Adventure of a Lifetime - Coldplay

Scared of signing up for the Marathon des Sables? Join Team Coleman and take the first step…

Each year, I speak to hundreds of runners who have the same dream - to take part in ‘The World’s Toughest Footrace - The Marathon des Sables.

And every year, I hear the same worries. ‘I'm not fast enough. I’m worried about getting lost. I’ve not even run a marathon before. And what if I fail?’

The truth is everyone who signs up for the Marathon des Sables has these thoughts. Even experienced runners wonder whether they’re capable of taking on one of the world’s most iconic endurance events.

The Marathon des Sables has a reputation that can be intimidating. Six stages over seven days in the Sahara Desert – self-sufficient – in extreme conditions. It sounds like something reserved for elite runners and hardened adventurers.

But after nineteen MDS Legendary finishes, and thousands of miles in deserts around the world, I can tell you something that might surprise you. The biggest challenge isn't the desert. It’s taking the first step and believing you can do it. That's exactly why my ‘Team Coleman’ exists.

You don't have to do it alone…

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they have to figure everything out themselves. What shoes should I wear? What food do I need? What backpack works best? How do I train? How do I cope with the heat? How do I avoid the dreaded blisters?

These questions can feel overwhelming, especially if you've never done a multi-stage race before. But when you join my team, you aren't simply entering a race. You're joining a community of people who are on the same journey as you.

Some are experienced runners looking for a fresh challenge. Others are complete beginners who never imagined they would one day cross a desert. What connects them all is a willingness to challenge themselves and a desire to achieve something extraordinary.

Over the years, I've helped thousands of runners prepare for desert races. I've seen people arrive with doubts, fears and uncertainty, only to leave with memories that last a lifetime. The transformation is wonderful to be part of.

Why people succeed…

People often assume success in the Marathon des Sables comes from natural talent. It doesn't. Success comes from preparation, consistency and mindset.

I've seen elite runners in their twenties struggle whilst people in their sixties smash it. I've seen people who considered themselves average athletes complete the race high up in the field.

The common factor isn't speed. It's commitment. The runners who succeed are the ones who trust the process, prepare properly and refuse to give up when things get tough. That's exactly what Team Coleman is designed to help you do.

From training plans and equipment advice to race strategy and mental preparation, I’ll guide you through every stage of the journey. By the time you arrive in Morocco, you're not wondering whether you can do it.

You're ready to prove that you can do it.

The Adventure of a Lifetime…

The Marathon des Sables is far more than about running. Sure, you'll see incredible landscapes. You'll experience vast dunes, rocky plateaus and unforgettable desert sunsets.

But the real magic happens between the checkpoints. It's the friendships you’ll build. The shared experiences with people from around the world. The moments when you discover what you're truly capable of.

Years later, most people don't remember their finishing time. They remember the journey. They remember the challenges they overcame. They remember becoming a stronger version of themselves. That's what makes the Marathon des Sables so special.

You see it changes people. It changed me. And that’s why I'm going back for my Twentieth Marathon des Sables.

People often ask me why I keep returning. After nineteen finishes, surely I've seen it all? The answer is simple. The Marathon des Sables keeps on giving. Every edition is different. The route, the weather and the people change, year-on-year.

And I continue to be inspired by the incredible individuals who take on this challenge.

Watching someone who once doubted themselves cross the finish line is every bit as rewarding as finishing the race myself. The event has been a huge part of my life for decades. It’s introduced me to lifelong friends and allowed me to help others achieve goals they once thought impossible.

Returning for my twentieth Marathon des Sables isn't about adding another finish to the list. It's about celebrating a race that has shaped my life and continuing to support the people who are beginning their own desert journey. I mean, not many people have met their lifelong partner at the race, like I have. Or had the pleasure of running the race with one of their children, twice and soon to be third time! And had a daughter be a race Blue-Jacket.

There's something incredibly special about standing on that start line and seeing a Team Coleman runner who once said, ‘I don’t think I can do this. And then watching them prove themselves wrong.

Your journey starts Today…

If you're reading this and wondering whether you should sign up for the Marathon des Sables, let me tell you something. The fear you're feeling is normal. The uncertainty is normal. Your doubts are normal.

