What is your suffer quotient? I was told 90% of the Sahara race would be a mental challenge. I can confirm that and then some. What would you be willing to do finish a 250km march through the desert (soft, hard packed, uphill/downhill and rocky sand) while wind hammers into your face? What are you willing to do, to achieve your own personal objectives? Would you run/walk from morning till night and get up the next day and do it all again...for a week. I had the opportunity to witness acts of relentless pursuit, digging deep, injuries, infections, mineral imbalance and watch people get up off the mat over and over again, in order to obtain something they clearly had COMMITTED everything too. I am humbled by the effort I saw and offer my greatest appreciation for what they accomplished. Nausea, deep discomfort, harsh back pain, bowel pain affecting athletic rhythm, extreme stiffness and deep muscle soreness, loss of weight, eating little, some throwing up and few that lost so much fluid, they were on IV drips. All the fun effects of a nonstop desert run. Did I know some of these were coming and was I ready? I

As I follow up yesterday to a long slow hot day in the desert, I now sit back pool side at the hotel in Cairo. Almost exactly where I sat one week ago, I sit now, with the same people, deeper friendships developed and toes much worse for wear. Quick results note as I may not have reported yesterday, our ironman desert runner Mehmet Danis, took 3rd overall, AMAZING and Stefan, Ernie and Sophie came a close 2nd in overall teams. So as I left the cyber tent mid afternoon yesterday in a reflective mood, still pondering my performance in the race, sweltering energy sucking heat, I was unsure what the night would hold....another uncomfortable and cramped sleep, I longed for a real bed and looked forward to the Pyramids the next day, Pizza and Beer. The heat started to subside late afternoon, a cool wind blowing across the desert, a sign of changing times, in the case an ending to what was an amazing week. We gathered shortly before dusk and one of the locals shared stories of the past, history of the areas we ran through, the people who inhabited, the mammals and amphibians who roamed the land and sea millions of years ago. As we gathered around the camp fire scrounging together what remnants we had left for food (most having chucked a lot to reduce weight into the final day), we created a buffet of multiple different kinds of freeze dried, with a couple special treats from Louie and Anne Marie, Pepperoni sticks and real Parmesan cheese. We were all craving real food, it was delicious. After we broke from our impromptu dinner, a few of us stayed around camp to play some cards, reminiscing of the days weeks events, games we played with friends and family at home, while Mehmet pulled his sleeping bag outside the tent and rolled into near the table. I didn't realize, but it was a veteran sign of a letting go of the race and into healing and recovery. We morphed into sharing a table with our Canadian team mates and the Italians as they got together for a pre arranged post race celebration, sharing stories, race strategies, food and cultural differences. Most people had climbed into bed, being dark for a few hours...at 830pm. The Italian media team snuck in some local bread, tomatoes, silky smooth cheese (like a salty cross between feta and ricotta), while the Canadians kicked in a small portion of champagne and cigars. Under the stars, after an exhausting weeks work, with the cammaderie, teamwork, it was fantastic! After the feast, we noticed many people had pulled their sleeping bags and mats out in front of the tent, propped up by camp chairs or compression sacks. We joined the troops and a few of us did. Half the camp out sleeping under the stars, with an international community, in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Beautiful San Diego 78 F breeze, dark Egyptian night, bright crescent moon, it was MAGICAL! We woke up in the morning to a light wind and cooler temperatures and we scrounged together some leftover carb waffles, coffee in upside down water bottles and some contraband dates Mehmet called a favour in from the local crew. A great start to the day. We got out early on the bus back to the official (and ceremonial) last small stage run in Cairo at the Pyramids in Giza. The Mens and Women's over all champions lead of procesession up through the pyramids before cresting over the hill strewn with a red Egyptian carpet and the actual finish line...and Pizza and beer and pop. Heaven and relief. Finally done!! Again, we are now back at the hotel putting our collective mangled feet up, for some well needed rest for the body and mind, before the awards banquet tonight and most people

As I write this I am still muddling through the mental reconciliation of what will be one of the highlights of my lifetime.  Its a mental battle, much different than out in the heat...highs and lows on the effort and choices laid out in the past 5 days.  Right now I can say I am at peace with my choices, time will tell.  In addition, I look around the cybertent  and see team mates from home and competitors from France, Germany, Hong Kong, England and Brazil.
 
