Rain stops play in the desert!!!

It is almost impossible to put into words the experiences of the last 24 hours. If there is a sense of frustration as you read this, then if you read on you will understand where it comes from.

The coach was due to leave the hotel at 9 yesterday morning. Russel (who I was sharing a room with) and I arrived at the coach at just after 8.30 to be told that the coaches had ben rescheduled for 8a.m. - we had not received the telephone call! The coaches eventually left at 9 for what was meant to be a 6 hour journey. We had only just set off when the rain started. To call it rain is an understatement and does not do it justice. For the whole journey there was a torrential downpour. Dried out river beds where in full flow. It was almost impossible to see out of the window, which was probably useful. Our coqch driver considered himself to be the Lewis Hamilton of the coach driving world. He obviously thought it was compulsory to drive in the boot of the car in front, and believed that single solid white lines down the centre of the road where an indication to overtake. He also thought his coach had a 4 wheel drive facility as he kept trying a bit of off road driving.

Eventually at about 4 pm we came to a halt. We had had to travel a different route as one of the road bridges was not passable. (The French and German competitotrs had flown into Ouzarzate in the morning and left a couple of hours after us and were not able to get more than a short distance before the roads became unpassable due to the amount of rain.) At about 4.15 we transferred to a lorry for a very bumpy 25 minutes to the camp, with a lorry driver aho also had been watching too much of Lewis Hamilton. Even when we arrived it was already a quagmire. Russel and I were the first from our tent of 8 to arrive so we struggled across the mud field to get a tent. The tents are made of hessian with sides but no front or back, and a tarpaulin cover. The rain was dripping through the hessian and onto the sleeping area and we were digging channels in the ground to try to divert the water.

I had put sun cream on before we left the hotel. Grease or whatever it is cross channel swimmers use would have been better as we were shivering with cold. I put on 2 pullovers and the jacket and jeans I had travelled in from UK and got a bin bag liner to keep some rain off. When we heard that the French and Germans would not make it we pinched their tarpaulins to make a front to our tent. By this time we had been joined by Ant and Nick.

At about 7 we headed across to the organisers area for some food. I put flip flops on as the mud would have ruined any shoes. Within a few yards my flip flops had been sucked off my feet and disappeared into 2 or 3 inches of mud, to be rescued by hand. Eventually gave up and for much of the time went bare footed. By this time the ground made Glastonbury on a bad day look like a picnic during a drought.

As we reached the organisers tents we were informed that the camp was being evacuated and that we were going back by lorry to a hotel. Several of the other coaches had been held back in the nearest town and where also heading to the hotel without going out to the camp at all.

Had to head back to our tent and get luggage and back to organisers tents before eating. By this time the first group had gone back by lorry and we had to wait an hour for their return. As we eventually arrived back at the nearest town at about 10 pm we crossed a bridge and the water was flowing rapidly and almost up to the bridge, until we got half way across and found the water flowing over the bridge. Got into hotel and were allocated our room - with one double bed - and I only met Russel 2 weeks ago to do his ECG as a favour - hope I don't get struck off!

Apparently at abouit 4 this morning there was a further downpour with thunder and lightening. Headed down to breakfast at just after 7 and eventually at about 8.30 the announcement we had been dreading, but expecting was made. Day 1 has been cancelled. So no matter what happens I cannot say I have ever really done the Marathon des Sables. We are staying at the hotel tonight and further information later today. At present they are not able to dismantle the camp site, as tents to wet, and as it has rained most of the morning they have no chance to start to dry.

We are trying to have a good laugh but everyone is thoroughly pissed off and feeling totally frustrated. The unspoken fear is that the next announcement will be the cancellation of Day 2. To be absolutely honest I am not entirely sure at present that the event will take place. The ground is now mud and the dried out river beds we were meant to run on will now be full flowing rivers. The sheer logistics of getting the show on the road may proof too much.

I first thought about entering this event 20 yeas ago. I wrote my first cheque on 20th April 2006 to enter and for the last 12 months it has dominaed my life. Hours of training and planning and a large expense. The thought that it may not happen is difficult to take on board. In addition it will impact on my fundraising for those kids in Watamu who so desperately need support. Psychologically it will prove difficult to prepare myself again even if we do get informed that we are starting albeit on a reduced course. That is why I am frustrated, and as I sit in an internet cafe in a town whose name I don't even know it is difficult to fight back a few justifiable tears.

I can only hope and wait and see what transpires over the next 24 hours - I will try to keep everyone informed.

