Fat Kobus

I have a cunning plan

2010-04-14T14:56:00.001+01:00

I have come up with my strategy that will help me to complete the MdS and get that long awaited snog from Patrick.

I have to address three issues

Attitude
Strength, Fitness and Weight
Consecutive days on my feet

1. Attitude

Not sure what to call it but attitude will suffice. I have discussed this in depth with many people and reached the conclusion that this is by far the biggest issue. Not only is it a big issue but I find it virtually impossible to get other “athletes” to accept the depth of the problem. However many couch potatoes do understand. My attitude of not wanting to train, not been able to continue with training, and often not even want to start training is really pissing me off now. I think it is related to my attitude to food and must be something in my head that wanted to sabotage my efforts. It is definitely not just a matter of pulling myself together and motivating myself. Neither is it self-discipline or resilience. I have ample examples in my life of boundless resilience, guts, determination and stick ability. Alas except when I want to improve me health.

I am 100% determined to get to the bottom of this and want to start by getting professional help. To start I want to see a shrink. So if anyone knows one in the West Midlands who can handle me and is reasonable bright, please let me know.

This is the first part of my plan and need to start first. The progress on my attitude will dictate how much time I need to become ready for the MdS

2. Strength, Fitness and Weight

Don’t need any explanation, I have excellent support from great trainers from around the world who want to get their hands on me but there is no point even starting before I have a plan in place to deal with my shit attitude. If I do the same thing in the same way as before, I will have the same result again; Stopping after a week or two and not be bothered to carry on

3. Consecutive days on my feet.

This is the only thing I have done thus far, but I need many more of the same

So this is it, Watch out Patrick Bauer, here I come.

What did Howard say?

2010-04-13T18:04:00.002+01:00

"The pain will go away but the disappointment never"

I'm back home, and are starting my planning on how to return to this hell an conquer it once and for all...

Stage 2 - abandon after 3rd checkpoint

2010-04-05T22:52:00.003+01:00

I've been trying to keep watch over Kobus's results today but the website has been even slower than yesterday, and the tracking device didn't seem to be working at all. I tried looking out via the webcam but that kept freezing or not loading... anyway just found Kobus is listed as "abandon". So sad for him. Today's was 35.5km and they started at 08:30. I know he got to the 1st checkpoint at 11:08; 2nd checkpoint 14:11 and 3rd checkpoint at 17:00, with one person still behind him. The official website description:

Today’s stage includes a lot of mountains, with a stretch of big dunes just before getting to the bivouac, and it promises to be harsh. And hot. Last night, many had to open up completely their sleeping bags so as not to soak them with sweat. It makes for a comfortable sleep but doesn’t bode so well in terms of day temperature, even if the sky is overcast at the start of the stage, at 8.30.
The two small climbs in Jebel Amessoui, between kilometres 4 and 5 tame the enthusiasm of some who happened to be over optimistic in their choice of pace. Going down on a goats track allows the most ambitious runners to demonstrate their skill out-outdoing the traps of such a rocky terrain.
Check Point 1, at kilometre 11.4, is set in the midst of a flat zone covered with locust trees, giving runners a chance to discover a new facet of this Saharan area.
This CP opens to a classic route amongst local jebels, with yet another climb, Hered Asfer, leading to a crest track.
Most of the competitors, whatever their level, already know by the time they reach CP 2 (km 20,3), over half-way through the stage, that the hardest is yet to come – at least judging from what is written in their road-book.
Fording the Rheris wadi brings a little freshness, but at kilometre 22.6, the view over the vast plain heading South West announces the next difficulty. The looming crests of jebel El Otfal are over 7 km away. And it’s easy to guess it will be a horribly hard climb, with an average 25% slope factor, walking on rocks and sand.
Just after CP 3, at the foot of the mountain, hell starts.
Even the dunes seem easy at the end of this harsh moutainy stage.

I'm sure he will be devastated, but if anything like last year he will stay with the camp to cheer everyone else on.

Day 1 completed in 8 hours

2010-04-04T20:39:00.002+01:00

Very good steady progress (the 10 minute intervals shown along the route by the tracker device are pretty evenly spread). 29 km in exactly 8 hours. The last person in was 57 minutes behind Kobus, so he's not keeping the camels company this time.
Looks like a few people didn't manage to set off, or at least didn't manage to make the first checkpoint, and one person sadly stopped before the 2nd checkpoint - must be devastating to stop before the end of the first day.
If Kobus manages to keep up his water intake and has reasonable meals then he should do well tomorrow. As for everyone else, let's hope they took up the offer of free ear plugs and all get a decent night's sleep.

Just got the road book

2010-04-02T09:41:00.000+01:00

Day 1- 29 km
Day 2 - 35.5 km
Day 3 - 40 km
Day 4 - 82 km
Day 5 - 42.2 km
Day 6 - 21.1 km

Sent from my iPhone

James Cracknel is shaking

2010-04-02T09:22:00.001+01:00

All in the bus. Some idiot haven't paid for the room yet so we al sit
in the buzzes waiting. Met James Cracknell and his film crew. To admit
he does seems nice. Totally unlike the knophead we saw on the
southpole with Ben Fogle. He does look nervous though, guess he must
have a lot of pressure on him to perform. Well I wish him well and
told him not to worry. When I finish I will turn back and fetch him.

As you probably guess my bravade is hiding my nerves too. I am
shitting myself

Sent from my iPhone

Packed and ready

2010-03-28T16:43:00.002+01:00

Yes a year has passed and it is time again for the Marathon des Sable (MdS) in the Morrocon Sahara. Been the 25th year for the MdS there is no prices for guessing that it is exactly 250km (155 mile)this year. Competing are more than 750 elite athletes from 65 countries and Fat Kobus from Halesowen.

Yes I am trying again. Well I have to, i've promised. This time slightly better prepared I plan to relentlessly stomping over the dunes, mountains, waddies and salt flats none stop for 7 days all in a vain attempt to say. I’ve done it.

This year I WILL be tracked on Google earth. I even have a backup tracker just in case. So if you wish to spend your sad existence in front of the computer screen, painfully anticipating the next 10 minute update just to find my icon still stuck in the sand. No you can. So here is the links.

Main tracking site:
http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php
This is the English version of the French site. It is confusing but somewhere there should be a link to Live Tracking or even live video. If you cant find it try the French version.
http://www.darbaroud.com/index.php
They are not always the same. I know it is confusing, but then they are French. You may also try the following site http://www.racetracker.es/en/25_mds_en/ This is a Spanish company who do the tracking. I can not test it because the tracking do not start until I am in the dessert so keep trying untill least 3 April.

Alternative
If the Spaniards do not show up at the French camp I will use my own tracker on this site.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/gogl.jsp?glId=05Q8r7a4tSj4PAboqIKAb0halLDm8IrpZ
If the main tracking site work, it should be brilliant with loads of info about the course and the other athletes. 200 of us are being tracked. You should spot me at the back just in front of the camels :) You can also send messages which will be printed and may or may not reach my tent.

I put this message also on my blog ,http://fatkobus.blogspot.com. If we are lucky, Zoe may keep the blog updated. However Zoe decided to go on holiday the same time hoping to avoid the stress of last year.

Thanks
Kobus

Runner # 404

2010-03-19T17:41:00.003Z

Two weeks to the start of the race. They have announced the distance. The 25th Marathon des Sables will be 250km (miles) over 6 stages. and to quote the organisers

"The menu will include dunes, mountains, dried up lakes, regs, oases and ... more dunes!"

Nice!!

Sorry i did not keep the blog up to date this year but things was a bit hectic with the new business and all. at least as I type I have half packed, got all my gear, food, system, shoes, etc. and only have to finalise the packing and the flight. Yeah still don't know if I fly from Gatwick or Paris. Anyway I passed my ECG and medical again. Avoided the doctor of last year and tried to charm a doctor friend of Zoe in stead. Al is well but weight is up. I now have to get permission from the Royal Navy to fly across the channel as my weight may affect the tide. Still I am very exited and really cant wait for the pain and camaraderie.

I will be tracked live this year. This time I made sure I have 2 trackers to choose from. when all is finalised I will update the blog and send an email remainder to all I know. Till then

30 days YEEEHAAA!!!

2010-03-03T08:32:00.002Z

Forgive the americanism, however even their doggy like over exuberance is short of my excitement.

BRING IT ON!!!

Negs

2010-01-02T11:09:00.002Z

You know the most difficult part of my MdS journey. Both now and last year, is not the discipline, its not the pain, the cold nor my questionable sanity. It is in fact the negs. Those people out there whose sole purpose in life is to find reasons why others ought to fail. No they dont do anything themself, the are just sitting there simering in their own pool of putrid slimy sticky negativity and try their best to drag the whole world down into their cesspool. AAARRGGHH I hate them.

"Kobus you don't excersise enough, Kobus you will not make it, Kobus you are wasting your time, Kobus why don't you wait another year."

Beware you piece of satan's dreg. the next time you say this to me I will punch you in the face.

Bloody hell but time flies.

