The race is over...I am home...lots of memories...lots of new friends...and my toes are healing (LOL!)

Even though I had to pull out of the race at checkpoint 3 on stage three, I am happy with what I accomplished considering where I came from...not running until a year ago....couldn't run to the end of my driveway when I started.  Training for this race helped me lose weight and become healthy, it helped me gain confidence in myself, it changed my perspective on life.

I now love running & participating in races like the Sahara Desert Race.  If you had asked me on day one, i would have said, "I must be crazy for doing this, never again!"

When I had to pull out, it was so disappointing!  I felt like I failed.  But when I arrived at camp, I was met by Linda & other runners who gave me support & told me how well I had done to stay in the race as long as I did.  All the other competitors and the volunteers were so kind and helped me to realize that what I accomplished was amazing for me.  The more I thought about it, I realized that maybe I was only meant to go as far as I did.  I realized that you cannot always get what you want in life & that sometimes what you get is all that you need at that point in time.  I learned that even though I did not finish the race & get the medal, that I was able to pick myself up & accept what I had accomplished.  I know now that if I don't succeed at something, it is not the end of the world.  I can always try again.

So, I have made a decision to go back to Sahara in 2011.  I am going to try again.  I am going to start training (as soon as I can put shoes on again). I am already excited and looking forward to competing in this race again.  My goal remains the same - to finish.  I know what I have to work on....you guessed it - My Feet (toes).  I need to find a way to reduce blisters.  If I can do that, I should be ok.  I had no problems with hydration or nutrition.  I had no cramping or muscle aches/pains.  I went into Sahara Race 2010 a little nervous of the unknown.  I learned quickly that I would be ok...I was not afraid when i was alone in the desert or when it got dark & I was alone.  I forgot about the critters I might see along the way after day 1 (snakes, scorpions, etc.).  I  found peace in that desert & I found myself.  Thank you Racing the Planet & Thank you Linda Quirk for introducing me to the 4 Deserts!  If not for Linda, I would not have signed up for anything like this.  Linda told me I could do it with training.  She supported me and helped me build confidence.  Because of Linda, I put myself out of my comfort zone & I am so glad I did!

My son, the reason I entered the race, told me how proud he was of me for taking on such a challenge.  He said that he realized that if I can face something as tough as that, that he can face his life's challenges.  He saw that I did not quit.  He saw that I went as far as could & that I was ok with it.  He now sees that I am going to try again.  If helping him realize this was all that resulted from me competing, then it was worth it!  

Since I have been home, I have been asked by my sister and some friends about the race.  They asked me if I thought they could do it.  I told them to look at what I had done & where I came from.  I told them if they really want to do it & want to train and work hard for it, that anything is possible.  So....I may be going to Sahara 2011 with some friends and possibly my little sister, which would be great!        

I cannot wait until Sahara 2011!  I am looking forward to going back & would like to take extra time to experience more of Egypt.      

     

Hi,
 
This is so tough! Very hot! Lots of sand dunes!
 
I made it through the first 2 days & 3/4 of day 3 (2 3/4marathons in the desert).  I have so many blisters  on my toes (some are bleeding),  that I did not make it to the last  checkpoint in time.  Since I did not get to the last checkpoint before cut off, I am now considered withdrawn. 
Very disappointing I must say.  I was driven back to camp because I could not walk.  I have treated my blisters & rested today. 
tomorrow is the really long day & I really want to continue.  Hopefully my feet will feel ok enough to at least start. Other than my feet, I feel great!  My hydration & nutrition are fine, my muscles are fine....but my blisters are extremely painful. I have one on almost every toe. 
I started getting blisters on day one.  I keep getting more or they come back.  I want to finish even if it is not official. 
this race is more than just getting  a medal...it is personal...I just refuse to quit!  I can't believe I am saying this, but the next time I do one of these races, I hope I can complete it in time.  Tomorrow the race goes through the Valley of the Whales.  I don't want to miss that. 
 
This has been an amazing experience!  The other competitors are so supportive of each other.  It helps you get through.  There were times out in the desert when I was all alone.  Just take a minute to imagine that. So far from civilization with no one else in sight.  No sound except the wind.  I wasn't scared, I was at peace. 
 