What matters is what you do next. The Marathon des Sables isn't reserved for superhuman athletes. It's for ordinary people willing to take on an extraordinary challenge. You don't need all the answers today. You simply need the courage to begin.

Join Team Coleman, and I'll help you with the rest.

Together we'll build your confidence, prepare you properly and guide you every step of the way until you stand on that start line in the Sahara. Let's make your desert dream a reality.

1,242 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 Marathon des Sables - 1 Vision

 

 

Photograph - Def Leppard

RC, Bottom right corner...

The photo was posted on a Facebook Group for people who want to reminisce about the good old days of Shakespeare Country (me included) - when of course everything was a whole lot better, and life was a whole lot simpler. Now, I'm sure we all feel that way now and again, and there's nothing remarkable about the photo. One of the comments posted said 80's? another possibly 60's? - however I know it was 25th May 1970.
 
How do I know? - Well it looked like an uncannily familiar scene to me, and to my amazement there I am in the bottom righthand corner of the photo,  in a jumper knitted by my Nan - and to my left, in brown, my favourite Grandad Geroge (who drove one of the engines in the photo) and my older brother wearing a similar jumper.
 
A candid moment captured in a time long forgotten. Do I remember the day, well yes, well somewhat, and the photo is the only one I have of me and my Granddad together. However, we shared fantastic times with him and my Nan in their somewhat cranky cottage in Wilmcote, near Stratford-upon-Avon and even though it was the seventies at the time, they lived in a 40s time-warp without the mod-cons of the time. My Granddad of course felt VERY old to me but was only 52 at the time of the photo and never got to where I am now at 64 - smoking 60 Woodbines-a-day wasn’t good for his life-expectancy. He would have loved being a Great-Granddad for sure.
 
However, his memory lingers on in a single-snapshot taken a lifetime ago. Photography wasn’t cheap back then and of course we didn’t have the digital age to capture every moment of life. Those photos are precious, and in the future, they will be a reminder of happy times spent with the people you love.
 
Spend them wisely and capture the love.

1,241 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 MDS - 1 Life

Big Time - Sir Peter of Gabriel

 Big Time – ‘Not me, I'm smarter than that, I worked it out’ - Gabriel

How do you measure success? By how much you earn? By where you live? By how little you have to work? Or by the size and make of your car?

 

Why are we programmed to see objects as a sign of success? And hey, before you say it, I’m just as ‘signs of success programmed’ as the next person.

 

I mean, the car thing always got me. And It’s possibly a young man’s game and like most, I was suckered in during my sales career where a ‘Ford Mondeo Ghia X’ was perceived as the pinnacle of car company hierarchy. On finally getting my career-eager hands on the keys I found it cornered like a shopping trolley and was really an old man’s car!

 

And when I reached the next level - BMW status – I found that everyone else on the road, even though they don’t know you, instantly thinks you’re a ****. It’s kinda sad that we mark success by the outward signs of wealth rather than by what we’ve achieved.

 

You see it’s the things you can’t see that really matter. It’s not where you’ve been, it’s how you’ve done it that counts. It’s experience that makes you smart and being smart leads to success. Success that you simply can’t buy and that you earn, over time.

 

Now, we are not all world beating athletes, but we can outplay our own dreams and succeed in areas we once thought were unachievable. I know – been there and got the T-Shirt, many times over.

 

I found that success comes from hours and hours of training, focus and determination and if you feel you have yet to succeed in life, make plans, and start to make it happen. You probably won’t get anything tangible to show for your efforts but inwardly you’ll know what true success feels like, especially when looking back in decades to come.

 

And for the record, if someone has already paid the price both physically and mentally in doing what it is that you want to achieve – listen hard - take it on the chin that you’ll have to go back to being a complete beginner that has to ‘wax on and wax off’ many times before you can call yourself even marginally successful at anything and be humble as real success takes a lifetime – I know.