2009-12-30T12:58:00.004Z

OK new years resolution. I will start training. I will, I will, I will.
Matter of fact I am committed to do 2 hours on the 2nd Jan and 3 hours on the 3rd both with 8kg in the backpack

Coffee at Q's

2009-09-20T17:52:00.002+01:00

Went to Vauxhall Cross yesterday, Q wanted to see what I am made off. Moneypenny made us a nice cuppa while Q went to great length in explaining the integrate details of my new training strategy. As one can expect of Q it was an A4 miniaturisation of what clearly took considerable thought and effort. All in all if implemented accordingly it should culminate in a successful medal and I should be able to expatriate a MdS medal to English soil. After wards Q took me for field testing to a secret location in the Altay mountains. (well I can say what mountains as it will reveal Q's identity to the well informed). We did 10.3 miles (16.6km) in 3 hours 15 minutes. I loved it and Q was happy. No pains today, just the Achilles tendon a bit sensitive on the right side. Again the X-Bionic Boxers was so superb that I ordered a X-Bionic shirt and socks from Martin at Likeys. Goodness knows what that's going to cost, but then I can do with every bit of help I can get.

Q as always play with gadgets. His newest is an all singing, all dancing watch that show his heart rate, distance, speed, etc. I want one. Q is not convinced I should play with this gadget, yet I want one.

OK then better get my training for the rest of the month in my diary and surf the web for POLAR watches :)

Here we go ...Again

2009-09-13T12:30:00.006+01:00

Back at the blog, back at the prep and fully committed, well at least in intention. I am going to do it, because I have decided to but I am really not looking forwards to all this preparation and I am definitely not looking forward to the pain and disorientation in the dessert.

Nevertheles, I dragged myself out of bed this morning and did 3 hours plodding along the canal about 9 miles (14km). I would not have done this if Paul was not waiting for me. Thanks Paul. Went OK as expected legs will be a bit sore as this is the first walk further than the bathroom I done since April. Got some hot spots under my feet, understandable, they will ease of over time. I actually can do with a couple of nasty blisters. I am full armed with a massive supply of Eosin. Doc Trotters used that on the MdS and apart of the pain, which I like many have experienced and good authority told me it is on par with giving birth while passing a kidney stone, well apart from that is works amazingly well. That's why I need a whopping blister to see if I can treat it as effectively as Doc Trotter. See and learn they say...

I have a new Trainer. Yes another one. I tend to wear them down quite early and they don't last. This One have done the MdS and many similar and greater marathons and was a world class athlete as well. Most importantly he is not too anal and belief training should be fun, yeah right, seriously I am hopefull but time will tell. At the moment He is still anonymous. I do not want my failure, to damage his reputation. Lets get one thing clear here. with failure I meant my failure to keep him as a trainer, not failing the MdS, That is a given. So fitting to with his personality I thought I will call him Q and his charming wife Mrs Moneypenny.

I have officially started with my prep for the 2010 MdS on 1 September, But as I just returned from a paragliding Holiday in Spain and because I could not be asked to get of my backside, Today was my first outing. What Q had in mind was that I go out twice last week and do 1 to 2 hours each time at moderate pace. Sorry Q but attitude sucked and I only got out today but did a little bit more.

Still a few things went well. I have new shoes and new pants. The pants are amazing. The move heat away from your crutch and stop that dreadful chaffing. They are called X Bionic Energizer Boxershorts and cost an enourmous £18. However they fit so precisely that I am amazed that unlike bra's they do not sell them by knob size. The probably know no-one will by small and medium. Anyway they were really comfortable and cool. I mean you know what I look like I wont be surprised that I normally suffer from sweaty crack, sticky bollocks and endless chaffing. Nothing of that today, I know it was not a long distance but I normally feel the first signs of discomfort within an hour or so. Today I was dry, smooth and pain free. So fat blokes of the world get yourself better pants. You can get them from Likeys click here And even if they don't look on me like on the picture, they are super. Just noticed on the packet it said "TURN SWEAT INTO ENERGY" I will be able to sell back to the National Grid.

My new shoes is actually boots, yeas back to boots it is but this time I am using a tested MdS boot from Inov-8, the Roclite 390 GTX which is also a paragliding boot. Very comfortable, Light, only 390grams and tuf enough to wear now so that they are properly worn in for the MdS. I am wearing them for my work shoes as well. Not a single tight spot and the only hot spots I get is on the balls of my feet. Well carrying over 135kg (21.25 stone) what do you expect. My achilles tendon is a bit tender though but I hope my feet will get use to the shoes and adapt. Again you can get them from Likeys who have them on a 10% discount (at the moment) click here.

Oh yes, I got some new scales. the old ones eventually gave up on me and broke. The new scales are a bit of an over kill and keep record of weight, fat and all kind of measurements, problem is they only weigh up to 135kg (21.25 stone) So hopefully, before I go to the dessert I may be light enough to use them. As it is now, my weight is officially 135kg+ and the beauty of it all is that I can have that extra balti and tomorrow I would still be 135kg+

Yes I am alive

2009-07-14T08:17:00.001+01:00

I had numerous request to update the blog. Here it is. Stil alive and
working hard to do the MdS next year.

More later :)

Sent from my iPhone

Darwin and Dumbells

2009-05-14T12:41:00.004+01:00

Exercises, why oh why oh why. wouldn't it be just brilliant that we could speed up evolution to the place where we do not have to do exercises any more. I mean you don't see a lion running up and down a mountain to stay fit, or an elephant doing 20 reps lifting a baobab stump with his trunk. They don't need it, they have evolved to the state where what they do keep them fit enough to do what they want to do. Likewise when they go on a diet, they starve.

Now I want to work in front of the PC, watch television frequent in a balti house while on weekend do paragliding and the occasional trip to the dessert. That is not much to ask. Why haven't we evolve yet so I can do what I like without having to spend hours contemplation how on earth am I going to motivate myself to go to the gym and eat less.

Don't tell me we have moved away from nature and now doing the things we were not evolved to do. Rubbish. The same argument goes for the first animal who left terra firma and took to the skies. If you were there you would probably have said " no birdie, do not fly, nature gave you legs instead, use them " You may claim that we have evolved faster than nature could keep up. Nonsense again. If we are in nature and part of nature, thus we are using nature as the building blocks of our evolution and by definition the resulting evolution would be evolution and thus nothing less than nature. Or in other words silicon chips and the dreaded Windows Vista is nature. Vista belonging to the stinging nettle family off course.

So we are in nature, of nature and natural. Why is it not natural to just being fit.

Not formulated an answer to this conundrum yet, I decided to continuing my pursuit of getting my bud in the gym and finally I can announce success. Well more predict than announce that is, as I have not yet been to the gym but is due to start on Tuesday the 19th. I have at last found a gym buddy. Not just any gym buddy, it is Amanda. Now if you know Amanda, you'll have to agree that not showing up is something that one should not consider. Do not mess with Amanda and do not let her down. So I am reasonably confident that at last I will start to make use of the gym contract Rory flogged me couple of weeks ago.

Can shave - Can't wipe

2009-04-30T18:04:00.004+01:00

I don't know what I have learned in the gym on Tuesday. I do know what I hope Rory learned. "Kobus may moan a lot but he is fairly honest. When he say he cant give more and lifting another x ton is not possible, then it tend to be the truth and he is most likely at his physical limit. If however he say he do not think he can do it. Then he is most likely lazy and is looking for an easy way out. The absence of the word 'think' in the first example is the clue"

On the bright side, at least I can report another first. Never before in my 40 years was my muscles so sore. Normally a bit of stretching and movement make them better. Stretching, no way, you cant make me do it.

Rory's Regime, is not one I have explored before, In the past I was normally cautioned by revered instructors not to over do it, to be cautious. Rory's Regime and caution goes together like Kobus and diplomacy.

I am however in a strange way enjoying it. Don't know why.

Feeling today: Pain

Rory who?

2009-04-29T09:27:00.003+01:00

Rory Coleman...he is my new personal trainer. I wont be telling you more about him at the moment, I had my first session yesterday and today I could not shave. Have difficulty wiping after a pooh so I am praying for constipation. What I have to say about Rory is most likely to cause more pain when I see him again so maybe more about him another day.

I have now a daily exercises routine which should not be more than an hour. I'll have to take the batteries out of the clock to finish all this in an hour. Core exercises today. I think I'll leave it until Joshua is back from school, maybe I get some sympathy there

Rory did insist that I keep daily notes of how I feel.
Today: crap

Tired, head ache, joint ache, muscle ache.....I wish I was back in the dessert.

Dow. It's tomorrow

2009-04-27T23:18:00.001+01:00

Had a few frantic days and just realized my first training session it
tommorow. Better get some sleep then.

Sent from my iPhone

Taking stock

2009-04-19T16:47:00.005+01:00

I am over it now, the disappointment, the elation, the depression and at last able to look at things with sober eyes. Well as sober as I am capable of that is.

I had some amazing comments and emails from people around the world, many I never met still they encourage me in my preparation and gave me solace in the darker days when I was pulled and when the inevitable post MdS blues almost got the better of me.

