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Mark Snodgrass

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Namib Race (2012) blog posts from Mark Snodgrass

04 November 2012 06:21 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

So what a fantastic week. currently in Franfurt very early sunday morning on route to edinburgh. after a short 3km run yesterday we finished at the foot of the great pyramids and the spinx. greatsights, great emotion and plenty of pizza as well. Team Phanniecame 2nd in the Team category andwe won a silver plate for or efforts. very chuffed. a brilliant week. running out of juice on my internet time here so thanks for following and speak soon. cheers, snoddy

Comments: Total (2) comments

Walter Blake

Posted On: 04 Nov 2012 03:08 pm

No bad going Snod. Be interested to know if you had to give in at any point and wipe the sweat from your brow, or if you stuck to you potential officer's guns all the way through? This week won't be the same without your blogs, filled as they were with all of human life. Congratulations and speak soon. W

Kate,oliver,thomas snodgrass

Posted On: 04 Nov 2012 10:11 am

Hi daddy. You are "AWESOME!!!!" I love you so much.You have now done 6 marathons in 7 days across the sahara dessert. What an acheivement I cant wait to see you when you get home Lots of love Oliver and Kate and ThomasXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!XXXXX

03 November 2012 12:11 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Ok, so that was hard. Quite possibly the most riduculous day of pain yesterday in the sahara. two marathons back to back starting at 7am and finishing late last night. A stunning finish as darkness came as we followed lime green glow sticks every one hundred metres back to the camp. The moon was stunning liighting up the desert as we snaked our way around the course with our Petzl torches stuck to our foreheads.

So the day started at 7am as per usual with the final start number at about 108 people (140 started out last Sunday in what seems like three weeks ago now). The day was very hot but we did manage to pass through this wonderful UNESCO site called Valley of the Whales which had various whale bones scattered over the desert floor....reminds me of doing the Loch Ness marathon where apparently the wonderful views will see you through the race....wrong....

We stopped for a quick meal at camp 5 before progressing into the final 10 miles.

Team scotland finished well and Derek and jamie in much the same shambling state this morning as I am...feels like being run over by a truck...everything hurts....

We have a quiet day today at final camp before heading to the Great pyramids for a run around tomorrow.....pizza provided at the end of the run and then back to the hotal for dinner tomorrow pm.

This has been a wonderful trip. Physically and mentally exhausting but great fun.

Sara -Back home on Sunday lunchtime into Edinburgh, Lufthansa arriving in at 1pm.

Thanks again for all the great blogs. Been very emotional reading them at the end of a long day. It has kept the spirit flying high.

best wishes,
Snoddy

Comments: Total (5) comments

Oliver snograss

Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 08:15 pm

Hi dad, CONGRRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are the best Dad anyone could ever ask for.I hope you had great time.Unlucky about your bag but I cant wait to see you tommorow. I love you so much. I cant wait to see your medal and your thing that you got for coming seconed in the team. Lots of love OLIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

kate snodgrass

Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 05:44 pm

Hi Daddy well done!!Iam looking fowerd to seeing u tomorow I am hoping for hot chocolate on my birthday. lots of love katexx

Dawn stuart

Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 10:33 am

Oh my god , well done you . What an awesome achievement , you must be thrilled . Have you signed up yet for " the last desert " Bet you have . This will be the start of your ULTRA career !!!!! Watch this space . Hope my husbands chat over the last week didn't bore you too much . Are you meeting up next week to plan your next assault !!!!!! . See you soon and congrats again ps , hope your not travelling home in your running gear as your bag is now in how gate . Can you imagine what it would be like sitting next to you on a plane for 4 hours !!!!!!! XXX

allan harrow

Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 09:19 am

Just watched the wee video Snod - looking good brother- there's a bit of a Lawrence of Arabia look about you now - plenty of room for a camel back in the garage at howgate !! Well done on such a fantastic effort - in the words of Darth ..''impressive.. most impressive''

willie mccoll

Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 07:31 am

well done mark- fantastic!! i could notr access the site early in the week, but just seen you have completed the 54 miler- amazing. i have now entered the edinburgh marathon 2013, inspired by your achievements. I am seeing Bill W today and others, and will let them know about you. willie

31 October 2012 11:50 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

So day 4 now completed…my legs ache, my shoulder pounds carrying that backpack but spirit still high. Team Phannies are currently lying second in the team stakes and if it stays that we get an award on Saturday. That seems like an eternity away though. So to date we have now done four marathons (160K approx) with the big final push tomorrow. So this is effectively the last day as we cover 52 miles in the one day. So that means leaving at the usual time of 7am and probably not finishing until late Thursday night /Friday morning. The thought of having to do this distance tomorrow makes the mind boggle.


