Day 1 has proved to be a major test. The 36.7km distance, the heat and all the dangers it brings, along with the limited sleep I managed to get thanks to the Canadian snore orchestra in my tent, meant the first stage was more than a shock to the system.
The 7am start was a little warm, but race organisers mentioned that it was expected not to be too hot for the rest of the day. I had to make some quick adjustments to the front pack on the start line with the connections not quite coming together as planned. I was fortunate to find some support in bringing details together before heading away towards the back of the pack.
I made steady progress from the start and focussed on maintaining a consistent pace that ranged from a fast paced walk to a shuffling forward. I had originally planned on completing the first stage in under eight hours and I was happy that my progress was consistent enough to achieve this.
The compact sand soon gave way to softer sand and the heat escalated quickly. The checkpoints were generally about 10km apart, and it was close to the 25km point that an Estonian competitor collapsed due to dehydration. I stayed with him and provided water until the medical team arrived to make sure he was okay.
The heat was playing havoc with a number of people, including myself, and I had to push myself as hard as possible to get closer to the finish line. I stopped for a few moments with some other competitors under a shaded rock area to rest and top up on water supplies, but headed out quickly with the knowledge that the final checkpoint was only 3km away.
Arriving at the final checkpoint, it was great to be greeted with such excitement from the support crew. I spent a short time resting in the shaded tent area before making the move out to complete the final 6.7km. It was extremely hot by this point, with reports of temperatures reaching 46 degrees. The heat was really hitting us hard and making every step even more challenging. I attempted to supplement my fluid intake with Gu energy gels to combat dehydration, but I had found that the Clif bars were not working and I couldn’t get more than two mouthfuls in on the journey.
I decided to start using my poles and this made a big difference with forward motion. In the final 1200m I was waved down by runners up ahead surrounding a Singaporean competitor who was down due to the heat. The medical car was just behind me, and this time there were four others to help the man in trouble, so I decided to carry on towards the finish rather than continue to roast in the Sahara heat.
I can’t describe how good it felt to finally make it to the finish line. With the drums beating I made a final dash for the line, and completed the first stage in little more than seven hours and placed 63rd in the race. I was totally spent, and I was so relieved that the support crew carried my pack over to the tent. I did not feel very well and although I continued to hydrate, I knew that I was suffering from dehydration.
The sickness didn’t pass until I vomited a few hours later, and then I felt much better. I took a nausea tablet and ate a spaghetti bolognaise freeze-dried meal for dinner. I’m still not feeling too good so I think I will pull back a little tomorrow. While my plan today to get out of the heat as quickly as possible may have been sound, I think the importance of maintaining hydration during the event should be my top priority.
