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| Stage 5. |
30-Oct-2009 08:34:10 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
Well I only have a few moments for an update. I really enjoyed yesterday's 23 hour race. So hard, but fun.
I have at least a dozen blisters and have had to have a toenail drilled to hit a blister underneath (echh). Otherwise just fine though. I even went for another three hour walk today.
I've seen a lot of athletes push through all the aolments that can be caused by the sun (throwing up, disorientation, cramps). One true athlete Erica Treblanbc from South Africa finished the last five miles hopping as one leg was injured and still won the women's category.
A`last two mile cereminial untimed run through the pyramiids tomorrow and then pictures, pizza and beer.
Keir |
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| Stage 5 |
30-Oct-2009 03:36:22 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
Well I made it! 23 hours and 54 miles of rock and sand dunes after starting I crossed the finish line at 5:00 a.m.
I am being shooed from the cybertent. I will give more details later. |
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| Stage 4 |
28-Oct-2009 03:09:36 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
Hello all,
This shoul be my second last upate. I finished the fourth stage, exhausted but okay. Found out that yesteray it ws 120 degrees.
The final stage tomorrow is 54 miles. That means 20-24 hours on my feet. I will have to try an catch a few hours sleep at a checkpoint. We start at 6:00 am.
The desert is beautiful but no life other than the occasional butterfly.
I hope everyone is well.
Keir |
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Comments (14)
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| Stage 3 |
27-Oct-2009 02:48:44 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
So... Another tough day. Finished just before nightfall. A 26 mile stage. Lost a tent mate. The doc had to remove two of his tonails and he is not alllowed to continue. In terms of grisly tales another competitor was observed walking in circles and picked up the medical staff.
Tomorrow is the last short day (27 miles). I hope I can finish but the last part of today was very hard.
It is a beautiful desert and all the people are very cool. The medical staff are great.
I hope everyone is well. |
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| Stage 2 |
26-Oct-2009 01:31:27 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
Well, first ket me say that I miss my wife Kathy and Jessica, Nicholas, Kate and Julia - I hope you are all well.
Just finished Stage 2. 27 miles with two harder sections with soft sand and sand dunes. I have some foot blisters and may have bad enough sunburn on the back of my legs that they may blister despite using sun-screen. Apparantly the Sahara can do that to you and that is why people wear full length outfits.
Hot, hot, hot today. I would guess 110 or more.
So far a few people have had IVs for dehydration, few heat strokes and one guy who had heart problems and had to leave the camp.
Today I finished half way through the group. Cool, but as long as I finish...
I, like many here have no appetite and I am a little naseous. Par for the course.
It is night now and half 30 people are still on the course - my hat goes off to them. I know that some will spend 12-14 hours to finish today.
Tired now. Force down some food and then sleep.
Keir |
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| Stage 1 |
25-Oct-2009 01:27:03 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
Well folks it has been a tough 24 hrs. One of the buses from Cairo to our start spot broke down-the bus company was called One Way Tours - really.
Got in at 1 am and up at 6:00 am for the first stage. 21 miles only but MUCH harder than I expected. The desert is amazing but very hot (who would have thought?). A few people are out from injury and heat exhaustin.
Tomorrow is like 28 miles over much more difficult terrain so I will take it onecheckpoint at a time.
Wish me luck, I will update you tomorrow.
Keir |
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| Landed in Cairo |
23-Oct-2009 10:29:56 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
Came in at 2:00 a.m. I test packed my pack this morning. Got pretty much everything in, to my surprise, but it weighs around 26 lbs. I'll probably need to ditch some stuff before I start.
It's overcast in Cairo and cool but I got the cheery news that the area we will be going to was 50 degrees Celsius of 122 degrees Fahrenheit today... A myth to scare us off I hope.
Speaking of scary, I got a taxi to the mall to buy some stuff. Taxi drivers here consider lane markers mere suggestions and apparently it is a sign of weakness to use your indicator. Th mall in the part of town we are staying is very Western, Burger King, McDonalds even a Fuddruckers.
Most everyone can speak a little English and I am trying to avoid my tendency to speak very loudly and very slowly to aid comprehension.
Met a few people and they all seem (1) Younger, (2) Fitter and (3) Better prepared than I am.
We meet for breakfast tomorrow, medical check, gear check and then a seven hour drive south to the town where we start the race from on Sunday.
I'm not sure if my GPS has updated yet as it needs a clear view of the sky.
Starting tomorrow I am on satellite updates only.
Talk to everyone then.
Keir |
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| Perhaps my one and only |
05-Oct-2009 02:24:58 AM [(GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana]
Sahara Race (Egypt) 2009 |
I have wanted to do this darn thing for a while. Tried two years ago and strained a muscle getting ready.
I have never done anything like this and I'm not a runner (love it but always get hurt). Thus far in my life probably the hardest single day I've had physically was an 18 hour hike up and down Mt. Ranier.
I have been hiking and semi running on downhill parts for the last few months. Doing an average of 60-70 miles a week with my longest week being about 90 miles. I have carried a 20 lb pack for the last month or so. My longest single day was 25 miles with a 4,000 foot total height gain. I'm in Northern California so I have been lucky enough (seriously) to do a lot of the hikes in 90-100 degree weather. I can average about 3.5 miles an hour on the flat when fully loaded and about 3 miles an hour over uneven terrain.
I've been learning all about blisters and what damage fricton can do to the more delicate parts of your body.
I'm not sure what else can be done to get physically ready for the race. Time to start tapering down. This last week, which is half over, will be a 90 mile week. Following week I'll cut by 30% and the last week another 30%.
Thanks to my understanding wife Kathy. Also to Nancy Fudacz for her advice.
Any and all suggestions and comments are welcome.
See you all in the Sahara.
Keir
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