So where to begin? Lets start with something I know most of you were hoping to hear....I was on the start line for day 5!  It felt good to be there. The health meter had raised to a decent level and I was able to go.  That is all I was asking for.   Sadly, it would not last, but that is the least important part of this entry.  All our team mates were up at 5am and excited for the final day and a 7am start (remember the start time) on route back towards Cairo.
 
The trek to stage one was relatively flat with some soft sand spots and rose to the top of a hill after an initial first two hours.  We ran most of this stage and some walking up hills.  A quick break in the shade which now was mandatory even early on, would be part of everyone's day 5 strategy.  The next section to stage two had many ups and downs through soft sand as we neared the rock bed, we finally realized, we had not been running in a low point rising up to a plateau, but what once was ocean floor millions of years ago and the plateau was in fact ground level.  It gave a whole new sense of running through living history and just how far from anywhere we actually were.  Rolling into stage two cherecck point two hours later we were absolutely elated as we entered a large covered bedouin structure with large rest area and shade where they had locals selliing Naan type breads, chicken, veggies and...chips and coca cola!!  You have never seen so many happy people.  20 Egyptian pounds got you a large bag of chips and a cold can of Egyptian Coke.  Choice of Chili Lime Flavor or Cray Fish Bbq.  We shared a few bags and gobbled dorwn the coke. Instant rejuvenation to all of us. Many people were also carrying pringles, salted almonds, pepperoni sticks and beef jerky for the last day to get that instant salt fix that all would be lacking in some degree.
 
After a solid rest at stage two we moved on to our highlight for the day, the valley of the whales, through a world heritage museum in the desert.  We passed many skeletons of whales from millions of years ago.  It was pretty cool.  They were not as big as I expected but were good none the less.  At this point I was needing motivation.  The heat was on the rise and a direct head wind, sand swirling in our face.  We could not get much running done through the stage and this one took us three hours.  After 7 hours being beaten up out there we reached a much nh feed rest at stage 3.  My back was in knots, stomach getting naseus again from a losing battle of keeping fluids replenished and salts and carbs in and swelling big toes that felt ready to explode.  With knowing the body would not allow me to reach to finish line today, even if I was able to make one more stage, I decided to hang it up.   It became very clear (and confirmed from my veteran team mates later that day) that my body could not fleully recover after the punishment it took on day 1 and 2 (related to over weighted pack and expending to much energy getting very dehydrate houd).  Much more on a recap on my race strategy in a later post.  Sometimes you cannot see it in yourself but friends said I was ashen and my voice was weak.  I was just focused on recovering.
 
From pulling out at stage 3 we drove with support staff to help out at stage 4.  It was a long 10km trek there through very soft sand up and down dunes with stiff wind and amazing landscapes, that when leaving towards stage 5 you would first have to climb a 200 high foot sand dune and walk across to a peak before plunging down.  It gassed many deeply, but was also a highlight of the day for most.  We welcomed in many travelers that were behind us all day, competitors from India, Korea, Japan, South Africa, UK and  6 professional athletes traveling with a ceremonial prince head  in honor of their incorp as a country founding.   They had a send off by their president before they left and have a total contingent of 17 team members + a media jeep, camera crew and videographer. As you get to know more people is amazing to learn what people have done or do, from Military Officers, Police, Former Athletes, Marathoners and average people.  Some leveraging a life changing event, some looking for one and others a big hairy challange.
 
Today can be a big downer day for many as they are physically and mentally exhausted after battling for 10 hours (the fastest and superhuman) to our group 14-20 hours and the slowest 24-27 hours (they walked the whole way).  Since people were coming into camp until 10am this morning, today and tonight is a full day of rest, so everyone now stews in the trepid mid afternoon heat, healing, swatting flies and battling already low energy, staying out of direct sun and the life sucking air that surrounds us.  Its a boring day for most, however we make due, chatting, exchanging war stories,  playing cards and the most fun, reading blog comments and writing to all of you.
 
So what have I learned?  Well, 90% of this trip has been about the process, the training leading up to, learning through the weak and 10% about the goal.  The ultimate goal when I started was not achieved, but I did have goals around friendship, learning and leadership which has more than come through.  Sometimes goals need to be adjusted midstream and that was the case here.  I have had great learnings related to compassion, mental toughness, pain thresholds, physical exertion, vulnerability, team work, leadership and compete level.  The latter I saw and learned through others how high a level of compete and absolute commitment was needed to complete individual days, specific stretches and ultimately the final 85k.  I now have a much clearer idea of different types of training needed to prepare for a race like this, willingness, comittment of course patience to keep health in check for the long haul.
 
