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OMG! Marathon de Sables!!

Barbara SpitlerBarbara Spitler
in Community Forum 🏠

Holy crap!!!!  Back in Oct. or Nov., for the heck of it, I signed up for the lottery pick, for the Marathon de Sables 2012, in Morocco.  I've always wanted to do it, but never thought I'd be chosen!  They had glitches and hadn't posted the picks for months.   I just checked today, and just about carappppped, when I saw my name under the Lottery Picks list!!!!!     Now what???

Comments

  • penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
    Congrats!

    When is it in 2012? You have plenty of time to train!
  • NortonNorton
    You can do it!
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Very cool! That's gonna be a lot of fun!
  • Brad LoescherBrad Loescher
    Wow, congratulations!
  • BomberBomber
    I envy you.........I think....
  • Mike HedmanMike Hedman
    Barbara,
    Outstanding!! Come do the Desert RATS race this June! It would be a good training run. I've been reading a lot of MdS stuff on the Internet, specifically about gear. I just bought a super light running backpack and a sleeping bag that compresses down to about 1.5 liters.
    MdS is different from the RATS race in that we don't have to carry all our own gear.

    I'm envious!

    Mike
  • Barbara SpitlerBarbara Spitler
    Mike, wish I could do Desert RATS, but I am not in shape or trained to do that right now! Working on OS for IMLOU. I did look at the website. Looks awesome!!!
    I am still in shock about this. I emailed Jay Batchen of Dreamchasers, who runs the lottery and logistics of doing the race, for Americans and Canadians. He is going to let me know when the deadlines are for everything. Will have to get sponsors in order to be able to go, but I plan to do so, that is, if Morocco and the surrounding areas are settled down and safe by then! I definately wouldn't want to be heading there this year!! However, on that note, I will state that Jay has had on his website, that there are spots open for 2011....if you want to do it....just sayin'... image
    I wish you all could come with me!!
  • Barbara SpitlerBarbara Spitler
    Met w/an Ultrarunner friend of mine, who is really into the nutrional info. and body comp. She is a wealth of info. Also consulting w/ a couple of friends who can help w/info. regarding getting sponsorship. Assuming I can get sponsorship, I will be doing this for charity...for Community Action Drug Coalition (CADC) my brother's passion, to help educate the public of drug problems, and help those addicted...as my niece was to heroin, but didn't make it..Also, probably to Opportunity Enterprises, a non-profit for disabeled adults, that my late sister Susan, who was Down's Syndrome, worked at and loved dearly. Any and all suggestions, support, and monetary support, will be appreciated, come time....
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    O M G!  Just seeing this.  How frigging C O O L!  

    I had this on my radar with a buddy a few years ago and my wife said absolutely, positively NO!  She thought a 6 day, 151 mile stage race across the Sahara Desert and you had to carry all your own stuff (they provide water) was a little over the top.  It is to a normal person.    However, it is still in the back of my mind.  I am so excited for you.

    Also, Lisa Smith-Batchen of Dreamchasers was instrumental in my early ultra stuff a few years back.  I was introduced through a buddy (the one I was plotting MdS with) and I learned a lot from her.  You are in good hands with the Batchen's.

    I still have the shirt I bought online in 2007.  Love wearing it to ultra events as you can tell the real ultra-geeks versus the wanna-be's based on who knows what MdS is.  

     

    Barbara, this is so HUGE!  I can't even imagine how you are feeling.  Totally, totally awesome.  So happy for you.

     

  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Here's a funny . . . .

    My wife literally just asked me how she could protect a newly formed blister on her foot so she can run tomorrow.  Guess what I suggested?

    DUCT TAPE!

    Only from an ultrarunner, right?  

  • Barbara SpitlerBarbara Spitler
    John, thanks for your enthusiasm! Yes, it is HUGE! So huge, I'm scared $h!+le$$!! LOL! Am currently readiing "Carved by God, Cursed by the Devil", by Ted Archer. When I ordered the book last year, we emailed a couple of times. When he saw I was from Indiana, he emailed me that he had gone to Notre Dame. I plan to email him once I finish his book, and see whatever suggestions he has for training around NW IN for a stage race in the Sahara Desert!! Wish your wife would let you put your name on the waiting list for 2012!! Then you could do the race too!! I have never done anything this big, ever!!! I've only done one Ultra, and that was the Chicago Lakefront 50K. Granted, it was freezing cold, windy, and we had lots of waves hitting the shore along the Lakefront in November, but still, this is a whole new ballgame! Now I'm looking at IMLOU as a good training race for MDS!! How messed up is THAT??? Don't get me wrong, this year is my 'Revenge on Louisville' IM. It is still my A race. Just realizing the perspective now, on beating the heat there...
    And, loving the MDS tshirt, and the duct tape recommendation to your wife!! LOL! Don't forget moleskin either! image
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