So the course was a bit cooler today…sand still playing a large feature!! It really is like one big rolling biblical scene across here. One valley after another separated by majestic sandunes. The only pleasure you get at the top of the sandune is a cool breeze which is just so welcoming before you head back down into the next valley floor. The competitor field is amazing with all looking out for one another in the heat of the day. Everyone has their competitor nationality patches sewn onto their shirts but in reality everyone is in the same team and looking out for everyone else. An amazing experience.


Jamie and Derek on good form and hurting in pretty much the same places as everyone else in this walking wounded commune….the medical tent queue is out the door today!! Tent banter still on good form although I do look forward to my first night not having to sleep with nine other blokes…easy there…you know what I mean.


Very amusing blog about my bag arriving back in Edinburgh already….not the most handy but at least it is there. Kate / Oliver – I would be happy to come in and see Miss Kidd and Mrs Pringle for that matter. I hope she believes you now!! Hope everyone has a cool Halloween and best wishes and much love from the Sahara.


No blog for a day as we will still be running all day tomorrow so will write more on Friday.


Snoddy

Comments: Total (13) comments

Elliot Jackson

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 08:08 pm

Awesome can be an over used term. Not today. 18 hours of burn. Congratulations to you and the team. Bring it home.

Ed Kenny

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 07:16 pm

Snoddy - you are a nutter! I've run 7 x marathons but all in different years, in mild temperatures. What it must take to do wht you are doing I can only imagine - very best wishes and keep safe - ED

Oliver Snodgrass

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 05:27 pm

Hi Dad, I cant wait to see you on Sunday. You are unbeliveble.My class cant wait to see you when you get back.Thank goodness you arnt last in the race.I hope the 50 miles was not as back as you suspected. But then you have the 8 miles tommmorow so that will be easy. I hope you come back with a bit of silver ware if you stay in 2nd position in the team thing and keep on driving on. Love you loads Oliverxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!XXXXXXXXXXXXX P.S can I get minecrft when you get home. Please!!

Tommy Thomson

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 05:04 pm

Snoddy - you are a legend, what a brilliant effort. Reading your blogs has given me ideas....now I only have to acquire fitness, stamina, insanity, a high pain threshold and a very understanding wife (Michelle won't read this....although Kiki might). Good luck finishing off.

Neil Buchanan

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 10:43 am

Just seen your Stage 5 time - outstanding effort - can't begin to imagine what it must take to keep going - you have cracked it in style - a huge achievement - brilliant !!

Mark Murray

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 10:30 am

Yes Snod. Brilliant stuff. And hope today has gone OK. Slightly disappointing lack of food-based blogging of late. Having looked through your box of freeze dried meals in some detail I'm anxious to get the full run down of the meals you've not blogged about so far. And about whether 14 or 21 was the right call. MM

gareth rudd

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 10:24 am

Amazing mate!! Is Sara pitching a tent for you in the back garden with trangia stove, stale water and packets of smash so that you can re-acclimatise gently. Am in awe of you guys, please pass on my congrats to Jamie and Derek. Not much left for you to attempt now......has to be back to back Iron Man comps for you from here!!!! Looking forward to catching up soon. Grudd

Craig Samson

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 09:40 pm

Pete the well wishers in a deprived scheme motivated the marathon runners on to greater achievements and speed by lobbing raw spuds at them. Novel technique but it produced great results. All this talk of food made me realise that we don't know what Snod ate today. Did you try another different option or was it a repeat? Hope chaffing minimal and looking forward to hearing news that you have nailed this event.

Ian Hill

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 08:55 pm

Snod that is some journey your on...... fantastic reading your blog. All the best. Ian

Ian Buchanan

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 05:59 pm

Dig in.Nearky there. Have you signed up for anything else? You'll be happy to see the green of home no doubt?

pete ahearn

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 04:20 pm

snod - really impressed how well you are doing - anyone feeding you spuds like in Dundee? pete

James Sylvester

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 03:31 pm

Hey Mark - Is writing your name in the sand as much fun as writing your name in the snow when you pee? Following you with interest. Good luck with the sponsorship old chap. Jimbo

Debbie McKendrick

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 11:29 am

Good Luck on your final day Mark, absolutely amazing.