 

1,240 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Vision

Tomorrow Never Knows - The Beatles

Existence to the end - Lennon Mccartney

Training for an Ultramarathon challenge requires discipline, consistency, and mental toughness. Procrastinating during any stage of this preparation isn’t good practice as every missed session not only delays progress but can make the eventual challenge even harder. Unlike short-term goals that can be completed at the last minute, ultramarathon training depends on gradual improvement over weeks, months and in some cases even years. The idea being to build endurance slowly so one’s body can adapt safely. Delaying training sessions not only weakens physical preparation but also damages confidence and kills motivation.

Endurance isn’t built overnight and the body needs repeated practice to strengthen muscles, lungs, and cardiovascular system. Every training session contributes to stamina and resilience. When you skip a workout saying, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’, the opportunity to improve is lost and can never be recovered. Missing one long run may not seem important at first, but several missed sessions can seriously reduce fitness levels considerably. Preparation works like building a house - if the foundations aren’t there, the entire structure becomes unstable and falls apart.

Procrastination also increases the risk of injury. Many who delay training try to make up for lost time by pushing themselves too hard too late. Sudden increases in mileage place stress on the knees, ankles, and muscles. Proper preparation follows a balanced schedule with gradual progression and recovery days. Ignoring this process can lead to exhaustion, muscle strain, or more serious injuries that prevent training altogether. Procrastination doesn’t save energy or effort; it creates even bigger setbacks.

Delaying workouts causes guilt and stresses people who constantly worry about falling behind schedule, which in turn reduces enjoyment and motivation. Over time, procrastination makes an exciting personal challenge a major source of anxiety.

People training for Ultramarathons have to balance work, school, family responsibilities, and social activities. Procrastination wastes valuable time that could have been used more productively. Instead of completing a planned workout, people may spend hours scrolling through social media, watching TV, or making excuses. And once that time has gone, it’s gone forever. 

Completing an ultramarathon is a major achievement that requires commitment and perseverance. Those who train consistently learn self-control, patience, and determination. By procrastinating, people deny themselves the satisfaction of knowing they gave it their best shot. The finish line feels far more rewarding when reached through steady hard work rather than last-minute panic action.

Ultramarathon success comes from consistent effort and smart preparation, not excuses or postponement. Every training session matters, and the sooner you start, the stronger, and more prepared you’ll become.

Training with @TheRoryColemanMethod increases your chance of success and if you want to stop the Procrastination Rot – give me a call and #RaiseyourAverage.

1,240 Marathons  - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 0 Procrastination

Begin Again - Knife Party

Photo - Ian Corless

Completing the Marathon des Sables Legendary is a life defining achievement. It’s the ultimate test of physical endurance, mental resilience, and the ability to persist through extreme personal discomfort. After such an intense and all-consuming experience, it might feel only natural to rest, reflect, and even step away from running for a while. However, planning another adventure soon after is not only beneficial - it’s essential for maintaining psychological momentum.

One of the most important reasons to plan another adventure is to preserve the mindset that carried you through the MDS. Training for and completing such an event requires months, sometimes years, of focus and commitment. You develop habits, routines, and a strong sense of identity tied into pushing your limits. Without a fresh goal, that structure quickly dissolves, leaving a sense of emptiness or loss. I call it Post Traumatic Race Disorder (PTRD) – a psychological phenomenon often experienced after major achievements.

You see, after the high of completing something extraordinary, everyday life can feel flat or uninspiring by comparison. Planning another adventure provides a forward-facing perspective. It shifts your focus from ‘what I’ve done’, to ‘what’s next,’ which is crucial for maintaining motivation. As humans are inherently goal-driven, and having something to strive towards helps sustain that sense of fulfilment.

The MDS teaches valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and self-belief. However, this shouldn’t stop at the finish line. New adventures present different challenges - perhaps a colder environment next time, or a jungle adventure or even a multiday mega-day marathon. These experiences build on what you’ve learned, whilst pushing yourself into new areas of discomfort and development. Without continued challenges, the lessons from the MDS fade quickly rather than evolve.

Planning another adventure also reinforces identity. Completing an extreme endurance event changes how you see yourself. You’re no longer just someone who wondered if they could do it; you’re someone who did. By committing to another adventure, you solidify your identity as someone who seeks challenge and embraces discomfort. I mean, you are now a Desert Warrior!

