Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 115, February 2019 | Page 38

TRAIL RUNNING
“I didn’t want to climb another mountain, and then
on a flight down to Pietermaritzburg I read a write-up
of Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ book, Heat, where he talked
about the race, and within a week I had registered.
I didn’t really know what I was signing up for, to be
honest, but since I believe nothing is impossible, I
just went for it. Later I went to Namibia to train in
the desert heat and sandy conditions, but even that
couldn’t prepare me fully for the heat of the Sahara!
The hottest it got was 53 degrees – so you run slowly!
And that was on the big day, the 87km stage, which
took me 23 hours. Then at night it was minus-six or
seven degrees!”
“The Marathon Des Sables is on a whole different
level to other running experiences! We had 63
paramedics following about 1200 runners through the
race, and on day one most were still OK, but by day
three the medics had over 4000 blisters to treat! I was
lucky to only have five blisters during the whole race,
Lee and the Schaumberg
Kids, proudly carrying the
flag that she took to the
top of Everest and to the
Sahara
and I was also lucky to be able to open them and treat
them myself. Overall, I coped with the conditions,
and the desert has its own charms, in spite of the
extreme heat and the sand, but I don’t think I will
do another desert race. The best part for me was
carrying the same South African flag through the race
that I took to the top of Everest, and even better was
that I was doing the race to raise more funds for the
Foundation.”
MORE MOUNTAIN RUNNING
According to Lee, the money she raised through her
Marathon Des Sables challenge coupled with further
donations will be enough to pay for the building of
10 classrooms that will be added to the Community
Centre at Schaumburg, with building to take place this
year. And in the meantime, she already has her next
challenge planned. “Because Nepal is a special place
for me after my Everest challenge, I have entered
the Everest Trail Race in November, a 153km six-day
stage run that goes as high as 6000 metres, the same
height as Base Camp. Those mountains change you,
that’s why I will always want to go back.”
She says the stages are seemingly manageable in
terms of distance, with the longest only being 31km,
but the altitude is what makes it so hard. Only about
60 athletes take part each year. “I found it via Google
while looking for another high, extreme adventure,
because I wanted something that will push my limits. I
actually entered the previous year, but because of my
book project and other business commitments I put it
on hold. I still went to Nepal for three days last May to
train at altitude, and I will do that again this year, just
after I have done my sixth Ironman in PE. So it’s going
to be a busy running year!”
Conquer YOUR Everest!
What happens when you say Yes allows you to look through the eyes of Lee
den Hond and realise that nothing in life is impossible.
L
ee den Hond is a businesswoman, athlete, adventurer, motivational speaker and optimist who draws from
her own experiences to support the belief that nothing is impossible. Now Lee adds author to her long list
of achievements with a book about altitude, attitude and a greater purpose – a book that will inspire readers
to live life to the fullest.
Lee details how, instead of focusing on all the reasons not to do something,
her mindset is rather to focus on why she should do it, which frees her up
to achieve whatever she sets out to do. She inspires readers to achieve
success through vision, grit, passion and perseverance, and showcases
how a sense of purpose drives everything. Her story will have you asking,
what’s your Everest?
38
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Her inspiring and easy to read memoir takes a look at how a fresh-faced 30 year-old hoping to pursue a career
in international sportswear marketing in New York had her dreams derailed by a devastating knife attack. She
returned to South Africa with barely a cent to her name, started again at rock bottom, built an award-winning
events company and transformed herself into a remarkable extreme athlete that climbed
Everest and conquered the Sahara Desert.