Marathonialbert

2011-12-02T10:29:00.001-08:00

2011-12-02T10:27:00.001-08:00

Running the Grand Canyon - November 2011

2011-12-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

Running Grand Canyon

Dante Alighieri says “Nature is the art of God”.

Doug and Eugene, two running friends from Ontario, my support team made up of my wife Edna, Brother Bill and his wife Grace, my cameraman Mel and I found our way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Purpose of our event was Athletes in Action filming of runners in the Grand Canyon as a backdrop for a running documentary.

To begin the filming Mel and I first got on board a EC 130 helicopter to film the Grand Canyon from above. It was an exhilarating, but somewhat fearful experience as the Chopper flew over the edge of the Canyon South Kaibab Forest. In an instant we found ourselves hanging over the huge and deep Gorge over a mile down.

The next task was to run the famous and most beautiful South Kaibab trail for filming. The major assignment was to hike down into the Canyon, where we would camp for 2 nights, via the Grandview Trail. We had originally planned to hike and film on the Bright Angel (Corridor Category) trail, which is fairly wide and safe. However due unsuccessful attempts at getting the campsite permits, we chose the Grandview Trail which is a much more difficult trail, (a Threshold Category) with only self rescue status.

The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,000 feet / 1,800 metres). The mighty Colorado River runs deep below in the Canyon from the Lake Powell dam to Lake Mead – Hoover Dam near Las Vegas. The Canyon is the 7th wonder of the world – a fantastic, awesome and inspiring place on this earth. It is one exciting and overwhelming spectacle – with breathtaking views – it literally does take your breath away as you hike up or down the Grandview Trail. Hiking down, you leave the plateau, entering a totally different world – no distinct landmarks to help you orient yourself. You enter a separate realm of the Grand Canyon – leaving you awestruck and fascinated. The Canyon presents fantastic vistas as we hike down the Coconino Sandstone walls. The Horseshoe Mesa is visible at times as we manoeuvre down the narrow, steep cobblestone trail. Pete Berry constructed a juniper log cribbing along the cliff walls to support the Coconino trail. The Canyon envelops you – seemingly the whole world becomes a Canyon – a little unnerving.

We got down in 3 ¼ hours with some difficulty – namely Mel’s backpack was too heavy – thus a painful and sore knee. We spent 2 nights on the Horseshoe Mesa. Mel was kept busy filming the three runners at various locations and backdrops. The Horseshoe Mesa has historic significance – a fascinating era of Pete Berry’s cabin ruins, mining implements and even rusted tin cans and rusted metal bed frames – and items of the past that tell stories of the bygone mining days of this rugged Canyon Mesa. We found some cosy corner with some big rocks to set up a filming setting. for interviews about our personal running experiences. Views from the Mesa are excellent, stretching southeast to the bold tower of Coronado Butte, east up the Canyon to the Palisades of the Desert, and northeast to the mountain-like buttes of the Vishnu Temple. Mel featured various backdrops and angles, and all kinds of running questions and answers were discussed. Great photos and footage were realized as we spotted a Tarantula on the rocks, a big black raven stealing our food, and the various Agave plants with the long dried out seed poles sticking way up into the blue skies. The junipers and pinions, onion cactus and the rocky towering castle-like Buttes were super settings for the filming.

The nights were cool, in fact cold – around the freezing point, or even lower. The wind behaved like a typical desert wind – at one time it was totally quiet and then 3 minutes later it was a gusting strong turbulent wind, flapping the tent canvas and making sleeping almost impossible. I slept about 3 hours each night. My desert sleeping bag was way too thin. I wore 5 layers of sweaters, tights and long johns, borrowed Mel’s jacket, and a sweatshirt, and I still “froze”. He just lay in his bag all toasty warm.

I admit I was physically fit for the Grand Canyon adventure, however mentally I was on the edge of my limits. This was mainly because of the narrow trails. They were very narrow at places and I was getting strength and encouragement from the other runners/hikers. Where one is weak the other is strong. I think I banked off the other runner’s positive-ness, courage, humour and strength.

Eugene got up to the “Saddle” to drop his bag – then went back down to fetch Mel’s pack to make it easier for him to get up. We carried one another’s burden, literally, in spirit, in our humour, in our prayers, making it lighter to get to the top. Encouragement and positive attitudes are so important at times like these. We made it up in 3 hours and 50 minutes. As we slowly made our way up, stepping very cautiously, the resting stops to catch our breath were getting to be more frequent. For ever 20 steps we had to stop and breathe deeply for a few minutes. The air got thinner as we approached the near 7000 feet above sea level on the South Rim. I was reminded of Henry Thoreau’s statement – “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads”.

I realized that to hike the Grandview Grand Canyon Trail, you need to be armed with a positive attitude, an awareness of your limitations, adequate physical and mental conditioning, and the best possible light back packing equipment. Like someone said – “Once you set your foot on this trail, the magic of the Grand Canyon begins to cast its spell on you”.

Albert Martens
November 11, 2011

Manitoba Running Association Hall of Fame Inductee 2011

2011-10-26T20:26:00.001-07:00

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Sam and Shauna's Wedding

2011-10-23T19:19:00.001-07:00

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My Thoughts & Convictions on Running

2011-10-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

MY THOUGHTS & CONVICTIONS ON RUNNING

Having run since 1980, I have thought a lot about the matter of running. Having run about 41,000 kilometers, 46 full marathons and 11 ultra marathons in this time, I would like all runners to consider the matter of Why uRun?

There are many reasons why people run short or long distances – there are probably more reasons for running than there are runners. First of all, an ultra marathon is simply running a longer distance than a full marathon (42.195 km). It is usually 50 km or longer, as long as you want to have it.
Why Run?
• Run for fun
• To see what I am made up of
• To try to find out where is my physical &/or mental limit.
• To feel the wind
• To enjoy the feeling of the light drizzle or a heavy rain.
• For the fun of running through water puddles
• To see the tiny flowers along the road side.
• To smell the air, the fall air, the crunching of my shoes on a cold snowy and icy road.
• To fight the “elements” of nature.
• Run faster because of the dogs.
• Run home faster because I was brutally bite by a dog.
• Run to bear the pain, physical and emotional.
• Run home faster because I was injured due to a bad fall on a downhill gravel forest path.
• Run praying for other people in dire need.
• I have run with tears in my eyes - the rain washing away the tears.
• Ran to add more distance to my life time odometer.
• Run to get into better shape.
• Run to get rid of the stress due to the troubles of the day.
• Run to remember other people.
• Run for the good causes of other runners.
• Run to try to keep up with someone.
• Run to master and conquer a tall and high mountain in the Swiss Alps.
• Run to get lost.
• Run to be found again.

Some of these reasons sound weird, however I want to give you the main 4 reasons for my running, which have really helped me and given it purpose and meaning to my life’s journey. These are the serious reasons for running extreme and long – this is my hard work, my joy, my privilege & obligation, my ministry. Many people, especially non-runners do not understand this and often their reply is “rather you than me”.

1. I run to ‘Go the Distance’ – and enjoy it. The race is there to be run. I have run to simply finish the race and finish it well – smiling. When you start something you should try to finish well in life.

2. Similar to No. one is to see whether I can finish a long and hard race -to test your self. It has intrigued me to try to find out where my limit is. Can I do better and run father and faster – where is the point where I can not improve anymore?

3. Raising funds for a charity
I have run all my long ultra runs for the purpose of helping other people. I have raised many thousands of dollars for the support of less fortunate people. Some examples have been a medical center in Africa, fresh water for sick people in Africa, education and a medical center in Europe, for a Christian school on Eastern Europe. Helping needy people and especially poor children is a huge encouragement and motivation for me when I run very tough races. For such purposes I am willing to suffer minor inconveniences and temporary pain (e.g. ugly blisters) for a little while. To date I have raised about $200,000 for various charities.

4. To Share of my joy in my personal faith
I have run many races just to see how I can become a friend or how I can find another wonderful running friend. I have made many friends in the running world, as well as learnt a lot from other runners. I have also found it very meaningful to find out what other runners are made up of, where and why they run. What is their background, nationality and what they believe in. For my experience it has been a most wonderful aspect of my running, to be able to share with other runners about my faith in Jesus Christ. I share as to what difference Jesus has made in my life. For me running is to use it to bring honour and glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus who gives me air to breathe, legs to run with, a heart to pump the blood, and all the beautiful trails I’ve run / and the all that I am because of Him.

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU.

I would like to encourage (motivate) runners to run for a ‘greater’ purpose. If you are going to run in any case, why not add the dimension running for a charity. Use it for a purpose beyond yourself. Use it to bring success, happiness to others. Don’t just run for a medal, or a start bib, or a personal best.
You may find that you can endure through a long and tough race better, when you running will help some one else. Have you ever tried it? I encourage all runners to run to help others in some way or form, run unselfishly. (not just for your ego). It will make a difference and it will change you and your perspective and I dare say your conviction of running.

Albert Martens

Why do uRun?

2011-10-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

Why do uRun?
…because it is faster than walking
…because I can
…because runners run
…the competition
…it is me vs myself
…for recreation
…it’s a cheap fix
…to lose pudginess
…the fresh air
…I have more energy
…to quit smoking
…to relax
…for charity
…it makes me happier
…purifies me
…to get fit
…it’s peaceful and energizing
…it feels good when I stop
…for solitude
…because it gets easier
…self-esteem
…stress relief
…for the endorphins
…for camaraderie
…it makes the food taste better
…to be in a better mood
…because I can do math better
…good feeling of accomplishment
…run away
…it’s a gift to be able to run
…because I live to run
…tired of being fat and miserable
…for health reasons
…I sleep better
…because it’s hard
...because it hurts
…because the blood flows faster
…because I can
…because I can think clearer
…food tastes much better at the end
…it is fun to see other runners from the back
…I like to make others smile
…I like the perfume of other runners
…to see many sizes and colours of everything
…to receive another trophy, or medal or bib number

South Kaibab Trails

2011-10-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Grand Canyon Running 2011

2011-10-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

On October 29, two other runners (form Ontario) and I will leave for the Grand Canyon to run and film. My camera man and crew will assist in filming the gorgeous Grand Canyon as a back drop to our running down into the Canyon. Plans are to stay at Horseshoe Mesa for two nights and then "loop" run several trails for filming purposes. Filming for the purpose of creating some private movie documentaries and shorter clips to be used at various AIA marathon Expo booths in the future. Put on your runners and stay tuned.

Sailing from Gull Harbour to Gimli - Sept 11, 2011

2011-09-15T08:41:00.001-07:00

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2011-09-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Heb. 12: 1 & 2

"And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish."

The Diabetes Run - Sept 5 , 2011- Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg Manitoba

2011-09-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Manitoba Running Association Diabetes Run 2011

2011-09-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

I had a most wonderful day today. Leaving early to go to the Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg to run the Diabetes 10 km run, then go for some relaxation - eat a blueberry Bagels, yogurt, a banana, and a Latte on the lawn to recover. Right across from the Duck Pond (where the start and finish was are the English Gardens. Here I recovered even more, did some photography of the flowers, came home and made a smilebox of God's Creation - namely the English Garden flowers. After that I helped Edna transplant a few flowers in our garden at home. God gave us a wonderful Labour Day.

The English Gardens

2011-09-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

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The Fargo Marathon 2011

2011-05-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

The Fargo Marathon 2011

Go far! To me it did seem like the Fargo marathon was farther than other marathons. Maybe it was because I was not ready for a marathon, but then, which runner is ever ready? Or maybe it was because of the ‘mile’ markers when I have done most of my marathons with ‘kilometer’ markers in Europe.
Fargo was my 46th marathon, it was tough but it was good. When I registered for the marathon I also looked for a hotel room in Fargo, but there was no room to be had. We stayed in Hillsboro and drove to Fargo from Hillsboro the morning of the race. This meant getting up an hour earlier to drive the last 40 minutes to Fargo. It was raining when we drove and this caused some anxiety to know what to wear – dress for warmth, not to overdress. I have a tendency to overdress since I dislike getting cold and wet. Being too cold also zaps energy, never mind just simply running.
The first half of the marathon was really tough and I struggled with a sore chest muscle so that I had to focus and concentrate on the run. The thought of not completing the run also crossed my mind. The 13 mile mark which was the turn around point seemed so very far away. I could not enjoy the fans with all their cheering and enthusiasm. Every mile was so very long, and mile 10 seemed like it would never come, after that was 11, then 12, but finally the number 13 showed up and I turned around. I was now headed for home. Psychologically the run became easier after that turn. I was also running with the wind on my back instead of into it.
Breaking down the remainder of the run into increments of 2, then 5 and 6 miles became a mental game. I was able to enjoy the run. The course had a lot of ‘come and go’ – where runners came back on the same street, so you could see the faces of on coming runners. I noticed the serious concentrating and focused faces of runners as they came towards me. Smiles are often rare on runner’s faces, however when you send a smile, they as well as fans will smile in return. Smiles are very catchy and encouraging, which was neat to experience.
The fans, the resident of Fargo are absolutely fantastic, cheering, encouraging, simply being a part of the run. I was struggling with pain and could not maintain the energy intake, so finally resorted to 2 Tylenol capsules.
I began enjoying the fans and the musicians. Almost every block had a live band, either in a tent or in someone’s garage. The spirit of Fargo was phenomenal and it made a huge difference to this struggling 63 year old veteran runner. Thank you Fargo!
At one point there were cheerleaders to encourage us on our way. When I commented to one spectator that ‘it hurts’, he replied that the pain would stop if I would stop. I stopped right there and he was right – we shared a good laugh, and I carried on.
I caught up with a younger runner who was limping and hurting badly. I asked him what was happening and he told me he had messed up his knee at mile 8. I asked him if he had some painkillers with him, but he did not, so I shared some of my Tylenol. I carried on and a bit later this runner caught up with me, stopped and asked if I had given him the capsules. He thanked me, shook my hand and passed me. Apparently I had been an encouragement to him. But when I thought about it, we had encouraged each other.
At mile 25.5 I saw a person in a monk’s robe holding a big scythe and a sign which read, “The end is near”, I asked him “Which end?” (There was big media about a pastor in California that had predicted that the end of the world would happen at 6:00 p.m. that very day.) The ‘monk’ replied, “I won’t tell you.” I said to him, “In that case, the end is ½ mile from here inside the Fargo Dome.
A completely new experience for me was the Christian aspect to this marathon. The start was done by the Race Director’s speech, the Mayor’s speech followed by a meaningful prayer. At the pasta dinner the evening before the marathon they had a guest speaker, Chris Gillespie, who is a born-again Christian. The medal each finisher received had a Bible verse engraved on the front, “Let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 The back of the medal has another scripture verse, “I can do all things…”
When I crossed the finish line I was greeted by my dear running friends, Dale & Shannon Sawatzky who gave me not just one, but a few hugs. My wife and 6 year old granddaughter had been cheering for me when I came into the dome but I totally missed them in all the noise. They caught up with me a bit later.
What a unique marathon experience. Thank you Fargo marathon organization committee, and thank you to the residents of Fargo for your involvement and contribution. You are encouragers to each and every runner.
Job well done, keep it up.