Additionally, having a future goal can make recovery more purposeful. Instead of drifting after the event, your rest, nutrition, and training help regain direction. Recovery becomes part of preparation rather than an endpoint. 

Experiences like the MDS remind you that life is more than routine and comfort. They expand your perspective, connect you with other like-minded people, and create life-lasting memories. Planning another adventure ensures that this spirit of exploration remains a consistent part of your life rather than a one-time event.

So, think of the MDS not as just a finish line - it’s a launching point. And where to go? Well, there’s a lot of events out there to take you to the limit of your endurance and raise your average.

Why not give me a call and we can look at where to head to next – I know where I’m going.

1,240 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 MDS - 1 Big Life-Adventure

www.theRoryColemanMethod.co.uk

 

Start - Sir Peter of Gabriel

The Marathon des Sables Expo on Saturday May 30^th is far more than just a pre-race get together; it’s an essential part of the whole Marathon des Sables experience. And, if you have been thinking about entering any MDS Event or even going back to relive the ‘Legendary Dream’ in 2027, attending the Expo can help you shape your year ahead.

It’s where your preparation becomes real. At any MDS Event even the smallest detail can make or break your race. The 40^th edition of MDS Legendary, highlighted just how hard the race can be, but with the right knowledge can be achieved by most.

At the Expo, you’ll have direct access to expert advice on training, gear, nutrition, hydration, and race strategy. You’re not just reading tips online; you’re engaging with ‘The people that have and that know’, and who truly understand the unique demands of multi-day racing in deserts. This is the practical, experience-based knowledge that’s invaluable to getting you to the finish line.

Equally important is the opportunity to checkout and refine equipment choices. The desert is unforgiving, and any oversight, whether it’s poorly fitting shoes, inefficient pack weight, or inadequate nutrition planning, can have serious consequences. The Expo allows you to see, test, and adjust your approach in a focused environment.

 

The Expo is also a hub for building our 2027 communities. Endurance events like this are as much about connection as they are about competition. Friendships formed at the Expo often carry through the race and beyond. These connections can provide emotional support during the toughest stages and when physical endurance alone isn’t enough. Knowing you have a network of people facing the same challenge can be a powerful resource of resilience.

Finally, the Expo captures the spirit of the Marathon des Sables. It’s a celebration of human endurance, determination, and adventure. From inspiring talks to key kit suppliers, it immerses you into the culture of the MDS itself. Even if you’re not competing, attending offers a rare glimpse into what drives people to push their limits in extreme environments.

The Marathon des Sables Expo isn’t optional - it’s integral. It’s the ideal opportunity to become part of Ultra-Running folklore and join a very select number of people that have conquered ‘The World’s Toughest Footrace’. It’s also a great opportunity to meet me and become part of ‘Team Coleman’ the largest group of competitors at the race this year.

Venue - Victory Services Club - 63-79 Seymour Street London W2 2HF – Starts 9am

See you there… Register here - https://waaultra.typeform.com/to/n3u508it

1,240 Marathons  - 291 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 Marathon des Sables

19 - Paul Hardcastle

Well, my nineteenth Marathon des Sables is complete. And 'The World's Toughest Footrace' had a bit of everything if I'm being honest, even a few drops of rain on the last day plus a sandstorm that would take any Polar Explorer clean off his feet.

It also had the longest ever stage, some 100km, which sent most of the camp limping off to the medical tent, but apart from that I'd say it was 'Middle-Par as far as the race went as the top temperature was 37c on my wrist. Which made it doable by most with only 85 DNF from 1430 starters.

Anyone there for their first desert outing would have got a good impression of what running or walking in the desert for long periods of time does to one's feet. There were so many people hobbling backwards and forwards to the medical facilities. Yes sand really sucks!

Best part for me was completing the race for the second time with son Sam, and having daughter Pearl helping as a Blue Jacket all week. A proper family affair. Priceless moments.

To those that made it - a big well done, and to those that didn't - well maybe next time. And to all my people in Team Coleman - thanks for working with me and speak to you all soon.

