So there we were in a hotel, instead of the bivouac. We went to have breakfast and to see if we could find out what was going on. It was still raining! Noone seemed to know what was happening but we were told that Rob the rep would be around later on to keep us up to date. The first day was certainly cancelled though. We were all disappointed but having seen the conditions first hand, it was fairly obvious that there was no other way around it.
We took a walk into town.... found a market and after considering the conditions that we might face, a few of us decided to buy some plastic sheeting which we could carry with us and put underneath the rugs in the tents to keep us dry (or wrap ourselves in to keep sleeping bags from getting soaked... forward thinking!). The market traders must have thought all their Christmases had come at once. There were plenty of AOI representatives/staff buying plastic too! We bought enough between us to kit out two tents and decided that it was worth the extra weight!
We carried on wandering for a while and then found a cafe, with tables and chairs under cover to hide from the rain, and drank mint tea and coffees for a couple of hours. It was quite funny because every so often a group of Mds'ers would run past, complete with gaiters and full kit, obviously itching to get out and start. We were happy just sitting! We actually started to see cracks of blue sky which was encouraging!
We went back to the hotel to see if there was any news.... we had lunch (the hotel was fantastic as they were obviously out of season and in the middle of decorating, but managed to feed us three times a day, and nothing seemed too much trouble).... we actually made the waiters laugh because every time more food came out, everyone descended like a swarm of locusts (especially for the puddings!). The sky was clear by this point and we could actually feel heat for the first time since we arrived. We got changed and sat by the pool... totally out of racing mode and getting far too relaxed really. Decided to go in the pool because it was so hot. Bloody freezing water!!! After about half an hour I had to get out because I was losing feeling in my toes!
Another couple of hours went by and Rob the rep appeared with news. Day 1 cancelled. We were being picked up at 8.30am to be taken to a nearby hotel for admin. Admin for us would be between 10am and 12pm. We had to be ready in full kit, with cases packed (as they would be taken away from us) and just left with our backpacks and what was needed for the race. Scary stuff. It was all suddenly become horribly real!! On Monday morning we would be picked up at 7am and taken to the start which would be approximately an hour's drive away. We would start the race and at the end of day 1 arrive at the bivouac for the first time.
Once we'd heard the news, we went back to our rooms to start going through kit etc... I had my pack weighed. 11kg. Ouch. Far too heavy. Gilly decided I had to be ruthless and go through my kit and bin things! Nooooooo!!!! I don't travel lightly, I know that, but it meant throwing out luxuries that I really wanted to take. Pillow had to go (and not a great big fluffy one, but a travel one!!). Lots of bits and pieces chucked and eventually pack weighed 10kg. Not bad (still felt ridiculously heavy!). The flare weighs approximately 500g so that would be added on tomorrow plus other bits and pieces. Christ this was all becoming very scary.
We had to be self sufficient in the morning so muesli was left out and we were ready for bed. We had our breakfast and packed all the last bits and pieces. This was where all our nice things were packed away and we were to live in the same clothes for the next few days. We took all our stuff down and waited for the coaches. We drove the short distance to the Kasbar Hotel (very nice) and joined the queue for admin. I was actually relieved that we were getting rid of our cases finally as it felt like we'd carted them around for far too long. The queuing didn't actually last too long. We were probably there for about an hour. Then we got to the front and had to hand in paperwork that we'd filled in previously.
We went inside the building and our cases were taken away - yay!! Then we received our race numbers and water card which we obviously had to carry with us at all times around our necks. Moved on to the next table where we received a chip which was attached to our packs. This was for timing purposes (and enables the times to be recorded accurately obviously).... the onward to receive the flare (which is huge) and salt tablets. We were given 120 and told to take 20 a day. Bloody hell!! Not sure I would manage that but I was definitely planning on using some of them.
Then the last stop was to hand in the ECG and medical certificate. Not many questions were asked. How heavy did we think the pack was? Had we done anything like this before? Are we fit... er yeah... okay then off you go!! Very funny. I suppose it was all a bit rushed because of the circumstances in general but luckily no problems. On leaving we went through to collect fuel that we'd previously ordered and our first supply of water.
