From snow to sand storm.
(8th February 2009)Monday 2nd February and more snow is forecast. Apparently it was the worst snow storm to hit the UK for 18 years and I am out again for another 9km training run. Big snow flakes drop from the sky (biggest in years!) and people shuffle by huddled in their coats. Although initially hard to get out the house I am now enjoying myself, running in the snow and not as bitterly cold as previous days. The aim this week has been to run everyday and then finish off with a very long run on Saturday. The plan didn’t quite work as by Friday I was completely exhausted, legs were sore and my body told me enough was enough. However on Saturday I was feeling fit enough again and got up very early to run to Cramond and then join some of Lynne’s group at 9am to continue my run. Some good company and a wee blether made the miles melt away and sooner than you know it you turn round to go back home. A good 3 hour run, making the total for the week 70km.
Why all this training? In a spate of enthusiasm and desire for some adventure I finally signed up in early January for the Sahara Marathon Algeria on the 23rd February 2009. This Marathon is now in its 8th year and is held to demonstrate solidarity for the Saharawi people and to raise funds to provide art and sport facilities for the Saharawi people who have been living in UN refugee camps for more than 35 years. The Marathon runs between two refugee camps, located in the South of Algeria within the Western Sahara desert. Temperatures at this time of year are reasonable, a cool 15 degrees in the morning rising to 30 degrees at midday. As runners, we will be the guests of a local Saharawi family, eating their food, sleeping in tents and living for a short while in the same conditions as they do.
Sandblast, a UK arts and human rights charity was set up to work with the Saharawi people and their mission is to highlight the plight of the Saharawis, but also enable them to tell their own story, promote their own culture and earn a living through the arts. Their video (below) gives a good account of the situation.
With just under two weeks to go, travel, visa, insurance, vaccinations have all been sorted. It is just hoped that all goes to plan and a sand storm does not ground my camel needed for the last leg of my journey to the start line.
Gert Riemersma
