DUTCH DES SABLES
Childcancer.org
Time & Tide Challenge 630
FARM Africa
St Helena Hospice
Mercy Ships
Noma
Facing Africa
Oxfam
Children's Cancer Foundation (Germany)
Fred Hollows Foundation read articles
Just
blame my husband
Her husband had wanted to do the MARATHON DES SABLES
for years. Last year he promised to share her passion
for cycling if she’d join him on MDS. She has
no regrets. Not only has she discovered the magic
of the desert and an amazing level of camaraderie,
she’s also doing rather well in the rankings.
Not such a common occurrence for a Brit, let’s
be honest. OK she lives on the coast in Australia
so heat and sand are in ample supply. Weekend outings
have included a 20km run to the café for lunch
and 20km run back home. And all that on the beach!
No surprise that Anna’s handled the sand dunes
well and now finds herself in 6th position in the
women’s race. With characteristic laid-back
charm she admits she’s been a bit lazy and
could have pushed herself harder. « The
important thing is to prepare mentally and we can
all do that ».
Preparing your feet helps too. And Anna’s are
exemplary: just three miniscule blisters each with
a little thread running through to drain them. Other
secrets include filing your feet regularly for months
before the race and keep filing them every day during.
She also trained with her feet taped and spends an
hour taping them every morning on the bivouac. Has
she needed help from the Doc Trotter medical team
? “Only to get more tape » she replies
with a smile. « Sorry, no war stories! »
