Signed up!

Done - have signed up for the North Face 100 next May - http://www.thenorthface.com.au/100/.
Now I just have to make sure I don't put too much weight on over the festive season and I can start with my training 1st January (maybe make it 2nd January) with not too many kg's over my running weight.
Looking forward to share some training runs and camps with my buddies Denis, Michael and the Marathon Man...first one will be end of January in the Blue Mountains - Megalong Valley http://www.coolrunning.com.au/fatass/hq/index.php?title=Megalong_Mega.
In March the hard 6ft track is on the menu - http://www.sixfoot.com/index.php - still unfinished business there for me after my DFN this year.
In April it is Canberra for the 50km Ultra http://www.canberramarathon.com.au/ and then we should be ready for a sub 15 hours at the NorthFace 100
Happy training ahead....

Movie Night

Last week we had a MdS 08 get together with some of the Sydney runners! It was great to swap old stories and dream about a new race in the future.

We watched the offical DVD on a big screen followed by the main feature 'The Spirit of the Marathon'. To follow the DVD on a big screen was huge - those sand dunes sure looked much more intimidating then on a normal TV.

It was a great opportunity to invite all our supporters, friends and families and say once more thank you and show them on a big screen what our race was all about!

Over 180 people enjoyed a great night and I am sure that a few found some new inspiration to start a running career and new adventures.

I have to start myself my training again and get rid of those extra kilos I put on over the last few weeks in Fiji sipping cocktails....

The training plan is made, some races locked in - so now it is just up to me to get out again in the mornings and do it!

Save training!

Marathon des Sables on the big screen

It has been a while but finally I am able to show you some footages from our epic race in the Sahara. To say 'Thank you' to all our supporters I have organised with some fellow runners a movie night where we are able to show you the offical DVD on the big screen followed by the main feature 'Spirit of the Marathon'.

Please contact me on 'info@run4vision.com' for details regarding tickets. Movie night is on Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are 15$ per person. Seasts are limited so please book early.

Looking forward to see you all at the movies next month.

Save training and happy running
Markus

Octoberfest - 1 year later

It's already a year since I ran Fitzroy Falls Marathon on Saturday and Maroubra Fun Run the next morning....again a beautiful day, blue sky, 27 degrees and plenty of German Beer and Weisswurst waiting for us at the finish. This time I did not have to pace Tasman and after about 3 km I left him at the bottom of the first hill...it was a though run in the heat....and I was very happy to finish in 38 minutes which was 2 minutes faster then last year. Tasman was only a few minutes behind. So we well deserved the few German beers and sausages afterwards. Now it is off to a well deserved rest and then we start again in January for the big 100km North Face and the World Masters Games later that year. Tasman is keen to get into running and try a half marathon next year...looks like we may have another marathon man in the making?
Happy and save running
Markus

Last race on an empty tank

Well, that's it for 2008! After a magic 7 days in the Moroccan Sahara running the famous Marathon des Sables I finished my racing year with the Fitzroy Falls Marathon. Last year, in prime shape, I finished this though race in 4 hrs. They say that a runner needs to add 30 min to his/hers normal marathon time - so was happy with last years result.
Today was a different story - with hardly any training done since Morocco I felt my legs missing a beat after about 28km and I was running like on an empty tank for the rest of the race. I had to let my buddy Denis go. The course layout came with a few out and back sections and I could see Denis fighting his way up those step hills - he really went for broke and his face got redder and redder each time I crossed him. Apparently his kids did not even recognise him at the finish....For the last 15 km I started walking the hills but continued running the rest and apart from one nice, young lady (which I was lucky enough to share the available bush shower after the race with ) nobody else overtook me and I hobbled into the finish in 4,5 hrs only 20 min after Denis.
So after my ice bath and some food I can now start reminiscing about the past, watching the just received DVD from Morocco and planning new adventure for 2009
Happy and save running
Markus

Hot out there

Today most of the people were running over the Sydney Harbour Bridge racing in the Sydney Marathon...I did my 25km going south into Botany Nat. Park - last longer run before my race next Saturday in Fitzroy Falls. It is getting hot and today most have been a killer for Marathon Man in his suit running the 42km. Can't wait to see the results from today and looking forward to my last big race of the year myself.

Finally some 'Moroccan' weather

What a nice day - sun was out and off I went with Marathon Man on a 35km run around the Eastern suburbs...only thing I forgot was the suntan lotion.
3hrs15min later I was back home with quite a red nose and shoulders but who cares - summer is coming! Was quite a change running in this weather after all the freezing cold days over the last few months. It will be an interesting Sydney and Fitzroy Falls Marathon the next two weekends if weather is getting warmer! Drinking is the main thing - keep those fluids in all the time to keep the engine running.
Decided on an additional challenge for next year - the 100km North Face in the Blue Mountains - http://www.thenorthface.com.au/100/ - just have to find out what dates in May next year. Just nicer to train in summer for such an event then during winter for the Oxfam 100km.
I started following the blogs of all the MdS runners for next years race and it makes me quite jealous - it is hard to keep training without such a big challenge to aim for...wish I could be there next year as well.