Here are some of them:

So you dropped out. So what.. You have done incredibly well. I would not like to attempt this.. It looks an amazingly difficult race, in such difficult conditions.
Congratulations!. Astonishing you did it to Stage 3 what an effort! We are truly proud of you. Great style, great nerve and just amazing
I was really hoping Kobus would make it. I haven’t met him but I have been reading his blog and I find it inspirational...
There are a lot of people out there who have been inspired by him
someone send me this quote of Theodore Roosevelt
“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat”
At the 1980 Olympics, I shared a flat with Brendan Foster, Dave Moorcroft and Steve Cram. In the 2009 MDS, I shared at tent with Kobus Cilliers and I have already spoken to so many people about you. The others are just name drops, yours is the inspirational story. I am lined up to do several motivational talks and your story will most certainly feature. I can't wait to see how it ends in the years to come. It’s been a privilege to be part of the beginning.

I don’t want post these messages here to show off; I don’t quite understand why people say these things. I am nothing special just a fat bloke what want to get out there and show other fatties we don’t need toe give up, we can be part of live. Nevertheless, whether I understand it or not, these messages have been an immense source of strength and thanks to all of you, It was a most humbling experience. Both during the MdS and the support there after.

I have a few questions though...

Why settle for brave when you can be courageous?
Why inspire a few when you can arise a multitude?
Why except remarkable performance when spectacular is within reach?

That is why this has to continue. Tomorrow I will book my place for the 25th Marathon des Sables staring in 11 months and 6 days from now. This time my aim is not to be on the start line. This time it is medal or bust.

I am back

2009-04-12T15:46:00.000+01:00

Well I am back now and suffer greatly from MdS Blues. Some say it is similar to Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, Others say it is depression and the world seems to be void of purpose Others maintain it is just feeling sorry for oneself. Well it has to be serious because one of my friends from the dessert has started to listen to Westlife.

It took me a week to post this blog because I don’t know what to say. Well I want to say thanks to all your guys who supported me and especially Zoe who also kept the blog up to date while I was away. Thanks to all those who thought I will do it and to those who thought I wont even start, Naah nah nah naaaaah nah.

There is so much I want to say, but not enough words. I was first gutted when the Docs pulled me out of the race and sobbed endlessly on his shoulder knowing it is over, but the next morning reality dawns and I hope this doesn’t sound arrogant it is not intended, but the next morning I was mighty proud of myself and what I have accomplished. I am sitting here with MdS blues and still don’t know how to fit this experience in my everyday life, but what I know is:

It has changed my life, permanently; It is not the same Kobus that returned from the sand pit.
I can do it, and I have to go back to do it and this time I am going to complete it.

Thanks again everyone, the sponsors, supporters, doubters and mentors. Keep checking this blog I have a year to go and this year the training will be go or bust.

PS: I am looking for ideas of how I can use this experience to help others. This year I raised money for Christian Aid but I do not want to call on friends and Family again. My thoughts are that if I can pull this off, then somewhere there must be some benefit for other Fat couch potatoes with low self esteem who belief they are not capable of something great. Maybe seminars, talks, I don’t know. Does anyone have some ideas how I can help others. Please let me know

PS2: I put the photos on the album the link is somewhere on this page, There are not many but have a look if you want.

Phone call from the desert!

2009-04-03T13:29:00.004+01:00

Kobus phoned from his mobile, he found an area with reception while en route in a landrover, presumably to the last base camp. Saturday's "fun run" has been cancelled, as the organisers could not find a safe area of ground for another bivouac. So the ground conditions must still be soft after last weekend's storms.
Kobus sounds invigorated and enthusiastic about everything - not even daunted at having to hand in his remaining full english breakfasts, as he's now relishing french canteen food. He said the docs caught up with him between checkpoint 1 and checkpoint 2, about 8 hours into Stage 3 (must be about 5pm on Wednesday, then) and found him dehydrated, shuffling, in intense pain and delirious. He says he just could not get his mind to make his legs go faster. He refused to stop, but when they returned to check him again and pointed out that he had only managed 100 yards in the last 10 minutes... He was given the option of returning to the hotel or the base camp, but opted to keep his tent-mates company (sorry about the snoring again, guys!). He was absolutely gutted at having to stop.
He says it is the toughest thing he ever did and he did not know before that it is possible to have so much pain: "you can not describe it, you have to experience it". He's full of admiration for the other competitors and he's loved being part of it all.
I asked him if he wants to go again next year? "We'll talk about it," he said. So that means yes.

Pulled out of Stage 3

2009-04-02T14:03:00.004+01:00

List of "abandons" just published, includes Kobus in Stage 3. Don't know whether he made it past CheckPoint 1 yesterday lunchtime, as there's no further indication. Interestingly, the No 1 reigning leader has also dropped out during this Stage, so Kobus is in good company. A very, very credible (or incredible?) result - congratulations to Kobus.
Please, anybody reading this, do go to http://www.darbaroud.com/uk/html/mds/general/uk_24mds_ecrire.php click on the GB flag in top right corner for the page in english, and select 14 from the dropdown list to send Kobus an email. It will be so much more encouraging for him to hear from lots of friends, especially as he will be stuck in the base camps for the remainder of the race.
Thank you!

Finished Stage 2 - Amazing!

2009-04-02T11:23:00.002+01:00

Results just in for Stage 2 (Tuesday) and he did it in 9 hours 24 minutes, average speed 3.84 km/h - that's faster than Monday, AND he's not in last place any more!
Stage 3 - the 91km one - is still going. The fastest was just over 8 hours; the first 500 completed within 22 hours and Kobus wasn't one of those, but I do know he got to CheckPoint 1 in 3 hours 04 mins at 12:26 yesterday lunchtime, so hopefully he's still pushing on to the finishing line. Amazing!

No news

2009-04-01T22:27:00.002+01:00

Still don't know whether Kobus made it to the finishing line in time on Tuesday. The results haven't been updated since 7pm Tuesday when the first 660 had completed. I believe there was a 10 hour cut-off and I've also read that the average minimum speed since 1986 is 3km/h. On Monday Kobus managed 3.51 km/h - that's 2.18 miles/hour.
Well, I've not heard anything at all today. I can only assume that he must be still in the race, otherwise he would have been able to join the queue to send an email.
The Stage 3 that started today (Wednesday) has shocked everyone by making the long stage even longer than other years - 91km (56.5 miles) with 6 checkpoints. Maybe the organisers are trying to keep the total distance 151 miles over the 5 stages instead of the originally planned 6 stages. And they say the weather is mild and the scenery astonishingly lush from all the rain. Temperature when they started at 9am was 20 degrees, rising to 29 degrees by 1pm. 13 people had dropped out by 12 noon.

Day 2

2009-03-31T10:36:00.003+01:00

Just found Kobus on YouTube - gritting his teeth and plodding on determinedly through the sand. He looks dangerously close to a camel, hope he's not trailed too far behind... If the last pair of camels sweep you up, you're taking too long and your race is over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q34b_onAzSw

Results not in yet... well, only for the first 660 and he's not in that group, so we know his time is more than 7 hours. Day 2's race was 35km in a loop, returning to the same start point and thereby not having to move the tents. Good aerial view of the starting point and the camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jp96xQwEWM

Conditions at 8.45am start: 15.8 degrees and 38% humidity
Conditions at 12.15pm : 24 degrees and 18% humidity
6 retirements at 12.15pm
First place: Aziz El Akad (No 3-Morocco) : 2h 41m 17s

Main features of the race today: cold and wind. Wednesday is set for the massive double-length race. The race book with maps hasn't been issued - the organisers are having to change the route according to weather forecasts, as the original route went through several wadis (dry river beds) which have turned into potentially dangerous quicksands, following the storms at the weekend.

Stage 1 completed!

2009-03-31T00:07:00.005+01:00

Excellent news at last - he's completed the first day's 33km in Morocco's highest dunes, Erg Chebbi/Erg Znaïgui. Starting around 10:00am, he finished approx 19:40, which would be 50 minutes after sunset. 812 competitors set out and 805 crossed the finish line.

1st place: 2h 34m 05s (12.85km/h) Mohamad Ahansal
805th : 9h 39m 44s (3.42 km/h) Kobus Cilliers

Conditions at 10am start: 20°C and 36% humidity
Conditions at 1.30pm : 29°C and 24% humidity

I don't know anything else, I've not heard from Kobus at all since 10 minutes before the start, and all of this information is from http://www.darbaroud.com/. But it's fantastic to find out that he's completed day one - Well done Kobus!

Tomorrow's weather is likely to be 4°C higher than Monday's, and there's a good chance of rain again on Thursday.

ça y est mon kiki

2009-03-30T13:28:00.002+01:00

http://www.darbaroud.com/fr/html/mds/24mds/portraits/24mds_portraits_014_CILLIERS.php

Thank you Amanda for your superb translation from French of Kobus's interview.
Regarding "ça y est mon kiki", Amanda says: The kiki bit is rather difficult to translate as it means more than it translates to in a word - it really does convey in french the once in a lifetime challenge yourself to the limit essence of the mds.

29/03/2009 - Jacobus Cilliers (Competitor Number 14)

Here is one that immediately comments on the marathon: more atypical, it's hard to find! And if you take 10 minutes to talk with him, you discover someone who is passionate, animated equally by a sense of humour and strength of will …
To begin with some info: his first name is Jacobus, measuring 1.83 m. and weighs 137 kg.
And he signed up voluntarily for the marathon known as the most exhausting, the hardest of its kind!

He tells his story with that typical British eccentricity (sic) that conceals great modesty.

