a Year and a half ago I did my first desert race - The Namib Desert Challenge. I went into the race, with no idea what to expect. I left the race with a feeling of belonging. I belong in the desert. The vast open spaces, the silence, the heat and the sand.
And so the addiction started.
Warren Muldoon, an American competitor, convinced me to enter the Sahara Race in Egypt.
Game on! Why not.
250km through the Sahara Desert, me and my 8.5kg backpack. One set of clothing, and alot of food!
 |
| The NDC Crew |
October 2012......the wait.....and then finally the time came. On my way to Egypt for the Sahara Race 2012.
I got on the plane, super excited and super nervous. I had absolutely no idea of the adventure that awaits!!!
Hello Egypt!
I'm going to fast forward to the day we left for the desert.
4 busses with 134 competitors hit the dodgy Cairo roads.....don't think I'll go back to Egypt for a holiday(hahahah).
4 hours later we were in the desert, WOW - POWERFULLLLLLLL
The first campsite was next to a lake, that's one thing I can give to the Racing the planet team. Every campsite was on the most amazing spots. As for the CP's.....lets go with hide and seek...
 |
| Our village in the middle of nowhere |
Khonsu - my home for the next 7 days. We were such a crazy cool bunch in that tent. Out tent was quite messy, hahahha - 2 Korean boys, 2 Japanese boys, 2 Japanese girls, me, Timo, Warren and Willem. It was a rather tight fit, very cosy! My sleeping partners on my left and right, was Timo and Juni.
 |
| Khonsu Fleamarket - Miki, Yoko, Timo and Willem |
I love those kids to bits! Juni, was my favourite. He called me his ' Sahara mommy ', because I was always looking after them. Making sure that they eat etc. They only finished between 5 and 7pm everyday. And they finished and started every day with bit fat smiles. Juni is doing the 4 deserts grand Slam this year!!!! So super cool!
 |
| My kids |
The day started any time from 4am!!! I got up at 5am ish, coffee, breakfast and then getting ready for the day. Every morning Juni will ask me "What time is it?" I will reply "5am" Juni "see you tomorrow" Covering his head, and back to sleep. And suddenly it was 6:30 and time for the race breefing. Alina with her load speaker, explaining what is waiting for us in the desert.....the stages was described as moderate, difficult, moderate/difficult.....well my idea of moderate was definitaly not her idea of moderate.
The type of sand varied the whole time, so you keep on adjusting your running style. Or shall I say, shuffle style. And when tired. Walk. There were alot of walking involved.
The whole course where mark with pink flags, running one flag, walk one flag. "Just move forward Westie"
From 9am that thing, called the sun aka the one eyed devil, had no mercy. Like N.O.
All you can do is to try and block out the heat. And now and then there would be a bit of a breeze, heaven!
I couldn't do any heat training for the race, because the Cape Town winter was wet and cold.
But I knew I would be able to handle the heat, I grew up in the Northern Cape. And believe me, December in the Kalahari is no joke. My sister said to me before I left 'You will be OK, you've got Kalahari sand in your blood'
I ran my own race everyday. Just me, myself and I. When I started running everyday, I felt good. The legs took about and hour just to keep going again, and then I was fine. Flag to Flag. Checkpoint to Checkpoint.
Between every checkpoint there was a halfway marker, that really helped alot. Check check, water fine. Go.
At every CP you were greeted by the friendly voluteers. Cheering you on and filling up water bottles.
I didn't dare sit down for a bit of a rest, I was to scared I won't be able to get up again. hahahaha.
and then, suddenly - HOME! I was rather relieved everyday to see the campsite.
first things first. Back to the tent. Recovery Time!
My recovery consisted of the following:
Getting a camp chair.
Shoes off.
Socks off.
Feet on chair.
Hammer Recoverite with Pepto Pro
BCAA's
60g Parmesan cheese.
and Bob's your uncle.
Dinner time.....anytime from 4:30 was a good time to have dinner. But then madam still had to make her bowl...you cut a 1.5l water bottle in half. A cup and a bowl!
The one evening Timo asked me "when shall we go for dinner", and his next question was "have you made your bowl yet" Now that's what I call a wingman!
 |
| Lunch is served, desert style! |
 |
| Dinner time |
Next time I will definitaly take a bigger variety of food. I had Cottage Pie EVERY evening. At least it tasted good. Adding some olive oil for extra Calories. the Italian style!
Khonsu Fleamarket.....the best flea market in the Sahara.
Warren got rid of food on a daily bases....he's pack was to heavy.
We didn't mind at all.....cliff bars, freeze dried meals, gels! I'll take it!!
But you have to be quick - I was quick! very quick.
Left over chicken and rice. Thank you Warren!
The long march - 12h46 of running/walking/crawling. It's all about the long march, and I still had some energy left. The previous day I ran a bit to hard, so I could feel that the legs were not to happy. But its the last day, and I knew I would finish this race. Come hell of high water.
The day feel like of a bit of a blur at the moment. I had no idea how long the 87km will take to complete.
At CP6 - the over night and hot water point - I had some tea and marched on. Liz was manning the CP, and it was so nice to see her face! She had to pull out of the race, doctors orders....Liz, there are still alot of deserts out there. And I can hear them calling us....Liiiiizzzzzzz.....Kriiiissssss.
At CP7 I got the good news.....only 28km's left. I had to fight back the tears. Can't start crying now, still 28k's to go girl.
 |
| only 28km to go!! |
Tony did a quick kit check - red flashing light + head lamp. Tick. Right ready for the running in the dark. I've never ran in the dark before, it was not as scary as I thought it would be. I could see red flashing lights in front of me, and the route was marked with glow sticks. So all good, no need for a panick atttack!
The last CP before camp, I saw my favourite Frenchie....Max! It was so good to see his face. Max was the man in charge of the Cybertent. He did not sleep alot!
Wow, the finish line.....there are no words. That feeling of accomplishment is what make us come back for more. Tears of joy was streaming down my face. Fuckit, I did it!
I miss the desert and its people. ALOT.
New friends for life!
until next time!
 |
| Thanks Eqypt! |
 |
| Greg, me, Liz |
 |
| my wingman |
