Our own local version of the Highway to Hell...The long day in the Sahara began with the playing of the song "Highway to Hell". Tom and I completed in the 12 hour relay on Saturday June 16th and it too felt like a highway to hell. We finished first in the Open Male 2 Man division running 90.18 miles in 12 hours. We each ran 45 miles. Wow, our legs are tired. Maybe not the best way to kick off marathon training, but what a base!!!
We are currently working with the Terre Haute North Girl's X-Country team and training for the Chicago Marathon. We plan to participate in the Ragnar Relays in August as part of a 6 man team running 200 miles along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. I will keep everyone updated as we get further into our training.
The last time I looked at this blog I was fresh off the course in the Sahara. Our feet have healed and Tom and I are back running a few miles each week. In fact, we just had our first speed workout since December 1. We did 8 x 1,000's in Hawthorne Park. Wow, did I feel them...My legs can still feel the effects of the Marathon des Sables. We are not planning any racing until the Hawthorne Half Day Relay in June. We have designated that as the official start of our training for the Chicago Marathon.
Always run smart and be safe.
CHEERS!
That is the song they played as we began the long stage. 70K of the most instense and grueling terrain you can imagine. We had no idea how difficult this was going to be. Our bodies our battered and beaten and we feel every pain. Our blisters have been painful, and I had to cut the toe box of my shoe to relieve the pressure. That said, we are mastering the course and are satisfied with our position. 2 days to go and we will complete the toughest footrace on earth.
One of our tent mates left due to a severe rash or bite she recieved on Tuesday. Very painful. Not to alarm anyone but there has also been one death, this morning after the long stage. no details yet, so dont be alarmed. we are staying hydrated and out of danger. keep the emails, thoughts and inspirations coming and everyone heading for Spring Break have a great time. Tom and I are sick of the sand!!!
Today we completed a journey that has taken us several thousand miles from home to compete in the toughest footrace on earth. It was so much more than just about running. the people we met, the places we saw had an impact on us. I dont think it has really sank in, the magnitude of our accomplishment. We feel good, but our bodies are tired and our feet are a mess. We survived the week with determination and purpose. In search of the ultimate runners high, we found it over the last two days as we finally had the opportunity to run. Run like road racers. this event was dominated by some of the best ultra runners in the world. individuals far superior to us, yet with similar passion and drive. The last week has been an experience of a lifetime. We have some great stories to tell and the pictures will be fabulous. see you all in a few days.
P.S. we dont plan to run this week.
Today was marathon day, and we raced. we completed the course in 5 hours 3 minutes and jumped up in the general rankings. yesterday we rested after the long stage with our tent mates and enjoyed a can of pepsi compliments of the organizers. we will be entertained by the Paris Opera tonight for our last night in camp. we wont miss the sand and wind, but we will miss the friends we found in our tent mates. tomorrows stage is short, but major sand dunes the size of mountains. the largest sand dunes in Morocco. it will be good to be finished as we have feet that ache every moment of the day and our backs hurt from carrying the packs all day. we have covered 134 miles in the last 5 days and our bodies feel every movement. Thanks again for all the emails and news from home. it really makes the day. We will see you all soon. we plan to enjoy tomorrow and have dinner with our new friends from around the world as we celebrate completing this incredible challenge.
If you would like to send Tim or Tom an e-mail go to this website: www.darbaroud.com It is in French but if you click on the half British/American flag near the upper right corner of the page it will turn everything into English. From there go to Write a Competitor (Tom is bib #506, Tim is bib #510). I know they would love to hear words of encouragement from everyone possible.
Troy Fears
Friday brought us a 6 hour bus ride to the middle of the Sahara desert. it is an amazing place. we did not do to much the first two days. medical checks and technical checks took up much of Saturday. today was the first stage of racing. 29.3K of sand and hills. very difficult. we survived after 5 hours in the heat. our feet seem to be holding up. today was the first day we were self sufficient. tomorrow brings a 35K with several climbs, but not as many sand dunes.
we have 6 tent mates representing Germany, Austraulia, Israel, England and America. It is a good group with a lot of support. two have run the race before which helps. i will continue to update as available.
if you want to send us any messages during the race you can go to the daraboud.com website and send us emails starting on saturday 24 of march. we will not have access to the blog, but can get emails sent from home. just follow the directions for Tom and I. the more encouragement we get the better.
It is now 8:30pm the night before we travel into the desert for the ultimate footrace. we have met some amazing people and athletes from all over the world. all of us confined to this small city in Morocco. the locals have been very friendly and helpful with any needs we may have. It has been hard to keep up with news from home though, no TV and internet is touch and go. we have managed to read the tribune star on line the last two days. after tonight we may not have any access to the internet for some time. i understand the lines at the bivouc can be quite long at times and if we are to tired to write we may hold off a day.
the race does not start until Sunday. we will not know the exact distance or route until tomorrow when we have boarded the bus heading to the desert. the contrast in temperature from day to night is dramatic. it gets windy and cold at night. the sleeping bags will be welcome relief from the cold. sorry this message is a little scattered. We have a race to concentrate on...Thanks for everyones thoughts and prayers. we plan to stick together and accomplish this event. thanks again and we will talk from the desert.
It is the day before we leave for the desert. There is a nervous energy among the runners. Many sharing stories of prior races here in Morocco. We went for a run this morning through the city and saw snow on the top of the Atlas mountains. What a beautiful site to see. It is generally brown and sandy everywhere so the sight of the snow was refreshing. Tom and I are struggling with our understanding of French, but getting through the day. I will write more tonight.