"I like extreme sports, for my 40th birthday, I was looking for a big impact, knowing that whatever I do, it would go down as ‘ a mid-life crisis’, but then after it whatever I do, even something really crazy, everything else seems bland ... Two days after this decision, I see on TV, a report on the MDS: I said to myself, that’s my challenge (French: kiki), you’ve found it, that's it! The English team is full up, so I am in the Korean team.
- How many are you?
- - There’s just me, I'm the only one... "
-
- That was nine months ago.
Here begins the training of someone who even calls himself a “couch potato" who does nothing, no physical activity...

At weekends, he trains to stay on his feet and to move, walking 6 to 8 hours per day, and not on an asphalt road to accustom himself to these new efforts. He walks 16 - 20 km, "to set off" on this new adventure.
He wants to mention "Likey", fan and experienced expert of extreme marathons, who opened a shop and offered this advice:
"To succeed,
15% depends on your fitness
30% of the system and the strategy of life that you put in place during the marathon
The rest is in the head".

He looks at me, smiles and says, I am counting on the 15% of my physical form!

In life, Jacobus is an inventor ... This is not made up!

In Birmingham, where he lives, he decided to raise £10,000 pounds for the children of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Jacobus is a native of South Africa, he knows the conditions there, and he wants to fight for those "who have nothing".
Around him, many people support this.

Today, the eve of departure, Jacobus is determined to not think about anything and live only in the present moment, "there, I cross the dunes, that's all”, otherwise it is too much for him.

He still carries his cigarettes in his bag, he smokes 40 a day.

When we are about to finish, he turns to me and says: "In general, those who are large see themselves as being worthless and of no ability. If me, I succeed in completing this marathon, they will know that it is possible that they too are capable (of it).

YouTube videos

2009-03-30T12:35:00.001+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBbtwvj7Xr8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8raCF-kVnw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h55qhb_vQRo

All set and ready to go...

2009-03-29T21:36:00.002+01:00

From texts from Kobus today:
"The new first stage is going to be really tough it has 16km of sand dunes it start with 12 and end with 4. Don't know what is in between or total length. They expect many drop outs. Keep you posted."
Kobus says the sand dunes are massive - each one equivalent to climbing over the Malverns, and for 16km as the crow flies.
"Just passed the medical. Had to beg and talk them to death but did it. I am now officially in."
The doc finally gave in, but not content with that, Kobus got him to sponsor him 100 Euros if he completes the course without having to be put on a drip.
"Also had 3 interviews with the press and a photoshoot. Now if I don't make it I will be the biggest big mouth twat in Morocco"
Other news: Kobus has tested his Full English Breakfast today and says it is the best ever. True to form, he's still doing his preparation and training as for Master Chef, not the MdS! All the checks and medicals have now been carried out and the first stage starts after an early breakfast tomorrow.

Weather forecast

2009-03-29T21:27:00.003+01:00

One thunderstorm again today but rain eased off. Forecast is dry for next few days but drizzle again towards end of week. Despite the "mild" description, Kobus says it is already very hot and he's bought an umbrella to tie to his rucksack - for the sun, not the rain this time though.
Due to the unpredicatable weather conditions, the route for the week hasn't been fixed but they have been promised it will be the toughest MdS to date. The organisers are concerned about the high humidity - apparently this is the main reason for people dropping out in the past - and they are issuing extra salt tablets and extra water.

Monday 30/03/2009: Hi: 13° Lo: 3° There is a 0% chance of precipitation. Partly cloudy. Mild, Windy. Temperature of 13°C. Winds NNW 33km. Humidity will be 47%.
Tuesday: Hi: 14° Lo: 4° Winds NNW 23km.
Wednesday: Hi: 17° Lo: 3° Winds NNE 20km.
Thursday: Hi: 18° Lo: 3° Winds NNE 24km.
Friday: Hi: 17° Lo: 4° Drizzle. There is a 10% chance of precipitation. Winds N 25km. Humidity will be 50%.
Saturday: Hi: 17° Lo: 4° Drizzle. There is a 20% chance of precipitation. Cloudy. Mild, Windy. Winds N 38km. Humidity will be 57%.

Wellsh weather in Errachidia

2009-03-28T18:20:00.003Z

We are staying in a lovely Hotel in Erfoud in the Errachidia province with temperatures around 20 degrees C and are fed the best french food we can dream off. All in good spirit and starting to accept our fate. The french organisation has been nothing but brilliant. Say what you want about the Frogs, they have just gone up a few notches in my estimation. Thanks Zoe for putting the photo on the blog. I was there when the helicopter took it. At that stage we were still in the tents. Later the water raised so high the Moroccan Army evacuated us in troop carriers. Overnight the water raised and the whole camp including the admin bit (not shown in the photo) were under water and some tents has washed away. The first stage 30km start at the camp and goes through a couple of (dry) river beds.

The new arrangements are...
The first stage on Sunday is cancelled.
Today was supposed to be the admin and registration day at camp.this has now changed. We will go to another hotel where the French stay and do the admin there. This involve checking our kit, medical checks and handing in all our luggage that we do not carry during the race.
After the admin day we return to the hotel in our racing kit for the night.
Early Monday morning trucks will pick us up and drop us off at the new start point. We don't know yet where it is.

Originally we were all disappointed because no one want to return home saying they have done half a race. Everyone here want to be tested to their full potential. However this soon passes as we realised that the organisers were greatly concerned about our welfare because of the expected high humidity. They expect this to be the hardest race yet despite been 30km shorter. It transpired that in 2006 they had their biggest drop out rate because of humidity. Apparently no one is prepared for that environment and competitors overheat and suffer far more foot injuries. Hydration is also more difficult and the organisers is unsure how much more water we need. Bear in mind more water need to be carried and due to the remoteness of some routes they can not change the frequency of watering points which is up to 20km apart in some stages. In 2006 many were hospitalised and one Englishman had to be induced into a coma and flown to Europe for treatment.

It may be an unexpected adventure and although we enjoy it and are making the most of it, it is not why we are here and we are on pins and needles for the race to start. General attitude about the organisers concern over the safety and conditions....Bring it on, that is why we are here.

2009-03-28T15:36:00.002Z

Picture of the bivouac first camp in the Sahara on Friday - with rivers running through the tents!

Pissing down

2009-03-28T12:01:00.002Z

(text from Kobus)
Pissing down.
Aparently the camp has washed away
stage one cancelled
they are planning at moment.
Everyone in good spirit but very dissipointed

It's raining in the desert

2009-03-28T11:18:00.002Z

Kobus phoned me (Zoe) on Friday lunchtime - it's pouring down with rain and the sky is black, black, black as far as they can see. They're on their way to the first bivouac camp. No-one can believe it - it's never happened before in 24 years of the MdS. I checked the weather on the internet: yes, it's true, there's a massive band of rain sweeping across the north west corner of the Sahara as we speak, predicted to be heavy rain on Friday and Saturday, light rain on Sunday and Monday, and sunny all the way again from Tuesday! I sent the news to Kobus. All I could hear was manic shocked laughter in the background as he relayed the message.

Later on Friday evening Kobus phoned with the news of the day's events. The French group had gone direct from the airport to the desert (about 6 hours' drive) but couldn't get through due to the rain and had to turn back. When Kobus's group arrived later there were rivers running through the tents. They dug trenches around the tents and tried to waterproof them as much as possible, but were then evacuated to the staff tents. However these were in an even worse state than the ones they had just been working on.

With 800 competitors and the same again in support crew, this was an emergency situation and the Moroccan Army was brought in to the rescue as it was expected that the whole camp would be washed out. The Army shipped the whole lot of them out to the nearest town... Kobus said the organisation of everything was immaculate - by 8pm they were, all 1600 of them, booked in to hotels with bed and food arranged. Wow!

They're expecting they will have to do all the pre-marathon administration (checking documents, medicals, kit etc) in the separate hotels.

All in good spirit, and "excited" at the anticipation of the first stage, where the route takes them through a couple of "dry" river beds... They don't have adequate weather protection for rain, nor the right shoes. However, Kobus was very impressed that all his clothing has stayed bone dry, as it was packed in plastic bags to keep the sand out!

In the meantime I've checked the weather forecast again and the rainstorm seems to be passing quicker than expected:
Weather for Morocco
Current:15°C; Mostly Cloudy; Wind: W at 12 mph; Humidity: 77%
Sat 18°C 7°C Sunny with showers
Sun 15°C 3°C Sunny with showers
Mon 16°C 4°C Sunny
Tue 20°C 4°C Sunny

2009-03-26T11:19:00.000Z

I am about to board the plain and the trackers still have not arrived. If only I did not try to save a few quid and bought my own rather from hiring one from the states it would have been so much better. Please show your dissipintment by emailing the supplier at support@trackme360.com .
You can still follow my progress on the mds website. It is darbaroud or something and there is a link to that on the www.saharamarathon.co.UK website. I will ask Zoe to find I shortcut and put it on my blog
I am really sorry about that
Sent from my iPhone

Gps bad news I am afraid

2009-03-26T11:11:00.000Z

You can still follow my progress on the mds website. It is darbaroud
or something and there is a link to that on the
www.saharamarathon.co.UK website. I will ask Zoe to find I shortcut
and put it on my blog

I am really sorry about that

Sent from my iPhone

Gps tracker maybe lost!!