The terrain has been mostly soft sand which I am sure contributed to my lovely blisters.  there were lots of high sand dunes, including some with rock you  had to maneuver around.  Then there was the somewhat harder sand, dried river beds, rocky areas.  Everytime you saw the camp or a checkpoint in the distance, it was always a lot further than you thought.  On the 2nd day, it was getting dark & I could see the lights at camp, but it took forever to get to.  You can see very far in the desert & everything looks closer than it really is.  I saw a lizard yesterday, but thankfully no snakes or scorpions yet.  
 
Linda is doing well, although she is getting blisters too & she never gets blisters.  John & Michael are hanging in there.  Hopefully all 4 of us will start tomorrow.  Unfortunately Afshin was pulled from the race for medical reasons. 
 
I hope my friends, family & supporters are not disappointed in me.  I gave it my best.  This is harder than I ever imagined.  I am heartbroken...
 
Looking forward to starting tomorrow.  Keep me in your prayers that my feet hold out.
 
Patty

Well we made it to our first camp by a lake.  Although, it was dark when we arrived at camp after our 3 1/2 hour bus ride there, so we cannot really see the lake.  Very dark out here at night.  My tent is a little cramped with 9 people.  We have a nice camp fire & are being entertained by Egyptian Dancers.  Nice treat!  On our bus ride here we drove through some remote areas & saw how people in this part of the world live.  It is very humbling & makes you appreciate what you have at home.  I am still  a little nervous & not sure exactly what to expect tomorrow.  I am here for the duration!  I cannot update my face book tonight & I am not sure if I will be able to.  We are only allowed so much time in the cyber tent, so I will update my blog if able to each nite. I miss my family & can't wait to tell you all about my experience here.  The day after tomorrow is supposed to be a tough  day with a 400 foot dune to  go over.  I am participating in a study for Stanford University & had one foot taped a special way to see it will prevent blisters & I will do my other foot the way I usually do it.  the culture here is very interesting & very different from the US.  It is a more simple life.  I miss all my friends and family. Thank you for all your support!

Here I am in Cairo. Heading for Camp tomorrow. Looking forward to start of the race. Taking in Cairo...meeting lots of runners from around the world. Some amazing people here! This is going to be a wonderful experience for me. I am so glad I am doing this! Rode a camel to the pyramids yesterday....it will be my last camel ride...LOL! My camel was mean! He scared me & I was wishing I had chosen the horse. It was an experience & I am glad I at least tried it. I will update my blog each day as I am able. More later......

I had the best coach anyone could ask for!  Here is one last email from him before heading off to the Sahara..  

Team,

I am so honored to have the privilege of working with each one of you.  I think back to last summer when we met and I’m sure you couldn’t have imagined the positive transformations you have taken.  Your positive changes are not a surprise to me.  I’ve had the good fortune to communicate with each one of you and there seems to be a common theme; your purpose for completing this event lives well beyond the simple need to get in shape or conquer a goal.  Each of you has the inner drive and leadership traits that inspire others to realize their highest potential.

I know this first hand; because each one of you have touched me, inspiring me to seek my highest potential in your honor.

If you have any last minute questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call.


Respectfully,

Keith Brantly
1996 US Olympian, Marathon

      I AM RUNNING TO SAVE LIVES!

SAHARA DESERT HERE I COME...! 
In August 2009, I made a decision to run a 155 mile race through the Sahara Desert in Egypt, Africa. I will run this race carrying a backpack with all my food and supplies. I will only be provided with water and a tent to sleep in. I have chosen to do this race to raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction and raise money for scholarships for those who cannot afford treatment.

This cause hits home with me and is very close to my heart. My 21 year old son and only child has battled alcohol and drug addiction. he has overdosed on pills and attempted suicide. Over the years I drained my emotions and my bank account in a tireless effort to find my son proper and affordable treatment.

When my son got involved in alcohol and pills, it changed my life. I was hopeless. I was reaching out to everybody and nobody could really do anything. I thought my life was over. I was upset with myself because I should be able to help my son. I should be able to save him. I was just so desperate to save his life. Then I met Linda Quirk, who invited me to run the Sahara Desert Race with her to raise money for addiction treatment and help others like my son.

