Christmas - horrendous for training

Christmas may well be a great time for religious people, children and Coca Cola, but for someone trying to stay in reasonable shape, it's an absolute nightmare.

Before Christmas I was training at least three or four times a week and barely drinking, but throw in a bit of festive cheer and all of a sudden I'm drinking three or four times a week and never training.

I've been so hungover I haven't made it out running for a while. The good news is round the corner, however. With the New Year comes a wave of fitness resolutions, and it's a wave I intend to surf - at least to get me back on track. I'm not going to go setting myself crazy targets, I'm just going to promise myself in the New Year I will start training again.

Around this time a lot of people set themselves unrealistic goals, attempt them on January 1st and then collapse from exhaustion. From speaking to the likes of Rich Roll and Dean Karnazes, I've realised you need to be organised, set achievable aims and build yourself up slowly, while remembering to enjoy the experience.

So January 2nd will see me re-enter the world of fitness following a pretty heavy festive season. Should anyone want to join me running on the 2nd, you are more than welcome. If you're in Dubai get in touch, if you're not, put on your trainers, get out the door and I'll be with you in spirit!

Pete
(Despite my apparent Grinch-like attitude, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a enjoys a brilliant New Year)

Bangkok - not ideal for training.

Things I've learnt so far:

• You can do some rudimentary strength exercises in your room if you pay 1,000+ Baht (12 quid uk?) or more. If you pay 400 Baht (as I did last night) then even sleeping is a trial given the size of the room.
• Bangkok is actually a really good city for walking around but locals see this as an affront to their multiple forms of transport.
• Running options are very low, however.
• Four days in and I still can't identify anything I've eaten. That means it's healthy, right?
• Drinking Chang Light a) makes me laugh and b) makes it feel more like it's good for you.

I'm about to jump on the coach to Koh Samui and spend a week down in the islands - hoping a bit more swimming and running/trekking can take place down there. Keep you posted.

Matt

Thai training scheme

Apologies to regular readers, adventure racers and endurance racing fans...

It has, admittedly, all gone a little quiet on the Desert Hacks blog of late. And understandably so, I think. After all the hype and build up to the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, there has been a bit of a lull as we all quietly return to normal training programmes and try to get work out the way so we can enjoy the Christmas holidays.

As we've said before, we have a new event in mind and we'll be revealing details of that in the New Year, as well as keeping you updated on how we go about training for that.

But the Desert Hacks blog has taken on a life of its own and become about much more than merely training and racing. And, for that reason, for the next couple of weeks at least, I'm hoping to use the blog as a way of keeping everyone updated on my Christmas and New Year spent in Thailand. It'll be my first time in Thailand, but also my first holiday as an endurance race-aholic! How will that affect my vacation?

Well, the plan is a few days in Bangkok, New Year on the islands and a week exploring. I'm hoping to find some decent hiking or at least a day's trekking and, while I'm sure excess will have a part to play, I'm going to see whether it's possible to enjoy a holiday without letting everything go to pot.

A few runs and swims should be easy enough (I hope) and seem like pretty decent ways of checking out the stunning surroundings, but I've also worked out a good couple of strength sets based on things I can do in a hotel room or on the beach. Tri dips, press-ups, jumps, squats, mountain climbers, chin-ups, core stuff...

I'm not actually a member at any gym at the moment as the vast majority of my workouts are swim/bike/run. However, I do try to do at least one strength session a week and two core sessions and it's amazing just how much you can achieve with some open space, a swiss ball and some elastic tubes. My workouts with those are every bit as rigorous as anything I ever did at the gym. A friend one told me that, no matter what machine or piece of apparatus you use, the best chest exercise out there is still the humble press-up. Good advice.

Let's just see if I can stick to it when lazing on the beach, sightseeing and some top-class partying are on the menu. Will keep you posted.

Matt

Interview with Rich Roll – endurance racing legend

We didn’t get around to posting this before the event, but as well as getting advice from Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes (see older posts) we were fortunate enough to speak to Rich Roll…an Ultraman competitor (it’s like Ironman but even tougher) who, having let himself go a little over the years, turned his life around to be named one of the 25 fittest men on the planet by Men’s Fitness magazine and did it all on an entirely plant-based diet!