2009-03-25T21:43:00.000Z

Just heard that the gps tracker have not arrived yet. They are send
from the US and apparently there is a holdup at customs. Hope to have
the tommorow before we left

Bummer!

Sent from my iPhone

I am naked, totally naked

2009-03-25T20:32:00.002Z

Well I made it, saying made it, what I mean is that I am packed and at the Travel lodge in Gatwick ready for the flight to Morocco tomorrow. Is was surprising the amount of stress to pack, making sure I have everything and at the same time saving weight as far as possible. I learned that the extra half inch of foil around my freeze dried food add up to 26 gram. Taking 100gram biltong a day in stead of 70gram mean I can not close the rucksack. Changing the strapping to 2.5mm nylon cord save a whopping 123 grams. I made spreadsheet lists, change them print them, change them, print them countless times. I had to decide what to take as hand luggage just in case they lost my bag while at the same time keeping knifes and other no-no's in the hold.

I am knackered and haven't even left UK soil. Zoe was brilliant and help me repack my bags for the plane. She also went for a late night ASDA shop so I do not have to eat the Moroccan food before the race, just in case I get a tummy bug. She then took some time of to take me to the train station and a lovely send off. The train was a nightmare. I was so tense and ready to pounce on any person getting up and just vaguely glance at the empty seed next to me. I was paranoid about my luggage and keep getting up to check if all is still there.

I suspect that is how one feel when you fight a long court battle and lost. You are guilty, you got your sentence, it is a long one there is no appeal and nothing more to do. I am now on my way to report to the police station and there is nothing I can do to get out of it. I am naked. I felt like I lost everything, my family, my business, my positions, my relationships and my freedom. I am naked.

As one do when you are faced with the inevitable, I called my family back in South Africa to get some solace. The only glance of hope, as I told Johan was, maybe we are lucky and someone hijack the plane.....

Saying that once I arrived at the hotel we (me and some of the other British contenders) went to the pub to drown our our sorrows. Was I pleased to learn they felt all the same way Everyone is stressed to breaking point. Apart from me, everyone is a competent fit athlete with countless ultra marathons under the belt and the constitution of Royal Marines in their prime. Some have prepared for this race more than three years and everyone realise this is it, there is no holding back to spare injuries, there is no out. It is do or die.

Well learning that and of course a couple of pints of Old Bishop and I have found my solace, however only a tiny bit though. I left the pub early, had my lasagna and dough balls and are now off to bed dreaming of tomorrows breakfast...full English of course.

I don't know when I will be able again to update this blog, but will do so if I can. In the mean time Thank you all for your support and thanks for thinking and praying for me. I will do my best for you all.

Packed and about to go

2009-03-25T11:00:00.002Z

That's it I'm packed and waiting for Zoe to drop me of to the station, Stay tonight at the Travel lodge at Gatwick and off early tomorrow to Morocco.

I am nervous but sure i will feel better once I am there with all the other guys. Nothing more to say really. Nothing more to do, just have to do the race, that's it.

Tell you more when it is all over

cheerio

ECG’s Hospitals, blood tests and Doctors

2009-03-15T14:14:00.000Z

Got my medical certificate and ECG last week. ECG shows I have a beating heart but the doctor was a tough nut to crack. I had to beg him to sign the medical certificate to allow me in the race. It went like this, seriously it did:

Doctor: What can I help?
Kobus: Oh I just need you to sign this little form to allow me to participate in a charity event.
Doctor: And you need a medical certificate? This is in French?
Kobus: Yeah but there is a translation. You know the French they are just silly with their rules, it is nothing major.
Doctor: French? is it on the continent? What is it, a Half marathon?
Kobus: No it is in morocco and a bit longer
Doctor: Morocco? Where?
Kobus: In the desert
Doctor: The Sahara?
Kobus: Yes
Doctor: How much longer? A full marathon in the desert?
Kobus: No a bit longer it is an Ultra Marathon
Doctor: What? 38 miles?
Kobus: No, it’s 151 miles
Doctor: When is the last time you did any running?
Kobus: When I was in the police I did a 1.5 mile fitness test in 1987
Doctor: You are fucking mad; I’m not signing this......

What follows were a long strenuous negotiation with me begging and the doctor looking for any excuse to section me. I walked out of his surgery with signature and stamp on the form, so I guess I won :)

That’s it, no more to do, just packing, foot doctor get the last few bits and bobs and of I go to the challenge of a lifetime. Still not sure whether I can complete, but I will give it my all. My greatest fear is that I will quit. I will not easily forgive myself if I quit. Not completing because I don’t make the cut off or because I physically can’t, will be devastated but I will learn to accept it, Quitting however will be a bitter pill to swallow. So if you want to pray for me, pray that I won’t quit.

I got the address for the satellite tracking. You can follow me at http://share.findmespot.com/shared/gogl.jsp?glId=0luLASq8liVyIMsnQeUzL9EiI9MAPKX6i

If above website is offline, an alternative address is:
http://www.untamedadventure.com/advzone/Adventure.aspx?a=17

My position should update every 10 minutes from the start of the race.

2 Days, 40 miles, Zero blisters

2009-02-10T13:52:00.001Z

I am chuffed to bits. Did 20 miles on Saturday in 6 hours and another 20 on Sunday in close to 7 hours.

NOT A SINGLE BLISTER, not even a hot spot.

I did hard snow, soft snow, melted snow, grass, gravel, pavement, field, tarmac and bog. My feet are fine. So how did I do that?

Well a combination of things culminated from a long struggle, countless discussions, trials desperation and research.

I learned that you have to find what work for you, it may not work for someone else and it may not work for you all the time. My feet management is in 3 parts.

1. Advanced preparation

Went to a foot specialist, forgot what they are called, pedi--trist or something, asked her to take all the dead skin of my feet and get it as thin as possible. Also cut, file and polish my toe nails to as smooth as possible so that the socks will not catch anywhere.
Every night I plaster my feet with Vaseline and wrap them in cling film before bed time. My feet are now softer than a new born baby's bottom.
Locate all the places I normally blister in my shoes, and cover them with ENGO tape. Very expensive but it works. It is Teflon coated tape that stick to the inside of the shoe and reduce friction many folds.

2. Before race

Tape my feet up in Martin from Likey's special way. He do not tape spots but the whole heel and the ball of the foot. The taping is done only once and left on as long as possible. If you can keep the tape on the whole race, even better.
Injingi Cool Max socks as base layer. I use a size that fit tight but not so tight it compress.
In the UK wet weather my outer pair of socks is water proof sealskinz. In the desert I will try one pair only but a spare pair outer socks will be on hand if need to.
Tying shoe lases is seriously important. I have two sets of laces for each shoe and tied the front and back of shoe at different tighnesses to ensure my wide feet are loose along the toes and tight around the heels. I also use round laces in the front that allow slippage and movement, while the back laces are secured twisted flat laces.

3. During race

Keep concentration on feet and continually monitor if they are still OK. When I start feeling fatigue, warming, pins and needles or any thing apart from a normal rested foot I do something about it IMMEDIATELY. This could be as simple as:

changing the way I put my foot down,
changing pace
changing length of stride, or
take a break. Not long just 2 to three minutes. Not always necessary to get weight of feet, but just standing around stretching somehow put new life back in your feet.

Lot of work, lot of effort but it is important and the most important thing. NEVER BE COMPLACENT. In the past when I felt something started to go wrong, I ignored it and thought I will just tough it out. BIG MISTAKE. Have to monitor your feet like a patient in intensive care. all the time.

I plan to do the same distance this weekend and will let you know what happens, however I am more confident than before.

Pins and Needles

2009-01-21T18:30:00.005Z

Back is getting better despite that Rachel (Physio) is trying to kill me off. I am convinced she has a glass eye. It must be the left eye because I thought I saw some sympathy in that eye. Nevertheless she is excellent and is doing amazing things with may back, including the landing strip in the photo. Most importantly she has warm hands, cant stand a physio with cold hands.

Sponsorship is going slow because I don't like asking people for money. I should but it is not something I like doing even though it is going for a very important course. Zoe promised me £5 a mile. This makes me worry. Either she thinks I am no good and won't do 10, or she won the lottery and did not tell me or it is a sinister plan to get rid of me. I think I should double check my life insurance and see if there were any sudden increases.

Well I have my Full English breakfast sorted. I will be able to have a freshly cooked Full English that is save and healthy every morning. It only weighs 100g each and I do not need my big stove anymore I can cook is on a single fuel tablet. It includes:

Bacon
Fried Egg
Sausage
Black pudding
Tomato
Mushrooms

No beans, I hate beans. It is now perfected with the help of a professional chef and dear friend who is in possession of no less than a Michelin star. Everybody in the camp including the Frogs are going to hate me every morning when they smell my fry-up. Tough

The things one will do to get ready for the race are just silly. Here is this weeks diary.

