Stage 5: The Marathon

There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream.
Author Unknown

If it will make you feel any better Colleen, this marathon took me over 9 hours to finish. I know that sounds like a dreadfully long time to finish a marathon but I have to say that after what I had just been through, I was elated with my finish. In fact, it was my best day of the whole race.

After having a complete day of rest, I was ready to make it through the last hard day. I knew that once I finished the marathon stage, the rest would be “cake”!

The day was for the most part very enjoyable. Lots to see and at times we would run into friends. Before the start of the race, everyone stood in the shadow of the hot air balloon. We knew that it was going to be another very long and hot day.

Karen, Leigh, Jeff and Jay before Stage 5

Before we got to CP1 I picked up a rhythm that worked well for an hour or more. I would run 50 steps and then walk 50 steps. We passed many people while doing this. While at CP1 we ran into our tent mate Martin who warned us about the next leg and how hot it would be. We took these miles very easily and had some fun with fellow runner and friend (and Nightline star) Jeff Arricale as we tore down the back side of a steep descent and had a blast doing it.

Jeff making his way down a rocky descent

George is going to run me over

at the bottom of the hill for some more fun in the sand!

After leaving CP2 there were many a long stretch through those much loved wadis. Children would appear out of no where. Days before I thought that they would come to wish us luck but I have become much wiser with the miles under my feet and I have come to realize that they just want candy, food or any trinkets that we were willing to give away. Not sure what they were thinking, but being on a self sufficient journey, I for one had nothing extra to give away. Here is a small group of children that George was saying “trick or treat” to. It was fun at first, but then more started to come and they were tugging at everything. Uncle George was not happy anymore as I heard him start to say “get away” and talking in Spanish. (Like that would do anything )!

Here kids... "trick or treat" in the desert.

"GO AWAY"!

most people just look at us with curiosity.

We passed by the ruins of Ahandar. As we walked by them, I felt like I was on a movie set. I wondered who had lived there and how long ago. As we headed into the Palm Grove it was very surreal to me. It felt out of place, almost like a resort. One minute we were looking up at ruins above us in the sand, a remnant of days gone by, the next everything was green and alive. This is where CP3 was and our final check point. There was a lot of activity here and it was always, always fun to get through the last check point of the day.

the ruins

and the Palm Grove

We had just a bit over 6 miles until we reached the sixth bivouac. This would be out final night out in the desert. I was both very thrilled but also sad at the same time. I wanted to be done and have a shower, a clean bed and some real food, but I did not want to let the adventure go. This was one of the most amazing things that I had ever done in my life. Could I even say “crazy”?

As we approached the bivouac, Jeff Grant came out to greet us. He had finished many hours ago. In fact his standing at the end of this race was under 100. Maybe 42 or something like that. It was so nice to see him as he waited for the arrival of the rest of his friends. He took this picture of us at the finish line. It was a very happy day for me!

it felt awesome to be done

Before making my way to the tent, I stopped to send a quick email to Brad. This was my last chance and Brad did such a wonderful job of keeping my friends informed as to how I was doing. Thanks Brad.

the Orchestra

this is all i had left for the next day.

That night we were treated to an Opera. The orchestra and one of the main singers came all the way from France. This was cool. Very interesting. We sat in our tent and listened as we ate our dinner and got ready for our last morning. After going through what I had left to eat, I determined what I would need for the next day, 13 miles. I set it aside and ate the rest. This is all I had left. Lucky for me, I had a few donations come my way. As I drifted off to sleep, I know that I must have been smiling. Tomorrow I would become an official finisher of the longest MDS in history. That was exciting! TBC…