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Namib Race Blogs 2008
6
PostsNamib Race (2008) blog posts from Helen Carter
01 November 2008 10:24 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
THE LONG DAY (AND NIGHT)
Well I made it - 100 km and it took me 24 hours 31 mins and 12 seconds. We started at 0830 hrs yesterday and finished this morning at 0831 hrs. I did the whole 100km with Lucy. We had the same pace, the same idea about stopping and we didnt want to sleep as we wanted to get the evil distance completed in one go. We managed to go anywhere between 4.5 km to 5.5 km an hour and we just kept each other going. The checkpoint distances were further apart, the first one was 12 km, most of them averaged around 10 km with the final one at 14km. Before the long day, I sorted out my kit and got rid of anything I wouldn`t need which meant that I was left with my evening meal, peperami for every checkpoint, power gels for every checkpoint and my isotonic drinks plus all the extra essentials i had to carry as part of the mandatory kit list.. I was carrying a litre and a half of water with me. Lucy and I kept a pace up regardless of sand, heat, light, dark. We stopped off for some food at 2340 hrs and chilled out for a while at this checkpoint. For dessert both Lucy and I popped more painkillers and then we set off at a great pace covering 11 km in 1 hr 50 min. We both tuned into our mp3 players and just kept on walking. I was quite full of painkillers and felt no pain until the last 40 mins when we both turned the air blue as the sand was deep and it felt like we were going backwards. When we got to the checkpoints after the meal stop - the last remaining 2 checkpoints - Lucy and I were 110th and 111th through there. We got to the last checkpoint quite high still and then we managed to overtake 4 racers who had left before us. Even though the last 14km was a killer we were determined that nobody would overtake us and it came quite close so we got our heads down, turned the music up and got to the finish in just about 1 piece. I have not yet plucked up the courage to look at my feet and I have not been to bed for over 24 hrs - I now need to even up my very stripey tan lines. Our final stage is tomorrow when we finish the race at the pyramids.
30 October 2008 03:54 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Well that is day 4 done and to say it was a bitch of a day is a massive understatement. The day started off ok with a great breakfast of tomato cup a soup and coffee, oh and some nuts. We started again at 0700 hrs and the first checkpoint was 7km away. It must have been the combination of caffeine and heinz but I went off really well and actually ran about half the distance. I got to the first checkpoint after 1 hr 9 mins and came in around 95th. I was feeling really good and totally amazed to be doing quite well. It helped that I had guns and roses on my mp3 player for that stage. Checkpoint 1 to 2 was 9.1km and i covered this really well even doing some running. I had a decent break at checkpoint 2 and stocked up on carbo gels, peperami and isotonic. My south korean racing friend got his large fan out at checkpoint 2 so I was being fanned which was lovely. I could totally get used to that. a friendly racer sprayed my legs with sun tan lotion whilst on route to checkpoint 3, my legs were burning. I had the sound of music and evita to sing away to. this ensured that I had my rather large personal space!! It was an 8.8 km leg to the checkpoint at the oasis and by this stage it was starting to get really hot. As the last stage was 14km which would be covered in the heat of the day, I took 25 mins to chill out at this checkpoint and I took my pack off for the first time today. I loaded up with a carbo gel, a large peperami and I didn't take my isotonic drink - what a mistake this would be later on in the day. Leaving the oasis was really hard as it would be so easy to sit there and chill out but I got my fat a** up and headed out into the desert. This was a really difficult stage especially as I set off at 1250 hrs. I stopped for 5 mins after an hour and then I kept going to the 7km point where there was a vehicle with water as it was so hot. I took 10 mins here to sit in the shade and take on more water whilst practicing my basic arabic. Having come across the last 7 km to queen, the rolling stones amongst others - just after I left this vehicle my mp3 player died. I had to cover the last 7km on my own and without music and boy was it mentally and physically challenging. At times i felt that I was going backwards - I was totally drained as I hadn't taken on my isotonic drink at the oasis. The finish line just didn't seem to get any closer. I crossed the finish line in daylight but I felt awful and almost hyperventilated. I was really cross with myself as I had some good earlier stages. I managed to eat some of my evening meal before going into the medical tent to get my blisters sorted - the one beneath my big toe has taken over my whole toe like some alien creature so that will be farewell toenail in a week or so. Tomorrow is the long day - 100km and I will be going slow and steady - I will finish this race. I have not had many cravings unlike atacama but having read the email from gary and terri a big mac would go down really well right now as would a strawberry milkshake. I am not craving alcohol though. My tent buddies are great and really look after Sandra and myself. For those Sandra fans - she is going strong and always has a smile on her face. There will not be a blog tomorrow night as I will be out in the desert somewhere with my headtorch on trying to get through 100 km. I have my beanie zebra with me which is just as well as on the long stage last year I hallucinated that there was a zebra between my legs when I looked down....bring on the hallucinations tomorrow night - I will be stocking up on pain killers in the morning to get me through the stage. Thanks to all for the emails, they are brilliant and I just hope I don't let you all down. I am not the fastest thing on two legs!!!!