1,240 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 Marathon des Sables

Desert Raven - Jonathan Wilson

MDS 32 in 2017 - Photo Ian Corless

Well, 'here we go again' as they say and it's a tricky nineteenth album for me as I head deep into the Southern Moroccan desert for the 40th edition of The Marathon des Sables - aka ‘The World's Toughest Footrace’.

It feels but a few moments that we were here last year, but it's been a good training year and my client base that are here are already peaking for the week of hardship that lies ahead!

 

Last year's rainy, back-painy race still sends a chill down my spine and I hope we have fine weather and manage to conquer the 100km 'Long Stage' brought in on day four, designed to either make or break us - hence the tricky nineteenth album reference.

 

I've surrounded myself with good people - people that give rather than suck the vital energy needed to keep morale high, and the positive mental attitude to carry on when things get super-tough.

 

I can clearly remember my first MDS back in 1999 and wish that I had my thirty-seven level of fitness and effervescent feeling of confidence. I saw it back then as a party in the desert, and it certainly had a life-changing effect on me which still defines me today.

 

Today, I'm far mellower and I'm going to enjoy being with son Sam on his second MDS and use the time to share time, stories and experiences with those around me.

 

And as it’s an integral part of my business I'm looking forward to planning the next twelve months in preparation for the 41st Edition.

 

Yes, this year’s race is all in the bag except for the running and this year’s cohort will soon disperse to the four corners of the planet to spread the MDS gospel to anyone prepared to hear their tall tale from the desert.

 

I hope there is connection along the route, and I'll endeavour to upload my thoughts and reports as the daily distances get ticked off.

 

I mean, what can go wrong eh? 

 

Plenty for sure, but then that's why we go and why the race has such a special place in anyone's heart that has ever even had big enough balls to attempt it.

 

So, here's to yet another wander around the sandpit and an adventure that will warm the soul.

1,238 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - 1 Goal

Time - The Pink Floyd

'Ten years have got behind you.  No one told you when to run.  You missed the starting gun'.

Ten years, or as we refer to it as a decade, is a relatively long passage of time. It can include many life events, both good and bad, and in my case the last decade the one that started ten years’ ago today has proved to be life affirming.

 

Yes, 21st March 2016 marked the beginning of an agonising brush with the neurological condition Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).

 

Now I've written many times about how I survived the setback - came back to life and continued running where I'd left off prior to the illness. My 976-marathon count of March 2016 is now 1,238 - some 262 further on, includes a Tenth Guinness World Record, five Marathon des Sables and three ULTRA-X events in Jordan to highlight a few. 

 

I've been lucky, to say the least.

 

What I can say is that for the past ten years I've enjoyed living life with a much greater level of clarity and now see things in a much more simplistic way.

 

As a 'Second-Lifer' as I call people that have overcome such life-threatening illnesses or accidents - I don't waste my time and I'm quite happy to speak up if I'm not happy or disagree with any situation. But then it shouldn't take that kinda wake up call to trigger a new way of living.

 

This attitude could be adopted by anyone at any stage of their life. You just have to say ‘No’…

 

And I'm not saying that you should become an aggressive, super-assertive ogre overnight - just take it from me that even in the darkest of times, when you look back some ten years on, you'll might see the moment where things changed hopefully for the better.

 

Now, I'm off heading towards 21st March 2036 - who knows what's in store or even if I'll make it - but I hope to see you there.

1,238 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Life 

Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis

Oasis #1 on this day in 1996

There are certain days in your life that really stand out from the rest. And these might include the day you were married, the birth of your children, the day of your exam results and for many people like me - the day of their Marathon Personal Best or as we call it ‘Our PB’.

 

Some thirty years' ago this very day I ran 3:24:21 at the now long-gone Borders Marathon in Suffolk. A cold day -2c at the start and one I remember vividly as I thought at the time, this is it! This is the one I'll engrave on my headstone, this is the one I will be measured by. A day where everything was just perfect and all the planets lined up on my 15th lifetime marathon.