Hope you enjoy…

After you had your 'eureka' moment, how did you go about getting fit again?

My journey began with a decision to first address my eating habits. When I turned 40, I weighed in at about 205 pounds. As a former world-class competitive swimmer, I was far from fighting shape and knew I needed a serious change. I began with a seven-day supervised herb, fruit and vegetable juice cleanse and subsequently embarked on a vegetarian regime. However, after about 6 months on this routine, I was not experiencing any significant changes in either my weight or energy levels. I was close to abandoning vegetarianism altogether, but decided instead to give a vegan/100% plant-based diet a try first, given that I was already halfway there. After giving up dairy products, eggs and everything animal-based, I experienced a tremendous spike in vigor almost immediately and knew that I had discovered something that was working for me. It was only after establishing this nutritional program that I began to even think about returning to competitive athletics.

What roadblocks did you meet along the way? How did you overcome these?

I can’t say I experienced any 'roadblocks' per sey, but there have certainly been obstacles. There are always the naysayers and negative people who attempted to dissuade me from not only my plant-based diet but also from attempting to tackle such an endurance challenge as onerous as Ultraman. But the biggest challenge by far is balancing my professional life as a full-time entertainment attorney, husband and father of four children with a training program that averages about 20-25 hours per week. My solution for addressing this was to eviscerate everything from my life that was non-essential in order to find the time to meet all my obligations, including carefully choosing my company, to surround myself with a supportive network of influences.

What nutritional advice would you offer a budding endurance athlete?

I realize that not everyone is ready to go entirely plant-based. But I would encourage anyone who is interested in this to give it a try. If, after 30 days, you don’t feel better or experience an increase in your vigor, you can always go back. But don’t take my word for it. Do your own research. Books I found helpful were THE CHINA STUDY by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, THRIVE, by Brendan Brazier, THE ENGINE 2 DIET by Rip Esselstyn and HOW TO PREVENT AND REVERSE HEART DISEASE by Rip’s father Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. At a minimum, I would encourage people to increase the percentage of organic fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains into their diet and eliminate processed foods and soft drinks.

What does your training schedule look like right now? How much is gym-based and how much outdoors?

Right now, I am taking a much needed break after Ultraman to allow my body, mind and soul to recover from what was an incredibly rigorous and challenging training season. In January, I will begin strength training with a  focus on core work and begin my return to cycling and trail running. Once Spring arrives, I will return to the pool and reduce my gym time considerably. Although I hate the gym and always prefer to be outdoors, strength training is important, especially for the older athlete. But by summer all of my workouts will be swim/bike/run.

What has been the best piece of advice you have received in your quest for fitness?

Follow your heart! Find something fitness-based that you genuinely enjoy. It shouldn’t be a fad or a phase. Its about a lifestyle choice - a journey, not a destination.

How happy were you with your performance in Hawaii (RR finished 6th in Ultraman 2009)?

Very happy. Winning the 6.2 mile swim and going on to win Day 1 by 10 minutes was a dream come true. And, although I suffered a serious bike crash on the Day 2 170-mile bike leg that ultimately dropped me down to 6th after a 7:51 double marathon on Day 3 with an injured knee and immobile shoulder, I wouldn’t change a thing. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th – it doesn’t really matter to me. What matters is that I went on a journey. That along the way I was faced with some unexpected demons. That I was able to face them and persevere. That is what Ultraman is all about. It's what sport is all about. It's what life is all about. Of course, I would like to return to the race and put together a complete three-day race, but I would honestly say that my 2009 experience was perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Have you ever raced in the Middle East? Is this something you would be interested in doing?

Not only have I never raced in the Middle East, I have never been to the Middle East. I would absolutely love to find a race, make the trip and experience that part of the world. I understand that there is quite a robust multisport community in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as an array of interesting races. Given the opportunity, I would definitely relish the adventure of travelling east.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to change their life and become more healthy?