31 October 2012 01:52 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Day 3 complete. Another 26 miles over sandunes in scorching heat. I see a pattern emerging here..shins, calf muscles, thighs and shoulders all feel they have gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson....bit sore this evening (Tuesday 30th). Beef curry for tea tonight washed down with more salt tablets and water...I really crave a large diet coke so much.

Before I forget happy 70th birthday for my mum...hope you got the card and thanks for sending the flowers Sara????

So today was almost too hot. Started of at 7am and the course was split into four checkpoint sections of approx 10k. At each checkpoint you get given your next 1.5 litre water allocation and off you go. The team are holding up well although it was tough at times today. A bit of Ipod time really helped. The medical tent at camp is pretty well utilised most of the time fixing blisters, dealing with sprains etc etc. Sadly I think about 12 people have already withdrawn or forced to quit the event.

Camp is still very amusing in the evening and there really are some serious runners here. Most people start the week with a nine kg pack but some are only carrying about 6kg. One guy has actually dried out his wet ones to make his pack lighter and will rehydrate when required....barking mad!!! 

So tomorrow is the final normal marathon day before the Last March on Thursday which is a 50 mile finish to the race. Starting at 7am on Tyursday we shoulod finich sometime late Thursday night / friday morning....oh joy cannot wait!! Then on Saturday we do the final 6 miles around the Great Pyramids.

great to read all the blog comments again. Sadly no love interest in camp....most people seem unab le to raise a smile let alone a....handshake. Japanese film crew love my gaiters crafted from my sleeping bag and have in fact did some words for them this morning.

Thanks again to everyone that has sponsored CHAS. So much appreciated. Anyway better go as my fat finger typing on this very small laptop is starting to draw angry stares.....

Lots of love,
Snoddy

Comments: Total (12) comments

Thomas Snodgrass

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 08:06 pm

Hi dad, Hope u arent too tired to blog back. hope every thing is going well im missing u so muchhhhhhhhhh. and i cant wait to see u when u come home. lots of love Thomas xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Susie Maxwell

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 11:01 pm

I agree with Oliver too - you are just amazing. I remember you telling me last December that you wanted/needed to join the Penicuik Harriers because you were planning to do this race. I, of course, thought you were mad but you have planned your training so well and seem to not only be managing but doing really well. I take it you still have no bag? I didn't realise you were doing 50 miles in one go - bl**dy hell! Take care, Susie :-)_ p.s. Handicap last night was wet & windy but still seemed to be lots of us there (Mad like you!)

Kirsten Jackson

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 10:13 pm

Hi Snod, been reading your blog all week. You're doing so well! Sounds hellish! Can't wait to hear if you've tried out any of Walter's Japanese! Good luck for tomorrow! Kirstenx

Kiki Murray

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 07:42 pm

Dodo, Hard to know what to write in the comfort of my study. Crikey I can't believe you are getting through this, not that I doubted you. Are we supposed to write and tell you of tales from home.....?? James is very pleased to hear you are having porridge. Chin up(or maybe down into the hot wind. Missing you here and can't wait to hear all about it. Much love Kiki

DAWN STUART

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 05:50 pm

Hi Snoddy , well done son , keep up the amazing effort . I think the 3 of you are doing incredibly well and doing us all proud . Your blog is fantastic , i enjoy reading it more than my husbands , far more information and humour . As for his brother , where is his blog ?????? Typical Stuarts , men of few words !!!!!! Must get Japanese tv to send you a copy Wacky's video , you make all become celebs in Wackyville !!!!!! Anyway good luck for triple marathon tomorrow , i think you may have to treat yourself to 3 freeze dried delicacies tomorrow night or rather Friday lunchtime , as it may take some time to finish !!!!!!!!! Scone X

Ian Buchanan

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:41 pm

Well done,nearly there. Sounds a fantastic experience. Your well up the field ,so great to see the competitive spirit is still alive! Good blogging. Like reading Michael Palin.

