Pink Hat

Pink Hat By Alicja Barahona I have just returned from another race in the Sahara Desert where I ran non-stop what would total 6 marathons (268 km which translates to 167 miles). When I accepted the ‘call’ from the desert I was expecting soft sand and an ocean of dunes; but I soon learned that the race would take place in the Hoggar Mountains in southern part of Algeria. I embraced this unexpected challenge with caution and started training at ‘high altitude’ in our neighboring Bear Mountains. I was training at elevation up to 1200 ft to be ready for a race between 5000 to 9000 Ft. I knew I would be competing against tough trail runners from the European Alps, but they didn’t know that I would have my lucky pink hat. The color pink is used to express support for women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer. It is a color that focus groups say is ‘comforting’. And this hat definitely gave me comfort. Wearing the pink hat, I was not alone – I was running for and with those people diagnosed with breast cancer. A few facts about the race: The race was self efficient; I had to run while carrying a backpack with all my food, warm clothing including a sleeping bag, and other items like headlamp, extra batteries, toiletries. The only item given at the checkpoints was water. Temperatures during the race ranged from 110 °F in the daytime to near freezing at night. The running surface was rocks and more rocks. The scenery included severely eroded volcanic mountains and nearly no vegetation. As far as wild animals are concerned, I saw just one desert fox. From the 40 runners that started the race, only 14 made to the finish. I was the 1st female finisher and 7th overall. Thank you to my pink hat. Thank you all for the telepathic energy.