Why ?

Because someone has to. Besides I want to.

A multi-day run through the desert, and you have to carry all your supplies. Iditarod, but without the snow, and without the dogs. Hyenas maybe, and lion, leopard if you're lucky. Or unlucky.

Perhaps you're thinking that it's not such a big deal ? Let me enlighten you: In 2007 the race started in temperatures well over 40 deg C. One of the runners wrote: "In the gorge my thermometer rose to 55 degrees". Yes, there are gorges, and mountains & dunes, and the sort of climate where it becomes important to carry a thermometer.

Still thinking that I'm making far too much of what would after all be a doddle through the desert ? Well, maybe - if you're young enough, lean & mean enough, and your nutrition comes from a scientific laboratory, full of ingredients known only by their Latin names & long numerical codes.

So, let me tell you: it's a !*&@%*! Big Deal. You try carry your apple-a-day, enough water for desert conditions, safety equipment, plus far more years on the shady side of none-of-your-business than you'd care to admit to - and you try to do that on a fruitarian diet...

Think I'd better go lie down again.