Run Phil Run

I know - have not been very busy on this blog lately and that is prove that my running has taken a back seat too....and there is still that Fitzroy Fall Marathon coming up in 2 weeks time. Wonder how I am going to survive that one with the minimal training done. Currently following a running buddy in the USA along Route 66 - Phil has started a few weeks ago on his epic run self-sufficiant accross the US of A - http://www.runphilrun.com/blog/. Check it out and contact Phil so you get his great reports from the road!
I am already thinking Highway 1 around Oz.....but don't tell my wife yet.
Safe running

Games

With the Olympic's on till midnight it makes it hard to be in top shape the next morning for long runs. The runs were slower and shorter last week and this won't change this week with the games in full swing.
Got a first pre-view of the MdS 2008 DVD - some great shots and happy to say that my "hand" made it a couple of times into the coverage as well!
Currently running regularly with "Marathon Man" when training - Trent is preparing a possible run around Australia in 2009 - this is a huge project and in planning stage at this moment. I am sure we will hear more about this in the future.
So - have to run, the Woman's marathon is on TV :-)
Save running

14km - C2S in 73min

Did my City to Surf on Saturday and ran 14km in just over 73min. Happy to have a day off today and having enjoyed a run yesterday without 70'000 other runners competing for space on the road. http://city2surf.sunherald.com.au/home2.php
My training really suffered a bit lately - less then 40km a week but I have signed up with a new gym near my new work place and from tomorrow onwards it will be back on track - only 6 weeks to go till Fitzroy Falls Marathon and I need to clock up some more km's each week.
Bring it on...

Slow but steady

The last 2 weeks after our Hunter Valley 1/2 marathon were slow - I started a new job and just could not find the time to run more. Still clocking 50 km a week, so hopefully that will be enough for the next 8 weeks until Fitzroy Falls Marathon http://www.fitzroyfallsmarathon.com/. Just found out that the race is 2 weeks earlier then last year, so I need to squeeze in a few more runs between now and end of September.

Bought two new pairs of shoes and was able to give all my 'old'

shoes to a friend who takes them to South Africa, where

runners will happily use them for another few years!

I will probably find some of my shoes running The Comrades in 2010 against me :-)

Recently I am getting quite a few emails from fellow Aussies preparing for the Marathon des Sables 2009 and 2010 asking me for advise. Makes me all jealous to see them getting ready for next year - I am missing the desert, the excitement of preparing for that great race and I can't wait for my next big adventure....

Happy and save running

Old legs still running well

Trent, Denis and I were ready for the 1/2 marathon in the Hunter Valley. After a nice steak and some local red wine the night before we felt great at 8.30 in the morning - a cool but clear day and 21 km laid ahead of us.

Denis and I signed up as a team 'Run4Vision' - competing in the 1/2 marathon were our times get added up for a marathon time. Marathon Man was here to run a new PB.

The first few km's were through the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens and across some wines before we had to start climbing the hill up to Wilkinson Vineyard and then on to Tulloch Wines. Shame we only got water and High 5 at the drink stops. The long way out and back towards Cessnock airport was always a challenge - I don't particulary like to see the leaders and faster runners coming back towards me when I still had to run 6 km to the turn-around point. After a good first 10km (49'30) I left Marathon Man behind at a drink station and kept going trying to speed up for the second half. I started overtaking runner after runner until one guy did not like me to get passed him - for about 4 km we battled on up the hill towards Pokolbin Estate where I had to let him go but thanks to the increased speed I managed the second 10km in 48'30 and finished the 1/2 marathon in 1.43'03.

I was happy with that result considering my reduced training. Marathon Man ran a new PB in 1.47'20. Denis beat us both with 98'24 with team 'Run4Vision' finishing in 2nd position.

I have to get back a bit more into long runs but the track and tempo training is showing results and I am looking forward to the marathon in October.

There will be a couple of more smaller races to run in the next few winter weeks before the Fitzroy Falls Marathon. My goal is to finish that off road race under 4 hrs.

Happy running

Ready for some wino?

I am actually more ready for some nice red then for the forecoming 1/2 marathon in the Hunter Valley on Sunday....training was mixed the last 2 weeks with the cold morning making it hard to get out. Did I say cold.....

A few sessions in the gym but by far not the usual minimum 50km I had planned each week.

I guess I am still a bit in a recovery and resting mood after Morocco and my knees like it the slow going too. :-)

Looking forward to getting out of the crowded city and leave the streets to the Pope and his fans . Marathon Man has decided to join Denis and myself for the Sunday run - so looks like a fun weekend ahead.

All quite on the Western Front...

I went for a good 2 hours jog on the weekend with Marathon Man - www.marathonman.com.au along the coast and cliffs of Southern Sydney. Was a great sunny day and we could see the whales out there making their way up to warm Queensland.

The good news of the week is that the doctor did not feel like putting me under the knife! He told me that all my pain and suffering is due to the simple fact of, ahhmm... age.

Dhooo! Ok, it may also have been the 5000+ km of last years training but taking out stuff would not make it better in the long term and with optimizing footwear and choosing my running terrain wisely I will be out there for a few more years (fingers crossed).

That's great news - I am back in training for a full marathon in October and will be racing one or two shorter events prior to that.

New Challenge and big decision

Next week I am going to see a knee specialist and then I will fix that stupid knee once and for all because I am getting ready for a new challange.

I signed up for the 'Oldies Olympic Games' - http://www.2009worldmasters.com/default.aspx

In October 2009 Sydney will be host for the World Master Games - that's too much fun to miss and I hope I see more of you out there participating in the biggest sporting event on this planet!

I will be participating in the 8km Cross Country, 10km Road and the Half Marathon!