 

You see in 1996 there were no Gels, Garmins or Energy Drinks. Timing was on your wrist using a Timex Ironman watch and the 26.2 miles could have been anything in reality as I'm sure it was measured with a piece of string on a map. But who cares, it's my PB and one of my life highlights and one I'll take to my grave.

 

Why is it so important? Well, it just is, as I'll never get anywhere near it now that I'm 64 (my next closest PB attempt was actually my 95th marathon a few years later – but who cares).

 

So, today is a day of remembering the good times but also rejoicing that a) I'm still on planet earth to do that reminiscing and b) still doing what I love if somewhat slower.

 

My lesson today is to enjoy the moment, as they are soon specks in the rear-view mirror of life.

 

Amen.

1,237 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 MDS - 18 MDS - 1 Life

Stop - The Spice Girls

It's about now MDS-40 days that I usually give my be careful message about training and injuries leading up to the race.

By now, you should be well trained and able to cover 42.2kms comfortably in one go, in good time. Let's face it, if you can't you’re doing the wrong race and you'll be coming home medal-free and totally miserable.

 

You'll also be miserable if you make an injury worse by continuing to train on it or if you are running when you are ill.

 

For the record, I've just had a week off with a nasty chest cold and have just had to rest up and let it take its course. Am I cheesed off yes, but looking at my resting heart rate and HRV it's really obvious which day it started, peaked and then faded away. There are a lot of health features built into a GPS watch which will show this - so why not use them? 

 

Basically, if it says you are ‘Strained’ or your HRV is in the red - you’re knackered.

 

The simple fact is that you won't improve your MDS now by much, if anything at all, but you can ruin it 100% - so please don't. If you are not sure, ask me, give me what’s been going on and I'll give you some advice that may just change the outcome of your MDS.

 

Getting there, injury free and well rested is the best way I promise - see you there safe and sound - raring to go.

1,234 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS Legendary - 1 Vision

Feeling a Moment - Feeder

Don't let it go...

Moments in life slip through our fingers like grains of sand. Ordinary days blur into one. Conversations we have are quickly forgotten and things we promise to remember, we simply forget. But then there are moments that are different. They make us stop in our tracks. They can be completely overwhelming and these moments matter.

The truth is, we can’t choose the moments that change you. And to remember such moments, you must first be in the ‘now’.

Without question, we live in a constantly changing world. What’s next? What’s better? What’s trending? It’s rapid alright. We end up replaying yesterday’s regrets whilst fast-forwarding through tomorrow’s worries, yet the present moment is the only place where life actually happens. Not in the past. Not in the future. Right here – right now.

Memory isn’t just a mental recording it’s an emotional imprint. We can’t remember every detail of our lives, but we can remember how moments felt and if you want to remember the moment, let yourself feel it fully. 

Sometimes remembering the moment means putting down your phone. It means resisting the urge to capture everything on film and instead experiencing it for yourself. A photo can remind you of a place, but presence allows you to relive it. There is a difference between recording a memory and creating one.

It’s also important to remember that not every meaningful moment is happy. Some are more difficult, uncomfortable, and bittersweet. In the future, what feels ordinary now may be the very thing you long to revisit. So, take a deep breath and look around. Feel your feet on the ground and let a moment really register.

Life isn’t made of years – it’s made of moments. And the ones you choose to capture are the ones you will carry with you forever.

One of mine is looking down from Jebel Otfal in the Marathon des Sables in 2017 a year after being paralysed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. A place I thought I’d never be able to see in the dark days of recovery.

What’s yours?

1,236 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Moment

Road to Nowhere - The Talking Heads

My preparation for MdS is all about planning and adaptability. Early on in my career, I was far more ‘gung-ho’ learning lessons the hard way, during races. Over the years and with the help of my wife’s Jen’s attention to detail at the race, my preparation became has become more of a science with precise packing and smarter training plans.

It’s more about the value of learning from experience rather than following fads in running gear or the latest training gimmicks. My approach respects how your body reacts over longer distances. Lessons about footcare and injury prevention came from years of trial and error, success on the road and in the desert rather than from other people’s ideas and strange footcare potions.