On August 1, 2009 I began my training and I began to change my life. I have lost over 60 pounds and I have become more healthy. My son has watched me turn my life around for the positive and that has helped him change. I was lucky enough to be chosen as a charity runner for the 2010 Boston Marathon. I had never run a marathon before and was worried I might not finish. Through determination and hard work, I finished the Boston Marathon, which was a huge hurdle.

The Sahara Desert Race will be an even bigger challenge. This is something I never thought I would be doing. The mental part is huge. There are days I don't feel like running, but it is something I have committed to. I can't let anyone down, especially myself. And I cannot let my son see me quit. I hope I am setting an example for my son and others who suffer from the disease of addiction. I hope I am showing them that no matter how hard life gets, no matter how tough the challenge, you have to keep going. Don't give up, be strong, and be true to yourself. I believe that me running the Sahara Desert Race is similar to someone with addiction facing life every day. It is a challenge & sometimes you don't feel like doing it. Since I have never run a race like this before there is that feeling of the "unknown". I believe people with addiction also fear the "unknown". If you stick to it, if you put your heart & soul into it, the feeling you have inside you, the feeling of accomplishment eventually changes you..and it will get easier.

I am putting my heart and soul into this race. I am giving it all I have. I am training hard and becoming stronger mentally & physically. ---- Please help me in my fundraising efforts by donating what you can to help save a life. The life that is saved could be someone you know. We all know someone with addiction...a relative, friend, co-worker...addiction is found in all walks of life...addiction does not discriminate. I thank you in advance for your generous support to this great cause!

http://www.active.com/donate/run7on7/pattyrunsthesahara

                      

Wow!  I can hardly believe the race I have been training for since I started running last year....the race of my life...is just around the corner!  In just 12 days I will be getting on a plane headed to Cairo.  I am happy, excited, nervous...and maybe a little scared.  I have never done anything remotely like this before & it puts me a little out of my comfort zone.  Even though I am going through some different emotions right now thinking about this race, I can't wait to get to the Sahara!  I keep checking my supply list to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.  I do training runs wearing my backpack to get my body used to carrying it...I have been preparing my body physically & I have now begun to prepare myself mentally. I have been thinking about what I have learned from my wonderful coaches: Keith Brantly, Jeff Fronk & Bob Seebohar.  I could not have asked for better coaches!  Thank you so much for getting me to this point!  My mentor through all my training and the one who recruited me for this (yes, she recruited me when all I wanted to do was help her raise money), Linda Quirk - she is an amazing woman!  I admire her strength and courage!  
This race has't even begun and it has already changed me in so many ways.  I found strength that I did not know I had.  My whole outlook on life has changed....I am content with being "me" and the person who I have become.  I know there will be times during this race when It may seem like I am alone....but I won't be alone...God will be right there with me...with his help I will make it through this race and that is all I am hoping to accomplish.     

There will be 5 of us running for the same cause in the Sahara Desert.  Linda Quirk, Michael Herbert, John Crowley, Afshin Karnama & myself.  We are all raising money for Caron Treatment Centers to provide scholarships for those suffering from addiction that cannot afford treatment. Caron Treatment Centers are located in Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Washington DC & Bermuda.  I am so happy to be participating in this race with 4 fabulous and amazing people! There should have been 6 of us but we lost one of our fellow runners last year.  Rich Craig will be missed very much & will be in our thoughts throughout the race.  To find out more about Linda's mission check out her website www.run7on7.com

I leave for Cairo in 36 days! Wow! I can't believe it is almost here!.  I have come a long way since I started running/training a year ago.  I completed the Boston Marathon in April & now I am facing an even bigger challenge.  I have started to run with my full backpack to get used to wearing it.  I do most of my runs here on the beach in Florida. The weather here has been very hot & humid for some time.  Hopefully running in this heat will prepare me for the heat of the Sahara...without the humidity! My coach has been increasing my training runs and has changed it up quite a bit.  I am still weight training with my personal trainer and trying hard to follow my training diet. I have a great nutritionist who keeps me in check!  I have most of my supplies and have booked my flight and I am gearing up to go!  The excitement is setting in...I can't wait!   I am looking forward to meeting competitors from other countries and making new friends! Sahara here I come!!!

