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| Start of the Nomads Run 56K |
This past weekend Adrienne, work colleague Nancy Abruto and
I traveled to Marrakech for some warm weather – and some warm weather trail
racing.
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| Outside our Tent at La Pause |
We flew from Rome to Casablanca Thursday night and drove the
2 hours to Marrakech wanting to wake up in the Medina, the old walled city.
After a morning of wandering and eating (cashews, dates, avocados, tagline) our
way through the Medina we drove out to La Pause, the start of the race.
La Pause is an eco village in the Agafay Desert about 40
kilometers outside of Marrakech. We lounged away the afternoon resting and
reading under the Berber tents that comprise the bulk of the village. After a
traditional Moroccan meal under a full moon, we retired to our tent accommodations.
The 7:30 start had me concerned about heat and sun. While
the temperatures were forecast to be pleasant – in the low 80’s, I knew I was
not acclimated for the heat. I
pushed meteorological anxiety aside and cherished the thought of waking up at
normal time, enjoying my coffee out-of-doors, and not being cold.
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| View from the Race Start |
In advance of the race I had been informed by RD Patrick de
Guillebon that a number of Morocco’s best trailers would be running, including Lahcen Ahansal,
10-time winner of the Marathon des Sables. I was looking forward to being able
to run a kilometer – or maybe a few - with these greats.
I was surprised that the lead runners did not go out particularly
fast. I hung onto a group of three young runners, several of whom had the
indications of being both fast and strong. While I knew I was going a bit
faster than I should, I was unsure of the course markings and found comfort in
being with this lead group who clearly were familiar with the course. I sensed
they were not happy with my uninvited presence so I hung back a few meters and
listened to them chat away in Arabic.
The lead group blew through the first aid station at 10km without
stopping. I thought it would be wise to stop and top off my bottle. I was now
on my own which gave me comfort as I could run my own pace and not feel like I
had to follow someone else’s pace. As the kilometers passed I realized I was
slowly catching the lead group. I pushed a bit harder and by ~km 17 I was back
on the train. The pace picked up and we pushed hard down a sandy wash. After
several kilometers of paying attention to each other and not the painted stones
that marked the route we collectively realized we were off course. After
running to the top of several hills the Moroccans ascertained where we should
be and off we went running across the desert. It was a surreal experience
running hard across the desert following no track, through a Berber village,
and then scrambling up the steep wall of a wash where there was the 20km aid
station - and several runners ahead of us including Lahcen. My GPS watch
indicated 24 kilometers. We had added 2.5 bonus miles to the course.
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| Lahcen Ahansal - 10 Time Winner of MDS at Km 30 |
The young Moroccans flew out of the aid station before I had finished
filling my bottle and deciding whether dates or raisins would be the better
choice of nutrition. I knew it was
time to let them go and see if I had the stuff to stay with Lahcen. For the
next 20 km Lahcen and I seesawed back and forth - Lahcen climbing well, me moving
more quickly on the flats and descents. “How fun is this?” I kept joyously
asking myself, thinking how lucky am I to be healthy enough to be able to run
hard and privileged enough to jet to Morocco for a foot race.
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| Along the Course |
At 40km I felt like the victim of a WWF SmackDown. I was paying the price along with deferred
interest for going out too fast, and racing Lahcen. With little warning I had to
shift into “just keep moving” mode. Even keeping moving was hard in that
shortly after 40km there was a 1500-foot climb. While not a difficult climb,
the combination of the sun and heat, plus my not pacing myself earlier had me
walking several sections. I went through all the usual tried-and-true mental
distractions including intently focusing on the beauty around me, using my
rational brain to explain to me that slowing down one minute per mile if
limited to no more than 5 miles would only result in a 5 minute increase in my
finishing time, and fantasizing that one of the young kids ahead of me had
melted-down and would be found walking around the next corner if I just kept
moving!
I plodded onward. My pace never picked up, no young speedsters were
seen walking, there was no Lahcen within my sight’s distance behind me. Yet the
beauty around me was inspiring and despite my misery I couldn’t stop thinking,
“how lucky am I!!” And then it was over, and perversely, I was still wanting
for more.
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| Adrienne at the Finish |
At the end of the race there was a fabulous spread of Moroccan food
enjoyed under Berber tents while cheering fellow runners across the finish line.
I feasted in the delight of runners from across Northern Africa and Europe
sharing the multicultural and cross-lingual joy of running.
Bravo to youngster Hamed Boutaleb who finished 25 minutes ahead of me.
And thanks to Patrick for hosting an exceptionally well-managed event, and for
me, a most memorable experience!
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| Work Colleague Nancy Abruto - 1st Place Woman |
