I am back in Cairo at one of the high points thus far in my life. Thank you for all the support out there. I wouldn't have made it without hearing from everyone. I hope to have more experiences as amazing as this one, but am not sure if I will. This race was without a doubt one of my proudest accomplishments and I had more growth in my life. I have made incredible friends, saw part of the world I would never experienced and pushed myself to limits I thought I wasn't capable of. Yesterdays 54 mile 25 hour run was the hardest thing I have ever I ever done physically but beyond that mentally. I never considered the mental challenge coming into this race but in the past 36 hours I was in some very dark places in my head.  

Overall I came in 78th place out of the 146 people who started 116 who finished taking me 53 hours. If you had told me 10 days ago this would have been my result I would have probably thought this race was a huge failure. Having finishing now I am so proud of everything from finishing, my time to the people I met in this race. Reflecting back the best days were the toughest ones. If my race had been days 1,2 and 4 I would have had a much faster race, but a much different experience.  

I spent a huge amount of time preparing and training for this race. I would not have made it if I hadn't had everything dialed in. I had every calorie I would eat accounted for, every piece of gear I would need, heat training and months of running. I am not a superstar runner but a strong one and this race was very hard for me. Everything seems so manageable reading about it ahead of time, but there are so many unforeseeable challenges in doing your first ultra. I just reread my blog and am so glad I kept it for myself and the memories as well as to share with everyone. I thought they would be some more whining in them and be a bit more emotional. Instead they seemed more like a factual account of what was going on.  

Racing the planet staff, Sam, Alaina and Ross, were incredibly professional and ran the race very smoothly. The volunteers put in hours of work for nothing in return and I am so thankful to them. The medical team, which I got to know all too well, were incredible. Jay, Rob, and Joe all took amazing care of me and were constantly looking out for my health and safety.  

People really had a caring for me, my success and well being. Two people especially cared for me and I might be overstepping when I say this but loved me. Katie and Manon thank you two so much, without you two I couldn't have finished this race. They believed in me when I didn't and their caring for me was unbelievable. It feels so amazing to have that from people I met five days ago.  

Manon is an ER doctor in LA. All that anti nausea medicine I was taking was not paid for by the race, she was giving it to me out of her caring and wanting me to succeed in this race. I was responding by being delirious and losing it. Here is a picture of her "cooling her jets".  

 
Katie was out here doing research on hyponatremia, but all her equipment was lost in the mail. She was a lifesaver out there taping my back, blisters and handing out "medical" cheese. Such a great supporter who was always looking out for me. I think she must have been being silly for the camera in this picture in long sleeves and a tuque as I can't remember one day with it being cool enough for a hat or long sleeves.  

 
As for the actual race on day five it started off at this campsite at about 5:30am.  

 
Here is a photo of my tent mates from the previous day. We started with eleven in the tent but ended up with eight since three people had to stop their races. Even with eight we were all cramped in head to toe while we slept.  

 
The first two stages were beautiful through an old ocean called the valley of the whales. The footing was amazing and I moved very quickly running almost until the forth check point. My foot began hurting very badly, like there was a knife being stabbed through the bottom. I worked in some walking and finally sat down to take my shoe off and tapped a gauss bandage roll to the bottom. It felt so much better but running like that for more than a few miles wouldn't work. As I approached check point four, about 20 miles in, the heat set in and I knew I would have to take a break as the next stage was a very difficult one over soft dunes. I arrived at check point four somewhere between 17th and 25th place around 10:30 or 11am.  

The lead medical doctor, Jay, looked at my foot and said it was an overuse injury. He said I wouldn't hurt myself anymore and it was just pain.  

I lay at the check point for the next four hours and was passed by almost every competitor. Here I am with Jon Gannon, the competitor I spoke about earlier with a broken toe. He is a real tough guy, I can only imagine the pain he endured.  

 
I am impressed we were still smiling as it was 118 degrees out! Here is a shot on the other side of the SUV to give you some idea of where we were, with the dunes we were about to cross in the distance.  