PACKED, READY FOR OFF BUT ...COLD

Bags packed, everything organised and just filling in final few hours before getting on first of 4 trains to get me to Gatwick. When I laid out all my food and kit I wondered how they would all go into the rucksack. Have repackaged all the food, as this makes it lighter and more compact. The new bags have then been rolled up to expel all air and then wrapped in cling film to keep them compressed. All the food has been put into bags for each day and have between 2600 and 3100 calories per day. Would love to take more but that just adds to the weight and am just over 10kgs, so don't want any more. Have made up one extra bag with a few deserts and cereal bars which I can dip into if necessary. Whatever I do I mustn't start to raid bags for future days.

Somehow with everything compressed I have managed to squeeze all my food and kit into my 30 litre bag. Will have to get fuel tablets and distress flare in as well - pick those up when get to Sahara. Fortunately the bag will become lighter and less densely packed on each consecutive day.

Have done no real training since last Friday - all my time and effort has been spent packing, repacking and compiling food and kit list on Excel to produce on Saturday on the admin. day.

Had a great time at weekend with a farewell party for family and some friends. Really enjoyable and I will definitely be recalling the memories when I hit some low points next week.

I can't believe it has happened but developed a sore throat over weekend and now have a streaming cold. I can't remember when I last had a cold and am not impressed by the timing! Feel OK in myself and so should not stop me from going ahead but would prefer it not to have arrived just now - although better than starting next weekend as the event starts.

Hopefully while I am away Cherith will be updating my blog. I am also hoping lots of people will e mail me - need to go to www.darbaroud.com and click on "ecrire aux concurrents / write to competitors" and add my name (entered as Stephen not Steve) and my race number which is 599.

Well almost 3 years of planning, thought, training etc. are now complete - all that is left is to get out there and come what may get to the finishing line.

(HEAT) TRAINING FINISHED AND GAITERS SORTED

Had my 4th and final session in heat chamber yesterday - and training now complete. Not planning anything more than a few walks during next week - will get no further benefit from training and need to rest as much as possible so that I am fresh and ready to go in 8 days time. The only thing I can achieve from more training at this stage is an injury - which is the last thing I want.

The last 2 sessions in the heat chamber saw the temperature increased to about 40 C and then yesterday 43 C at the maximum. Did 50 minute sessions and did just over 3 miles each time. I had packed my rucksack with everything I will be taking with me - somehow it all goes in - so it was a good test mimicking as far as possible what I will face when we get out there.

Have also got my shoes back - and what a difference. Sent them to Cobblers and Keys in Pontefract (www.shoehealer.co.uk). A really professional outfit. I sent the shoes on Monday and they were back with me on Thursday and I have every confidence the velcro will stay on and hopefully the gaiters will keep the sand out of my shoes.

The tickets have arrived for my flight - this is becoming very real!

PUBLICITY AND SPONSORSHIP

Have managed to get some good publicity over the last few days which hopefully will help the sponsorship. The interview I did in Tenerife has resulted in an article on the front page and continued on page 11 of Island Connections

www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000017/0/96/pdf-edition.html

At the beginning of the week Blackpool Gazette also ran a good article and a photograph (no guesses as to who took the excellent picture!)

At the moment I am not able to find link but will add it when available.

Finally this morning I did a live interview with BBC Radio Lancashire and pre-recorded an interview to be used as part of a longer programme about Sue and David's work with the children of Watamu. There is an interview for approximately 6 minutes starting at 1 hour and 37 minutes into the programme at the following link.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p002f0wb/Tony_Livesey_19_03_2009/

Sponsorship is continuing to go well. The Maya restaurant in Poulton, which produces consistently excellent food and which we visit most weeks, is running a competition with a prize of a meal for 4 and a second prize of a meal for two. Entry fee is £1 and the winner is the person who predicts my finishing time - I have given a guide of between 40 hours and 60 hours. Am not sure what we will do if I don't finish!

In addition Staining Lodge Golf Course whose golf course runs just by my house is running a similar competition with the prize a round of golf for four.

All adds to the total I hope to raise.

HEAT CHAMBER AND GAITERS

Well, I've had two sessions this week in the heat chamber at Liverpool University. Interesting and also physically and psychologically helpful. The first session on Wednesday was at a modest 31 C and carrying about 7kgs, and the second one yesterday was with the temperature cranked up to 38 C and carrying nearer 10kgs. Did 40 minutes on the treadmill both days and my aim was to keep my pulse at my endurance level - between 130 and 140. Managed to do that fairly well and did around 5K (3 miles) each day.

Had been advised I would have to stop if core temp reached 39.5C. Didn't happen, although wouldn't have been absolutely sure during the run as the probe fell out (thank God!). However checked at end of session and had only gone up very slightly to 38.3 C. The other good feature was that my weight at the end of the run was exactly the same as at the start, so although I was sweating a lot I was also managing to replace my fluids adequately.

