Excited......and nervous

Excited...and nervous

21-Feb-2011 Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2011

Well, less than 2 weeks till the countdown and the gun goes off for the start of AC 2011. In fact, this time in 2 weeks, stage 1 will hopefully have been successfully completed by all competitors and the camp will be stirring ready for breakfast at the start of Day 2. My training, since my last blog report following the Pilgrim Challenge, has gone ok ish. The 66 mile race and the infection knocked me out for a week or so and it was a real struggle just getting out and doing some miles. It almost felt like I'd never run before - heavy, tired, stiff legs and a waning drive to keep going. Last week, I made the rather controversial decision to change shoes. I hadn't, rather naively, factored in the affect of foot swell and decided that the shoes I'd been training in and broken in were probably not big enough to accommodate blisters, taping and swelling. So, I now have a pair 1.5-2.0 sizes too big (which I think is recommended) and I am now trying to break them in as best I can. I managed to find a guy in South Kensington, who after much negotiation, finally decided to stitch the velcro around the edge of the new shoe to allow me to wear the RTP gaiters that I'd bought. I went out for 4 hours yesterday morning with the new shoes on and 11kg backpack + water. I decided to do a mix of running, marching and some hill repeats in Richmond Park. I think if anything, I haven't done anywhere near enough hill work/climbing, but that's ok as I hear the Atacama is pretty flat!!!! I intend to walk/march/climb most of the hills, dunes and rocks in the AD. Anyway, I survived the session and the shoes seemed to be ok - I had to wear 2 pairs of socks. My motivation wasn't great. I think I was so focussed on completing the 45 mile and 66 mile races that now they're done I am just rather keen to get on with the main event. I'll continue running right up to race day but winding down the distances and intensity. Time to start conserving energy, try to get some sleep and get some weight/fat back on - give me something to burn! It's all about technical prep now I guess. Making decisions about kit and food/nutrition. I think I'm currently running at approx 10kg without water. I am rather keen to try and get that down to 8kg pack weight as water is going to add 1kg per litre. So, if race organisers require us to carry 2.5l at anyone time (which they have stated is a possibility) that's another 2.5kg. Approx 50% of my pack weight is food so at least I'll be consuming half of my pack...so to speak! I'll be flying out of London (with another competitor and friend, Chris) 1st March evening and I believe, if all goes to plan, I'll be arriving in San Pedro early hours of 3rd March, via Sao Paulo, Santiago and Calama. We plan to meet up with another competitor and friend (Tom - flying in via the other way round the world, from Singapore) at Santiago airport for the final flight to calama. That'll then give me/us 3 days ish to get prepped for action. Well, I'm starting to get my head round it now. It's starting to seem real. I've just been focussing on training up till now but different emotions are starting to surface as we get closer to show time. I really do not know what to expect (apart from hell!) from the whole experience but I am very excited about the prospect of confronting and overcoming some personal challenges, meeting all the other competitors and volunteers, enjoying a different culture and experience what will be a mind (and possibly physical) blowing experience. Bon Voyage to all competitors and see you at 'start line camp', if not before in SP.