 
As I was lying on the ground some of the sweepers with camels came up. After a few minutes I hear the loudest sound out of the camel. I lift my head to see the camel on its knees and the rider wrestling with its head. He grabbed the camels nostrils and pulled back its head forcing the camel to open its mouth and shoved a 1.5 liter bottle of water down its throat which the camel drank in about five seconds. That was probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my life. I just checked online and unfortunately couldn't find a video of it.  

I ran out of check point four until I hit the dunes and hiked until check point five which Manon was running. It had cooled off a bit but was still 110 degrees out. By check point five my foot was killing me so she gave me an aerosol spray can to roll my foot on. It felt AMAZING, such relief. She also gave me some more nausea medicine as the heat of the last leg was getting to me a bit.  

I continued on to check point six which was 30 miles into the last leg while the sunset. It was very pretty. Check point six was the overnight check point with tents set up. I stopped and ate my last dinner, chicken korma. It was surprisingly tasty considering it is all I ate every night for the week. I should have taken a nap but decided to continue on. Having done five marathons in five days I was tired and at mile 30 out of 54.  

As I continued in the dark things deteriorated quickly for me. I was walking slowly alone in the dark having been on this stage for about 16 hours. I was very weary and started to feel my heart race and head spin. I stopped and lied down on the side of the course and put my head in the sand. I told myself two minutes before I would get going again. If anyone is caught sleeping on the course they are pulled from the race as it is very dangerous with cars patrolling. I started to feel incredibly sorry for myself. I started thinking of all the hard work I had put into the race and why others were moving so much faster and having so much more success. As I wallowed in myself pity I saw some headlights in the distance which got me to my feet.  

The approaching car rolled down its window and Manon was inside. She rolled down the window and asked how I was doing. I said fine and she drove on. I saw her pull over in the distance and turn off her lights to see if I was still moving forward. I thought to myself how sneaky that was of her.  

I think she could see I was walking slowly when in the cooler night weather I normally would be running. After she saw that I was still walking on, she drove back. She asked again how I was doing and I told her how I had to take the short rest, felt like my heart was racing and had a fever. She checked all my vitals and asked me if she wanted to pull me from the race. I said no, though in the back of my mind I was wishing she would pull me so I would have an excuse to quit. I was so exhausted and just wanted to be done.  

She spoke with the other race directors in the car and came back telling me she couldn't let me go on alone in the dark. She had told me before that I couldn't run anymore in this race and that she was letting me go on with my last chance. She also said that I had to be 100% honest about my conditions at all times and if she couldn't trust me that was it. She knew I was a poker player, and even though I am a bad liar she thought I was misleading her about my condition. I admit I did down play it a few times this week, though I am guessing she knew that. She held me for the next competitor, Taro a Japanese competitor, saying that if I didn't stay with him my race was over.  

For the next two hours I followed Taro step by step. All I could think about was how I couldn't leave him. As I walked behind him I felt my heart racing again. I would feel really hot and woozy. We eventually reached check point seven and Manon was waiting. She asked how I was doing and I filled her in. She again checked my vitals and told me to rest at this check point for awhile before going on. I was welcoming a break and took out my sleeping bag and lay on the hard ground.  

After 15 minutes on the ground I began getting cold and took off my wet cloths in exchange for anything warm and dry I had. The wind was whipping and my 3/4 length bag was not keeping me warm. I lay on the ground for three hours getting colder and colder with my legs killing me. I told myself that I was done with this race and would continue to the next check point and pull myself. I created a little fantasy in my head about why it was okay to quit now, 25 miles from the finish.  

Eventually one of the volunteers came and poked me, saying I had been there for three hours. I knew it was now or never so I lifted myself up and walked around the SUV to find Jon and Ken, a competitor from China. We all began walking together. At this point it was about 1am or 2am and we had all been on the course since 7am. The pace was very slow as we all had a variety of injuries, mine being by far the least painful and serous of the group. We would stop every couple of miles to rest. My heart still felt like it was racing and I told them I was done. They said that I had to go on to the next check point with them as we were in the middle of nowhere.  