Within everyone exists the power to change. I don’t care how busy you are, how old you are, how overweight or out of shape you are...change is possible. It starts with a decision followed by a commitment along a trajectory of baby steps that, with consistency over time, will generate results. There are no easy fixes and it's not always comfortable. But its always possible. Search deep within. Identify what you want to change. Create a real plan that will work over time within the constraints of your life circumstances. Assemble a support network and begin the journey. You might just be amazed at what you are truly capable of. I certainly am. If you had told me two years ago that I would be where I am now I would have told you you were insane!

The big Three-Oh!!!

My birthday today, guys and gals...and not just any old birthday but my 30th.

So, how have I celebrated? Well, last night I nailed a pretty good 3,500 yard session in the pool. I know - Rock and, indeed, Roll. As a young whippersnapper I swam pretty seriously (every day and often twice a day) up to a national standard and I'm really enjoying getting into my swimming again. I'm now starting to step up the sessions a little too. I've a list of around 15 hour-long (3500-4000 yard) sets and work my way through those one by one. Some are just standard sets, others are aimed a little more at building good distances - essential for triathlons.

This morning, I was up at 6am and did a 30km cycle on my mountain bike - felt pretty good too. We've a long weekend here in Dubai (it's Islamic New Year) and I'll look to get one circuit session in and one BRICK (transition practice - probably 500m swim along the shore in the sea, run back to starting point - repeated three times - great for getting used to that 'jelly legs' feeling you get when coming out of the swim and heading into the cycle but also a really good cross-train experience) over the course of the three-day weekend.

The point of this is...well?

Firstly, it may be useful info for anyone else at the early stages of training for triathlon. More significantly, I remember when I was swimming competitively just how unmotivated I often was - and how much I tried to avoid morning training.

It's funny that, now 30-years-old, I have more determination, motivation and even competitiveness than I did back then. I can't wait to train this weekend and almost jump out of bed on those early mornings, coz of all the energy I have.

I recently saw a photo on Facebook from my 28th birthday and, from a vanity point of view, two things occurred: 1) I looked older then than now; 2) It looked like some fat kid had eaten Matt! From a non-vain point of view, exercise has brought so much back to my life. I feel younger and better than I have for years, I have tonnes more energy and I just enjoy the variety of things I have to do.

Sure, I can tell you that beers, vodka cranberries, junk food, late nights and some truly embarrassing dancing are all likely to feature over the course of this birthday weekend, but that's not all there is - that's not all I am.

After all, what better way to crack through a hangover than a beach BRICK session?

Matt

Time for reflection...

I have to admit it: the last couple of days of the Adventure Challenge were tinged with disappointment for me.

The very first morning - competitors prepare their boats on the Abu Dhabi corniche

Maybe I was too close to the whole thing but we'd set ourselves the aim of completing all the events and, well, that didn't happen. We put a valiant stint in, no doubt. Maybe a little of the personal disappointment came from the fact that I knew I had a little more to give (except in the kayaking - I gave my all including, it would seem, a life without chronic back pain, in that). But on the last day and ever since, I've become a little cheerier and more positive.

Pre-dawn alterations are made

Almost all the other competitors were either professional athletes or came from a background that included a long history of triathlon, Ironman or endurance racing events. We didn't. Most had been training specifically for this event for six months. We had eight weeks.

Jeff and Pete put up their tent on the first evening in the desert.

In hindsight, our goals were probably a little unrealistic and what we did achieve was fairly monumental. We were woefully under-prepared - physically, mentally and in terms of experience of such events. Hats were forgotten, food was lost, water was wasted...we made mistakes that, I'm fairly certain, other teams did not make - but that's what your debut is for.

Stunning scenery on the first mountain biking leg.


We still put a real effort in and I think everyone was surprised by how much we did manage.

A word here for our fellow competitors: wonderful, beautiful, genial, helpful, encouraging, motivating heroes each and every one of them. Inspirational in the way that only truly exceptional people can be.

One competitor finishes the stage and checks in with her electronic timing plug.

I won't tell you all the ways in which we hurt or were uncomfortable during those six days - Jeff has already done a marvelous job of that in his last post - and the 30-minute shower I treated myself to afterwards was one of life's greatest ever feelings.

The American team uses some unique yoga poses to stretch out after the cycling.

