Ray Zahab's Blog

A Blog i Wrote...

2011-09-25T15:13:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Here is a contribution i wrote a few weeks ago to Huffington Post. I wrote it as i was flying to Death Valley end of August...

We were at 14,000 feet of altitude in the Altiplano, Bolivia. Seventeen-year-old Brandon had made his way from north of Saskatoon to be here with us -- his team. His team consisted of four other youth adventurers around his age. Each of them here for their own purpose and their own mission.

Brandon's purpose clear to him, maybe not to the others -- they couldn't know him, or know his life. How could they?

He was here on an honour run. Spirit would be here with him. This he knew.

His goal? Run 35 kilometres per day for six days. Doing the math, he would yield 200 or more kilometres in a week. He would reach a peak of 15,000 feet altitude by the final day of this endurance diatribe. That end was hard to come by. Running 35 kilometres is a difficult task at sea level, let alone at the base of some volcano high up in the Bolivian mountains, day after day. He was here to do this, accomplish this seemingly impossible task. Why?

Ask him and I am sure he would tell you that at the time he asked himself that very question. After one week he knew the answer: his greatness would not be defined by this run, but by his actions now -- by what he would prove to himself he was and we all are capable of. Of our OWN greatness. That is what determines our path... and future. A future that is confident in knowing he would exceed personal physical, emotional and mental limits to accomplish what most say couldn't be done. He had heard 'couldn't' so much in his life. First Nations youth have enough shit to deal with -- he had his own demons and was now facing them head on, on his terms.

The running was, as he puts it, the easy part. There was no convenient "this is so tough" description. But there was a purpose to this maniacal run across remote Bolivian mountains. His grandest of commitments? Share what he was learning about himself everyday to thousands of students around the globe that were following his every move.

No small feat when your feet are on fire and covered in blisters from running all day. Couple that with the burning lungs from high altitude running. Day after day. Meanwhile Brandon was a young man of few words or readable emotions.

He was so alive and bright during the team communications. Every day, like clockwork. Midway through the day, a live satellite feed was broadcasted into schools globally. Classrooms would appear on the monitor of the computer being used to communicate his expedition via satellite feed and video conferencing software called Digigone. School names would pop up, and questions would be asked of Brandon and his teammates from those schools who joined in on the conversation.

One day the name of Brandon's school in his First Nations community appeared on screen. They cheered to him as if he were a superhero, or legend. As far as they were concerned, and as far as I am concerned, he is. Brandon finished that day with deep knowledge that we are all capable of the extraordinary. That we are all capable of taking the seemingly impossible and making it possible.

As I write this I am on a plane heading for Death Valley. My goal is to run 300 kilometres from the north border of Death Valley in Nevada to the South boundary of the national park- off road. Nobody has ever tried and I guess there is a reason why! Brandon may not know it- but when it hits 125 degrees Fahrenheit and I think I can't take another step -- he will be the catalyst for me to move forward.

See you soon!!!

Summer 2011 Newsletter!

2011-07-21T23:32:00.000-04:00

Death Valley

Last January when i started running the length of the Atacama Desert something almost stopped me in my tracks on the first day. The heat! Of course as many of you know -i do love the heat- but it can be a killer. When i started competing in ultra marathons in 2004 up until the time Kevin, Charlie and I left to run 7,500 km across the Sahara in November 2006 i always seemed to perform and have my best results in desert races....but there is something to be said about training and prepping for the heat. Not sure if you followed the Atacama Extreme expedition, but by day 15 i was seeing temps into the high 40’s and a high off 55 celsius!!! I promise you, that is hot!

In January 2012, if all goes to plan i will attempt to run the width of Saudi Arabia through the Rub Khali (Empty Quarter), a distance of 2,000 or so km. My back up plan is the Kalahari. Both hot, both requiring the best possible preparation.

An opportunity presented itself that i just couldn’t pass up. My buddy Will Laughlin had decided he was going to attempt a crossing of Death Valley in 3 or 4 days at the end of August. All off road, in the heat! He invited me to join him, and i accepted his invitation.

Will has done some amazing things- and i have been fortunate and honored to prepare his training programs for many of his adventures. He has run over 300km non-stop- running a relay race in Colorado...solo. He has won the Yukon Arctic Ultra and is the first person to run the entire La Ruta de Los Conquistadores mountain bike course in Costa Rica. His plan of running off-road north/south Death Valley will be incredibly difficult- but we’ll give it the best effort possible! Of course its going to be hot. Really hot. Here’s to hoping it provides a benefit to my prep for Saudi!!!! Stay tuned...

Expedition India

The Youth Ambassadors have been selected for the upcoming i2P India Youth Expedition...and everyone at Team impossible2Possible is pumped!!! The Education Team has been working around the clock to create the best Experiential Learning program possible for schools all over the world to participate in. The expedition takes place October 2-15, and schools have been registering from all over to participate. Remember, all of the programs are free- including the Youth Ambassador’s expenses. So register your school today at http://i2p.force.com/IndiaSchoolRegistration !

I just recently spoke in Arizona at the Apple Distinguished Educators Conference (btw i was accompanied by AmazonYouth Ambassador Sierra Smith), and i can tell you these amazing educators from across North America are totally pumped to be participating in the India Expedition, and the topic of the education program- World Health. Check it out at : http://impossible2possible.com/i2p

The Coolest Running Clothing in the World (we think so!)

i2P has recently announced a complete line of custom running gear- from shorts to arm warmers to tees to jackets. You have until first week August to get your order in, check out the catalog here! http://impossible2possible.com/i2p

Best part- proceeds go to supporting and funding Youth Expeditions!!!! So not only will you look cool representing- you will also be inspiring. Not only us- but the Youth Ambassadors you are supporting! Thank You (in advance!) for your support...and for being a member of Team i2P!!!

Catch you soon and enjoy your summer!!!

Newsletter!!! June 2011

2011-06-27T19:02:00.001-04:00

Atacama and Beyond!

This past January/February i ran the length of the Atacama Desert in 20 days, averaging 60km per day! Thank you all so much for following along- and hopefully enjoying some of the videos! The day 7 "blister video" seemed to be the most popular! Somewhere around day 11 it dawned on me why no one had attempted this before, and why it would be the most difficult project to date for me...the terrain and heat were more then i had bargained for!!! The daily live video comms with students kept me going- i couldn't wait each day to update them and answer their questions. It also gave me an opportunity to start pumping them up for May's i2P Bolivia Youth Expedition! As most of you have figured out i do a major project to kick the year off in January, then the remainder of the year is dedicated to i2P Youth Expeditions and basically everything that is involved in creating these free Experiential Learning programs for schools-and free for selected Youth Ambassadors to participate. As a volunteer in i2P, i also spend a tremendous amount of time coaching runners everywhere-my main source of income, in order to buy diapers! (We have a new now 4 month old named Anika Ixa Zahab!) I have many amazing friends running their own incredible adventures this year! I have also been busy with other volunteer events such as visiting youth in First Nations communities, working with Ryans Well Foundation, and more. I love it!

This January, (you are hearing this here first!!!) i will attempt to run across Saudi Arabia- in particular through the Empty Quarter. A distance of 2000km...it will be a toughy!!! My back up plan is to span the Kalahari Desert, of course running!!! Both beautiful places- with an entire program of Exercise Science that will include daily blood tests conducted by Dr. Greg Wells. I head to Death Valley in August to join WIll Laughlin in an attempt to run 300km across the valley in 3 days. I am hoping this preps us both for our upcoming projects (he has something up his sleeve for next year).

i2P Bolivia....leads to i2P India!!!

The impossible2Possible team is dedicated to constantly evolving and raising the bar of our free Experiential Learning Programs. Just weeks ago 5 Youth Ambassadors ran an average of 35km per day for 6 days across the Altiplano in Bolivia! They ran at an average altitude between 12,000-14,000 feet the entire time!!! Each day they communicated with live video conferencing to students around the globe, and scientists (Dr. George Agnes, Dean Graduate Studies at SImon Fraser University and Dr. Greg Wells) conducted live chemistry and biochemistry experiments- in which schools were able to participate live and in sync. Each expedition has a specific educational topic (we have covered Water, Biodiversity, etc)- this time as part of the UN International Year of Chemistry we partnered with the UN to deliver an interesting curriculum to students from Elementary to University level! From boiling water to complex analysis of the changing biochemistry of these amazing youth running at altitude, all topics chemistry were discussed! Check it out at www.bolivia2011.com if you missed it.

Next up? India-home to one of the worlds fastest growing economies. We are visiting the Thar Desert region of India, this time the topic of our Experiential Learning program will be World Health. As our Youth Team runs 290km over the course of 7 days, students in classroom will be challenged each day to learn about quality and access to health care in their communities, as we learn about healthcare issues in this incredible part of the globe. Of course i am being brief- there is lots to come- and so many compelling pieces! Registration is now live for potential Youth Ambassadors to apply-and school registration is just a few weeks away. Remember- everything is free, and our generous sponsors provide the video conferencing software required for free to all registered schools. Make sure your school is in the know!!!

Remembering

It was just a few weeks before i began my run across the Atacama Desert that i lost a very good friend and mentor-Patrick Doyle to suicide as a result of mental illness. He shared so much of his running knowledge and friendship with me, and if it wasn't for him i know i wouldn't be doing everything i am doing now. When i train on many of the trails i ran together with him (we usually ran at some ridiculous hour of the early morning) i often think of him, and reflect on all of the people i love in my life, and remember not to take them for granted. Life is too short- so live it to the max!!!

Till next time, keep running!

Expedition Bolivia! Crossing The Salar!

2011-05-11T19:08:00.000-04:00

It seems just weeks ago that i completed running the length of the Atacama Desert from the Peruvian border to Copiapo. It took me 20 days averaging 60 kms per day in sometimes wicked terrain to do it. And temperatures....I have to be honest- the contrast shocked me. During the day it would get up to the 40's and at night drop down to near freezing. Thankfully, Canada Goose designer extraordinaire Spencer Orr had once again made magic happen. He made a totally packable lightweight down jacket (i carried around 20 pounds of emergency supplies including warm clothing and another 10 pounds of Gatorade on my back) that kept me warm enough to get decent sleep while in the desert night. Actually, last year when i crossed Lake Baikal in winter unsupported, Spencer worked his magic to create a pair of super warm super lightweight down pants. Now i had their "sister" with me to keep me warm at night in Atacama...a bright red 900 fill down jacket.

But its not just about keeping warm. Its putting in the miles that will get you there!!! As difficult as this project was, the day to day communication with students inspired me to keep going. And talk about inspiration...well, as i write this i am in the airport heading to Bolivia, where 5 Youth Ambassadors selected through my organization impossible2Possible will run 250 km across the Salara de Uyuni in Bolivia. I will be there to follow them, and watch as they share a comprehensive experiential learning program with students all over the world. Of course there will be live video conferencing, a live website and an awesome science based curriculum. But at the foundation of the project are five incredible young people demonstrating that we are all capable of the extraordinary.

Since running across the Sahara in 2006, and then other projects including an unsupported trek to the South Pole, i have learned and am convinced we all can do the "amazing" in our lives. Many people do not know that i began my athletic career in my thirties, and that i was once a pack a day smoker! This week i will once again be reminded that us...ALL of us can do unbelievable things in our lives. And seeing young people achieve that makes the rewards that much sweeter.

Starting Over ?

2011-04-16T10:52:00.002-04:00

It seems like days ago although it has been over a month and a half since i completed my 1200km run across the length of the Atacama Desert. seriously, it was one of the toughest things i have ever done. Once i got home, our second beautiful baby girl was born, Anika Ixa- and then i was immediately on the go again, prepping and planning to take 5 amazing Youth Ambassadors to Bolivia through our non-profit impossible2Possible. Details of their expedition can be found on www.impossible2possible.com !

Anyhow- with everything happening after Atacama, and the beating my body took after the 20 days it took to cross the desert....i got very sick! Really sick. IV antibiotics and the whole deal.

