One small step for man kind one large leap for Andy

Well its over now..and we are so proud of him!
I´m glad to get him back in once piece...bye for now and thanks Caz


Well, I think I have almost done it. So far we have had some 32 retirers, 2 heart attacks that required runners emergency repatriated, and 1 very sad death, that hit us all hard. We all ran today in Bernard's honour
Tonight we are all very tired, but elated, as we Bivouac for the last time, and what a view.
Behind us is a magnificent Merzouga Dunes, the highest in the Southern Sahara at some 855mtrs, almost a 1000 feet of sand, and tomorrows final stage treats us to a run over them.

We start running at 09:00, and on arrival at the finish its 5hours by bus back to the Hotel in Ouarzazate for a very much needed shower and a cold beer.

I'm getting quite emotional typing this, as you have all been so much a part of this for me.
I can't tell you how much your emails have lifted my moral, made me laugh and brought the tears, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for your support.

I will update these reports as soon as I am back in civilization, but
for now I'll sign off, a very greatful Andy.
See you all soon.

The day from Hell

Andy has sent another update...looks like this was a tough day. Caz

Day Four, 70 km of the worst that mother nature can offer:
Song of the day... MPeople=Proud.

Well, you were guaranteed to reach your physical endurance limit today, and for many of us that came early in the stage with a 6km, punishing slow relentless climb through soft sand before a baking hot cauldren that lead to 20km of agony through massive dunes.

There is a sombere mood on our rest day today following the death of a French competitor in the early morning. We all had a very hard day yesterday, and he never awoke from his sleep.
Marathon day tomorow.
Will update you all after that,
See you all soon. Andy

Only a little way left now

Andy has managed to get on the pc again so here is his latest...Thanks again for all your support. Caz

Latest Update... via satlink

18:00... just been to Doc Trotters, have badly infected blisters on both heels and 2 toes so have had them treated and have 6 days of Amoxicilline and need to go back after the Marathon stage tomorrow.

I'm ashamed to have complained about them, as this place is like a war zone MASH tent.

I took some time out to sit on a dune and read the emails,they made me laugh and cry they really do wonders for moral.
I watched a Mike Hutton take 20mins to walk 60ft for a pee, I videod him trying to walk as his charity needs to be aware of the pain he is going through to raise funds for them, I'm in awe of some of the courage on display, its really motivating me.

I'm ready for tomorrow, more dunes 20K... it will be tough, but tougher for some of these poor souls, we'll all be digging deep.
See you all soon. Andy

Andy with his mate mark...

this is andy yesterday...

 

 

 

When the going gets tough don´t quit....

Hiya all...I'm really hoping this works...Andy isn't able to get onto his blog site so I'm hoping I've managed to do it.

Please keep his emails coming in as he needs the encouragement.
Looks like he finding it tough..but as we know Andy is strong and he will get through this and it will be something to tell his Grandchildren.
Thanks to you all for coming here to check on the progress.
Caz

From Andy...via satlink

A brief update to you all as time on the satlink is limited and previous posts failed!

Day1= 29.3km or 18 very long miles. 5 miles of energy sapping dunes + 2 steep climbs.
43c + 18% humidity.
Song of the day= You aint seen nothin yet, (apparently)Bachman Turner Overdrive.


Day 2= Sand storms blew tents down very little sleep followed by 21 mls of purgatory, 2x 3000ft climbs one called 'The climb to cleanse your Soul'.
Absolute Anaerobic Torture of heart, lungs, and thighs. 44c + 18%humidity.
Song of the day= Doctor my Eyes, Jackson Browne.

Day3= Another sleepless night more sand storms... followed by 20 miles of endless sand temperature in dunes 47c drank 8ltrs didnt pee once!
I'm taking lots of Salt tabs but make me feel sick.
Reached the tears threshold today, thru the effort required yesterday + today and song Russell
Watson =I believe.
More to follow hopfully... A very tired Andy

Its time to go...