But that shower also gave me time to reflect and what I realised - much like Pete - was how much I had enjoyed the past few days...the 3am starts, the uncomfortable nights' sleep, the Army-grade food...the competition, the stunning scenery, the great outdoors, taking on nature and not having to worry about a mobile phone, car keys, email or my wallet for almost a week. Just about everything.

The teams line up outside the beautiful Qasr Al Sarab resort.

In that way, I guess you could say that the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge was genuinely life-changing for me and, from the impression I get when we sat down for that beer after the final day's competition, I think Pete and Jeff would agree.

So, life-changing how exactly?

Basically, I have realised just how much I like being fit and around fit, healthy people. So, I've finally done something I've been promising myself to do for ages and signed up for a beginner's climbing course. I've also recommenced the once or twice weekly pre-work games of tennis with my housemate.

It's been a long, hard day.

But the experience has also made me a lot more serious about my training. Yes, I want to have a life, socialise and not just be one of those boring people who can only talk about gaiters, aerobars, negative splits and rehydration supplements...but I also love competition and I intend to train towards taking on a few more duathlon/triathlon/running events. My ultimate goal would be to make it up to Olympic distance and then try a few 70.2s - basically, the half Ironman distance.

The early morning ascent of Jebel Hafeet.

I've set myself a new, fairly flexible programme with an emphasis on pushing hard and training smart across swimming, cycling, running and strength circuits. I can't wait to get going on it with a 3500m swim this evening.

The (worthy) winners cross the finishing line in Al Ain.

An extremely painful back problem has also taught me that looking after and listening to your body involves more than just being fit. Yoga and massages (between the road bike I'm about to order, wetsuits, running/cycling shoes, helmets, gloves, tri-suit and yoga, stretching and massage sessions etc etc I seem to have chosen just about the most expensive hobby in existence!) are going to play a significant role going forward - especially as it appears that the muscular back problem is one I'll have to manage rather than one that can be solved.

So, all in all, one hell of an experience and one that could have even shaped the rest of my adult life.

The big question though, the one that everyone really wants to ask - would I do the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge again?

The Desert Hacks/Xtreme Journos celebrate the end of the Adventure Challenge.

I'd need to start training - kayak especially - with at least six months to go and, given what the rest of the Desert Hacks have said so far, I'd need to find three new team members but I think that maybe, perhaps, possibly, in the right circumstances, I  might consider...oh, who am I kidding??? I'm going to be booking six days off at the beginning of December every year until I get a media team through the whole of that race if it's the last thing I do. Which, admittedly, it could well be.



So, if you're a mental (sorry: fit and healthy) media professional that is crazy (erm: willing) to put in some heavy training and endure (whoops: enjoy) the toughest six days of your life next December, do leave a comment here or email mattalfie@gmail.com. Ideally, based in the UAE but, to be honest, I'll accept all-comers.

Home sweet home?

Well, we are back. Back to hot showers, warm food, comfortable beds and beer. When I got into my apartment I felt like a fat kid in a sweet shop, I really didn't know what to do first. Jump in a relaxing bath? Order a takeaway? Crack open a beer? For a while there was a danger I could have tried all three simultaneously, which would probably have resulted in me drowning in a giant vat of Burger King Carlsberg soup.

But now I am clean, refreshed and a little hungover - and I may have to whisper this part - I miss the adventure challenge slightly. I miss the buzz of the camp, the shovelling down of food, the aching legs, the never ending encouragement, the constant banter. I miss being in the presence of some stupendously fit atheletes, witnessing some superhuman achievements. But most of all I miss the competition. Not that we were competing with the other teams; they were far beyond our level. But we battled against our own limitations every single day, and if you think about it, how often can you say you do that?

I have already started training for the next event and I cannot wait for it to come around. Nothing is set in stone yet but we are hoping to compete again in the New Year. In the mean time I will be relishing some truly inspirational memories from an absolutely breathtaking six days.

Pete

What is pain?

During training, we used to have a favourite saying: "Pain is just weakness leaving the body". I'm not sure who coined this phrase or which one of us introduced it to the group but during a particularly difficult session, it always garnered a quick moment of levity.

