Moroccan Marathon
Many IC members come to us in preparation for an upcoming sporting event. Piera’s lofty dream when she signed up for Bootcamp in January 2007 was to travel to Morocco to participate in the Marathon Des Sables, a spectacular endurance run through the sand dunes of the Saharan desert. Not surprisingly, she did it and crossed the finish line as the 3rd US female finisher and ranked in the top third of all females. There were approximately 800 competitors. Congratulations Piera!
Two pieces of advice we gave her apparently really paid off: 1) Mentally befriend runners that have passed you along the way and imagine them “pulling you forward” 2) Eat Sardines (Steve’s golden gem, of course) as they are full of salt & protein and won’t spoil in hot climates. Here’s what Piera had to say about this:
“I ran my first ‘official’ marathon distance race during the Marathon Des Sables (Stage 5), and actually only walked a short dune section of that. I cried (joy!) at the end of that as I crossed over holding hands with 2 French women in neon green who I had been chasing down for the past 4 stages, finally catching them 1/2 mile before I was done… The sardines, brilliant, worth their weight in gold. The hardest part was fending off my tentmates… I am convinced that my participation in Bootcamp was the cornerstone to my success. To think that when I started training in October, the most I’d ever run in one shot was 13 miles; I am genuinely surprised and excited that I finished the MDS healthy and happy. I can only imagine what might be possible for myself and others after training with the IC for an extended period of time. I hope to find out!”
If you are interested in participating in a much shorter event in your own backyard, consider joining the IC’s Event Team Training for the “Tri For Fun” sprint triathlon series in Pleasanton, CA. We encourage you to put your hard-earned skills to the test! (All those burpees and squats have to be good for something.) August is around the corner…
wow! every time I read the blog I’m amazed and inspired by the incredible athletes at the IC. thanks to all who share their fantastic stories of success. congrats to you Piera. I am truley in awe. amazing!
Stunning achievement! It’s an honor to jump rope next to you — even with bleary 6am eyes! Sincerely — it is beyond imagination what some people are achieving with the IC in the background. “Wind beneath your wings”… or something like that. The sardine thing would take a bit to get used to though!
I guess it wouldn’t work to warn you that it does get warm at the IC — considering you started in October… but I’m thinking IC in summer has NOTHING on the desert in Morroco.
Anyway — we are lucky to have your inspiration as part of the mix! Thanks for staying.
Susan
High ten and a huge congratulations to you Piera!! From now on training in Bay Area weather will be a piece of cake for you. You are another IC success and inspiration, thanks for gracing us with your positive attitude and dedication…keep it up!
Wow that is amazing. That is a wonderful accomplishment. Not only was it your first marathon but to travel all the way to Morocco, run the race, in the desert all while snacking on Sardines! Simply amazing.
Piera earns an A+ for following instructions.
Now, I dare you to run your next race chowing on sardines. I bet no one will even come close to you.
Piera is a badass.
Thanks everyone. It all feels like a dream to me now. Especially since I’m still struggling with soreness from Monday’s 6a BC. Nothing like a sore…everything to keep it real.
I hope I can inspire others to sign up for events and make it happen. The hundreds, or thousands of squats you all do every month readily prepare you for endurance, speed and ability to recover. -P
Link for Kimberly:
http://www.trailrunnermag.com/article.php?id=75&start=Stage&cat=10
- P