Comments: Total (6) comments
Posted On: 31 Oct 2008 08:00 pm
I'm knackered just reading your notes, Helen. Sounds amazing ..... Keep going, it's a fantastic effort and will be a fabulous achievement. X
Posted On: 31 Oct 2008 03:08 pm
I don't believe you've taken ZZ to the desert!! err...maybe that would be more accurate if I said taken him to another desert :-)
Well impressed that you've got the energy to write more than just a couple of lines in your blog but what's this about missing out on iso top ups at your rest stop?! tsk tsk... look after yourself and well done for a fantastic effort
Nicky
Posted On: 31 Oct 2008 02:57 pm
Go girl! Obviously you are nuts but I am really really proud of you! Not long now and the satisfaction on completion will be stupendous!
Posted On: 31 Oct 2008 02:56 pm
Good Luck Hels. By the time you read this the hardest part will be done ! I don't think you fully understand this 'leisure' thing - at least you will be able to chill out soon. You are not missing much at this end !!!!!!!!! Keep going girl. Ems
Posted On: 30 Oct 2008 07:04 pm
Good Luck helen we are all rooting for u, and you certainly won't be letting anyone down, we are very proud of you.
Posted On: 30 Oct 2008 01:11 pm
You are nails! Mucho respecto! T
29 October 2008 09:41 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Well I survived day 3 and I managed to come in again before dark - an unprecedented 3 days in daylight!! We started at 0700 hrs this morning which meant that our tent got up at 0530 hrs. I could have done with more time though, I had to get my blood taken by Anil for the research and because I hadn't drunk any water in 12 hours he had problems getting a vein. He shoved the needle in my arm and no blood so he did it on the back of my hand which worked. I now look like a drug addict - I have needle marks and bruises everywhere. The deal is now - each bruise I get equals a beer on sat night! Stu, let the slug balancer know that I am now impressed with his blood taking abilities as he managed to draw blood out of my arm with no bruising. I had a real problem eating breakfast - never a problem in the uk but out here I have no appetite - the desert diet is really great!
Onto the race, I started off running a bit and walking and then I developed a shuffle which was in betweeen running and walking and then it got too dam hot. I really struggled between checkpoint 1 and 2 - I was on my own and there was no shade from the evil sun. I got to checkpoint 2 absolutely dreading the next leg, which was the dreaded sand dunes. i stocked up on isotonic, carb gels and pepperami and then set off with one of the Brit guys - Chris. It was great having company and I hadn't realised how mentally tough it had been just doing it on my own. Chris and I had the same pace and I ended up having a great stage - I really loved the sand dunes, it was 11.5 km long and at the checkpoint I stocked up on jelly tots and then we headed off for the final 6 km stage back to camp. My trekking poles have been an absolute godsend and i would not have survived without them. i am still having problems eating and the dried food I have brought is not too inspiring although I do look forward to my ovaltine light on an evening. I am not a racing snake but being towards the rear of the pack is really special - the camaraderie between competitors is great and everyone encourages each other on. I am going to ask him if i can go with him on the long day - 100km. Stu and Jonno - I didn't appreciate you when you were there with me all the time on the Atacama. The volunteers here are brilliant but I miss Terri cheering on Team British Army and Diane with her fabulous shoulder massages. I can't lift my arms above my head - I am so stiff and I have not even looked at my feet yet - they were taped up today and I managed to ignore them so hopefully they will be ok and no toes will drop off in the middle of the night.
It is great being outside all the time and so far I have not come across any scorpions or snakes although if I get up in the middle of the night then I do check my sleeping bag before I get back in. I have seen a few lizards on route but they travel faster than me so they don't hang around.
I have tried to take a few photos but even the action of getting my camera out at times is too draining. The Sahara would be great without the sun and the sand............
Well that is all from me, it is 1855 hrs and way past my bedtime!!
Comments: Total (0) comments
28 October 2008 07:59 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Just a short entry tonight. Survived day one with only 1blister and stupidly wore the socks that are like gloves today. I now have 5 blisters - looking good! we started today at 0800 hrs and I did a fair bit of running up to checkpoint one. This time I made sure that I stocked up on food at each checkpoint which is not easy as I lose my appetite in the heat. Taking an energy gel, isotonic drink and a peperami worked and it got me to checkpoint 2 in good order. These were supposed to be the 2 difficult stages today but they turned out to be ok. However the stage after checkpoint 2 which was supposed to be easier was a real killer. I hit that stage in the middle of the day and all my energy was zapped, there was no escaping the sun. I lost a fair few places here but I had to keep stopping. It was such a relief to see checkpoint 3 and from then on in I managed to tab the last 5 miles. I caught up with one of the south korean competitors and we completed the last 2.5 miles together and came over the line together. My aim has been to complete the stages before dark and i managed that again today which was a great feeling. My feet are now covered in tape but I am sure that there will be more tape to go onto them after tomorrow. I had my mp3 player on today which certainly helped me for the last stage - there was a time when I was the only one around so I took the opportunity to sing out loud, although I sounded like a strangled cat!