Happy and save running

Bush Run

Last week was a bit a washout and my only training was in gym on bike and treadmill - at least I could train and watch Euro 08 at same time :-)
Sunday I joint some runners who signed up for the 100km Oxfam and we did a great training run between Checkpoint 2 and 4 - was great to be out in the bush for a 3 hours run. My knee however did not like the steep up and downs :-( and I do not feel confident that I could keep up a rigorous trainingplan to participate in the 100km run end of August without damaging my knee more. Shame, as I really would have love to take on this challanging team race.
Guess it is a back to my 3 days a week running for the time being....I am still reluctant to put the knee under the knife but I probably only kidding myself here as it needs to be done to be back 100% for bigger adventures ahead.

First race after the desert

2 months after crossing the finish line in Morocco and 4 weeks into my new training schedule, I lined up for the Great Nosh 15 km trail run in North Sydney. This race is organised by the NSW Orienteering Association http://bennelong.nsw.orienteering.asn.au/the_great_nosh%20(coming%20event).htm and offers a great run in the middle of a 4 million city through stunning forest and scenery.
Last week I was out with a cold and the lack of training was felt after about half of the distance when a steep climb stopped my efforts to a slow jog for a while...my tank was empty and togehter with the steep descents taking its toll on my knee I finished in 96 min. A bit slower then expected for 15 km but it is a start and I have time till my next goal in October.
I hope the weather will hold up for the next couple of weeks so I can enjoy some more outdoor running until my next stop in the Hunter Valley for a team (2 runners) 1/2 marathon. I signed Denis and myself up for this one http://www.huntervalleymarathon.net/ as another preparation run for our race in October.

Updated website

Have a look at the new layout, visit the Marathon des Sables photo galerie, watch a couple of videos (there will be more soon) and enjoy my race and pre-race reports.

Uli did a great job and updated my website, http://www.run4vision.com/

Please let her know if you like her work -mailto:-luculia@gmail.com

Please don't forget The Fred Hollows Foundation - they still need our support, thanks.

Happy running

Missing the hard training

Today I went for my first long 25 km run in the nice, warm Sydney winter sun. Currently I am only running 3 times a week - one moring on the track, one morning tempo work and the long run on Sunday mornings, plus some swimming and cycling in the gym.
A change from my usual 100+km weeks but since my knee is still hurting I am kind of happy that I do not have to push too hard and I am still reluctant to get under the knife and fix the mensicus.
My plan for the rest of 2008 is to run a couple of shorter races and then in October attempt to run a qualifing time for Boston Marathon at the Fitzroy Fall Marathon. The goal is to finish that race in the forsest of the Southern Highlands in 3 1/2 hours.
Let's see if the old bones are holding up till then.
Uli is updating the website and I am trying to get some photos and videos onto the site shortly to give you all a climps of our adventure in Morocco. I am missing the heat and sand a bit and enjoyed watching a few videos on 'YouTube' about or race last month. Check it out - just search for 'Marathon des Sables 2008' and you will find heaps of great and less great videos from fellow runners.

First run

Well, it was a forced run back to town yesterday, as I left my scooter back at work the night before due to a big night out drinking with work. Was quite please, not only with how the night went but also how I went the next day with a hangover - covered the 11km in just over an hour.

Today I hurt - never had muscle pain after such a short run so guess it is time to get back on track and proper training soon.

Unfortunately the planned 100km Oxfam will be for 2009 - the race sold out within a few hours and before I could get a team of 4 runners together. I will still try to find a spot in a registered team which needs a replacement if one of their runners drops out, but no big sweat if it is not working out in August.

There are a few smaller races and maybe one or two marathon in the 8 months of 2008 to run anyway. 2009 is my wife's year and my running adventures need to be kept on a back burner as I may not be allowed to go too much overboard; nevertheless 'Run 4 Vision' will continue helping The Fred Hollows Foundation and there will be many opportunities to rise money for this Charity in the months to come. I look forward to watching next years Marathon des Sables from the comfort of my home....not.

Have been working hard on my Race Report and sorting out the photos so I hope by end of this long weekend I should be ready with it all.

Happy running

Back in town and not running.....yet

Well, every adventure has an end. After a long flight back to Sydney I arrived to rain and cold weather - just perfect to start another marathon at work.....clearing up 400+ emails!
Since Dubai I developed a shin splints in my right leg and it took the whole week now to get rid of the pain...I will give my body another week or so just to recover fully before start some kind of training again.
Already have a new project in mind, which I missed out on last year - the 2008 Sydney Oxfam Trailwalk (http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/sydney/). Still looking for two more keen team member - any volunteers? Denis, my local running buddy, and I are planning to start training next week. All for a great cause and I hope we can register pretty soon as this race will 'sell out' very quickly. I believe we should be able to finish the 100 km under 15 hours - or at least that's the goal.
Before starting that new challenge I will work on my Marathon des Sables Report this weekend and make sure you will have very soon access to all my photos as well.
Thanks for the patience - should not be much longer...but I had to un-pack and wash my smelly running gear first :-)

"Recovering in Dubai"