In closing, a couple questions posed by team mates before and after we finished still to address. 
 
Why am I here? I may go on longer on this one in the future, but for now I am pretty sure its about the challange, learning more about myself by pushing limits and trying to take my compete quotient to the next level.
 
Will l i redo this race of enter a similar one?  Too early to tell, but as I sit here, I think I have had enough of this desert, however taking on something like Racing Atacama in Chili or in Nepal could happen.
 
Our last bit of exciting news here at camp.  When we pack up tomo morning, we head into Cairo for noon where we will do a ceremonial run (2km - many who are hobbled will walk) across the finish line in front of the Pyramids of Gyza.  Sure to be a highlight. In celebration, they will be serving us PIZZA, POP and BEER.  Still eating remnants of our lightened back and sicked with freeze dried, everyone can't wait.
 
THANK YOU EVERYONE for coming on this journey with me.  Without your support it would not have been possible to keep motivated throughout the race.
 
Colin

Hi all from Half Moon Camp.  A much better day.  Nausea has slowly subsided and I took a full meal down for the first time in a couple days.  Spaghetti Bolognese, for the fourth diner this week.  Along with Porridge and Raisins in the morning (a former favorite, now gag!) we were recommended to treat food like medicine, don’t focus on choices, just taking in fuel.  I have focused on water intake call day today and am getting strength back.  My goal was to be in shape to start tomo mooring and I am ready to go, baring anything that has been spreading around camp…and unfortunately it has started.  Lots of Purell in use today!

We hit some great dunes again this morning and camped under a rock with tons of fossils for the morning while camp was set up.  It’s amazing how the locals move quickly in the heat.  We were staying shaded in advance of the finish line being setup to welcome in the leaders.  Some amazing performances again with Mehmet continuing to stay in 3rd place, and some other very strong runners ahead of him.  Our Team Canada had a strong race today, 10 min behind the fast Italians, but have them in their sites as they go into the long day.  They have won one of these before and will definitely give them full run for their money.  As we speak five other team mates have come in after 7-9 grueling hours, with one on IV drip, and one still on course. I believe over 40 people have dropped from the race with more to happen I’m sure.  The effort I see out there, I still hear the Bedouin drums beating at 5:44pm as competitors are welcomed in.  The last stretch of the race was a tough final 10 km with winds kicking up 30-50kpm.  Apparently the wind (but not that much was welcomed) to cool off the soaring heat in the low valley.

We hit some great dunes again this morning and camped under a rock with tons of fossils for the morning while camp was set up.  It’s amazing how the locals move quickly in the heat.  We were staying shaded in advance of the finish line being setup to welcome in the leaders.  Some amazing performances again with Mehmet continuing to stay in 3rd place, and some other very strong runners ahead of him.  Our Team Canada had a strong race today, 10 min behind the fast Italians, but have them in their sites as they go into the long day.  They have won one of these before and will definitely give them full run for their money.  As we speak five other team mates have come in after 7-9 grueling hours, with one on IV drip, and one still on course. I believe over 40 people have dropped from the race with more to happen I’m sure.  The effort I see out there, I still hear the Bedouin drums beating at 5:44pm as competitors are welcomed in.  The last stretch of the race was a tough final 10 km with winds kicking up 30-50kpm.  Apparently the wind (but not that much was welcomed) to cool off the soaring heat in the low valley.

I am soo inspired by the commitment level of my team mates, other competitors who get in 11-12 hours later and go back out again.  Its epic!! Heading back to camp fire for more water, another spaghetti and prep my pack to be its lightest possible and go enjoy a great scenic day.  If I get no more than I have already got in 4 days, I have been blessed.   

Talk to you at the end of this long day and when this race is finished one way or another from rest camp before heading back to Cairo.

Colin

A tough day to decide not to start this morning, but feeling nautious I felt it was the safer route to go and safe my energy for a further day. 
 