It seemed to take forever to reach check point eight. We couldn't see it forever as it was over a small dune which further lowered our spirits. I'd guess with our frequent breaks we were moving at 25-30 minute mile pace. As we walked in Katie greeted me asking how I was doing. I told her about my racing heart and how I was not feeling well. She checked all my vitals and told me to rest. I had been so cold in the wind at the last check point that I took the plastic ground cover and wrapped myself in it to get out of the wind. As I lay under the plastic I grabbed my bag and rummaged around for something to eat. All I had left were two freeze dried porridges which the thought of made me sick, especially having them cold. As I was lying on the ground I overheard Katie and Tony, a consultant for the race, discussing my condition. Tony was saying I couldn't make it as we had 15 miles. Katie was telling him she thought I could go on.  

Jon and Ken were talking about getting moving again and I knew I had to continue with them. I also thought getting some food would really help me, so I asked Katie if she had anything and she produced two small pieces of cheese and some wheat thins from her bag. After eating what I had for the last week these were the two best pieces of cheese I had ever had. It was unbelievable how delicious these things were.  

We began moving again and I felt AMAZING. I couldn't feel my heart racing any longer, nor was I getting hot flashes. I would have started running again but I didn't because of Manon and what she had told me earlier. Jon was in a very bad state at this point, and I wasn't sure if he would make the final 15 miles. We were creeping along barely ahead of the Eygptian camel riders sweeping the course.  

The sun began rising as we approached checkpoint nine and it was so beautiful. Jon's spirits began rising and we were joking about everything as we walked. For the first time I had the realization we had been on the course for almost 24 hours. I couldn't believe how great I was feeling with the terrible state I had been in just a few hours ago. When we arrived at check point nine Katie, Manow and some of the volunteers were waiting with huge smiles on their faces. We stopped for 15 minutes to take pictures and I was overcome with joy. It was such an amazing feeling and an unreal high. That was the high point of my trip, out there with everyone after the night we shared together.  

I don't have the pictures yet as they were taken on Manow's phone who is headed back to the states. Maybe I can add them later.  

We powered through the last stage and I began to run the last mile or two. It felt great coming in strong after being on the course for 25 hours. I was greeted by Deyl (who had an amazing day five!!! You should read about it in his blog) and a bunch of my other friends at the camp. Here is a shot of me right after finishing the 54 miles, and 155 miles in 5 days.  

 
The rest of the day was spent getting very hungry. Deyl and I had planned on not eating this day as we didn't want to carry the food all week. Trust me when I say that was a better idea on paper than in action.  

I was trying to trade my porridge for something I could keep down. I was lucky that Steven, a very experienced ultra marathoner who came in third, took pity on me. He was nice enough to trade me for a porridge for his mashed potatoes even though I knew he didn't want the porridge. He had given me one the day before as well. That was the hungriest I have ever felt in my life and freeze dried mashed potatoes tasted so good. It was only 400 calories or so and I had only eaten 1600 calories the entire day before while covering 54 miles. I was still starving but it helped.  

As the day dragged on we had nothing to do but be hungry and sit in the 115 degree heat. By 4pm I was at my end and ready start begging other competitors for food. Deyl was in a similar state and we didn't think we would be able to eat until 24 hours later after finishing the race at the pyramids of Giza. Then Alina made an announcement that there was a surprise gift from the local people. She said they had Egyptian flat bread and cheese for us!!! I had been craving cheese all week and the bit Katie gave me just wet my appetite. Deyl and I were first in line and devoured our four pieces of bread and soft cheese. It was so good and salty. The entire time I was eating I was monitoring the line looking for a chance to get back in for 2nds. I felt so pathetic but I just didn't care, I was too hungry.  

I jumped in for 2nds and took them to my tent so no one could see me in the state I was in. I found Deyl already there having grabbed 2nds as well and we sat in the back hording our food. We went back for thirds finishing everything off. The other competitors had more composure than us and I think we were the only ones to have 2nd's much less thirds. After finishing I felt so pleasantly full I lay down to sleep for the first time in 48 hours, so thankful I wasn't hungry.  