Now, i'm not complaining- i am used to the 15 hour days volunteering for i2P. I LOVE it !!! And i love being a busy dad. But it sucks trying to get my body back in shape after these last 6 weeks!!!

Its all relative though, so many of my friends face real challenges everyday. They motivate and inspire me- so when i feel like i am running in reverse- i think of them....i get out of bed...and run!!!

On The Go !!!

2011-04-04T20:29:00.002-04:00

I just returned from speaking in both Vancouver and Rotterdam! First, in Vancouver at the Engineers Without Borders conference- an AMAZING group of people doing extraordinary things, the audience was a mix of people, all engaged in making a huge impact in the world. The second event was in Rotterdam at Erasmus University where i was so proud to speak about impossible2Possible to another incredible group. Opening speaker was the Secretary General of NATO. More to come!

Atacama....

2011-01-14T19:55:00.001-05:00

Only a few days left before we head to the Atacama Desert! I am packing like a madman, more to come soon!!!

2011 ! A somber ring in....

2010-12-31T18:30:00.005-05:00

Thursday i received a call that i wish no one ever does in any capacity.

The caller informed me that one of my best friends had taken his life that morning.

To say this person was a "good" or "best" friend was an understatement. He was with me at every juncture over the past 10 years. He was with me when i started running- my very first run. He was with me training so often in the middle of the night. He was with me when i asked my wife to marry me on a distant hiking trail. He was there when i ran the the coastal trails of Canada back to back. he joined me for the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland. He was there on the other end of the phone when Kevin, Charlie and i ran across the Sahara. He was one of the first visitors when my daughter Mia Sahara was born. He was there days after Mia took her first steps. He cheered when i made it to the South Pole. He offered wisdom when i created impossible2Possible with my friends and wife. He was here for Mia's first and second birthdays...she loved him so much she called him Uncle Pat.

He was an amazing human being who truly cared more for others then himself and proved it many times. His career and philanthropic achievements are staggering. I am proud to have known such a great man, and am saddened that the world has lost a true champion of others. I am especially saddened that Mia won't know her Uncle growing up.

Pat changed many lives- and touched many people. He suffered from severe depression, but none of us ever thought things would come to this.

I am writing this to celebrate a person who was a hero to me and my family. I write this in hopes that i will appreciate everyday i have with my family and friends, and how precious life is.

Please look around you, see the people who you love and love you back, and go into 2011 living your life to the fullest with the greatest appreciation. I know i will.

I know that is what Pat would say.

Today, the first day of 2011 was somber as i attended an event in Pat's honor at the pub he owned in Perth. An amazing hotspot of live music- it was "Pat's Place"

Close friends gathered and each told stories of their experiences with this great man, this great adventurer. What is so awe inspiring is how many people pat knew- and how many cared for him. He counted among his friends Phil Fontaine, Adrienne Clarkson, and the guy down the road who pumped his gas.

A number of years ago i was in his wedding party. The varied mix of people from all walks of life and origin were in attendance...it was truly memorable.

I was happy to be there today and speak about my friend. it was very hard to hold back emotions, but relieving in some way.

Tomorrow i head for the Arctic for a project i am committed to, and will be unable to attend services this week. I learned while there that many of Pat's other friends were in the same boat. One fellow who has known Pat for 20 years was on his way back to Afghanistan, others on their way to someplace in the world.

I have a feeling Pat had a laugh about that- he was always on the go- and wouldn't think twice of showing up wherever in the world i was !!!

When i attempt to run the length of the Atacama Desert this January, i know Pat will be there in spirit with me.

I , we will all miss him.

Amazon, Atacama....Here we go !!!

2010-10-19T13:07:00.001-04:00

Amazon!

Just a few more days....and the 2010 i2P Amazon Youth Expedition will begin!

The United Nations has designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity and has presented the world with a unique opportunity to be engaged in an effort to safeguard the variety of life on Earth, and to showcase to future generations what species are left on the planet, what species are threatened and what species are gone.

To mark the Year of Biodiversity impossible2Possible has chosen the steaming jungles of Brazil’s Amazon Basin as the backdrop for the third stage of the World Expedition Series. The Expedition Amazon adventure will see four i2P Youth Ambassadors embark on a demanding journey through the Amazon Basin to raise awareness for global biodiversity. Selected from applicants across North America, these 4 adventurers will stretch the limits of what many think is possible as they trek, run and swim through the seemingly impenetrable jungle of the Amazon on an 8-day, 170 kilometer odyssey. Accompanied by i2P adventurers, including myself (i2P founder!) and many awesome members of the i2P Team, the young explorers will be challenged to face their fears and uncertainties - becoming the leaders and decision-makers - as they navigate through one of the most mysterious places on the planet. The Youth Ambassadors -modern-day adventurers, will communicate their experiences in real-time to thousands of students in classrooms back home and around the world via a BGAN satellite communication system in a unique peer-to-peer format that demonstrates i2P’s core educational philosophy of true Experiential Learning.

This third stage of the i2P World Expedition Series follows the 2009 Baffin Island and 2010 Running Tunisia Youth Expeditions that had over 13,000 students participating from across North America. i2P has teamed with educators, scientists, and advisors to create captivating educational modules that will bring over 15,000 students alongside the expedition team as they explore one of the most unique areas on the planet.

The four i2P Youth Ambassadors will push their mental and physical limits while educating thousands of their teammates in classrooms around the world. Another cool feature..the Youth Ambassadors are spearheading a “pilot project” for the i2P Experiential Learning Program, teaming with schools to complete research projects tailored specifically for the Amazon. In addition, Expedition Amazon will raise funding for a school construction project in the heart of a protected area of rainforest in the region of Santarem called the Floresta Nacional do Tapajos (FLONA). This region is home to over 22 communities that are in desperate need of adequate educational facilities and it is the hope of impossible2Possible that Expedition Amazon will be a catalyst for providing a safe learning environment for the children of this region.

Whats Next?

Following in our tradition of pairing youth expeditions with extreme world-class expeditions i2P is announcing another epic journey to accompany the 2010 Amazon Expedition and Experiential Learning Program. In January of 2011, Kev Vallely and I will push the limits of our endurance by running the length of Chile’s 1100km “rainless” Atacama Desert. As we utilized on our 2009 South Pole Quest and 2010 Siberian Express expeditions, we will employ a fast, lightweight approach on a journey that is believed to be a unique endurance endeavor!!! We plan to run an average of more than 80kms a day (over two full-length marathons) in an attempt to cross the full length of the vast Atacama Desert in a 12-14 day push.

A Busy Fall!

Well, thats it for now! I will be on the road in between, speaking at various events about i2P and our programs. I was honored to speak at TEDx Dallas again this year, and will be speaking in Singapore and Mumbai at the Economist World in 2011 events. My topic will include the need to bring interesting and thought provoking learning opportunities into classrooms, and how we are seeing young people responding and doing amazing things everywhere as a result of these programs!

My Inspiration!

2010-09-11T21:30:00.002-04:00

I am asked all the time about what inspires me, or motivates me. The answer sometimes surprises people, but truth be told- being on an expedition where i get to share an adventure with youth adventurers who are out there with is the real deal. Seeing their faces, seeing them accomplish something so incredible- at such a young age really stokes me.

It took me till almost 30 to figure i needed to do something to change my life, took me till 35 to realize that we are ALL capable of the extraordinary. Seeing someone at 17 figure that all out is truly awesome.

I am really pumped for Amazon. I'll bring the memories of the Baffin and Tunisia youth expeditions with me.

BTW- keep your eyes peeled here. In the coming days i'll let you know what Kev Vallely and i are up to this January. A la South Pole and Siberia....its going to be wild!

i2P Visits Apple

2010-07-16T12:35:00.004-04:00

Ray and team i2P educator extraordinaire Mark Dohn just spent 3 days in Orland for the Apple Educator conference. It was an awesome experience to get to share the i2P mission with lots of AMAZING educators- we had people sign up for our educational program on the spot! Ray was so pumped and honored to be part of the event! Check out some of the images:

If you had any doubt about Ray's passion, this picture should clear that doubt right up!

Sharing about the Tunisia Expedition

One of our schools sold Otter Pops to raise money for Ryan's Well, an organization that builds wells in Africa. Aren't our students AMAZING?!

i2P Amazon

2010-07-05T19:09:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone!

It's been an awesomely busy month for the i2P team. In June Ray and Bob went to Atlanta to announce the next expedition on CNN Backstory (check it out here): we're going to the Amazon!

We're looking for four young adults to join us for a 8 day, 200km trek in October. If you know an amazing young adult, encourage them to apply here (the deadline is July 18th).

We're also encouraging schools to register (for free!) for amazing educational resources about biodiversity. We already have over 3,300 students registered around the world, including the US, Canada, Kenya and India. If you know a school that would like to be involved, encourage them to register here.

The team is busy planning for the Amazon but we also have lots of other cool stuff going on- stay tuned for i2P updates!

Flirtin' With Disaster !

2010-06-10T20:33:00.001-04:00

I am asked so often what music i listen to on a run....the answer everything and it changes !!! All the time !

Today and lately i have been listening alot to 70’s rock. My tunes of choice...so many. One has really got me running. Flirtin’ With Disaster by Molly Hatchet. Crazy Southern rock band aka Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman’s. Great running tune ! And really, when have we as runners not “flirted with disaster” at some point ? I know i have !

Especially on those long runs. I remember specific moments in my running when those thoughts of “collapse in a heap” have entered my mind. Will i get there, finish or will it be the end of my run right now ? I mean...can i go on ?

If i am honest, my body may say no- but my heart says yes. So on we go- at least until these legs won’t go one-two anymore.

Just recently i had the honor of meeting some folks training for their first 5km race. Goal- finish. Result- they did.

But i couldn’t help but remember that day Charlie, Kevin and I reached the Red Sea. Tears in our eyes, fatigue in our bodies. 111 days of sand in our hair...and shorts !

i remember thinking that this felt as difficult as that first 7 km ‘real’ run i did with my buddy Pat in 03.

We all, and that is whether we are running 5 kms or 7500 kms reach a point when we think we might quit. We do flirt with that line of not going back, of continuing when our bodies say no, and our hearts say yes. Thats the magic. That what makes us put one foot in front of the other. That’s skirting disaster by a hair.

Last Day!

2010-04-25T11:11:00.001-04:00

From Ray:

"Today is the last day of running for our Youth Ambassadors, they will finish their epic run in the Tunisian Sahara with a 12 km ceremonial finish run near the city Matmata. I will be waiting for them at the city limits with the i2P banner- totally pumped to see them complete their journey.

As with the Baffin Island expedition, these youth adventurers have inspired not only us, but thousands of students and people around the world. Kath, John, Doc, Marshall, and of course my adopted bro Bob all were here again for this Youth Expedition, and made everything work so well. The participating students and schools- thank you so-o-o much. Without you we have no expedition.

Fundraising continues for the water projects, and we will announce the results in the coming weeks. I am not saying goodbye just yet- we still have several blogs to come from Tunisia as the Youth Ambassadors visit Tunis and Matmata. Keep reading, and thank you for participating !"

Running Tunisia Day 3: Today We Ran a Marathon!

2010-04-21T21:30:00.003-04:00

Although we all woke up feeling exhausted, stiff, sore and needing an ice bath this morning, we left camp around 7:30 am and made our way towards the town of Douz. As we continued forward, our legs began to loosen up and our pace increased. Everyone was starting to feel a little bit better and we were all very excited to reach our goal of completing a full marathon!

Today we made it into the dunes, which were incredible! The sand was lose and textured like flour, but absolutely beautiful! It felt like we stopped for photos every few steps. Our guide, Arida, decided to come with us on our run, in hjs long pants, sweater and cheche (pronounced sheesh). While running, he taught us traditional Arabic songs and games, and showed us a variety of different animal tracks including scorpion, scarab, camel and warthog. It was amazing to hear all his stories and learn more about the nomads of the Sahara!