Albert Martens
Athletes in Action Canada

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=79378&ID=115643615

2011-05-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=79378&ID=115643615

Manitoba Running Association Hall of Fame Inductees 2011

2011-03-08T20:52:00.000-08:00

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Winter Marathon

2011-03-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

2011-03-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

Winter Marathon - Winnipeg, Manitoba

2011-03-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

Post written by Antarctic Mike

CANADIAN WINTER MARATHON

I arrived in Winnipeg, MB very late Thursday night February 24. I had never been to Winnipeg and had never met Albert and Edna Martens in person, yet they were the ones picking me up at the airport. The story of how I met them is funny and amazing. I was on a business trip in Tucson, AZ in 2007. I was eating breakfast at a hotel and a guy behind me read my t-shirt and asked me if I had done that marathon in Antarctica. I said yes and we got into a conversation. He told me that he was not a runner but his dad was and that I should contact him. That person he was speaking of was Albert Martens.

Albert and I began a long distance friendship 4 years ago via the phone and email. Late last fall Albert contacted me about speaking at his banquet he was hosting for Athletes in Action, a non-profit group that Albert is quite involved with. I agreed to do it and suggested that we run an impromptu marathon in the winter up in Winnipeg. He was keen on the idea and went to work to set this up.

When we awoke Friday morning, the temperature dropped to -32C. I was ready to go running at that point, as cold weather is my knack. However, before our run on Saturday, Albert and I went out on Friday to meet a professor at the University of Manitoba who specializes in hypothermic and cold weather exposure to the human body. They call this guy Dr Popsicle. I was quite excited to have Antarctic Mike and Dr. Popsicle meet up. Sounds like a cartoon to me. We met with him and his stories of putting himself into a purposeful hypothermic state 43 times were amazing and funny. It was a great experience meeting him.

The next morning, Saturday February 26, we ate breakfast and drove out to a park west of Winnipeg to begin our marathon adventure. It was a balmy -32C. I was hoping for colder conditions but was still very excited, as this was the coldest marathon I would ever run, even colder than Siberia and Antarctica. Our first 5km was on cross country skis. I had never been on these before, so I was falling all over the place, as I don’t have the balance for them since I had never done this sport. I appreciated the other 3 skiers waiting up for me. When we finished, we changed into running shoes for the final 38km of the marathon. It had now warmed up to a blistering -30C and we had a wind to contend with. We all 4 agreed to run together and not make it a race, but rather an event. We really got to talk a lot and I appreciated getting to know Jeff and Matt, the other two runners besides myself and Albert. I loved speaking with Matt, as he is a bush pilot in northern Canada. He is real adventure junkie and we got the idea of trying to organize a Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill. I don’t know if this has ever been done but it sure fires me up to think about the possibilities of running a marathon in Polar Bear country.

We finished the marathon after 5 hours, arriving downtown Winnipeg at The Forks. What an experience to be challenged by some of the coldest temps anyone has run a marathon in. I can not wait for Churchill.

Sunday night was the real reason I traveled to Winnipeg, as I was the closing keynote speaker at the Athletes in Action dinner, hosted in Steinbach. I was amazed to see how Albert and Edna had gone to such lengths to make myself and the people attending feel very special, as there were balloons and penguins all over the room. Albert was celebrating his around the world achievement, completing the 40,074 km during our marathon. What an amazing accomplishment and honor it was to run the last 42km of a 31 year goal with him. I spoke about my passion for Antarctic history and my training and racing in Antarctica. People found the stories fascinating and inspiring. That to me was worth the trip, as I strive to help people leave my programs and be inspired to make positive changes in all areas of their life.

“Antarctic Mike”
Mike Pierce
San Diego, CA, USA
www.antarcticmike.com

Celebration Winter Marathon Feb 26, 2011

2011-01-19T06:44:00.000-08:00

The four brave Winter Marathon runners are:
top to bottom
Dr.Jeff Seney - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Marc Johnson - Calgary, Alberta
Albert Martens - Steinbach, Manitoba
Antarctic Mike - Mike Pierce - San Diego, CA

Celebration Run and Dessert Evening

2011-01-19T06:11:00.000-08:00

Athletes in Action presents
Celebration Dessert Evening
with guest speaker

Antarctic Mike
(Mike Pierce, San Diego, CA.)

in support of AIA First Nations ministry

Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Brass Lantern Restaurant
Main Street & Highway 12
Steinbach, MB.

For reservation(s) - free Entry
Call Albert Martens (before 15th,Feb)
204-346-1345
email: aemart@mts.net

also…calling all adventure runners to join us in a

Winter Marathon –
a Celebration Run
Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 9:00 am

Albert will be completing his transglobal running distance goal of 40,074 kilometers at ‘The Forks’.
Come and join Mike, Albert, Marc and Jeff for a full marathon
Start: @ Beaudry Park (x-country ski – first 5 km) – run the rest
Route: Beaudry Park – Roblin – Corydon – Assiniboine Park – Wellington Crescent – Assiniboine River – Esplanade Bridge to Finish @ The Forks.
Each runner will need to provide their own vehicle for “mobile aid”.
For more Info – Albert Martens (204)346-1345

Athletes in Action is an international sports mentoring organization committed to developing the total athlete: mentally, physically and spiritually.

Fund raising evening is in support of AIA First Nations ministry in the communities of Pauingassi and Tadoule Lake, Manitoba.

Guest speaker: ‘Antarctic Mike’ is a motivational speaker. He will challenge us in our life’s journey with some of his extreme adventure stories e.g. in the Antarctic.
For more than thirty years, Mike Pierce has been a big fan of the Antarctic and its history. He has read over 100 books on the history of Antarctica and its exploration. In January, 2006, Mike became one of just 9 people to start and complete the very first Antarctic Ice Marathon. In December, 2006, he raised the bar by becoming the very first American to complete the Antarctic 100k (62.1 miles). Mike now teaches corporations and associations principles of success based on his experience in business and from Antarctica. He and Angela reside in Encinitas, CA.
Check his website www.antarcticmike.com

Also featuring:
Marc Johnson from Calgary, AB, a young, energetic marathoner who will share of his personal faith and sports life.

Dr. Jeff Seney: is a local chiropractor who focuses on teaching people that not only does the human body have the power to heal itself, but also knows no limitations. The only limitations are those that we impose on ourselves. Jeff recently completed the Queen City Marathon in Regina.

Albert Martens will also highlight some of his adventures in running the Marathon des Sables (x4), the Badwaterultra marathon, running across the countries of Switzerland and Germany plus 43 ‘full’ marathons.

2010-12-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

AIA Ministry 2010 Recap Newsletter

2010-12-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

Albert & Edna Martens
408 Second Street
Steinbach, Manitoba
Canada R5G 0V5
Tel: (204) 346-1345
email: aemart@mts.net
2010 Newsletter

February 2010: It was a pleasure and privilege to be a part of the MORE THAN GOLD outreach team in Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler. Our little hub of 8 workers helped out with churches in the area - e.g. Richmond at the skating Oval, in Vancouver on the streets, at the O zones where we met fans going up to the Super G downhill skiing. Also, a few AIA staff were chosen to be chaplains at the Athletes Olympic Village. I personally was able to meet a long distance runner for lunch.

May 2010: Shortly after the Olympic outreach event, I returned to Vancouver to run in the Sun Run - some 52,000 runners - the largest race I have ever been in. The winners crossed the finish line before the last runners had even started.

May 2010: The Blue Nose Marathon is in Halifax. Edna and I set up our first “RUN AIA” booth. We connected with runners and handed Christian literature to those that were interested. It was a great joy to meet many runners, as well as run the marathon. I was introduced to one of NS top elite runners - Mark. His crew was interested not only in the races I had done, but were interested and open to hear of my faith in Jesus.

May 2010: Besides the great Blue Nose Marathon experience, Edna and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in the Maritimes. Wow that red lobster was expensive and good.

June 2010: The Manitoba Marathon was our second “RUN AIA” booth. What a bunch of wonderful Manitoba runners. My grand son Timothy helped me both days in meeting runners and handing out valuable Christian literature. The response was very good.

July 2010: Our Pauingassi First Nations AIA baseball camp was a great success. Wonderful volunteer staff from Winkler and Calgary did a fantastic work in connecting with the people in this community. I was privileged to write a letter of recommendation for an honourable award to one of their First Nations official staff at Pauingassi. We were received well by the people, youth and children, giving them material like gift bags, teaching them, attending and participating in their church services.

July 2010: Power To Change Staff Conference in Whistler was another huge highlight listening to the challenges of Erwin McManus. The inspirational meetings are always very helpful and encouraging.

August 2010: Tadoule Lake, Manitoba is a northern community, about 200 km west of Churchill. This time we again had 7 volunteer staff, several from our home SEMChurch. We were so encouraged to be of some help in the area of DVBS for the children, baseball training, offering church services, men’s breakfast, and gift bags. A new event and a highlight was a ladies tea party that Edna and Diane organized. Edna was absolutely delighted that 45 ladies accepted her invitation to tea that afternoon. One lady accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour.

September 2010: For about a week I helped out on a potato farm. Wow was it tough to get the potatoes in because of the very wet soil conditions. I think harvesting those potatoes was harder than running 20 km each day. But a good farmer does not give up - he sees the fruit and it needs to be harvested, just like in Christian work, some sow, some cultivate, some reap and harvest.

November 2010: Run a marathon in Calgary with two other long distance runners.

Balance of year: Writing reports, reporting in churches and other places, preparing newsletters, cards, promotion and planning the for up-coming events take a lot of time.

Prayer: Planning for next years Running ministry events

“RUN AIA” Ministry
- Please pray as I am planning a number of special running events
- A possible Winter Marathon in the cold stormy Manitoba - Feb 2011
- Producing a “RUN AIA” movie - film 2-3 runners running through the
Grand Canyon to create an outreach film to runners.
- A possible fundraising, evangelistic run across Paraguay

First Nations Camps 2011
For planning - search for volunteer staff and for the funds needed to do this ministry.

Thank-you very much for all your support in prayers and finances. Without your prayer support and your donations I could not do this ministry. You are great and I appreciated this very much.

Talk about support, we are looking for the increase in support, especially monthly donations to our ministry work. Please consider monthly donations - see card enclosed.

Edna & I wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas season as we again remember and celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Albert Martens
AIA Ministry

Running with Martin Parnell

2010-11-30T07:55:00.000-08:00

Running with Martin Parnell in Calgary - his 221 marathon this year for the charity "Right to Play". Go Martin Go! You are almost done. You are great.

Calgary Footpaths - Runing Snow Marathon

2010-11-30T07:52:00.001-08:00

Calgary - what a beautiful city. Lovely running trails right from the Good Earth Cafe at the Eau Claire Market.

My 43rd Marathon - Calgary, AB - Run with Martin

2010-11-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

It was a cold (minus18)snow marathon running with Martin Parnell (he is running 250 marathons this year for Right to Play), with Danny Gallagher (Calgary) and Marc Johnson (Calgary) on the 21 of November, 2010.

Driving to Calgary from Winnipeg, was a challenged. I drove right into the snowy and cold weather. Even so, it was a pleasure to meet Martin, Marc and Danny and other runners at the Eau Claire Market. The Calgary pathways along the Bow River are so beautiful. Meeting other runners at the Good Earth Cafe was a treat. "Networking" with other runners is always such a great thing, because building running friendships is quite easy for a lot of runners are very friendly people.

2010 AIA Runnng and Baseball Camps Recap

2010-11-30T07:22:00.000-08:00

Albert & Edna Martens
408 Second Street
Steinbach, Manitoba
Canada R5G 0V5
Tel: (204) 346-1345
email: aemart@mts.net
2010 Newsletter

February 2010: It was a pleasure and privilege to be a part of the MORE THAN GOLD outreach team in Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler. Our little hub of 8 workers helped out with churches in the area - e.g. Richmond at the skating Oval, in Vancouver on the streets, at the O zones where we met fans going up to the Super G downhill skiing. Also, a few AIA staff were chosen to be chaplains at the Athletes Olympic Village. I personally was able to meet a long distance runner for lunch.

May 2010: Shortly after the Olympic outreach event, I returned to Vancouver to run in the Sun Run - some 52,000 runners - the largest race I have ever been in. The winners crossed the finish line before the last runners had even started.

May 2010: The Blue Nose Marathon is in Halifax. Edna and I set up our first “RUN AIA” booth. We connected with runners and handed Christian literature to those that were interested. It was a great joy to meet many runners, as well as run the marathon. I was introduced to one of NS top elite runners - Mark. His crew was interested not only in the races I had done, but were interested and open to hear of my faith in Jesus.

May 2010: Besides the great Blue Nose Marathon experience, Edna and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in the Maritimes. Wow that red lobster was expensive and good.

June 2010: The Manitoba Marathon was our second “RUN AIA” booth. What a bunch of wonderful Manitoba runners. My grand son Timothy helped me both days in meeting runners and handing out valuable Christian literature. The response was very good.

July 2010: Our Pauingassi First Nations AIA baseball camp was a great success. Wonderful volunteer staff from Winkler and Calgary did a fantastic work in connecting with the people in this community. I was privileged to write a letter of recommendation for an honourable award to one of their First Nations official staff at Pauingassi. We were received well by the people, youth and children, giving them material like gift bags, teaching them, attending and participating in their church services.

