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Ryan Deguzis is a classical violist and music instructor from Hartford, Connecticut. He just finished a seven day stage race (155 miles) through the Atacama Desert in Chile, a placed he describes as otherworldly.
Ryan first heard about this race from MTA podcast episode #109 our interview with Samantha Gash.
In our conversation with Ryan you will hear why he started running, how much time and energy went into training for this race, what his family thought about it, and the gritty details of sun, wind, blisters, and sleep deprivation. It’s epic!
See the photos . . .
Running Across the Atacama Desert
Over 150 runners from all over the world competed in the 2015 Atacama Desert Crossing photo credit: Ryan Deguzis
Pink flags marked the course photo credit: Ryan Deguzis
The race provided water and tents. Runners had to carry everything else. photo credit: Ryan Deguzis
Day 3 was across the salt flats where every step required great effort as Ryan’s footfall broke through the crust. photo credit: Ryan Deguzis
Ryan was 34th out of 129 finishers photo credit: Ryan Deguzis
Also Mentioned in this Episode
Ryan’s blog: https://runningmyyassooff.wordpress.com
Runwell, The Linda Quirk Foundation– The charity Ryan is raising money for.
The Four Deserts Races website
The Academy – online training and awesome online community
Fixing Your Feet – a field guide to taking care of your feet
Musician Conquers Alcoholism, Then Ultras -Ryan’s journey to becoming a runner.
Wow,
Listened to this episode while doing my 19 mile long run along the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park yesterday. What a surreal experience; I had continuous torrential rain and wind, with the temperature hovering around 50 degrees. Wildwood trail is a single track trail through a dense, lush Pacific NW forest and even though you’re inside the city limits of Portland you feel miles away from anywhere. Listening to your podcast about a run in the driest place on Earth was awesome for gaining perspective. Inside my head I was warm and dry……everywhere else I was soaked!
Thanks for sharing Todd! Sometimes inside our head is all that matters.
Hello,
I meant to leave this comment for a while. And then forgot about it.
I decided to start running mid 2015. With absolutely no running background. I mean I never ran anything before. And definitely not an athlete.
After my first 1/2 marathon in Sept 2015 I was hooked. And start started trail running…
In 2016 I turned 50. So I decided to run a 50k (never ran a full marathon before) in April 2015. And that’s when I listened to this podcast. Ryan’s story inspired me. And that’s What I wanted to do: run the Atacama desert! And I did my first 50 miler back in July 2016.
I was kinda obsessed with Atacama. And I listened again to Ryan’s words.
In October 2016 I finally signed up for the Atacama stage race 2017 (this October). And of course before that another 50K, 50 miler and first 100k.
I am sharing my story because I too often hear people say people like us are crazy. Not true (maybe be just a little). And I will always reply back: you don’y know what you are capable of until you try. And then you’ll discover how amazing our body and soul are.
Keep up the great work and keep inspiring us.
Stéphane from Redmond, WA
So awesome! Thanks for sharing Stephane and best wishes in your training for Atacama! Let us know how it goes.