My colleagues in tent 93, the most fantastic guys a human could ever meet...my saviours and heroes could only say that this picture probably depicts the REAL me. Crazy as hell and mad as a hatter.
After the North Pole run I knew the MdS would be a serious MIND trial and test for me. The heat differential would be so pronounced , ie. at times 105 degrees Celsius!! I decided from the outset and agreed with my new buddy and good friend and guide Steve, to take each checkpoint step-by-step. My legs has already gone through surgery in Santry Clinic, Dublin under the expert eye of Mr. Mark Jackson - a genius in the operating theatre. The MdS would be my training for my next adventure, Everest and hopefully with Tom, the Corkonian...the man with a real mission - Antarctica!
I must state that from the outset I was mad to take on the toughest footrace in the World after the Pole but that's me as anyone who knows me will tell you. When I fix my teeth into a project I don't back-down or compromise. A crazy way to live but again that's Daithí.
Day 1 through the Merzuga dunes was "hell". I hated the dunes. Loved the mountains and stony ground...the desert in general was brilliant but the DUNES were awful YUCK!!! Day 2 was my close to Armageddon for me. I collapsed over the line and had to be given medical assistance......refused to be withdrawn from the race...........struggled to the tent and collapsed. My tent-mates saved me and fed and watered me until I showed signs of life again. Day 3 believe it or not was a dream and I supported athletes throughout the day in spite of the searing heat. Day 4 ..the killer day........80km went fantastically also and I never stopped to rest. I crossed the finish line in spite of that blasted laser from 10km out which never seemed to end AAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Day 6 , a marathon went beautifully and I met Tom and others as we sang our way to the safety of the finish line in over 52.5 Degree Celsius. The final day was mighty also and I only experience ONE blister overall as many poor athletes could barely walk with Doc trotters cutting into their toes and feet like a knife through butter. The mornings presented heroes from the battles of the days before and to the sounds of AC/DCs Highway to Hell brought adrenalin to our souls....the banging of feet and the steady driving forward into battle with the Sahara.
Tent 93 was a joy and a support to levels beyond any human expectation.
Ryan's joking, Jon's determination, Alun's perfection, Craig's humanity, Steves understanding, Jamile's thoughtfulness and Tom's strength.what a combination. facing Africa had amassed a team a human souls to support each other through war and strife ,through fun and frolics ONE TEAM...one mind................one life each day waiting to celebrate when the last man crossed the line and thus WE finished - ALL finished the MdS 2011 and celebrated together. I salute my unsung heroes of Tent 93.
It is unusual for me to enter a race and not GO FOR IT!! From the outset the MdS was a test for my mind over body as my recovering and tired legs from the North Pole communed with the Saharan desert seeking answers each day. The MdS team had a psychological torture awaiting us every day. Something to break the spirit and the body. We expected same and I prepared my mind to overcome the unforeseen challenges. Everest would demand all my body and soul to survive and the experiences of the North Pole and Sahara would be a serious ground-base for me................with one variable.................altitude sickness!!! I made a decision not to compete with anyone in the MdS EXCEPT myself................ the goal was Everest and an attempt at another world record.
Antibiotics, swollen glands, numbed thighs and exhaustion were the flavour of the day for me at the MdS but I had the support of a team of colleagues ...heroes.....who gave me the strength.........throughout their slagging of the weight of my rucksack......... to fight on and be the best I could be. Tom cracked the meaning of the life of the perfect SHOE for the MdS. Jon ran like hell and was rewarded. Alun's attention to perfection was super in his result. Ryan and Craig both were super. Jamile's strength was second to none and Steve's humanity and courage were incredible. As the Galdiator's of old would say.......... We about to die salute you!!! each day tent 93's gladiators went out into battle and came home safely as we were a team....ONE team..............