Hi everyone, are you all nervous yet?
Well its that time!
The planning has been done, the training has gone very well, the last minute adjustments have been made and the final checklist has been completed, there is nothing more to do except get on with it.... Bring it on! Let the challenge begin.

I've done my best to dot all the i's and cross all the t's, and I have done all I can. I even had my moment of local fame when BBC York invited me to do a live interview from their studios in Harrogate. So the word is spreading...

I also had the privilege of spending some time with the Team at Saint Michael's Hospice, as I did a photo shoot with Dolly Daisy the Star of the Fundraising Team for a press release. Dolly will be accompanying me on my challenge in miniature form as a mascot and because she is due another holiday, I think she's in for a shock, this sand doesn't equate to beach!!

As I drove to and from the Hospice it was very poignant for me, as when I started out on this challenge 18 months ago, I could little have known that my Dad would come to depend heavily on the support of wonderful Hospice staff as he struggled to maintain his independence, pride and dignity in the final stages of his battle against cancer just before Christmas.

I know what I'm doing seems extreme, but I also know that some of the patients at the hospice face a "marathon" battle each day as they summon the strength to get through another day without giving in to their pain and discomfort, so if I can do my bit to help... then they are all very welcome, and I am proud to be of service. I'll be thinking about them all when the going gets tough and I need that extra edge to maintain my focus and pace.

And finally... when the pain kicks in, and the going gets tough... I know there will be a familiar voice in my ear saying...
" Pain is just a case of mind over matter... If you don't mind.. it doesn't matter... c'mon son ... dig deep... You can do it"

Oh how I miss that voice...

Next time you read this it will be sent from the Sahara Desert... see you soon.

Only days to go...

I get asked a lot now, Am I nervous?

Absolutely... although it is adrenaline fuelled nervous excitement, mixed with anxious anticipation and cautious expectation.

I must have checked and re-checked my kit list a dozen times desperately looking for savings in weight and justifying every piece of kit, and food in my pack.

 

I am not scared of the distance, or worried that I wont survive, I just hope I have the sense to hold back on the pace until I can read the effect that the heat and humidity has on me and my ability to maintain my target pace. 

 

I will update this page tomorrow with details of how to follow my progress and send me an email message during the race.

 

see you again then.

Two weeks to go... Yipee!!

The last hurdle was cleared today and in my grubby paw I now hold a Signed and Certified ECG Printout and a signed Compulsory Official Medical Certificate, that says I'm fitter than the average bear in the woods, so it's ear to ear smiles as I enter the last 2 weeks before departure.

This may not seem like much, but in the last few days, some very disappointed people have seen their dream shattered by injuries that have ended their chances of competing in this years race, and close friends and members of my tent have had abnormal traces on their ECG that prevent the doctor certifying them fit to race and requiring further investigation, and I have silently prayed that they will get through, and that lady luck will smile on us all during these fraught final weeks of our preparation.

I have erred on the side of caution and not trained through the heavy cold I have had, and last night saw my first 5 mile run in 10 days. It felt great, although I pushed my luck with a sprint finish that had me doing a mental diagnostic check for any signs of stress, or weakness as I tweaked the power down to 80% in the last 200 mtrs.

All in all, I'm a happy Teddy, and pleased to say you'll be able to follow the progress here as I chase my dream of completeing the "Toughest Foot Race in The World".

I would also like to say a word of thanks if I may to all of you out there, for encouraging me, supporting me,(shaking your heads and wondering if I would ever pass a compulsory Psychiatric Test) and for just being friends, some of you have helped me much more than you will ever know. Thank you.

And finally... (as they say in the News) it has been suggested, nae proposed that if I fail to complete the distance in a respectable time, or wimp out for any reason, that I should just buy myself a couple of camels and a Berber head dress or Tagelmoust, and just slink off onto the dunes... Well Mr Peter McGouran, its a deal!!, along with you wearing a " big girls blouse" on the next Saturday run,if you don't come back with a Gold Medal or 2 from the World Transplant Games in Bangkok in August, so 'Touche' mate! :)