What it is taking some of our team mates to finish today is nothing short of unbelievable courage.  Some of them out in the heat for 8-10 hours...and other competitors literally coming in after dusk at 12 hours.  I was not prepared to be out there that long.  Again, I am awe inspired by the effort of everyone, man and women.  Its a balance of how much you can run in the morning when its "cool" until it soors to high 30's and into the 40's after 11am.  Most are out in the blazing heat (and I mean suffercating).  We took the approach me and non running team mates today of being the best supportive team mates we could be to team Canada and many from other countries.  After a crazy hour in the jeeps cruising dunes at 100km an hour with talented loal drivers, we arrived for finish line set up with the 20 drivers and volunteer team.  It was amazing the speed at which the top three competitors came in, including our fastest Mehmet.  It was helpful to know they were absolutely crushed as well.  It was a very hot and difficult day and fortunatley our teammates all gritted it out and made it camp.  We saw new friends Todd come through nicely and our Kiwi friend had to pull out.  His crack at today's run after getting in real late was courageous.  He has decided to part camp back to Cairo, and we are happy to have spent time with him.
 
The med tent was full tonight, it looked like Mash 4007, with many minor and some not so minor injuries, will fill you in on those when I am back.  Mariska is trying to heal an infected toe before the long stage, a couple others have bad blood blisters and look to be ready for tomo morning.  I drained a blood blister again tonight and glued down a big toe nail that we be coming off at some point before I arrive home.
 
THANK YOU everyone for their encouraging and gracious notes.  You don't know how much they mean to me tonight.  I have really battled all day with my decision pull out at late stage two.  My blisters will heal and am learning to ignore them, however the nausea stuck with me all day.  I am playing it safe as going out in this heat dehydrated is a recipe for disaster and I have seen a few unpleasant things.  As a team of three we are working towards healing and getting back in the race as soon as I feel healthy enough.  With how I was feeling last night, the weather today would have run havoc on me.  Again, I felt the right decision was made.  Come hell or highwater I will be getting back on course, if not tomo, for the long stage of 85km to at least try and hit the world heritage sight Valley of the Whales and soak as much up as a can.  In addition, it was a big uplift to support others today and raised my spirits.
 
My team mates have been super compassionate and supportive of us and everyone involved.  I also asked them to be ruthless and lighteting the load of my pack, which AMT olbliged and I will at least be going out when ready 5-7lbs lighter.
 
Again, thank you for all your kind words and inspiration.
 
Colin
 
 
ps.  Janette (my amazing physio therapist), you are in dire need out here! Thank you for your touching words.  Please book me immediately on the Monday when I return...and probably the friday!

Where to start.  A day of highs and lows.  This was a tougher stage than the last and I was hoping to be fully recovered after last nights sleep, but I wasn't.  I felt ok when the day started but as the heat rolled in I was zapped of energy.  We and much field were walking by 15km-20km in of a 41km day and we did not have the juice to run after that.  We walked, like Lawrence of Arabia in the desert, wandering nomads.  Sandy, Anne Marie and I spent some good time together, as well as Malcolm from New Zealand and some other characters along the way.  Also Mariska joined us for the last push.  We had been walking and running for 7 hours, when as a group, Mariska, Anne Marie and I...pulled out at km 27km.  We sat down at a rest point and figured if we could make another 14km, and figured we may make the 7pm cut off time and arrive in the dark.  We were sure to be in rough shape if we did and would definately not have made the start line in the morning.  It was the right decision as the terrain leading up to check point and after was both amazing and hectic.  Climbing large sand dunes (which we had done most of the day) and big runs down into a sweeping valley with a Monestery.  We actually got a ride back in the RTP jeep and a local driver with much skill took us and some volunteers through a harrowing downfall into the valley and up to camp.  The jeep could only make a one way trip, so we loaded up a few, as there was no way it was even close to being able to come back up.
 
On another topic, our leader Mehmet did well again and our team overtook 1st.  However, even the most seasoned vets were punished and said this was by far the toughest stage they have done in any of the three races they have done.  There were tears, laughter and exhausted silence in our tent post race...our team is amazing.
 