We had another incredible lunch and after a brief nap, after a recommendation from Mohammed Ixa, who told us it was going to be too hot to run in for the next hour, we continued forward. And sure enough, the next hour was extremely warm and when we woke up, and began running, the temperature had cooled down dramatically and the heat was manageable. Over the next 17km, we came across two beautiful oasis’ filled with palm trees, lush green shrubs and even a well! The scenery here is absolutely incredible! As we got closer and closer to the 42.2km mark, we began feeling better and better. We pushed for the finish and successfully completed a marathon in the desert! We were all very happy and even happier when our support team had oranges waiting for us – Tunisian oranges are by far the best oranges in the world!!

We just finished setting up camp in the sand dunes and will likely sleep very well tonight. Talk around camp is that we might be getting an Arabic flute show later on!

Another amazing day in the Sahara Desert!!

Running Tunisia Day 2

2010-04-19T21:56:00.006-04:00

Hey everyone! Some updates from the team

Day 1

From Ray:

Today was our first full day running in the Sahara. After a long drive of about 2.5 hours, we began running in the hopes of reaching our goal of 42.2 km by the end of the day – a distance that neither Jill, Kajsa, nor Connor had ever ran in a single day before. The first 20 km was… muddy. The unbelievable lightning/rain storm the previous night had altered the land to such a degree that Jill was skating across the desert. We continued to move forward in the search of lunch – something that the youth ambassadors had been fixated on from km 15 – 20. When we finally crested the hill, we looked down upon the land cruisers and an outstretched blanket covered with sandwiches, oranges, dates, tea… and Mohammed. After our lunch break, we began on the second part of our day; however, during the hottest, most uncomfortable part of the day, we almost immediately experienced problems. Jill was experiencing dehydration as well as nutrition issues. She created a masterpiece on the side of the trail consisting of everything consumed in the past 12 hours as well as sound effects we had never heard before. We made a collective decision to take an easier pace, as it was stiflingly hot at about 33 degrees Celsius. Things were looking up, but at about 33 km, Jill decided to not only hit the wall, but take it out and allow it to fall on top of her. The day finished with a positive attitude, as we were treated to authentic Arabic music complete with sing-a-long in the land cruiser as we jostled down the road back to camp. Jill’s experience today with dehydration really helped us to appreciate the importance of drinking enough water, which has implications not only for completing the trek but makes us realize that people who do not have access to clean drinking water are at a severe disadvantage.

House from Star Wars

Sunset

Also check out this video from the team and this feature on CNN

Day 2

From the Youth Ambassadors:

The day started out with a 1.5 hour drive with rockin’ Arabic/French music in Nardeen’s car to start where we finished yesterday. After a tough day yesterday, we made a collective decision to run 20 minutes, then do a fast walk for 2 minutes. Our goal was to make it back to camp, about 36 km, and everyone was feeling pretty good around lunch time, however, the heat of the day was beginning and we still had about 16 km to go. After lunch, we came across a herd of dromedaries (one-humped camels) and watched as Andy chased them around the desert in his attempt to ride one! As the heat pressed down on us, we tried to focus on hydrating properly and keeping a consistent pace while out on our own. Throughout the first two days, Kathy (Ray’s wife) had been running alongside with us and helping with pacing, but today, she deemed us ready to go out on our own and make our own decisions on proper speed for running a multi-day expedition. The heat was very hard to take the last 10 km, but we worked together to keep everyone motivated and could not have been happier when we crested the hill to overlook the camp in front of us. Back at camp, we had an interesting educational discussion with Doc Affleck about a variety of water issues as well as facts and interesting history about the theories of the origins of water. Ray had us do an experiment where we carried 12 litres of water around camp to get a feel for what it is like for children to carry water for miles on end that is necessary for their everyday life.

Volcanic Interference

2010-04-15T22:58:00.005-04:00

Hi Everyone! My name is Kat and I'm one of i2P's advisors. While Ray and the i2P team are in Tunisia, I'm going to guest blog to keep you updated on all of their incredible adventures- before they left they had to navigate being challenged by a volcano!

In Bob and Ray's words:

"As it goes with any expedition you need to have proper planning, a good logistics team behind you, and of course a lot of luck! Today's Volcano in Iceland has put us into an early adaptation mode since the last update we received was that our flights from Montreal to Paris had been canceled! Fortunately the impossible2Possible team has McCord Travel, an amazing travel agency supporting us and first thing this morning they were hard at work trying to reserve us a flight into Tunisia through an alternative route. At this point we have flights reserved and as I write this they are trying to transfer the new tickets. Our new route has us heading through Morocco and only landing 2 hours behind our original travel itinerary!

The team has spent the morning in orientation and we are all getting to know each other! It was great to finally meet the youth ambassadors in person! We couldn't have selected a better group of four for this journey!

We will keep you posted of any other travel changes!"

You can meet the incredible Youth Ambassadors yourself by checking out this video:

Youth Ambassador Intros from GOi2P on Vimeo.

Running Tunisia and stuff

2010-04-10T21:56:00.002-04:00

Hey There !

Its been awhile (as usual) .....seems life gets so busy i rarely can write. ANyhow, SIberia went awesome....check it out at www.siberianx.com for the deets. We were able to communicate with the students during the expedition, but what really blew me away was they way so many young people came together to fundraise and so far raise in the $ 12 000 range for water projects in Africa- for people they may never meet. The power of youth amazes me. So much hope, so much potential.

This week we leave for Tunisia. Four amazing Youth Ambassadors will run across the northern Sahara. I am proud to be part of their team. www.runningtunisia.com Please stay tuned....

2010 Siberian Express For Water !

2010-01-04T22:10:00.001-05:00

Impossible2Possible H20 Initiative !

I hope everyone had awesome holidays !!! Roughly 60 days from now Kevin Vallely and I will be running 60-70 kms per day across Lake Baikal….unsupported ! We will drag everything we need for the entire expedition in specially made sleds- that includes nearly 100 pounds of food, sleeping gear, camera equipment Iridium and our BGAN. Important equipment to have- as our goal is not to cross the world’s largest (by volume) fresh water lake a small team- We actually will be a team of thousands as students from Europe, US and Canada join us tracking our daily progress, communicate with us as we stream live video into classrooms, and speak with us via our Iridiums! We will also post daily blogs and film high definition footage and photos that will be made available to students for their own projects.

Training has been going well- i am convincing myself I love the cold…it seemed to work last year on the way to the South Pole ! The website for Siberian Express launches January 11. You will be able to access it from www.impossible2possible.com at that time…

Education, Inspiration,…Action !

As we travel to the Arctic to train and prepare (Yellowknife on January 11-13 and Pangnirtung Jan 29-30), students will share in the prep for the Siberia Expedition (which takes place March 1-11). The Experiential Learning program will commence at the same time- our team lead by Dr. Ewan Affleck has been busy preparing the best Educational Modules we have made to date- and will encompass the topic of this expedition…water ! Students and schools will also combine forces to raise the resources needed for a well project and rainwater collection project in Africa based on everything they learn about this precious of all resources! Our partners for these projects will be the Ryans Well Foundation and Giving Water.Org. Great organizations with great people.

Part 2

Siberian Express for Water is the first of two expeditions in our 2010 H20 initiative. The second is our next Youth Expedition. Running Tunisia will take place this April as 5 Youth Ambassadors attempt an epic run across Tunisia…in their own version of Running The Sahara ! More details on this later- I hope you will join us for these two expeditions ! We are still accepting applications for Youth Ambassadors- details are on the impossible2Possible.com website ! Schools are still able to sign up as well to communicate with us, learn about water…and make a difference ! Everything is free of charge. Thank you all once again for reading along and for your emails. Next newsletter soon ! Keep running !!!

August Update !

2009-08-31T23:25:00.001-04:00

impossible2Possible World Expedition: Stage 1 Baffin Island

Here we go !!!

Starting next Tuesday, September 1st five incredible Youth Adventurers will set out for Canada's Arctic in an attempt to

cross the Akshayuk Pass on Baffin Island- and trek all the way back to Pangnirtung ! I will join them, along with familiar names like Marshall Ulrich, Tessum Weber,

i2P's own Bob Cox, and my wife Kath ! Dr. Ewan Affleck and his Educational Team have once again created a series of relevant and exciting Educational Modules

which will be made available to all who visit the www.impossible2possible.com/world website ! As with the South Pole Quest, daily blogs, photos and live tracking

will be broadcast to the World through the live website. This time, select students from the over 5000 in schools across North America have teamed with us to ask questions,

and have those questions answered through voice files daily on www.impossible2possible.com/world

Our Youth Adventurers are excited and a little nervous- this isn't a field trip- but a full-on expedition ! They will carry all of their food and supplies and gear for this arduous trek. Best of

all they get to share their experiences, what they learn (not only about themselves, but about the incredible culture of the North), and speak to thousands of youth daily through their blogs, etc

on the live website. Glacial moraine, scores of icy cold river crossings, lots of bog- and some of the most stunning scenery on Earth ! Here we go!

Join us in this first leg of the i2P World Expedition series ! The second expedition is slated for January 2010, school and Youth Adventurer registration

will be announced end of September. Future expedition stages to be announced soon. Our generous sponsors have made this expedition possible- with no cost whatsoever to school

and Youth Adventurers. Please visit the Sponsor page at www.impossible2possible.com/world

Here They Go Again !

More expedition news- Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement from Ray and South Pole Quest teammate and buddy Kevin Vallely as they will soon announce a unique and very exciting

expedition they are planning for May 2010. As soon as the deets get hammered out- you will be the first to know ! Of course there will be once again links to thousands of students and classrooms !

Desert Camp with The Man !

I've joined with ultra running legend Marshall Ulrich to host the Dreams in Action Running Camp, Death Valley, October 14-18, 2009 ! At this camp you will learn how to improve your running for all kinds of races, including road, desert, stage, mountain, and trail races! We welcome all runners, whether you have just started running or if you are an experienced ultra runner, this camp will teach you what you need to know! For more info go to http://www.marshallulrich.com/trainer.htm Special guest instructors will include Bart Yasso- Author of My Life On The Run (and an all around running guru), Danny Dreyer- author of Chi Running, Andrew Skurka- Nat Geo Adventurer of the Year....and of course Marshal Ulrich- The Man ! I will be there too instructing...i promise not to make you run across the Sahara or drag a sled to the South Pole if you promise to come ! Hope to see you there !

Well, thats it- but there is alot of news- thank you once again for taking the time to read my newsletter- and remember to stay in touch, i love receiving your emails- and please keep the good

vibes coming...i truly appreciate it !

Mid July Update !

2009-07-19T21:20:00.000-04:00

Hey Everybody !

Okay- no doubt the weather has started out a bit crazy this summer- but that just makes running more interesting, right ? !!!

Montreal2Ottawa In One Go !!!

So – lots of cool stuff happening and about to happen….but before you read any further- please, please, please join me on facebook and twitter (rayzahab) ! Why ?

Well- I am glad you asked ! impossible2Possible will be utilizing a new tracking map for this September’s upcoming Baffin Island Youth expedition- which will feature Facebook and other social media updates ! Not only that- as part of my training for this upcoming expedition I will attempt to run from Montreal to Ottawa on August 15^th !

All of my live updates will be through Twitter and Facebook- so we need you and your family and friends to join me ! I will update through the entire 200ish km run!

I hope to be joined at various points by my many friends out there…we will announce on both the impossible2possible facebook page and my personal page the details soon. So tie up your laces !

Impossible2Possible Update

This Baffin Island expedition will once again feature live website (a la South Pole Quest), educational modules and student interaction ! We have thousands of students joining us online for the adventure- and 5 incredible young adventurers from all over North America (deets at impossible2possible.com) will “peer to peer” share their experiences with students and classrooms across North America !