Thanks to everyone who has sent me emails - they really do give me a boost and it keeps us all going through the day.
It is dam hot out in this desert and i really do hate sand!!!
Comments: Total (2) comments
Posted On: 28 Oct 2008 03:51 pm
I thought you were competing in some cool adventure race not on the X factor boot camp! Keep going crazy chick, you're blogs are fab.
Posted On: 28 Oct 2008 08:32 am
i a thinking of starting a sweepstake.....guess how many blister and sand sores you will have by the end of the week. winner takes all...
keep moving forward and take each day as it comes. your half way there at the end of today
bravo
x
27 October 2008 05:07 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi everyone
After several days acclimatisation which involved tweaking kit, meeting fellow competitors, visiting the pyramids, kissing a camel, going to the egyptian museum, getting free necklaces off the egyptians and buying fancy dress outfits from the market and panicking about the race - we finally headed for the desert on Sat. It was a 7 hr coach journey from Cairo, followed by a jeep trip to the first campsite.
The race started this morning at 0830 hrs and most people had been up since 0500 hrs! There are approx 157 racers (of which 15 are involved in a research project - myself and Sandra are doing this). This involves having blood taken twice a day - I hate needles but after last years large injection i thought why not!
I got to checkpoint one in under 1 hr 50 mins and Stu and Johnno, you would be amazed! I walked on the awful deep sand and managed to run on the hard ground. In between checkpoint one and two, I lost all my energy and slowed right down - prob my fault as I had an apple, pepperami, protein bar for breakfast. Anyway, I got to checkpoint 2 in one piece and chilled for 10 mins. I was still doing alright but then i had the worst 11.5 km of my life - deep sand that sapped energy and it was one step forward and 25 steps back! I got to checkpoint 3 and then restocked my water before the last dash to the campsite - known as twin peaks. As Jonno and Stu will know from last year, we didnt see many camps in daylight so i was chuffed to bits to get in at 1541 hrs! Only one blister but my shoulders are killing me - could be something to do with 12.5 kg in my pack not including water.
It was pretty cool doing this on my own - i quite enjoyed the solitude although everyone was fab and chatty when they passed me - i very rarely passed people!! I do miss Jonno and Stu on this though.
On a different note - I had my feet and bright orange gaiters photographed by the wall street journal magazine - at least part of me is photogenic!!!!!
Really stiff but pleased that I survived it -god, it was hot out there with no shade and I am going to have some very dodgy tan lines.
A message for Campbell - sandra says she is dead!!
She survived and came in with Robyn
More waffle if I survive tomorrow.
As I am being jabbed twice a day I am going to have some very dodgy needle marks on my arm at the end of this trip.
Comments: Total (0) comments
19 October 2008 03:50 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Well, here I am trying to panic pack and get everything ready for the morning when I head back down to Surrey before flying to Egypt on Tue afternoon. I have pretty much got everything I need but how it is all going to fit into my raidlight backpack - well, god only knows! After not concentrating on the food aspect of my kit for the Atacama Race last year, I have really worked on getting all my food together this year. However, I just know that I am going to have to bin most of it before we start in order to get the rest of my kit into my pack. I am trying to travel light but it just isn't happening. Still, at least I think that I am mentally prepared for the adventure across the desert. I have tried packing everything properly into my backpack but as time is running out, it is all going to be thrown into my grip and I will sort it out in Egypt.
I have been doing some last minute ordering of kit and Sue, Matt and Martin at Likeys have been fantastic as have Jenny and Christian at Buncup. I still have a few things to arrive so it will be a case of sorting out things in Egypt. I had better go and get stitching badges on shirts - still a few to do.
I will updating the blog when in the desert and my goal is to get across the Desert in a better time than I did in the Atacama last year. More to follow...................................................
Comments: Total (4) comments
Posted On: 27 Oct 2008 08:07 pm
watching with interest and envy. trul inspirational
look forward to hearing all about it
Posted On: 27 Oct 2008 05:03 pm
Hellooooooo you desert warrior you! Hope your feet are bearing up okay and you didn't have to ditch too much of your scran.
Would rather be cheering you on than packing up this place, I mean how much crap can one girl accumulate!!!
Keep on grizzin' it, mate! x
Posted On: 27 Oct 2008 06:17 am
You are a crazy chick! I'll be following your progress and relaying it back to Eddie who can't get access to the link on her system. The very best of luck with the race. Go girl!
Posted On: 24 Oct 2008 01:43 pm
Go Major Carter, Go !!! .... You're amazing, H X
Comments: Total (1) comments
Posted On: 01 Nov 2008 10:52 am