If you ever have been in Las Vegas - forget about it, Dubai is 10x crazier and getting bigger everyday! What a place - the Tourist Bus only stops at shopping malls and most of them are the biggest in the world! Currently the tallest building is being built (900m - when finished!), over 8'000 construction sites currently worked on, Dubai holds 70% of all cranes in the world! Of the 1.4 million people living here 80% are expats from over 129 countries. The rulers are making Dubai the 'greatest place' in the world by 2015. Currently an airport the combined size of London Heathrow and O'Hara Chicago is being finished (more plane traffice between 1 and 3 am the Sydney during one day; a 'Dubai Land' 3x the size of Disneyland including a hotel with 6'500 rooms (!!) is being built plus the worlds first underwater hotel (ocupancy is 92% for all hotels here - so everyone makes $$'s). Artifical islands symbolising the worldmap for 10 - 20 milllion $ a 'country' (island) and the famous Palms are all being under construction....
I tried to avoid the shopping devil but after 3 days I lost the battle and I am glad Uli is not with me because an additional visit to the Gold Souq would have blown out the Credit Cards! It is a cheap place to shop currently and with expected 15 million visitors a year by 2010 it will certainly stay a shoping paradise!
So, after 4 days 'recovering' and putting back all my lost kg I will be on my way to Sydney tomorrow.....and then start thinking about training for a next adventure (just don't tell Uli yet)
See you soon
Markus

All over :-(

Dear all
Just came from the Prize giving ceremony and a great dream & adventure has come to an end . First of all I like to thank you all for the great support emails I received every night at the camp & through Yahoo emails!
Thanks so much - these mails meant a lot out there in the desert believe me! My tent mates got jealous if I had more emails then them .
Knowing that I am not running alone out in the desert but for a purpose & having all your support made it definetely easier during the hard phases in every stage (and believe me there where quite a few hard phases to get through)
I believe that after my wake-up call on the first stage I managed my water, my energy & my mental strength well over the next 5 stages & I honestly felt that if we could have ran a few days longer I could have improved even more - but then again we did not race for time or position (only about 20 - 30 runners really where in this to win) but we ran for survival & finishing. And finish we did!

The last stage was a 17.5 km sprint & knowing that my parents & Uli are proudly waiting for my at the end I only arrived about 35min behind the winner. Running through the villiage with my blown-up Aussie Hand & having the town people & kids cheering me on was a unforgettable end of an unbelievable week!
Today at the prize giving ceremony I found out that I ended up in 224th place out of 802 starters & covered the 245.3 km in a bit over 38hrs - the winner finished just over 19hrs!! We were told by MdS veterans that we can be proud, as we finished not only the longest but also the hardest & one of the hottest races ever.

I will now spend a few days with my parents & recover my sore feet & knees plus probably but the 4 kg I lost back on again. Taxi drivers in Ouarzazate making a killing right now as about 500+ tourist are in different stages of NOT being able to walk more then 20 meters.

It will take me a week or two to set-up & sort out all the photos & videos I took during my race but I will have them available soon for you to re-live my sahara adventure - thanks for your patience.

See you all soon back Down Under!

Markus

Day 6: 42.2km - Update from Markus

I was looking 4ward to seeing my parents & Uli today & ran as fast as the desert allowed me to. It was hot but a little wind from behind helped me along flying over dunes and dried lakes towards the finish. I am starting to like this race & wish it would go on for a few more days...getting the hang of this stage race. I arrived faster then I thought & Uli & my parents only arrived 5 min later but I was allowed to re-run my finish for photoshots! It was great to have them there - wll keep me going fast 2moro for the final stage of 17km :-(. Yesterday I recovered well & we received a cool can of coke for changing our race number for a new one (for TV). We also had a video presentation of the first 3 days of our race! How those Maroccans fly over those dunes is in-human! 2nite we get a concert from the Paris Opera in the desert - can't wait - it will be an emotional last night in the sahara. An adventure is coming to an end - new friends made, new personal frontiers discovered. Cheers

Day 4: 75.5km - Update from Markus

The desert was kind to me yesterday - had a great run & enjoyed (almost) all of it. I have not checked my time or place, so refer to darbaroud:com. Scenery was stunning but also very challanging. Imagine Arden Str from Coogee to Bronte - 5x as long/2x as steep/covered with sharp rocks & covered in powder sand; now prior climbing, do not wash for 5 days & go for a 6 hrs run in 45°. Thinking about Uli & my parents waiting 2moro at the finish kept me going strong yesterday. All your support email helps heaps for the moral. I saw big, grown up men in tears for hrs shuffling with blistered covered feet across the desert. I met smiling girls running lighted footed over the hills & tried to keep up with the leader (for 20m) - a great day in the desert! 2day R&R - still people coming in after 30 hrs of walking nonstop! Will try to reduce wight of pack more & hope 4 another good day for the marathon stage 2moro. Cheers