The live website will launch early August- and will start with our Youth Ambassadors blogging about their prep. Then- in the first week of September we will start or crossing of the Akshayuk Pass on Baffin. This will not only be a grueling adventure in a remote and beautiful part of the world- but as with all of our expeditions there will be a multitude of lessons learned and shared. Youth Ambassadors will also be photographing glaciers and comparing changes from archived photos. The incredible culture of the North will be a major highlight- and i2P has several surprise guests for the educational modules – from scientists to Inuit legends. Schools are invited to join us by signing up on impossible2possible.com- everything is free ! We hope you will join us by following too ! More to come soon!

impossible2Possible Expedition and More !!!

2009-05-26T22:39:00.000-04:00

impossible2Possible Expedition !

Hey Everybody !

I hope you are all enjoying the spring- and are getting out into the great outdoors for great adventure !

impossble2Possible is announcing an new expedition series that will kick off this in September this year

on Baffin Island. Details are on the impossible2Possible website. As with South Pole Quest, we will be connecting to

students and schools with a live and interactive website which will also feature a comprehensive educational resource.

Everything is free, and we are once again asking teachers and schools to join us by registering on the impossible2Possible

website. One of the most interesting components of this next adventure is that 4 young adventurers- fit and ready- will join

the i2P team ! These youth adventurers will lead the blogging and communications to our partner schools...exciting !

Please ask your local schools to sign up for the web resource- and contact us if there are any questions !

There is also a sign up section for those young adventurers you know who are wishing to apply. Its Free !

Running The Sahara Special Screening

Yay ! Running The Sahara is coming to Ottawa- on June 9th ! Mark your calendars. At 6:30 pm Starcite Theater in Hull, Quebec

Running The Sahara will be screened in support of Ryans Well Foundation. All of the proceeds from sales of the tickets

will go to this awesome organization which provides clean water to developing countries. Please contact my wife Kathy for

details ! kathyad@hotmail.com

Running

The most common question i am asked these days by my clients is: "What should i eat following my long run....i am never hungry !"

My answer ? Here's a shake rcipe that i have found works great if i am rushed- or am not in the mood for "solid" food..

1 scoop vanilla whey protein, 1/2 cup frozen berries, 1 handful spinach (yes, spinach), 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 teaspoon flax oil and water to desired consistency.

Blend like crazy...and drink !

Another common question..."Should i stretch before or after my run ?" Answer: After. I have found stretching at the end of a long run improves recovery

time, reduces injury- and is much safer as tissues are warmed up.

Okay- More coming soon.....

Cheers

Ray

Spring 2009 !!!

2009-04-29T20:18:00.002-04:00

Hey Everybody !
I know, i know....my blogs are few and far between !!! Thats because i have been out on the road visiting schools and incredible young people who followed along with our South Pole Quest expedition !!!
Its been a very busy spring so far- Running The Sahara has been released in theatres at charitable screenings and is now on dvd and download...also had a very busy season speaking at events like TED and IOC World Conference ! I must say i was very honored to speak at these events...

I am busy planning the next series of expeditions- and have still been doing lots of interesting work with great organizations such as the Ryan's Well Foundation. Impossible2Possible continues to develop- i am so excited about the work we are doing.

I now have a facebook page- please go there ...i promise i update it more then this page !
I am also considering this Twitter thing....
Anyhow- hope you are all living your dreams and having a great spring. Kath and Mia Sahara say hi !!!
Ray

South Pole Quest and Other Cool Stuff !

2009-02-05T19:26:00.002-05:00

hey gang !

as per usual, my posts on my blogs are sporadic at best !!!

please, please, please go to www.southpolequest.com for details on our south pole expedition which we completed one month ago !

what an incredible experience ! so many young people and students from around the world joined our team and participated through this live website ...

i just got back from speaking at TED conference in california. once again- an incredible experience !

we have lots planned in the coming year with impossible2possible- so stay tuned. we will be updating our website as well this coming weekend.

thank you so much for all of your encouragement through email, facebook, your calls and mail.

cheers !

2008-06-27T15:39:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang !
I hope this newsletter finds all of you well !

I hope all of you had the chance to check out www.canadaonexone.com during the expedition to see all of the incredible film footage of the run as it unfolded. Rogers provided us with the newest communications equipment so that we could blog, send photos and video live to our website so that everyone could follow the journey as it unfolded on the internet ! From 10 000 kids either running or participating in Saskatoon, to being joined on the runt by Assembly First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine to hundreds of other incredible stories...check out the website !

Our goal with this run is to raise awareness for Canadian born organization, ONExONE- and highlight the tireless work they are doing at home and abroad in helping to eradicate social issues that affect children. Check out www.onexone.org for more info. We also have the goal of inspiring young people into action- and we will visit many schools en route , get their opinions, speak with them- and blog their stories by video on www.canadaonexone.com

This goal to raise awareness and inspire people (especially youth) across Canada was achieved...and we in turn were inspired by this amazing generation of youth and from people across Canada who got on board with us !

Special thanks goes to our sponsor who made this expedition possible-without their ongoing efforts and belief in what we were trying to accomplish, we never could have made it ! Rogers Communications for their innovative technology which allowed us to broadcast this incredible and unique event to millions of Canadians and around the world via our live website, Air Canada for helping us to arrive each day in a new province or territory, Jeep Chrysler for lending us their latest cleaner diesel Cherokees for the runners to travel on the driving legs, Gatorade for making sure we could actually run 80 kms per day by keeping us hydrated !, First Air for getting us to Iqaluit and Yellowknife, and Crocs for keeping our toes comfy after 80 kms of running per day :0)

A super huge Thank You to Anton Stranc, Logistical Director for the CanadaONExONE and Impossible2Possible.
Thank Yous also go to the numerous volunteers across Canada who made this run actually happen. We are developing a section on the CanadaONExONE site which will have all of the names- but to just name a few from each province for now (in no order)- Stephanie Case- Vancouver (also ran 8 stages !), Dan Ouimette- Calgary, Shannon Loutitt- Saskatoon, Erin Carter- Winnipeg, Diana Smyth- Toronto, Claude Rossignol- Quebec, Armand Doucet- Moncton and PEI, Corey Robinson- Halifax, Ken Brophy- St. John’s, Meeka Kakudluk- Iqaluit, Linda Maljan- Yellowknife and The Mchales- Whitehorse. There are so-o-o many more I thank all of you- and we will post a big thank you very soon on www.canadaonexone.com

More news coming on www.impossible2possible.com , the 2008 and 2010 Polar Expeditions, and so much more !!!

Mia Sahara Zahab !!!

2008-06-22T21:52:00.002-04:00

Kathy and I are proud to announce the birth of our beautiful daughter Mia Sahara Zahab on June 16th, 2008 !!!

Kath went through 24 hours of intense and insane labor, then had an emergency c section to give birth.
I have so-o-o much respect for my amazing wife already, but this took things to a whole new level. I promise I will never complain about a blisters or pain ever again !

In all seriousness, when i had Mia Sahara in my arms for the first moments i looked at Kath and we both expressed how lucky we are. How lucky our child is, and how much more passionate we are about supporting initiatives that are trying to help kids at home and abroad who are not so fortunate.

This is the greatest day of my life.

Canada ONExONE Completed !

2008-06-05T20:34:00.000-04:00

Lots to come very soon.....stay tuned !

May Newsletter !

2008-06-05T20:33:00.000-04:00

It's time !
The Canada ONExONE Run is about to begin !

So much has happened since the last newsletter that was sent out. Highlights have included speaking at the Climate Project in Montreal to a group of incredible individuals who are very passionate about the environment and how the shifting climate is affecting people worldwide. Among those in attendance were Dr. David Suzuki, Al Gore and a host of others ! It was truly inspirational as well to be invited among this amazing group of people to learn from Mr. Gore and Dr. Suzuki about climate change for this incredible weekend event.

I have been very fortunate as well to do a lot of speaking lately- both to corporate groups, and in schools- and get the opportunity to not only tell the story of Running The Sahara, but get the opportunity to relay the message of the need for clean drinking water in Africa- and worldwide ! Speaking of the schools- I cannot tell you how many AMAZING kids I have met recently. This is truly an outstanding generation ! These kids are tackling issues at an age that is so truly inspiring and hopeful. Heck, when I was their age I had no concept of social and environmental issues !

Starting this Sunday, May 11th, myself and a team of amazing runners (check the runner bio's on our website!) will attempt to run 80 kms per day in ALL 13 Provinces and Territories….whew, it makes me tired to even say it ! The goal will not only be to just run 80 kms each day- but visit schools, participate in community supported events and meet with kids, parents and just about everybody we can fit in ! This run has an objective well beyond the complicated logistics and extreme endurance. Our goal with this run is to raise awareness for Canadian born organization, ONExONE- and highlight the tireless work they are doing at home and abroad in helping to eradicate social issues that affect children. Check out www.onexonecampaign.com for more info. We also have the goal of inspiring young people into action- and we will visit many schools en route , get their opinions, speak with them- and blog their stories by video on www.canadaonexone.com

The fun doesn't stop there ! Rogers has provided us with some incredible equipment to track our journey live on the website, with text blogging, daily photo journals, and video stories from Canadians coast to coast to coast !

A multitude of activities have been planned in each Province and Territory- and we will be visiting with special guests too as we make our way across Canada ! Hayley Wickenheiser will join us at the start in Calgary, and we will also have the honor of visiting with Assembly First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine among others !

Incredible organizers and volunteers have worked tirelessly to make this expedition awesome- and I will make sure to thank them all both during (live ) on our website- and in future newsletters ! One incredible volunteer I will mention (again, all are AMAZING !), is Shannon Louttit of Saskatoon. What Shannon has accomplished in planning for Saskatoon is unbelievable. I don't want to ruin surprises- but suffice to say- she has created a series of events involving the WHOLE city ! Stay tuned to the website…..!

March Newsletter !!!

2008-03-18T22:52:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang !

Well, we have been hard at it preparing for 2 upcoming events/expeditions that I think everyone will be very excited about.

First is CanadaONExONE this May. I will attempt to run an ultra distance (80 kms) per day in each and every Province and Territory ! 13 days of running in our incredible country ! Many details about this will follow- and expect the CanadaONExONE website to launch very soon, with links from my website www.rayzahab.com. This run will be in support of the incredible work the ONExONE organization (Canadian born) is doing at home and abroad, and will be a celebration of our amazing country !!! Many people from across the country will run with me... I hope you can join me too ! As I said, more details to follow very soon !

I am writing this edition of my newsletter from one of the most incredible places in the world- Iqaluit, Nunavut. I am here meeting with all kinds of amazing people about the upcoming 2009 PolarRun (details on my website). The purpose of my visit here is to meet with the Premiere of Nunavut - Paul Okalik, Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Miali-Elise Coley (Premieres Office) and other Educators, Community Leaders, and local people to learn and gain a greater knowledge of this beautiful culture and people of the North. I as well had the great fortune of running (no pun ) into Will Steger and his team as they prepare for their epic expedition to dogsled Ellsmere Island. His team was very gracious and I spent an evening with them talking about their project, our expedition...and of course stories of Sahara and other adventures !!! For those of you who may not know the name, Will is one of the greatest adventurers of our time, and has many firsts to his credit. Our expedition expert Richard Weber- another legend- is friends with Will, and speaks very highly of him. I got out for a training run today, it was - 38 ...I better get used to it ! 785 kms from Ward Hunt to the Geographic North Pole in temps down below - 60, navigating open leads of water...climbing walls pressure ice, and being wary of polar bears... Yikes !
More to follow on this expedition, too...

I have been traveling lots these days, speaking alot about our run across the Sahara- and the water crisis in northern Africa, as well as raising interest for the Global Education Initiative my team and I want to create in conjunction with the PolarRun. Our goal is to "Inspire young people around the world to protect and appreciate the planet- and the many diverse cultures on it". This educational resource will be downloadable from our website, and we want to make it available to kids around the world- teaching them about the social impact globally of the changing climate. To this end, my team and I are creating an organization that will support and drive this mission!!!

My next newsletter will focus on this, and CanadaONExONE Run.

I will write again soon...please keep checking my website for updates on these projects, for news on the release of Running The Sahara and please visit and support the organizations from the "Difference" tab on my website.