The next morning we were bused to the pyramids of Giza for our final one mile run and photo shoot. I sat by Manon on the bus and we talked about the previous day. I thanked her for not pulling me and letting me finish my race even though I was so sick. She said that she never thought for a 2nd about pulling me on that day. She had on earlier days, but she said day five in the night everything was in my head. I was floored and asked about my racing heart and fever. She said my heart rate was normal and I didn't have a fever. She said I was having a mental struggle (breakdown?) and needed to hear that I was about to be pulled. She put me with Taro to help me mentally, not to have him watch my safety.  

I was in utter shock that I was so weak mentally. I feel gross just thinking about it and writing it here. In all my preparation for this race I never considered that my biggest weakness would be in my head not in my body. Manon had really pulled a great bluff on me. I was convinced I was about to be pulled from the race if I didn't do exactly as she said, while I had been ignoring some of her advice/orders earlier in the week.  

We arrived at the pyramids and it was a bit of a letdown. I had built it up in my head as this amazing finish but it wasn't. Sure it looks good on Facebook, but my highlight was day five check point nine with very special people watching the sun rise over the desert. That was a moment I will remember forever.  

I have so many other experiences and thoughts that can't fit into this blog that may fade from my mind as time goes on. I have grown incredibly close to so many people in such a short amount of time. So many people I spoke before the race said their journey was life changing. I never considered mine would be going in and brushed it off as people being overly emotional. I thought I was preparing for a race and competition, that was not what it ended up being for me.  

As I finish this up I am getting teary eyed. If you are reading this considering doing something like this I would say go for it. I don't know what your journey will be but I bet it will surprise and change you.

I don’t have much time on the computer so I will have to keep this short. I’ll write a longer blog when I am back in Cairo. Thank you all for the comments, it means the world to me.

Dad, everything here is being run well and my safety is always being looked out for.

I finished 54 mile stage safely. It was very grueling for me. I finished in about 25 hours which put me in about 100^th place. I am just happy to finish as there were some times when I wasn’t sure I was.

I ran the first two stages and did very well. Once I hit the third check point, about three hours in, I had to take a 4 hour break to let the heat pass. My watch read 118 degrees and that leg of the course was rated difficult. It was so smart to take the break as I wouldn’t have made it. Most of the competitors passed me.

I did well on stage four and five passing a few competitors. Stage five was the overnight camp, but I only took 20minutes to eat something which was a mistake. By check point six I was really struggling and had to rest for three hours. I was wiped and every check point from there on I would take 2-3 hour breaks to rest up. I couldn’t sleep but I was able to rest my weary legs.

I consider myself a pretty tough guy but people out here take the cake. I am think my fitness and training is very good but I was beat today by lots of people who had more constitution than me. It sounds so easy to just push beyond your limits but when you are running in pain it’s very hard.

The medical team was great today. They were on top of my safety at all times, I was very impressed.

Thanks again for reading, I will write a more detailed post in a few days. Please keep the comments coming!

Beyond these random stories there are countless people in the medical tent every night getting blisters fixed and having their backs taped from chaffing of bags.

Thank you for all the comments, it really helps and kept me strong.

Today was the hardest stage and really brutal for me. I woke up feeling very nauseous and took medicine for it at every check point. It took me over 10 hours to finish and I came in 83^rd barely ahead of the sunset. I wish I had done better but if I had pushed more I might not have made it. I had to walk most of the day since my stomach felt like I was going to vomit anytime I got moving. Walking is so much harder and wearing on the body than running.

The runners with ultra-experience are really starting to shine in this race. I am starting to realize these stage races are about so much more than running. Most of today’s stage was over soft 200m sand dunes and it was hotter than the previous days. The medical team held me at every check point since I have put myself in the medical tent the past two days. I thought of quitting a few times today and it is so good to hear from everyone, please keep the comments coming.

I have to try to pee and am heading straight to bed. Sorry for the short blog I am wiped. Only two more days. I am looking forward to finishing.