Walter Blake

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:06 pm

Snod - I have to agree with Sammy, your blog is very good, and also with Oliver, you are just amazing. Anyway, I've been watching re-runs of Shogun on Sky Living and picked up the following handy Japanese phrases which may be useful in the tent - konnichiwa (hello), yoi ichinichi o (have a nice day), sumimasen (excuse me), domo arigato (thank you very much), benjo wa doko desu ka (where's the toilet), konohito ga zembu haraimasu (this gentlemen / lady will pay for everything), isshoni odorimasenka (Would you like to dance with me?), hottoite! (leave me alone!), tasukete! (help!). Good luck (gokoun o inorimasu) on Thursday.

Faith Clayton

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 01:47 pm

Amazing effort Snoddy - very proud of you. Just caught up on your blog and it is a brilliant read. In Hatfield today and lots of people chatting about what you are doing and reading the blog. Lots of support here for you. Keep going and look after yourself xx

craig samson

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 01:39 pm

snod, another treeeemendous effort. hope you had popadoms and onion chutney with the curry. also do they give you tea trays to slide down the sand dunes with? or even poly bags? might help you move into the top 3. is the blog being ghost written as it is a cracking read. keep up the good work! cheers.

Lindsay Whitelaw

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 01:01 pm

Where is Gordon when you need him?!! Fantastic effort. That cold beer gets ever closer....

Master Mark

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 10:23 am

Remember Stephen Covey's 2nd habit Snod: "Begin with the end in mind". And if all is looking grim the 7th one: "Synergise". MM

Oliver Snodgrass

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 07:02 am

Hi Daddy, I cant believe that you have managed three full marathons in under 9 hours. After me just looking at the score board from yestarday you are in 60th plae.You are just amazing. I love you so much. Love Oliverxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 October 2012 12:22 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

OMG....I never thought sand could come in so many types. In summary, soft sand and hard sand with with about a billion variants in between...ok enough of the geology and on with the blog. So we just finished the Day 2 run....must of reached about 125 degrees on the course. The body feels really tired but it is also kind of getting used to the effort. The camp looks like a walking hospital treating blisters, sun stroke, heat exhaustion to name a few. Team Phannie are holding up well to date. We are all sporting a blister or two but doing ok on the whole.

So today was another 5am start. Hot porridge, a coffee and the first electrolytes of the day before the mass start at 7am....some of the sand dunes that they had us running up today were enormous. On quiet moments all I can think of is Starwars. Still looking for Moss Eisley space station, Jabba the hut and the dreaded sarlak (1000 year indigestion period for the those Starwars buffs). The landscapes really are out of this world with large rock formations dotted along the way.

For tea it was Lancashire meat and potatoe hotpot...so hungry I burned the lid of my mouth and the small bits of potatoe tasted like bits of foam....that will teach me for not waiting 5 minutes!! The campside banter is very amusing in the evening (well until about 9pm when everyone collapses)and the boys sharing our tent are good fun. Given that my bag has still not arrived from BA I have been forced to improvise with certain bits of kit. Last night I have managed to craft a set of gaiters out of my sleeping bag lining to great effect. They work a treat although the sleeping back is now not the best.

Another 26 miles lined up for tomorrow as well. A difficult day with rising sandunes the notice board is saying tonight...oh great.

Many, many thanks for the blogs and emails received to date. They really do provide a great at the end of the day.

Best wishes,
Snoddy

Comments: Total (6) comments

Paul Greeves

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 11:29 pm

Monumental big man!!! I know you will do it in style!!

Elliot Jackson

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 11:10 pm

Another day down Snoddy and great news that you and the team are all well. Excellent creativity for the gaiters. Day 3 sounds another toughy but mind over matter and all of that. Looking forward to tomorrows instalment. Stick in.

Rory Guild

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 09:05 pm

I think there is a typo in your team name - anyway good luck for the rest of the race

Kate Snodgrass

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 08:15 pm

Hi Daddy You Derek and Jamie are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! because you are all in 69th place.Well done!! Iam definitely still missing you !! Sorry I can't join you for porridge tomorrow! I love your blog and your brother Peter says well done and he is following you while in Spain. Love Kate

Master Mark

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 01:33 pm

Good news Snod. Your bag has arrived safely here at Nile Grove. Interesting stuff you packed I must say. The gaiters I will return to you but probably best that the other stuff remains our little secret. I've struggled to get into the blog section of the website until now but now have access and have caught up. Sounds like you're having fun. I am enjoying the meals-based commentary. Looking forward to hearing what the curry is like. Will have a think about Japanese cultural references and report back. Cheers MM