As Matt and I reflected on the Adventure Challenge on the morning of the last day, it occured to us that pain -- like athletes -- comes in all shapes and sizes. It is true that at times, pain is simply weakness leaving the body, but pain is other things as well. Have a read:

Pain is also:

1. Nipples chafed to the point of bleeding;

2. 3am breakfast after 4 hours of wind-swept sleep;

3. Beginning a 50km trek at midnight;

4. The combination of sand/sweat/dirt/grime and contact lenses;

5. One's pelvis after 40km on those awful mountain bike seats;

6. 20-30 Mars bars and 4 days of constipation;

7. Blisters infused with new sand, dried blood, wet sweat and white puss;

8. On a mountain peak, 1-metre visibility, rain, wind and stranded at 6am for an 11am start;

9. Sleeping on a salt flat that is soft as a marble slab;

10. The stench of ones clothes after 6 days of showerless competition.

Desert Hacks, does anything else come to mind?

Also, I'd like to take a minute to thank all of our supporters. Little did we know that so many of you were following our GPS with equal parts anticipation and trepidation. It was a wonderful feeling to read all of the messages of support after we'd returned -- each was like finding an unopened Christmas present from years gone by.

While we didn't exactly reach the goal we'd set for ourselves, there is little doubt in my mind that without your support and positivity, we could not have accomplished what we did. The outpouring of support and love was both surprising and humbling. In the most sincere way I can, I thank you.

J-Ro.

ps: Watch this space. Three of the Desert Hacks are already in negotiations with sponsors for their next adventure.

Desert drama!

Well, I'm back: I made it through the dunes and lived to tell the tale!

Or rather, made it about a third of the way through the dunes, then had to be rescued by an army helicopter...

I'd better start at the beginning.

The telling of this epic tale falls to me because those brave boys Jeffrey and Matthew are still competing in the final events of the Adventure Challenge (today is the last day) and because jammy young Peter has the whole week off, so is still there as well, providing moral support from the sidelines.

As you may recall from previous posts, the desert trek was the only leg of the event I was competing in, so I am now back in the office and am sat in front of a computer, a whole world away from where I was early on Sunday morning...


SUNDAY 6th DECEMBER

After a negligible night's sleep in our tents, somewhere deep in the deserts of Liwa (around the Saudi border, I believe) we hauled ourselves from our sleeping bags at 5.30am, packed up our bags and prepared to get trekking.

The ADTA provided us with a pretty good breakfast to see us on our way, and the atmosphere was pretty upbeat, with teams standing around the tented buffet sharing last-minute advice and admiring the impressive variety of crazily-coloured gaiters on display. (Or maybe that was just us.)

But after the 6.30am check-in, the atmosphere palpably changed: there was excitement, tension, even a little apprehension (again, maybe just from us) in the air as the teams clustered round the starting line, waiting for the off.

At 7am, the announcer gave the word and the race set off — at a run.

Now, I don't know why it hadn't occurred to us that this would happen.
Of course, although we ourselves had been training at a fast walk, we were aware that the serious contenders would run almost the whole way.

What we hadn't anticipated was that everyone would set off at a run, leaving us four woefully overloaded extras (how on earth did everyone else carry so little? It's still a mystery!) gaping at the back.

Not wanting to mar the poetry of the moment for the mass of cameras filming by strolling nonchalantly into shot at a snail's pace (and for the slightly less altruistic reason of trying to avoid labelling ourselves losers just seconds into the event,) we bolted with the rest of the pack.

A couple of minutes later, round a slight bend in the track suitably far from the camera lenses, we stopped, got our breath back and set off again at a more measured speed.

The first check point was around 9km away, and started off fairly pleasantly over crystallised salt-flats. The last clamber up to the check-point — on top of a dune - was probably the first serious exertion.

The next stage was a trickier section of around 16km, which saw a few of us flagging - especially as the weather heated up.
But we remained on course and reached the next check-point around 1pm, more than ready to top up our water, enjoy a lunch of Mars bars, nuts and raisins and avoid the worst of the midday-sun with a cleverly constructed shade rigged up from walking poles and one of the tents. (Really, it was very clever; and it only collapsed on us twice.)

An hour-and-a-half later, we set off again, our water bottles full, our resolve strengthened.

