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At 152 cm tall and weighing 42 kg, she may seem like the unlikely candidate to take part in the Atacama Crossing (Chile) on 7 March 2010. Yet, Melanie Wee will be embarking on a gruelling ultra-endurance race of 250km spanning over 6 days and that’s one full marathon each day. During the Atacama Crossing which has attracted more than 100 competitors, Melanie will carry her own equipment, food supplies, and water for each of the six stages in the race – an additional 20 pounds on top of her small frame.
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We spoke to Melanie on her courageous endeavour:
Do you have any marathon experience to embark on this?
The longest distance I’ve done is a 21km half-marathon. The Atacama Crossing (Chile) will be my first desert run.
What is your diet like in preparation for the run?
I eat five times a day – I take meat, fish, vegetables and fruits, as well as complex carbohydrates like wholegrain bread or brown rice. Sugars don’t get absorbed so quickly and these will provide steady energy. I also take supplements like powdered carbohydrate formula during and after workouts for muscle repair. In addition, I take vitamins and glucosamine as the mileage I’m covering takes a toll on my joints.
How do you maintain a balance between training, and work and life?
On weekdays I wake up extra early to train, before my work day starts. Weekends are now dedicated to longer distance training. It’s really about time management and setting priorities. But good friends understand when they don’t see me that much now and know I’m busy running at some place!
Why choose Singapore Cancer Society as the beneficiary for the crossing?
My dad survived cancer. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1997 and underwent surgery, rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I support the cancer cause and hope that the desert run will help raise funds to save the lives of cancer patients who have to go through costly treatments. |
About Atacama Desert
Atacama Desert is one of the four ultra-endurance races in a series known as 4Deserts, held annually by RacingThePlanet (www.racingtheplanet.com)
The Atacama Desert is a rainless plateau that is made up of salt lakes, lava flows and sand. It is noted to be the most arid place on earth, with some places where no human has ever recorded a single drop of rain. It is number two on Time magazine’s list of Toughest Endurance Competitions in the world. Around 80% of the competitors are male and 20% female. |
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Melanie Wee, 34
- The half-Peranakan Singaporean works as a journalist covering energy markets at Argus Media.
- She was inspired by a good friend, Toh Poh Joo, who did the Atacama Desert crossing in 2008 and another friend, Heather Hunt, who completed the Gobi March in China in June this year.
- Before she signed up for the crossing, she can be found practising yoga twice a week, wakeboarding every fortnightly and running occasionally.
- Her Exercise Regimen: Runs five times a week with a backpack load of 9.5kg – 12 km on weekdays and three to five hours on Saturdays and Sundays. By increasing endurance, she expects to complete a 42km marathon by the year’s end. She also does yoga once a week for stretching. She keeps a running log to track her performance with details of her training each day – distance, time, heart rate and how her body feels.
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What are the reactions of people around you when you told them you’re taking part in the Atacama Desert Crossing?
Quite a number of people have said that I’m crazy! I want to get out of my own comfort zone. With this challenge, I want to push the boundaries of my physical and mental abilities. I would like to see how far I can go and hopefully be able to complete the entire race. People from all walks of life, professions around the world come out of such ultra-marathons humbled; that no problem is much too big to handle. I hope to feel like that by the time I’m done. My family and friends are concerned but have been supportive.
Read her blog to find out more.
Results from each stage will be uploaded after the final competitor crosses the finish line every day from 7 – 13 March. Root for Melanie as she conquers the challenging terrain. You can now follow her progress here.(Link opens to Atacama Crossing (Chile) official website)
Be sure to sign up for Breaking News to receive live updates from the Atacama Desert during the event (Link opens to Atacama Crossing (Chile) official website)
Yes! I want to donate now to support Melanie Wee in her cause to raise funds for needy cancer patients!
Donation via Cheque
Please make crossed cheque payable to “Singapore Cancer Society” and mail it to:
Singapore Cancer Society
15 Enggor Street
Realty Centre
#04-01 to 04
Singapore 079716
Please write at the back of the cheque:
Atacama Desert
Name*
NRIC*
Mailing Address*
Contact Number
* these fields are required for us to issue an official tax-deductible receipt.
We would like to thank EMB3 Pte Ltd for sponsoring the SCS flag and embroidery sew-on patches for Melanie Wee.
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