Cheers !
Ray

PS: don't forget world water day, mar. 22 http://www.worldwaterday.net/

Toronto Star Goes Polar !

2008-02-05T22:53:00.000-05:00

Hey Gang !
Check out this link and read up on the Polar Run !

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/300358

Cheers !

Back On !

2008-01-23T20:04:00.000-05:00

Hey Gang !

I apologize for the delay...I have been going crazy since the Canada Challenge !
I am in complete Polar "mode" and my team and I are planning like crazy to get ready for this incredible journey....more than just running. Check my website for details !

More to come.
Like running in 13 provinces in 13 days this summer. yay !

Cheers

Canada Challenge Story Part 1

2007-09-06T12:24:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang !

Well, the Canada Challenge 3 Coasts was exactly that...a HUGE challenge ! Please keep checking daily at www.rayzahab.com on the top right corner of my homepage for the link to Canada Challenge tracker for additions to photos and video.

First of all I really want to say thank you to all of you who supported me and my team as we ran this incredible journey. There were many of you out there on the trails, in towns and on internet with kind words, and support for Spreadthenet.org

I encourage all of you who have not yet purchased your bednets to please, please go to www.spreadthenet.org and buy one ! (or two, or three...)

Also- an incredible donation to tell you about. Upon completion of the last leg- the West Coast Trail- Kathy gave me some great news. A very generous company donated $5 000 towards the purchase of bednets. Yay !!!
So...this is an official corporate challenge ! Corporate world- lets buy bednets !

Over the course of the next week I will send out two newsletters with some stories from the field. In this first email I would like to tell you about the Northern Route and my preparation for this leg of the Canada Challenge.

Preparation for an expedition like this is really complicated...so I am so-o-o thankful I had the right team helping to pull this together. First of all - thanks to Telus for making the expedition possible.
Mike Kenney of Matrix Solutions was instrumental in pulling together the logistics of the Baffin Island leg. Mike's and Matrix's expertise in the North made preparation seamless. Mike helped us prepare the route, organize travel, and he connected us with boat transfer to and from the Akshayuk Pass. First Air, the airline of the North, got us up to Baffin and back. We were so relieved to have such an experienced and reliable airline getting us around as we would have to make sure that I could get to the East Coast Trailhead in time to keep my goal of finishing all three trails in 10 days or less. There really was no room for delays or setbacks. Ken Borek flew us on the leg from Pangnirtung to Qikiktarjuaq...and of course we would run back (check route on my website!).

Gear wise- oh my gosh..tough one. First and foremost was the issue of hydration. Even in the Arctic you need to stay hydrated- you need to drink just as much- and getting water meant drinking from streams, etc. I was connected to a fellow named Andrew Moorey of globalhydration.com by my friend Joel, and Andrew explained to me that his product Aquatabs would provide all the purification I would need to ensure safe drinking water. Needless to say- I didn't get sick the entire expedition- so they worked great ! Tiny tablets that dissolve into my water- and the water is ready in minutes for drinking. I needed something easy and reliable, so Aquatabs fit the bill. Now I would have clean water- and in order to stay hydrated and consume the easiest calories possible I used Gatorade Endurance formula. Gatorade got us across the entire Sahara last winter- and I totally trust it- so it was a no brainer for me. The last thing I wanted to worry about was getting chronically dehydrated while running these three trails virtually non-stop.
I am asked all of the time- what do you wear ? Well, the gear for this expedtion included CW-X clothing- in layers to provide warmth and support; Inov-8 Mudclaw 270 shoes- super lightweight and grippy; Fuelbelt hydration packs and bottles; Wiley-X Eyewear- durable and provided awesome eye protection is the intense sun up North and on the East Coast; Injinji socks; Magellan GPS to guide us, and Crocs to let my feet have a break between trails ( I can't tell you how much I looked forward to getting into those!).

The morning of our departure Chuck Dale and I quickly packed up the remainder of our gear and headed to the Canada AM morning show where I did a quick interview, and then it was off to the airport to catch the First Air flight to Iqaluit, and then our Ken Borek connection to Qikiktarjuaq.
Chuck would run the first trail with me, and then provide support on the East and West Coast legs. As you will hear in my next email, Kathy (my wife!) ran portions of the East Coast trail, as did a host of others who were welcome to join in. Kathy's family also provided support on the ECT. More about that later.

In the Iqaluit airport we bumped into North Pole legend Richard Webber and his wife Josee as Josee was returning to Chelsea. Small world !
We arrived in Pangnirtung later that afternoon- and then had to basically leap frog the Akshayuk Pass in order to get to Qik to then grab a 100 km boat ride back to the start of our journey. When we left Pang, our pilot said he would do his best to fly low through the pass so we could see what we were in for running back the next day. It was incredible. We flew a few thousand feet above the pass floor, winding our way between the mountains that were topped with glaciers. These mountains were different that what you normally think of. These were like walls of rock shooting straight up into the air. Very, very sheer and steep.
Mount Thor appeared as a vertical rock wall that ascended 1000's of feet into the sky. I can't believe people climb it.

When we arrived in Qikiktarjuaq, a small community of approx. 900 people, we were greeted instantly by the warmth and hospitality of the Inuit people. What an amazing culture. The people of the North are so inspirational ! The harshness of the climate and topography make for arduous and long winters. But everybody seemed so happy! We met with Parks Canada and had our orientation where we were told what to do in case we encountered polar bears- and how to deal with all of the extremes of the Akshayuk Pass. Just days before, Mike called to tell me there was a polar bear in the pass. Although cute in photographs, I was almost positive they wouldn't look so cute in real life- I didn't want to disturb them at all !

The next morning we met Billy and his wife and at the docks and got ready for our boat ride up the fjord to the start of the Pass. We were accompanied by a brother and wife team up photographing the park for an outdoors magazine. They were such great people. After around 3 hours on the small fishing boat, Billy turned around to me and said "Weather is pretty bad...big waves. This is gonna take awhile!". We ended up arriving at 12 noon, somewhere around 5.5 hours instead of the usual 2.5 hours in good conditions. I was so thankful Billy and his wife were our guides to the waters edge. We felt very safe with them. Billy gave us advice on the terrain before we left, and as we headed out I wished I had more time to sit with him and hear and learn more.

The Pass would be approx. 100 kms (we recorded around 115 on gps by the time we finished) and would cover terrain that was so mixed and varied I couldn't believe it. There was one constant though- we would be wet the whole time ! Constant winds in our faces would sometimes be strong enough to force us to walk.

The first 10 kms didn't seem so bad, and we made good time running fairly quick...and thats when the tough stuff started. We hit our first stream crossing (there would be over 50 glacial river and stream crossings). As we tried to find the best way across the frigid water, trying to avoid huge current, we saw a polar bear track. Yikes !!!!! It was huge !
Okay, now I'm freezing...and terrified !
Crossing the streams would become routine- and hugely time consuming. Some of the crossings were higher than waist deep and we could hear boulders rushing past us as we crossed. The current was so strong- and the rapids in some of the rivers daunting. The levels of water depend on the melt rate of the glaciers, and the levels were very high as it had been warm and sunny days previous, and today it was raining.

I have to say- this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. As a matter of fact it's right up there with the Tenere Desert in Niger. I felt so proud that this incredible place is in my country Canada. We are so lucky.

Chuck was doing awesome- he asked for adventure- and he was getting it ! Chuck accompanied us in the Sahara as our Physical Therapist and jack of all trades- and is an incredible runner- so I knew he could do it and was the right man for the job as support.

We arrived at the Rundle Glacier later than we expected due to the crazy amount of river crossings and slogging it through the tundra that was always ankle deep. Fog was setting in, and as it got dark we had to cross the most dangerous river in pitch black with our headlamps reflecting off of the fog. Crazy thing is when we did manage to get ourselves across, our feet would be so frozen that we literally could not feel them. We would then start running on the endless rocky terrain, and after they thawed out we would realize that we were bruising our feet constantly !

We occasionally would stop for a 5 minute break and refill our hydration packs with Aquatabs water and Gatorade, and take in the scenery.

As the sun rose the next day we were really determined to finish. We passed by Mount Thor which was even more spectacular from the ground- and started to make really good time as we were now on real trail for the first time. The last 25 kms I really pushed the pace- and we actually able to run quickly for the first time since the first 10 kms.

The last 15 kms were on sandy, rocky terrain- which as you can imagine I felt very comfortable on after running in the Sahara for 111 days! We were in a race to get to the boat before our guide Jimmy left without us ! I would have felt so bad if he used up his fuel to get us and we weren't there. Gas is very expensive up there. Also, we didn't have enough gear to last another night ! We were soaked, feet bruised and exhausted. 27 hours after starting we were finished ! Yay !
When we got back to Pang I got to hang out with Charlie Qumuatuq- it was his boat company that got us to and from the Pass. Charlie was awesome. He discussed with me Inuit issues and what life is like up there for him and his community. It was totaly cool to learn from him. Chuck was crashed out so I went for a tour of the town with Charlie. Next day I got to stop by the Parks Canada office and was honoured to meet Billy Etooangat
and Dave Argument, both parks officials. The Akshayuk Pass was named after Billy's grandfather. Cool.

Our flights were scheduled to leave around noon, so we had to keep moving. I confided to Chuck that I had no idea how I was going to run the next two legs of the Canada Challenge the way I was feeling. I still had the shakes from the cold and my feet were swollen like small footballs !

I guess I would find out. I would be in Newfoundland the next day.

More to come !

Canada Challenge and Other News !!!

2007-08-09T09:35:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang !
Back on board after a crazy summer of speaking, running and planning !
Planning what ? The Canada Challenge ! Please check out my website for more info- you'll see the link on the front page.

My goal is to run 3 very extreme coastal trails in Canada- one right after the other. All in an effort to raise awareness for initiatives I totally am down with. Check the "awareness" section of my website. The trails are 1000's of km's apart, and will be super tough running combined with insane logisitics. I start in canada's North on Baffin Island, then Newfoundland and finally British Columbia. I have incredible people helping in the planning- and without their expertise i don't think i could even be half as prepared !

Mike Kenney of Matrix Helicopters in North west Territories has been an incredible expediton advisor- helping to co-ordinate the complex logistics of the Baffin and Newfoundland sections of this "race against time".

More to come on the interesting stories of people, training and logistics involved in this expedition. By the way...we leave this August 21st 2007 !

Media so far has been awesome- and the story has appeared in newspapers across the country !

Clients have also had amazing spring/summer events. Please check my website for details under "client news".

Talk soon- I am off to salt Lake City with Charlie.

Summertime!

2007-06-21T12:07:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang!

It’s hard to believe but the summer is here! I would like to take this time to thank you for all of your support over the past several months. Life has certainly changed and it’s so exciting to look back on this past winter! Dreams have come true but I couldn’t have done all that without all of you. My friends and family have been so incredible. You may remember getting a newsletter from my brother John while I was in the Sahara. I’d like to personally introduce you…everyone, meet John Zahab! John is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist at the Ottawa High Performance Centre. His assessment protocol and program development are a great addition to my online coaching services – geared to get you running. Not all of you are my coaching clients but I still wanted to tell you about him!

In addition to providing Strength and Conditioning for Sports Performance services, John offers conditioning programs for Return to Sport (after injury) and Functional Fitness (for the active individual, who may not participate in athletic events). Additional information on John’s services and other great services offered at the center may be found at www.ohpc.ca. John offers a variety of appointment times throughout the day – including some early morning and evening times, to accommodate before and after work needs.

I’m looking forward to the weeks and months ahead, when I hope that I can continue to be an inspiration to many of you - as much as you have been an inspiration to me! May you come to soon realize all of your goals - be it performance oriented or leading a healthy active lifestyle. Should you have any questions regarding my brother’s services, please don’t hesitate to contact him directly at zahabj@istar.ca .

Stay tuned for some updates about some of my clients. There’s a few different people racing around the world. I’ll keep you posted, until then, may you have a safe and healthy start to your summer!

