They decided to shorten the distance from 72km to about 60km and increase water allowance due to number of dropouts that makes me feel slightly cheated. Sad I know, but the big day is what it is all about. It was still going to be big though!
Usual routine but later start time of 10am to make sure we all have to travel in the dark. The top 50 runners start at midday so we will get to see the leaders running which should be good.
CP1 came up quick as it was quite short and easy to get to. Nose bleed between CP1 and CP2 which I couldn’t stop due to heat. Ran with a tissue stuck up my nose instead!
More soft sand dunes before CP2 with the wind starting to blow on the tops.
Leader came past just before CP2. This one was really dragging with some serious dunes to conquer. Had to stop to empty out sand as usual wasting valuable time but did get the leader on video!
Big sandstorm at CP3. Sand everywhere. Lost Powerbar when we were kicked out of medical tent where we were sheltering for 10 mins. Managed to eat a Viper bar that worked well. OK, the chocolate had melted and I got it everywhere but wanted to make sure I took on the calories to keep me going.
At last the sun went down just before CP4 so ran last few miles. Amazing at how much better it feels when the sun has gone and the sandstorm is over. Running in the cooler evening was very pleasant and even enjoyable; even if the feet were sore.
Stopped at CP4 and took socks off and cleared out a lot of sand. In hindsight, I should have been taking my socks off more often rather than just shoes. Rested for 30 mins but could have got by with a lot less.
Set off in dark with two Brits but started running within ½ mile as still felt really good. Ran virtually all the way to CP5. Flares going off behind me as some runners ‘called it a day’; looks like November 5th!
Running in the dark with a full moon allowed me to switch off my head torch and chill out. It was an amazing experience - dark, cool and very little to be seen; an experience not to be forgotten. I managed to find loads of hard sand and keep away from other runners, not that there were many around and those that were, were all walking.
CP5 only 3 miles from finish so didn’t bother stopping and just kept going. Last mile was amongst dunes with very steep sides so kept on losing sight of finish and with very few people around had to keep a check on where I was. Fell over a couple of times descending off the dunes!
This was my best run so far and I felt really elated and not tired at all. Feet were however killing me but having just covered around 38 miles in 12 hours I was pretty damn happy. I was even interviewed but don’t think I was in enough pain to make it good TV.