a nice pace. Check point 1 came early as did Checkpoint 2 (20km) Through some lovely empty canyons and then onto a horrible rocky flat. The sun and temperature rising swiftly, we entered at 4km incline, only walkable, with turn after turn, funny it just went on and on. t this point I was alone and it really felt strange, the rock faces were really incredible, the back pack (approx 12 kg0 was tarting to weigh, and this path just went on, like a neverending story.

Checkpoint 3 was a relief, all down hill and 3.9 km to go. It was now hot, and running really very difficult. The finish line was such a relief. 18th, in 3 hours 52. Team Castle came in at around 4 hours 12. Blisters have made an appearance (4 in all) - funny didn nt feel them. The back back was the worst.

It was 39 degrees at 15:00, needless to say, i am just pooped. The sun is now setting and the iwinf blowing quite strongly. Time for a brief camp fire, a gourmt meal and then crash out.

Please remember PLAN France and if possible make a mall gift to the program"Beacaue I am a Girl"

Comments: Total (12) comments

Eric Gaglione

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 08:59 pm

Un petit mot d'un ami: sois prudent mais fais toi plaisir. Tu écris des souvenirs!.

Childes CLARA

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 05:14 pm

On a tous rigolé en regardant ta vidéo. Tu es si .... joyeux, oui sa doit être ça. Je suis HYPER fier de toi, mon petit papa. On pense très fort à toi, tient bon et n'oublie pas: le plus important c'est de prendre du plaisir. Love you sooooo much Clara, your favourite and your only daughter :p <3

Childes Maxence

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 04:08 pm

bonjour papa on t'a vu sur des photos et sur une video. T'es super et on t encourage beaucoup. Bisou Maxence.

Childes Sophie

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 02:38 pm

where is my superman ? comment va mon héros ? pense très fort à toi je te donne ma force de Jeidi je t'aime

Cédric Garault

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 09:05 pm

Remember two things : First : Pas trop vite, attends l'équipe, tu leur a déjà mis quelques bonnes minutes d'avance. secondly : Prends le temps chaque soir du fil et de l'aiguille pour tes cloques ! Be strong

vincent leone

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 07:55 pm

Coucou Colin !!!!!! Je regarde tous les jours tes exploits.... C'est vraiment incroyable ce que tu fais.... Toute l'équipe de Triathlon de Chantilly et derrière toi .... Encore Bravo Courage Vincent

Philippe Martin

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 07:11 pm

Haha Well done mate. Be fine with the Brits slow down !!

Childes sophie

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 04:42 pm

bravo darling on est fier de toi mais c'est difficile de suivre la course pas beaucoup d'info tu es dans nos coeurs (et plus le mien !!!!!) on attend avec impatience le debriefing du jour 2 Pitié avant minuit 15. Au fait contente de ton temps, tu as été plus rapide que brian !!!! bizzzz d'amour

Colin Childes

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 04:36 pm

Fantastic!! You have all done so well. Long may it continue. We're on beach by water!! Keep your spirits up. M and D xx

Jean-François Wojtowiez

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 02:28 pm

Go for it man, somme de tous coeur avec toi. PS : très jolie trio ( photo )

Team PanJo

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 10:32 am

Great effort on day 1 Colin. Maybe a bit hasty perhaps - there's a looooooooong way to go ! There's a lot of us in the UK rooting for the CTS 'team'. Good luck for day 2. PanJo

Rougemont Rougemont

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 07:13 am

Tout le club de chantilly triathlon est avec vous ...

02 March 2013 02:42 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Saturday 2nd March now 17:00 local time and we are at camp one. Everyone is very excited and the tension has eased a little now the race is almost upon us. The temperature has coled a little, I think we are at around 28 degrees, the breeze is refreshing but we could do with a pool and a small msrghertia, but sadly no room service!.


Now getting aclimatised to the altitude, and also to the heat, althoughthis afternoon, it was blistering hot. Sun cream being piled on to avert burns.


Have a good night all and next blog will be after stage one, approximately 35 km.