It was really an extremely tough afternoon.
As we went on, the heat and the increasingly difficult terrain started to take their toll; the afternoon's route featured fewer flats, more dunes to navigate, and more circuitous routes for those looking to go round them.

This is where having a good team really helps.
I know for me that if it hadn't been for the cheery reassurances from the boys and and the ongoing words of encouragement being exchanged, the miles remaining would have seemed a far grimmer prospect.
(Chocolate was also a big comfort.)

Finally, as the light faded, we found ourselves at the end of a salt flat facing the biggest dune of the day: a beast that looked more like a sheer cliff than a sandy slope.

Getting up it was hell, but the views from the top were breath-taking.
Trekking over the ridges as the sun set, we were privy to some of the most beautiful sights I have seen in the UAE — miles of empty, undulating dunes turning gold under a rosy sky.

Having said that, at the time the most beautiful sight for me was probably catching sight of the less-romantic but infinitely more welcome campfire at the next check-point.

After what seemed like a never-ending slog, we reached our camp for the evening around 7pm - not far off what we had aimed for at the start of the day.

Foot-sore and smelly, we chatted to a few other groups — all of whom seemed to have run the majority of the course, sand dunes included — ate our dinner (I learnt a valuable lesson about storing pasta with a cream sauce in a warm bag for 24 hours)and hit the hay.


MONDAY 7th DECEMBER

At 12.25am, we got up and packed up our kit. By 1am, we were on our way again.

The method behind this apparent madness was primarily so we could walk in the cooler climes of the evening, when the sand on the dunes is packed more tightly together and therefore easier to walk on — a method we heard the leaders would themselves be using.

The other reason was, of course, that we still had 45km to cover by the 7pm cut-off.

Night-walking also has its challenges, it turns out.
Yes, it is much cooler and the sand is firm, but at the same time, if you're making for certain coordinates and trying to navigate the quickest and most efficient path there through a towering sea of sand dunes, not being able to see the aforementioned dunes does make things tricky.

We set off full of determination to meet our goals for the day: next check-point by 4-5am, then on to the penultimate stop, where we would have our lunchtime rest before meandering on to the finish with time to spare.

Of course, this cavalier assumption was made without fully weighing up all the facts - i.e. that we were all aching from the day before, and that despite our efforts in the six weeks of training leading up to the event, our bodies were simply not sufficiently used to covering such a distance within this time.

As the - surprisingly fresh - Arabian winds buffeted us around, we trekked through the moonlight up, along, across and in between a seemingly never-ending field of dunes, silently wishing that we were in fact Richard Ussher and viewed the route less as a two-day endurance challenge and more as a light warm-up for the day, to be trotted out before breakfast.

At one point, around 3am, we sat down for a rest on the side of a dune and all fell asleep. We just passed out in a row, with our bags on!
Luckily Matt only briefly nodded off, and came to in time to shake the rest of us awake before we passed out for the duration.

By this point, I was in a lot of pain in the foot and leg regions (which, I admit, I made sure the guys knew about! Luckily they were unerringly patient and encouraging, which was probably more than I deserved.)
Jeff was suffering too, with massive blisters covering the soles of both his feet.
Matt and Pete were faring slightly better, with Pete displaying quite amazing determination and stamina, which I'm sure was only in part down to a large consumption of powdered glucose.

We finally reached the checkpoint just before 7am - significantly later than we had hoped.
We sat down and had a serious team chat: how were we feeling? Could we make it any further? Could we feasibly finish in the time remaining?

In the end, we reluctantly came to the very difficult decision that what we'd started as a team, we'd finish as a team — and unfortunately for us, the finish was then and there.
We explained the situation to the check-point manner, Manolo: that we simply couldn't make another 25km in the remaining time.

The stewards were very understanding and arranged for the army helicopter that was picking up the guys on the check-points to also take us back to base camp.

A few hours later, the chopper arrived and after an exciting and surprisingly noisy five minutes speeding low over the dunes, we arrived back at base camp.

Ultimately, we were disappointed not to finish — but on the other hand, we we just so proud and pleased to have been able to even take part.

