The late night flight to Cairo on Egyptian Air (a whole other story there) got me to my destination at 5AM. In line at immigration, another competitor from South Africa, Simone, rushed up to greet me when she saw my 4Deserts patches. Boisterous Simone and her companions, Kimberly, Dina and Pippa were kind enough to offer me a ride to the hotel in their prearranged luxury transport.
As we arrived at the hotel too early to check in, several competitors decided to take a trip into Cairo and visit the Citadel. After a tour and a barefoot walk on the cool marble floors of the inner sanctum, we wondered around the Muslim district. A sandstorm swooped in and it started to rain… yes, it rains in the desert maybe 4 times a year, and no, almost never at this time of year. We then hopped back in the van headed for the hotel, only to have a flat on the highway. (And if you saw the way they drive here, you’d know how scary it was for Carlos and I to help change the tire with our backs to the oncoming onslaught of roughriders). My companions had all begun their bond in previous races but welcomed me quickly into the fold… they were Alex of France, Laura of Italy and her Spanish husband Carlos, as well as Simone and Kimberly (never call her Kimmy), and they made me feel immediately as if we would become life-long friends.
At the hotel, I acquired my room key, made the trek across the large compound with my two heavy backpacks bursting, opened the door and heard the shocked Japanese intonation “whaaaa” of Miho, a female competitor. Then I had to traipse back across the compound to the front desk and acquire a more suitable room. Finally arrived, they added a third person to our two-bed room (the lovely Movenpick!). Later that night the digital keys failed to function as well – back across the complex… a 5 star Hotel!?
The first night was otherwise joyful and full of chats and instant bonds of friendship, the race still seeming somewhat distant – it failed to weigh too heavily on my mind. After a bit more repacking that evening, I retired for my final rest abed and woke to my final morning shower for the week.
Breakfast was quickly over and waiver signing began, then on to equipment checks, and the weighing of packs – mine came in at a dry 11 kg – add 1.5 kg more for water an you’ve got your race weight. By the time we boarded busses for the seven-hour trip into the deep deserts of the Farafra Oasis, it was afternoon and the anticipation was upon us.
Here's a look at my Equipment List
Clothing:
2 Under Armour Draft Shirts (1 SS 1 LS)
1 Under Armour Escape ¼ zip
1 Sugoi light weight wind breaker
1 Perlizumi Tri-short
1 pair nighttime shorts
1 pair nighttime sweats??
1 pair Brooks Cascadia 3 Trail shoes (an extra .5 size larger).
5 pair X-socks and Under Armour racer socks
1 pair RTP gaitors.
1 Nike running hat.
1 BUFF
1 Native Silencer Polarized sunglasses
Equipment:
• Racing the Planet Backpack (medium 50L).
• Marmont Atom (+40F / 5C)
• Petzl Tikka XP head lamp & EL2 Outdoorsman Surefire Spare flashlight
• Mini Swiss Army and Gerber single blade (mini Paraflame)
• Suunto watch – compass, altimeter, barometer, temp
• Dermatone SPF35 Zinc ox & Smartshield SPF30 lip balm
• Jetscream whistle &
• 1st aid gear, medicine,
• Space Emergency blanket
• Snow Peak Titanium Spork
• MSR Titanium Mug .41 liters
• Flatworld Orikaso Bowl
Food:
Breakfast:
oatmeal 150 cal
granola, bacon and eggs, Ave. 300 cal
fruit Ave. 100 cal
coffee, ginseng 150 cal
Total 700 cal
Lunch
Cliff Shot Blocks 200 cal
Cliff Bar 250 cal
Gu Roctane x 3 300 cal
Fruit, Nuts, Beef Jerky 250 cal
Total 1000 cal
Dinner:
Recovery Drink: Endurox – 3 scoops + Chlorella 400 cal
Mountain House/Backpackers Pantry – Lasagna, Spaghetti,
Pasta Primavera, Turkey w/ potatoes, Chicken & Dumplings) Ave. 550 cal
Soup – corn, mushroom, potato 100 cal
Extras – green beans, corn, Neapolitan ice cream 50 cal
Total 1100 cal
Daily Total 2800 cal
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