So let me give you a quick run down of highs and lows:
 
Lows
-I have two big blood blisters, and am recommended not to run tomo.  More normal blisters on other toes and may lost toenails.  I have scene worse out here.
-Today was full of what I would call mental anquish.  A punishing mental battle in my head.
-The heat literally sucked the life out of me and I coud just not deal with it, balancing hydration and electrolytes effectively.
-We have pulled ourselves out of official competition.  I now move from a goal of finishing to working towards if I can run a later stage, which is allowed.
-I feel like I have failed my original goal I worked like a bandit over 9 months to make happen.
-My pack was definately too heavy (my likeness of options crushed me) and back has been in spasms since late stage 1.  I really need  day off to stretch it out completely
 
Highs
-I now know how to drain a blood blister and have worked my own feet tonight with help of one of the docs
-The scnery was epic.
-My team mates and I worked together as a great tame, on the course and post race.
-I am now focused on soaking in the experience a little more with some anxiety down on the running.  I am truly in a remarkable part of the world.  We plan to heal up, support our team mates tomo and see if we can run on day 4 or 5.
-We are in the desert, close to the pyramids in a place I always wanted to go dammit!  Life is ok
-I am gracious for the pain and learning this adventure will provide me now and in days/weeks to come.  I definately pushed farther than every before and now what is possible. 
 
I will have some more thoughts tomo, but again am humbled by competitors and friends out here, the scenery and overall in good spirits.  I gave it everything I had and left nothing on the table.  I will attempt to rise again for another stage and enjoy this amazing place.
 
Colin

Two Words...Absolutely Punishing!! I was humbled beyond belief by the challenge and my competitors. Apparently the first day hammers everyone getting used to the heat.  It started at 30 Degrees this morning and hit a high at a couple points of 46 C!  People here are amazing and volunteer and medical staff are gems.   All 8 of my tent mates made it in today, which was great.  Between 6 and 8 hours were our times.   We had to walk for kms through some very soft sand on the last half and it was mentally crazy difficult.  I paired up with my teamate Allison and Daveed from France to pull through.  Buddy systems are crucial for moral and motivation, I need to do much more tomo. I have two big blisters and had to drain them in the med tent tonight, everyone has at least one and many have more.  The sand gets in your shoes easily.  I feel unprepared on some of these aspects  but our vets and med staff are teaching us.
 
In addition, my pack is too heavy and a few pounds more than most, due to me being taller and too much gear.  I have to find a way to shed weight if I am going to make it.  I will do so in the morning.  We are well taken care of by med staff and if anything goes wrong they will pull us off the course, so no worry on safety.  We all admitted we thought of not finishing today, it was that tough. Everyone will be running on blisters tomo so we will see how that goes.  Encouragement from team is amazing and we will truly pull each other through.  I am optimistic tomo will go well with smarter racing and a more conservative pace.
 
However, its Dunes day tomo and will be tougher than today, and heat is up again tomo.  I will race smart and do my best.  Its hard to sleep, everyone is challenged by it, nerves, etc.  Its warm through and I slept on my sleeping bag part of the night.
 
Thanks for all the well wishes. It really means alot and keeps me motivated.
 
We also have a few extended team members who have done this before who I am in awe of.  Mehmet is 3rd, Louie 10th, David up there, Stef, Ernie and Sophie 2nd place team.  All our team mates are awesome, and I would not of made it without them.
 
I am soaking in the culture, the people, competitors and am keeping in mind being able to get some beach time post race and sleep in my own bed or on my patio when this is all over. 
 
Mom if Brenda has shown you updates I am good and nothing to worry about.  Amazing experience!
 
Colin
 
ps. we are typing on very small mini lab tops and its tedious to get the blog out, will try to write as much as I can with my fat fingers.

Hello from the desert.  Literally right in the middle, and nestled along a picturesque lake camp site.  We woke up early this morning for our race briefing, followed by bag weigh in, food and and electrolyte count and grabbed our race bib.  The guy who weighed my bag had to brace himself and I noticed on the sheet I had one of the heaviest bags!  29lbs without water!  lol.  Never fear my experienced team mates came to the rescue and helped me reduce weight by 4 lbs, taking out some carbs and using some tricks  (wrapping tape around pill tubes and ditching the rest) and taking out things I might use.  Many people who have run  before were targetting 8.5kg (just under 20lbs) opposed to my 12kg.  I learned some things along the way listetning to others, some taking out the sleeping pad completely and just putting the sleeping bag on the tent floor.  This time round (and no comittment to next time yet) I am sticking to what I think I need and have trained for until I feel later in the race I can do without.
 
At 130pm we left the hotel for the bus trip to the desert on a 3.5 hour journey weaving through Cairo.  Since the revolution, the police force is a fraction of what it used to be (our guide informed us) leaving no traffic police on highways to manage very heavy traffic and taking what used to be short commutes to long hours in gridlock.  Our 3.5 hour jont in work days, could take 6 hours.  Days off or weekend here is Friday and Saturday.
 
