Progress Update

It’s been a while since my last post so let me try and fill you in. I’ve been training with the pack, doing a hike/run every Sunday. The weight on my back certainly makes things feel different; for instance trying to stop yourself after you’ve tripped on a rock and doing a face plant on the trail because you don’t yet know how to compensate for the excess weight pulling you forward. Needless to say I walked away with pretty knees and a skinned up forehead. Nice!

Received a very generous donation from my dear friend Kandi; she is starting her training for a half-marathon in April so everyone send her your support! Thanks Kandi and RUN HARD!

Other friends who have just completed their first half-marathons include Kathy Garvin and Heather Wise. Both of them did such a fantastic job; they make me very proud.

Health-wise I’ve had a bit of a set back. The flu got a hold of me last week but I think I’m on the mend. I tried a trail run yesterday but bonked after only a few miles. But if first you don’t succeed…………………

Finally, thanks to Ashley for the wonderful music selection. I love me a little Earth Wind and Fire!

Happy Running.

Holiday Update

It’s been a while since my last post; here’s what’s been happening over the past two weeks.

I finally picked up my pack from Appalachian Outfitters. Jonathan, the owner, has been working with me to get a pack that fits just so and has had to order and reorder a few times. He’s been a fantastic help and Appalachian Outfitters will definitely be the first stop for the rest of my equipment needs. Thanks Jonathan!!

Last Sunday I took the pack out for a test drive at Paris Mountain. I dropped a little weight in it and did about 7-miles; mostly hiking but with some running to see how it felt. It was a beautiful day and the pack felt OK. Thanks Steve for showing me around the place.

I received some fantastic music selections from Beth (two full CDs!!!!!!), Richard, Steve, and Jim Cason. I love the variety of choices that everyone has provided and I’ll be thinking about you all as I cross the desert with music in my ears. If anyone else has some suggestions please don’t be shy; I’m crazy open-minded when it comes to music.

No financial donations this update, but I’m hopeful that people will consider that one additional charitable donation before the end of the year to help with taxes! GOTR can always use the help and I encourage you to check out their website to see what it’s all about. www.girlsontherun.org

Thanks again to everyone for your constant support. We are four months and counting.

Donations #2

Holy Smokes, two more very generous donations were submitted to GOTR last week in honor of the Sahara Marathon; one from Richard and another from the Garvins. What a great bunch of friends I have; thank you so much for your financial support of GOTR and your support to me as a friend. Amazing!

Music #2

First let me send out a personal thank you to the Spin-Maestro, Eli Voss for the most excellent compilation of music. I especially love the variations and will think of you as I cross the desert listening to “The Wand” by The Flaming Lips as well as “The Theme from Shaft” by Isaac Hayes. Nice Work and thank you so much for the time and effort you put into the cd. Word on the street is that Beth Culp has some additional music to throw into the mix. I’ve had a sampling of that list and was thrilled with everything I heard thus far.

Of course I’m always looking for more music; please remember that this race will be 7 long days in the desert. The Theme from Shaft is only going to get me so far so please share the musical love.

Training Update #2

I was able to get some very good runs in last week and felt great. The Achilles is doing much better thanks to another visit to “The Healer”. I also followed up on my goal to increase my gym time and made it three times last week. Unfortunately I did not get my extra long run in due to a tennis weekend (a glorious weekend at the beach!), but did have 4 good, strong runs ranging from 6 to 8 miles. No pizza was eaten all week which I think may be a first for me and should be corrected immediately.

This week I am shooting for continuing my gym visits, increasing my run distance, and taking my first hike with the pack on Sunday.

Become a Follower

For those of you who would like to be an official follower I’ve provided some guidance on signing up. It is a little confusing so please use the instructions below:

1. Click on “Follow this Blog”
2. Click on “Forgot your Password”
3. Type in your email address on the “Or, what is your email address”
4. It will ask you to type in the characters you see; do so;
5. The response will be that your username is not found
6. Go to the second section and click on “If your address is correct”
7. Sign up for a Google account.

This will allow you to become a follower and will ultimately make my day. I do appreciate your continued support.

Training Update

It’s been a challenging week; both personally and professionally. These are one of those weeks when you are so very thankful for the ability to run. It is my saving grace; keeps me from jumping in front of a very fast moving train :-)

On a brighter note, I have agreed to “Donate my body to Science”. It’s not as dramatic as all that but several of us doing the race have agreed to be guinea pigs for a physician who will be calculating the true energy cost of competing in this event; looking at what proportion of this cost is derived from stored body fat. Since I have a good bit of that; this should be easily measured. The study requires that you measure and document your body fat, weight, VO2Max, Lactate Threshold, distance run that day, heart rate during that activity, and then any hours you spent cross training. Does eating pizza count as cross training? I’m hoping so.


I have contacted FIRST, the Furman Institute of Running & Scientific Training, to see if they will help support these measurements in some way. The study asks for the measurements to be made weekly but jeez, who has the money to do that. So I proposed to FRIST that I do it monthly and asked them for some support. They are currently considering it, which I take as a positive sign. Not sure if I want to know what my body fat is on a monthly basis let alone on a weekly basis, but I’ll do it for science.

