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DK in Atacama Desert

  • Final Update post race

      16 October 2014

    Dear all From me and on behalf of Julie at Aviva, thank you so much for your generous donations- we have raised over $3600 now!. I am now back in ChCh after completing the Atacama Crossing in 69th place out of 163 starters. Some leg tendon issues at the end of day three, unfortunately slowed my pace down from then on, but I was able to hobble across the finish line. I must say it was quite tough going, but was determined not to withdraw, and just get it done. Highlights were crossing the Valley of the Moon without headlamp on under a full moon, the 8km run down a stream running through some slot canyons, the strength sapping slog up and then down some large soft sand dunes, and passing the 6000m Licancabur Volcano while cursing my way across the salt flats (flats being an unusual word to describe what most described as running/walking across frozen broccoli).The event was tough, but always memorable. Sharing a tent and experiences with 8 other people for 7 nights ( sans showers!) gives you a chance to see the camaraderie, sportsmanship and support fellow competitors give to each other in these events - from helping get hot water, helping tape blisters to people sharing precious water between stages to ensure people can make it the next stage. The incredible volunteer team ( including Meaghan!) were the recipients of huge gratitude - their ( often quite vocal ) efforts help many to continue the course in face of beaten bodies and minds are an integral part of what makes these events special. No one passes another competitor on the course without a quick check and conversation to see if they are ok. Main highlight was seeing Erin 29 year old, lead a blind competitor ( A Paralympian!) from Brazil across the whole course. I had enough trouble with some areas of terrain even being able to see where I should put my feet - the fact that those two crossed that terrain, one with no sight was truly inspirational to many, with many a teary eye at the awards ceremony when Erin was awarded the gspirith award of the race. In summary g no one who completes the Atacama crossing says they have beaten it, they just feel happy to settle for an honourable drawh. Many thanks again on behalf of Aviva. DK

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  • Not long now....

      16 September 2014

    Not Long nowc.So whatfs the basic plan for this event? Having survived a few of these events in the past, planning is a big part of these races in working out what works/what doesnft over time and then hoping what worked previously will continue to work. Contrary to what you may think, you donft need to be a 3 hour marathoner or competitive trailrunner to complete these events. Many people will walk the whole course, with varying degrees of fitness and ability in the whole field. What you do need is the ability to keep going when it hurts and you feel like you cant go on, good preparation (planning, food, hydration, backpack weight, tested all your gear). gJust Suck it up and keep goingh is the mantra. Running/ walking for several days across varied terrain is quite different to just running round the park too, you need to get used to running over different terrain with weight on your back - strength work as pretty important too. For me, this race is mostly temperature related, although the altitude factor is a bit of an unknown as well. Once the temperature hits a certain level, I end up sweating substantially more than fluids I can take in and absorbcso pretty much on a sad and sorry slide to bad dehydration if I continue pushing it, which in turn is the classic path to a DNF ( Did Not Finish). If you get one IV drip, thatfs it, you are pulled from the race for safety reasons. This means slowing down to a walk in the heat, manage your hydration as best you can ( Who knows what Hyponatremia is?) and holding on till the finish for that day. I will typically try to run the first three hours in the morning when things are cool, then start slowing down to a run /walk cycle for the next few hours, then walk in, except for a sprint the last 300 metres into camp to give the vain impression Ifve been running at that pace the whole way. I will have an ipod to keep me company, and will be singing AC/DCfs Highway to Hell at full volume at certain parts of the course. Also, you cant gwinh the race on the first day, but you can definitely lose it - 6 days with your body gradually depleting itself, hydration issues and the strains on muscles and tendons needs to be well managed, so donft go nuts on day one when you are feeling your strongest! Drop out rates on these events have varied between 10-40%! Most people who DNF will not complete the race due to either dehydration issues or blisters. Now when we talk blisters, we donft talk 5c size. I have seen some monsters in the past, all over all parts of the feetc. Fortunately, I havenft blistered that badly in past races, so hope that continues - I put that down to good luck mainly and a prior life as a foot model FOOD - the body does strange things over the days. Stuff that tastes great at home and on a few hour run, or the first day of the event can induce retching by the 4th day. In my view, people who use gels get into all sorts of trouble later in the event as the body rejects the sweetness. you wouldnft believe how many of these Ifve seen dumped later in the race. Key also is a variety. all of this needs to be put in context that I only want to have around 3.5 - 4 kg of food for the 6 days, and how to get as much readily digestible energy out of that 4kg. Freeze dried food all tastes the same in the end, but noodles are good to break that up - salty and easily digested. A small bag of chillies or pepper goes a long way For me the main source of energy during the race itself is Perpetuum powder - a carb and protein drink mixed with water Ifm very much of the view that whilst the abilities and speed of the athletes at the front of the field are truly impressive, the heroics and great stories actually happen at the back of the field. These are the competitors slugging it out there each day for 6-12 hours, with less time to recover, and longer time on the feet in extreme conditions. What some of the slower competitors overcome to get to that finish line each day is truly astounding ( damn that might be mec) Time in camp will be spent stretching/drinking/ talking/ sharing battle stories/ patching up the feet/ getting ready for the next day. Well thatfs it, nervously awaiting getting to Chile and hoping I donft trip at the start line

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  • Update for 03/09/2014

      3 September 2014

    In a several weeks time I will be heading off to the Atacama Desert in Chile to take part ( its too much of a stretch to say compete) in the g Atacama Crossingh, as part of the global race series, the g4 Deserts Challengeh, voted by Time Magazine as one of the worlds top 10 endurance competitions. This is a 7 day 250km self supported ultra marathon starting on Sun 5th Oct. Participants must carry their requirements for 6 days - all food, clothing, sleeping and emergency gear (and no showers!). Water is provided at checkpoints along the course, and we get a tent and hotwater in the evenings, along with (frequently used!) medical support teams. This event starts at 3000m altitude, traverses across rock, sand, dunes, the infamous Atacama salt flats, river beds, etc typically in extreme temperatures ( 30fs and 40fs). Having survived a few of these events previously, albeit with a few less years under the belt, I am under no illusions as to the challenge this event will be, and the beating the feet and body will cumulatively take each day. Daily distances are around 40k with one day around 80k. My aim first and foremost is to stay alive, second is to finish, and in a perfect world ideally finish in the top 60 out of 180 odd starters. My starting pack, excluding water will weigh around 10kg and I will be dressed head to toe in white spandex - every middle aged mans dream. I will write a brief blog each day which will be posted on the 4 Deserts website. You can read results and register for race updates from the website, follow progress (or lack thereof), send messages, read other participants blogs to get a feel for what these events are like, should you be so inclined. Training in a Christchurch winter whilst facing the challenges of rebuilding a city has been less than ideal, but Ifve managed to plod my way up in the port hills, oxford forest and waimak riverbed in an attempt to trigger some muscle memory from days gone by.

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