Press Release - Stage 4

All competitors have got the same thing in mind: the worst is over… At 7 am this morning, 19 runners had given up just before or during the stage. Others kept arriving all through the night, making the finish line a very moving scene. All kinds of reactions could be seen: most often joy of course, but also pride, tears or sheer disbelief to have finally got through. The long line of head lamps guided by a green laser in the middle of the desert made a deeply poetical image, definitely the most striking moment of the race, suspended in time, to remain forever in everyone’s memory. Be they competitors or staff. Needless to say, top runners arrive before nightfall, as did Moroccan competitor Touda Didi, who left her female challengers way behind. Unless something drastic happens, she should finish this stunning week with a well deserved title. She is two hours ahead of the second woman, Simone Kayzer, who will find it extremely difficult to catch up with her, despite her great experience on the MDS. On the men’s side, Al Aqra is only sixteen minutes behind Mohamad Ahansal : not an impossible gap to fill. But the Jordanian will have to run a phenomenal stage tomorrow, and bet on some sudden weakness from the Moroccan favourite - something unlikely to happen from an athlete on top shape, well on his way to succeed his brother. This “resting” day – only truly restful for the lead of the race – allows bodies to have a break, especially after huge temperature variations (35°C difference between night and day) and a course most competitors described as “really complex”. Tomorrow is the classic marathon day, a last test before the fairly easy final stage. Despite tiredness, and a blasting heat, there’s a definite sense of relief on the bivouac, nearly a holiday feel…This stage is a “tour de force” not only for the runners but also for the organisation: everyone has to give its best, especially in the night time. A laser will be guiding the competitors who also have luminous sticks and distress flares. Doctors and race officials are spread along the course in six check points. They will not getting more sleep than the runners, staying up all night, under the supervision of two most useful helicopters. Today more than ever, managing the race is a real challenge. Some competitors plan to run straight to the next bivouac; others will be making good use of the last three check points to get some rest and have a bite to eat.Coursewise, the heat is in two phases: an extremely difficult first one, with a terribly steep climb (25% slope factor), and an easier 2nd one, with flat and straight grounds, an opportunity for the lead of the race to have a bit of a fight.One thing’s for sure though: tomorrow night, all competitors will be champions.


---------------------------------------------------------------

I have yet to receive a mail from Markus today, but looking at the results on the official website, both Markus and Josh completed stage 4!
Congratulations guys! What a fantastic and unbelievable achievement!!!

Phillippa

Day 3: 40.5km - Update from Markus

Do not invite me to the beach when I am back - can not guarantee the reaction. I have enough of sand & dunes for a few years. Today was hard with dunes followed by dry lakes & dunes again & a steep mountain in the middle of it. Kept my pace from yesterday & often also my own way a few 100m away from the main track - great to walk where nobody probably ever walked before. Josh - being heavier had more difficultiy over the dunes & I left him half way - had a great day all in all, no new blisters, back a bit sore & knee holding up well. Kept some fuel in the tank for 2moro. 3 stages done - 3 to go. 2moro the big one - 75km. Plan to walk/run through so no mail from me till Thursday. Hope to finish in 12 hrs - now the backpack is getting lighter & I can start to run the MdS! It is hard to describe the scenery - after ever dune it looks different & the mountains are out of this world. I hope there are photos on the race website which show the beauty of this place! Sleepingbag is calling now

Day 2: 38km - Update from Markus

Dear all, first a big thank you for all the emails - keep them coming, they help sooo much. Today I took a different approch & powerwalked the whole distance - I truly enjoyed the day, took photos along the way & never had any problems - best of all I only overtook people all day long & finished with a sprint together with Josh just a bit over 6 hrs! Feel great and look forward to 2moro; 40 km with dunes & hills - bugger! We lost 1 Aussie today, Keith just did not have the strenght to get through the 42° heat - we crossed dried out lakes covered with million year old fossiles laying around - felt like walking in a frying pan! We climbed sand hills & ran through villages. Kids poped up in the middle of nowhere to cheer us on - our passing through must be the highlight of the year for them. The country side is magic - harsh, dry & unforgiving. 1 small blister on the right big toe & sore knees but in great form - just need to get the pack weight down & then I can start running! Regards

Day 1: 31km - Update from Markus

Survived hardest run ever. 1st 14km high sanddunes - walked all with Josh. Shoes great - not much Sand on feets. 2nd part was across a moon like, black rock plateau - HOT but I ran to get out of it & left Josh behind. Last part was bloody sanddunes again, did not eat enough & Backpack got really painful - had 11kg. 500m before finish I had to lay down, fainted & some kind runner stayed with me, slowly came to again & after a drink & some gel I managed to stagger to finish. 5.15 hrs, Josh 1 hr later. Was lucky to find an extra waterbottle which I drank on the spot. After 1,5 l of recovery drink and food I feel much better. Will have to go slower 2moro & eat more.Runners still come in now - 10 hrs after start. 38 km to go 2moro, more dunes, more heat but it is all fun, right? Check offical site for results & roadmap.
Love to everone from Sahara.

Press Release - Stage 1

Press release from the official Marathon des Sables website:

Weather conditions at 8.00am: 20,8 °C, 31% hygrometry
Weather conditions at 12.00am: 36,8 °C, 18% hygrometry

1st Stage Men Ranking and General Ranking:
1. Mohamad Ahansal (1) 2h31m
2. Samir Akhdar (2) 2h47m
3. Salameh Al Aqra (71) 2h47m
4. Mustapha Ait Amar (4) 2h47m
5. Jorge Aubeso (622) 2h48

1st Stage Women Ranking and General Ranking
1. Touda Didi (6) 3h36m

801 competitors, amongst which 94 women, set off this morning for an unusually long and difficult opening stage. With hardly more than a kilometre to warm up, our enthusiastic bunch of runners were confronted with the Merzouga dunes. Those 13 kilometres allowed a clear lead to emerge. Unsurprisingly, at CP1, the favourites Ahansal, Aqra and Ait Amar were on each other’s heels. Starting on the long rocky plateau that leads to the second set of dunes, Mohamad Ahansal moved to top speed and left everyone on the spot. In black and yellow settings (rocks and sand), the race got slightly crazy, exploding with young Ahansal’s incredible pace. He reached the finish line way ahead of anybody else, more than fifteen minutes before his direct competitors, slightly shock shelled from Ahansal’s performance: “I’ve been alone from kilometre 7; of course I miss my brother, we had the same pace, but I’m happy with my day”.Jorge Aubeso (Spain) also did a fine race. He himself was pleasantly surprised: “I don’t think I’m 1st place material, but my knee’s getting better by the day and I can be a patient man…”A less pleasant surprise for Jordan Salameh El Aqra’ who found the course harder than expected and also had to deal with tummy trouble.Today the Marathon des Sables was particularly worthy of its name: sand was on the menu, starter, main and pudding. And it’s only the beginning…

