'Like a man on the verge of burning' - Vega
The song is great but the title has always made me chuckle as 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit is actually 37.7 degrees Celsius which isn't exactly burning and if the temperature at the Marathon des Sables was it would be a lot easier. In reality we will be experiencing more like last year's 130F which is 54C which was a lot more challenging I can assure you.
Yesterday in Cardiff it was 50F and only 10C for my MdS Training Day with young Chris Connor where we endured driving, freezing rain and mild hypothermia on our 26.2 mile power walk as he is only just coming back from two stress fractures in his right foot.
It's really hard too keep a constant 15 minute mile pace in such conditions for nearly seven hours, especially when you are freezing your bits off and your feet are not used to being on your feet for so long.
In reality it's great training for the long day and Chris found out that his feet didn't like it that much and will now be taping his feet and finding the instructions for his walking poles that didn't stay at their full length when he used them which was another good learn.
He's a great young man though and if you are walking with him he's very entertaining and has some great stories to take your 'mind off the grind', just don't walk behind him as he's a bit unpredictable with the poles.
It took me a couple of hours to warm up and I'm having a well earned rest day myself today on my taper down to the race.
More tomorrow...
It was me who passed you both along the penarth cliffs. Good luck to you both.
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