7 hours after the start of the first stage and the sun is setting over the camel hair shaded dunes. All but Connie have arrived back to the bivouac and spirits are good.
WHAT A DAY!
We started at 10am into 10 miles of the steepest dunes in Morocco. The buzz of the chopper and the smell of desert sage filled the air above us and there was a long procession of runners as far as the eye could see. We weren't quite sure whether to curse or praise the beauty around us. The nearly unbroken azure sky stretched endlessly before us, but allowed the sun to beat relentlessly upon our white caps.
The first check point marked the end of the sandy section and then we entered a long flat plain of broken rock. We hop scotched each other before Emeka took off into the horizon. At mile 15 we ran through the ancient ruins of an old Berber fort. There were quite a few sections that resembled Lenape Lane! Finally, we climbed a series of dunes and at the top we could see the finish line waiting for us at the end of 21 miles.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Off to the Races
If you haven't figured it out... Stage 1 was canceled due to heavy flooding. After an extended stay at our hotel we are finally in line to check in our bags.The madness will begin at dawn tomorrow morning with a 39 km stage (roughly 24 miles). Our legs will wake up to face ten miles of the steepest dunes of the week.
We finally found Lynne, Connie and Colleen last night and all seem to be in good spirits. The excitement is building up as we are ready to quench our hunger and thirst for open horizons and shifting desert sand.
Stay tuned for our next update at the end of our first stage.
Xoxo
We finally found Lynne, Connie and Colleen last night and all seem to be in good spirits. The excitement is building up as we are ready to quench our hunger and thirst for open horizons and shifting desert sand.
Stay tuned for our next update at the end of our first stage.
Xoxo
Saturday, March 28, 2009
When it rains it pours!
The 24th Marathon des Sables has had an interesting turn of events. It was pouring rain in the desert. The main road to the bivouac (campsite) was cut off by a raging river of mud and water (aprox. 4 in. of water in an hour and a half).
After multiple river crossings and ten hours on the bus, the race officials re-directed us to a small town because the bivouac was flouded. So our first night under the stars was actually spent at the Hotel Belere somewhere in Morocco.
We are currently waiting for an update while watching sporadic outbreaks of tiny sunrays through a thick blanket of grey clouds.
The positive take away is that our New York winter training may actually pay off!
After multiple river crossings and ten hours on the bus, the race officials re-directed us to a small town because the bivouac was flouded. So our first night under the stars was actually spent at the Hotel Belere somewhere in Morocco.
We are currently waiting for an update while watching sporadic outbreaks of tiny sunrays through a thick blanket of grey clouds.
The positive take away is that our New York winter training may actually pay off!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
02:43 Paris, France -- We're Off!
All packed and heading down to catch a cab to Orly for our flight to OZZ, Morocco.
"Sultans of Swing" playing on French radio....yes we are!
"Sultans of Swing" playing on French radio....yes we are!
Racing
Bon jour! Where has the week gone? Tomorrow we leave for Africa and I wanted to make one more post since my last was pretty short and not very interesting.
My mind is currently racing... Iwan just got back from getting croissants and a baguette and Emeka is still sleeping. I'm on my second café and buzzing! Not sure if this is a good thing or not as part of my morning energy may be nerves.
For the most part the weather has been on the cooler side and pretty gray. Not at all what I expected Paris to be like in the Spring yet we've still managed to have a full week in Paris or as full as it can and should be considering what the three of us have ahead of us in the coming week.
Ugh! The café... my fingers just can't keep up with my mind and I don't want this post to be an account of Emeka, Iwan and my daily activities for the week but more an account of where I am mentally going into this crazy race. I have no doubt that this is by far the most daunting challenge I've ever taken on. I know that there will be days were my body will hate me and my mind will tell me to quit but I have faith that my pride, character and competitive personality won't let me.
I've often been asked why I signed up and paid money to subject myself to something as crazy as The Marathon des Sables and the only logical responce I'm able to articulate is that putting my mind and body in places they are most uncomfortable makes me feel ALIVE! One never knows how they will respond to a situation until you put yourself in it. I have no delusions of grandure here. I know this will be tough, challenging and want it to be! I want to meet a part of myself that I haven't met before and learn about her. I want to struggle and I want to over come. And ,most importantly, I want to leave the desert stonger and mentally a tougher person than when I arrive.
