all said and done

A bunch of piccies via the link on the right, and still sorting through it all.

Glad it is over, happy to be home, but a little unsure if really satisifed with my run... should have gone out harder? Dunno. Despite that, I had a great time. Excellent tent mates, all competitors incredibly supportive and friendly, organisation superb, and conditions had a bit of everything. On top of that, the longest and toughest to date, so what was there not to be happy with? :)

Now, next time.......

Made it

The fastest stage of the race for me! 1:35 for the 17.5k and highest finish with a 75th. Tickled pink! The last couple of km were on road into Tazarine and when my shoes hit the tarmac I flew (relatively speaking ;-)). Getting rid of all but about 5kg helped, and not fronting up tomorrow for another marathon may have contributed, but hey, it worked a treat! Warm start, but not too hot - guess mid 30's. Pretty featureless course - soft sand, rocky stretches, and rough tracks through the fields on the outskirts of town. I just charged it. Spent the entire stage passing people, and rocked past at least a dozen in the last 1,600 metres.

Now in OZZ and looking forward to coming home. We have already showered, put on clean clothes, had 2 cokes, chocolate, chippies, and a pizza. No guilt! Awards tomorrow, then Marrakesh, Casablanca, London, Singapore and home Thurs early. All good!

Thanks to all for the support, and huge thanks to my lovely wife Megan and new son Josh who have helped out more than words can ever explain.


cheers all
Stephen

Fin

Last email. 17.5k tomorrow to Tazzarine, then a bus ride to hot showers and cold drinks at OZZ. Will look for a 'net cafe but dunno. Looking forward hugely to coming home.

Definition of surreal? We have the Paris Opera and Orchestra performing tonight in the bivvy.
Lot's of kids today running along both cheering & begging. Glad I was running as there rarely kept up. Flies have come out, must be close to a town.

Our front numbers were exchanged for clean ones last night, along with a small can of Pepsi - heaven - cold & sweet. Bartering happening all over as essentials run short. Loo paper at the top of the list, & lots of food available.

Solar charging worked well, the Olympus 795 has been faultless & despite 300 piccies & some vid, the battery only died this morning. MP3 and Garmin also good with charging on the run.

Thanks for emails from the iTa guys, PeteC, IanM, TimF & AK; all the CR troops - bloody marvellous; family & friends - superb.

Personal Worst for the Marathon

5:15 for the 'thon, and definitely a personal worst for a marathon distance race, and I couldn't be happier! 50C & high humidity (no num given), but I ran the whole way.

One slightly used (and abused) 50 yr old 5hr marathon pacer now available ;-) Will supply own pack (to 8kg) & will accept any course & weather conditions. Common sense not avail.

Berbers dropped the tents at 6:30 but the scary thing was that it was already warm. Packs getting lighter, and my aim today was to beat the lovely Fleur! I ran & ran & ran, up & down, hot & hotter, but at 8k to go she caught me. Nope, she wasn't going to get me, so I took off for the next 6k not looking back. Turned the last corner and saw the finish 2k away over the salt flats, glanced back, and she was 10m behind me. So, the hardest 2k of my life, but got there. I will admit to serious tears at the end.

Lesson? a 'thon 36hrs after a 75k not recommended, even with 100k training in the 3days before. Perhaps more taper?

Stage 4 - The long one

[Note: out of order! Received the Stage 4 email a day late, which is why it appears after the 'Rest Day'.]

All good, another blister or two, but nothing serious. Damn long day over huge dunes, salt flats, passes and dry lake beds that stretch out forever, and soft sand - damn soft sand. Started at about 9:15 with a monster climb at 7k. Needed to "visit the loo" on the first loooong flat, but do you know how many trees are out there?

The elite 50 guys & 5 women started 3 hrs later. The leader caught me at 6 hrs, so he was travelling twice as fast over that terrain. My tent had 3 elites and one just outside, so I was waiting for them to catch me. Damon got me at 50k and we ran together for a km or so, but Andrew snuck past at CP6. Was dark with no moon from CP5, so I had to stop occasionally to navigate. Passed many on the last few km.

Glad to get to bed at about 11 last night. Rest day today. Blue skies, soft sand, light breeze, and 45C!

Rest Day

Only 2 more nights under the tarp and then the trip home starts. Next weekend here would have been nice - the marathon is on!

Cousin Joel (Mackay, Aust Rogaining Champ) sent me an email that simply said "eat, EAT". How true, but it is not quite that easy. There are only 2 limits that apply to our food out here. Officially, we must carry at least 2,000 Calories per day, and your pack must be less than 15kg ex water. Typical basal rate for average sedentary people is 2,000 Cals. Needless to say, there is a bit more going on out here, so there is much discussion about who is eating what & when. Carbs vs fat calories, protein and powders, gels vs bars. In our tent, Andrew has a concoction of maltodextrin & olive oil, and some amaranth for good measure. Then taste and being able to eat things day after day also comes into it.

Oops, have to go. The very last runner of the long stage is about to finish and we are gathering to wave her in, some 27 hrs.

He lives!

Had a brief phone call from Stephen - he is fine, successfully through the 75km stage.

He finished at about 10pm last night local time, which I think makes it about 13 hours for the stage (better than the 15 hours predicted).

Next trick is to line up to send an email, which I probably won't receive until morning.

Doesn't matter, he lives! :-)