Kind donation: Pro-Fit Sports Gel for all my sore muscles

Kindness still exists! I'd like to thank Mr. Berg from Farmagros who saw the local newspaper article, and generously donated 6 bottles of Pro-Fit Sportsgel to me. This sportsgel contains Ibuprofin which combats swelling, and alleviates pain. I will definitely need this in the next few months and I'm so very grateful for his generous donation. 

More information on the product can be found here (although it is in Dutch):

http://www.sportgel.nl/index.php?od=contact

Post Amsterdam Marathon Feedback

I did it! I managed to complete my first marathon. I knew it would be hard, but had no idea HOW hard it would be. In training runs, I felt great and confident. Two minutes before the start, I felt amazing and pumped up. Two minutes into the race though, my little world came crashing down. My legs were instantly heavy and sore. My mp3 player stopped working so no music for me. All of a sudden my mind was playing tricks and all I wanted to do, was quit. For the life of me I couldn't convince myself that I'm supposed to be enjoying it. Ok ok, I will stop complaining now. I'm unbelievably happy that I went through this now so I can know what it feels like to have a very bad day out on the road. But more importantly, how to push through and not give up!! What a fantastic experience!

Rhino poaching hits record numbers in South Africa - CNN

(CNN) -- A record number of rhinos have been killed this year in South Africa, fueled by the belief that their horns can cure cancer.An unsubstantiated belief on their healing powers is spreading in southeast Asia, sending clients paying top dollar for traditional cures, officials said.So far, 455 African rhinos have been killed this year, according to government officials. A total of 448 rhinos were killed last year.

"It is critical for the South African government to engage with consumer countries and to fight against international syndicates involved in illegal rhino horn trade," said Dr. Jo Shaw, rhino coordinator for the WWF in South Africa.

Poaching on the rise in Africa

The war against rhino poaching

One of the nations linked to the trade is Vietnam and a collaboration action between the two against illegal rhino horn trade remains unsigned, according to Shaw."There is also an urgent need for law enforcement actions by neighboring countries implicated as transit routes for illegal trade in rhino horn," the coordinator said.Conservation group Save the Rhino estimates that there are 25,000 rhinos in Africa. Of those, about 21,000 live in South Africa, the group says."Rhino numbers continue to grow in South Africa as more rhinos are being born than are dying, even when poaching mortalities are taken into account," Shaw said. "However, we are approaching the critical tipping point where rhino numbers go into decline and would undermine conservation efforts."South African officials say they have arrested nearly 200 people linked to the trade, including about 20 who allegedly serve as couriers.

Source:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/17/world/africa/south-africa-rhino-killings/index.html?iref=allsearch

If you feel as strongly as me about the senseless killing of animals who do not deserve this, kindly donate some spare cents for the Endangered Wildlife Trust, a non-profit organization working towards saving the rhinos. Every bit helps! Thanks in advance.

DONATE HERE

Newspaper article - 17/10/2012

Almere Deze Week - Published on 17/10/2012

I mentioned before that this blog is dedicated to my struggles, triumphs and to everyone who's making it possible for me to enter the MDS. I cannot take credit for this article. Thanks to my amazing friend, Hans Norbart for writing this in Dutch and for asking for my input. I love the end result, even if the editor did change our humble title to a somewhat more flashy one.

Research 101 - the basics. Where do I start?

Born to Run – Christopher McDougall

Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss, and  a  Record-Setting Run Across America  - Marshall Ulrich

 Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner – Dean Karnazes

After some research (did someone say hours? ;-)), I've narrowed down my reading material to the above 3 books. All three are interesting and helpful in their own way. Some key points stick out: even without experience, consistency is a key for success. Even without the appropriate running background, proper research and preparation can get you through the toughest of conditions. And most of all, what is key in all three these books is that the mental preparation for endurance events will carry you through 95% of your race, and physial preparation will account for 5%. It doesn't mean you don't have to physically be prepared and have the right gear, but a combination of body and mind is completely key. OK, time to get off the couch....or better yet....time to visualize me getting off the couch.

Gear Update

Today is a big day. We've just invested in the first official piece of gear I'll need for the MDS! After hours of research and still feeling completely inadequate to choose the right backpack, I've decided to order the official MDS backpack. It's designed specifically for the Saharan conditions, and I'm confident that it will be what I need. It's a bit more expensive than other expedition backpacks, but it does come with some really cool features like a 4L front pack, detachable straps for a floor mat amongst others and it's ultra light. It will be shipped in the middle of December, meaning that I can start training with it on in January.