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Christian Schiester completes 500km run across Sinai Peninsula
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(15.01.2009)
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After more than one and a half weeks of running through blistering desert heat, Christian Schiester has completed a 500km run across the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.
Covering the route, which included over 5000 vertical climbing metres, took the Austrian extreme adventurer just 73hr 16min 24sec during November and December 2008.
"That was in so many different respects, one of the hottest experiences of my life!" said Schiester afterwards.
Accompanying a camel train along an old mail route, Schiester began his journey on the East coast in the city of Nuweiba using a Suunto X10 which has fast GPS connections to aid his navigation. See the route on the map
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From Nuweiba he headed Northwest to the Coloured Canyons, before turning Southwest towards St. Catherine's Monastery, one of the world's oldest continuously functioning Christian monasteries.
Running over desert dunes made the going very tough and Schiester twisted his ankle twice on stones hidden underneath the surface of the sand. After sunset on the higher mountain sections, temperatures dropped to -5C.
On his eleventh day, Schiester reached the City of El Tor on the Gulf of Suez, diving into the sea to cool off and celebrate his achievement.
The 41-year-old was well prepared, having trained regularly with a Suunto t6c at a spa near his home in Styria to get used to running in severe heat and monitor his heart rate, EPOC and training effect.
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"I neither had problems with my stamina nor with my muscles." Schiester said. "I could easily push my physical as well as mental limits. My sauna training definitely paid off!"
While the run was an event in itself, Schiester used the experience as preparation for an intense upcoming season. He intends to compete in four Racing the Planet races held throughout the year in Chile, Egypt, Australia and the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia.
"It was a successful test but we won't be able to tell until the actual races," Schiester continues. "However, no one can take away the experiences and spiritual moments I had in Sinai. It was really incredible to see how little you can get by on and still achieve a great performance."
See Christian's highlights from the Sinai run at www.suunto.tv and visit also www.christian-schiester.com for more information.
Photo credits: Karl Lueger/Red Bull Photofiles
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