July 2010: Power To Change Staff Conference in Whistler was another huge highlight listening to the challenges of Erwin McManus. The inspirational meetings are always very helpful and encouraging.

August 2010: Tadoule Lake, Manitoba is a northern community, about 200 km west of Churchill. This time we again had 7 volunteer staff, several from our home SEMChurch. We were so encouraged to be of some help in the area of DVBS for the children, baseball training, offering church services, Men’s breakfast, and gift bags. A new event and a highlight was a ladies tea party that Edna and Diane organized. Edna was absolutely delighted that 45 ladies accepted her invitation to tea that afternoon. One lady accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour.

September 2010: For about a week I helped out on a potato farm. Wow was it tough to get the potatoes in because of the very wet soil conditions. I think harvesting those potatoes was harder than running 20 km each day. But a good farmer does not give up - he sees the fruit and it needs to be harvested, just like in Christian work, some sow, some cultivate, some reap and harvest.

November 2010: Run a marathon in Calgary with two other long distance runners.

Balance of year: Writing reports, reporting in churches and other places, preparing newsletters, cards, promotion and planning the for up-coming events take a lot of time.

Prayer: Planning for next years Running ministry events

“RUN AIA” Ministry
- Please pray as I am planning a number of special running events
- A possible Winter Marathon in the cold stormy Manitoba - Feb 2011
- Producing a “RUN AIA” movie - film 2-3 runners running through the
Grand Canyon to create an outreach film to runners.
- A possible fundraising, evangelistic run across Paraguay

First Nations Camps 2011
For planning - search for volunteer staff and for the funds needed to do this ministry.

Thank-you very much for all your support in prayers and finances. Without your prayer support and your donations I could not do this ministry. You are great and I appreciated this very much.

Talk about support, we are looking for the increase in support, especially monthly donations to our ministry work. Please consider monthly donations - see card enclosed.

Edna & I wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas season as we again remember and celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Albert Martens
AIA Ministry

Athletes in Action 2010 Grey Cup Breakfast

2010-11-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Tadoule Lake AIA Baseball Camp 2010

2010-09-01T06:53:00.000-07:00

2010-09-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Tadoule Lake - AIA Baseball Camp 2010

2010-09-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

TADOULE LAKE 2010

The north wind was already blowing and we were still in the ‘south’. We started our 8 ½ - 9 hour drive from southern Manitoba to Flin Flon, driving into strong winds and heavy rain. This was Day One of our Athletes in Action “Faith Adventure”. Walter is a great driver and would rather sit behind the wheel of the vehicle than scrunched into the back seat, so his first assignment was to get our team of seven safely to Flin Flon. In the Ford Expedition with him were his daughter Stephanie, her friend Allison, Diane Reimer, Rick Bettig, Edna and myself. The trailer hitched to the vehicle held the majority of ‘stuff’ that we would need in Tadoule Lake.
An overnight in the Victoria Hotel in Flin Flon refreshed us and after a quick breakfast we headed for our airport – Wings over Kississing. Our trailer had been unloaded straight into the Turbo Otter and our pilot was waiting for us when we arrived. All we had to decide was who would be co-pilot and all the rest of us climbed into the back with our luggage. Every piece of luggage is ‘carry-on’ in this case. We carry it on, we carry it off. With a refueling stop at Lynn Lake, we made the trip from Flin Flon to Tadoule Lake in 3 ½ hours. The strong north winds had added almost an hour to the length of the flight. We arrived safely, the plane riding up onto the beach and all the passengers climbing down onto the pontoons and into the water to make our way to shore. Forming a line, some on the pontoons, some in the water and some on the sandy beach we quickly got all our baggage unloaded from the plane onto the beach.
We watched the plane leave…we were left standing on the beach with all our stuff! I quickly set out into the community and within 15 minutes I had rounded up 3 trucks and helpers to transport our belongings to our apartment which would be our headquarters for the next 7 days. The next few hours were spent getting settled into our apartment, getting some lunch together and then sitting down to plan the order of the week. This was Day Two of our adventure. It was Sunday so the Band office and Northern store are closed. Aside of walking around the community and greeting people we had already come to know in previous years, there was not much else to do this evening. We did go and check out the church and it was in good shape – a lot of our activities would be happening here.
We have gotten to know the people of Tadoule Lake over the past few years and have learned to appreciate so many of them. It was a good feeling to be back among them once more.

Day Three began with breakfast and a devotional time as a group. Stephanie and Allie were assigned the job of posters to get handed out and put up at the Band hall and in the Northern store. We would be starting our children’s program that afternoon with singing, story time, crafts and baseball. If the weather would get warmer we would also take them swimming (which did not happen during that whole week). We had a great turnout for the kid’s program and were encouraged.

Day Four was Tuesday and we had advertised Movie Night with popcorn in addition to the day’s program. However, between the kid’s program, sports and Movie Night we had also invited all the ladies for an afternoon tea party at the church. Edna had collected beautiful china mugs along with cream and sugar sets, table cloths and serviettes for this occasion. The girls baked some cakes to go along with the cookies. This tea party was a new venture and we had no idea what to expect. It was an absolute pleasure to welcome 45 ladies for tea! Diane and Edna told the ladies that the mug was theirs to take home with them after the tea. And as the ladies left the church, each one was given a gift bag prepared by ladies from our church and by Edna’s co-workers at the hospital.

Day Five began with a men’s breakfast – pancakes, sausages and bacon served at the church. Again, we had a great turnout with about 25 men, and some of the men stayed around awhile to talk.
The afternoon was again taken up with the children’s program, and that evening we offered a church service for the community. We were so blessed to see some couples attend as well as other men and women.

Day Six – kids program and a movie night for the kids.

Day Seven – kids program as usual. Early supper for our team, followed by a wiener roast for the whole community and ending that evening with fireworks on the beach.
I had gone to meet the Chief and had invited him to come and have supper with our team. It was so great to have him come to our apartment and share with us about the history of the Sayisi Dene people and where they are at today. He also expressed his appreciation for what our group was bringing to his community. Before he left, he thanked each one of our group and gave each one a warm hug.

Day Eight – breakfast, pack our stuff into a truck, clean up and wait for the plane to circle overhead. At that point the truck heads for the beach and we follow on foot – about a 3 minute walk. Again, our entire luggage is carry-on – through the water, onto the pontoon and into the plane. A 2 ½ hour flight, followed by a 9 hour drive saw us back to our homes. After dropping off the passengers at various locations, Edna and I were in our driveway about 2:00 on Sunday morning.

Special experiences:
- Helping saw off the moose antlers for the men’s special one evening. (I did not stay to taste the meat from the moose head that was boiled over an open fire.)
- caribou stew and bannock at Julie’s home prepared by her for our team
- Brian entertaining us with flute and drum as we ate the meal his mother had prepared
- Visiting a gentleman who had lost his leg to necrotizing fasciitis.
- Learning from the Chief of the community
- Running 5 laps around this community to complete my 42nd full marathon. Diane joined me on the last lap.
- Fish fry for supper – caught, cleaned and prepared by Pastor Rick!
- Getting the know the kids and seeing them come back each day for the lessons and for the sports

Very special experiences:
- A lady asking Jesus into her heart after the ladies tea
- Reading the Bible with a gentleman and praying with him. As we prayed the trembling in his limbs completely quieted down. It was an amazing experience.
- The Chief sharing how he and his wife Annie offer Bible studies to the people of this community. He has been Chief since June 2010 and only ran for the position because the younger people urged him to do so. He got in by a strong majority. What a blessing to see a born-again man in this position. He wept for joy when we shared the lady’s experience with him.

Were we exhausted when we got home? Yes.
Would we go back – YES!
Was it worth the trip? Absolutely!

Our Power to Change Director often speaks about “Faith Adventures” for Jesus. Our trip to one of the most northerly communities in Manitoba is truly a faith adventure. How exciting when people ask for spiritual food and when they come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. What a joy it is to be able to encourage people in this way.

Albert Martens
Athletes in Action
August, 2010

2010-03-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter 2010

2010-03-30T23:20:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a meaningful and joyous Easter season

Easter is not about Easter bunnies, little fluffy chickens and egg hunts.
We read in the bible that in the “old testament” days, animals like goats, bulls and lambs without blemish were sacrificed as a sin offering for the people. The blood would purify and make an atonement (forgive, make amends) for their sins. When Jesus came, He was the representation of the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the people. He was the final sacrifice. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to make atonement for our sins. Jesus has done this once and for all. It’s His blood that cleanses us from all sin. He was crucified on the cross (form of execution in those days). The sin of the world was upon Him, yet He was without sin and blameless. He bore it all. This is why Jesus is referred as the “Lamb of God”. He was bodily resurrected (came back to life) on the third day. He appeared to many – eating and drinking with them. He appeared to many for 40 days, then ascended (went up to) Heaven. Acts 1: 1-11

“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried, it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed. All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s path to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.”
Isaiah. 53: 4-7

“But these things were written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life”. John 20:31

This same Jesus loves us and is waiting for us to come to Him for forgiveness of our sins today. Let Him come into your life; let Him become your personal Lord and Savior.

Dangerous on the Road

2010-03-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Running can be dangerous on the roads, especially with drivers like these. I dodged a car last week, while running. Defensive running is very important..

2010-03-11T06:43:00.000-08:00

Olympic Report 2010

2010-03-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

Athletes in Action was one of 39 Christian organizations that worked together in the “More than Gold” organization with Vanoc.

Feb 13-15 was spent as team building with just under 100 AIA staff, campus ministry staff and student athletes at our Power to Change Headquarters in Langley, B.C. Doug Pollock - AIA USA Director taught us on the topic of reaching out to people, meeting new people through genuine concern, coupled with curiosity and questions, all the while listening and presenting attractive, winsome and compelling ways to engage others in conversations that change lives for eternity.

After this time, we went to work in Richmond and Vancouver with a few in Whistler. We spent time helping other churches, like the Way Community Church, and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Richmond, serving, helping people with parking, serving coffee, doing the youth night programs, as well as meeting many people from all over the world. We spent time helping people at the First Baptist Church in downtown Vancouver. One early morning we helped fans, serving them hot chocolate, meeting and directing the fans to the right buses to go up to Whistler-Creekside for the Super G skiing.

All our workers were sub-divided into groups or “hubs” assigned to various locations of the Olympic Venues including the O and Red Zones. A few AIA staff served at the Olympic Villages as Chaplains.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH – Nelson & Burrard Street:

I had the privilege of meeting two great men from downtown Vancouver. I listened and learned a lot from John Allen and Frank.

Material used to give away as gifts were “More than Gold” New Testaments, The Gospel of Mark, Erwin McManus book – Soul Cravings – Prequel and of course trader pins.

I had the privilege of meeting a great runner in Richmond.

Shauna, our daughter, Sam and Calleigh were pleased to meet the Canadian Figure skating team including Brian Orser in Vancouver at the BMO celebration.

In the “Red Zones”, we as Christian workers were not allowed to hand out Christian literature nor speak the Gospel, not even have company advertising on our clothing. We still felt very blessed and encouraged in meeting the Olympic fans, athletes and the media from all over the world. Interesting how important it becomes when one is denied the freedom to speak the Gospel for two weeks, when a person has 50 other weeks to speak freely.

The friendly, patriotic spirit of the games was great & very impressive. We helped Vancouver show a warm and friendly face to the rest of the world. Vancouver is a very young, friendly and clean city.

Thank you to each one of you praying for our work at the Olympics 2010.

Running the Sahara - March 28, 2010

2010-03-10T22:23:00.001-08:00

Running the Sahara March 28, 2010 - Park Theater

2010-03-10T22:22:00.000-08:00

Sahara Desert Movie Night on 28th, March 2010
By Matt Damon
Come and see this inspiring movie - Running the Sahara - by Matt Damon. Ray Zahab (Canada), Charlie Engel (USA) and Kevin Lin (Taiwan) ran from Senegal to the Red Sea. It is a once in a life time run of very scenic sites of the Sahara Desert. Ray is presently running across the Baikal Lake in Siberia. Take a look at his website: http://impossible2possible.com/siberia/?s=event_info
Also take a look at the Running the Sahara website:
http://www.runningthesahara.com/
About the Run
On February 20, Charlie, Ray and Kevin touched the Red Sea, just a few hours before sunset. Their quest had lasted 111 days and taken them through 6 countries: Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya, and Egypt. By the team's daily GPS record, they had traveled over 4,300 miles (6,920 kilometers). They fought through injury and extreme fatigue to reach their goal, which changed them forever.

PS - Two Important items:
1, Come early 6.00 pm - because there are only 225 seats available.
Tickets -$6.00 available only at the door.
2, There is a little cafe in the theater - so you can eat at the Cafe.

Albert Martens
204-346-1345
Email: aemart@mts.net

At the Park Theater
698 Osborne Street
Winnipeg, MB.

Tickets available only at the door
$6.00
Seating is limited to 225

2010-03-10T22:14:00.001-08:00

Meeting new people in Vancouver

2010-03-10T22:12:00.001-08:00

Beautiful Vancouver City

2010-03-10T22:09:00.000-08:00

2010-03-10T22:07:00.000-08:00

2010-03-10T22:02:00.000-08:00

AIA "Hub" Olympic 2010 team

2010-03-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

AIA Olympic Experience 2010

2010-03-10T21:46:00.000-08:00

Digital slideshow made with Smilebox

2010-02-05T10:53:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-02-05T10:52:00.001-08:00

My 2009 Marathon des Sables Trek with Dale and Walter

2009-12-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2009-09-18T13:36:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox postcard

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "One Love"

2009-08-18T09:30:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful message of love

more about "Playing For Change | Song Around The ...", posted with vodpod

Ticks after the Kick - Adventure Run in Manitoba

2009-06-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

The Manitoba Rock Lake Nature Trail Run - June 6, 2009

This is the sign of a newly developed nature trail, on the west side of Rock Lake, Manitoba. I was invited to speak at a Men's (Fishermen's) Church Retreat at the CEFC, on the east side of the Rock Lake. After my two speaking meetings, and a great meal of Jackfish on Saturday night, and a great breakfast on Sunday morning, I was off and running. Running the short Nature Trail of Rock Lake. The trail was beautiful, and after the 50 minute run I came back to the van, only to find wood ticks on my running tights and in my shoes. About 8 ticks showed up, in the van, on my legs, and some crawling out of my shoes. You see, I don't do ticks very well, because several years ago my wife's life was threatened (very sick) when she was infected by a Manitoba tick - infecting 3 major organs (lungs, liver and the back spine). So I tried to KICK at the end of the run in order not to have any ticks latch unto me. Well I did discover 8 ticks, one at a time, so I stripped down to nature level, making sure no tick would have a chance to stick.

