MdS 2009: Stage 1 (33k)

I received an education in dunes today. Completed Dunes 101, 102, & am cramming hard for my 201 final tomorrow. […]

By on March 30, 2009 | Comments

I received an education in dunes today. Completed Dunes 101, 102, & am cramming hard for my 201 final tomorrow. When the difference between running fast or slow in a race is at issue, you learn quickly.

Long story short, another temperate day. I felt that I gave an honest effort – actually a bit more than planned, but finished 35th. Covered the 33 km (20ish miles) in 3:17. Maybe 15 km of dunes, including the largest stretch in Africa. I was shivering pretty badly after the stage & have cramped up a bunch, but generally feel well. No significant blisters. All the kit works well except that my iPhone isn’t taking a charge. I will work on moving up.

Dreamchasers USA team ran well. Wardian in 7 & Ted in 16/17. Apparently the Euro team said we’re only a minute ahead of them. Pretty tight spread after 33k & 9 hours of cumulative time. We’ll see how things play out over the next 4 stages.

Meghan Hicks was the top finishing American in her class finishing 3d woman, just behind 2d.

Bryon Powell

Bryon Powell is the Founding Editor of iRunFar. He’s been writing about trail running, ultrarunning, and running gear for more than 15 years. Aside from iRunFar, he’s authored the books Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running, been a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, written for publications including Outside, Sierra, and Running Times, and coached ultrarunners of all abilities. Based in Silverton, Colorado, Bryon is an avid trail runner and ultrarunner who competes in events from the Hardrock 100 Mile just out his front door to races long and short around the world, that is, when he’s not fly fishing or tending to his garden.