Editors Note – We have yet to recieve Mark’s day 3 update email, the condtions have been poor and we recieve the comunications by satlink so this situation was expected. Until we recieve the current up date please see the day 3 media update.
I can confirm Mark is still in an racing.
Day 3 map
Day two report
Marathon des Sables 2011
Day two went well, Long ardous desert plains briken up with dunes and soft energy sapping sand. I was exhausted after mile 13 but kept up the run. Had to spend 45mins at the checkpoint to fix my rapidly blistering feet, then headed up a dryed out riverbed for miles before heading into the dunnes before finally sighting the bivoac….
Another day under my belt, feeling pretty exhausted tonight, the heat and sand is testing my body and head.
Cheers to everyone who sent me an email last night, especially Rab. Tomorrow I intend to take it easier as the 50 mile day looms close.
Mark
Editor note: Mark can recieve mesages from supporters just go to this page and post your message. Mark’s race number is 786. These updates are a day behind so while you read day two Mark is mid day three.
Day one Report
Marathon des Sables 2011
First day was amazing, the starting line was a mix of emotions and I found myself thinking of India and why I was here, Of my mum and would I make them proud, I was welling up wiht tears as the gun went off and what followed was a very tough run through mixed sand and stones desert plain then up into a huge dune system, very hard as it was impossible to carry any speed, a real test of mental strength as well as fitness especially carrying a 10Kg pack then a 7Km uphill run over another hot plain into camp …. knackered and sore but my training has paid off and it’s got me through day 1. Hungry but happy.
Taper Madness ……
Well ………. where do I start , the taper is sending me a little crazy , I’m feeling hyper energised to say the least , batty might be a better description …. I even hit the bottle twice this week , red wine only yet I havent drank for months , Im starting to lose it slightly , the cracks are showing more and more , I have went from running 130+ miles a week to only 35 .. my body doesnt know whats hit it .. am I an addict needing a fix ??? a big 30 mile run would get it out of my system , settle me down !! yet I can’t , I need to rest and let my body heal to reach its full potential , all my training has to be put into full effect by allowing myself to recover , I have ran tired for months and this is it , like pulling a string back on a cross-bow and getting ready to pull the trigger !! but I can’t pull the trigger until race day , until I’m finally on the starting line in the Sahara … April 2 … hurry up !!!!
