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Namib Race Blogs 2016

David Souza

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Namib Race (2016) blog posts from David Souza

11 June 2016 12:43 pm (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

Hi All,

Comments: Total (0) comments

06 May 2016 07:39 am (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

Just like that, 240k done, with 10k to go!

Comments: Total (6) comments

Scott Gaudet

Posted On: 09 May 2016 01:44 pm

Atta boy. Mid life crisis is treating you well my friend. Great job, loved reading the updates on a daily basis. Way to go! 6 weeks and counting until the next...

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 07 May 2016 05:00 am

Wow! I can't believe how quickly you completed this stage! So awesome! Sounds so challenging yet so magnificent! So happy that you are feeling good and that your body is well prepared for this challenging adventure! Lots of luck and ease in the 10k tomorrow! Finish strong and happy! Your mom is really thrilled and proud to hear all the updates! Looking forward to getting your texts and maybe hear your voice tomorrow!! Big hugs and kisses for a smooth finish!!

sarah dever

Posted On: 07 May 2016 03:56 am

240k warm up for a 10k, right? I'm so happy for you! Enjoy your rest day and savor all the emotions. You deserve all the beers! You're such a wonderful human with an indomitable spirit. You got this!

Laura Ahrens

Posted On: 06 May 2016 11:50 pm

David! How magnificent! It has been so so inspirational and exciting to hear about your race and keep up with your posts. You are an example of so much goodness and I can't wait to hear even more about your journeys when you arrive stateside. Here's to an amazing finish of the race and a safe journey homewards. Love, Laura

matt coddington

Posted On: 06 May 2016 11:39 pm

wow! this is just amazing... great job, I look forward to hearing more stories about this adventure someday soon :)

Kathy Raymond

Posted On: 06 May 2016 08:51 pm

Rest up! The end is in sight! I am in such awe reading this. Climbing sand dunes? What?! The total mileage seems impossible, but there you are killing it.

05 May 2016 02:11 am (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

Another day, another desert marathon.

Howdy, All.

I

Comments: Total (6) comments

sarah dever

Posted On: 07 May 2016 03:23 am

You as desert Elvis is way more awesome than Boston Elvis! Stay healthy and appreciate every mile because this is a pretty incredible story you're adding to your life. (A little insane too but all my favorite people are a bit crazy :))

Karen Smyers

Posted On: 06 May 2016 03:37 pm

Wow!! Just checked results and see that you flew on the Long March! Just a 10K to go which is like the ride into Paris during the TdeF--enjoy it! I am amazed and inspired...

Kathy Raymond

Posted On: 06 May 2016 12:18 pm

Wow Dave! You are a machine! I'm exhausted just reading this. So proud of you!

Andrew Harrex

Posted On: 05 May 2016 10:39 pm

Inspiring effort - went a little harder on the bike this morning .... Keeping smiling.

Sammie Nunziata

Posted On: 05 May 2016 08:14 pm

Yay for a great day!! Have a wonderful time tomorrow!! You are so ready for this!!! Will be stalking the photos!!

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 05 May 2016 02:35 am

You are killin' it! :) Still grateful to see some awesome shots of you in action! Even if you do look like Elvis! haha! Everyone who saw your pics said you look really cool, in a good way. They are all amazed you have to run with your packs. Glad that the white is keeping you cool, dry and safe from the sun! Posted your photos on FB today and everyone is thrilled with your progress and sending you well wishes for the big day tomorrow! Awesome news about the hip and the food! Keep up the positive attitude, enjoy the amazing sights of unspoiled nature and do your best tomorrow! We are all with you and rooting for you! big hugs and kisses!!

04 May 2016 02:11 am (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

Wow, that was hard!

Comments: Total (5) comments

Russell Souza

Posted On: 04 May 2016 09:56 pm

Congrats on your progress so far; we're all very proud of you. Good luck with the next part of your journey - Vinda, Priyanka, and I are rooting for you! Love, Russ.

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 04 May 2016 09:00 pm

amazing race photos of you today!! yeah! so happy to see you and your face! You look content and relieved after day 4!! woohoo! hugs and kisses! Can't wait to show these to the boys :)

Sammie Nunziata

Posted On: 04 May 2016 06:55 pm

This is just so incredible! Pack mule sounds like the perfect way to describe what you are experiencing, but OMG the views! I am with Sarah- you are a good kind of crazy and I am so excited to check this site every day to see how you are doing. Also, listen to your wife- Pose for some photos! Good luck with the next 25 miles! You are going to kill it!

sarah dever

Posted On: 04 May 2016 06:44 am

Thanks for keeping us updated! The journey sounds incredible and you have so much grit for bearing through the terrain, heat and endless miles. I've been bragging about you to anyone who will listen. People think it's crazy but it's the good kind of crazy! :) Sending you happy and healthy vibes and so glad you're doing well. I hope you have lots of shady patchsles on the next leg!

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 04 May 2016 03:28 am

Keep up the good work! Positivity is key! Glad that food and drink are staying in and feet seem ok? Pack getting any lighter yet? You are half way done!! woohoo!! I bet the stars are amazing at night! So cool that you get to meet the locals!! Everyone home is amazed at your incredible determination and race pace! You are a super hero :) Pose for some photos tomorrow-I want to see your face on the site :) Big hugs and kisses! Will be thinking of you as we wake up and sending you again coolness and lightness as you head to finish day 4!! Love Tati

03 May 2016 02:47 am (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

This was the hardest stage in terms of terraine per the race director.

