Sometimes it works better in pairs!

I was interviewed by Kevin Patrick of Endurance Planet. You'll find the interview on the homepage http://www.enduranceplanet.com (dated: Thursday, April 3, 2008). Kevin is so nice and I was really glad to have the opportunity to talk about how proud I am of ALL of my Dreamchasers! Hope you enjoy it. You can even download it and listen to it on your iPod as you train.


MDS News...

So...everyone has there own strategy for the long stage…and even with the most solid planning, you just never know what will happen out there.

Some people treasure the long stage because it represents the chance to be alone in a way that is unimaginable to many. I think Aran Gordon described his lone experience beautifully:

I remember stopping and looking up at the sky and thinking it's amazing, no one knows where I am right now, no one knows what I am going through right now, no one truly knows what I have been through (health reasons), so I sat down and decided that I wanted to spend the night sleeping in what is one of the most desolate yet beautiful places in the world...so I did

And then there is the joy and comfort of finishing with another competitor…or as I noticed when looking at the Stage 4 results, a couple of friends! Here’s who I saw finished the long stage together…can’t wait to hear their stories!

BATCHEN, Jay & SIMON, Mark

ANDREWS, Laurie & EHREDT, Mike
KELLY, Ed. & MADL, Terry
HUNT, Jeffrey & RUSSELL, Arthur Glen
MATUKAITIS, Kira & RYAN, Greg
HOGUE, Jason & OLIVER, Becky & PATERSON, Stuart & WHELAN, James
CORBIN, Leigh & VELASCO, George
BELLOR, Kay & DEMARCO, Marianne
LAING, James & MACK, Martin
MEADES, Karen & SLOAN, Andrea
ZAITZEFF, Elizabeth & ZAITZEFF, Lara

I also was surprised to see how close the finishing times were for Jeff Grant (09H04'22) and Damon Goerke (09H04'42). 20 seconds difference in finishing times…but they started at different times, so they did not finish together.

Some of the pairs are not surprising to me (Lara & Elizabeth, George & Leigh!!!)…but some are surprising…and so wonderful to see. Like M and Kay…I coach them both and they are both such incredible women. I have been noticing throughout the week that their paces seemed to be compatible and I was so happy when I saw that they finished the long day together. Both of them often do long runs alone (M in Central Park and K in parks in Thailand and on the Sky Steps!...Kay lives in Thailand and M lives in New York City)…can’t wait to hear what they giggled about through the night!

And to see Ed and Terry finish together…they certainly don’t lack for quality time together back in Chicago, but it is always amazing to share something like the wonders of the Sahara with a friend.



Here’s another MDS veteran story to share with you. My friend Albert Marteens shares his memories with us.

And another amusing account from Jeff Arricale. We pray for his family and know he is doing great because his humor is clearly going strong.

And from Michele Jensen: (her photo above, she is taking names and kicking some behind!) This has been the experience of a lifetime. Thank you so much for all the email, its meant so much to me. Sorry i haven't been able to write sooner, the lines have been so long in 120 degree heat. This is day 5, the day after the 47 mile. The first day we went thru the biggest dunes and i felt really good, i was in 11th. Day 2 was much hotter, up to 120 degrees and the heat really got to me. My stomach has been really bad, and i haven't been able to eat much, and have gotten sick. Day 4 took me 15 hrs; but it was my greatest achievement. I kept going and know that i can do anything now. It was very spiritual to push thru so much and arrive back at camp at 1 AM. This place is beautiful and the bonding is incredible. I know i will finish with the 26 mile stage tomorrow, and then a 10 mile on the last day. I can’t wait to tell you all more soon!

And from Peggy Gaudet: Yipee I made it. 50 miles in 18 hours. I finished around 3:30 this morning, slept for about an hour and am waiting for the rest of our tent to come in. The run was great. I was really worried after day 3 because it was such a hard day, the sun, blister, heat rash all made for a long day. I thought theres no way I can do that again for 50 miles. So after a night with the biggest windstorm so far, I set off. I found out that the faster I run, the less my blister hurt, so I had to keep reminding myself to pick up the pace. Of course I hit the wall at mile 43 or so, I stopped for a break, ate and told myself that you will never run again in Africa at 1:00 in the morning, so enjoy it, the end was still very hard. Today I will just rest and there is a rumor that we might get a coke today...one that I will most definitely take! Thanks so much for all the emails, I keep all your well wishes in my heart as I run and it gives me strength to keep on going. Love Peggy

And a big thank you to Shannon Farrar-Grier and Moeben Sleeves!!! The Dreamchasers athletes were presented with Moeben Sleeves at this year’s Marathon des Sables. A big huge thank you to company president Shannon Farrar-Grier for this generous donation! The Moeben sleeves help protect athletes’ arms from the sun’s harmful rays and keep the "hot" sun off our skin, not to mention filling the sleeves with ice and dipping them in water.