The bus ride was very interesting, we went right by the pyramids as they were nestled behind residential neighborhoods.  How would that be for a backyard?  Surprisingly there were many lakes once we got out of town and we saw a great vistas and towns, barren and tree covered and lush greenery.  Half way through the ride as everyone was hydrating up, we had a bathroom break mid desert.  Think 150 random people pee/squat road side desert.  In addition, we were carbing up all the way along, storing up glycogen through breads and sugars.  Some brought raisin bread, others went down the street to the bakery and grabbed two big french bagettes, while I took the last ten pieces (and shared) of walnut banana bread from the morning buffet!  I was hungry every hour, like the mind was telling the body to get ready for not alot next few days.
 
We arrived at camp, a beautiful horshoe camp set among some sandy rocks along a picturesque lake to the sound of bedouin drums and were welcomed into camp.  We set up our tent with my 7 Canadian team mates and had some laughs as we got arranged and spread out our gear.  It was 540pm and people said the sun went down around 6pm, even though it was very light, and sure enough 20 min later sun was down and our headlamps on.  From there we broke out the tape and started prepping for the morning by put taping on our lower backs (to prevent chaufing), shoulders, and over our nips.  As me being one of the harier people, I am told a replay of the scene from "40 year old virgin" will be playing at my hotel next weekend.  I am a little ahead of the game and have a sub tape under the "lukotape" which is like ducktape and will make it a little easier to reduce the whole taping job.  In addition, we took part in a foot taping and blister study by the head doctor lead out of Standford Univ. to test a new method on one foot.  I will tape the other like I have been previously.
 
Other than that, some freeze dried  "bbq chicken and rice for dinner" followed by Bison Pemican and Saskatoon Berry Jerky.  Will be heading to grab my water for tomorrow, and hitting to the tent to organize and tape my other foot.  Its 9pm right now, planning for bed before 10pm with 5am wake up time, 615am race brief and 7am away we go.  Each day will be between 37-45km with the long one over 80-85km.  I believe tomo is shortest and relatively
flat, with the next couple days getting more difficult with many dunes.  I think the dunes will be cool...until i am over them, like zebras on safari!
 
Thats all for now, catch up with you tomo night desert time!

I am waiting in a NYC airport on my way back from a fun weekend watching the US Open and a couple days of work. I come to this city often for a little fun and seeing clients. It

It was a well earned day off today after entering the first week of tapering down and really resting the body from a punishing couple weeks of high mileage running. I was visiting San Francisco for our annual customer conference and the days were long in presentations, meetings, dinner and entertaining. Add in three solid runs through the lop sided streets of the city, endless hill grinds and beautiful vistas, I made sure to follow the rules of no more than a two hour run and was trying to keep more to an hour, especially with the hills. Mission accomplished, no injuries and a solid trio of runs. Which leads me to my current situation. On the way home to Edmonton, AB through Vancouver to visit my Mom for a couple days over the long weekend. Before I get into it, I get limited time 1-2 times per year with my Mom and only two days on the way home from my conference. Anyhoo, an uneventful day planned flying in and out of Vancouver, turned into (in the middle of it now!) a massive delay based on our pilots being late in San Fran and certain rules and regulations Air Canada was not willing to bend to get customers on their proper flight. I won

Once you agree upon the price you and your family must pay for success, it enables you to ignore the minor hurts, the opponents pressure, and the temporary failures. -Vince Lombardi High pressure situations will bring out your true colors, like the flight or fight default.

For those of you who followed my Kilimanjaro climb and fundraising effort in 2009, another challenge has been on my mind for at least a year. I officially committed to this one earlier this year and its bigger and more challenging than the last. It combines my passion for running, adventure and travel. It also led to me signing up for the challenge of a lifetime -- a 250 km race across the Sahara Desert in October. http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace/ Less than two months from today, I'll be engrossed in a seven day unsupported race across the Sahara Desert. It will be between 40 and 50 degrees, and I will be running in sand for the entire 250 km. Six days, equivalent of a marathon a day, with a final stage 90km trek to the promised land