Press Release - Check in Day

Press release from the official Marathon des Sables website:

29/03/2008 - Administrative and technical checks

Conditions at 1.30pm :36,7 °C, 17% hygrometry

The caravan of the 23rd Marathon des Sables set camp at the foot of the most impressive Merzouga dunes: a grand setting for a most challenging race. On the menu this week: 245 kilometres of sand, rocks, dream, wind, sweat and… food self sufficiency. But before the fun can start, some essential formalities must be complied with: safety material and medical checks, together with the handing out of distress flares and numbered breast plates. This year’s novelty: runners are equipped with an electronic device that will automatically register their going through check points and their timing. This edition promises to be a tough one: not only is it the longest ever but it also kicks off with Morocco’s highest dunes - a 31,6 kilometres long first heat that could do much damage. Not enough to demoralize our competitors, only too happy to be facing the enemy at last. Old hands mix with newcomers who get to discover the special atmosphere of the caravan, bringing together 32 nationalities and people coming from all walks of life, from policeman to baker, and psychiatrist to former football coach. Let the party begin!

Here they go!!!

An update by Uli (Markus's wife, who only runs in cases of emergency)

The busses for the base camp have left! A highly excited US-Canadian-Australian contingent of runners had met today at 9am to board their coaches for the 5 hours drive to the desert.

As soon as they had taken their seats, they were handed their roadbook, informing them of the - until then secret -route of the race. This MDS will lead from Merzouga through the desert to Tazzarine.

This means that the runners will have to cross the high sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in the very first stages when their backpacks are still heavily ladden with food.

During the hours of waiting for the departure, Markus had discovered that he is not 100% happy with his race goggles, so I decided to ditch back to the hotel to get his spare sunnies.

To my shock, I saw the first busses leave while still sprinting back from the hotel, and I could only hand over the glasses at the very last moment before missing Markus's departure!

It was very emotional to wave him and the other runners good-buy. Next time I will catch up with them is in the desert at the finish of stage 5, a full marathon.

I'm afraid they will look nothing like the freshly showered and shaven bunch I farewelled only 2 hours ago!

Cheers from Quarzazate (where it takes 5 times longer to write due to an Arabic-French keyboard)

Greetings from Ouarzazate

Finally arrived in the desert town Ouarzazate after a great drive over snow covered mountains. Trees and shade are already a rare sight here and we just got told that it is very hot out there....out there means where the race will be and where there is bloody nothing.

Josh arrived last night after 48 hrs flight and I had to help him pack and sort out food to get ready. One more night of nerves and sorting out last little things and then we are off on the bus for 5 hours to the camp!

Off we go!

Finally - a plane to catch in 2 hours! Ready as ready I can be!
Now I only need to get all my race gear and food through customs as carry on baggage....don't want to risk loosing anything I need to survive the race :-)
Next blog from Morocco!

Packed and ready to go

Finished packing my bag and ended up with 11.2kg. Quite happy as I expected to have much more. So now it is fine tuning and trying to get rid of a few bits and pieces to get as close to 10kg as possible for the starting weight.

Half of the weight is just food - I tried hard to reduce this without getting under the minimum of 2000 calories we need to show per day to the organisiers.

My running equipment comes to about 1.700 kg including shoes and watch/GPS. I guess there is not much hope that it will look anything close to the colours I start with when I cross that finish line 245 km and 7 days later :-)

So that's it - of on Wednesday to Morocco. Please bear with me now for the next few weeks as I won't have much access to Internet or phone but I will try my best to contact Phillippa with my status and progress as often as possible - so you will have an idea of my whereabouts in the desert of
Morocco.

'See' you all on the other side of the race at the finish! And keep an eye out for race number 528!

The heat is on....

The week ended with a 4 hours jog and walk along the coast

helping the Marathon Man distributing his flyer's for his fundraiser gala dinner this coming Thursday evening at the IMAX cinema in Darling Harbour http://www.marathonman.com.au/

We got quite a lot attention in our outfits and interest from

people inquiring about reason for our dress-up.

I ended up getting a good training in completing 100 km for the week and with a knee still kind of in tack.

Today I went to a Bikram Yoga class to get some heat training done - very nice sweating but too hard for me knee - all those twists and balancing exercises, so not so sure if I will go back as I am afraid to damage the knee more.

Less then 20 days to go!!!

Sweeper got swiped...

Could hardly find the start yesterday morning in the thick fog after Friday nights storm up in Katoomba but eventually the bus found its way to the starting line of the 6ft track marathon.

I was kind of weary heading out for this though run with 10kg on my back and my doggy knee but it was a great opportunity to try out my race gear and test last little bits and pieces. All looked fine at the start when Action Jackson handed my the broom and off we went at 8.35am at the end of a record field of runners down the steep steps towards Cox River and the Jenolan Caves.....

