Well, i've finished my first day. It was hard but beautiful. The dunes are amazing and very steap!! Tonight will be my first night in a tent. If you want to see what it was like during the night I got stuck out there go to the official website and look at the videos.
I was the first american woman to cross the finish line today, but not sure i can keep that up. I'll try and get another post tomorrow after the run. Thanks for keep up with this. I hope all my running partners had good runs today too.
Love too you all.
Daphne
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Hello From Africa - March 26
I"ve finally made it to Morocco. It took 1.5 days with lots of layovers but I'm here. OZZ is beautiful and the hotels looks like a palace. I.ve met many of the other runners and they are all so different but nice and just as excited as me. Today after lunch a few of us went shopping and I puchased a geni lantern. I plan on rubbing it in hopes I get a few wishes out there in the desert.
I hope you are all doing well back in the states. The running starts on Sunday. It.s really here now.
Happy Running!
I hope you are all doing well back in the states. The running starts on Sunday. It.s really here now.
Happy Running!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Last Update From Home
It’s getting close; only one more day before I leave for Morocco. While racing across the Sahara, I’ll be posting daily updates on the blog. The updates will be short and sweet; we are only allowed 7 to 8 lines per computer visit but I’ll try to make them informative and upbeat.
The competitors can also receive emails from March 28th through April 3rd. These are unlimited. At the end of each day, the race officials print out the emails that each participant gets and then delivers them to the racers. I expect to get a wheel barrel of emails daily from my family, friends, and followers. From what I understand it keeps the spirits of the racers uplifted to receive chatty, encouraging messages from home. You can not send any attachments. If you do I will not receive the message at all.
Here is how it works:
1. Go to the following website: http://www.darbaroud.com/
2. The website will come up in French. Go to the top, right-hand corner and click on the US/England flag.
3. You will click on a link that says email – phone – fax, write to competitors.
4. You will be able to click on my name and number which will start the message to me. However, they suggest that you put my surname (Williams) and my race ID number (863) in the subject line as well to ensure I get the message.
I’ll be expecting updates from my running partners to hear how your run went.
I’m grateful to all of you for your positive thoughts. Keep them coming over the next two weeks. I’ll be relying on them.
Wish me luck!
Happy Running
The competitors can also receive emails from March 28th through April 3rd. These are unlimited. At the end of each day, the race officials print out the emails that each participant gets and then delivers them to the racers. I expect to get a wheel barrel of emails daily from my family, friends, and followers. From what I understand it keeps the spirits of the racers uplifted to receive chatty, encouraging messages from home. You can not send any attachments. If you do I will not receive the message at all.
Here is how it works:
1. Go to the following website: http://www.darbaroud.com/
2. The website will come up in French. Go to the top, right-hand corner and click on the US/England flag.
3. You will click on a link that says email – phone – fax, write to competitors.
4. You will be able to click on my name and number which will start the message to me. However, they suggest that you put my surname (Williams) and my race ID number (863) in the subject line as well to ensure I get the message.
I’ll be expecting updates from my running partners to hear how your run went.
I’m grateful to all of you for your positive thoughts. Keep them coming over the next two weeks. I’ll be relying on them.
Wish me luck!
Happy Running
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thoughts for the Desert
“The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed." : Jacqueline Gareau
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Getting Close
18 days and counting and it’s a wild scramble to get the final things organized and together. I’ve made list after list. I’ve got lists of my lists. The insanity continues and I suspect it will not end until I cross the finish line on April 4th!
Back in February I went to meet my running partners at Tate’s School of Discovery in Knoxville, TN. The 5th Grade class has agreed to run 26 miles with the last mile being run during a race on the day that corresponds to the first day of my race. They were such a fantastic group of kids; each one wanted to run with the pack. We did about 2+ miles, they asked a bazillion questions; high-fived me and sent me on my way. Thanks guys; you’ll keep me smiling across the desert!
I'm working hard on the final preparations; the biggest challenge is convincing a shoe-cobbler to sew the Velcro to my running shoes. I’ve not had any luck with that yet, but I’m hopefully for today. Any suggestions are welcome. Glue will not do!!
My Company NewFields has generously provided some sponsorship support. What a huge surprise and I’m so grateful for the financial aid. Thank you E&E!
Snowy weather this past week has put a little bit of a damper to running but it’s been a nice break. Just a couple more long runs and then it’s time to pack it up. I’ll finalize the running partners’ spreadsheet and will send it out to all that have agreed to run with me. I so appreciate your support and know it will make me stronger.
Happy Running.
Back in February I went to meet my running partners at Tate’s School of Discovery in Knoxville, TN. The 5th Grade class has agreed to run 26 miles with the last mile being run during a race on the day that corresponds to the first day of my race. They were such a fantastic group of kids; each one wanted to run with the pack. We did about 2+ miles, they asked a bazillion questions; high-fived me and sent me on my way. Thanks guys; you’ll keep me smiling across the desert!
I'm working hard on the final preparations; the biggest challenge is convincing a shoe-cobbler to sew the Velcro to my running shoes. I’ve not had any luck with that yet, but I’m hopefully for today. Any suggestions are welcome. Glue will not do!!
