It's taken a week and a half to process the enormity of my third desert crossing with RacingThePlanet. Without any doubt, this was the single most challenging RTP stage race I have suceeded in pushing through while enduring sweltering heat day after day.  Heat does not begin to describe the course conditions as they bordered on oven temperatures that result in cooked meat in a much shorter period of time that we are on the course each day.  Staff measured as high as 54C in camp, while one racer measured temperatures of 62C on the race course.  Yes that is Celcius!  Accomplished might be one way to view how it feels to complete this tremendous challenge.  It would be an understatement to say that any racer that pushed through even a single day deserved a medal. Regardless it has taken a solid week to recover from the itense heat of the Namib Desert!

Each of the three desert races has allowed me to walk away with a profound new understanding of what I can achieve if I focus on the end goal, enjoy the experience, smile a little, and connect with something outside myself.  This race was no exception. With East winds bringing unimaginable heat, it did not take long for temperatures to rise each day as the race progressed further inland.  While sand was expected, the suffocating intense heat brought challenges for the mind, body and soul.  The water bottles that we relied upon for hydration and electrolyte replacement quickly became the temperature of very hot water equivalent to hot bath water.  Not only was it not palatable, it became a source of queasiness that challenged me each day to consume the necessary fluids to stay strong and maintain health.  Thank goodness for the soothing taste and electrolyte rich Bouillon.  This was a savior in replensihing much needed lost salt in a palatable and soothing way.  For those looking to participate in a future Namib Race, bring Bouillon!!!! You will thank me later!

What I did learn is that once again we can get creative and use positive self talk to will ourselves to the finish line.  Lengthy converations with strangers and friends alike can melt away the miles.  These connections were the lifeline to the finish line.  While I can't say I raced with any one particular participant, it was quite literally so many different racers that I am so thankful for in helping to pave the way to the finish line each day.  Along the way we can appreciate the beauty of the stark desert that has scortched the landscape as they fold into our conversations.  With little shelter or shade, each day was a balance to ride the limit of wanting to minimize exposure to the sun and elements, while remain in a zone that allowed for the consistent push.  This led to parting ways with some racers having strong moments and connecting with others who were in the same groove.

One of the biggest challenges that I accepted day one was realizing I would have to survive this race without any vital morning coffee.  A strategic error in finalizing my rations pre-race led to omission of this life generating necessity.  Quickly I reframed this as a challenge and something to manage and not focus on the hinderance it will create.  By the latter stages, I am not sure that this was even a concern as I fought constant queasiness that made consuming my regular food something more difficult than missing a coffee.  But for future races, you can bet I will be checking the coffee inclusion not only once but double checking that it is in my food bags! 

The heat can wreak havoc on even the most iron guts, leaving you trying to find ways to get the necessary nutrition to get moving strong.  Each day was a challenge to find ways to consume what food was planned.  One take away for this race was the necesssity of variety.  The same breakfast day and snacks after day became a queasy experience that bordered on intolerable.  Variety is the spice of life, and this race demanded it!  My future self planning for hot desert races will appreciate having a good variety of food to mix things up!

In the end reflecting back on the entire experience, the Namib Race taught me patience, humility and how to cultivate inner strength.  It never dawned on me to give up, as these races have taugt me over the years to focus on the here and now and what I need to do to get through this moment in front of me.  I thank the many amazing racers and volunteers that I met along the way and those that I was able to reconnect with from past races for creating an amazing cohesive experience!  As they say, this is more than a race!

37 more sleeps until awakening to stage 1 in Namibia.  This will be a third Racing the Planet experience for me and one that has been long awaited after the cancellation of Jordan 2023.  Each race has been an encounter with the unknown and the opportunity to dig deep, explore facets of the psyche that normally remain dormant, and to feel a sense of accomplishment for handling each challenge along the way to the finish line.  Atacama 2022 brought sand storms, evacuation, and swept away course markings that taught me to be resourceful, calm and face challenges head on.....Gobi 2023 brought a new adventure with feet that taught me I can live each moment one at a time and find an inner strength I didn't know existed to push on.  I am excited for another opportunity to most of all connect with the family of friends that I have made in past races.  This is a much awaited reunion and a chance to reconnect. Each RTP experience has changed me as a racer and as a person. I look forward to yet another life changing expeirence!

For those who are new to Racing the Planet, my one piece of wisdom would be to prepare yourself to encounter the unexpected and for your plan to change along the way. You will face challenges that you did not expect and will have the opportunity to exercise your mental muscle. Rely on your pre-race prep and your own inner wisdom. Excited to meet everyone in Swakopmund in a little more than a month! Stay healthy and train strong!