The following photos are of the Rock Lake Fisherman's Retreat - Rock Lake & the Nature Trail.

The shoe where it was temporary housing for the 4 ticks

Rock Lake, a nice place to relax and fish - the fish bite good

Mr. Jackfish - The long one is at least 65 cm long - not bad for a meal or two.

Good training steps - some 50 steps - only too short

Should we go canoe-ing

Lets go for a boat ride

Waiting patiently for a Pickerel to bite

Nature Path

Glenora - have you ever been here?

Cattle on many hills

Start the run here

No time for a picnic

Yield to your left - turn right ahead

The eggs - where did Mama go? Is this a Robin family?

A shelter in case of bears?

Wild Strawberries - flowers that is - along the path

Look out Traffic signs ahead - two of them - there were only 5

Nice and green

A horse farmer in the area.

STONY BROOK STRIDERS - RUN FOR MOM

2009-05-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

In 2006 and 2007 I called several running friends in Steinbach and area in an attempt to organize a running club. Actually I had originally planned to organize a club of runners that would meet regularly to go running together. We did go and run a few times on Saturday mornings. Very little interest was obvious as only 2 or three runners showed up. I had attempted this running club in view of planning a runner’s club as well as a runner’s Bible study.

Finally about 13 runners showed up for a meeting that I called in 2007 at the Day’s Inn conference room. From here on, I steered the runner’s interests into planning an annual running event. The club we then called Stony Brook Striders and the running event would be Run for Mom, an event to promote running, namely health and fitness in the community. I then called regular monthly meetings of those “listed members” of our new club to solely organize a run (5km walk/run and a 10 km run) in Steinbach. We met about 5-6 times before the run. It was decided that we put on this event on Mother’s Day. Any surpluses generated from sponsorships and surpluses from runner’s fees would be designated to a local charity. This Charity is and was decided (on an annual review/decision basis) to be Anna’s House in Steinbach.

Our first Run for Mom took place (Start and Finish) at the Eastman Educational Center on Loewen Boulevard on Mother’s Day 2008 with approximately 310 runners. It was deemed a great success in that it brought out so many runners for the first inaugural race. It was further considered a success in that fitness and health was promoted as well as $5750.00 given to Anna’s House as a donation from the Stony Brook Striders (Run for Mom 2008) event.

Naturally we got together again for a 2009 Run for Mom event. 2009 was our second successful Run for Mom with about 360 runners and promoting running (fitness and health) in our community. Anna’s House was again chosen as the recipient for the surplus of the run, ($4000.00). Sunshine and beautiful weather was enjoyed in 2008 and 2009.

Men’s winners of 2009 Run for Mom

Albert Martens

Run for Mom

Race Director

May 23, 2009

THE FLOODED SAHARA DESERT 2009

2009-05-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Flooded Sahara Desert

The Marathon des Sables 2009

The Marathon des Sables is rated as one of the most brutal foot races in the world. It takes place in the Sahara Desert of southern Morocco. The race is about 240 kilometers in distance and is run in seven-day stages. A new course is mapped each year. Each runner brings his/her own food and supplies, which are carried, in his/her backpack. Only water is supplied by the organizers.

“Turning Sand into Water” was the caption of my charity project – my purpose for running the Marathon des Sables 2009. This project was all about raising funds for water wells in Benin, Africa. We would run in the hot, dry sands of the Sahara Desert to help people receive clean and fresh water for health and agricultural purposes. Little did we expect or know that the Sahara could change its character, its scenery and terrain to one of water and floods. It could turn into a mucky sandbox.

When it is raining, accompanied by lightning and thunder, parents don’t normally let their children go and play in the sandbox. Here we were, 840 runners converging on the desert – a normally hot, dry desert that had turned to muck and water. We flew into Casablanca from 35 different countries. Then we all got transported by Air Maroc to our next small desert city of Ouarzazate. It was during this last short flight that I noted flashes of lightning on the horizon. It was late when we landed and by the time we arrived at our hotel it was 1:00 in the morning and we were scrambling to get to our rooms. We were dead tired and the hotel organization was not that of a 5 star accommodation. We ended up with 5 people in a room meant for three.

It had begun to rain during the night, and after our breakfast we boarded the buses with our backpack plus one suitcase to head out into the desert. In our minds we were still heading into a hot, dry desert. However, the rain continued and after a three hour drive we came to a raging river shooting across the road where we were suppose to drive. The water was a dirty beige colour and it was racing right over the road, about 150 meters wide and 30 – 50 cm deep. The convoy of vehicles came to a stop.

One Landrover jeep had attempted to cross the water and it got washed downstream, 95% submerged in the water, stuck among the rocks in the water. We never did hear what happened to the driver. There were more jeeps in our convoy and some of the drivers were out of their vehicles dancing and singing to some rhythm in the middle of this rainy desert. TV camera crews were busy filming and runners were shooting photos and videos.

The convoy consisted of 18 buses carrying the 840 runners, 3 huge food trucks (food for the crew, not the runners), a truck filled with bottled water for the runners, military trucks carrying the tents, TV crews, 44 doctors plus all their medical supplies and equipment…it was an impressive line of vehicles. We were parked.

After a three hour wait, one of the bigger trucks attempted the crossing and he made it through. Then we were asked to collect our backpacks and suitcases from the luggage compartment of the bus and bring them into the bus. They left the luggage doors open as the buses proceeded across the raging river. The water flowed right through the luggage compartment. It was quite suspenseful – would we make it or would we also be washed down the river? All the buses made it through safely, as did the rest of the convoy.

We were on our way once more, energized to run this world-famous African race. We were on our way to the middle of ‘Nowhere’ – to the start of the race where we would now be sleeping on the ground under the Berber tents (I say ‘under’ because the tents consist of poles with black jute suspended over the tops – no sides).

We did not end up where we thought we would; we were taken to a small city called Erfoud. (The first 150 runners had carried on to the first site of the Berber tents – to find it awash from the rain, some tents were washed away and the rest were standing in water. No one could stay there. These runners were also brought back to Erfoud.) Erfoud hotels accommodated 1200 guests at the spur of the moment.

The next day it continued to rain with lightning and thunder. Communication about the race was poor. The organizers were scrambling to make sense of all this. Late in the day we got word that the first stage of the race was cancelled. Would the whole race be cancelled? How would 1200 people be able to change their return flights? What did Plan B look like? There was no Plan B.

The following morning there was an official announcement from Patrick Bauer at a Kasbah Hotel. His options were to cancel the race entirely, or improvise day by day with problems. We had received the official Road-book of the race – this book was now invalid and totally useless.

We spent three nights in Erfoud in the various hotels. Logistics Day, normally our first day in the desert, was a day in Erfoud and each of us had to bring our ‘stuff’ to the hotel where our equipment was checked. Here we received our salt, flare gun and start numbers.

Day Two – became Day One, and our race started with the Sand dune day, 33 kilometers of which 20 kilometers would be the beautiful dunes of the Erg Chebbi.

By this time some of us had picked up a bug from the food or water in the hotels. Several runners were already ‘out’ before the race ever started. I was able to complete the first day’s race, enjoying the beautiful sand dunes. But I also realized that the bacteria were churning up a storm in my guts, and I was losing energy very fast.

That night, our first in the desert, temperatures dipped to 5°C and my sleeping bag was totally inadequate, causing me to lose even more energy. One of the German runners had an extreme case of diarrhea all night – and there were no washrooms for him. The open desert is your home. At first the runners wandered out 150 meters from the tents for their WC, after 4 days 5 meters was sufficient because the survival mode was more important than modesty.

All runners are aware that the MdS is a run of suffering and pain. The next morning I was fighting this intestinal bug, asking the doctors for some advice. Since I was not running a fever, they said go for it and report in at Checkpoint One. I took their advice and started running with the crowd. Every step became a struggle - getting weaker with seemingly each step as I crossed a high mountain range. We were still 3 kilometers from CP 1 when I began to weave left and right. My vision started to get blurry. I sort of sat down. Dale had now disappeared in the horizon- ahead of me.

Shortly after I went down another runner came up from behind and stopped. He asked if he should shoot off the flare gun (each runner gets a French military flare gun issued to them at the start)? I thought, “Why not? “Shoot at Will” I thought. I am in need of some help here. What else can go wrong? George (an American soldier who had spent some time in Iraq) took my flare and walked a few steps away from me. This had now become my battlefield of my guts vs. the Sahara. By now more runners had arrived where I was lying. One of the runners asked, “Are you Albert Martens?” I wondered how in the world she recognized me but she said she had read about me in California! She knelt down so we were on the same level; she wanted to ask me some questions!! At this point I didn’t want people to recognize me. The timing was not the greatest.

Meanwhile, George was busy with the flare gun and when he pulled the rope, it ignited (and something else DID go wrong) - about 10% shot out the bottom, burning his a hole in his T-shirt and giving him a decent cut on his stomach. It was a faulty gun with water in it. Fortunately the rest of the flare did go up and within 7 minutes the first doctors arrived. While we were waiting for help to arrive George asked me “Should I shoot up another flare?” His wound was on the outside - mine was inside. Two doctors arrived on a quad from CP 1 and another two arrived in a jeep from the opposite direction. We still all were able to laugh about everything.

The doctors checked my blood pressure and it was rather low. I still felt fairly clear-headed and was trying to remain friendly even though I was concerned. I was still smiling and I thought there were some lessons to be learned – like decide not to let disappointments to ruin my whole life. The doctors got an IV going and ran two 500 ml bags. They wrapped an emergency blanket around me because by now my body was shaking. I was going into shock. One of the doctors rubbed my arms and shoulders – a very compassionate and sympathetic doctor – very nice of him. After the two bags of IV I was helped into the jeep and taken to the temporary medical tent at Checkpoint One, where they ran another two bags of IV. My body was still shaking. To my surprise they asked me whether I wanted to continue in the race? “Sure, why not?” - but wisdom kicked in and I knew that I should quit. They took me to the main camp to the main medical tent and put me down on a stretcher and proceeded with another 4 bags of IV. By now I was wondering where 8 bags (4 liters) of IV solution end up. Is there a special tank somewhere in me where it gets stored? Had I turned into a camel?

They told me they would keep it going until I was able to pee. It’s been many years since anyone was this interested in my bathroom habits. But eventually my system began to function. Wow, was I glad – exciting to pee – no radiator leak. Meanwhile the doctors did an Ultrasound of the main vein to the heart and told me it was ‘flat’. I was not sure what that meant – should it be flat or not? I was not too sure whether something had been lost in translation from the French language, or whether this was really a condition due to dehydration. By now there was no question in their minds whether I would continue the race. I was done. They also patched up my feet and I could go and find my fancy black tent.

The race was over for me. However, I was not leaving the desert and I was not leaving my team members. My role had changed. I had decided not to be miserable. I needed to be there to help and encourage other runners, especially Dale and Walter who had come with me as AIA team members.

The next night I was alone in our tent since this was part of the two-day leg of the race. They covered 91 kilometers in two days and a night. It was during this night that reality and disappointment number two set in. Yes, there were tears. I accepted the reality, turned around and faced the future. I was happy that my team members were still in the race and I knew they were hurting. So I needed to get past my own disappointment and cheer them on.

When one drops out of the race, I decided that I would donate my left over desert food to the organization that then in turn donates this to the African needy people. Now I could eat with the crew and in fine French dining. I was in their eating area when I spotted Lahcen Ahansel, the 10 times winner of the MdS, the MdS King. He had terminated as well; he told me he had lost motivation. We were now dining together in the tent under the name known as “Quitters”. The French signage seemed harsh but in a way also amusing. We were labeled as “Abandons”. You have half killed yourself in an effort to run this race, and now you are out and are labeled. The positive side of this was the food, French bread, cheese, yoghurt, chicken, potatoes, coffee, wine, soup…and on and on.

Success – what is that? Defeat – what is that? There are lessons to be learned here. This was my fourth time in the Marathon des Sables and there were lessons learned each time.

The project of water wells continues. The children in Benin still need fresh water. The Sahara desert defeated me, but I learned from this and still want to use this to help others less fortunate than myself. The Marathon des Sables is 24 years old and this was the first time they had seen rain in its whole history. Our project theme was “Turning Sand into Water” but we never dreamed it would happen as literally as it did. But in the final end we want to turn poverty into health in Benin through the Global Aid Network - Water for Life project.