It's a privilege to watch athletes of this standard in action, let alone compete alongside them, speak to them about their plans and aims and actually experience what they are going through first-hand.

So it is with the utmost respect for all the competitors (particularly Kristin Larsson, the Swedish competitor who fell ill on the first day and did the entire two-day desert trek without being able to keep any food down) that we say congratulations and thank you to the ADTA for inviting us take part.

Now: who's up for getting a team together for next year?

Day 1's Kayaking Disaster

Broken into two parts, Day 1 consisted of a 26km bike/run/swim/kayak/run/kayak multithon and then a monster 33k kayak to our first bivouac. The multithon went ok, we were in second to last place coming out of the swim and again beginning our second kayak but that was probably expected as we're not professional athletes. That said, some of the athletes here are incredible. Absolute machines.

About 15k into our monster kayak, trouble hit. I think a combination of fatigue, frustration and underpreparation got the better of us. The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge has a simple formula: If teams are not to X location by Y time, they simply will not make the checkpoint and will have to turn back. This is as much for competitor safety as it is for efficiently running a race. Unfortunately, such was our fate. After 2.5 hours of paddling on choppy seas, we were returned to the beach.

After a couple of somber hours, we all began talking about how underprepared we were for this section. Looking back, it's true. Given our training and preparation for kayaking, I'm sad to say that this was probably inevitable. The guys are a bit gutted but we're holding together. We're off to the desert leg this afternoon. We've prepared for this bit and should actually turn in a pretty good result. The kayak section is behind us; nothing we can do now. We need to focus on our desert trek.

For those of you following, send us some good vibes.

JRo

Believe...

This last note before the actual event is to my team: Guys, I'm not sure if you're going to read this before we begin. I know we have a lot of running around to do with last minute equipment and the like. If you do, however, I wanted to send a message of encouragement.

Believe in our training. In the last two months, we've done things I didn't think I'd ever do. Believe in the training and believe in each other. We can do this. We will do it.

Our goal has never been to win -- or even compete. Our goal was to prove that, with training, five average journalists could finish one of the world's most grueling endurance races. Remember that. Our goal is to finish. If we do that, we succeed. It will be incredibly difficult. No doubt. But, trust each other. Trust our preparation and trust each other. Now is not the time for pride or ego or politeness. Be straight with each other. Be honest with each other. Be honest with yourselves. We can do this. We will do this. We will do it together. J-Ro

We'll see you out there

This is the last blog we'll be posting prior to the kick-off of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.

This week has gone from bad to worse; it's really demoralising as we'd put in such a lot of good work.

Our company has tightened the screw even further - 15-hour-days (including on public holidays) have been the norm - training has not. We're racing against the clock to finish projects by the end of the day, before we have to run around buying out final bits of equipment and food for the week and, finally, drive to Abu Dhabi.

I'm just looking forward to getting there now as the lead-up has been, quite frankly, a nightmare.

Oh, throw in a healthy does of cold/flu that's tearing its way through our office for good measure. Fair to say that not one of us is feeling great.

Feels like evrything is stacked against us completing this thing but I can assure you that won't be for lack of effort.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us to this point and we'll keep you posted with blogs and pics from the event.

Cometh the hour, cometh the men (and lady)

I feel like I'm in the eye of a storm at the moment.

Training has eased down all week, my bag is basically packed and 99% of prep has been carried out. I've a tough couple of days in work to get out of the way but, at 6pm tomorrow night, we'll leave the office and head straight to Abu Dhabi for the start of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.

I'm fairly calm. I'm pretty focused. I'm a little nervous and a bit scared, I don't mind admitting. In these situations, I think a bit of fear is important to stop you making dangerous mistakes. So long as it doesn't paralyse you.

More than anything, I'm really anxious to get going on that first triathlon prologue early Friday morning. The waiting...that's the hard part. With every day, the challenge seems to get bigger and less achievable. Once we've taken our first steps in the race, well, we're gradually getting closer and closer to the finish.

The one thing I have to keep reminding myself is to enjoy it; otherwise, well, what's the point?

Seeking professional help

With the event just around the corner, I made the decision to seek help. And who better to ask for guidance on an endurance race than Dean Karnazes, a man famous for running 50 marathons over 50 consecutive days in 50 different states.