The up and downs took a toll and especially the steep downhills together with the heavy backpack did not go down well with my knee and I started to slow down and after about 4 hours and 26km I got swiped away by my fellow sweeper as I did not want to hold them up.

I continued slowly on my own (out of the race) and did all the flat bits of the race course to cover about 37 km in 5 1/2 hours. Even so my knee feels like a thousand knifes are stuck in it I was happy to at least hold up for more then 5 hours and I also found a few problems with my gear which I can now fix before heading off to Morocco.

There are a few more long runs on my training plan the next 2 weeks but I guess I will have to walk them more the running - to keep my knee happy and together till 6th April.

The route for 2008

The below report just got posted on the offical website - so looks like a few more K to go this year....
"The route for 2008 is 245.3 Km long, making it the longest ever in the history of the MARATHON DES SABLES. The race will be challenging from day one - and continue that way - offering all the variety of the Sahara. The course will take runners over ergs (dune zones), seriously steep jebels (up to 25% slope factor) and rocky plateaus. They’ll have to cross hard as iron salt-flats and the driest of wadis. The backdrop to all of this is the most beautiful of landscapes with vistas accessible only to those on foot. The desert has its secret gardens and competitors on MDS will be lucky enough to find them...."

Run4Vision visits Marathon Man

Visiting Trent running on his treadmill at Rebel Sport in

Bondi Junction last weekend. The Marathon Man is

organising a fundraising event at the IMAX next Thursday,

13 March 2008 for Facing Africa.

Check out http://www.marathonman.com.au/index2.html for details and booking options. Looks like a great night of entertainment with dinner, auctions and fun in support of Facing Africa helping the hundreds of thousands of kids suffering from Noma.

Relaxing week

Well, certainly took the doc's advise to heart and enjoyed a relaxing week - only 40km all in all and my knee is holding up fine.
Uli and I enjoyed a very nice weekend away - first wedding anniversary after 4 years of marriage.


Lot's of good food, wine, great concert in the Jenolan Caves with
Didjeridu Dingo!

I will be back up there next Saturday running the 6ft Track marathon as my final preparation - with all my gear and equipment for the Marathon des Sables - final test!

This weekend I did some slow running and walking with the
Backpack - a nice change from the normal running. The nice
spa at the end of every day was a great bonus in our very
secluded and great hideaway in the Blue Mountains

A bit of running and lot's of x-training until Saturday - then 7 - 8 hours of running and walking the 6ft Track plus a couple of hours on Sunday will close up my final week of heavy training - after that it is reducing and getting ready for Morocco.

Good week - bad news

Had my biggest week with 150 km of good training running, even with a doggy knee. I did not tell the doctor about this but made sure not to go as hard as usual but putting in the time.

On the weekend I caught up with the Marathon Man - www.marathonman.com.au. Trent was running hard for hours at Rebel Sport in Westfield, Bondi Junction promoting his fundraising event.

Today I got the report from the Doc --> All very technical and lot's of Latin, to keep it short --> small tear of the meniscus, patella shows chondral fissure and small Baker's cyst (fluid build-up).

Option for next 4 weeks -> run less, start more X-training, take drugs and don't think about it until the finish line in Morocco. Looks like I may have to join the walkers over there instead of racing 7 days. Be assured I will make it to the finish.

Moral of the story: Keeping fit is good for your health but don't overdue it; or as my wife puts it - stop trying to keep up with the young ones when you soon reach 50....

Bowling for Fred

Thanks for the 8 faithful supporters who showed up for a hard fought competition! The winner of the night, Jacky with an excellent 277 pts took first price (accommodation voucher), 2nd and 3rd was close with Glen 212 pts and Felix 206 pts - both went home with a consolation price. The rest of us may have to go back and practise a bit more to get into the 200'er league of bowler's.

A special thank goes to Ute, Aly and Tas - the 3 of them have been present in all my fundraising events for which I am very, very grateful. Thank you for all your support!

Monday is D-day for my knee - the week sofar went well and I was able to clock up quite a good number of km's, so fingers crossed for a report which will give me an all clear.

36 days to go - getting a bit nervous now, still a few loose ends to sort out and also helping Josh, who is too busy working, sorting out his gear.

Thank to Sam&The Francofous

Today I had an hour interview with Sam and The Francofous (the crazy French) at his Northern Beaches Radio Station. If you can handle my SwissFrench then tune in on 88.7 or 90.3 on Friday, 22nd Feb at 9am.
Hopefully the talk with Sam will encourage some more Fred Hollows Supporters to turn up on Friday, 22nd evening at 7pm for the Bowling Fun Night. Please call me on 0400 627 587 for details and reservation - The Foundation needs our support to continue their great work worldwide.
Not much news on my knee - went for a soft 3 hours today but now I am having the knee on ice....I just hope the scan will show not too much of problems and I can get back onto the road on full speed soon.
Remember, bowling this coming Friday in Darling Harbour!

43 days to go

Oouch!

Did not have my best week since starting this adventure - 4100 km on to go and now my right knee is giving me trouble.....guess running lot's is not that healthy after all. Have to get an MRI scan next week to see if any damage and assess way forward. Not very happy. But one thing is for sure - I am going!

This week I sorted out all my food - still a bit too much I think but at least I know what to take and need only to down size a bit to reduce weight. Next and final step is first aid kit and then I am all ready to rock and roll - Morocco here we come!