Albert Martens

Email: aemart@mts.net

101 Reasons for Thankfulness by Albert Martens

2008-05-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Run101 - Reasons for Thankfulness

1, for Mother’s love and care for her children
2, for Mother’s all her hard work for me
3, for Mother’s many prayers daily for me and all her other family members
4, for Mother’s peaceful and loving heart
5, for Mother’s good and clean (dry) sense of humour
6, for Mother’s great example of endurance
7, for Mother’s devotion and commitment to her Lord Jesus
8, for Mother’s wide range of activities
9, for Mother’s “out of the box” thinking
10, for Mother’s very creative mind and hands
11, for Mother’s leadership in the home
12, for Mother’s heart for charity
13, for Mother’s special plum jam
14, for Mother’s very special pancakes (with lots of smoke, smell-able half a mile away)
15, for Mother’s artwork
16, for Mother’s special sugar “Platz”
17, for Mother’s patience and understanding
18, for Mother’s special embroidery work
19, for Mother’s warm quilts that she made
20, for Mother’s letters she wrote to us in Europe
21, for Mother’s management skills in the big family household
22, for Mother cleaning the house often – all those windows to wash
23, for Mother’s chicken noodle soup
24, for Mother taking care of the farm, milking the cows
25, for Mother changing my diapers several thousand times
26, for Mother’s changing of my siblings diapers, so we could have a pleasant environment (there were 6 older brothers and 4 sisters) = which equals about 60,000 times in total
27, for Mother’s quiet times reading her bible by her bedroom window
28, for Mother teaching me to pray, sitting up in bed before going to sleep each night
29, for health care when I was sick with flues and fevers
30, for Mother giving us an orange when we were very sick, as a treat
31, for Mother and Father enduring in an often difficult marriage
32, for Mother’s content and positive outlook on life
33, for Mother’s Borscht
34, for Mother’s strong stand on her faith in the Lord Jesus
35, for Mother’s good judgment and good old fashioned common sense of right and wrong
36, for Mother’s values
37, for Mother’s principles
38, for Mother’s great interest in geography
39, for Mother’s open mind to other people’s views
40, for Mother’s variety of interests
41, for Mother’s acceptance of others
42, for Mother’s ability to take criticism
43, for Mother’s ability to receive unfair treatment
44, for Mother’s allowance for her children to grow and develop in their interests
45, for Mother’s wisdom
46, for Mother’s discernment in difficult times
47, for Mother’s stamina, physically and spiritually and emotionally
48, for Mother’s gifts she gave to me
49, for Mother’s pleasant approach to life’s problems
50, for Mother dressing well and respectfully
51, for Mother taking care of herself
52, for Mother’s example of doing Charity work-Ladies Sewing Circle Auction sales for Humanitarian purposes
53, for Mother’s advice and counsel
54, for Mother’s opinion
55, for Mother’s good cooking with very little amounts of store groceries
56, for Mother’s home made pies, even when they were cherry pies with stones
57, for Mother’s home made big loaves of bread
58, for Mother’s wake up calls, even if they were with hitting the ceiling with a broom
59, for Mother’s warnings and cautions
60, for Mother’s spanking with a piece of firewood, right on the “buns”
61, for Mother’s sense of protection
62, for Mother’s helping hand in learning (even though homework was not seen as very important)
63, for Mother’s encouragements
64, for Mother sewing clothe for us
65, for Mother’s hard garden work, seeding & hoeing the big garden
66, for Mother’s treats of strawberries and home made ice cream
67, for Mother’s teachings
68, for Mother’s encouragements
69, for Mother’s fixing our clothes, patching pants
70, for Mother’s jam sandwiches for school
71, for Mother’s forgiveness and love even when we as brothers were up to bad things
72, for Mother’s carrying the water to the house for us to drink
73, for Mother’s helping in the food preparations when we had to slaughter pigs for food
74, for Mother’s canning of garden fresh food for the winter
75, for Mother’s ability to bake creatively with little food staples
76, for Mother not complaining in her old age
77, for Mother’s peaceful and content heart in her old age
78, for Mother’s attitude about her growing older
79, for Mother’s dusting and cleaning the house
80, for Mother’s discipline
81, for Mother’s home decorating with limited resources
82, for Mother’s beautiful Gloxinias on the window sills
83, for Mother cutting my hair
84, for Mother crocheting doilies, even though I don’t like doilies to this day
85, for Mother allowing us to make homemade butter
86, for Mother’s forgiveness when my butter pail lid flew off (guess where the butter went)
87, for Mother’s great gooseberry moos
88, for Mother’s Vreneki
89, for Mother’s great Rollkuchen with watermelons
90, for Mother’s raising chickens for eggs and meat
91, for Mother’s washing the cream separator
92, for Mother holding the pillows against the windows during the hailstorm
93, for Mother sending us to Sunday School a mile away from home
94, for Mother getting food on the table, even during the year we were hailed out
95, for Mother’s open house to her children’s friends
96, for Mother’s liquid embroidery artwork
97, for Mother’s nutritious meals
98, for Mother learning English, to read, speak English
99, for Mother’s good stewardship
100,for Mother’s absolute trust and hope in the Lord Jesus
101, for Mother’s acceptance of her lot in her life.

2008-05-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Run 101 - 101 km from Niverville to Altona, May 3, 2008

The Start at midnight at Rat River Landing-May 3, 2008

The never ending lonely parairie roads

The famous Post Road, near Emerson, Manitoba

The feet are totally messed up agin with 5 blisters

Nearing Altona, a dog feels for me.

The finish is here - wow what a relief

Dale, Paul, Walter and Albert

The Run101 crew, runners, and the "Queenie" my mother

Run 101 Life’s Long Journey
May 3, 2008

Run 101 was a celebration run for my mother, 101 kilometers for the 101 years of my mother 101 years.
On Friday, May 3rd, Dr. Paul Piplani arrived at the Winnipeg Airport dressed in his light-weight running clothes, but oh my, when he felt the shock of the cold Manitoba air he realized he had left Phoenix, Arizona behind him.
The runners, Walter Unrau, Dale Wohlgemuth, Paul Piplani and I, together with our crew all met at the Rat River landing at 20 minutes before midnight. What an eerie feeling. There is no night lighting at this point along the river. After initial introductions, I gave the runners and their crew member’s instructions on basic road running etiquette, as well as a few more instructions on handling the long battle ahead of us. I prayed just before midnight, trying not to think too much about what lay ahead of us.
Reflectors and head lamps, filled water bottles, full of energy and excitement, we started, heading east along Fontaine Road. This road quickly became a grassy path with deep ruts. Running with more feeling in the feet than actually seeing anything, we made our way towards Highway 59, about 13 kilometers. Fortunately no one sprained an ankle on this uneven terrain, and just after passing the area where the original Shantz Shelters had been located, we arrived at the 59 Highway, turning south. The Canadian true north winds soon register with all of us. It was a biting, cold wind. The wind cut right through several layers of sweaters, jackets and running pants.
Near Tourond, a pickup truck stopped and the driver rolled down his window, “May I ask what you are doing?” This was around 2:00 a.m. I replied, “We are running to Altona.” He answered, “Aren’t you on the wrong road for that?”
Just south of Tourond Walter took off; he left us without saying good-bye. We did not see him again until the finish in Altona. Maybe he thought the Canadian wolves were after him.
Paul, Dale and I stuck together for the rest of the journey. Nearing St Pierre, we heard the birds chirping, it was so quiet. I stopped on the bridge to listen to the river. Turning around, we saw the Northern lights displaying their colourful show.
We had also heard dogs barking at us at various locations.
At St Pierre the RCMP came to check out the action. Three vehicles with flashing lights, and runners on the left side with headlamps and lots of reflective clothing were enough to attract their attention.
The dawn light was slow in coming even though we remarked how short the night was. By the time we reached La Rochelle we no longer needed the headlamps. The sunrise was beautiful with the red and orange colors, but cold. The cold did not stop the frogs from singing however.
The cold wind was creating a huge challenge for all of us. We had water bottles strapped to our waists, and the water in the bottles froze. I ran out of clothing, so finally grabbed a big towel to wrap around my head and neck to keep warm. My running tights were totally inadequate protection for minus 9° Celsius. My right thigh muscles ‘froze’ so that I needed help. Jacquie wrapped a heat pad around my leg and I had to take a ride for about 4 kilometers.
We regrouped at the site of the St Malo deer. The three runners stayed together, Walter was long gone.

Going west on Highway 201 a vehicle stopped offering us a ride. We declined, and then another person came and asked our crew to give him a ride. We came past the Roseau River First Nations Reserve, and crossed the green bridge spanning the Red River.
At the bridge another police car came and took a look, but did not get out to ask any questions.
Just west of the bridge we came to the junction of the old Nr 14 highway and we headed south again. We were back on gravel road, which our blistered feet did not appreciate. By now we were feeling some of the warmth of the sun. Farmers were out in full force with their huge spring seeding equipment.
These farmers must have wondered why we were not out their getting our crops into the ground.
Coming past Fort Dufferin was meaningful in the historic route, knowing that some of our ancestors arrived here and stayed at this location awhile. The North West Mounted Police were also stationed here and help the settlers, as well as the British engineers who came here and began surveying the land from this point to establish the 49th parallel to be the border between USA and Canada.
Just south of this Fort there is a farm with white fencing containing oxen.
As we approached and ran through Emerson, we were met by Arvid Loewen from Winnipeg, who had come out to greet us. Arvid has also been challenging the elements as a biker and will be competing in RAAM (Race Across America) this summer, cycling across USA in 12 days. Arvid has become a good friend to me and we like to encourage one another.
‘West, go west young man’, along the famous historical Post Road for 6 miles. By this time Arvid had left us and both crew vehicles had taken off. We were facing the second half and the wind was still icy, the road was gravel and I was fighting blisters.
Edna (my wife) called me, and I told her I was in pain. She had no sympathy, “Bite the Bullet, I have fought pain for the last 3 weeks – go for it.” I spent time thinking about my wife and her post-op knee complications and this weighed me down. I felt a blister on one of my heels pop. I knew I had 5 blisters by now and didn’t know what to do. Sit down on the gravel, take off socks and shoes and look at them, or take some more pain killers and carry on. My brother Bill and sister-in-law Grace had arrived, Grace is a nurse, so she took a look at the foot and patched it as good as she could.
A local farmer had recognized me and came to greet me and watched the surgery on the feet. He told me he lived right there and I was welcome to come over and use one of their beds.
Another person stopped Dr Piplani and asked him where Greg Penner lived. Paul told him that he came from Phoenix so did not know where Mr Penner lived.
We got a call from Walter; he was 20 kilometers from the finish and going strong. We were still battling the Post Road gravel.
We turned north into the wind along the Halbstadt road. This road ran past my sweetheart’s home farm when I dated her. Some warm feelings went through me at these thoughts. A few kilometers north we came past the site where the famous Halbstadt store and Credit Union had been situated. After a few more kilometers we turned west once more onto Hwy 421, pavement and going towards Sommerfeld and Neubergthal.
Another low point when my phone rang and my brother Bill told me he was set up, ready to start frying fish. He was suggesting that we abandon the run, get driven close to Altona and just finish the race. I knew there had been measurement errors, and Paul, Walter and Dale had a 5 kilometer credit. I had already used mine up back when I had the muscle cramps.
I proposed to Paul and Dale that we move in closer and run in. Paul objected vehemently, “They can eat, I flew here to run, I have suffered this far and I will finish the 101 kilometers.” We did however, leapfrog far enough so that Dale and Paul would do 101 kilometers and I would have a deficit of 4 kilometers.
As we headed north once more, with Altona in sight we picked up the pace. I had a sudden adrenalin push which took away all my blister pain. “The horse was smelling the barn”. This was truly exciting and we experienced a huge high. The rewarding and mixed emotions after 18 hours of struggling cold, wind, muscle pain and blisters is beyond description.
What a feeling to see the end, when one has endured to the bitter end.
Walter had come in after15:01 hours. He really had a tiger in his tank all the way.
Paul came in at 18:15:01 and he ran on crude oil – he had been staggering and weaving near Neu Bergthal due to nutrition deficiency and fighting sleep.
Dale was running on empty. He had run right out of energy. He came in at 18:15:02.
I was running on flat tires. I had blisters. I came in at 18:15:02.

Run 101 was a tough run. My blistered feet and the cold wind had been my biggest challenges, even though blisters had been worse in other races.
I struggled as much as ever mentally, tempted to give up several times. At one point along 421 I was thinking of lying down in the middle of the highway and cry, waiting for someone to come pick me up. But my wife told me that when children pout and cry, we close the door on them and leave them for awhile. That was exactly what I was afraid of.
At the finish we were rewarded by a smiling mother. We were rewarded by being met by 40 family members and friends. We were happy for chairs to sit down. What a joy to be surrounded by loving people. What a feeling, hard to describe. I knew here was a family that was supportive.
My brother Bill together with his wife Grace had prepared a tasty fish fry for the whole gang. What a celebration. We had set up a flag display together with a 4 ft x 8 ft painting red rose for mom. Run 101 mugs and t-shirts were presented. Photos were taken with the runners and mom. My mother was so honored by each runner that came to greet her.
Dr. Piplani said, “This run had much more significance than running kilometers, it was about honoring a person that has reached this venerable age with dignity. It was about mother and all that she had done for her big family. It was about her example of peace, contentment, love and care. She has lived to be 101 due to her hard work and her strong faith in her Lord. There are few people and families like this in the world.”
Dr. Paul Piplani’s name for her is the ‘Queenie’.

Albert

OTTAWA MARATHON - PRESS ON TO THE GOAL

2007-06-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

OTTAWA MARATHON

27.05.07

PART TWO

IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE

Not just to run a marathon

Not just to run for a medal

Not just to run…but to run with a different motivation…a different purpose

“Running” beyond the finish

Running as an avenue to reach out to people

Using the gifts you have, the talents and the abilities to serve Jesus Christ. In all things, acknowledge and honour Jesus.

Runners are often alone and feel alone. How to relate to other runners? As a Christian we also want to use this aspect to reach out to other runners, to help others and to relate to those who do not know Jesus as their personal Saviour.

I have been asked by other runners, “Albert, how do you use running to serve Jesus, to glorify Him?” My primary purpose is to reach out to people and raise money for charity.

Here are some ‘stories’ about the Ottawa Marathon weekend.

Edna had taken mw to the Winnipeg airport quite early on Friday, since she was scheduled to work just when my flight was leaving. So, I spend a few hours in the Winnipeg airport. I had time for some pre-race anxieties to set in – flights, ride to the hotel, how I would feel during the run…

During the flight I was quiet (unusual for me), but as we came closer to Toronto I started talking to the lady sitting beside me. I mentioned to her that I was headed to Ottawa for the marathon. Three guys next to us overheard this, and at the Toronto terminal they came and introduced themselves, they were also heading for the Ottawa marathon. My whole attitude changed and I looked forward to the race. Just that brief connection had done wonders.

Upon arrival in Ottawa I needed a ride to my hotel. The Airporter bus driver offered me a ride for $14.00. I thought the price was high, and asked him some more questions. He told me the return trip was $24.00. So I said, okay, take me to the Econo Lodge Hotel on Rideau Street. During the 20 minute drive he played beautiful classical music, always turning down the volume at intersections. He was a good driver and we chatted quite a bit during the drive. I told him he was a good driver. He said, “Many people say that.” I thanked him for his services and gave him a Bible along with the payment for the trip. I told him that I love the Lord Jesus, and he told me he would read the Bible. He was from Colombia. What a joy to meet new people.