Donations

GOTR received two very generous donations last week in honor of the Marathon de Sables. Thank you so much Ginger and Robert; I do appreciate your support. I’m hoping that y’alls action will open the flood gates!!

For those interested in supporting the cause, please go to the following link if you too would like to donate to GOTR: www.active.com/donate/teamtiara2009/dwillia873

Training

My first week of documented training is completed. I’ve been dealing with some nagging injuries that have kept me in a “repair” stage. I’ve seen a few specialists, Greg Spindler who specializes in Structural Energetic Therapy (SET); and Dr. Sijon, better known as “The Healer”. Between the therapy I’ve received from these gentlemen and some much needed rest (and lots of ice), I do believe I'm rounding the corner. The Achilles is getting stronger, the training is becoming more productive, and my energy level is getting back to normal. There is nothing more depressing than NOT being able to run!!!!!

I logged 32 road miles last week, plus some bike time and one gym workout. The goal for this week is to include at least one more gym workout, a longer bike ride, and increase my long run for Saturday. I put this in print to keep me honest; make me accountable to the training goals.

Music

One of the pieces of equipment that I will absolutely need to take with me to the desert is my iPod. Actually, the plan is to take several cheap ones, since I won’t be able to charge them and not sure how well they will do in a sandstorm. But how do you fill up 4 or 5 iPods? I can’t come up with that much music so I’m asking for some help. Can you recommend a song that has inspired you or one that has kept you going? If so, please post a comment and tell me what it is.

I’ll be making the request on a regular basis over the next 5 months so keep me posted on anything new you hear.

Thanks for your support!

My First Follower

Hello Sarah, I'm so happy to see you. Thanks for joining

I Need Your Help

So how can you Help? Of course the first course of action is to follow this effort on the blog. I'll make posts along the way regarding training, equipment, leaving to eat freeze dried food (yuk!), running with a 20 pound pack on my back, trying to mimic running in 125 degree weather, etc... And then I'll provide updates along the way while racing. As my blogging friends, you can share in the pain and pleasure of running across the Sahara Desert!!! I would love to hear from you with suggestions and words of encouragement. Keep the crazy talk to yourself :-)


Secondly, I would love your support for Girls on the Run (GOTR). Please go to the following link to learn a bit more about GOTR International as well as the organization in your area: http://www.girlsontherun.org/. If you are inspired then please go to the following link and make a donation to GOTR in honor of the Marathon de Sables: www.active.com/donate/teamtiara2009/dwillia873.


Finally, share this with your friends; those you think would benefit from the experience. The more the merrier.

The Cause: Girls on the Run

Because of the positive impression that running has made in my life, I have chosen Girls on the Run as a benefactor for my participation in this race. Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Their curricula address all aspects of a girl’s development, her physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being. Team Tiara is the charity running leg of Girls on the Run (GOTR). GOTR is a life-changing, experiential learning program for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development. GOTR’s mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

The Event

Marathon Des Sables, or Marathon of the Sands, is a 7-day, 156-mile self-sustained endurance run across the Sahara Desert. The race typically has over 800 participants from all over the world, each one running for a cause that is near and dear to their hearts. Some run for a illness that has touched their lives; some run to bring awareness to a cause that they want to bring to the attention of anyone who will listen; and some run for the sheer challenge of running across the Sahara Desert. As part of the challenge, each participant carries their own food, water, clothing, sleeping gear, cooking gear, etc. The run takes participants over salt flats and sand dunes, through small villages, through the day and into the night. Each day is a different distance typically ranging between 20 to 24 miles. The fourth day is 50 miles that takes you well into the night with only your headlamp and a laser beam off in the distance to guide you. The temperatures range from the lower 30s at night to upwards of 125 degrees during the day. There are no showers, outhouses, or convenience stores to support you. You battle sand storms and blisters and sleep in a three-sided tent with up to 20 of your closest friends. It is appropriately named “The World’s Most Grueling Race.” To get a sense of the race, click on the video link below:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4714647

Welcome to my Blog!

This is my first post on the Sahara Marathon blog. I wanted to set up a place where I could provide information about my upcoming event and race charity, Girls on the Run. My name is Daphne Williams, and I live in Simpsonville, SC. I began running to save myself from myself; I was making some poor life choices with no direction and little self confidence.I stared to run with my golden retriever back in 1986, and with every mile I ran and every race I raced, my life began to change. Running became more than just a form of exercise, it became a lifestyle. I dug myself out of a life of substance abuse and put myself through college and then graduate school at Auburn University (WAR EAGLE). It was no longer acceptable to just get by; I wanted to make something of myself, challenge myself, accomplish something. 23 years of running has brought me pleasure, pain, and purpose. It has allowed me to believe I am capable of accomplishing anything! It has changed my life. That is the message I want to share: how empowering the simple act of running can be.