So at that, I leave you with a quote that one of my dearest friends sent which is oddly appropriate at this moment in my life.
My mind is currently racing... Iwan just got back from getting croissants and a baguette and Emeka is still sleeping. I'm on my second café and buzzing! Not sure if this is a good thing or not as part of my morning energy may be nerves.
For the most part the weather has been on the cooler side and pretty gray. Not at all what I expected Paris to be like in the Spring yet we've still managed to have a full week in Paris or as full as it can and should be considering what the three of us have ahead of us in the coming week.
Ugh! The café... my fingers just can't keep up with my mind and I don't want this post to be an account of Emeka, Iwan and my daily activities for the week but more an account of where I am mentally going into this crazy race. I have no doubt that this is by far the most daunting challenge I've ever taken on. I know that there will be days were my body will hate me and my mind will tell me to quit but I have faith that my pride, character and competitive personality won't let me.
I've often been asked why I signed up and paid money to subject myself to something as crazy as The Marathon des Sables and the only logical responce I'm able to articulate is that putting my mind and body in places they are most uncomfortable makes me feel ALIVE! One never knows how they will respond to a situation until you put yourself in it. I have no delusions of grandure here. I know this will be tough, challenging and want it to be! I want to meet a part of myself that I haven't met before and learn about her. I want to struggle and I want to over come. And ,most importantly, I want to leave the desert stonger and mentally a tougher person than when I arrive.
So at that, I leave you with a quote that one of my dearest friends sent which is oddly appropriate at this moment in my life.
The desert sometimes issues its own invitation;
“Come ! Enter into my silence, my uncluttered solitude,
my stark beauty, and I will show you the depths
of your own soul you never knew you had.
Come and listen to the Holy One who speaks within,
tells you that you are loved, and clarifies your call to service.
Come and find strength; let grace encompass you;
Let go of baggage; and wait simply for God.”
-Elizabeth J. Canham, A Table of Delight
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
2 Days Out
I'm two days out from, leaving for Morocco and all is pretty good. Except for one thing; I am pretty far short of my fundraising goal.....
This was supposed to be easy. Each of you was to donate 3 dollars and get 100 of your friends to donate one dollar. That reduced this down to pocket change and we would have raised over 32,000 to fight cancer and to go to patient services.
I know the economy sucks. I know however the effort to donate a dollar or three is not so bad and many of you won't even miss it. So, in the last days before we go out and do this race, just give it a little effort and donate what you can.
Why? You may end up saving somoene you love. See the list below, for me, my, mom and my brother it is too late, and it is too late for others as well.
--Iwan
Honor Roll
Willy Axt (r.i.p.)
Hendrika Axt (r.i.p.)
Peter Stanaitis (r.i.p.)
Dominick Morea (r.i.p.)
Richard Strobridge
Dr. A. Leonard Luhby (r.i.p.)
Jenny Hinshaw
Amanda Mareci nee DeMilt
Melanie Petchuvos (r.i.p.)
David Dorfman
Suzanne Fortin
Jacques Fortin
Gertrude Fortin (r.i.p.)
Francine Thivierge
Mehry Azadeh (r.i.p.)
Maureen Hackett (r.i.p.)
Gloria Jennings (r.i.p.)
Pauline Garrity
Regina Gelormino (r.i.p.)
Mathew Stauffer (r.i.p.)
Debbie S. Prodoti (r.i.p.)
Matt Wilk
'Nana Evy' Citrin
Filomena Fannie Kondrat (r.i.p.)
Joseph Peronace
Martha Marie Morgan (r.i.p.)
Selin Can (r.i.p.)
Michelle Monteith
Carole Monteith
Josephine Butcher
E.P.
Michael Whyte
Lester A. Pfeffer (r.i.p.)
Nanci Lipp-Cacossa
Patrricia Redmond (r.i.p.)
Kenneth Forrester (r.i.p.)
Danielle Domingue
Anonymous (x2) (r.i.p.)
This was supposed to be easy. Each of you was to donate 3 dollars and get 100 of your friends to donate one dollar. That reduced this down to pocket change and we would have raised over 32,000 to fight cancer and to go to patient services.
I know the economy sucks. I know however the effort to donate a dollar or three is not so bad and many of you won't even miss it. So, in the last days before we go out and do this race, just give it a little effort and donate what you can.