It was quite late by the time I got to the hotel, and I needed to get some food. I inquired at the desk and they recommended the Swarma restaurant across the street. The menu did not offer the Mennonite sausage or borscht; rather it was a Lebanese restaurant offering pita, kebabs, Greek salad with sheep cheese and olives. It was great food. There were also a variety of people in this restaurant – Lebanese, Africans, white, black some with turbans, some with kerchiefs…I enjoyed getting to know the young people in the restaurant.

Eventually I got back to the hotel and to my room…OH NO!...this was a smokers room and it stank! I told myself I could handle this and turned on the air conditioner fan. I grew up with second hand smoke, my dad was a chain smoker all his life, so this was nothing new to me. I had just been away from it for 37 years.

Just before I race I usually spend quite some time in prayer, asking God to help me physically and spiritually. To allow me to do my best and to use me to His honour and glory. I sensed His presence for my spirit became more peaceful, relaxed and more confident. I usually try to memorize scripture for my long races, and also I pray for many of my friends during the running.

I had trained and so now all I had to do was run the race and enjoy it.

In the last 5 km I was smiling at the people along the route, and I notice that when you smile at them, they smile back. It sends a message and it is contagious.

I got to watch Catherine Ndereba run the Nordian 10 km race. Some of our AIA staff personally know her. She spoke at one of the pre-race events on Friday, but I as not able to be there. I had been in touch with our AIA staff in Ottawa and they organized a greeting to her with a gift. Ryan was able to meet her personally at the place where she spoke and hand over a card and gift from AIA.

Ray Zahab lives only 10 minutes from Ottawa. He had been in touch with me after he crossed the African desert. He ran 4000 miles from Senegal to the Red Sea across the Sahara Desert in 111 days together with 2 other extreme ultra-marathoners. He was also speaking at one of the pre-race events, but then flew to Saskatoon that same day to speak at a pre-race event there. So I was not able to meet with him as we had hoped to do. However, he and I do want to meet and get to know each other better.

Coming back to Winnipeg after the marathon I hung that huge medal around my neck. This was a conversation piece, beginning right at the security people in the airport. When the security personnel was about to frisk me, I warned him that I had just completed a marathon and had not had an opportunity to shower. This opened up a conversation and we both laughed.

“Did you win in the Olympics?’

“How long is a marathon?”

Sitting in the plane, there was a man next to me who needed to share his life story. My medal opened the conversation and he told me he was normally shy and did not talk to people he did not know, but this medal intrigued him.

The conversation went on from there and he shared his life story – a broken relationship, pain and sin and failure.

He was hurting badly and was about ready to cry. I listened. He told me he was 39 years old and needed to clean up his life and start over. He said he now knew why he sat with me. How could I help? I suggested some things to him, gave him my email address and promised to pray for him. I directed him to Jesus, the only one that can help him to ‘start over’.

How can we, as runners, help? The same way as anyone else, to love people, to listen to people, to point them to Jesus, to pray for those that do not know Him, to be there for them, to run the spiritual race, to endure and bring honour and glory to Jesus in all that we do.

Be yourself – in Jesus, and He will allow you to shine and sow the seeds of hope and salvation. It is not in vain. The Lord will bring about the results when the race is over. My TIME at the race was much greater than the clock time of 4.22.25.Take some time for other people, listen to the, Be genuine and care.

Albert No.3105

THE MANITOBA MARATHON, Paul & Albert

2007-06-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

World record marathoner Dr. Paul Piplani of Phoenix was in
Steinbach last week staying with ultra marathoner Albert Martens

by Carillon News Sports Writer
Terry Frey

Perhaps the most noteworthy achievement of all at this year's Manitoba Marathon, an achievement that went unnoticed by most was that by 60-year-old Dr. Paul Piplani of Phoenix, Arizona.

Piplani is an acquaintance (by reputation and email) of Steinbach ultra marathoner Albert Martens. Piplani spent a couple of days in Steinbach last week, hosted by Martens, as he prepared to run in the Manitoba Marathon for the fourth time. Sunday's Manitoba Marathon was his 801st he has completed.

Running 800 marathons around the world is quite something in itself, but what makes is so astounding is that he ran his 800th marathon on Saturday in Duluth, one day before the Manitoba Marathon. Oh, one more thing, he ran marathons 798 and 799 last weekend on the west coast. That's right, he ran four marathons in one week.

It's not that Piplani, a part-time university professor, has been running marathons all his life, thus accounting for the 800 marathons. The native of India, who first moved to Phoenix in 1996, only ran his first marathon in 1993, and has averaged 60 or so marathons a year since that time.

He ran his first back-to-back weekend marathons in 1996, as he did this last weekend, and now makes it part of his running agenda. The most number of marathons he has run in a year is 103 in 2004, which is also when he ran his 500th marathon. His personal best time is 3 hours, 22 minutes in 2000.

In an interview in Steinbach last week, prior to driving to Duluth in a rented car, he said "my short term goal is to run #1000 in 2010." He hopes that will be the famed Pikes Peak Marathon, dubbed America's Ultimate Challenge, which was also his first marathon in 1993.

Although Sunday's marathon was only the 38th for Albert Martens, the two are in many ways kindred spirits. Both have run two of the most difficult races known to man, Badwater in California's Death Valley and the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert. Piplani has also run the The Great Wall of China among many other unique events.

Along the way, Piplani has run marathons in all 50 U.S. states and all Canadian provinces and territories. Not to be outdone, he has also run ultra marathons in 45 U.S. states. He has also crossed the globe running marathons in 25 countries and every continent.

As if his accomplishments aren't enough, his outgoing and engaging personality makes him quite a character. In describing his love for running, "after I first got the bug, I just keep on doing the same thing, one foot after another."

Dr. Paul Piplani says he "runs with a purpose." He is a Christian and lives his life in the manner in which M.K. Gandhi once said," Be the change agent which you wish to see in others and live daily to make the world less difficult for others."

The 2007 Father's Day Manitoba Marathon

2007-06-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

The Manitoba Marathon, Winnipeg, June 17, 2007

The Finish was more than welcome, on this Father’s Day in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The start was cool at 7.00 am and then I went at what I thought to be my Ottawa Marathon pace, however at the half way mark of 21 kilometers on Portage Avenue, I soon realized that something was not going as well as in Ottawa 3 weeks ago, where I had a 4.22 chip time. At mile 19.5, Dale W caught up with me and greeted me and I told him that I was having problems, namely pain and heavy legs. I had another 11 kilometers left. I got a bit dizzy, so at that point, I figured there is no point in pushing it to a point of injury. I felt my body well, and I knew from experience what to do. I slowed down a bit, and realized that there was little “gas in the tank”. I then resolved just to finish it and still smile somewhat. I did finish in 4.42, and soon I realized that others had also had problems, so then I knew it must be the humidity in the air, even though the temperatures were not very high.

It was a highlight to be able to host Paul Piplani, from Phoenix, who ran his 801^st marathon. You heard right. He ran the Grandmas in Duluth on Saturday, the day before the Manitoba Marathon. He is a great guy running and teaching chemistry in Phoenix, Arizona.

Of course the big reason to get up early, I mean early at 4.00 a.m. was that Edna and I had to be at the 6.30 a.m. start of my 4 Grandchildren. Cameron and Timothy ran the Super Run ( 2.5 miles) and Kenley and Theresa were signed up for the Mini Mites, ages 2 and 4. Kenley got overwhelmed at the loud noise at the start and forgot to run, but rather cried in fear. Theresa just stood there at the start. Edna, said she was afraid of a DNS (did not start). However Judy came to help and they did start and they managed to NOT have a DNF (did not finish).

Patrick did a great job of running two stages of the Relay Race and he caught up to me at about km 16.

What a wonderful Father’s Day, packed with excitement and wonderful people and lots of exercise that created sore muscles.

Ottawa Marathon

2007-06-08T14:11:00.000-07:00

OTTAWA MARATHON REPORT

MY 37th MARATHON

PRE-RACE ANXIETIES:

I had been to Ottawa before and had run a good section of the marathon route when I was there in 2005. However, I was still a bit anxious the night before the marathon, which is probably the case for most runners. I had booked a hotel room on Rideau St. quite a ways from the start of the marathon. The day before the race I checked with the Quality Hotel, whether I could drop off my bag at their hotel, which was close to the finish point of the race, so that I could just walk over there after the finish and catch the Airporter bus to the airport from there. They were very helpful, and so at 5:00 on Sunday morning I had my muffin and some coffee and made my way to the Quality Hotel to drop off my bag. I had checked to make sure the Power bars and Gels were in my pocket, made sure I had the race plan, the computer chip and the race bib attached to the appropriate places.

I arrived at the start with 40 minutes to spare. I did some stretching and concentrated on the long run ahead. The gun went off at exactly 7; 00 a.m. – (the gun start and my chip time were 3 minutes apart.).

There was a field of 3600 full marathon runners – each one had trained to run the distance.

THE ROUTE: started north along Elgin St. and we saw the War Monument, then turned left and ran as proud Canadians as we passed the Canada Parliament buildings, the tower and the Terry Fox monument. The Supreme Court building was next along the route. WOW! What a start to the race.

Soon we were heading north across the Ottawa River, into Hull, Quebec. Here we zigzagged back and forth, mainly north and east along gently rolling streets. The French Canadian spectators of Gattineau were friendly, funny and encouraging as they cheered for us. Some wore huge, colourful hats or clown suits. They were happier than we were. I did not see any runners dressed in funny clothes or juggling as they ran.

It was quite a cool morning, and having dressed in shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt, I needed to push it to stay warm – or to get warm.

There were serious runners. 113 runners came in with times of under 3 hours.

After about 8.5 kilometres. We headed back into Ontario across the high Alexandria Bridge. At km 9 we turned left onto Sussex Street, passing our Prime Minister’s residence. A few more kilometres and I noticed a runner veer off to the front yard of a house to shake the hand of the man standing there – it was none other than our former Prime Minister Chretian.

The race continue along Princess, Mariposa, Beechwood and MacKay streets which was a beautiful residential area. Soon we were back into the city center and at the half point of the run. Ottawa is a beautiful city.

Now we headed south and along the east side of the Rideau Canal.

I had been pushing myself and took note that I was keeping a pace of 10 km per hour, stopping only for water at the aid stations.

I was feeling good; my stomach was in good shape so I kept the pace. Between km 30 – 40 I was forced to slow down some when pain developed on my right side. I slowed and did some deep breathing and eventually the pain disappeared.

The number bibs assigned to us had our name printed on it as well as our number. At first I was surprised when spectators would call out my name to cheer me on…until I realized the name was right on my chest. But there was a psychological boost when you were cheered on by name. I had never experienced this in other marathons. It was really a neat thing.

Somewhere around km 23 the half-marathoners joined the full marathoners. This created a bit of congestion, and I heard one half-marathoner complain to a full-marathoner that we should not block the road for them!!! The full-marathoner was quite upset at this comment. That was not a nice thing to say.

I guess conditions are never perfect. The half marathon runners had started 1 ½ hours after the full marathon runners, so when we joined, they were still fresh and going a faster pace since they were also only covering half the distance. After about 5 kilometres, the two categories separated again with the half-marathon runners veering off to the left and the full-marathoners to the right.

The route itself was great, comprised of country, city and town atmosphere. The aid stations offered water and Gatorade. In all my Canadian marathon experiences I note that any Power bars or Gels you need along the way, you need to bring with you. I compare this to the European marathons I have done where the aid stations usually have the dextrose, orange slices, banana slices, tea, and sometimes even beer. A ‘full-course meal” compared to just water and Gatorade offered here.

At about Km 35 a little 4 year old boy jumped up beside me and yelled “Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go!” His mother looked a bit chagrined and told me he was a Senators fan! How did I guess? I interpreted that to mean “Run Albert Run!” Really, his Ottawa Sens spirit encouraged me. I pretty much became an Ottawa fan as well, when I watched the YOU TUBE video clip of Elgin Fraser. Check it out

at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z25OVDG_E9g&mode=related&search=

(Copy and paste the link to your browser.)

We were now heading back north along the Rideau Canal, on the home stretch. Almost there! “Only 2 kilometres” “You can do it”, “You look good” were the cheers from our spectators.

Last year 14 elite runners got lost and were disqualified. (Apparently a motorist moved a barricade). This year the route had been changed a bit and was well marked. There were km signs uniformly placed, at the same level, same color so were easy to locate.

Towards the end, with 3 – 4 km to go it began to rain, which was not a problem at this point.

THE FINISH: I was thinking about the finish and expecting it would be a bit of an anti-climax since I knew nobody there. What a pleasant surprise when Terry S showed up with 750 meters to go. Terry had connected with me via the Internet, but we had never met. He showed up to encourage me, and cheered me on. He ran alongside right to the finish. WOW! That was great. I chatted with him for about 10 minutes in the rain after I finished.

The organization was running out of the alu-blankets since people needed them in the rain. So I tried to get out of the recovery area as quickly as possible to keep warm.

The Ottawa Marathon was a great marathon, a truly wonderful experience, measuring up to many of the larger marathons I’ve done in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The medal we received was beautiful and HEAVY. The t-shirt is a good quality running shirt. The fans and spectators in Ottawa were great. Thank you Ottawa marathon board, organization, volunteers, and police for a great event.

The winner of the men’s marathon was David Cheruiyot from Kenya with a time of 2.10.35. (I got too much lead in my pants for that speed).

I was also privileged to see Catherine Ndereba from Kenya run the Nordian 10 km race on Saturday. She is the fastest woman in the world and holds the Women’s marathon record at 2.18.47.

PS Just for the record, a full official marathon distance is 42.195 kilometres, it is not 42.2 km. In miles it is 26.21875 miles, not 26.2. (it is 26 miles and 385 yards).

When ‘gun time’ and chip time’ become so crucial and timing is down to 100th of a second, it is important that the distances are also given correctly.

