After the first stages, the runners would casually mention a sore foot, a painful knee or a blister... Yesterday the pain had spread throughout their bodies, making it easier to ask: “Where doesn't it hurt?”
Veterans say it is not as hot this year as last. However, the route is proving longer and the terrain much harder, full of jebels (mountains or lonely hills), ergs (sand areas), hamadas and wadis (which by now we know about, but don’t worry: there is no Arabic vocabulary test at the end). The wind continues to batter us, tearing tents from the ground and preventing runners from resting properly. To help you imagine how uncomfortable it can be, here are Pere’s own words: “Imagine going to the toilet*. Where does the windblown sand end up? And the paper? I would rather not go on…” Of all the examples I can imagine of how troublesome sand and wind can be, this would never have occurred to me.
Today begins the stage non-stop. They face about 80 km to cover between today and tomorrow without returning to camp. Everyone will have to spend the night however they wish — or however they can — so I won’t be in touch with him again until tomorrow afternoon.
Despite everything, Pere’s news ends on a very positive note. He is feeling good and tells us: “I am tired, but who isn’t?”
(*) Toilet = “behind a dune”