Two more sessions planned for next week and am on Friday am meeting up with two other guys who are using the heat chamber and going out to the Sahara for the MdS in 2 weeks. It will be good to have met up with some of the other people I will be with before arriving at Gatwick. Met Russel, who is running, today to do an ECG for him. (Stress as it was reported as abnormal, although changes were due to being very fit and thin, but managed to get ECHO cardiogram for him this morning so he is OK to continue. Not sure he slept very well last night.)

Have had a frustrating week trying to sort out the gaiters for my shoes. The gaiters have velcro sown in at the lower border and the matching strip of velcro has to be attached to the shoe. I approached Timpsons in Tesco store a few weeks ago and was told there would be no problem in glueing and sewing the velcro to the shoe. So while in Tenerife I ran in the shoes to break them in. Didn't want to attach velcro before I went out there as dirt on it would make the seal less secure. Dropped the shoes of on Sunday, and when I phoned up on Monday realised they were not as confident as they had made out. I spoke to a shoe repairer in Yorkshire who has done shoes for others who are taking part in MdS and then explained to Timpsons what I wanted doing. Checked on Thursday and found they had sent them to another store where there was someone with more experience. Spoke to them and put them in touch with the guy in Yorkshire. Was told "no problem" and shoes would be ready after 4pm on Friday.

When I collected the shoes it was obvious they had made a mess of the job. It isn't possible to sew the velcro all the way round, so the trick is to glue it all the way round and sew it where possible for additional adherence. The young bloke who did it decided he would just attach the velcro where it needed sewing (see photos) and a s a result the gaiter will not fit tightly all around the shoe and will let sand in where it is not secured! The point is to keep all the sand out (as far as possible) as the sand will trash my feet.

Having had a good look at the shoes have decided to add another strip off velcro to run the whole way round the shoe, but just glued. Will then be able to attach the gaiter to the glued and sewn velcro where possible and to the additional strip in the other areas. Hope it works, as this is critical. It just shows that no matter how much forward planning you do and how thorough you are, it is always possible to be messed about when you are relying on someone else who proves to be incompetent.

As well as the above have done some training - tapered down to about 25 miles plus a few weight and core muscle sessions. Have also done two talks about my Antarctic Marathon and raised about £300 for my charity, The Happy House Project for the Children of Watamu.

Last week coming up.

WARM("ISH") WEATHER TRAINING IN TENERIFE

Just back from 9 days in Tenerife where I was hoping for some warm weather training. Well in comparison with the rain, wind, hail and snow at home I guess it has been warm, although not as warm as I was hoping for. However, still managed to get some good training in and should help a bit with adapting to heat in Sahara.

Had a gentle 9 mile run on first day without carrying a bag with me. Then had 2 days back to back running of 20 miles each day and carrying about 9kgs. On the first day it was quite warm and the temperature outside the pharmacy as I went through Las Galletas was 25C. - I think that was as hot as it got. Both days went well and I didn't feel as if they had taken anything out of me and could have done it all again for a third day. In addition I got in 2 quality runs - a 5 mile tempo in sub 8 minute pace and 8 half mile intervals all at about 3mins 45 sec pace. Total for the week was just over 50 miles and also got in one gym session and 3 sessions of core muscle training.

Tried out my camera for the first time using the video with self recording. Hopefully will add finished result to this blog (it's worked and at the end of this post)- reasonably pleased although sound not brilliant at times - think I had finger over microphone as difficult to hold and record myself - so another lesson learned.

While out in Palm Mar have made arrangements with Ian and Tracey to have a fund raising charity night in Palm Bar on 8th May when we next go out to the apartment. They have been really supportive - we already have a weeks stay in a luxury apartment in Los Cristianos offered as one of the auction items. In addition The Corner Shop and Clouseau's Bar have sponsorship forms on display - and 90 Euros raised so far.

In order to promote the Charity Night I did 2 interviews - one with a magazine which will be out in a couple of weeks and one with Island Connections - a newspaper which covers the Canary Islands - who are doing the article on the front page this week! (www.islandconnections.eu) I will try to add a link in a later blog when it is published with the links to the PDFs.

This week I have my first two sessions in the heat chamber at Liverpool University. They forgot to tell me until the last e mail that they constantly monitor my core temperature while in the chamber and pull me out if it goes above 39C. I will leave it to your imagination which orifice they use to monitor my temperature - but it is below my neck! If I can survive that I can survive anything the Sahara throws at me!