Monday

Morning - Physio exercises at home
Lunch time - Physio
Afternoon - Gym
Early evening - sort out my breakfast packs
Evening - Physio exercises at home

Tuesday

Morning - Physio exercises at home
Afternoon - 1.5 hour wobble
Early evening - See consultant for new prescription
Evening - Physio exercises at home

Wednesday

Morning - Physio exercises at home
Lunch time - Acupuncture
Afternoon - Gym
Evening - Physio exercises at home

Thursday

Morning - Physio exercises at home
Lunch time - Chiropodist
Afternoon - 1.5 hour wobble
Evening - Physio exercises at home

Friday

Morning - Physio exercises at home
Afternoon - Gym
Afternoon - Prepare maps and rucksack for weekend wobble
Friday evening - Physio exercises at home

Saturday

Morning - Physio exercises at home
Day time - 5-6 hour wobble
Evening - Physio exercises at home

Sunday

Morning - Physio exercises at home
Day time - 5-6 hour wobble
Evening - Physio exercises at home

And next week is none better. This is with a family and running 2 businesses.

I need a break

Point of no return

2009-01-18T16:37:00.002Z

I reached the point of no return with my shoes. There is not enough time to get use to another pair so it is what I have or bust. I settled for a pair of New Balance from Birmingham Running. The manage to get hold of a Size 11.5 in a DDDD width. They are not perfect fit, but this is going to be the shoes i will either succeed or fail in. I am back at the gym 3 days a week. and this month I am walking 5hours on a Saturday and Sunday and 1.5 hours every Tuesday and Thursday. That is the prescription from Martin at Likey's and I am now just shutting up and doing what he say. About time too, Sue would say. :)

One more go then bust

2008-12-31T14:38:00.003Z

A big thanks to all the advice I got. I Also discussed in depth with Martin from Likeys. And by 10 last night I had a strategy. First I ordered “Fixing Your Feet” of Amazon and decided to go to the following places in this order.

Birmingham Running, A pro running shop with good reputation and it is nearby. Then If they couldn’t help, “Wide fit Shoes” in London the name say it all. Plan C was Taylor & Son in London. I was sure they could make me a custom pair of boots/shoes that would definitely get me divorced but would probably get me through the sand pit in Morocco.

I arrived at Birmingham Running http://www.birminghamrunner.com/ promptly at opening time with some trepidation. I do not have good experience with these shops, they often don’t take me seriously, and probably think it is just another fat oaf that want to polish a can while watching repeats of Ricky Lake. I spoke to Dave Ireland the owner and X Rugby player with Leicester Tigers. Now a keen Marathon athlete. Due to his Rugby connections he have many heavies frequenting his shop which gave me some hope. He asked the right questions seem to know the right stuff like feet swelling, one size bigger, anti friction patches and what not. After videoing me on his treadmill, sore feet and all I walked out with a pair of New Balance 859’s in an 11½. With the bank manager still happy and my marriage in tact. I hope to give them a thorough 2 day test this weekend.

clear, cream, pink, yellow, red & black... The visible spectrum of pus

2008-12-30T15:23:00.002Z

OK this was my plan: Zoe wanted to visit her mum in Hailsham and in order for me to go with her and at the same time stay as far away as possible, I dreamed up an shortened imitation MdS as a good test of what is to come. I would sleep in my sleeping bag on the floor, carry all my stuff including food emergency kit sleeping stuff etc and ration my water to 2.5 liters a day (thought that is good compared to the 11 liters in the desert considering the difference in climate between the south downs and the Sahara) I was to cook my own food, no shower, no shave, no drinks, no mod cons. I planned 3 walks on varied terrain, hills, flat hard surface and ploughed fields. Day one 23.7 miles (38.1 km). Day two 32.7 miles (52.4 km) and day three 23.7 miles (38.1 km). This is a total of 78.8 miles (126.6 km) with a total ascent and descend of 6763 feet (2061 meter). Or about half the MdS in half the time. Brilliant plan I thought.

Arrived an mother in law and went straight to bed in preparation for the next day. Did not sleep well at all on the floor. My torn muscle in my back was hurting like hell and I have a tooth abscess that I overdose with aspirin, codeine and paracetamol.

Day 1, Sun. 28/12/08
It was freezing cold and some of the foot paths was not used in years making navigation challenging and time consuming. Blisters start to develop after 4 hours and I stopped to treat my feet. Did not work very well and after 8 hours the blisters was well developed. Did not need to burst them as my socks did it for me. Back half of both socks was wet with clear pus. I carry on bravely while chewing pain killers like wine gums. Completed the wobble after spot on 11 hours. Ditched my boots, which was wet too with pus. Still clear at this time. Treat my feet, most of the skin was gone already and integrated in my Bridgedale socks. Just managed to cover two of the for blisters with a large compeed patch and in the process splatter mother in law’s cream carpet with pink pus. Had my trial pack of apple and custard and went to sleep. Very bad night sleep max 2 hours at a time before waking up with half my body asleep and need to turn for circulation.

Day 2, Mon 29/12/08
Killed the alarm at 06:00 and steal another 30 minutes while contemplating my madness and thinking of all the reasons not to go further. Remarkably I could not find any reason to carry on. Still I got up, treat my feet again and try to clear the now yellow pus of my brand new marmot sleeping bag. Needed to my full weight to get my feet into my what appeared to be shrunken boots. Biting my teeth, overdosing on codeine as 08:30 I drunkenly strolling out into the early morning with motorist giving me that funny look. At last, after two an a half hours the endorphins were kicking in and I could not feel my back and my tooth abscess anymore. My toes were frozen in the cold thus helping not to feel the blisters on my toes but the heels were making up for it. Afraid I would not get my shoes back on I did not stop to treat them even though the red pus was weeping out around the compeed, through the elastoplasts, through the socks and are now staining the outside of my boots. At 14:00 after five and a half hours I only did 6 miles and at risk of been arrested for walking like a drunk I called Zoe to collect me.

Had a shower and try to rescue my feet. Pus of the full visible spectrum is weeping out of various blisters and open wounds and I am thoroughly pissed of.

Everything went well, carrying the pack, the terrain, the food, the limited water, no washing, no shaving limited toilet paper even got my full English breakfast down to a tee. Sleeping was not comfortable but I can cope with it, all that is except my blimming feet.

I tried it all now, I have enough boots, shoes and socks to open a shop. I think the main problem with my feet are the awkward size combined with the weight it caries. I have very wide short feet. In length my left foot is an eight and my right foot is a nine. In width both are size 12. I normally find a size 11 is most comfortable. But it still leave a tight shoe/boot that is far to long.

What next? I urgently need to sort my footwear out. I am considering sandals (don’t laugh. The nomadic tribes in the Sahara is wearing sandals, plus I have tough feet and is use to walk barefoot) or the other alternative is getting shoes/boots made for my feet. (If anyone know of a GOOD shoemaker please let me know)

2 months and 26 days to go
Am I panicking? Naah.

Minus five and a half degrees Celsius

2008-12-07T17:46:00.004Z

That was the temperature last night on the Brecon Ultra marathon. I left a banana in the car, it was frozen. I even saw a duck walking across the canal. I thought it was going to be a walk park. I was only worried that I will not make the 3 o'clock cut off time for the second round. well did I got put in my place. 20 miles, that was it no more, get me out of here.

What and idiot!!! if I have learned any thing this weekend it must be DO NOT QUIT EVER.
It is amazing the excuses your body comes up with to tell you to stop, you are to cold, your feet can not take anymore, there is no point to this, you need to go to work tomorrow, and the list goes on and on.

The truth is I was absolutely knackered and carried on 4 miles after I initially wanted to stop. but the truth also is that if I was stubborn enough, I could gave completed the last 8 miles. after all apart from loosing a toe nail and been slightly stiff today I am fine thus I can only conclude that I stopped too soon.

Well no more! After careful consideration, Which is quite unique for me I have decided, that from this day I will never ever pull out of any race or challenge again. I will careful consider what I enter in but once in, you will need to drag me out.

Well that is the end of the negatives.

The race was the most brilliant thing I have ever done, better than paragliding in Slovenia. even though an inaugural event the organisation was brilliant. I salute you guys especially the marshalls who were standing enroute in minus 5 plus wind.

Met some great people there. Jo was there too, she got her web site going now http://www.jokilkenny.com/ amazing woman, there was Cookie, who did the 3366 ultra last year oh yea and the only Brit who ever completed the 1000 mile iditarod.(http://www.iditarod.com/) but you know the most humbling thing I heard was from one of the guys, who told me afterwords that I inspired him. When he was finding it tough and wanting to quit he though, "Stuff it, if Kobus can do it so can I". wow it makes me feel all gooey.

I also learned about the long distance walkers association who arrange 20 to 100 mile events in the UK. A brilliant opportunity to get hours on my feet so I hope to meet up with them soon.

A BIG thanks to Matt who organised this event. I haven't been to another event yet but the organisation of this one was spot on and even the fiercest critic would not have found any faults This was also the word around the bunk house. Thanks mate and well done.