My Company NewFields has generously provided some sponsorship support. What a huge surprise and I’m so grateful for the financial aid. Thank you E&E!
Snowy weather this past week has put a little bit of a damper to running but it’s been a nice break. Just a couple more long runs and then it’s time to pack it up. I’ll finalize the running partners’ spreadsheet and will send it out to all that have agreed to run with me. I so appreciate your support and know it will make me stronger.
Happy Running.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
MDS Update
Yes, I’m still out here running my heart out; I’ve just been remiss in my posts.
First let me say a big hello to my two new followers, Jim and Judd!!! Thanks for joining the group; I’ll do my best to entertain you.
Secondly I’d like to thank my Dad for his very generous donations to GOTR. I know they are thankful for the contribution and I’m so proud of you for stepping up. To all the rest who are on the fence about donating please consider how beneficial even a small donation can be. This is such a worthy cause, providing an opportunity to build confidence in young girls through the simple act of running. It’s tax deductable and every dollar counts. The donation link is as follows: http://www.active.com/donate/teamtiara2009/dwillia873
Next let me say that the partner run idea has really taken off and I’m overwhelmed with the enthusiasm from my friends and family. It looks like I’ll have a lot of people out there with me and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your support. One group of runners I wanted to single out is the Tate Elementary School in TN. The entire PE class has signed up to run 26, yes count them, 26 miles in support of this effort. They are running it over time with the final portion to be done during a fun run on March 29th (my start date). I’m heading over there tomorrow to run with them and thank them all for their support!!! I’ll send out the final list to all those who have signed up (it still not to late to sign up; the more the merrier) and every morning when I take off to run across the Sahara I’ll know you are out there with me too.
The training is going well. I feel strong and excited and just a bit nervous as the time draws closer. If I think about it too much it can freak me out just a bit. For instance I just learned that rodents come out at night; yikes, I hate rodents. I hope they stay away from me. Then there are the scorpions.
I’m finalizing the equipment list (thanks so much Steve!) and learning how to eat freeze dried turkey tetrazzini (ugg). A big portion of my run diet will be mini snickers bars. How’s that for a healthy diet!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally I wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to all my friends for the wonderful MDS surprise party last week. You really pulled one over on me! The Team Tiara party gifts were amazing; the water bottles, granola mix (yumm), beautiful cake, MDS trivia game, and lovely Tiara!! You almost made me cry……………almost. I’ll think of you all as I power up my iPods running across the desert, listening to “Running Down a Dream”.
Happy Running.
First let me say a big hello to my two new followers, Jim and Judd!!! Thanks for joining the group; I’ll do my best to entertain you.
Secondly I’d like to thank my Dad for his very generous donations to GOTR. I know they are thankful for the contribution and I’m so proud of you for stepping up. To all the rest who are on the fence about donating please consider how beneficial even a small donation can be. This is such a worthy cause, providing an opportunity to build confidence in young girls through the simple act of running. It’s tax deductable and every dollar counts. The donation link is as follows: http://www.active.com/donate/teamtiara2009/dwillia873
Next let me say that the partner run idea has really taken off and I’m overwhelmed with the enthusiasm from my friends and family. It looks like I’ll have a lot of people out there with me and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your support. One group of runners I wanted to single out is the Tate Elementary School in TN. The entire PE class has signed up to run 26, yes count them, 26 miles in support of this effort. They are running it over time with the final portion to be done during a fun run on March 29th (my start date). I’m heading over there tomorrow to run with them and thank them all for their support!!! I’ll send out the final list to all those who have signed up (it still not to late to sign up; the more the merrier) and every morning when I take off to run across the Sahara I’ll know you are out there with me too.
The training is going well. I feel strong and excited and just a bit nervous as the time draws closer. If I think about it too much it can freak me out just a bit. For instance I just learned that rodents come out at night; yikes, I hate rodents. I hope they stay away from me. Then there are the scorpions.
I’m finalizing the equipment list (thanks so much Steve!) and learning how to eat freeze dried turkey tetrazzini (ugg). A big portion of my run diet will be mini snickers bars. How’s that for a healthy diet!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally I wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to all my friends for the wonderful MDS surprise party last week. You really pulled one over on me! The Team Tiara party gifts were amazing; the water bottles, granola mix (yumm), beautiful cake, MDS trivia game, and lovely Tiara!! You almost made me cry……………almost. I’ll think of you all as I power up my iPods running across the desert, listening to “Running Down a Dream”.
Happy Running.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Snowy Sunday
It was a long but strong week of training. I count Sunday as the last day of my training week and as usual I use that day to run trails at Paris Mountain. The weather yesterday morning was less than inviting to go running with sleet falling at my house. I almost, I ALMOST bagged it……………but told myself to buck up, not be such a baby and go. What a wonderful surprise was in store for me. When I got out of the car, put on my many layers of cloths, secured the pack and set off down the trail it started to snow. It was a soft, peaceful snow that just barely coated the ground and trees. It was so beautiful and a perfect way to end the week. Granted, it’s not optimal training weather for the Sahara Desert, but I SO enjoyed it none the less.
Happy Running.
Happy Running.
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