Namib Race Blogs 2019

Dan Parr
Stage 3 - A Cracking Day

30 April 2019 05:48 pm (GMT+02:00) Harare, Pretoria

Hi there sport fans!

 

A cracking stage today and I felt like we got into ‘Namibia proper’. The 1st section took us onto the famous Skeleton Coast and we had to run along the beach which was bloody hard work but was worth it to be in such a stunning environment. 

 

The coast is completely wild and desolate – amazing to run in – and plenty to look at and keep your mind off the running.  One of the check points was at an old wreck site and we also ran through a huge seal colony which for a geeky zoologist like me was wonderful.  They are cape fur seals and it was quite an experience to see them all, “fousands of ‘em”, as Michael Caine would say.  They weren’t too fussed about us so you could get quite close, that’s if you could bear the smell.  Turns out that the cape fur seal is the only thing in Namibia which smells worse than my race t-shirt, and that honks!

 

My main achievement of today was to actually keep Florian in sight for most of the stage.  That’s primarily down to 2 factors:

1-      Visibility along the beach and across the final section was about 10km so I could see miles ahead!

2-      On the last section I was really struggling to see the marker flags (as the wind was blowing them directly towards to me) so I had to keep him in sight otherwise I was buggered!  Amazing what the fear of being lost in the desert does for your motivation!

 

I did have an early chance to steal a march on the leader but my Britishness got in the way.  Early in the first section Florian wasn’t too far ahead and I saw him heading off in the wrong direction.  Before I could help myself, I politely called out and suggested he went the correct way.  Opportunty gone.  Being honest, he could get lost for hours and still win it!

 

The last section into camp was tough today.  As we came off the beach we turned directly into a vicious headwind and were instructed to run 11kms straight into it across a barren, featureless plain.  It was horrible and the wind was like cross between a very hot hairdryer and a pebble-dashing machine as the sand and grit was whipped into your face.  Misery.

 

So tomorrow is the Long March – 80kms through the Namib Desert in the interior of Namibia.  Its going to be a scorcher!

 

Thanks to everyone for the messages and emails – lovely to hear from you all – and I’ll check in some time tomorrow I hope!

 

Love to all

Dan

Comments: Total (14) comments

Victoria Parr

Posted On: 02 May 2019 07:12 am

Absolutely fantastic DP! It brought a tear to my eye to see the pic of you crossing the line together - we’re ridiculously proud of you! Can’t wait to read the next blog!

Kirsty Hulme

Posted On: 02 May 2019 03:37 am

What an amazing day Dan. Just sounds incredible. Keep up that phenominal pace and looks as though your hot on Florians heels. Can't imagine he's enjoying the heat. Thinking of you every day and had a lovely day out on a junk with Katy and kids yesterday. Everyone on great form and lots of chat about Daddy. Big hugs from all of us.

Nick Metson

Posted On: 01 May 2019 11:59 pm

Great blog Dan. Long day now done. Now you can start to think about the ice cold Windhoek lager that must surely be waiting at the finish... Best wishes for the remaining stages. Nick Metson

Dani and Tim Flower

Posted On: 01 May 2019 08:03 pm

We are following you every step of the way, this is getting incredibly exciting! Did you run across the finish line of the last stage holding hands with the Swiss youngster? Looks like you're getting stronger every day and will leave him in your wake in the final days :) . We are willing you on and sending you some extra spring in that mighty step of yours. Love Dani, Tim, Mia, Lucas, Xander and Rocky xxx

Nick Parr

Posted On: 01 May 2019 02:46 pm

Keep going Bruv - we’re all willing you on as best we can with our thoughts. Long March out of the way by the time you read this - all down hill from here. Xx

William Fairclough

Posted On: 01 May 2019 10:43 am

Danny Boy, Keep up the amazing work. The Cluff team are following your every step and are right behind you. You're doing an incredible job and as someone who knows a thing or two about getting lost in deserts, you know full well just how easy it is to, well, get lost in the desert. Whilst I have complete confidence in your ability to navigate (picking up tips from the local wildlife if need be), I'm not so sure about this Swiss chap... You're right in this! By the time you read this you'll have finished the big stage. I hope you're feeling strong for the final push. The boys all say hi. W

Rob Aarvold

Posted On: 01 May 2019 07:44 am

Amazing effort Starsky! Loving the updates, although slightly in awe / concerned about the 85km schlepp today. Head down and tempo up; but don’t forget to enjoy some of the scenery as you sneak up on the Swiss whippet. Cheering you on over a cold beer back in SG.

Victoria Parr

Posted On: 01 May 2019 06:42 am

All the family are rooting for you, DP! We’re all so proud - you’re doing fantastically well! Take great care and keep your eye on the flags! XXXX

James & Emma Redmayne

Posted On: 01 May 2019 02:12 am

Well done you geeky zoologist - incredible effort though slightly disappointed by your British sense of fair play. Sending that rather rapid Swiss bloke on a 20km detour might have made it interesting. Good luck in the long march tomorrow - Team Redmayne cheering you on in awe. All the best, Readers, Emma, Bella, Leo, Eloise, Boris and Doris

Ant Davies

Posted On: 01 May 2019 01:10 am

Dan - your britishness will win the day. Plenty of time to reel in Florian on the long day. Awesome effort, keep it going. Love the blog - BBC have been looking for a successor to David Attenborough for a while - AD

Alfie Nicholson (aged 6)

Posted On: 30 Apr 2019 11:35 pm

Dan - you are quite good at this race. It is a long time for you so you are one of the best. If you see a lion please run faster and get your best time. If you overtake him run straight to the flags. Then you can build a sandcastle at the end! Alfie (ps. Love your daily blog!)

Ben Phillips

Posted On: 30 Apr 2019 07:14 pm

A jackal yesterday, seal colony today - plenty to keep a budding (or ageing) zoologist like you happy. Sounds like an amazing day today. Well done mate. And good luck for the long one tomorrow.... dig deep and keep going.

Dani and Tim Flower

Posted On: 30 Apr 2019 07:01 pm

This is so incredible and inspiring to read... we are willing you on Danny Boy - keep going!!!

Dani and Tim Flower

Posted On: 30 Apr 2019 07:01 pm

This is so incredible and inspiring to read... we are willing you on Danny Boy - keep going!!!