Sandy Johnson (Vice President of NEXCareer, Career Coach, Board Member of NABS, Marathon Runner) is a Dynamic Career Management Professional with a creative flair. She combines her background in advertising with her passion for personal and professional development to help clients shape their career and build successful results.
Sandy shares her journey and experience racing in the Sahara Desert for Running 4 NABS Sahara Run 2011 this past October:
This was unlike any trip I've ever taken. The daily routine was simple and consistent. Pack up, eat breakfast, prepare pack, and go. Go until you reach camp again. Unpack, put your feet up, eat dinner, write blog, and go to sleep. It was the same each day, yet anything but boring. I was excited each morning about starting and seeing a new part of the desert. The first morning, I was nervous. After that, I looked forward to what the day would bring and I was never disappointed.
Once I arrived at the first camp, I wasn't stressed about the uncertainty that the race brought. In fact, I was the most mentally relaxed I've ever been. It was a delicious feeling of liberation, having nothing to plan or worry about. A completely spacious mental state.
I'll never forget the expanse of landscape. Both during the day and the night, the sightlines seemed to be never ending. Without any visible obstructions, the view ended at the horizon. I really felt that I was in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but sand and sun, and it was absolutely spectacular!
Images Courtesy: 4Deserts.com
Leaving My Footprints
This was unlike any trip I've ever taken. The daily routine was simple and consistent. Pack up, eat breakfast, prepare pack, and go. Go until you reach camp again. Unpack, put your feet up, eat dinner, write blog, and go to sleep. It was the same each day, yet anything but boring. I was excited each morning about starting and seeing a new part of the desert. The first morning, I was nervous. After that, I looked forward to what the day would bring and I was never disappointed.
Enjoying the Tan
Once I arrived at the first camp, I wasn't stressed about the uncertainty that the race brought. In fact, I was the most mentally relaxed I've ever been. It was a delicious feeling of liberation, having nothing to plan or worry about. A completely spacious mental state.
A New Discovery
I'll never forget the expanse of landscape. Both during the day and the night, the sightlines seemed to be never ending. Without any visible obstructions, the view ended at the horizon. I really felt that I was in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but sand and sun, and it was absolutely spectacular!
Charting New Grounds
For my next adventure, I usually have something in my back pocket for "what's next." But I'm still enjoying the afterglow of the experience, so it's difficult to plan for something new just yet. Traditional travel pales in comparison, as I loved the unique combination of athletic challenge and unusual destination. However, I'm sure something appealing will pop up on my radar soon.
For my next adventure, I usually have something in my back pocket for "what's next." But I'm still enjoying the afterglow of the experience, so it's difficult to plan for something new just yet. Traditional travel pales in comparison, as I loved the unique combination of athletic challenge and unusual destination. However, I'm sure something appealing will pop up on my radar soon.
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| All smiles on Day 3 of Sahara Race |
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| Racing on Day 4 of Sahara Race |
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| Resting on Day 4 of Sahara Race |
Images Courtesy: 4Deserts.com
