Do you ever feel like your head is spinning with so much information it's going to spill out like the dam "washing away the filth of Sauroman" in the Lord of the Rings. Well, this is currently where I am, which shoes, which sleeping bag, stove or no stove, how many calories to take, which foods, which gaiters, the list goes on. As a complete newbie to the world of running and especially desert racing I'll be totally honest with you, I have no bloody idea.
Still, half the battle with these things is the right attitide and positive thinking. So for the last two years I've been like a sponge, eagerly absorbing every snippet of information that anyone more experienced than me was willing to share. I'm sure on some occassions this has resulted in me looking like an eager young puppy, tail wagging, waiting for an information treat.
However, the result of these sponge like activities has resulted in note pads and note pads filled with advice, which includes, running with sand in your shoes, marching bare foot in a tray of cat litter and cooking dehydrated meals by placing them on top of your tent in the Saharan sun. I have to stress at this point that these activities are undertaken at your own risk. I'd suggest the risk of looking like an idiot whilst marching in cat litter is quite high.
So what do I do when I receive conflicting advice from equally respected and experienced sources? Well, this is my advice to every newbie out there. Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic! Accept the fact that you're not really going to know how you cope with desert conditions until you actually arrive in the desert. Make informed decisions based on advice and the preparation you CAN do and go with your gut instincts. Some people will thrive on 2000 cals per day, some need more. Some people will take poles, some won't. Some people need the comfort of hot food, some don't. Only you know your own mind and body, listen to them.
~
I'm running the MdS to support the British Heart Foundation. Please take a moment to visit my sponsorship page and donate whatever you can afford. Many, many thanks
www.justgiving.com/lauranicholls2013
Still, half the battle with these things is the right attitide and positive thinking. So for the last two years I've been like a sponge, eagerly absorbing every snippet of information that anyone more experienced than me was willing to share. I'm sure on some occassions this has resulted in me looking like an eager young puppy, tail wagging, waiting for an information treat.
However, the result of these sponge like activities has resulted in note pads and note pads filled with advice, which includes, running with sand in your shoes, marching bare foot in a tray of cat litter and cooking dehydrated meals by placing them on top of your tent in the Saharan sun. I have to stress at this point that these activities are undertaken at your own risk. I'd suggest the risk of looking like an idiot whilst marching in cat litter is quite high.
So what do I do when I receive conflicting advice from equally respected and experienced sources? Well, this is my advice to every newbie out there. Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic! Accept the fact that you're not really going to know how you cope with desert conditions until you actually arrive in the desert. Make informed decisions based on advice and the preparation you CAN do and go with your gut instincts. Some people will thrive on 2000 cals per day, some need more. Some people will take poles, some won't. Some people need the comfort of hot food, some don't. Only you know your own mind and body, listen to them.
~
I'm running the MdS to support the British Heart Foundation. Please take a moment to visit my sponsorship page and donate whatever you can afford. Many, many thanks
www.justgiving.com/lauranicholls2013
