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View All Posts 2022 From : Michael Benner

Michael Benner
Stage 5

06 May 2022 09:24 am (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

What a day!!  The Long March was a race unto itself and very different from the other four stage so far.  It is just so motivational to be surrounded my so many positive, supportive racers, staff and new friends all motivating each other to push forward.  Made the kms pass by so much lighter!

 
Once again, John, Alfonso and I stuck together for this stage.  Alfonso had multiple blisters in various condition, but just endured the pain with a smile.  We all had out peaks and valleys, but seemed to raise to the highest common denominator of the team (or at least the average), rather than accepting the least.  The boys were tough today and deserve the solid result we put up!
 
The course included such great variation and was so much more visually beautiful, historic, scenic and stimulating than I had expected.  Great course RTP!  Did nearly 3 hours with headlights at night finishing just after 10pm. The moonscapes and stars made walking at night in the cool very ethereal. 
 
Jubilation and relief to finish.... the emotion is high.  But one's personal story is only part of the experience... as every other runner comes in even until nearly 9am the following morning, tears an snd smiles well up.
 
A day at this camp near the coast to rest now, then a short stage 6 tomorrow .... leading to a little celebrating.
 
Again, my appreciation goes out to all of you for your messages and thoughts.  Hopefully, I can share even a bit of the feelings experienced with you each 1-1 sometime soon!

Comments: Total (2) comments

Crissman Loomis

Posted On: 08 May 2022 11:22 am

Great job! Just a bit more to go.

Evelyn Hendriks-Frieden

Posted On: 06 May 2022 09:21 am

CONGRATULATIONS to your achievement!:-) I love reading your blog entries!
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Michael Benner
Stage 4

04 May 2022 08:58 pm (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

Welll you can tell which days I survived by whether or not I post a blog!  I.e. yesterday I was unable to move beyond drinking water and electrolytes until after dark.  Day 4's run out of Moon Valley and along the riverbeds as spectacular... crazy moonscapes (think Planet of the Apes), with unique plants and various rock outcropings.
 
The crew initiated a mandatory cut off at CP#3 (30km mark) to ensure people would not overheat... it was a much more diverse course that day 3 but the heat was up nonethiless.  7am start sent us off in the near dark, scrambling up some rocky ravines and across some ridges.  Mostly forced marching today with some trotting down declines opportunistically.
 
Cool, refreshing evening... relaxing now, getting ready for the big day tomorrow.  Everyone in good spirits and appreciating life afresh.
 
Hopefully, I will post again soon after tomorrow's march....

Comments: Total (3) comments

Betsy Rogers

Posted On: 05 May 2022 10:26 pm

Wow. Keep it going. We love the updates and following your spectacular journey as we log in every morning. Push on. sending strength for your legs!

Mande Benner

Posted On: 05 May 2022 09:58 pm

Am so glad to see photos where you and your comrades look well taken care of. What a physical and mental challenge! So proud of you - you have almost conquered this - keep on chugging and relish every minute!

Amy Kunugi

Posted On: 05 May 2022 01:09 pm

Avidly following your progress and cheering you on from across the world! Go Mike, go!
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Michael Benner
Stage 2

02 May 2022 09:49 pm (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

Well after a shocking initiation into staged ultra-marathons strewn with so many beginner mistakes that I am embarrassed to recount... I somehow managed to recover and had a much more enjoyable 2nd day.  Well, Carlos the course designer said that the first day would be the hardest, but he lied!  Alfonso and new found friend Johm from Colorado Springs teamed to drive a solid hiking pace getting us thru some soft sands dunes to a sub 8 hour time (1st stage was 6+)..  Mori, the Japanese challenger to the podium won the stage in impressive form.  To sum it up, it was a buautivul day in the dunes, albeint quite painful.  I sorted a number of my initial issues, so I might have a shot at finishing this beast!  Thanks to everyone for your well wishes! 

Comments: Total (6) comments

Walter H Donahue

Posted On: 04 May 2022 06:55 pm

https://youtu.be/MkTw3_PmKtc

Rob Claar

Posted On: 04 May 2022 09:41 am

Mike, you are an inspiration. Best wishes for a strong finish, and I look forward to hearing your stories back in Tokyo!

Mike Alfant

Posted On: 04 May 2022 08:27 am

Michael, an incredibly impressive start to the event. Keep it up. You're an inspiration to all of us back here at home ! Mike

Mande Benner

Posted On: 03 May 2022 11:38 pm

Go Mike! I am so glad your entries finally posted! I was thinking you were doing the total unplugged thing and we would not hear from you. I am so glad your race bag made it - (but that is old news by now, haha.) There are lots of craggy photos of you - you will love it when you see them. The race looks beautiful, amazing and so challenging - what an adventure! Enjoy yourself and have fun and keep on chugging. Rooting for you! Xoxo

Mande Benner

Posted On: 03 May 2022 11:38 pm

Go Mike! I am so glad your entries finally posted! I was thinking you were doing the total unplugged thing and we would not hear from you. I am so glad your race bag made it - (but that is old news by now, haha.) There are lots of craggy photos of you - you will love it when you see them. The race looks beautiful, amazing and so challenging - what an adventure! Enjoy yourself and have fun and keep on chugging. Rooting for you! Xoxo

Betsy Rogers

Posted On: 03 May 2022 10:35 pm

Way to go! Feed the Beast! Love the updates as you face the challenges of this race. Enjoy. You got this!
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Michael Benner
Mike Benner #3

02 May 2022 01:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Well after a shocking initiation into staged ultra-marathons strewn with so many beginner mistakes that I am embarrassed to recount... I somehow managed to recover and had a much more enjoyable 2nd day.  Well, Carlos the course designer said that the first day would be the hardest, but he lied!  Alfonso and new found friend Johm from Colorado Springs teamed to drive a solid hiking pace getting us thru some soft sands dunes to a sub 8 hour time (1st stage was 6+)..  Mori, the Japanese challenger to the podium won the stage in impressive form.  To sum it up, it was a buautivul day in the dunes, albeint quite painful.  I sorted a number of my initial issues, so I might have a shot at finishing this beast!  Thanks to everyone for your well wishes! 

Comments: Total (3) comments

Harry Hill

Posted On: 04 May 2022 07:19 pm

Great job, Michael. Very impressive and inspiring.

Amy Kunugi

Posted On: 03 May 2022 11:04 am

Go Mike! We are all so proud of you, and your impressive determination!

Amy Kunugi

Posted On: 03 May 2022 11:04 am

Go Mike! We are all so proud of you, and your impressive determination!
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Michael Benner
Arrived

01 May 2022 01:47 pm (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa

Arrived in Namibia, with an extreme scare of having my check in bag lost during the Johannesburg connection, my bag (all my food and running shoes!) arrived the next morning in Windhoek.  A massive sigh of relief!  Spectacular drive to Swakopmund...and the base camp in a dune desert near the Atlantic ocean.  Great group of very positive people: 44 racers and some amazing support staff.  Everything is a go for tomorrow!  Wish us luck!!

Comments: Total (1) comments

Jeffrey Behr

Posted On: 04 May 2022 09:34 am

Mike, the entire planet is counting on you! Seriously, we are all rooting for you here in Japan. What an impressive run! Stay strong and focused. All my best, Jeff
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