Marathon des Sables

C'est Fini

2009-04-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

It is about 8 hours after start of today's marathon stage (42k) and Em, Katie, Lynne and myself are in. After a horrible 90k stage (the race director is crazy) where I fell apart after the 3rd checkpoint with 50k to go, I had a great day today. I came in around 5 hours, followed by Katie, and soon after Lynne, then Emeka. I can't really describe how we all feel -- besides dehydrated -- it was HOT today. We are satisfied knowing that very few people would choose to do what we did to get to this indescribeable state. I want to thank some people without whom I could not have done this: Coaches Ross, Ramon, Scott, Earl, and George -- I heard you out there. Mike Conlon / Finish Line PT, Mark Thompson Accupuncture, Dr. Marc Bochner, the 73rd Street North Face store whose Flight Series gear was indispensible, and Dr. Martin. Thanks also to all of you that donated -- it kept me going. Most of all I want to thank my parents, whithout whom, I really could not have been here, and my bro Marc.

(Posted by Iwan)

I Came, I Saw, I Ran, I Finished!

2009-04-03T15:22:00.000-07:00

What a week! This crazy desert run was supposed to be 6 stages over 7 days, but was changed a bit this year due to weather and course conditions. This year's race was modified to 4 stages over 5 days, and in that time I've run over 120 miles. Some may say that I didn't do the true Marathon des Sables, but I beg to differ. This has truly been a character building experience and a test of my drive and determination. I carried more than a piano here, and as sick as it is to say, I wanted to see how mentally tough I was and how I'd respond in some of the most difficult conditions. I got what I came for! I can't tell you how great everyone's e-mails and words of support have been. I had multiple flashes of all of those who are important to me and felt your presence and encouragement with me every step of the way. I hope that in the near future I'll be able to put a race report together to describe what this journey has been like, because no words could adequately express what my mind and body have through this week.

(Posted by Katie)

Stage 4: No Words...

2009-04-02T13:28:00.001-07:00

I think it will take me some time to be able to truly describe what I went through yesterday and into the wee hours of the morning. We ran 56 miles yesterday and it was unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I questioned my motives and what brought me here but knew that I had no choice but to finish what I started. Stage 3 started just after 9am and I finished around 5am, finishing in just under 20 hours. I'm not sure how many women are in this race but at the present time I'm ranked 36!!!

At the beginning of the day I knew I was in for a long one and that running wasn't going to be much of an option due to the condition of my feet. We had head winds pretty much the whole day which didn't make the task of moving forward any easier. As the sun set I came into check point 4 (I think) and paired up with a guy from Philly (Sam) who was my buddie moving forward.

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement and support. I can't wait for evening emails tonight!

xo

Stage 3: 91K

2009-04-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

91 kilometers = 56.5447785 miles

Stage 3 - April 1st -2nd. It's 5:40 pm right now in the desert and the longest journey yet for the racers. They have 2 days to finish the 50 miles, but they'd have to bivouac in the desert unsupported so were going to try to push through the night.

Katie, Iwan, Em, Lynne + Connie - keep up the awesome work! We're cheering for you!

(posted by Heather)

Stage 2: Random Thoughts from Katie

2009-04-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

There is such a thing as too much togetherness!

Thank you, NYC friends & family for all the love, but I'm not feeling the love from my biological family - what the f!!?!?

I made it though Day 2. It was more difficult than Day 1 and tomorrow we have the 50 mile stage. My foot feels good but I have blisters on both my big toes in the same spot....very weird since I've never gotten blisters in this spot!!? My traps are sore from the pack, so tomorrow will be very interesting to see how the body responds to putting the stupid thing on.

The desert is truly amazing. Heaz and Keri, every time I run through the desert sage and smell its sweet smell I think of the two of you. Karen, Anne and Ann - I loved your little notes and can't wait to read my next little message from the girlies tomorrow.

After 2 days of running the 'Ironman Shuffle' has a totally new meaning. This may sound odd, but i really think MMM has had something to do with the rain and crazy desert weather. No more room to type...

Ciao for now.

xo

Stage 1: Dune Bound

2009-03-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

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.

Video Footage

2009-03-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Off to the Races

2009-03-29T04:41:00.000-07:00

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

When it rains it pours!

2009-03-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

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!

02:43 Paris, France -- We're Off!

2009-03-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

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!

Racing

2009-03-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2 Days Out

2009-03-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

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.)

Night Life in Paris

2009-03-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

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

In Paris

2009-03-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

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!

Logistics And Things

2009-03-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

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!

Top 10 Things I'll Miss While in the Desert

2009-03-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

MDS made Time's Top Ten List -- Top Ten Endurance Competitions

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.

Send us love while we're in the desert!

2009-03-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

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!

Tracking me in the desert

2009-03-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

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

March Came Pretty Fast

2009-03-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

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.

About the Marathon des Sables

2008-08-11T03:38:00.000-07:00

What is it?

The Marathon des Sables, also known as the toughest foot race on the planet, is a 7 day / 151 mile (243 km) endurance running race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco. The 2009 race starts on March 27th. Participants cover the equivalent of nearly six marathons over 7 days. Each runner has to carry everything they will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs. This includes food, clothes, a medical kit, a sleeping bag, a rescue flare, an anti-venom pump, and other survival items. Water is rationed and distributed at checkpoints. Runners can expect mid-day temperatures to soar as high as 120°F (49°C) and nighttime temperatures to drop to the freezing point. The journey requires running on uneven rocky ground and over immense sand dunes.Mental stamina constitutes a major part of the experience; physical fitness is obviously crucial but the mental challenge runners experience over the course of the race can’t be underestimated. On day four, for example, participants must run across the desolate desert environment to complete a 50 mile (80 km) stage – often alone to navigate, self-motivate, and deal with the occasional sand storm. Many people complete this portion of the race before dark and some will not come in until evening approaches on the second day.

Why do people do it?

One of the wonderful things about this event is the camaraderie, the bond between people from different cultures around the world who share a passion for testing their limits and experiencing the natural beauty of the desert.
The picturesque Sahara, the elation of crossing the finish line and the sheer excitement of watching and taking part in "The Toughest Foot race on Earth" also contribute to making the experience well worth all the preparation and sacrifice.