Thanks for all the support and continued messages, special thanks to coach Endurance sport and Kine Stephanie. Loads of Love to Familly.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Philippe Martin

Posted On: 03 Mar 2013 10:33 pm

Hope the first stage Will be fine. Good luck and be strong

02 March 2013 01:05 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Well had great time last night, good food, and lots to chat about. We had diner in Adobe, as did many athletes, andn got back for an early night. The night was not great, thunder quite q bit of lightening, and a few sun burns from the run on Friday all made for a restless night. Off for briefing this morning and now a final backpack check. See if I can loose a little more weight. Bonne Journee Tous

Comments: Total (0) comments

01 March 2013 09:03 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Dear All, 1st full day in San Pedro Atacama, in a Lucious hotel, Altiplanico. We arrived yesterday afternoon after close to 20 hours travelling. A mild entertainment in Santiago, bags dissapeared,but finally Air France staff discovered they had been sent direct to La Calama! Starting in Santiago, started meeting more and more like minded people all going to ....... Atracama. Crazy bunch really! After checking in,dip in the pool and walk into town, we had a great diner in Blanco,with 15 other participants. One lovely 72 year old and team mates, contender and a couple of pretenders for the first place. Early night,at 2500m, funny waking up at 5am knowing it is 9:000 at home, and then off for a quick 1 hour run in the morning,well late morning,and 29 degrees. Rather leisurely day. And early night to night. Thanks for all your emails and comments.more tomorrow.

Comments: Total (0) comments

08 February 2013 03:37 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Hi all those previous Atacama finishers! Now with 24 days to do, just finishing off my preparations and backpack. And have been debating fluids. I have tested a few and found that apart from taste it is difficult to appreciate the needs of a desert when living and training close to 0 degrees C. What is your experience with fluids and salts ? What products did you use, that worked or could have been better ?

Comments: Total (2) comments

Grant Maughan

Posted On: 09 Feb 2013 01:32 am

Colin-Just about all you drink on long distance should either have electrolytes or calories in it, pure water tastes great but you need to keep replenishing so no use wasting room by filling up your gut with straight water. Problem is a lot of the taste starts to get really hard to deal with after drinking it for hours on end with a sticky mouth. Carbo-Pro is a good product as it has absolutely no taste so if you like just water this is a good option as you cant taste it. Products like Cytomax, Heed & Accelerade are all good for electrolyte replacement & come in different flavours. Remember that after about 2 hours of labour you really need to start putting a little protein in your body. Accelearde, Perpetuem, etc. have a bit of protein in the mix. (If taking gel I like to use Accelgels as they also have some protein in them). I have been using a drink mix called Infinit which you can go online & make your own concoction of carbs, electrolytes, protein, caffeine, etc. in whatever doses you like then the company mixes it for you & sends it out. Its worked good for me so far especially in an Ironman distance bike leg where you dont want to be fumbling with gel wrappers, etc. so you can just drink your calories. The only thing I dont like about it is it gets a bit frothy near the end of the bottle. Some of these drink mixes wont require to much additional salt/sodium intake. I take S-Caps when I need to dose up. Endurolytes are also ok but I prefer S-Caps.

Brian Flemming

Posted On: 08 Feb 2013 06:13 pm

Colin- Atacama is my first 4Deserts event. However, I have done very well with Perpetuem. I would highly recommend trying the different flavors though. The Latte flavor made me sick! I use Salt Tabs Plus as my sodium supplement. Brian Flemming North Pole, AK www.facebook.com/TeamFlemming

02 January 2013 06:43 am (GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

Hello All, with the lats few months to go some still open questions on gear and in particular food. How much to carry ? The recommendation is 2000 per day, but having not done this before recommendations would be good. IN addition what do you need based on height and body weight ? All comments welcome, good training.

Comments: Total (4) comments

Colin Childes

Posted On: 31 Jan 2013 04:40 pm

Thank all for response, I am looking at expedtion foods 800K bags as need a lot of CAL to keep motor running. Did any of you try SALT tablets and other Energy drink products ?

Sam F

Posted On: 05 Jan 2013 02:47 am

Variety is key. Take plenty of salty AND sweet options. Noodles, dehydrated food AND snacks that you like as treats.

steven stewart

Posted On: 04 Jan 2013 08:00 pm

The instant noodles are great. I think about 400-500 calories and you just add water. They have a ton of salt (which you will crave and need), lots of flavours and are very very cheap. Buy the ones in the small bag and just dump them in your container with ht water. I took the bare minimum calories and was fine. I weigh 155 lbs.

David Savvas

Posted On: 03 Jan 2013 02:27 pm

Hi Colin, One of the big mistakes that I made with the Gobi was just carrying expedition food (dehydrated). Tasted terrible and was more than I needed. Make sure you mix in some sweet things (such as lollies) and plenty of tea/coffee/hot chocolate if you drink warm drinks. They can make a big difference to your morale and you will have plenty of time to drink them and as much hot water as you need. Keep the salts and electrolytes stocked up as well. Some things that I will be taking this time will be: 2 minute noodles, beef jerky or small salamis, jelly beans, peanut butter and tobasco sauce. You will lose weight but you might as well do it while eating something tasty. I'm 5'9 and weigh 73kg and lost about 3kgs. Hope this helps and hope to see you on the trail.