Running across Africa 6

So, here is the next blog describing day 41 - 50 of my run across Africa (the half way point).  These were the days when I was probably at my lowest throughout the whole trip.  I really had to play all the mental games that I possibly could to get myself through it.  But this is also where the scenery started to become mind blowing.  Africa truly is a spectacular place.  Read on...

Day 41 - 51.73km

I woke up feeling as if my ankles were fused in a fixed position.  Trying to walk down the ladder from the upper tent I was scared my ankles were going to snap and shatter like fine glass.  Horrendous sleep due to toe pain, ankle pain and snoring people!  It took more than 5km's of running for my ankles to begin to loosen up.  Im still feeling really fed up today.  No motivation whatsoever.  It's really hot.  Sweat is dripping off my whole body.  Not a happy Emma.

Day 42 - 56.81km

I slept by the door of the tent last night, well, I didn't sleep but I existed, in a laying position, by the door.  It was so sweaty all night.  The heat woke me up.  A brief rain shower woke me up.  Snoring woke me up.  Cows walking round the tent with cowbells woke me up.  Once I started running, I felt more energetic today than I've felt for a few days, and the pain subsided slightly so I started to increase my mileage.  I am focusing on getting to the end to try and deal with the negativity I feel.  The terrain is changing.  It's becoming more hilly and the dirt road is becoming really loose under foot.  It's starting to feel like real Africa!

Day 43 - 57.28km

Energy levels felt great today but my appetite is insane.  I feel I can't eat enough to feel satisfied.  I spent most of the day running on tar road which has caused me lots of pain in my shins.  I ate a lot of food this evening.  I really miss normal life and am desperate for the run to be over.  I miss freedom.

Day 44 - 57.77km

I felt really lacking energy today.  I felt like I had eaten loads last night but it was mostly white bread which just doesn't seem to have done a good job of fuelling my body.  I removed the bandage from my toe that I covered up a few days ago.  I am a little worried as it looks and feels a bit infected.  I don't want my toe removing in the middle of Africa!  I put iodine on it, covered it back up and hoped for the best.  (TOE VIDEO)  I got back on dirt roads today and my legs seem much happier about that.  I think the rugged terrain encourages my legs to run correctly, whereas on the flat tar roads I can just drag myself around and my running style becomes sloppy.  

Looking at how far I've run

Day 45 - 58.46km

Today was HOT!  Not a cloud in the sky all day.  We nearly got mobbed by about 20 children on the road today.  They all came running and shouting after me.  I am so tired.  Mike had an excellent plan.  He stopped with the bike.  I continue to run.  The kids all stare at him and the bike.  He stands for a few minutes.  Then takes a photo of the group.  Then he puts the camera away and quickly dashes off to catch me up.  They try to follow but can't keep up.  Good plan.  Also gives me a few minutes of not hearing the bike timing next to me.  Robert has promised me that we WILL be able to find ice-cream when we get to Karoi, the next town, this is great encouragement. 

Day 46 - 57.60km

Really unmotivated today.  I just want to stop.  Not sure how long I can continue for if I feel like this.  Really, really tough day running due to the negativity in my head.  The mental game is so much harder than the physical one.  The sand is seriously fine and seriously deep.  Each foot step I take the sand splashes out to the side like a huge puddle of water.  This also makes the cycling pretty difficult for Mike.  I washed my hair in a bucket today at lunch time and felt fantastic for it.  I have got sores on the back of my head from my hair being so dirty and sweaty, and from flies getting in there too (and probably getting stuck).

Day 47 - 33.48km

Disastrous day.  I only ran a short distance and then we had a team meeting.  Various issues were discussed and it was decided that we needed a break for a few days so we drove to Karoi.

Day 48 - 0
Day 49 - 0
Day 50 - 0