Emmaus School

"Be joyful always; pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians

5 v 16-18

Namibia Ultra Marathon

Preparations for the Hardest Foot Race on Earth?

Only weeks to go now until I jet off to Namibia to take part in what has been described as the hardest foot race on Earth.

The setting is the striking but forbidding Namib Desert.  Racing 126 kilometres in 24 hours, my fellow competitors and I will battle it out along dusty gravel plains, dry riverbeds and vast sand expanses of the oldest desert in the world, before passing through the spectacular Messum Crater and finishing at one of the most hostile coastlines on earth, the Skeleton Coast.

It’s a race that will test our physical and mental strength to the limit.

Training

In a normal week I run at least an hour every day with a longer run once a week of anywhere

between 15 and 25 miles, complete with 10Kg backpack. 

I also entered a number of races over the past few months, mainly for a bit of variety and to get some race experience.

This is the last week of my peak training and I will finish with a 40 mile run.  That’s down the Kennet & Avon canal towpath from Staverton to Devizes and back….TWICE!  It should take me between 8 and 10 hours. For the three weeks leading up to the race I will be on the taper phase of my training.  Trying to keep the injuries at bay and give my legs a rest.The winter months have been especially hard. 

Equipment

We will have to be self-sufficient throughout, carrying all our food, water and change of clothing on our backs to equip us for temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius and plummeting to two degrees at night. Our backpacks should weigh between 8Kg and 12Kg.

The food is very high in carbohydrates to provide fuel for our muscles.  Dehydrated food is much lighter, just add water for a tasty meal.  I’ll be taking spaghetti bolognese and some porridge……lovely jubbly.

Kit List

·         Spare Shorts

·         Spare Running T-shirt (long sleeved recommended)

·         Running cap or sun hat

·         Sunglasses

·         Spare Running socks

·         At least 3L of water

·         Backpack

·         All food and snacks to cover your 24 hour race.

·         Head torch

·         Lightweight waterproof jacket

·         Lightweight fleece

·         Lightweight running trousers

·         Whistle

·         GPS

·         Sleeping bag

·         Pen knife

·         Knife, fork and spoon

·         Gas stove

First Aid kit

·         Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory

·         Imodium for diarrhoea

·         Antihistamine tablets and cream

·         Antiseptic wipes

·         Plasters

·         Zinc oxide tape

·         Moleskin and/or 'Compeed' for blister treatment

·         Dehydration mix such as Dioralyte

·         Small tub of Vaseline

·         Tweezers

·         Scissors

·         Alcohol hand gel

·         Sun cream minimum factor 30

·         Lip salve with sunblock

Marathon Food

I’ve spent the last few months testing many different high energy food and drink, with various results.  I won’t go into too much detail but I have been quite nauseous during some races.  The last thing I will need in the desert is an upset tummy so everything has had to be thoroughly tested to see how my stomach will react.

A long run can also have quite an effect on your palate.  Sweet things become almost impossible to get down and I’ve craved a Marmite sandwich on a few occasions.

Race Day

At 09:00 on the 11th April 2009 the firing pistol will sound.  Behind us, the sun will be casting its orange morning glow over the majestic Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. With its tallest peak standing proudly at 8,440 ft, the massif will create a stunning backdrop.

Campsite & Start Point

Split into 21-kilometre sections with five water and rest stations en route, the journey is mapped out with tin route markers. We will all have a GPS (global positioning system) to help guide us along the way.

Last year one runner clocked an unbelievable 46 degrees C on the temperature gauge of his watch as heat waves shimmered across the sand in the distance.

Rest stations will provide much-needed relief from the beating sun, a chance to take on more water, refuel with our specialist, freeze-dried meals (experts say you should take in 4000 calories during the race), which we will re-hydrate with water boiled on gas burners carried in our backpacks. It also gives us a chance to catch up on the progress of other fellow contenders.

The Messum Crater is a magnificent 20-kilometre-wide groove on the landscape. It is rarely traversed and will be the stage for some amazing sights as the sun will begin to set, and day turns to night.

Messum Crater

Head torches will soon become the only light source apart from the spectacular Milky Way display above and random glow sticks that will mark the route ahead. It will be a lonely time when all you have is a solitary beam for comfort.  Last year one competitor saw the terrifying glare of a hyaena’s eyes!

Once the sun sets, the temperature quickly plummets and the chilling winds kick in. A long dark night lies ahead.  A strobe light will mark the next checkpoint. It will seem within a spitting distance away, but the reality is there may still be around four kilometres to go.

After a long, long night, eventually dawn will begin to break.  The kilometres will continue to stretch ahead into the shadowy distance.

Leaving the Messum Crater behind, gravel plains head out towards the coast in what will be the final section of the race. And some may say the worst.

By now the blisters will be bloody and burning, the body aching and the leg muscles turned to iron. Lack of sleep and sheer exhaustion will leave us feeling nauseous and ready to give in. Powers of endurance will begin to wane.

The last leg will be truly horrific – punishing on the mind, body and soul.  19 kilometres down a road that never ends, followed by a further two down to the sea at the finishing line campsite.

Eventually, after many long hours, the end will hopefully be in sight. The finishing line will beckon, and so will a nice cup of tea, hearty breakfast and a kip under canvas, still clad in sweaty clothes that will have seen so many miles.

Fundraising

The total cost of the race and all the equipment will probably have been in the region of £1600.  To help me meet this cost I have carried out a few fundraising activities over the last six months:

• Car Washing

  • I washed cars at work on my days off.  This lasted until the winter weather kicked in and by that time I had really got sick of picking up a sponge.  I charged £5 a time and managed to raise about £200.  That’s 40 cars, 30 mins each, 20 solid hours!

• Oven Cleaning

  • I only did this once but managed to raise £50.  I won’t mention whose oven it was but needless to say it took me half a day.  NEVER AGAIN!

• Find Stu’s Skeleton

  • I ran this at school and at work.  The prizes were all kindly donated free.  Raised about £60 in total.

Together with the money from these activities and a £500 donation from Serco, that just about covered half the cost.  The other half I’ve paid for myself.

Charity Website

www.mycharitypage.com/stuartmoore

Donations via my charity website:

To date around £1200 has been donated.  This goes straight to the school and GIFT AID is automatically applied for by the website.  The site is totally secure and is the easiest way to donate.  There is a very small charge for using your card but otherwise it’s free and easy.

At work I’ve reverted to the old fashioned way of getting names on a sponsorship form (our computer security measures restrict the use of my website).  This will be added through the website after the race.

I’d like to thank those that have donated, those that are about to and for the kind words and encouragement I’ve received.

Kind Regards

Stuart Moore

Send mail to andrew@barters.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.

Emmaus School Limited is a registered charity, number 1073476, limited by guarantee