Why? You may end up saving somoene you love. See the list below, for me, my, mom and my brother it is too late, and it is too late for others as well.
--Iwan
Honor Roll
Willy Axt (r.i.p.)
Hendrika Axt (r.i.p.)
Peter Stanaitis (r.i.p.)
Dominick Morea (r.i.p.)
Richard Strobridge
Dr. A. Leonard Luhby (r.i.p.)
Jenny Hinshaw
Amanda Mareci nee DeMilt
Melanie Petchuvos (r.i.p.)
David Dorfman
Suzanne Fortin
Jacques Fortin
Gertrude Fortin (r.i.p.)
Francine Thivierge
Mehry Azadeh (r.i.p.)
Maureen Hackett (r.i.p.)
Gloria Jennings (r.i.p.)
Pauline Garrity
Regina Gelormino (r.i.p.)
Mathew Stauffer (r.i.p.)
Debbie S. Prodoti (r.i.p.)
Matt Wilk
'Nana Evy' Citrin
Filomena Fannie Kondrat (r.i.p.)
Joseph Peronace
Martha Marie Morgan (r.i.p.)
Selin Can (r.i.p.)
Michelle Monteith
Carole Monteith
Josephine Butcher
E.P.
Michael Whyte
Lester A. Pfeffer (r.i.p.)
Nanci Lipp-Cacossa
Patrricia Redmond (r.i.p.)
Kenneth Forrester (r.i.p.)
Danielle Domingue
Anonymous (x2) (r.i.p.)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Night Life in Paris
Just a little note to say hello and let everyone know that I survived my first day in Paris with Em and Iwan. We ran around and picked up last minute race stuff, had lunch at an outside cafe and ran along the canal before Iwan made dinner. It's 9:00pm Paris time and I'm zonked! Bed is calling me but at the same time I'm in PARIS and know that there is so much to do and see... Seeing that my nights sleep will be limited come Friday, I'm going to opt for yet another night of 8+ hours of sleep in a comfortable bed- dissapointing I know.
K
K
Sunday, March 22, 2009
In Paris
I had a wonderful flight into Brussels where I took the Thalys TGV to Paris. (Excuse any spelling errors since I am writing on a "azerty" keyboard.) Thanks to my brother and the DL 140 for getting me there safely.
A curious coincidence occured as I was leaving the plane -- ahead two rows ahead of me, in the business elite section, I spied a familiar face. Though more hirsuite than when I last saw him, Christophe Vandaele, was smiling back at me in recognition that we had spent the last 7 hours not more than 3 meters apart.
After some greetings were exchanged, we traded reasons why were there. I was doing MDS and he, it turns out was on his way to climb, Everest. DL 140 was a special flight, indeed. While he said he always wanted to do MDS and said that he thought it was tougher than Everest; I did not reciprocate - I have NO desire to climb Everest.
I wished him "bon chance" and we parted ways. If you want to keep track of him on a journey 3 years in the making, check out his website at www.christophevandaele.com.
Beste geluk, mijn vriend.
The TGV ride to Paris was uneventful except that for the 3rd time someone I talked to actually knew what MDS was - the customs agent in Brussels, Christophe, and the woman sitting next to me on the train who happened to see my MDS folder.
It took me less than ten minutes to travel from Gare du Nord to the flat I am staying in with Emeka and Katie. The place is located on the top floor of an old apartment building in the 11th.
We went for lunch after I got there, did some grocery shopping (it is quiet here because it is Sunday), and puttered around the apartment. We're trying to stay up to reset our clocks but I think Katie is loosing the battle after eating the fine meal I cooked for dinner.
Well, it has taken me the better part of 45 minutes to type this and it is hurting my weary brain.
A bientot!
A curious coincidence occured as I was leaving the plane -- ahead two rows ahead of me, in the business elite section, I spied a familiar face. Though more hirsuite than when I last saw him, Christophe Vandaele, was smiling back at me in recognition that we had spent the last 7 hours not more than 3 meters apart.
After some greetings were exchanged, we traded reasons why were there. I was doing MDS and he, it turns out was on his way to climb, Everest. DL 140 was a special flight, indeed. While he said he always wanted to do MDS and said that he thought it was tougher than Everest; I did not reciprocate - I have NO desire to climb Everest.