Before heading off however there is another race to be battled here - the famous and though 6 Foot Track marathon on Saturday, 8th March. http://www.sixfoot.com/index.php

The last time I ran that marathon I ended up almost last over the line after cruel 7 hours of up and downs, so this year I gladly took the nice offer of a fellow MdS runner who is helping organising the 6 Foot Track and we will close off the race as sweepers. This will give me a nice opportunity to test all my gear during a whole days race and at the same time I don't have to push my body and knee to the limit.

So, fingers crossed for next weeks MRI results and hopefully I see lot's of you at the Bowling evening next Friday night - attendance is a bit low at this stage so please join us for some fun and help The Fred Hollows Foundation at the same time!

Words are just that, words - which need action...

Sorry is a very strong word but it needs to be followed by stronger action to be effective! The Fred Hollows Foundation has just done that for the last 15 years!

Last week - on the anniversary of the death of Fred Hollows - the Foundation announced the funding of a $3 million specialist eye care centre in Alice Springs. This new eye care centre will go a long way towards redressing the well documented eye diseases disproportionately afflicting Indigenous people in central Australia.

It will make a significant difference to the lives of Indigenous people and help 'Close the Gap' that sees Indigenous people die on average 17 years earlier than non-Indigenous Australians!

You can help The Fred Hollows Foundation - join us for an evening of Ten Pin Bowling on Friday, 22nd February - have some fun and show your action and support for a great cause!

KingPin Bowling Lounge, Darling Harbour, Friday, 22nd February 7.00pm for 40$ per person. All proceeds go to The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Please RSVP by email to info@run4vision.com. Great prices to be won by best bowlers!

Follow words with action - thank you for your support!

Bowling for Fred Hollows

Friday, 22nd February 7.30 pm at the KingPin Bowling Lounge in Darling Harbour
Join us for a fun evening and come along to play 2 games of bowling for 40.00$ per person - all proceeds of night go to The Fred Hollows Foundation.
We will play two games of Ten Pin Bowling and best bowlers can win great prices (Hotel Accommodation, Gift Cards, Travel Books and more).
Contact me on info@run4vision.com for more details - reservation necessary by 15th February!

No 528 - ready for the desert

Here we go - organiser gave out the race number: 528 - the 'winning' number?

57 days to the start gun. I have ordered my race shoes from the USA today and bought my shorts and shirt. I only need to organise food and 1st aid kit - then I am ready to go!!!

Today I did a 3 hours run with backpack - testing my new drink bottles and some new food.
Bottles are a success but food wise - dried apricots with energy drinks are not working well.

Tomorrow a 5 hours training run with backpack, whole month will be a killer with 2 whole weeks of 150 km training each. Will make most of it and try to simulate as much as possible race conditions (at least with food intake and backpack) as there is no guarantee the weather will play along.

Please mark Friday, 22 Feb in your diary -last farewell party to help The Fred Hollows Foundation. More information will follow soon.

Ahhh....Sunshine!

What a great feeling running in the sun and heat again! Not that I would recommend going out for a 3 hours run after a 24 hours flight - almost fell over falling asleep running. Slowly getting back into the rhythm now.

Like to thank you all once more for the great evening at the

Moroccan Feast. I was able to transfer over 1'200 $ to The

Fred Hollows Foundation. Almost 50 blind people will have

their eyes saved thanks to your generosity!

Thank you!

Brrrrrr.....3 degrees and snowing....

I am looking forward to coming home to hopefully sunshine and hot weather. Running and training in the European winter is tough! Respect to all those runners who have to get ready for Morocco in freezing temperature.
I spent all but one day on the treadmill in the gym, which was boooring, especially the 5 hours last Sunday. Can't wait for some outdoor trail running next week again.
Paris was great for gear shopping even so they had mostly winter gear in the shops. So much more choice then in Australia.
65days22hours to the start gun!

BIG Thank You All!

I'm sitting at Gate 31 waiting for my flight to Paris. This morning, I just had enough time to put all my running gear away and pack for 2 weeks winter weather in Europe.

Unfortunately, we have a small problem: for those kind people who donated equipment last night – the restaurant staff was too efficient and cleaned away that list with your names on it. Uli and I could remember a few, but if you could please be so kind and send an email to info@run4vision.com and let me know what gear you did sponsor last night for my race so I can update my list and thank you properly once I am in Paris tomorrow. Uli will also update the website and blog with photos and report ASAP.

Thanks again for your incredible generosity last night – we have saved many unnecessary blind people's eyesight!

Check out the photos of the evening, taken by my friend Warren Field.

Moroccan Feast & 82 Days to Go

Happy New Year! It will be a very exciting one for some of us. 82 days to go!

Christmas and New Year I spent running in National Parks. The cool weather was nice to run in, but I really look forward to get some hot 'Moroccan' days soon. Won't happen this month as I am off to Europe ... brrrrr. Hotel gym and treadmill work for me in freezing Paris and Switzerland.

Spent the first two days of 2008 out of action. My knees

played up badly just because I started using a different

shoe the last 3 weeks. They changed my stride and affected

legs and knees. A couple of sessions at the physio and some

Voltaren fixed the problem, but my new shoes will be

on Ebay shortly!

For this coming Friday, 11th January I still have a few spare seats to fill on my fundraising dinner night at the Moroccan Feast in Randwick. http://www.run4vision.com/special.php

Why not start 2008 with a good deed and help some poor blind person to see again? Email (info@run4vision.com) or call me (0400 627 587) to book.