1Running time: 17h5m
4 blisters.
The ‘Long Day’ at 75km, this was the one we were all dreading. But against odds and sense, I absolutely loved it.
Temperatures absolutely soared during the day, peaking at 54C through the salt flats, but highlights made it bearable.
The elite runners start after our mediocre, which meant that about 5 hours into the run, many of us were overtaken by their thundering herd as they stormed past. And against intelligence, I seized the chance to run 2km with the female winner from last year. However, her faster pace – and surprising chattiness, meant that I lasted no longer than that, before dropping back and, again, prematurely finishing my water ..and then vomiting.
However, as night began to fall, I really began to enjoy running in the cool air and beautiful night sky of the Sahara. The later stages of the course were dominated by deep, soft sand dunes which -contrary to their obstacle during the day, became pure pleasure at night. Without the energy-sapping heat, they became a lot more fun, and I found myself deliberately choosing to run up those that lined the course, for the pure pleasure they provided in running, full pelt, back down them. There’s not really words for the feeling of freedom that comes from running through unspoilt nature at night, not seeing or knowing of another person for miles –and having everything you need to survive (at least for a time), is in the pack you’re carrying.
While listening to Darude.
Epic.
I have a little concern that I may have done something to my Achilles as I twisted my foot awkwardly on the rocky dunes of the last section. Nothing really hurts, but my foot feels very hot.
*
1Running time: 17h5m
4 blisters.
The ‘Long Day’ at 75km, this was the one we were all dreading. But against odds and sense, I absolutely loved it.
Temperatures absolutely soared during the day, peaking at 54C through the salt flats, but highlights made it bearable.
The elite runners start after our mediocre, which meant that about 5 hours into the run, many of us were overtaken by their thundering herd as they stormed past. And against intelligence, I seized the chance to run 2km with the female winner from last year. However, her faster pace – and surprising chattiness, meant that I lasted no longer than that, before dropping back and, again, prematurely finishing my water ..and then vomiting.
However, as night began to fall, I really began to enjoy running in the cool air and beautiful night sky of the Sahara. The later stages of the course were dominated by deep, soft sand dunes which -contrary to their obstacle during the day, became pure pleasure at night. Without the energy-sapping heat, they became a lot more fun, and I found myself deliberately choosing to run up those that lined the course, for the pure pleasure they provided in running, full pelt, back down them. There’s not really words for the feeling of freedom that comes from running through unspoilt nature at night, not seeing or knowing of another person for miles –and having everything you need to survive (at least for a time), is in the pack you’re carrying.
While listening to Darude.
Epic.
I have a little concern that I may have done something to my Achilles as I twisted my foot awkwardly on the rocky dunes of the last section. Nothing really hurts, but my foot feels very hot.
