MARCH 2008

It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

   Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

A pretty useless month training wise - spending all my free time at the new house has meant there are hardly any miles under the belt for March, which I have trying to convince myself is just good tapering rather than the obscene lack of fitness it actually is. But on the plus side I have learnt plenty of new skills, including how to plaster a wall and tile a bathroom. Unfortunately I still can't think of any scenario when either of those will help me out in the desert.

So it is with plenty of excitement but also a healthy dose of apprehension that I have been gathering up all my kit and sorting out my food for the week ahead. As usual the diet is one of freeze dried chav food - plenty of pot noodles with the odd pepperami thrown in for good measure.

All there is left to do now is find my way to San Pedro de Atacama and line up at the start. As for the course itself, here is a quick summary of what I can expect each day:

Day 1 - 25.88 miles, starting at an altitude of 3355m

Day 2 - 26.13 miles, including several river crossings through the notorious slot canyons

Day 3 - 25 miles

Day 4 - 26.75 miles in a stage dubbed 'Endless Salt'. No prizes for guessing what that will entail then...

Day 5 - 46 miles. The Marche de la Muerta, or 'March of the Dead'

Come back to these pages in mid-April for a post race analysis. Until then, thanks to everyone who has wished me luck and sponsored me so far.

And don't forget that with the help of modern technology you can contact me in the desert! Getting your emails is a massive morale boost and the genuine highlight of each day so please keep them coming. All you have to do is follow the link below.

Thanks and wish me luck!