Wednesday 13 June 2012

A whole new world

Tonight I met with Tony, a Marathon des Sables veteran who gave me a quick introduction on how I should prepare myself, the equipment I would need (including the venom pump!), the food and the place where I can buy it all.  It's a whole new world and I was at a complete loss when he was talking about the equipment and the brands.  But he reassured me that my tri training can continue as mixing swimming & cycling with my running will keep me fit and reduce my risk of injury.  Tony's description of sleeping under a carpet of stars sounder amazing although the camel spiders and snakes didn't go down so well!
I came away with a copy of a book, "Fixing your feet", which I think gives me a big clue in what to expect.  In Lanza I suffered a few blisters and that was sore so I will study this carefully.  I will also start learning French which is the 1st language of most of the Marshall's and volunteers - at the moment I might be able to order 2 beers but it may be more important to explain I am suffering from dehydration!
So the next chapter in Mission Ironman begins.  I'm excited and looking forward to it and on route I'll have a couple of other challenges to keep my short term focus.  I hope you can follow my journey and please take the opportunity to post a message - I'll always respond.  I can't wait to enter this "new world".