Yours in health,

Ray Zahab

www.rayzahab.com

rayzahab@rayzahab.com

So great to be back!

2007-03-26T15:46:00.000-04:00

Hey gang!!

I'm sorry for taking a few weeks to write to you all! Thank-you all so much for all your support while I was in Africa!! It was so amazing to get all the emails and hear news from home!

It's been great to home! It was pretty funny stepping back into a Canadian winter after being in the desert for so long but I'm so happy to be home! I just returned back from the Northwest Territories and serious winter! It was great to be there for a couple of talks and to be there for the race as well!

I'll write more later but wanted to send you all a quick hello and word of thanks.

Right now Kathy and I are on our way to California where Kevin, Charlie and I will be on the Tonight Show! You can watch us on Tuesday night (tomorrow night). It will be great to see the guys!

Stay tuned in for more updates!

Ray

Correction! Ray will be on The Hour Tuesday March 6

2007-03-05T23:34:00.000-05:00

Quick correction!

If you tuned in tonight to The Hour you would have seen that Ray will actually be on tomorrow night!

Tuesday March 6 11pm:
The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
*watch Ray tell his story!

Catch Ray on The Hour - March 5

2007-03-03T00:04:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Ray has been back on Canadian soil now for a full week and it's definitely been busy! Hopefully you've had a chance to see him on TV or catch him on the radio. It's been exciting to hear from people all over the country about how Ray has inspired them.

On Monday March 5 you will be able to watch Ray tell his story on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos on CBC Television at 11 pm. Tune in!

Hope you all out there are doing well!

Jenny

Update on TV appearances!

2007-02-24T01:12:00.000-05:00

Hey folks!

Ray landed tonight and was welcomed home by a crowd of family and friends! He's so dark we almost didn't recognize him :)

As soon as time and rest allows Ray will be posting himself soon but until then you'll have a number of opportunities to see him on TV:

CBC Newsworld - Sunday Feb.25 - 1:00pm
CTV's Canada AM - Monday Feb.26 - 8:40AM
CBC Ottawa Local evening news - Monday Feb.26

Many thanks to everyone for coming out to support Ray tonight, for keeping up to date with his progress, and for sending encouraging emails while he was away! It has meant a lot to Ray!

It's so very easy to get caught up in life's troubles and forget what's going on in the world around us. A big thanks to Ray, Kevin and Charlie for giving up the past 4 months to remind us all that nothing is impossible. And also for bringing exposure to the water crisis in Africa. We have much to be thankful for as life hands us our possibilities!

Keep those emails of encouragement to Ray coming. Please send to jenny@rayzahab.com

Ray & Kathy on Canada AM Monday morning

2007-02-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to let you know Ray & Kathy will be on CTV's Canada AM on Monday morning! Please keep checking here over the week-end for an update on timing. It's also quite possible there willbe another TV spot for Ray early next week. Info will be up as soon as we know!

Tune in! And make sure you read your Ottawa Citizen on Sunday!

Keep those messages for Ray coming (please send to jenny@rayzahab.com)! Any words of encouragement, well wishes and stories of how Ray's journey has touched you would be great!

Hope to see you at the airport tomorrow night (Friday night) at 11:00!

Update!

2007-02-21T17:36:00.000-05:00

Hello All!

Things are busy in preparation for Ray's return to Canada! There has been a tremendous response from the media and people all over the world! It's so exciting to know how inspired people have been. If you have a special story about how Ray's journey has touched you please send me an email with the story. I will compile them all together and give to Ray when he gets home! All stories and well wishes welcome!!

Ray & Kathy will be returning to the airport on Friday night (Feb.23) at approximately 11:00pm (landing at about 11:10). If you would like to join us in welcoming them home please come! We'll be gathered in the arrivals area. Please feel free to get creative and bring signs/balloons!

Check out the article featured on yahoo today...click here!

If you have any inquiries concerning booking an interview or speaking engagement with Ray please contact me!

Jenny
jenny@rayzahab.com

RAY COMPLETES RUNNING THE SAHARA

2007-02-20T20:19:00.000-05:00

Have a coffee in your hand? ...good enough! Time to raise it to Ray! On Tuesday Feb.20 Ray and the team completed their journey!

It's been done, the impossible has been conquered!

Stay tuned for details regarding Ray's return to Ottawa (likely Feb.23). We're hoping to have a greeting party at the airport to welcome him home! Time to get those signs and balloons out!

Ray had family with him at the journey's completion but most importantly Kathy, his amazing wife! Here's to 2 of the most amazing people in the world! Ray, we're inspired and so very proud of you...we knew you could do it!

Jenny
jenny@rayzahab.com

February Update: The Final Leg

2007-02-11T13:29:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks!

In just days from now Ray and the team are expected to finish Running the Sahara! I'm quite certain this expedition will seriously raise the bar of all that we consider possible. Kathy left late last week to join Ray for the expedition's last 500Km's, while family and friends will leave in a few days to join them as well. A dip in the Red Sea will complete things and it's expected the team will do this on the 18th or 19th. Ray will likely be home on Feb.23 but I'll keep you posted with updates! There will be a welcoming party at the airport, please feel free to join in! Stay tuned for details regarding arrival time!

Please note that ball class will be cancelled for the next 2 weeks and will resume Feb.27 (6pm).

Will have more updates for you soon! Exciting times!!!

Jenny
jenny@rayzahab.com

Kathy's Visit With Ray!!!

2007-01-15T19:05:00.001-05:00

I have finally settled back into my normal routine after spending a week in

Niger

with Ray, the team, and Lisa and Nicole (Charlie and Kevin’s girlfriends, respectively). We had an amazing week! Ray and I had not seen each other in 2 months; it was incredibly emotional to see his smiling face when I arrived! He has lost some weight but looks great - one would never guess he’d already run close to 4000kms at that point!

Unfortunately both Lisa and I lost of luggage on the way to Agadez (still in London as it turns out!). I felt terrible as I had packed some pencils, paper and Canada teddy bears for when Ray and the guys have the opportunity to visit the local schools. Also in the luggage were gifts of coffee and chocolate (desert treats!) from our family and friends to Ray for Christmas. Even though the bags did not arrive, Ray really appreciated the fact he was in your thoughts. Ray was happy to see I arrived safely, and I was happy to see that he is doing so well!!

We spent the next five nights camping in the most spectacular areas of the Desert. It is very inspiring how day after day after day these guys wake up, have a quick bite to eat, and are running before sunrise. Myself, Nicole and Lisa would typically sleep in until after sunrise, eat, and catch up with them via the Land Cruiser (we actually did get up a few mornings in time to see the sunrise)! Our routine would be to drive ahead of the guys maybe 5-10km, stop and prepare Gatorade for them, offer them words of encouragement and then continue on. While we were in the Desert there were several sandstorms which would be reason enough to stop the average person from running…not these guys! The 50-60km winds only fueled their fire to finish those days…coming into camp with sand-caked faces! They are so strong and so motivated!

As Niger is a French speaking country, our friends in Quebec will be pleased to know that Ray is pretty much bilingual now and speaks fluently with the local peoples (the Tuaregs). The Tuaregs we met were so kind and gracious, and they have a strong sense of community – it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about their culture. Being there also made me realize that even with the lack of infrastructure, including wells to supply clean drinking water, people make the best of what they have and do not waste anything. The Desert itself is extremely beautiful – we saw lots of camels and donkeys, huge sand dunes, and you can see so many stars at night. Ray and I would count our lucky stars (all pun intended!) – it was an amazing way to spend out first Christmas as a married couple!

Since 2004 Ray has raced in Morocco, Niger, Libya, and Egypt and has always told me how much he loves the Sahara – in particular, the people and the sand dunes. Having just spent only 1 week in the desert in Niger, I too know its lure.

What Ray, Charlie and Kevin have accomplished thus far is a feat of strength and perseverance. Raising awareness with respect to the lack of clean drinking water in Africa is of paramount importance. Please check out the website at www.runningthesahara.com for more details on the expedition, the charity (H20 Africa), and the documentary film.

Cheers, Kathy

Kathy's Visit With Ray!!!

2007-01-15T19:05:00.000-05:00

I have finally settled back into my normal routine after spending a week in

Niger

Cheers, Kathy

Happy New Year - Ray on Canada AM!

2007-01-09T18:19:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 2007!

This will definitely be a New Year's Ray will not forget! 2 Announcements for you today!

First, Ray will be on Canada AM tomorrow morning (Wednesday Jan. 10) for a 5 minute interview via sat. phone at 7:15 am sharp!! Please tune in and let anyone else who might be interested know. We'll try to bring you details of the interview later this week.

Second, ball classes have resumed from their holiday break! Classes are 6-6:45 pm Tuesday's and Thursday's at the Churchill Seniors Centre in Westboro. Registration is $100+gst for 10 classes. Please don't hesitate to contact jenny@rayzahab.com for directions.

See you in front of the TV tomorrow morning 7:15am...Canada AM on CTV!

No Ball Class Thursday + Desert Happenings

2006-12-20T19:30:00.000-05:00

For those of you who take the Tuesday/Thursday ball class in Westboro please note there will be no class Thursday Dec.21. Classes will break for the holidays and resume Tuesday Jan.9. Our apologies for the mix-up and short notice!

With Christmas only days away and ski passes ready to go, many of us in Canada have been discussing the lack of snow. A green and ski-less Christmas may not be the
norm for us but for Ray, Kevin and Charlie it will certainly be far from “normal”. While snow may be flying around here (optimism!) it will be sand in Niger. For the last few days the team has been dealing with some crazy head winds. “Wild” as Ray described it! Winds have a magical way of making the sand come alive so in addition to the challenge of running into the wind comes that of the sand getting into everything! A day in the life of a man running across the Sahara!

Another interesting challenge has been the maps. For those of you with a sporting background that involves maps you’ll appreciate the impact of out of scale maps. Ray says we’d all be incredibly surprised at how out of scale they can really be.

With the team well inside Niger and about 3300 Km’s down, the next stop is Agadez. Check out the website for the latest update from the crew posted from day 42.

Stay tuned, more to come! If you'd like to send Christmas Greetings to Ray he will get them, please go ahead and send them via email (ecofit@yahoo.com)!

Another day, another 80k!

2006-12-16T13:50:00.000-05:00

With lots of communication from Ray over the past week, thanks to the good old satellite phone, we have lots of info for you!

The team is now consistently running down 70 to 80 km’s a day, still without a single rest day. By the time you read this the team will have passed over the Niger border, leaving Mali behind and pressing on toward the half way mark. In recent days they have mostly been on sand and at times it’s been very deep. Despite the associated challenges it’s been invigorating for Ray to be in his element. The hundreds of kilometers on the Trans Sahara highway were tough.

In his last conversation with his brother John, Ray talked about coming across a strange kind of grass that has tiny needle like barbs that work their way through the runners’ shoes. When they stop to take their shoes off they are stuck to their feet by thousands of these needles.

While talking to Ray this week, it’s obvious the team is keeping positive and is becoming more energized as they go. As Kathy said after her last talk with Ray, he sounds normal, just like himself. It’s rather hard to tell he’s running 80K a day. The team is excited to be on tract (a little ahead of schedule even) and nearing the half way mark which falls in the middle of Niger. Ray is thrilled to have Niger, Libya and Egypt ahead, all countries he's run across before. He's happy to be in a part of the world he’s so passionate about, and as you know this expedition is about more than running 80K a day. There’s purpose and passion behind it, trying to make a difference in a world where every 15 seconds a child dies due to unclean water.

A few things to take note of:

* In the first 31 days of running together, Ray, Charlie and Kevin ran the equivalent of 50 marathons!

* There are updates from the expedition crew on the Running the Sahara website. 2 from day 13 and 25.

* Also on the website is info about the route, check it out, it’s interested to read about where they are right now!

Keep those emails of encouragement coming to Ray. They are a source of energy for him! Thank-you!