Albert

No. 3105

2006-05-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

IMAGINE WILDERNESS

IMAGES OF OUR ALBERT AND MATT'S SAHARA WANDERINGS
INGRAINED BY THE SAHARA WINDS

The most beautiful, and huge soft beige sand dunes of Mouragoza, Sahara Desert

Sand storms for three days, the most brutal Marathon des Sables. Visiblity with sand goggles-40-50 meters.

Albert and Matt-no shaves for 10 days in the Wilderness. Still friends after the finish.

Matt is his element-feeling good in the Sahara- "King of the Castle, I mean Rock."

Coming up another Sahara Desert Mountain Pass. You want to make sure you are on the right course, when these guys follow you. I took of Moses at this time. Soft sand, much of it and the temperatures hovering at 43 degrees cel. This was Wilderness Pure.

The Moroccan Military trucks providing the green laser beam for the orientation and direction of runners . This beam extended miles over the heads of the runners, so they could find their way throught the desert storms.

More lovely children of Southern Morocco. They also become your friends quickly when food is handed out.

The music of drums at the finish line at Mouragoza, Morocco

My friend Mohammed Ahansal, third place finisher of 2006 Marathon des Sables

I stopped at this place where poor people live. I could not believe what my eyes saw.

The wind is picking up again-After some time, this is nerve wracking, a mental battle.

Bruno's blistered heel, Everybody suffered with some blisters, some more than others

All the runner's have the privilege of riding the Morocco Military truck,
in the back of course, we thought of the sheep, and the cows

Enroute to our unknown destination. Buses stop for a lunch break
I mean the runner's lunch break.

The wind is picking up again creating a sand storm

2006-05-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

“Jeder Mensch braucht ab und zu mal ein wenig Wüste”.

(Every person needs a little bit of desert from time to time.)

“Desert” is shortened from the word “deserted” – which aptly describes the Sahara Desert. ‘Desert’ and ‘dry’ experiences in life often help us to acknowledge how special our soft beds and good food really are.

The Pre-Race Activities of the Marathon des Sables

Matt Dehaene and I registered for the 2006 Marathon des Sables at the end of October, 2005. The decision to take on this Ultramarathon, the registration for it and finally the actual training is a huge project in itself. I began to wonder which part was more difficult, getting to the desert or the actual race itself. It has many more aspects to it than a normal marathon.

April 4^th Matt and I left from the Winnipeg airport, flying to Frankfurt, Germany via Toronto. We planned to spend one day & one night in Frankfurt to help us adjust to the 7 hour time change. We arrived in Frankfurt at 7:00 a.m. and made our way to the hotel where we had reserved a room. Although we arrived there early in the morning, the manager allowed us to go straight to our room. This was now a rest day. I lay down on my bed and fell asleep almost immediately. Matt buried his mind in the DiVinci Code. (I think this was his way of blocking out what lay in store for us.) I knew I needed the sleep, since I had been to this particular race twice before. I also knew we would be facing heat and possibly winds, meaning we would literally be sand-blasted.

Back at the Frankfurt airport the next day, we met up with other German runners. I recognized some of them, but others were new to the race and nervous. Matt and I introduced ourselves to the runners, we were about to embark on an adventure together.

The AIR MAROC Boeing jet was filled with slim and physically fit runners on this 3 ½ hour flight to Casablanca. At the Casablanca airport we had a 7 hour layover, waiting for our short connecting flight to Ouarzazate (pronounced vaar za zat). Leaving Casablanca at 11:00 p.m. we finally arrived at our hotel in Ouarzazate at 1:30 a.m. This was it, our last night in a soft bed. Wow, did we sleep, at least, I did.

Breakfast time at 8:00 a.m. in Ouarzazate was already warm and by 9:30 when we boarded the bus to take us into the desert it was hot. The Moroccan coffee and bread at breakfast already signaled a different culture and country. I quickly mailed a post card to Edna, borrowing money from Matt since I did not have local currency. The card arrived at our mailbox about 3 weeks later.

A long 6 – 7 hour ride in the Euroline highway busses across the Atlas Mountains was the next segment of our seemingly dangerous adventure. Roads winding up the high mountains, roads with sharp curves and no railing, crevices, ridges, edges, stones, zero vegetation. Roads ripped out by water at places. Finally we reached the summit of the mountain. As we came down the other side, the driver did not use his gears to slow the vehicle, but continually kept his foot on the brakes. The strong stench of hot brakes permeated the bus. I began to wonder what would happen when the brakes failed.

Fortunately we took a ‘potty break’ and everyone vacated the bus as quickly as possible, spreading out over the side of the mountain with its rocks and stones…also allowing the brakes to cool down. At this point we also received our brown bag lunch and had a bit of a picnic along the mountainside. The sack lunch had been provided for us, it was a big chunk of Moroccan flatbread, tin of tuna, yoghurt, apple sauce, water and an orange. This was a one-of-a-kind picnic.

Back into the bus to continue our journey. Sara, I mean the Sahara was calling us. One young woman runner got travel sickness from all the curves. I felt quite sorry for her.

Finally, we arrived…well…where did we arrive? I couldn’t tell you, and neither could anyone else. It was the end of the road, actually the end of the road had come awhile back already. Only a GPS or a local Moroccan could have told us where we were.

All the busses unloaded at this point, about 750 runners. I didn’t actually count the number of busses, but according to the number of people our convoy must have had about 15 busses.

At this point we were met by military trucks which would take us the last lap of our journey on wheels. We climbed up onto the back of the trucks and tried to make ourselves as comfortable as possible. There were not enough trucks to load all of us at one time, so every time the trucks returned empty there was a mad rush for a spot on the truck – as though there were a million dollars waiting for us down the road. The ride was rough, sand was blowing all over the place and we were bouncing against each other and against the sides of the truck box. This was not a comfortable hayride. There was only one solution and that was to see the humorous side of this, some runners beginning to ‘moo’ and ‘baa’. One British runner could hardly stop laughing, barreling down the ‘no road’ to nowhere in the Sahara Desert!! Were we crazy? Matt was on the edge of the truck back, facing into the desert with hair and shirt flapping in the wind. This picture reminded me of the scene in “The Titanic” to the music of “My Heart Will Go” by Celine Dion.

Eventually also this ‘joy ride’ came to an end at the tent village. This would be home sweet home for us the next two days – in the middle of nowhere. Each tent did have a number on it, but no doorbell. Ours, which we shared with some German, Austrian and Dutch runners, was Nr. 56.

The ‘tent’ consisted of burlap pieces sewn together stretched over 2 large crisscrossed tree poles and several other smaller poles propping up each end. There was room for 8 people in each tent. This was co-ed existence.

The first night the winds picked up to a gale 5 force and the tents collapsed on top of us. Matt likes to fix things, so he attempted to get ours up and anchored. Tools? Stones, what else was at hand? All went well until his little finger got in between the stone he was using as a hammer and the stone he was hammering. Ouch! A black nail with all the pain that goes with it. What a start to the race.

The runners became quieter and quieter as the evening wore into night. Each one was attempting to create a ‘comfi’ nest (like animals), removing bigger rocks, straightening out the sand, then pulling the buff up to our eyes and donning goggles. This in an attempt to keep the sand out of our ears, noses and eyes. There was sand everywhere. You could not escape it. Sand ruled, and “SAND” was the victor. Comfort was no longer to be found. We had left that behind in the hotel room. About 10:00 one runner had had enough of the snoring of two other runners. Matt happened to be lying between the disturbed and the disturbing. When the disturbed runner began using vile language Matt suddenly gave some advice, “Think about flowers!” I pretended I was dead to the world. When Matt continued giving suggestions, “Think about classical music”, I almost burst out laughing. Matt is a born peacemaker and was attempting to settle the issues.

The next night the ‘Harley Davidson snorers’ slept outside the tent – a short distance away from the runner that had gotten so upset with them.

In these rough conditions we all needed to get along together, there was no room for fights. We were representatives of the United Nations – we came from 32 different countries.

Meanwhile we kept getting sand-blasted as Mother Nature lost all her soft motherly instincts. (Why is Nature referred to as ‘Mother’ when the nature elements can get so harsh and rough?) The first 3 days of our stay in the desert were in a brutal sand-storm. This was not anyone’s idea of ‘fun’. I had experienced the blowing sand and the wind during my 2 previous experiences with the Marathon des Sables, but it had not been as bad as this. Right now there was also an undertone of fear brewing silently in each runner’s head. No one talked about it or about being uncomfortable, after all we had all paid to come here. ‘Misery loves company’ was an apt term here. Each and every one of us experienced the same climate, 43˚ C during the day, with winds and blowing sand. For those of us who were familiar with snow and sleet, the sound of the sand against the tent all night resembled that of sleet. To keep our tent from taking off, we collected many stones and tried to weight down the sides.

Conditions were the same for each runner as I stated, and so the stage was set to connect and relate to one another. We did ‘bond’ in the blasting sand.

The Sports Illustrated magazine will not consider the Marathon des Sables as a sport, but rather a torture event. In my opinion this is more than a sport, it involves many other aspects that play a role in it: the weather, the adventure, personal fitness, mental strength, physical conditions (blisters or stomach problems can take you out), the harsh environment of sand, heat and wind.

Purpose

I get asked from time to time, “Albert, why do you do this, to expend all this energy, hurt yourself and you even pay to do this?” These ultra runs usually have a three-fold purpose for me: 1) the challenge of finishing the race, the adventure and lessons learned during the race; 2) for a good cause of helping people less fortunate, in my case the people of the Nigerian Mambilla Plateau; 3) to touch other runners with the love of Jesus.

This is very hard to explain to a non-runner. It is not meant to be an easy walk in the park. The races I join are planned to be hard, hot and difficult. That is part of the intrigue and challenge in participation of the race.

Is it worth it? Do you have to run in order to receive donations? The answer is simply, “Yes”. No one tells me to run it, so I decide to do it for the reasons just stated. It is deeply rewarding, not only for me but for others, when I step out in faith, knowing the Lord God is in it and is helping me. When donations come in from people that I do not hand-pick, but people who have decided to join up by giving to cover my costs and then to give generously to the project, it is deeply rewarding. My running makes people aware of a need, and they respond. Only the Lord knows all the accounting of this.

In my case the Marathon des Sables 2006 the race was still a big success, even though I did not complete it. I was defeated either by the Sahara storm or by the additive in the food I consumed.

Is this your last Ultramarathon? I don’t know. If the Lord puts it on my heart that I can help someone by doing another ultra, and a sponsor comes along, then I am ready to do it again. If I can point someone to the Kingdom of God and help some under privileged people, then I am ready.

Toughest Race Ever

In the first 3 days of the race 210 runners of the 750 that started were done, out of the race. It was the toughest race ever. The 38 doctors on staff were totally overloaded. They told Patrick Bauer he needed to do something about the upcoming long segment of the race. Runners had come here to run, not to die. So the 72 km stretch was shortened to 55 km, the first time this had ever happened in the 21 year history of the race.

I began to hear the stories of other runners that had handed in their numbers.

One 26 year old Finnish lady went 1 whole hour without drinking, and lapsed into a coma. The doctors worked on her for 7 hours before she woke up – and of the three languages she spoke, her mother tongue was gone, she remembered only Swedish and English. She had had a stroke. An Irish runner was airlifted to Bordeaux, France. Breathing difficulties, vomiting, blisters were all in the order of the day. It was a mess and quite depressing.

At that point I thought of leaving the ultra marathons to other people, go home, eat and take up Suma wrestling, or darts. (Now that I am home and have recovered, I decided running is probably a better choice over wrestling or darts.)

When I was out of the race, I decided that my role now was to encourage Matt as well as other runners. I now ate with the organization, since they had removed all my food from me. However, I still slept in the same tent with Matt and the other people. One morning I shared scripture with my tent mates before they left. I was also able to share my faith with another runner.

I also appreciated Matt’s attitude – smiling and cheerful despite any pain and fatigue. Runners made note of his enthusiasm and positive attitude. In fact, they noted that we were Christians and some called us the “priests”.

THe Beauty of the Sahara

When the wind is quiet

When the sun sets,

All sand has laid down to rest,

The dunes cast shadows and begin to

Glow with a reddish gold hue,

Creating a calm and beauty

Which can only be enjoyed

By camels and others who wander in.

Peace, coolness, darkness comes quickly.

By midnight the stars direct you to the heavens.

Camelherders wake early to look at the heavens

In order to tell the directions they must go.

The sun rises quickly

The shadows appear again

From the opposite direction

Dunes so fine – rippled, patterned waves

Never ending.

You study the ridges,

Feel the ‘curry-like’ sand, soft and fine.

At 9:00 the sun warms brightly

At 10:00 it is hot

At 12:00 it is hot air like a furnace at 45˚

The blue forever sky is a beauty of its own.

A nice day it has been until the thermic winds pick up

To seemingly destroy any sand banks.

And ripples are blown into a moving sheet of fine sand.

As the earth is now moving fast

Creating a harsh environment

Winds pick up to gale 5 – too much for humans.

The sand blasts away at everything in its path

Berbers, camels, any living things seeks protection

As if this is a normal procedure.

The ‘blizzard’ is a hot, blasting sand storm

Where can I go for protection?

Nowhere, fight, continue to fight the elements

The desert ground is the only bed

One bonds with the sand

As if it is your restless friend

Accept it, live through it

It is the Sahara Desert

As deserted as it may seem

This is where people live.

EMOTIONS

The Sahara Desert storms can really play havoc with all the runners. The conditions are tough enough, carrying an 8 – 12 kilo backpack on your back, trying to run on sand. Sand dunes that are 100 feet high which we need to get across, not one dune but many of them. Climbing up and sliding backward, finally making it to the top, to work our way down the other side, just to catch the next one… This went on for 30 – 80 kilometers. The storms that that whipped the sand kernels against our bodies and into our faces were brutal. One does not want to be beaten by these conditions. However, the sandstorm is unforgiving.

I had received 2 liters saline solution intravenously, and as a reminder I received a bandage on my arm. I carried on another 8 km and at the next checkpoint I was pulled over to go and get checked by the doctor before I was allowed to carry on. I entered the medical tent, and the sight in there was enough to make you sit down. One runner lying on the ground had bloody, blistered feet. The next person has a IV tube – saline going into his arm. The next person was heaving into a garbage bag.