Dean has written several endurance running books, has competed in hundreds of races and was recently ranked as one of the Top 100 most influential people in the world in a Time magazine poll.













Dean Karnazes - Ultramarathon man


Here is what Dean had to say:

What do you find is the best type of food to eat during an event?

Dean Karnazes: It depends on the duration of the event, the temperature, the altitude (if any), and the terrain. As a general rule, I try to consume between 500-700 calories per hour, in a balance of 40% of the calories from carbs, 30% from protein, and 30% from fat.

How do you prepare in the week before a big race?

Dean Karnazes: My formal taper usually starts about a week out. I cut the daily load by about 50-60% in the five to seven days prior, and then cut that in half in days two to four before the race. The day before, I typically just walk a mile or two.

What is your current training schedule?

Dean Karnazes: My average weekly running mileage is 150km to 250km. I also cross-train following a specialized training regime developed by the military special ops squadron to help condition my entire body for the rigor of ultraendurance racing.

Do you have any tips on keeping going during a race, when doubts start to creep in?

Dean Karnazes: Yeah, I reflect on a quote of Churchill's, "When you're going through hell, don't stop. Stopping is death, just keep putting one foot in front of the other to the best of your ability."

Have you ever competed in team events? How do you think they compare to individual ones?

Dean Karnazes: I've done quite a bit of adventure racing and team events. I really enjoy the team dynamic and in many ways prefer team events over solo endeavors.

Have you ever raced in the Middle East? Is it something you would like to do, or do more of?

Dean Karnazes : The Middle East is on my 'life list' of places to visit and race. I've always wanted to go but have yet to have the opportunity. Hopefully soon.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received for an endurance event?

Dean Karnazes: "Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up." My Dad said that to me and I think it even goes beyond endurance events and applies to everyday life as well.

What are your thoughts on the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge? Is it something you would like to participate in at some point?

Dean Karnazes: Are you kidding? I would LOVE to do the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. It looks like a tremendous event. Enjoy!

Thanks to Dean for taking time out of his ridiculously tough training schedule. You can check out his website here: http://www.ultramarathonman.com/

Pete

Shameless plug for myself!

Now ladies…I know you’re going to find this extremely hard to believe, but I’m actually single. I know…right?

Anyway, once the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is over and I settle back into a decent 6-10hrs per week of training (decided that I want to pursue triathlon at a semi-competitive but mainly just for fun/fitness level) that allows for something of a social life, I may well meet a special young lady. And, I’ve realised, I’ll have an awful lot of explaining to do to the next lady in my life…

a)    Matt, why do you own more lycra than the average Jerry Springer guest?
It’s true. I own cycling shorts, neoprene compression shorts, 2XU compression top and bottoms, Nike Pros (short and longsleeves) training tops…the list goes on. Look, it’s not like I invented the notion of comfort, is it.

b)    Honey, why is your bathroom cabinet filled with Vaseline, talc and hair removal products?
OK, suffer the hellish sand-assisted chaffing that 10 hours of desert hiking brings and then tell me that you wouldn’t want to remove every single culprit that makes the burn even worse.


c)    OI, WARNOCK, GET HERE NOW and explain to me why you sneak out early every morning, get home late at night, always have tender nipples and have an angry looking rash in delicate areas.
Erm…well..!

Now I think about it, disclosing this type of information may be exactly why I am single.

That said, as I train harder and push my body more, I’m finding that I’m also unconsciously looking after it more carefully too. That goes from what I eat – including supplements, vitamins etc – to more aesthetic conceits. It even goes as far as my training gear – in the past, I happily picked up whichever shorts and t-shirt were passably clean to go to the gym, but now I do like to have crisp, sparkling workout gear – preferably even coordinated!

Vain? Maybe. But if you look good, you feel good; if you feel good, you perform better. I genuinely think it all helps me train harder.

Anyway, with the help of a and b (tight clothing, lotions and potions) there tends to be very little c (rash-based nastiness), so if you can live with a little lycra, ladies, start lining up now…I’m available for social engagements after next weekend and, after all that training, I should be a really cheap date!