As I sat in the tub cursing my existence, wondering why I decided to take on this insane challenge, all I could feel was the exhaustion in my legs, the emptiness in my inner being and pain in my head. Funny things happen along the way when you feel a little delirious, shaken by pure exhaustion, drawn out by heavy humidity and dehydration. I have run all my life and feel very comfortable whether on the pavement, sand or trail. In 2002 I ran the NYC Marathon and really struggled to finish. We had cut back on some of our long training runs and it hurt us in the end. For that reason, I really feel like I needed to go the distance in preparation for this race. We had been slowly easing up on our long runs 10% at a time and had previously completed 20km, 22km, 25km, 28km and 32km. The next logical step would have been 35-36km, but I really felt I was strong and wanted to get to the distance of one days race under my belt! It was a Sunday afternoon and a very hot day. I was well packed with gels, and cliff shots and 6L of fluids (Water + electrolytes and Gatorade). The first 20km felt really strong but after the turnaround near Mimico I could slowly start to feel the energy zapping from my body. It was one of those things you new was not going to get better, it was a slow leak in the ole health meter. By kilometer 34 I was really struggling and Anne-Marie and I were walking often. I was feeling a little dizzy and really week, but I wanted to make the distance. Huge kudos to Anne-Marie for dragging my sorry but to the finish line, being my condo. I would not have made it without my partner. I was badly dehydrated and really felt like my life force in my chest was completely empty. It was a discouraging feeling. I was really happy to have made the days goal, but it came at cost, in confidence and the punishing my body, which I wouldn

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson Many people have asked me why I have taken on this venture, so I sat down and put some serious thought to it. I

"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important." -Sir Arthur Conan Doyle So the real training has started. A couple weeks ago, I passed the 60km mark per week and 30km long run on the weekend through some sweltering Toronto heat. Before I could get by, not thinking too much about the previous night

“Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.”
-Samuel Johnson (English Poet, Critic and Writer 1709-1784

 

The thought of completing 240km over 6 days can sometimes be overwhelming.  Finishing one marathon and like groundhog day getting up and doing it all over again the next, the next, etc.  Knowing where to start and getting some momentum going is challenging.  However, along one of our recent runs, our team leader Stefan Danis shared how he was rehabbing his knee and his training mindset.   In included walking.  Walking to work, around town for errands, deliberate walking throughout the day.  This was a novel suggestion.  I have never really been much of a walker, for walking sake.  I do however enjoy exploring new cities, cultures and that typically requires moving around on two feet from place to place.  My favorite way to experience new cities is to run!  Easy to pack and you can cover a lot of distance in a short amount of time while getting a great work out.

However, to start ramping up my mileage for the race, at the suggestion of a couple team mates I have starting entering walking into my weekly routine.  They have become part of the metrics I track, km walked, run and other cross training workouts in preparation.  I gotta tell you…I am LOVING walking.  I have started walking to work in the mornings.  It’s usually a 25 min subway ride or 15 min cab ride, but now it’s a 45 min walk.  The first day I did it, I was hooked.  It’s usually nice and cool, with calm winds in the downtown core in Toronto.  The streets are pretty quiet, its peaceful and a nice ease into the work day.  I found before, I was always rushing to work, always behind and the stress level elevated before I even started the day.  It’s been 3 weeks of walking to work (usually home as well and sometimes running).  I am all about multi tasking, and the walk are providing me with exercise, training, a clear head, less stress, seeing stores and restaurants I may not have known are even there and a nice quiet entry to the work day.  I know there will be some walking during the race and I feel the walks with some weight in my backpack will provide a good foundation, strength base, injury prevention and understanding of how to attack the race course from many angles.

In addition, my teammate and running partner Anne-Marie has introduced me to 10’s and 1’s.  What stop running for a minute and walk?  Why, ummm never.  I have been running competitively since the age of 7 (mostly track) and our coaches always drilled into us, never stop running, and I never have.  Perhaps that is why I got burned out for a few years and really did not enjoy running that much.  It came back to me when I started running for relaxation and stress relief and finding solace in longer distances and adventures through the parks and around the city.  When I recently put some 10’s and 1’s in the program I started to notice less strain on the body and a relief and release that it’s ok to walk!  Since there will be some walking in the Sahara (hopefully less than more) I might as well not burn myself out trying to run 100% of the time throughout training.  Both angles of walking have provided an unexpected lift in my training, enjoyment and outlook for the race.

Lastly, I am finding some amazing collaboration and learning from training with our other 9 team members and I look forward to learning from our other global competitors.

Colin