I arrived in Cairo two days ago. The trip was about 24 hours from my place to the hotel and all my flights went smoothly. I haven't drank much alcohol in the past year and went a bit overboard on the wine on my Vancouver Frankfurt leg. I woke up not feeling refreshed and with a pounding headache, very dumb by me! 

I am a bit of a travel nerd, and was excited to fly on Lufthansa's first class for the first time. I got lucky with award availability and was able to upgrade 10 days ago from business. I was flying in Lufthansa's older first class and must say I wasn't too impressed. If I had paid full fare for the ticket (~22k) I would have been very disappointed, but the price was right for a few frequent flyer miles! Of all the international premium cabins I have flown I think Virgin Atlantic has the best product, even though there highest class of service is classified as business. Virgin is the only airline I would consider paying full fare for their upper class, I find it to be great value. That said I haven't flown any of the Asian carriers except Asiana airlines and Philippine airlines.  

The hotel was about 20 minutes from the airport and when I arrived the car was sniffed with dogs for weapons. Then I had to go through a metal detector and all my luggage was scanned to make sure I wasn't trying to get a bomb into the hotel. It was nice to know that the hotel is secure but very eye opening to what has been going on in the middle east. Here is a random shot of me on the balcony of the hotel.  

 

Yesterday I met some of the race participants and race directors. From talking to the race directors it sounds like it's not going to be as hot as it has been in the past. They were saying it will probably only get up to 110 degrees or so, which is so much more manageable then 120+ degrees. As I have wrote about before heat is what I think is most likely to stop me from finishing. Since my last blog I really cut down on my running and increased my sauna work. At the end I was doing 45 minutes daily in the sauna with 15 minutes of that was spend doing core work, pushups and dips. Its surprising how doing some light working out in 160 degree sauna tires you out. Hopefully it pays off. Here is a random shot of me on the balcony at the hotel. 

I was impressed by the other racers and how athletic they all looked. Usually I don't think people look like they would be athletes, but pretty much everyone I have met who is doing the race looks like they are in amazing shape and can really run. Most had shaved heads and veins popping out of every part of their body. For those who haven't seen me in the past week, I shaved my head as well. Hopefully it will help keep me cooler as well. I have had the same haircut since elementary school, so I feel like a shaved sheep with my buzz cut. Here I am right after.  

 

After meeting some people with the race I went back to my room and ziplocked up all my food, electrolytes and laid out my bag. I am bringing 2500 calories a day. I estimate that I will be burning 5000-7000 calories a day, so I will be losing more than a pound a day in weight, not to mention all the liquids I will be losing. From reading other peoples blogs it sounds like lots of people bring to much food and you can scavenge for their leftovers so I am hoping I can get a few hundred extra calories a day from others. I have been cutting out more and more of my amenities and I got my pack down to a very svelte 16.5lbs with no water. This will put me at one of the lightest packs. 

Here is a picture of all my gear and food for the seven days. 

 

After packing up I went for an hour run on the golf course. It started off very sluggish, but then some of my mindless top 40's music came on and I found my groove. I am going to change out my music to more mindless pop songs, though I will have to conserve as I only have 15 hours of music on my one ipod (one of the few amenities I brought). The run finished up great, though I was disappointed that I couldn't run outside of the hotel gate and see Cairo because of the recent unrest in the area. One of my favorite things to do when traveling in a new city is just start running and seeing the city by foot. I have so many great memories from those runs. 

Today Deyl and I are hopefully going to do some tourist things. I wanted to head to the museum, see the sphinx and the great pyramid. Tomorrow we have a competitor briefing first thing in the morning followed by a gear check. Then we have a four hour drive south west of Cairo to the first stage campsite. Then the following morning at 7:30am we have our first leg. In past years that has been the easiest part of the course, so hopefully I can get most of the miles covered before it gets warmer. 

My body has been feeling amazing the past week. I have been really happy with my tapering. I have been getting so many adrenaline rushes just thinking about the race. I love the feeling! 

Thanks again for reading and all the support on the blog, I know I am going to need it over the next week. My next update will be after stage one, hopefully everything goes smoothly!

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