Hi Folks,

I count myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity & resources to have gone to the Sahara Desert for this years Marathon des Sables.

To live with very little, not much than the clothes, food, stove, sleeping bag in our ruck sacks for the week & travel across some amazing landscapes with some inspiring, wonderful people for the week has been very humbling.

Starting with an 11kg rucksack, heavy compared to a lot of others as I like my food, I was never going to run a fast race. As there is very little speed differential between my fast run & slow walk I opted for walking it all.

This saw me making it back to our shared tent most days as fourth out of the seven of us that were sharing the open sided Berber canvas.

The camaraderie amongst the six Irish man & myself (as I'd bagged a place in one of the Irish tents due to a meeting a couple of the guys on another event) was incredible & a true high light of the event as we cried & laughed at each others misfortunes, including surviving the sand storm on the night of the second day which flattened the camp.

The 53 mile long stage on day 4 was mentally as well as physically hard. Luckily I teamed up with another competitor out on the course to get through what turned out to be a 23 hour day. When you see a sun set & a sun rise on the same course you know you've been going for a while.

There are more details on my blog below if anyone's interested.

I'm still collecting in charity donations / sponsorship for the Nottingham Mencap charity & thanks to people's amazing generosity the total is currently at around £1250.

If anyone would still like to donate please see the link to my Just Giving account below, & I'm also accepting cash.

Thanks for taking the time to read this & huge appreciation to very one who's wished me well, or already donated.

Take care,

Pirate Pete    

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/piratepetesdesertadventure

http://piratepetesadventures.blogspot.co.uk/