Sunday was our last 42 km Trail before the Atacama Crossing (250 km in the Atacama desert). We went to the Esterel Massif, a few kilometers West of Cannes, one of the few places not covered with snow. This massif covers an area of 320 km², which is perfect for Trail running and mountain biking.
We started by the sea in Théoule-Sur-Mer and made a loop around Pic d’Aurelle, Pic de l’Ours, lac de l’Ecureuil, Col du baladou, Les Suivières and Les Grosses Grues. As often in Esterel we got lost a few times, adding 4 km to the initial plan but enjoyed the trail anyway.
Philippe close to the Lake of Ecureuil (© Anna Gatta)
4 Deserts – Atacama Crossing: ready to go
Last weekend Anna and I ran 20 km with 10 kg pack as the last “long” training before the Atacama Crossing race in Chile. This week and next will be much lighter with one last interval training and a few more jogging, still with 10 kg weight.
When the race will start on March 4th, I will have run total of 1,000 km and 30,000 meters of elevation gain since I started the specific training for this race in November. Except a tendinitis on the left foot, I feel rather well and long to start the race. Anna will reach a total of 750 km in 4 months which is probably her new record.
Previous 4 deserts race in Sahara (© P. Gatta)
The format of the race is pretty much the same as the Marathon des Sables and the Sahara Race, so roughly 6 Marathons in 5 days, a rest day and 15 km.
As the Atacama Crossing race is self-supported, which means that we will have to carry all our clothes, sleeping bag, mandatory equipment, medical/safety kit and 7 days of food in our pack. The race organizer will only provide us with water (10 to 13 liters per day) and the tents for the nights. So choosing the right kit and food is a real challenge as everything has to fit in a relatively small pack. The goal is also to keep to the weight of the pack below 9 kg, without water. So investing in an electronic scale to chase every gram is mandatory. :-)
A night in the camp during the Sahara Race (© P. Gatta)
Anna and I spent some time this weekend to review everything one more time. The main differences with the Marathon des Sables and the Sahara Race are that the nights are cooler in Atacama so we have to bring more clothes, and the ground is sometimes rocky at the camp so we have to bring a mattress too. Last but not least, the race will take place between 3500 m and 2400 m of elevation but we can’t do much about it…
Here is the kit list:
1 Berghaus Octans 40 Pack (600gr)
1 Berghaus Argentium Cool Base Crew short sleeves Tee-shirt
1 Berghaus Argentium Cool Base Crew long sleeves Tee-shirt
1 Berghaus Furnace Down Jacket
1 Berghaus Scorch Micro Grid HZ
1 Berghaus technical tights
1 Tight Shorts
3 pairs of Berghaus Fast Track Cushioned Socks
1 pair of Berghaus Powerstretch gloves
1 Berghaus Powerstretch Hat
1 Berghaus Camera bag
1 Berghaus Sol Neck Gaiter (Buff)
1 Suunto Core watch with compass and altimeter
1 Suunto T6D watch with heart rate monitor and Foot POD (distance/speed)
1 pair of sunglasses category 2-4
1 sleeping bag comfort 4°C
1 cap
1 foam mattress
1 pair of light gaiter
1 pair of Trail running shoes
1 Nikon AW100 camera + 3 batteries
1 knife, spoon & fork
2 headlights
1 safety kit: 1 red flashing light, 1 whistle, 1 life blanket
1 medical kit: blisters kit, alcohol, pain relief medecines, bandages, sunscreen
Food, electrolytes, energy & recovery powder and vitamins
Kit and food for the Atacama Race (© P. Gatta)
The second challenge has been to choose the food. Based on the rules, we have to bring 14,000 calories but that’s not enough for me. For the Marathon des Sables I brought 22,475 calories (4.47 kg), for the Sahara Race I brought 21,925 calories (4.48 kg). For the Atacama Crossing I will bring 21,435 calories (4.2 kg). Unfortunately I have to take less food to compensate the extra clothes and mattress that I have to take. Anna will bring 18,075 calories (3.625 kg). It has been even harder for her to decide how much food to take as she hasn’t done any race like that before.
The other difficulty was to choose the right balance between Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat. Here is the breakdown: 16.6% of Protein, 57% of Carbohydrates and 26.5% of Fat. We also had to find food that can resist 7 days at temperatures up to 40°C, that can fit in a small pack without being totally smashed, that is light (freeze dried food) but still is pleasant to eat as the race lasts 7 days. Just look at your trolley out of the supermarket when you shop a week worth of food and try to fit that in a small back pack.
The food for the Atacama Race (© P. Gatta)
Finally Anna’s pack weights 8.625 kg and mine 8.975 kg, both without water.
To follow us during the race:
- You can email us here.
- You can read our blog here.
- Read the braking news here.
Video of the Sahara Race (© P. Gatta)