Now we were officially ready...!
We were told that Patrick Bauer would be making his speech at about 3pm and that we probably wouldn't be leaving the hotel until around 5pm. Great. More hanging around. Lunch was provided though which was very nice and then we were treated to yet another downpour. It was only brief though and once it had passed the sun came out again. We saw Mohammed Ahansal and his brother Lahcen (last year's winner) preparing and sorting out their race numbers. Also saw the winning lady from last year (can't remember her name right now... oops). So many people ask to have their photograph taken with the Ahansal brothers it's quite funny. I'm surprised they get anything done. They always seem very obliging though.
Eventually PB came out to do his stuff. He speaks in French and then another French guy translates into English. Sort of. Quite hard to understand but the general gist was that they had considered cancelling the entire event but assumed that the competitors would want to carry on, even if it meant sacrifices along the way. They said that we would have to be patient as the roadbooks were basically null and void now. The routes were being decided as he spoke and we would be informed each morning of distance and route!! Aaahhh!!!!
He thanked everyone for their patience and understanding at what would be a very different Mds. And that was that.
A slight free for all ensued when we went to get coaches back to the hotel. Eventually got on one and headed back to have dinner in full kit. Very strange!
Once we had finished, went back to do last minute checking etc. It was at this point that I decided the straps on my Aarn were not very padded (better late than never).... so Steph contributed 2 sanitary towels and with a bit of duck tape, I had padded straps. Genius. Caused much hilarity I can tell you!
Off to bed with much anticipation as to what lay ahead.
Had another muesli for breakfast (couldn't eat it all) and got ready for the buses at 7am. Once on board we travelled about 2 mins down the road and then sat outside another hotel for about an hour. Then we were off. The journey took around an hour and all of a sudden the Merzouga dunes were in sight. Christ they look big even in the distance. They are a beautiful orange colour and really do look awesome when they first come into view.
Once off the buses we were all slightly in awe of what we were in the middle of. The start line with '24th Marathon des Sables' across it... the helicopter, the hoardes of competitors all ready and raring to go.... I've seen it so many times, and here I was, actually in the middle of it all.
We had to queue for water. When it's given to you, your number is written on the bottle. If any of your bottles are found on the course (or dumped anywhere), you incur time penalties.
We made our way to the start and listened to Patrick Bauer for a few minutes.... very hard to understand what's going on (even with the translation), the helicopter flies very low overhead too and then suddenly we were off.
I walked right from the start. That was my intention and I wasn't going to change it now. An amazing feeling and an amazing sight seeing the runners in front, going off into the distance. We had about a 3km stretch of relative flat before we reached the dunes.
I seriously couldn't believe I was actually doing this after all this time! Amazing.
The dunes soon appeared and my God they are impressive. Absolutely stunning. I took pictures along the way and each time I took one, it just looked like a postcard. Bright blue skies and beautiful orange sand. All very surreal. I really enjoyed this section, partly because of how gorgeous the surroundings were, and also just because I had seen it so many times and was now actually part of it all.
I stopped to take my jacket off and once I got going again Steph came past me... we'd lost each other at the start. So off we went and we were to complete this stage together.
After the dunes there were rocky hills and paths which were quite hard underfoot but from what I can remember, I felt pretty good on this stage. There were only 2 checkpoints and we didn't stop for any length of time, just to fill water and have something quick to eat.
The section ended with another section of dunes. The sun was going down at this point and again, they looked absolutely stunning. Took a couple more photos and eventually saw camp coming into view. Day 1 almost done....
When we came towards the finish line our tent mates came to meet us which was fantastic. They took our packs and walked us to our tent. It was so nice to finally be in camp (a dry one at that). We made ourselves comfy, sorted out our clothes and food and settled down for the evening. I had chilli con carne for tea and it was okay.... I was starving by then so probably would have eaten anything anyway. An early night... we had 37km tomorrow (31 was covered today). We would be doing a circular route as would be staying at this bivouac again tomorrow night.
It was freezing cold and very windy on our first night....
Tomorrow was another day!
To be continued.....
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