 

The MdS mindset is that completion matters more than competition. I’ve started over a thousand marathons and ultramarathons and have never failed to finish one. This isn’t down to speed or natural talent, but my persistence and resilience. For me, success isn’t measured by where I finish, it’s about crossing the line, no matter how tough the conditions are. 

The MDS teaches one patience, perseverance and the power of pushing on through when the mind wants to quit.

 

When I coach someone for the MDS, the first thing I tell them is simple, this race will expose your preparation. The desert doesn’t reward bravado. It rewards honesty, discipline, and patience.

My coaching approach comes from experience.. I’ve made mistakes out there, so others don’t have to. Early on, I thought toughness was enough, well it isn’t. Toughness without structure leads to injury, panic, or a very long week in the Sahara. What gets you through MDS is calm decision-making under stress and that starts months before the race.

I focus heavily on the fundamentals. Training isn’t about smashing yourself every session. It’s about consistent time on your feet, learning how your body responds when it’s tired, hot, and under-fuelled. Back-to-back runs, steady pacing, and long hours moving matter far more than chasing speed. If you arrive at the start line already broken, you’ve lost before you begin.

Kit selection is another area where people overthink and under-test. I coach runners to be boring with their gear. Nothing new. Nothing unproven. Your pack, shoes, socks, and food should feel familiar before you ever set foot in the desert. The MDS is not the place for experiments.

 

Comfort, efficiency, and simplicity win every time.

The race is long, very long and the sand is unforgiving, I encourage runners to focus inwards, manage their own pace, their own energy, their own problems. If you can stay calm when things start to unravel, you’re already ahead of most of the field.

One of the most important strategies I teach is breaking the race down. Never think about the full distance. Never think about how many days are left. Think about the next checkpoint. The next hour. Sometimes the next few steps. 

Above all, I coach runners to respect the race - I do.

My job as a coach is to prepare people so that when things get hard, they recognise the moment, manage it, and keep going. That’s how you finish the MDS and that’s what stays with you long after the desert is behind you.

1,234 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Direction 

Approach - U2

People often ask me how I approach the Marathon des Sables, as if there’s a secret formula. And if there is it’s ‘respect the race, respect yourself, and never underestimate the desert’.

I’ve completed the Marathon des Sables many times now, and every edition has taught me something new. No matter how experienced you are, the Sahara doesn’t care about what you’ve done as it strips everything back. Out there, there are no egos, and it’s you, alone with your pack, and alone your thoughts.

My approach has changed over the years. In the early years, I was far more gung-ho. I believed toughness alone was all I needed to get through. Toughness matters, of course, but what really gets you to the finish line is preparation and patience. These days, I obsess more over the basics – kit choice, pack weight, foot care and nutrition nothing glamorous, but all super important as small mistakes in the desert don’t stay that small for long.

Training for MdS isn’t about trying to destroy yourself every day. It’s about consistency. You build resilience slowly, stacking in the miles and time on your feet, learning how your body reacts when it’s tired, hungry, and hot. I want runners to arrive at the start line confident, not broken. The race will do enough of that on its own.

Mentally, I approach MdS with one clear objective - to finish. I’ve never been interested in racing other people out there. The real competition is the voice in your head telling you to stop. When things get dark as they can do I remind myself why I’m there. Most people who sign up are either running away from something or running towards something. Knowing which one you are, makes all the difference when you’re trudging through soft sand at 2am in the morning.

I break the race down into bite sized chunks. Never think about the full distance. Never think about tomorrow. Think about the next checkpoint. The next step. Sometimes the next ten steps. Momentum is powerful, even when it’s painfully slow.

One thing I’ve learned is that finishing strong doesn’t mean finishing fast. It means staying calm when things go wrong, because they will. Blisters, heat, fatigue, doubt. You don’t fight them; you manage them. You accept them as part of the experience.

The Marathon des Sables isn’t just a race to me. It’s a mirror. It shows you who you are when comfort is removed and excuses don’t work anymore. Every time I return, I’m reminded why I started running in the first place, not to escape hardship, but to prove I can work my way through it.

Crossing the finish line never gets boring. Not because it’s heroic, but because it’s honest. You’ve earned every step. And in the desert, that’s enough believe me.

1,234 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Approach