I decided to leave the tent while I still could. I did not think I would feel better if I stayed in the tent.

Matt had also entered a medical tent at one check point, but when he took note of two runners who were struggling for breath, he also decided it was healthier to stay out. He noted that a helicopter came shortly afterward and picked up both of these runners. Jeeps and camels could not reach this check point.

Many runners avoided the medical tents as much as possible. They were afraid of being taken out of the race by the doctors. A lot of runners took care of their own blistered feet. Some runners injected disinfectant into the blisters – they had brought the equipment with them. One runner injected super glue into a blister!

When I was approaching Check Point 2 on Day 2, I was wondering whether I would have to terminate. I was struggling with mixed emotions as I passed some children in the sand dunes-thinking I could give some of my food to them already. The organization asked me later, when I actually had terminated, whether I wanted my food back later, or whether I would want to give it to the poor people That was a little satisfaction, realizing that there was some good in my quitting the race. The poverty of children simply brought out an emotion and feeling, wanting to help them.

The emotions go deep… and high. Extreme determination is evident, some are in tears, some need counseling. Men break down and weep. Crossing the finish line also brings out the deepest feelings – crying, laughing, kissing the ground, hugging everyone in sight…

Lessons learned

Don’t eat ‘Oxygen Absorber”
Become more thankful for what you have
Take a step of faith – follow your heart and soul and pray about it.
Trust more
Be thankful for health which is a gift from God
Be focused on a goal and cause, don’t get side-tracked by little things
Be thankful for all the donations towards a good cause

I was not able to complete the marathon this time because of serious dehydration. It may have been caused by something I ate after the first day of running. I had mixed the oxygen absorbent in the food pouch into the food, assuming it was spice. Day 2 I was getting weaker and weaker until I knew I needed help. When I eventually met up with a doctor I expressed my concern and he checked my blood pressure. It was not good. Right there, I had to lie down in the sand and he started an IV – sand blowing all around us in 43˚ C heat. I received 2 liters of saline solution in the next hour. Matt was the IV pole – holding the bag as the saline solution drained into my arm. As I lay there on the sand I was battling tears, but they never went anywhere, stopped by sand and wind. I was sure the race was over for me. I hit my low point. When the IV was done, the doctor told me to try getting up and to carry on.

I walked another 8 kilometers with the doctor accompanying me in his jeep. I realized that my stomach had now shut down. I talked to the doctor, but he encouraged me to try it.

Matt also wanted me to continue. Ahead of us lay 11 kilometers, of which 5 were dunes. The only rescue vehicle in this next stretch was a quad. Matt and I went about 1 km and at that point fear took over. I asked Matt what he would do if I went down. I decided that I needed to go back the 1 km to the last checkpoint. There I handed over my number and I was done. Wisdom and common sense ruled, and the influence of my Mother again played a role. Her last words to me before I left were, “Come back soon.”

Matt continued on, and he later told me that he had also battled fear, now entering the race alone. We had been planning to do this race together all the way.

The next 8 days I was battling diarrhea – no fun at any time, but even less fun in the desert where there are no bathrooms.

SPIRITUAL

The bigger picture of the MdS for me was to raise money for the clinic in Nigeria, operated by our friends Dr Wim and Marleen Munting. It was also important that I share my faith with fellow runners. One morning I asked if I could share scripture with some runners, and they received this very well. I was happy to connect with an Austrian runner and share my faith with him. Matt also was a great example as a Christian. This was very special to me.

THE POOR IN MOROCCO

Matt and I came across a fairly high and very stony mountain pass. No vegetation, hot, rocks, stones, no path – we came past a bundle of cloth or rags- it looked like a hump of straw or a bale in the distance. I noticed a TV cameraman and as we got closer, and passed this place, we realized it was the home of a very poor family. It was a burlap tent held up by poles, and weighted down with rocks and sand. There were children, My heart broke when I saw this, it was hard to believe this existed, That night I could not sleep and kept seeing this hovel. Why are people relegated to this existence?

Why are they not helped? I know I would not survive if I was put out there. They don’t know of any other existence. Do they not want to change? Can they change?

We have so much, they have so little.

Albert getting his 2 L of IV on day two of MdS 2006

2006-05-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Muntings Evening in Hauingen

2006-04-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

27.04.06
Hi friends,
Just a brief report on last nights program in Hauingen. Dr. Friedrich and Barbara Hauss had arranged for an evening for people to come and see the video of the MARATHON DES SABLES and hear the reports of the missionary work of Wim and Marleen Munting in Nigeria. Not as many people came as expected, however we enjoyed the evening very much. Several other runners came to hear about the Marathon des Sables. One German runner will register for the 2007 Marathon des Sables. I was very open and honest about the information about the MdS and about my experiences. The work of the Muntings was presented very thoroughly and nicely by Friedrich Hauss. It looks like my marathon running may lead to some more wonderful and meaningful ministries.
We have been privileged to see many of our European friends. In a few days we will depart for Koblenz, to see our friends there and then fly back to Winnipeg via Toronto on May 2.

IN GERMAN ORDER

2006-04-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Edna and I are back into the German way of life-Kuchen, Kaffee, Autobahn, etc. We have started our missions trip with visiting our lovely German and Swiss friends. My stomach is seemingly well again. Today I had a bit of a tough and emotional day, because of not having finished the Marathon des Sables.
On the bigger purpose of the Marathon des Sables is the fund-raising evening planned for the 26th of April in Hauingen. Pray that it will go well. We are enjoying the lovely people here and we are so happy to be able to share the joy of our Lord Jesus with other people.
More to come
Albert

2006-04-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Albert Martens, just returned to Germany from the Sahara Desert. I met my wife Edna yesterday at the Frankfurt airport. I am doing reasonably well, quite dissapointed that I could not finish the Marathon des Sables. I now have to accept it and concentrate on the bigger purpose of the race for me which is to raise money for the poor and sick in Nigeria.
I was badly beaten by the Sahara strong, hot winds on day 2. My stomach shut down and I was getting weaker by the minute. The stomach refused all food and water. After Check Point 2 on day two, I had already received 2 liters of IV laying on the desert ground in the sand storm, I tried to continue. Tears in my eyes were absorbed by the strong winds and sand in my eyes as I lay on the ground for one hour. I continued slowly for another 7 km arriving at CP 2. A jeep with a doctor followed me to CP 2 . The reason for my stomach shut down is not clear yet. It will be followed up with some research.
From CP 2 I had 11 km to go for the day, with 5 km of this being sand dunes and with very little rescue measures, only one Quad. THE HOT 43 degree WINDS WERE BREWING A SAND STORM AGAIN. I went for it, but after about 1 km, a terrible FEAR attacked me and because I could not drink, I deciced to return to CP 2 to terminate. I had been seriously dehydrated, and then the battle of the stomach began. I got diarhea so badly, even up to this day, I had to see the doctors several times. My role and challenge was now changed to support Matt and the other runners.
The first three days of this year's race were the hardest ever due to the mountain terrain and the very hot and windy weather. Many other elite runners had to quit. One Finnish 26 yr. old girl continued on day 3 for one hour without water and she fell into a coma. She had a stroke, and after 7 hours of working on her, with 7 liters of IV, she came back, not remembering her Finnish language, however remembering her second languages of Swedish and English.
I did what I could. I was physically and mentally done. I decided to quit before I would be hurt permanantly. I thought of my Mom who told me she wished I would be back soon. I recalled that statement when I decided to terminate. Apparently it takes more wisedom to decide to quit than it does to pig-headedly continue. I did enjoy the race and was privileged to help and support other runners. I met so many lovely runners from over 30 countries. Matt and I were a very positive testimony to many others around us. My wish and desire is that as I have suffered with some pain and agony, that others will be reminded of the sick and poor in Nigeria and other areas of this world, that they would consider a way of helping as well, be it a donation or whatever other way. I have again seen the poverty of the Sahara Berber people, who live in the sand, in the holes of the ground, in the heat, with only burlap rags supported by sticks as their shelter and home. And it is not fair that we have so much and they so little. It broke my heart several times as I lay in the tent. I slept on the stones on the Sahara Desert with no comforts, no toilets, in the wind and sand for 10 days knowing that I could come back to comfortable beds and realizing that those Berber Children will not have much of a chance in their life. Jesus knows all this and loves all of us.
I can not post any pictures now, maybe later. Thankyou so much for praying for me. I so glad that I am safe and back in Germany for another two weeks together with Edna. I am writing this from Dr. Finkernagels in Bad Berleburg, where we are recuperating.

PS One Irish runner was in a very serious condition as well on day 3, and he was air-lifted out to Bordeaux France. He was critically near his death. He has also recovered. Praises for that.

2006-03-31T09:51:00.000-08:00

Lovely children invited me into their parent's
Sahara Desert home for tea and some bread.

MARATHON MISSION 2006

2006-03-27T08:28:00.000-08:00

"cool" SANDS OF THE NORTH-WINTER DESERT

OUR FEET DEFENCE AGAINST THE SANDS

A RUN FOR MOM-SHE IS 99

Edna & Albert Martens

Edna: Health Information Services
Albert: Athletes in Action

running the
SAHARA DESERT
April 7 - 17, 2006
Ultramarathon (250 km)
MOROCCO, Africa
www.darbaroud.com

How do you train in Manitoba at -35 degrees Celsius to run
in the Sahara Desert where it will be +50 degrees Celsius?

Albert and Matt just finished 10 miles in Manitoba winter.
Edna even allowed these scary guys into the house!!!
Albert, 10 steps away from the finish at the Manitoba Marathon 2005.

THE MARATHON DES SABLES:

The Marathon des Sables is a 7 day stage race in Morocco, from April 7 - 17, 2006. It is a self-sufficient race, only water (9 litres per day) and safety is provided. Follow the race via www.darbaroud.com. This is my 3rd Marathon des Sables, and this time I have the privilege of running with my European friend, Matt Dehaene. We will be flying to Frankfurt, Germany from Winnipeg on April 4th, arriving in Germany on April 5th. On April 6th we leave from Frankfurt to Cassablanca and on to Oaurzazate, Morocco arriving at our hotel in the middle of the night. Early the next morning the noise of the camels will wake us and after an early breakfast we depart by bus on an 8 hr journey across the Atlas Mountains, to be dumped in the Sahara Desert. By the end of that trip we are no longer travelling on any visible roads. During the ride we are presented with the 'road book' which gives us the route of our race. When the buses have emptied of their 700 passengers, we climb onto military trucks for the last 12-15 km to our first camp. This next night we will sleep on the desert floor - our only protection being burlap sacking stretched over tall pools, no sides to these tents. The next day is logistics day where we present our food, emergency mandatory equipment (mirror, matches, 2 flashlights with reserve batteries, compass, bandaids and snake venom pump) to the organization and are checked by the organization medical staff. At this point we also present our medical certificates and EKGs that were done by our own doctors. After we pass these checks we receive a 500 gram French military flare gun, a safety blanket and salt tablets.
April 9th at 9:00 a.m. is the official common start of the actual race, with Patrick Bauer giving us his welcome, the weather report for the day and last minute instructions. (He usually climbs onto the roof of a jeep so we can all see him.) The stages of the race are approx. lengths: 25, 32, 38, 82, 42, and 21 km per day. Water stations /check-points are approx. 12 km apart.

SAFETY

There will be about 60-70 jeeps, 2-3 helicopters, a Cessna plane, a satelite dish, a safari bus, food trucks (food for the marathon staff, not the runners), trucks to transport tents from site to site, TV crews, and about 30 doctors moving through the desert to accompany the 700 runners. We also know that we can receive up to 4 intravenouses in case we run into dehydration problems. Matt and I will be running together - which is also a safety feature.

Scripture verses that are also an encouragement to me as a runner:

Philippians 3:14

"but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."

Psalm 19: 4-6

"The sun lives in the heavens
where God placed it.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom
after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete
eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat."

Acts 20:24

"But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love."

Matthew 14:28-30

"And Peter answered him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' ."

Isaiah 40: 28-31

"He gives power to those who are tired and worn out: He offers strength to the weak. Even youth will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Ecclesiastes 9:11

"The fastest runner doesn't always win the race..."

MY PURPOSE FOR THIS RACE

I want to use this race to raise funds for the poor and the sick in Nigeria. More specifically, I want to help Dr. Wim and Marleen Munting and their patients at the Mambilla Plateau hospital. We have been able to supply them with hospital beds, a generator, and a jeep through my 2 previous Morocco runs. This is my 3rd race in support of the Muntings and the clinic.
I definitely want to do this race to honor my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I am privileged to share my faith in the Lord with other people. The Lord helps me, gives me strength, health and joy in doing this race. Some may not understand this - that someone would go to such extremes to share the joy of the Lord with others. The Lord has blessed me and I am sure that He will again heal my feet. I pray that He will protect me and use me to His honor and glory.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Pray for protection and a safe return.
2. You can pray for the Muntings.
3. You can pray for the poor and sick.
4. You can give to this project.

Make cheque payable to:
Athletes in Action
c/o Albert Martens
Box 21028
Steinbach, Manitoba
Canada R5G 1S4
USA and Canadian tax receipts are issued. In Europe, you can transfer donations to:
Agape Europe e.V.
Abt. AIA - Albert Martens
Postfach 1180
D-79396 Kandern
Germany

TRAVEL, TIMES & PLACES

After the Marathon des Sables I will travel to Frankfurt on April 17th where I will be met by Edna, who will arrive from Canada that day. Together we will visit friends in Bad Berleburg for 2 days, then travel down to southern Germany. Our main station will be with Walter & Johanna Dreher in Hammerstein during the rest of our time in Germany. We do hope to have a fund-raising evening for the Muntings during our time there as well as attend the BFA anniversary celebrations in Kandern. We leave Germany on May 2, 2006.

For more information about the Muntings, about the Marathon des Sables or about us, please call us, write us or email us.

Albert & Edna Martens
Box 21028
Steinbach, MB
Canada R5G 1S4

Tel: (204) 346-1345
Email: aemart@mts.net