Then of course there it Martin and Sue from Likeys and who is getting married next weekend. Guys you are just amazing, you made us all feel so special and we know you do this because you like too and you care. I am just another guy who shop at Likeys, definitely not anyone special, no ambitions to became one of the top athletes that frequent the shop, still they do so much for me. Not only the bottomless pit of patience and knowledge they so willingly share but little things like the t-shirts we get at the end of the race. They specially ordered one my size. I had a fair amount of free T-Shirts before and they all end up as at car wash cloths. This is the first time I got given one my size and I am wearing it now while writing this blog. Let me just remind you that Martin have done about every extreme race on the planet from the MdS the Gobi challenge, etc. Still after hearing that I pulled out he send me this text message:

"I am so bloody proud of you - flippin well done. You have a load of positives to take back from this wobble and u have every right 2 b chuffed. Cheers Martin"

As I said I will

NEVER QUIT AGAIN, EVER

Its OK itss just another walk in the park

2008-11-22T16:39:00.002Z

Calmed down about the beacons ultra. here is the link to the ultra web site: http://www.beaconsultra.com/ On it I discover some pictures of the beacon exercises when I got lost: http://www.beaconsultra.com/training_weekend.html

The route map and profile is here: http://www.beaconsultra.com/route_details.html

I took Joshua with me for a walk today. The boy amazed me, only 5 years and he stuck with me all the time though hedges, mud, cold and wet. did not complain once. we did just over 4 miles (6.4km) in the countryside

The Beacons Ultra 2008

2008-11-21T13:19:00.003Z

I just opened the brown envelope with my name on, out came my number, the map and a couple of safety pins. I am sh*&&*ng myself. Suddenly this is very real. in 17 days from today I am to do the 42 mile (67km) beacons ultra. This is the middle of the winter, it is pissing outside the wind is howling and mountain rescue is on standby. I hope the bring some big blokes, I am still 130kg and woe the man who wish to carry me on a stretcher

What the hell is the matter with me?

2008-11-18T19:56:00.000Z

oh yeah 4 months and 13 dyas left

no problem

been a bit busy

2008-11-18T19:50:00.002Z

My apologies for no updates for a time, been putting it of till tomorrow. have done a few things since last time

did the orienteering course
no longer scared of wind and horisontal rain
did a 18 mile hike
went paragliding in Slovenia and landed in a tree. mare about Slovenia at this link - http://malvern-hang.org.uk/uploaded_images/20081101.htm
sorted my boots out
got a bollocking from Debbie re exercising and have to refocus this week

sorry for short update but i hope to be more regular again:)

Why do the SAS train in the Beacons?

2008-09-22T13:29:00.002+01:00

No manner of words can explain why. All the TV documentaries I've seen fail to describe the terrain. You have to go there yourself to experience it.

I did show up for the "exercise" at the Beacons. Had huge reservations of course but "kind" Martin said "Don’t worry Kobus you will be fine. We have people from mixed abilities and you will be OK"

There were mixed abilities indeed. There were MdS (Marathon des Sables) veterans, there were Iron man athletes, Ultra marathon runners, and Even Jo was there. Jo is the first woman who is attempting the two arches challenge. The two arches challenge is a kind of a triathlon. Starting at Marble Arch in London with a quick run to Dover. The next day causal swim across the English Channel to Calais to pick up a Bicycle and peddle up to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

And of course there was me. Fat Kobus.

The route described as a fun exercise in lovely weather included peat bogs (no point explaining these to foreign readers), boulders, swamps, mountains (including the highest mountain in South Wales), grass land and brecon (cant explain brecon either. It is a stiff almost impenetrable brushlike shrub that grows about ameter tall) we were promised lovely views of the welsh mountains and valleys. I did not see anything! I had to keep my head down all the time to decide on which rock, mud pool or hole I want to put my battered feet.

And then I got lost. I was by no means unprepared. I had an Ordnance survey map with the route printed on as well as a GPS with its own Ordnace survey map and the route a clear blue line. With map and GPS I still got lost. At one stage find myself in a tight valley with a stream in the bottom and nowhere to walk but in the stream. I climb out the side of two waterfalls, granted they were not very high about six meters the highest, still I did it and lost some of my kit in the process. When I could not go upstream any further I decided climb out the valley. The valley walls at least sixty degrees and were peat, you have to experience peat yourself to have any appreciation for this. It is like moss but real thick, at least a meter and more. If you’re stand still on it you keep sinking away, you have to keep moving. Climbing the peat walls was the hardest thing I ever did. Looking at the map at home I find that I climb peat from 1313’ (400m) to 1860’ (566m) above sea level that is 547‘ (166m). When ever I stopped to take a breath I was starting to slide down. I used my walking sticks like ice picks to stop me tumbling down and was worried that I will be too exhausted to even hold on. This was by far the toughest thing I ever did. Once out of the valley I was totally lost and after hours of hills, mountains and valleys got back to the track and by great co-incidence at a place where the track crosses the road and where there happen to be a phone box. (No mobile signal in those remote parts). It was 19:00 and I was knackered. I like to think that I would have carried on a little bit more if there were daylight left but was concerned to get lost at night on the mountains without any communication, so I called Martin. He and Sue (his wife) picked me up and took me to the camp site where al the others were relaxed and having a pint. They were concerned about me and were really happy to see me. Barry try to call me a few times but got Zoe instead as I put my calls through to her. Zoe, bless her, when hearing they lost me was not concerned at all and merely enquire what the weather was like and if they are have a good time.

Had an early night and manage some sleep despite been bitterly cold. Even the others complained about the cold which gave me some moral boost. The second day was miles better than the first. I started of by cooking a full English breakfast and that was the talk of the camp. I had a great start and Barry made sure that I know the route well before running of to catch up with the others. The others who by the way was running as well. Those people are not human. Communication was better as we got mobile signal from time to time and Barry send frequent SMS’s from the front to update on directions and enquire if I am still alive. Physically the second day was a breeze compared to the first and I was doing very well. No chaffing between the legs, thanks to Martin who supplied me with some running tights. (Very tight and very revealing but no chaffing). My feet let me down but I was desperate not to loose any more face and to endure at least six hours and hopefully seven. Then Barry gave me jubilation when he sms me saying that Jo has pulled out because of her feet. I thought that if and MdS veteran who is now doing the two arches challenge can pull out, so can I. (Must add that Jo had a good reason as she have a big race on this weekend, I was just chicken). Blissfully unaware I stumble passed a pub to be greeted by a waving Sue and Jo to be whisked of to the finish line in time to share a pint with the others.

All in all it was both easier and tougher than I expected. Day one I almost though I was going to die but recover soon afterwards, day two was good apart from my feet but all the non-humans said that my feet will improve with time and I should not worry too much. They keep telling me not to worry, that make me worry :)

Martin and Sue decided I need to learn how to read maps so I am booked in for a map reading and orienteering course in 2 weeks time. Held at the Brecons!!!! Zoe wants to know more because maybe she will join me. That will be really nice.

Any way Martin is not all that bad. Despite luring me into this weekend’s ordeal he uttered the second most beautiful words I ever heard. “STAY AWAY FROM THE GYM” That is right next to Zoe telling me she loves me. Coming from a man who amongst other things done the MdS, the 6633 Challenge (350 miles above the Arctic Circle) and the Gobi desert challenge. I have to formally announce that the inside of a gym will not see me again ever.

PS: Lost another 1.6kg is now 127.6kg. Only 17.6kg’s to go and 6months, 8 days to do it in.

Interesting Fact

2008-09-11T08:38:00.004+01:00

... each year about twice as many people reach the summit of Everest than completing the MdS.

Failure

2008-09-07T09:01:00.002+01:00

Attempted a 35mile (56km) yesterday and bailed out. No need for sympathy or political correctness, fact remain I set a goal, committed to it and bailed out while I was still able to put one foot in front of the other. The cold and the rain beat me. I thought I was well prepared with a poncho an some waterproof overshoes, matlock/mattock or something they are called. Supposed to be army issue, however within a few miles they were in shreds and I was walking ankle deep through the water. The poncho was not much help either. It kept the rain out but did not breath. The condensation inside made everything wet. My phone was in a plastic bag inside the rucksack and the water was dripping from it.

I ended up walking in T shirt and shorts. which was OK as long as I kept the 5km/h (3mph) pace. But the blisters that came after a bout 8 miles of drenched shoes slowed me down and I could not walk fast enough to maintain body heat. So after 17 miles I called it a day and called a taxi.

To argue that in the Sahara I will not have rain wind and cold is irrelevant. I am here now and here I have to train. In the desert we will have different challenges, also challenges I did not anticipate or prepared for. If I can not learn to overcome and endure the little problems in the cold and wet. I will stand no chance.

What next. I think if I was warm and dry, I would have had a better chance I need to find suitable clothing and shoes and then do the same route again. Problem is that seldom are good clothing available in my size. I have an exercise booked in the Brecons for 20th of this month and need to redo my failed route before that.

Things that went well:

Managed to control the chafing between my legs.
Cooked a full English breakfast on route, Bacon, egg, tomato, mushroom and black pudding. It was beautiful.

Things that can go better:

Not comfortable with trekking poles, needs getting used to.
Keeping warm and dry, especially feet.
Difficult to judge hydration levels in the rain as I do not feel thirsty or notice any sweat. Slightly de-hydrated today.
Consider dumping the GPS. I start to think it is only a gimmick with weight.

Have not lost or gained weight since last blog. I blame the full sirloin worth of biltong I made. Promise not to make any more for at least 4 weeks.