A Message from Kathy!

2006-12-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

Hi all!

It’s not often I write for Ray’s blog…but I thought this would be a good opportunity to say “thank you” to my husband for providing me with an amazing training program for my first Ultramarathon!

I ran my first Ultra 3 weeks ago in Maryland (JFK50 Miler) – it was great! Ray’s training program was perfect for me! Prior to July of this year I had never tried trail running, only ran a couple of marathons on the road. Plagued by injuries from high mileage on asphalt, Ray suggested I try trail running with him, somewhat unwilling I agreed. Wow – what a difference! So much softer under foot, but I found the terrain challenging at first (lots of hills and some technical sections). I also noticed I couldn’t keep the same pace I was used to running on the road which was frustrating in the beginning!

Ray’s first suggestion to me was to stop worrying about my pace and just run based on time…and enjoy it! So every Sunday I would tag along with Ray for an hour or so and I actually started to enjoy myself…and even started to think I’d like to try a trail race! A friend of ours suggested I try the JFK 50 Miler. With encouragement from Ray, I figured I would give it a shot. Now let me put this in perspective for everyone, when you live with one of the best Ultrarunners in the world and whose typical races are in the 250km+ category, 80km does not seem so far or unrealistic! So I set that as my goal and asked Ray to train me for it. Lucky for me, our friend Brian (who also had never ran an Ultra before) somehow let me twist his arm to run the race too! Just like any other client Ray works with we chatted about my goal, the amount of time I could actually commit to training, etc., and Brian followed the same procedure. We had 2 ½ months before race day so Brian and I made sure we followed Ray’s training program diligently!

On race day I thought about all the things Ray taught me over the last few months…stay hydrated, tips on how to stay relaxed while running uphill, and the power of positive thinking! He was certainly my motivation for the race – I kept telling myself “I just have to run 80km for one day, Ray is running 80km for 90 days…go!” Turns out both Brian and I had a great race! Brian finished in a time 7:58 and placed 69th out of over 1000 runners, and I ran 9:04 and was the 13th woman overall and 2nd in my age category. We were both quite pleased considering it was our first Ultra! We give Ray credit for providing a great training program (and I also want to say thanks to my Dad for coming to cheer us on)!

Ray called me from the Sahara Desert the following evening and I told him our results and how much we enjoyed the race – he was so proud of us! It was amazing to hear the excitement and satisfaction in his voice. Ray truly takes pride in seeing his clients do well and knowing his clients are pleased with their performance.

For anyone who wants a motivational, knowledgeable coach to help them achieve their goals – Ray is the BEST (honestly, bias aside!)! Check out Ray’s website for information on his training packages: www.rayzahab.com

Kathy

2000 km's down!

2006-11-28T17:23:00.000-05:00

A message from John, Ray's brother:

Ray called from satellite phone yesterday, from the Sahara Desert. They have arrived in Mali, and have put down around 2000km of running so far. The first big chunk of mileage had to be done on roads, but recently they have been able to get more off-road, which has been a relief, but it also has its challenges (sand in shoes, etc.). Everyday is physically and mentally tough – but the team is doing amazing at keeping pace of between 70 and 80k per day. The official website www.runningthesahara.com has some updated photos on the photo gallery link, and Ray anticipates that the website will be further updated on December 4th. A notable highlight for Ray and his teammates was when Matt Damon called them the other day – to check on how they were doing.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to Kathy Adams, Ray’s wife, who just completed her first Ultramarathon – the JFK 50 Miler in Maryland. Kathy finished 2nd in her age group, and 195th overall. Joining Kathy was Ray’s good friend Brian Henderson, who finished an amazing 69th overall out of a total of 1017 runners. Both Kathy and Brian enjoyed training under the guidance of Ray’s coaching.

Another message from Ray!

2006-11-16T16:59:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Here's another message from Ray! He is indeed reading your emails as time allows and wanted to pass on his thanks for all your support! If you need to get in touch on any speaking engagement, ball class, or coaching questions please contact me at jenny@rayzahab.com or reply to this email. Hope you all are doing very well!

Holding the fort down @ "Team Ray" HQ,
Jenny

From Ray:

Hey Gang!

Well, we are now up to 1000kms of running - averaging 70-75kms per day. We have taken no rest days - and it has been very tough but rewarding. It is so cool running through these small towns and having sometimes up to 100 kids at a time chasing us, laughing and singing as they run with us! Awesome.

The heat has been intense, and the terrain the last few days mostly road. We have run in sand a lot, but due to these crazy sandspurs and necessity to cover a lot of ground quickly we are on the road! It sure is tough running 70-75kms per day on the road. I have never been a road runner - and this is tough. I will be happy to get back onto trails as we near Mali.

Our support has been incredible - with Don and Mohammed selecting routes - the doc and Chuck taking care of us with all other aspects.

Talk soon!
Ray

Greetings from Mauritania!!

2006-11-10T09:48:00.000-05:00

Hey Gang!

We are here now in Mauritania after running through a small part of Senagal!

We have so far run over 500 kms with daily runs in the 70 km range. The running has definitely been tough, but rewarding. It is super hot- sometimes reaching the high 40's. We have been shooting for around 50 kms in the morning- and then another 20 to 25 after lunch.

We have seen many cool things already- such as camels, small desert towns, scorpions, and even a camel spider!

The people out here are amazing as usual- and the terrain as well, incredible.
Sandy trak for the most part so far- and sandy valleys a plenty!

We are now heading for the border of Mali! I will keep you updated. Mauritania is our biggest country to run across- so getting to Mali is a huge goal.

Cheers
Ray

Running The Sahara- We're Off!

2006-10-29T22:40:00.000-05:00

Well, it's time.

Kevin, Charlie and I leave tomorrow for Dakar where we will commence our run! We will attempt to run 80 kms per day for roughly 90 days- that's over 6500 kms- through 6 countries-spanning the Sahara Desert.

To follow us-
wwww.runningthesahara.com

I will try to stay in touch with blogs, so keep reading!

I will miss all of you!

Countdown!

2006-10-24T09:48:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang!

It’s almost time to go! I can hardly believe it! This week-end I will be leaving to do something very special with friends who are very special to me! Kevin Lin, Charlie Engle and I will attempt to run over 6500 kms across the Sahara commencing in just a few days. In this incredible expedition we will run an average of 80 kms every day for 80 days straight. This IS NOT a relay. We will be running every mile- every inch together! The journey will take us through 6 countries and 9 ecosystems along the way and will no doubt be an insane experience! Sand dunes, sand storms, mountains, vast valleys, extreme temperatures...all the stuff Charlie, Kev and I love. This will be the Ultra of Ultra runs for us! Interacting and meeting with the people of the desert will no doubt be a highlight of our expedition.

Up to date tracking of our expedition can be seen at www.runningthesahara.com. Check back on this blog on a regular basis as well. I’ll be sending updates home on as regular a basis as the desert will allow!

As you can imagine I’ve been very busy training these last few months, running 4 to 5 hours a day! I’m tapering now but am busy getting all my gear and food ready. I have a couple of mountains of food ready to go. Dehydrated, pre-packaged, bars, bags...it's all there!

This will probably be the last post before I leave so let me take the opportunity to say a big huge THANK-YOU to everyone for all the support and encouragement, couldn’t do it without you!!

Stay tuned! Posts from the desert to come!

Yellowknife !

2006-07-04T12:43:00.000-04:00

My trip to Yellowknife was another amazing experience ! I headed up there to meet with Scott Smith- a friend of mine who is organizing a race called the Rock and Ice Ultra. I will be advising on the race- and this is very exciting for me because I get to do something I love to do- with good friends !
The race itself is going to be an extraordinary event. One of a kind., and truly a Northern Canadian experience. The premiere event will be the Diamond 300 (300 km stage race) through the “other desert” of the Northwest Territories. Vast, snowy and ‘scenic unique’, racers will get to witness Aurora Borealis (northern kights), rock and ice covered wilderness, among lots of other natural wonders of the North. As the name of the event indicates, first place winner will receive a $ 5000 Canadian Cut Diamond. You read that right ! More about the race and other stages/events in later posts.
In NWT I gave a series of talks on my race expeiences (150 photos)- thankfully nobody was caught napping ! Just kidding. The talks all were well received and I was amazed at the participation of the Functional Running clinics I gave also. We covered Core Strength and it’s role in preventing injury, improving performance, and program construction.
Aside from the talks I was able to train for Running The Sahara on some of the most beautiful trails I have ever been on. Yellowknife was such a cool place. A jewel in the Canadian wilderness of the north. So much seemed to be going on while I was there. The people were very athletic- and the 24 hours of more or less daylight helped to run around the clock !!!
More tomorrow…I’m getting windy as usual.

Gobi March -To The Finish !

2006-07-04T12:36:00.000-04:00

The stages following the first two were no less gorgeous ! Lot’s of mountains and vast valleys- and good times for our team !
We laughed every day and I think I actually only had my MP3 blasting for 2 hours the whole race. The coolest part of the race for me had to be traversing these huge sand dunes that were encapsulated in a sand/wind storm. We topped out on this super huge dune and it was like being on top of some snowy mountain. The wind was whipping up sand and it was hard to see. We ran down the dune into a camp that was a community of ‘yurts’ or traditonal Mongolian huts. The camp was unable to erect the tents because of the high winds- so we got to spend the night in these awesome shelters. The stage itself had to be cut short- a relief when in a storm ! But for Kev, Charlie and I , the long stage is usually our time to fly ! Not to worry- there would be a second longish stage that had an incredible slot canyon section and river crossings. We tied the top solos for this stage win- and from here it would only be on more short stage to the finish. Hats off once again to RacingThePlanet for putting on such a unique event. We really had an awesome time- and once again got to see a part of the world and it’s peoples in a very unique way ! Thanks to GOJI JUICE for complementing my training completely. This stuff is amazing- it really is. Also, I would not have been so fortunate to have 3 wins in a row without Altipower to help prepare me for high altitude running. Injinji- no blisters in this race- AGAIN ! MAGO for keeping me burn free the first time ever, and CW-X. We all wore the gear and could not believe how many people are running in this stuff now.

Stage 2 !

2006-06-20T22:01:00.000-04:00

We got off earlier and the whole tent was rarin’ to go ! Howard was super keen. Charlie and I were referring to him as Wess (short for Western States 100). He reminded us of a kick- ass bearded trail running guru !
Another 40 or so kms today of rocky, hilly terrain. No super heat- but it was super beautiful ! The scenery was a mix of local culture, beautiful people (their cheeks were so rosey and healthy looking), incredible mountains and awesome valleys.
Pat was strong as usual and even though I was having an awesome time with Charlie and Kev I looked so forward to seeing him at the end of each stage.
Pat and I have had many crazy adventures together and this was one to add to the list ! Picture a dude with legs like tree trunks and the power to go with them. Crazy blonde hair is his trademark. That’s Pat !
Team ChungHwa/MAGO solidified our lead in the team category and we were in hot pursuit of the solo runners now !
We got in and cooked up our dehydrated food and got into the ‘camp groove’- visiting and eating!
Thankfully I didn’t have any blisters to treat, so I spent a lot of time stretching to loosen things up. I always do a long stretch after each stage. I find it really helps to recover for the next day.
Everybody in our tent was running strong and coming in looking in pretty good shape. Thierry and Howard were running close, and were both very strong every day. Jack and Becks always looked so clean when they came in. Amazing. I think about racing and I look filthy !
Rolf, the course designer had so far designed an incredible race course. Rumors about stage 3 milled about camp.
Stage 3 will be interesting !

Gobi March ! Stage 1

2006-06-18T20:48:00.000-04:00

Charlie and I met up in Beijing at the airport just before our flights were to leave for Urumqi in Northern China to meet up with Kev and the whole RacingThePlanet crew.

We were totally stoked to be racing as a team together. The first time for all of us ! After gear checks at the hotel, we boarded buses for the race camp. Anticipating a fun race we were totally exicted to get started ! We met up with eveyone we were sharing our tent with and instantly liked everybody ! More about our tent companions later.

