Only 90 Days to Go .....

2007 was a year which kept me busy: 3560 km training runs, 365 km /47 hours of races and 5 pairs of running shoes later with only 90 days to go – Morocco seems scarily close now.

Met another Aussie runner this week. Trent signed up with the UK contingent and is just getting his preparation into full speed. It is great to see that there will be at least 3 tents full of Aussies now in the desert next year. Ultrarunning is well alive in this country!

Had a few shorter runs this week with the Christmas break and all. Also, I seem to have injured my knee somehow, hurts like hell when standing up or laying down but not when running, figure that one out? Will give the Black Stump race on New Year's Day a miss and try to fix this little annoying problem ASAP.

Looking forward to the fundraising dinner in 2 weeks time The restaurant is now fully booked and I encourage the people who have not confirmed with their payment yet to do this in the next days, so I know how many spare spots there will be, thanks.

A big THANK YOU to all my generous supporters during 2007 and my best wishes for a happy and successful New Year ... with lot's of injury free running :-)

Finally...warm weather

We had to wait a bit longer but yesterday was finally a nice, hot and sunny day for running. Had some really good runs and clocked up another 105 km last week.

Have been told to plan some additional, special heat training for next year - some recommend winter clothes and running, others Sauna for hours....wonder if there is ways to really simulate the desert at 50 degrees apart of going there....(and what about the sandstorms?)

Thanks to all who have already sent their payment for the Fundraising dinner - seats are limited and I encourage everyone to confirm soon by transferring the dinner money. I was very successful with getting over 1500$ of prices together for our raffle and auction on that night....so don't miss out.

For all the support I received in 2007 raising funds for The Fred Hollows Foundation I like to thank everyone! It really makes a difference and helps me to keep going out there every day and run for this great cause.

Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Markus

New Shoes

Another week and 100 km later - decided to try out those trail shoes some are raving about. Love the fact that there are no shoe lashes anymore - quite cool system and the titanium plate in the sole makes it so much easier to run over those rocks.
Check it out
http://www.backcountry.com/store/SAL0581/c100000009/s21/Salomon-XA-Pro-3D-XCR-Trail-Running-Shoe-Mens.html

Unfortunately they only sold the normal size here and the shoe became a bit tight after a couple of hours running - so may have to go for the extra wide option with my next pair – don’t want to hurt in the desert unnecessarily.

There will be for sure another shoe, as I still have 3 months of training to go and this means another 1000 km to cover.

Fundraising dinner is slowly filling up so please book your seat(s) soon and help in the process The Fred Hollows Foundation saving someone else eyesight. http://www.run4vision.com/special.php

Moroccon Feast Fundraising Dinner

An evening with good food and friends to raise funds for The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Presentation, Auction & Raffle with great prices!

Date : Friday, 11 January 2008, at 6:30 pm.
Venue: Moroccan Feast, 27 Avoca Street, Randwick 2031.
What :$ 65.00 per person for a 3-course Moroccan Feast incl. coffee & tea.
BYO & Licensed, $3 Corkage per Person.

Space is limited, so please book and pay your seat by 20 December 2007.

Please follow the payment instruction on my website www.run4vision.com and confirm your attendance by sending me a mail to info@run4vision.com.

Proceeds of the evening go to The Fred Hollows Foundation to help unnecessary blind people!

Rain, Rain, Rain

Wondering when the weather will give me a little bit more Moroccan like conditions. After all I am trying to train for a desert crossing here and we are supposed to have summer now?

On Friday I almost got hit by lightening running across a park trying to get out of the rain. Over the weekend I increased the weight in the backpack to 8 kg and I did some good runs and walks with it. Having weight on your back goes into your knees and legs and do avoid injuries I will reduce the training with the backpack to 1 or 2 runs a week now but slowly increase the weight.

Uli has booked a Moroccan Restaurant for a fundraising dinner in January and I am happy to announce that I scored some great prizes for the raffle! So sign up for a fun night - great food, belly dancer, presentation and fun awaits you!

Great Country to run

I truly enjoyed the fun race on Saturday from Otford to Bundeena, south of Sydney in the National Park.

Not only was the weather perfect for a race but the country side was simply stunning!

29 km through Pine- & Rainforest, accross sandy beaches, up and down bloody steep hills and rugged 'high' country - 4 hours of pleasure with a 7 kg heavy backpack.

Denis, my running buddy, used the opportunity of my backpack training and added a few bottles of his Gatorades into my bag.

All these nice drinks and I could not dare to drink them - Denis took off soon after the start but could have been sitting around the next corner waiting for me to catch up with him....which never happend and I ended up carrying the (full!) bottles all the way to Bundeena.

At least it was good training - and I have almost figured out all the spots which are still chafing and need to be protected for Morocco.