Wow! I just finished “Sweeping” today. I walked for 9.5hrs behind the last competitors with another volunteer. We spent the time picking up the course flags and keeping an eye on the competitors as they walked through the check points and on to the finish just under 40km. Between candid discussion with my fellow volunteer and taking in expansive vistas, I had time to reflect. I found such inspiration in watching the competitors too, knowing that this was day two of seven, of what would ultimately be 240km. Ive never taken part of a multistage running event and am truly amazed that people can push themselves had enough to run a marathon a day for seven days in about 4hrs. That’s the same time it took me to finish my fastest marathon on paved roads! Funny, I’m actually getting pretty tired now but the night is still young. Its 715pm and I still need to eat and help out around camp. Since I don’t have a way to upload pictures, I will try to recount what I saw.

180+ people from over 10 countries running into the desert with all the food and clothing they will need for the week.

Towering sandstone cliffs in reds, oranges, and greys.

A sandy hill climbing up and up for what seemed like ages

Various weathered outcroppings

Expansive vistas with deserts kissing mountains

Camels and Bedouin tenets

Green desert bushes – which the camels love to eat!

And true human potential.

What an amazing day. I am truly blessed and I hope that through my charity donations I can share these experiences with others and maintain nature for generations to come. We start at 5am so Ive gotta eat and get some sleep.

Keep up with the race and photos at 4deserts.com

I'm not sure what's worse...running across the desert for 7 days or shopping for 7 hours! Actually, I think I do know...it's definitely shopping! Just like training for the Ironman, planning out nutrition is very time consuming yet so very important. Without proper nutrition (and hydration) the race is over before it even starts!

I'm quite happy with my shopping thus far for the Sahara Race 2014. I made a couple online purchases for some quality gear and then rounded up the extras, including food, at my local sporting good store (Academy.com) and grocer (HEB.com). Coming from Texas, I was tempted to bring 7 bags of corn chips and some salsa...oh maybe some tortillas too! 

Planning my nutrition regime for the 7 days of the Sahara Race 2014 definitely reminded me of Ironman. It's been since 2007 since I did such a long distance race and that was only one day...albiet a very long day of about 15hrs! Actually, I remember on that day that the one thing that did not go according to plan was in fact my nutrition plan. When I got on the bike I hit a bump and lost two bottles which had a specific amount of calories and electrolytes. I did have more but I think it through me off course early. Long story, short...I hit a wall half-way through the marathon (12hrs into race) and it took me about an hour to recover. 

This time, the Sahara Race, a 7-day self supported race covering 250km (155mi), should present a substantial nutrition challenge for the competitors. For me, as a volunteer, I will have a similar challenge, and look forward to the day(s) that I get to participate on the course. At the moment, I am staring at all of my gear and food lined up in the foyer. It doesn't seem like as much as I thought it would be when I read through the list. I think that's becasue of the organization of the food into daily packets. So what did I include for my daily nutrition ...well have a look at my personal blog (drcpherrera.wordpress.com) where I will post a video of my food and the rest of gear.

As for me...tomorrow (Monday) is the final pack day before flights commence. I'll leave Houston on Tuesday morning, travel through Dallas/Forth Worth, Washington DC, Doha - where I'll sleep overnight - and then arrive to Amman the next day. Funny, that's a long journey and it didn't have to be such indirect but I bought my flights very early giving myself plenty of opportunity for even more adventures to take place. I'm especially excited for my Doha stopover - free hotel, free food, and meeting up with some really good people...can't wait! 

Until next time...

Eat real food,
Move often, 
And sleep well!

--
Dr. Chris Herrera
@drcpherrera on Instagram & Twitter
http://drcpherrera.wordpress.com
https://linkedin.com/in/drcpherrera

Went through a full day of volunteer training yesterday here at the hotel in Wadi Musa near Petra. Having been here before it's an incredible environment and to be among those who will run for 250km over the next 7 days is an amazing feeling. I can't wait to do the race myself someday soon. There are over 175 competitors from all over the world, an Olympic marathon champion, a blind athlete, and several other inspiration people who have challenged themselves to race the entire 4 Deserts race series in 2014. The weather has been quite cold which I was expecting so I should be fine. A few nights in the hotel was nice too just before we hit the desert. I am in for long 12+ hr days as a volunteer. Even when I serve as a sweeper, I will be traveling as the last persons on the course and thus will cover 40km at a very slow pace. This may prove to be difficult but we will see. Oh the packing...wow! We checked in some competitors last night who carry as little as 5-6kg in their pack. This includes everything the will need to run the 250km as well as food for 7 days (minimum if 14,000 calories). Some of then larger packs were as much has 15kg but of course these individuals will likely be walking. So I will sign off for now. We will check in the last 100 competitors and then board on the buses and head to camp. Race starts in the morning at 8am - wake up at 5am..everyday!!