The Gobi March is a 250km, self-sufficient 6-stage race across the Gobi Desert in China. It is called the 'race of no return'- and it was a toughy !

RacingThePlanet races are always exceptional events, and we were not to be dissappointed wit this one. Course design was a perfect blend of mental and physical toughness and beauty. Mountains, sand dunes, valleys, villages. So much to see.
So much challenge too. 9 500 foot mountain passes, salt/mud flats, and even a major storm !

Stage 1:
Approx. 35 kms

Team ChungWha/Mago has left the start line ! After 200 meters or so we headed upo our first mountain pass. A small but steep scramble and then it was down to the salt flats. Basically an area stretching several kms of salt covered mud ! Charlie lost his shoes several times in the deep mud. He even sank at one point past his knees ! Several of the runners had a hard time keeping their shoes on, and ended up with muddy feet re-inserted into their socks and shoes. We got across and then it was into 'up and down' very steep rocky hills. Charlie was an animal in this stuff. He has so much experience in mountainous terrain. He kept Kev and I motivated and we moved together at a pretty good pace, just getting used to running together. It seemed right away like a great fit together.
Kev was chomping at the bit for some gravelly flats and I was pumped for some sand and dunes !
We would get all of the above in the coming stages !
We finished up the first day with muddy feet- and headed back to our tent to eat, sort our gear out and strategize for the next day. All of our tent mates made it in quickly. Pat, Howard, Becks, Thierry, Jack and Coolito 2 all joined us one after another and we crashed for the night.

Tomorrow stage 2...

Ray's Team Wins Gobi March (a 250km Ultra Running Race) !!

2006-06-04T07:22:00.000-04:00

The title tells it all - Ray's team, Chunghwa Telecom/Mago, won the Gobi March in China!! The Gobi March is a sister race of the Sahara Race, which Ray won in September 2005! The Gobi March and the Sahara Race are two of the 4 Deserts, (each 250 km), in the "Racing The Planet" ultrarunning series (check it out at www.racingtheplanet.com)

I know Ray, Kevin, and Charlie are extremely happy with their performance, wining every stage of the race! There are some awesome photos of the terrain and the team on the aforementioned website!

For anyone wishing to sponsor Ray for his next big ultra race in July (Atamcama Crossing, 250km footrace, Chile) there is a link on his website www.rayzahab.com
or email him directly at ecofit@yahoo.com Ray also offers fantastic motivational speaking to a variety of audiences as well as on-line coaching!

Ray returns late Monday night, I know he'll be anxious to update you all on the race details! Please stay tuned!!

Cheers,
Kathy

Gobi March - Ray's Team Winning Every Stage!

2006-06-01T05:39:00.000-04:00

Ray's team, Chunghwa Telecom/Mago, has won the first 4 Stages of Racing The Planet's Gobi March (China)!! Stage 4 was cut short by 20km (from 85km to 65km) due to a brutal sandstorm. The last competitor arrive at 10am this morning (June 1). The competitors will have a rest day today and set out for another 50km tomorrow followed by 11km on the last day (June 3).

The race website has some awesome photos and daily updates - check it out at: http://www.racingtheplanet.com/gobimarch/live/2006/index.asp

Ray, Charlie and Kevin have all won a Racing The Planet race (Ray: Sahara Race, Charlie: Gobi March, and Kevin: Atacama Crosssing) Be sure to stay tunned to see if they can take a "team" win at the Gobi March this year.....just 2 more Stages to go!!

Gobi March - Ray Zahab's Team is in 1st Place!!

2006-05-31T05:49:00.000-04:00

Ray's team Chunghwua Telecom/Mago is in 1st place after Stage 2! Ray called on Monday night via satellite phone to say that the team is doing awesome!

It's hot during the day and the terrain is tough, especially the salt flats....your feet sink with every step! There are a couple of photos of Ray's Team on the race website. Cut and paste this website to your internet browser to check them out!! http://www.racingtheplanet.com/gobimarch/live/2006/index.asp

I'll continue to update as the race contiues!

Kathy

Gobi Race Prep !

2006-05-20T17:18:00.000-04:00

Well, only a few days away... and I of course am crazy at it glueing shoes, weighing gear, trimming to make things extra light.
My taper started this past week...so I have not been running as much. I've got all of my food choices packed (mainly a combination of gels, dehydrated food, electrolyte powder and bars). I like to take extra food so I don't go hungry, and I am willing to carry extra weight as a result. I have around 17 500 calories on board-about 500 more than I took to Sahara Race last October.

My gator system is ready to go too, and we glued the silk to my shoes today. I got the sewing shop in Ottawa to whip up a pair of the gators that I use for Charlie as well.

More to come tomorrow !

Everest Summit !!!!!!!

2006-05-20T17:02:00.000-04:00

Congrats to my client and friend JF Carrey for summiting Everest this past week. He is the youngest Canadian ever to do so, and at 24 made it on his first attempt !!! Yay JF !!!

Video Footage from Libya

2006-04-28T04:30:00.000-04:00

Check out this great footage from the Libyan Challenge 2006:

In the News

2006-04-27T07:59:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note today to say congrats to Tom Beaver of the UK for his outstanding performance at the London Marathon. He was using it as a training run for an upcoming race we are prepping him for and he ran in the 3:20's ! He said the next day he felt great, and ready to run again ! Awesome job, Tom !

Miles !!!!!!!!!!!

2006-04-21T10:12:00.000-04:00

I am asked quite often- how do you run that many miles? What do you eat ? Are you insane ?

Conditioning your body to ultra races requires a good training program and lots of rest !!!
Actually, the rest is of extreme imortance.
After I do a long run on the weekend I follow a regular protocal. First I run 40 or 50 k on trail with my race gear, then immediately following my run I eat a higher glycemic carb so that I can start my recovery for tomorrows run ! That means I usually take a gel while I am cruising back to my place. Then its stretching for 10 minutes and then I have a shake which is a mix of protein, omega fats , greens and l-glutamine.

After that I sometimes ice my legs and then get in a hot shower. Then it's nappy time for 30 minutes or so.

When nap time is done I then eat, eat, eat !

So, it sounds like alot of stuff to do- but it works for me !
Let me know what you do !

Clients In The News !!!

2006-04-14T16:21:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang !
Had to tell you about some of the latest news from my clients- watch for updated postings on my website soon. For now...

Mike Scherman of Saskatchewan won 1st Place at this year's Yukon Arctic Ultra ! I won this race in 2004 and I can promise you it is insanely tough !

Lorne Webernuk of Ontario completed his first ultra- the AR50 in California a few weeks ago. He ran the 80 kms in 11:38- in mud and steep hills !

JF Carrey is currently in the icefields getting prepped to attempt a summit of Everest. Go JF !

Mimi Anderson of the UK- she was fast and now is getting even faster- watch out Ultra World !!!

Mark Babinski of Quebec- incredible finishes all year nordic ski racing - and heading into marathon season primed up.

David Leenen- 1st Place last week at Gloucester Spring Skate figure skating competition.

........keep watching !......:0)

Back from Libya and Training for Gobi !

2006-04-14T16:07:00.000-04:00

Lisa and I are prepping for Gobi as we have with all of my other races- lot's of miles !
Since Libya I have beentraining pretty much non-stop. I was fortunate to have a fast recovery- I was running within days of finishing. I was really happy with this as I ran almost 200 kms in super duper tough terrain and barely had any swelling and no blisters. Some of the credit has to go to the Goji Juice for sure.
The plan for Gobi so far has been to train as I did for Sahara Race. It was awesome to get those base miles in Libya.
Training for Gobi will/has included speed work, hill repeats and the ever present 'tire dragging'! Running with Kevin and Charlie means running really fast- and Gobi is a stage race so it is going to be super tough and super fast !
Where Libya involved more or less non-stop running for 32 or so hours, Gobi will be over a course of several days with the long stage (minimum 80 kms) peeking out on day 4 or 5.
I am always asked - which is tougher- stage racing or non-stop ? I think for me it is stage racing. So fast and not enough time to recover between stages. RacingThePlanet races are incredible experiences- legendary for their course design and ability to test your limits- I am sure Gobi this year will carry on that tradition ! Stay tuned - more to come !

Video from Libyan Challenge

2006-04-02T19:11:00.000-04:00

Mouss productions posted this video of the Libyan challenge. There's some footage of me crossing the finish line...

Libyan Challenge Video

Ray Wins Libyan Challenge!!

2006-03-02T17:42:00.000-05:00

I just got a phone call from Ray - he won the Libyan Challenge!!

He was calling from a sateillite phone so we weren't able to chat for long. He said it was an extremely tough race.....and mentioned something about getting lost.......and that he's a little tired!

He'll be updating this blog when he gets home on Sunday night so stay tuned for the full details!!

Congratulations to Ray on an amazing win!!!

Cheers,
Kathy

Kathy's view of Ray's training/race preperation!

2006-03-01T22:28:00.000-05:00

Well, this is my one opportunity to give you a glimpse as to what goes on ‘behind the scenes" as Ray is prepping for his races!

Wow, I really wish I had a picture of our livingroom the week before the race…..there was food (i.e. bars/gels/dehydrated meals) and gear everywhere!! Ray checks to make sure he has all the items on the mandatory "gear list". Next he starts cutting excess packaging and removing tags….even from his clothing! Then out comes the scale and every item is weighed and logged on a spreadsheet. While this may seem a little fanatical, I’ve learned that every gram counts! And understandable so, as he does have to carry all this stuff on his back during the race!

Ray trains very consistently (6 days a week) year-round! In the last 2 years, I think I’ve only ever heard him say "I don’t feel like running today" once…..and then he laced up his running shoes and off he went! I have never met anyone so passionate about what they do - he never loses motivation. He works day and night training clients and giving motivational talks, and still fits in his training….which sometimes means running some 15K home from his client’s house at 8pm. His drive to excel amazes me each and every day!
I’m sure he’s bursting with excitement to fill you all in on the details of his race in Libya! He return on Sunday…..I can’t wait!

Cheers,
Kathy

4 days to go until Libyan Challenge !

2006-02-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

Today was off from training which is good because I am sleepy !
Still getting gear together. Everything together so far weighs in at under 8 pounds. Not bad considering I have 8000 calories plus sleeping bag, mandatory gear and clothing, medical kit, etc.
Have to glue my shoes together to keep the sand out. I have a system that works really well- I used it in Sahara Race and Trans 333. Once I figure out how to get photos up here I will post it so you can see. I am using the same pack and configuration of gear I used in the Sahara Race- but each race I learn how to make stuff lighter- which is good because I'm really not that large framed!
Training fro me for this one has included some really, really long runs in cold Canada winter conditions. Great heat training !
Most notable run was a 50 km long run in Newfoundland a few weeks ago. My fiancee lives in Harbour Grace and she gave me a route to run along the ocean. Insanely hilly, freezing rain and a full pack- loads of fun !
Trying to keep up the good nutrition and doing lots of altitude training as well. I'll talk more about that tomorrow.
After I run !
www.ecofitadventures.com

5 more days to libyan challenge

2006-02-18T15:28:00.000-05:00

5 more days to go and I am definitely tired training for this one. 190 kms of running non-stop in the Libyan desert with water checkpoints every 20 kms. It will no doubt be crazy ! What saddens me and worries me even more is that my friend Charlie who I was supposed to be racing with was unable to obtain an entry visa to get into Libya at this point. Seems it's tough for Americans to get in there right now. He is an amazing navigator and very strong- now I'm off on my own. I have a few days to learn how to use the gps so I don't get lost. Spent this weekend getting my gear ready. You need to carry everything to survive for 4 days- which is the cut-off time to get through. I have a little over 8000 calories comprised of bars, gels and dehydrated. The coolest piece of gear I am using this time is a sleeping bag that my buddy Jacob from Denmark got for me . 385 grams. Light. I will post again soon. Check back tomorrow. My website address is www.ecofitadventures.com