Day 1 (Atacama Crossing)

Day 1 06-Mar-2011

Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2011

Well, I said I’d give it my best shot from the Get Go. Apparently I finished day 1 in 5th! Crikey! As I said to the girl at the finish – ‘I wish someone had told me that on the course as I may have slowed down a tad’.

A mental day – difficult to put into words the various emotions, ups and downs, physical and mental pain, environment, terrain, altitude and the darn heat. Boy, was it hot. The first 2 hours were tolerable (less hot) and then after CP2 it really kicked in. I’m only used to sitting by a pool/on a beach and ‘necking’ lager in that heat. As it goes I had another 10 miles to complete through what I can only attempt (in my limited language) to describe as possibly the most mind blowing, wonderful, scary, stunning, imposing, intimidating, scenery I have ever seen/scene (see what I’ve done there?!?). It was awesome!

We got to camp at approx. 5 pm yesterday and by 7pm it was dark and cold. Everyone into tents by 8pm and, I can’t speak for anyone else, no sleep. I got up to go to the toilet at ‘sometime’, headtorch on and a 200 meter walk to the toilet area. It was freezing. I looked up and the sky was the most amazing star filled sky I have ever seen. There were so many stars they seemed to blend into one another creating one massive star creating bright light, but yet it was so dark. Back to bed for more non sleep and then the tent started to stir at 5.30am. Although we had left ourselves 2.5 hours to get ready for an 8am start I still seemed to be so rushed. Breakfast in the freezing dark by the camp fire. The sun started to rise at approx 7am and then lit up the camp by about 7.30am. Everyone literally shivering and jumping up and down trying to keep warm. I was still putting on my back pack and adjusting the straps and organizing my water bottles as 10…9….8…..Go!

Well, here we go. I hadn’t had time to reflect on months of tough training and weeks of technical and mental prep. No time to be nervous or worried just time to run. I was in and out of CP1 inside 1Hr 10 and then CP2 in 2hr 20. The first stage seemed to be ok ish. The altitude was certainly a factor but it was cool, bright and a steady run downhill. It started to get tougher as CP1 approached and then stage 2 was a roller coaster – literally. Steep downhills and equally steep up hills – very tough. Couldn’t work out which was the lesser of 2 evils – knee breaking, quad buring downhill or glute agonising lung burning up hill!

CP2-CP3. Went on forever across a wide plain, surrounded by snow capped mountains and volcanoes, followed by 5km through slot canyons. Hot hot hot. It was stunnng but darn tough and all uphill. I pretty much marched the whole stretch into CP3.

So, CP1 to the finish I was pretty much by myself and no one to be seen, apart from dots on the horizon both infront and behind. Just the way I like it. At one with my own thoughts and having a chat with the ‘other’ Ian! Well, we had much to talk about and the last 3.5km into the finish and camp seemed to go on forever.

Well, all done now. Only time will tell if my motivation, stubborn drive, stupidity, lack of experience will come back to haunt me or giving it my all was the ‘right thing to do’. I’m more nervous now as I’ve set myself a challenging benchmark but goodness only knows how I’m going to feel in the morning after no sleep, no stretching (note to self – please stretch), swollen and blistered feet (God, I’m so pleased I increased my shoe size by 1-2 sizes only 2 weeks ago. In fact I had to take my second pair of socks off after 12 miles!) and with a marathon to run across unforgiving terrain and intense heat.

It’s why I’m here. Bring it on. Arrrrgggghhhh…..

A huge hello to all readers and love and kisses to my amazing wife and the greatest boys in the world. I’m going to cry, so I’m off.

Love to all. Send me positive thoughts, I’ll be thinking a lot over the next few days – I’m predicting a full emotional breakdown at some stage.