Walter Blake

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 10:22 am

Good effort Snod! Sounds like you're bearing up not too badly without your luggage; maybe you shouldn't have written about BA losing it before you left right enough. Nice to see you're improvising like Bear Grylls on the Discovery Channel. Your military training on the potential officers course was bound to come in handy one day. All the Kelso Boys say hello and are tracking your blog (which is surprisingly good) - Harold's up for doing it with you next year. Take care kiddo

29 October 2012 12:07 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Day one completed. So where is Luke Skywalker and his landspeeder when you need him? crazy long day in the desert. tough day, hot day and so much sand...stating the obvious but it needs repeating. So the camp was up and about from 5am this morning before the big start at 7am. Takes forever to manage yourself in a tent with 10 people in the dark in the morning. porridge tasted far superior to last night"s spag bol and the chilli con carni was top this afternoon.

so the horn went at 7am and off we all went. 140 approx competitors from 38 countries. going was tough for most of the day through soft sand although there was a great six mile hard packed sand section. Derek and jamie both doing well albeit shattered after a hard first day. there were about four really steep sand dunes which were a nightmare to get up and a lot more fun coming down. We had check points every 6 miles for water fills and blister checks. Gaiters are essential but seem limited in stopping all sand coming into the shoes. as for tomorrow well more of the same. Another 26 miles. Got really hot after noon today so shoving the electrolytes in to the system fairly rapidly.

Good humour in the tent. jack bauer (Yoista from Serbia) is lying about 5th in the race and despite the japanese film crew crashing in every half hour to film Wacky (comedian from Japan) they are all good fun. 

Hope all is good back home and will write more tomorrow.

Love, Snoddy.

Comments: Total (9) comments

Rory Guild

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 08:57 pm

Hey Snoddy Liking the StarWars chat (sand facts less so) and hope your Chewbacca impersonation has come in handy. May the force be with you

Fran Jones

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 04:55 pm

Hi Mark...just had your blog passed on by Susie... a fantastic achievement...a bonkers thing to be doing but what an adventure! Seen any mirages of ice cold beer yet or Foreign Legion chaps buried up to their necks?!!!Keep going...know you can do it & look forward to reading the next installment & hearing all about it when you back at Harriers. Take care Fran

Susie Maxwell

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 11:02 pm

Well done Mark, huge achievement already! Sounds completely mad, the race and the company. Am sure you'll be sad to be missing the handicap at Cornbank tomorrow night.....Take care Susie :-)

Sara Snodgrass

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 10:59 pm

Oh following on from Becky's questions about insects I remember something about scarab beetles and huge sand storms from the 5mins I watched of the Mummy....take care those dunes may be that giant sandy monster in disguise!! Maybe the kids and I should watch it this weekend so we can feel we're there with you? Really proud of you even though I am clearly cursing you as I do all the domestic chores and childcare things we usually share! SJ x

Paul Greeves

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 10:52 pm

Are you sure he's not Monkey's son (or was he Chinese). Ask him how Pigsy and Tripitaka are getting on. Then you borrow his cloud for the next stage......Thinking of doing it next year as we have a similar climate here in Belfast......keep 'er lit - thinking of you.....Hi Sammy and Grudd.....

Craig Samson

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 10:29 pm

Loving the mince based food blog. Will it be moussaka or lasagne or plain old mince and tatties. Can't wait to find out. Becky insists I ask about the wildlife and if you have seen any amazing bugs? She said my reply doesn't always have to be funny. Well.....loving the way we are slowly finding out more about fellow competitors and tent companions. You are a master storey teller. But where is the love interest? All the best from the fife riviera.