Comments: Total (5) comments

Sammie Nunziata

Posted On: 03 May 2016 04:37 pm

It really does sound like an amazing walk. Super impressed you have no blisters! Steel feet, clearly!Are you hanging out with Simon and Neal? Keep killing it. You are so inspiring!

laura Ahrens

Posted On: 03 May 2016 12:30 pm

it's so exciting and fun to hear about your journey and adventures. we eagerly await your blog every day! sending you our best intentions for safety, health, and a good race! you are rocking it! with love, Laura

Karen Smyers

Posted On: 03 May 2016 07:27 am

Keep making adjustments to deal with what comes up (like you did with your hip and pack). Hope the hip is calmed down and the change in terrain tomorrow helps. The views and sights sound amazing--take it all in! (And thanks for allowing us to experience it vicariously!)

Patrik O

Posted On: 03 May 2016 03:09 am

Get after it. Hydrate hydrate hydrate! At least the pack is getting lighter

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 03 May 2016 02:55 am

Good luck in the heat tomorrow! Hope hip behaves and you r eating and drinking ok! Will be thinking of you when we wake up and send you lots of cheer!! Keep inspiring us all! Love you!!

02 May 2016 09:31 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Hello All!

Comments: Total (3) comments

Sarah Dever

Posted On: 02 May 2016 07:41 pm

Yay David! Sounds like you're off to a good start. Can't wait for more updates. Sammie and I are cheering for you from CA! You're inspiring me to look into ultras...

Sammie Nunziata

Posted On: 02 May 2016 03:01 pm

So excited to see your first day update! Sounds like such an incredible adventure! I hope you are taking pictures! What is the temperature difference between morning, midday and evening? Looking forward to day 2 update!!!

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 02 May 2016 01:16 pm

Hooray for a great first day!! Read this like 10 times already :) can't wait for day two info! Hopefully the run part is already over for you and you are resting ! Any wildlife sightings? How's the view? Too bad about no sleeping pad, but hard to know until you are there. Boys are happy to hear your updates and Nikka said that you did "pretty good" :) will keep sending positive cheers for you all day! Kisses!

24 April 2016 04:41 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

I did one last check of all gear today by running a few miles with a fully stocked pack and race attire on. While the bag is a littler heavier than I trained with (total is about 19lbs w/o water bottles), it wasn't horrible. I'll shed some weight by removing some packaging once in Namibia and I will eat some of the food in the pack Saturday night and Sunday morning. Food turned out to be exactly half my pack weight. Yes, I like to eat:) The last task today is to write dates/times on food packaging to avoid any confusion during the week. I'm sure all my mental energy will be used up while running. Let's make to post run logistics easy, right? I hope to fit into two small pieces of luggage, one with most of my race gear that I take on the plane, and the other for hotel/flight attire, extra food, etc. Good luck to all those preparing for the Sahara Race!

Comments: Total (5) comments

Laura Wyckoff

Posted On: 02 May 2016 09:22 pm

The running isn't enough of a challenge, you have to pack and carry food? This is some impressive feat. Hang in there.

Patrik Outericky

Posted On: 02 May 2016 12:35 am

Awesome! Top 5 is in reach :D just take it one day at a time, keep those feet working and moving. Eat. Awesome!

Karen Smyers

Posted On: 01 May 2016 09:46 pm

I see that you finished Stage 1 in 15th place--outstanding! Not sure if you get to blog between stages, but I hope so. I want details! So exciting…

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 29 Apr 2016 12:22 am

Welcome to South Africa! Hope your travels were good! Nikka made up a poem for you : Go go and run To your tofu bun. The desert sun is no match for a dad that's such a catch! I hope you have fun, signed you son :) sending you the best wishes! xoxoxo

Tatyana Souza

Posted On: 29 Apr 2016 12:21 am

Welcome to South Africa! Hope your travels were good! Nikka made up a poem for you : Go go and run To your tofu bun. The desert sun is no match for a dad that's such a catch! I hope you have fun, signed you son :) sending you the best wishes! xoxoxo

24 April 2016 01:52 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Comments: Total (0) comments

12 April 2016 02:07 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Hello Fellow Runners!

With less than 3 weeks before heading to Namibia, my head is very focused on gear. So far I have done pretty well in terms of weight. Over the coming days I will tally it all up and hope to be around 15lbs.

I have been running with the Raidlight Ultra OLMO 20L pack with 5L front pack. The comfort has been great. The pack has worked out so well that I decided to purchase Raidlight equipment when possible.

Food will end up being a large majority of the weight in my pack. The two main sources for me will be meals by Outdoor Herbivore and mid-run fuel via almond butter packets and maple syrup packets. Of course I will have other food/snacks. For electrolytes, I went with Nuun tablets mainly for ease of use.

I am still flip flopping about a sleeping pad... Any thoughts out there?

Cheers

Comments: Total (1) comments

Valerie Baker-Easley

Posted On: 17 Apr 2016 01:48 pm

Have a great race, David. One of our work team in Denver, Roger Sperlbaum, is also participating and is in high training gear as well. Congratulations to you both on a remarkable undertaking.