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