Elliot Jackson

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 09:07 pm

Well done Snoddy, day 1 down. Loving the blog. Hopefully your Japanese chum is not there for a reprise of that 90's series called endurance. Might be apt though! Stick in. The Jacksons

Allan Harrow

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 07:42 pm

Nice work Snod .... the horn went off at 7 am eh - no change there then big lad !!! The dunes sound crazy ..relieved that you didn't follow that camel and join the Foreign Legion ...Not much to report from back here - know you'll be dying to know the football scores and ex factor progress , so Man U won(that's the footie bit) and your favorite Rylan got through in x factor ...Blogtastic !!! Be strong bro

gareth rudd

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 08:20 am

Great start Snoddy! Dont know why you trained in the Pentlands. Soft sand, balmy conditions - you should have focussed on Porty beach (does the desert attract neds as well?). Get Sara to look out your pre 1985 26 inch waist trousers for your return - you are guaranted to fit them (with that waistline, Jimbo.....). Looking forward to the next blog. Stay strong mate, great stuff. Grudd

28 October 2012 12:21 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Ok..so made it to Cairo and now finally arrived in the desert. What a cool place. Currently 7pm Saturday. Feeling highly bloated after my 800 calorie freeze dried meal...spag bol apparently...made in the dark...effectively they are just super calorie charged pot noodles...sadly no sauce to insert with it though.
So arrived in cairo on Thursday and yes British airways managed to lose my hold luggage. will not get it until return to cairo on saturday. so that left yesterday to shop in the hotel. most of my kit and all of my food was in my hand luggage so no big deal. the rest of my shoppoing was done in the hotel golf shop. managed to get golf hat for the day and swimming shorts for evening attire...doh. never mind.
hotel was nice, ate loads and caught up with derek and jamie to complete the team. all excited about the first day tomorrow. 25 miles up and around a lake kicking off at 7am. Camp is hilarious. 10 of us in one tent about 4m x 2m. One of those old canvas tents. we have a japanese comedian called Wacky in our tent who comes complete with 5 man film crew. Not got many of his gags so far but then my japanese is a tad rusty. we also have a Serbian anti terrorist officer in the tent....jack bauer we have called him. nice guy. So in summary, 3 scots, 4 japanese, 1 ozzy, 1 serbian and a kiwi.
Had full kit check, medical and briefing this afternoon..some serious athletes here and then there are us. Great mix of serious and and not so serious.
Apologies for my spelling and grammer but typing in the dark with a head torch, my 15 minute time ticking on a laptop the size of a calculator.
Hope all well. Will write more after day 1 tomorrow.
Cheers,
Snoddy

Comments: Total (1) comments

Craig Samson

Posted On: 28 Oct 2012 07:27 pm

Keep on the right side of agent Bauer. And if wacky,s jokes don't improve bauer can make him go missing in the desert. Double tap back of the head. And you get his rations too! Hope you bought tartan plus 4s from golf shop too. Sharp.

24 October 2012 09:30 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

So tomorrow afternoon the big adventure starts. Quite a few months of puffing and panting round the Pentland Hills of Edinburgh, carrying too many kg on my back and trying out pretty much every power bar and gel in the market. 

Finished off my training today with a very pleasant 6 mile run. It was so nice to wear normal running shoes for once as opposed to the 2 sizes too big trail shoes (will my feet really expand that much in the desert?). It was a great run in the winter sun without the awkward pack to carry. I must say that I am quite looking forward to a much lighter pack by Day 3 after having devoured whatever freeze dried delights are on offer in the pack....perhaps I should eat the lot on day 1!!!!

So all that leaves me to do now is get to the airport and just hope that British Airways do not lose my bag on transit to Cairo...ah the next dilemma...what equipment goes carry on and what goes in the aircraft hold? Don't let me down BA.

Clearly I am also hoping that Cairo customs and excise are pretty liberal. Not quite sure what they will make of my individual zip locked bags of sugar, salt tablets and a swiss army knife...oh well that is for tomorrow.

Arrive at hotel late tomorrow evening. Not long now. Very excited.

Cheers,
Snoddy

Comments: Total (3) comments

the whole samson clan

Posted On: 26 Oct 2012 07:21 pm

Go Snoddy

craig samson

Posted On: 26 Oct 2012 07:19 pm

eat everything on day one and then either beg steal or borrow grub from your team members and anyone unfortunate enough to be sharing a tent with you. hope you have the flip flops and speedos packed.

Walter Blake

Posted On: 26 Oct 2012 09:32 am

Welcome to Cairo!

23 October 2012 01:39 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

OK so with five days to go the mind is in slight overdrive. Is the toothpaste tube too big? Do I really need that many power bars? How many tea bags? Should I even take tea bags etc etc. Well at least I can worry about something else rather than being fit enough to complete the race itself...oh yes, the race, I almost forgot about that.