20 Mile walk

2008-08-25T09:54:00.002+01:00

Did a 20 mile (32km) walk yesterday with a 15kg (33lb) backpack. Had two 45 minute stops to cook breakfast and lunch and to test the stove etc. Complete in 8 hours 15 minutes.

I wanted to do a longer walk, 35 mile (56km) but Paul (Experienced walker and friend who walk with me) talked me out of it before we start. I was very disappointed in his negative attitude but afterwards eternally great full.

What went well.
I was not tired, The backpack is amazingly comfortable and did not cause any discomfort or irateness. Had plenty of energy even towards the end.

What went wrong
Two blisters on the ball of my feet the size of golf balls and chafing between the fatty parts of my legs. This started after about 7 miles and was seriously painful but I thought if I stop then I would have no chance completing the MdS so i stuck it out even though I lost all sense of humour towards the end. Legs were very stiff and the worst part was driving home afterwards as I could not lift my legs for either clutch or brake. So I drove back changing gears without clutch and using the handbrake instead.

Good news is this morning I am fine. Legs is much better and ready for another walk. Apart from the blisters and chafing.

Got a bollocking from Debbie who was not impressed that I did such a distance so soon. Martin from likeys also thought it was a bit silly even though it is a good learning curve. He said that a level walk is harder than uphill and downhill because you use the same mussels all the time. (I think he was just kind)

Of to the pharmacy now for some iodine and plasters then puncturing the blisters and see if I can get the skin to stick.

Lost a little more weight and is not 129.2 kg (285 lb)

Lost 37% of target weight.

2008-08-17T09:58:00.004+01:00

130 kg this morning. Lost 12kg thus far or 26.5lb
20kg to go. (44lb)
feeling more active and alive
friends are starting to see the difference, I find it a great inspiration
Back is much better now and I hardly feel it anymore
Did not go back to the gym yet, but is doing the Physio's exercises and did go for my first two cross country walks. Didn't walk far, only 2.3 miles (3.7km) each time but did manage an average speed of 3.2mph (5kg/h)
Plan to do longer walk today, but church first and then garden.

Overall feeling great.

2008-08-04T10:36:00.001+01:00

Lost 9 Kg in total, 21 to go
back is getting better
start excersising tommorow morning again, but only cardio

Update

2008-07-23T19:01:00.004+01:00

Got some stick from various angles due to the forgotten blog, and rightly so. My Apologies. Quick update thus far:

Start Gym
Gym awful
Could not get going in Gym
Debbie join me at Gym, show me how to exercise properly
Gym now a doddle :)
Got serious constipation, doctor blame new low fat diet
Constipation cause muscle spasms in back
Cured constipation
Spasms caused trap nerve low at back and swollen thingies(these rubbery things between vertebrae)
Got a Physio
Have to pay for physio :(
Told not to gym at least two weeks
Do physio exercises
HURT LIKE HELL (not exercises, back when try to sleep)
Have lost 6kg (almost stone)
General well being: Miserable (because back)
Time to MDS: 8 months, 8 days, 12 Hours

Will try to update more frequently

Is she nice or is she just fit and hate men.

2008-06-24T17:37:00.002+01:00

I had a lovely meeting with Deborah yesterday. Measuring me up, all kinds of electrodes and electronic thingies attached to arms and legs and present me with the results.

Basically, I am fat. Well not as fat as I first thought, but still fat. I am 38% fat and need to loose 30kg to be in great shape. (My suspicions should have started when she indicate that loosing that amount of flab would be the easy bit). A good thing is my metabolism which is brilliant. I burn 2572 kCal (10700 Kilojoules) lying still on my back. :). All in all when she drove off leaving me with the first four weeks exercise plan, I was on top of the world and motivated to the core.

Work was quite busy and I only now had a moment to peek at the program that starts in 6 days 14 hours. I am scared....... This is going to be much, much tougher than I had imagined.

Never fear we'll keep the spirits up and just go for it. As my paratrooper friend Steve vehemently explained "fitness wins, remember that Kobus fitness wins"

Socks

2008-06-14T17:53:00.004+01:00

There are more technology in a pair of socks than in my satnav. Went on a 3 hour trip to wales to buy socks. Not any kind of socks socks specially designed to reduce blisters. (Note the reduce and not eliminate). They fit like gloves and the names of the composites they are made of is unpronounceable. Am now wearing Nike Pegasus trail shoes with a tall grey socks on the left and short white on the right. Intend to where then nonstop a few days to find out which is best for me.

Also got my rugsack and some dehydrated food to try. Backpack was limited supply and apparently you have to test the food out over a long period to make sure you dont start to hate it or something. Trouth be told it was food, so I bought it.

Gym and Trainers

2008-06-13T19:25:00.003+01:00

I used to made charitable contributions to a local gym. FitnessWorks 2000 in Halesowen. I've been a fully paid up member for 2-3 years and visited the place normally after my membership expired in order to renew. When I called to tell Karen (the owner) about my quest she did not hesitate to offer her support. In fact she is sponsoring my membership fees for the entire nine months. That is worth £405. Way to go Karen. I will recommend you to everyone and are placing you on my Links of Honor.

Had a little diversion to Bradford today. Visited the biggest sport shoe shop in the world. Sportsshoes.com Had my walking (shuffle) examined and feet measured in many ways and out of 57 trial shoes to test, I ended up with a brand new pair of No 11 1/2 Nike Pegasus Trial shoes.

I could have saved me the trip because Martin Likey did mention he swears by Nike Pegasus. Sorry again Martin but I am learning.

Spoke also to Deborah yesterday, She are making a few adjustments to my program and we will meet up next week to discuss it.

12 days to go before training start.

A quick update as to what I have dune thus far.

2008-06-12T19:29:00.002+01:00

Decided to do the marathon on my birthday 27th of May.

Find a place
The UK contingent was fully booked until 2010 and the 2011 waiting list was about to close as well. I tried the Germans, the Yanks and at last I got a place via South Korea. I paid my deposit, still not quite sure that I am doing this.

Make up my mind
After a few days pondering I decided finally to fully commit to this. And subsequently tell Zoe (wife) who to some surprise was very supportive.

Identify a cause
It was very important to me to use this, a selfish act, to do some good. I spend some time investigating and talking to charities and finally decided to support Christian Aid. Not only do I fully support their work but also their ethos.

Made it public
My Birthday party on Saturday the 31st was a good place. Most of my closest and dearest friends was there and I realised that by telling them I need to do it else I will be left without a shred of credibility. Now I am truly committed.

Plan Training
I decided to start training when I have 9 months left which allow me to get a few things organised. After extensive search I found an incredible talented Personal Trainer, Deborah Rowe. (The former British Triple Jump Champion not the girl who married Michael Jackson) The have a personal training business and have agreed to sponsor me with her time. I am elated. The first and most crucial person on my team is a true professional and my confidence level have increased tenfold even though she have promised me nine months of severe suffering.

Get the Kit
Found expert no 2. Martin Likey, owner of Likey’s. MdS veteran and owner of the biggest and best Ultra ultra marathon shop in the UK. He agrees that I do not need any kit for at least a month into training apart from footwear. I had a few doubts about his footwear advice, (it would not have been like me to just roll over and agree would it?) so I consult with Steve Gilbert a friend from Malvern paragliding Club. He is a retired instructor at the British Paratroopers and is now in Dubai teaching the UAE army how to fall out of planes. I thought if anyone knows how to cross a dessert on foot, he should know.

He said the same as Martin. Sorry Martin.

So I am looking for a trial shoe that is very light, very breathable and can support my ultra wide foot and my 22 stone.

Prepare to receive donations
Spend half the day today setting up this Blog, the donations web site, and the online photo album

What it is about

2008-06-12T16:08:00.001+01:00

I have done many exiting things, like Parachute Jump, Bungee, Scuba, Paragliding, etc. so adrenaline sports won’t raise an eyebrow. One thing I never did is running. I hate running. Seriously the longest distance I ever run was a 1.5mile fitness test (2.4km) I did this only twice, once in 1987 and again in 2007. I had to walk more than half of it. Also I am unfit, not the "I can’t run an iron man" unfit, no, proper unfit. I am 183cm tall (6’1”) and weigh 142kg (22.4 stone). I paraglide with a tandem wing. So I thought running a marathon would be pushing the boat out, but would it be enough to shut up midlife crises whisperers. I am not sure. There are a lot of fat blokes doing the London marathon; no I have to do better. Then I saw the documentary on TV. The Marathon Des Sables and my decision was made...
That was the fun bit, now the serious bit.

I want your money. Christian Aid is a great charity helping people all over the world in places like Burma and Zimbabwe. If you think you have it tough, think again because you don’t. That you can access a computer to read this page proof that you don’t.

There are people in this world who have lost all. Family, friends, belongings, land, food, dignity and worst of all they have lots hope. There are people for whom death is a welcome end to suffering. We can not stop this, and we may not make a big difference. But through Christian Aid we will make a difference to a few. And for that few, whom we will never know and who will never know us, for them we will have made a difference.

Give as much as you can. If you are a regular giver, please spare us a few pence. If you are not a regular giver. Stop for a moment, examine your own life and consider this opportunity to use a little of your money to rescue lives. And those who think you do not have much to give. I challenge you to go hungry for a day and give the money you saved.

Who ever you are, just give.

Thanks
Kobus