I wished him "bon chance" and we parted ways. If you want to keep track of him on a journey 3 years in the making, check out his website at www.christophevandaele.com.
Beste geluk, mijn vriend.
The TGV ride to Paris was uneventful except that for the 3rd time someone I talked to actually knew what MDS was - the customs agent in Brussels, Christophe, and the woman sitting next to me on the train who happened to see my MDS folder.
It took me less than ten minutes to travel from Gare du Nord to the flat I am staying in with Emeka and Katie. The place is located on the top floor of an old apartment building in the 11th.
We went for lunch after I got there, did some grocery shopping (it is quiet here because it is Sunday), and puttered around the apartment. We're trying to stay up to reset our clocks but I think Katie is loosing the battle after eating the fine meal I cooked for dinner.
Well, it has taken me the better part of 45 minutes to type this and it is hurting my weary brain.
A bientot!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Logistics And Things
This evening I depart on another adventure. Not sure what is going to happen while I am out in the desert, but, inshallah, I will return with stories, pictures, and memories.
Itinerary:
March 22 - March 27: Paris, France for time zone acclimatization. (I'll have e-mail access)
March 27: Depart for Ouarzazate, Morocco, land, and take 5-hour ride into the desert. Overnight Bivouac.
March 28: Gear and Health check. Overnight Bivouac.
March 29 - April 4: Actual race days.
April 5: Party!
April 6: Head home.
While I am out there with 75 other Americans in a field of 850, you can keep tab of my progress by going to this blog:
http://lifersrunmds.blogspot.com/
I will be able to send out one e-mail a day during to the race and it will be posted on the blog. I can guess that each one during race will be the same: Hot today, lots of sand, got a blister....
Or, I think they will have some sort of updates here:
http://www.marathondessables.com/index_uk.php
You can send me an e-mail by going to the website below, follow the instructions, and look for a link that says "write to competitors".
http://www.marathondessables.com/detail.php?pub=146&langue=en
Important -- no attachments and your subject line should read: "Iwan AXT #785".
They print out any mail to me and I read them in between fending off weariness and camel spiders.
See y'all in a couple of weeks!
Itinerary:
March 22 - March 27: Paris, France for time zone acclimatization. (I'll have e-mail access)
March 27: Depart for Ouarzazate, Morocco, land, and take 5-hour ride into the desert. Overnight Bivouac.
March 28: Gear and Health check. Overnight Bivouac.
March 29 - April 4: Actual race days.
April 5: Party!
April 6: Head home.
While I am out there with 75 other Americans in a field of 850, you can keep tab of my progress by going to this blog:
http://lifersrunmds.blogspot.com/
I will be able to send out one e-mail a day during to the race and it will be posted on the blog. I can guess that each one during race will be the same: Hot today, lots of sand, got a blister....
Or, I think they will have some sort of updates here:
http://www.marathondessables.com/index_uk.php
You can send me an e-mail by going to the website below, follow the instructions, and look for a link that says "write to competitors".
http://www.marathondessables.com/detail.php?pub=146&langue=en
Important -- no attachments and your subject line should read: "Iwan AXT #785".
They print out any mail to me and I read them in between fending off weariness and camel spiders.
See y'all in a couple of weeks!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Top 10 Things I'll Miss While in the Desert
In no particular order...
- My morning cup of Joe
- Using the toilet to go to the bathroom
- A hot shower
- A clean comfortable bed
- My hairdryer
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- A meal that you cook on a stove
- Being able to connect with my friends and family via phone or internet
- Not being limited to only 2 outfits
- My nephew's 1st birthday
The Top 10
Curiously, besides MDS, the only one I might remotely be able to participate in is the Ruta Conquistadores. I always wanted to participate in Le Mans and Paris-Dakar, which is what we are doing but without the cars!
Every other one is down right crazy and out of my reach....I just hope MDS is not in that categorey.
Every other one is down right crazy and out of my reach....I just hope MDS is not in that categorey.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Send us love while we're in the desert!
Family and friends will be able to send emails, to race participants during the duration of the race which will be distributed each evening at the bivouac (campsite). Information about this service will be posted on the official race website sometime in the next week. I've been told it's pretty easy for people to find this free service on the site. In the past there has been a link on www.darbaroud.com that provides a list of every competitor's name and number. You should look for the "ecrire aux concurrents/write to the competitors" link. If you happen to pull up the French text, you can switch to the English version by clicking on the British/US flag on the top right side of the home page.