Almost there though...final task is to beg, borrow or steal one of the kids Ipod shuffles....choosing the right music could make or break the week as far as I am concerned. Enter Sandman by Metallica too obvious, Sandy Denny too dull and Mr Sandman too old...better get thinking...

Comments: Total (3) comments

Thomas Snodgrass

Posted On: 23 Oct 2012 05:47 pm

Have fun dad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!will miss u!!! Love THOMAS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thomas Snodgrass

Posted On: 23 Oct 2012 05:42 pm

hi

Kate Snodgrass

Posted On: 23 Oct 2012 05:39 pm

Hello Daddy

21 October 2012 05:35 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Excitement building now. Must be on my eighth kit check for the day and wondering how on earth it will all fit into a 30litre rucksack. The hardest thing for me is working out exactly the right amount of food and calories to take. Opting for 3 freeze dried meals per day, a couple of power bars and as many bags of crisps that I can pulverise into a ziplock foodbag...hopefully quite a lot!! On top of that some tea and coffee for campside recovery.

Starting to taper off the training now which is nice but still slightly nervous about doing all this on sand and in 35 degree heat of course. Myself and the family have just returned from a week on the Mull of Kintyre on Scotland's west coast. Having spent quite a bit of time on the beach playing tig with the kids I now realise that running on sand aint going to be easy. In fact one of our good friends tore his hamstring just playing kick the can!!! Better be careful!!

There are three of us in the Team from Scotland and we are running for CHAS (Children's Hospice Association Scotland) who provide much needed care for children and young people with life shortening conditions.

Looking forward to arriving in Cairo now and meeting everyone else in a few days time. 

Cheers,
Snoddy

Comments: Total (3) comments

Allan Harrow

Posted On: 23 Oct 2012 10:31 am

only a 30 ltr rucksack - you big jessie !!!

Walter Blake

Posted On: 23 Oct 2012 08:34 am

The hamstring is mending very nicely, thank you! All the very best of luck Snod, can't wait to track your progress.

Sara Snodgrass

Posted On: 21 Oct 2012 10:17 pm

Best of luck Daddy, Thomas

06 October 2012 06:00 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Morning all,
Getting very excited now with the the prospect of this great adventure coming up (or is that looming). Reading with slight intrepidation however some of the other blogs about training in Death Valley in 120 degree heat!! Being from Scotland we are lucky if our top summer temperature bursts through 80 degrees. About to head out for a morning run in a balmy 7 degrees!!! Better wrap up warm then.

Anyway enough about moaning on about the weather and on with the blog. Will keep it short but just wanted to say that I am really looking forward to turning up in three weeks, meeting some great people, having a good time and pushing myself physically a bit more than normal. I am no ultramarathon runner although I have enjoyed the 4 marathons that I have run in the past and at times when I think about it this event seems completely crackers....but I think that is where the attraction lies!!

Looking forward to meeting you all in Cairo on the Friday night / Saturday.

Snoddy.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Deyl Kearin

Posted On: 09 Oct 2012 04:32 am

Good luck with the taper! See you in a few weeks

08 June 2012 07:12 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Ok...my first ever blog...and my first ever ultra marathon. Luckily being from Scotland I will be at home with the 30 degree plus temperatures of the Sahara desert in November!!!! Perhaps not then...

Less than 5 months to go now and pretty excited about the whole race. I think that excitement may dwindle though once I have completed the online kit purchases that appear to be taking up most of my attention just now.

Not quite sure how you train for something of this magnitude but clearly the time I spend running has increased five fold in the last six months. Just completed the Edinburgh marathon several weeks ago in 3hrs 8mins so very happy with that. If you were to ask me at the finish though if I could do it all again the following day then I would of thought you were mad!!!

Seriously though I am really looking forward to this whole adventure. Running, walking, crawling or perhaps a combination of all three for a week sounds like fun. 

Looking forward to posting more over the coming months and reading other blogger posts with interest.

PS. Is it just me or does 2000 calories a day seem very little in terms of daily food intake? Back home that would be regarded as a good breakfast!! Slightly concerned...

Comments: Total (2) comments

Rory Guild

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 08:56 pm

Hey Snoddy Liking the StarWars chat (sand facts less so) and hope your Chewbacca impersonation has come in handy. May the force be with you.

Posted On: 09 Jun 2012 02:55 am

2000 calories is the daily minimum that everyone must take. I would imagine most people bring more than that.