I cannot believe I did it!  I actually finished the Boston Marathon!  This has been a huge accomplishment for me, not just in running, but also in life!  It takes a lot to go out & train & then  run the biggest marathon in the world!  Wow! That is an experience I will never forget.  To be honest, I was not sure I would finish Boston prior to the race.  I was nervous and excited & felt intimidated by all the seasoned runners that were around me.  But I went into that race with determination...the same determination I will take with me to the Sahara Desert!  All the wonderful coaching plus my determination kept me going...I thought about my charity I was running for...I thought about the people who sponsored me...I thought about my coaches....I thought about my son and my family...I thought about myself....I could not let anyone or myself down and I could not quit!  I was going to finish that race, not matter what!  And I did...crossing that finish line was the best feeling I can remember...it validated all the hard work I have been putting into my training.  I believe that finishing Boston  is exactly what I needed to do prior to going to the Sahara.  It has shown me that I am strong-willed and I can do whatever I set my heart on.  Finishing Boston was a life changing experience for me!  Now onto Sahara....Wow....Life just keeps getting better!  : )

Thank you to: Sam H, Margaret, Trav & Sandy for your well wishes with the marathon!  All your support was wonderful!  Sandy, I will be looking for you in the Sahara!  Hope we can meet up and chat!  

I will be running my first marathon...Boston!  (this April).  When I started running last August, I told myself that some day I would run the Boston Marathon.  Never in a million years did I expect it to be after only 8 months of running!  I'm excited & a little nervous...Boston is a Big event.  My goal is to just finish.  Wish me luck!

Ran my longest training run so far...18 miles!  It felt so good to be able to run that distance considering I just started running last August.  I follow the instructions of my running coach and nutritionist. They are the reason I have done so well.  I am determined to finish Sahara.  I'm on a mission!  

All the runners who are raising money for Caron Treatment Centers in the US got together last weekend to start filming a documentary.  It will show us running & training hard for the desert races.  Each one of us was interviewed.  We were asked why we are running & how we are connected to this cause.  We are all running to raise scholarship money for drug/alcohol addiction treatment.  They also treat dual diagnosis (addiction & mental health).  We are trying to get the message out about addiction.  Addiction is a disease that no one chooses to have.   Good treatment is very expensive & most insurances do not cover this treatment or they cover very little.  Long term residential treatment is what most need to change their lives.  By running the Sahara Race, I am going to face many challenges.  I believe that it will be similar to what treatment is like for those with addiction.  There will be highs & lows everyday.  Having to go on when it seems like it is too tough.  The website it will be  posted on is:  www.run7on7.com 
It is not on there yet.  Keep checking...it will be there soon!            

9 months till Sahara! Wow!   
Well, I have increased my training.  I am getting ready for the Boston Marathon in April.  I am also starting to run "mini-Sahara's" (as my running coach calls it).  Which basically means I will be running multiple days in a row to prepare for the desert.  Surprisingly I am sticking to the diet my nutritionist set up for me...and it's working.  I'm getting leaner & I'm feeling stronger.  Sahara here I come!!! 

 

Prior to July 2009 I had not done much running & was very out of shape.  I attended a training workshop put on by Linda Quirk (run7on7.com).  I now have a professional Running Coach (prior Olympic Runner), a professional Nutritionist (prior Olympic Nutritionist), and a Professional Weight Trainer (Professional Athlete Trainer).  I have lost weight since I started training July 18, 2009!  I am up to 9 miles on my long days & I am running roughly 25 - 28 miles/week.  I completed my first 1/2 marathon December 20th, 2009.  I will be running the 26.2 with Donna in February 2010 as well as the Boston Marathon in April 2010. In between I will be doing some 5k and 10k races.  I cross train with weights & I swim.  My nutritionist has changed my diet completely.  I have not had bread, pasta, rice, or sugar since July.  I eat lean protein, healthy fats, fruit & vegetables.  I eat yogurt, some cheese & drink non-fat milk.  I've added Omega3 to my diet as well as a protein supplement.  I take electrolytes when I run & follow up with a protein drink.  My water consumption as also increased dramatically. I am feeling energized & better than I have in a long time.