Messages are usually sent by clicking on the competitors name/race number. It is recommended that you put the competitors name/race number in the "SUBJECT" of the note if it doesn't automatically appear. Please don't send any kind of attachment or picture as this may direct the email to a SPAM folder and we won't get your messages of encouragement.
I can't wait to hear from you!
Messages are usually sent by clicking on the competitors name/race number. It is recommended that you put the competitors name/race number in the "SUBJECT" of the note if it doesn't automatically appear. Please don't send any kind of attachment or picture as this may direct the email to a SPAM folder and we won't get your messages of encouragement.
I can't wait to hear from you!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tracking me in the desert
Those interested in tracking my daily progress during the race will be able to do so via the Darbaroud website. I'm not 100% sure where on the site this will be located but if I find out before I depart for Paris on Saturday I'll make sure to post the exact location.
Below is my race number and the numbers of the other New Yorkers / TriLifers that are also doing the race.
Katherine Morgan - 845
Iwan Axt - 785
Connie Carpenter - 790
Lynne Hewett - 824
Emeka Ngwube - 846
Below is my race number and the numbers of the other New Yorkers / TriLifers that are also doing the race.
Katherine Morgan - 845
Iwan Axt - 785
Connie Carpenter - 790
Lynne Hewett - 824
Emeka Ngwube - 846
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
March Came Pretty Fast
What initially felt like months away has come faster than I thought it would. And now I find myself eager, anxious and perplexed at what I signed up to take on.
All was going well in my training world until the end of January. I went down to run the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon with Heather the second weekend of January and wound up running the race far faster that I thought I could and would be able to do given the volume of running I'd been doing since September. Finishing the race feeling strong and confident I was even more psyched about my desert adventure.
The weekend following the marathon my training group and I set out to run/walk around the island of Manhattan. It was by far one of the coldest days we've had all winter. We covered approximately 35-37 miles in about 11 hours. What an experience! All in all I felt pretty good and learned quite a bit about mental toughness and nutrition. It's really amazing how the body reacts to calories.
The following week my right foot started to feel funny and by the next weekend I was sure that something was seriously wrong with it. Fortunately enough... I didn't have a stress fracture. Just a v.e.r.y. bad case of tendinitis. My doc put me in a walking boot for 14 days and then had be lay off the running for almost 5 weeks.
I started to run again last Thursday and have gotten up to 60 minutes on the treadmill. I've been assured that I will be able to do the race but have obviously had to alter any sort of expectation I may have had of myself. Now it's about survival and crossing the finish line each day.
You can keep tabs on me here while I'm in Morocco and see what I've been up to. We will have email access so I will be emailing Heather and she'll be posting my updates here. I will also be able to receive emails from friends and family daily and you will be able to track my progress. I'll let you know where and how to do that before I depart.
All was going well in my training world until the end of January. I went down to run the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon with Heather the second weekend of January and wound up running the race far faster that I thought I could and would be able to do given the volume of running I'd been doing since September. Finishing the race feeling strong and confident I was even more psyched about my desert adventure.
The weekend following the marathon my training group and I set out to run/walk around the island of Manhattan. It was by far one of the coldest days we've had all winter. We covered approximately 35-37 miles in about 11 hours. What an experience! All in all I felt pretty good and learned quite a bit about mental toughness and nutrition. It's really amazing how the body reacts to calories.
The following week my right foot started to feel funny and by the next weekend I was sure that something was seriously wrong with it. Fortunately enough... I didn't have a stress fracture. Just a v.e.r.y. bad case of tendinitis. My doc put me in a walking boot for 14 days and then had be lay off the running for almost 5 weeks.
I started to run again last Thursday and have gotten up to 60 minutes on the treadmill. I've been assured that I will be able to do the race but have obviously had to alter any sort of expectation I may have had of myself. Now it's about survival and crossing the finish line each day.
You can keep tabs on me here while I'm in Morocco and see what I've been up to. We will have email access so I will be emailing Heather and she'll be posting my updates here. I will also be able to receive emails from friends and family daily and you will be able to track my progress. I'll let you know where and how to do that before I depart.
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