Mr Blue Sky - ELO

The sun shines bright...

There will be plenty of Marathon des Sables blogs hitting your screens over the next few days. Some will be full race reports in minute detail. Some sorry messages, from those that didn’t make it to the finish line. And some will try to help you comprehend what the World’s Toughest Footrace is like.

So in advance of the ‘MDS Blogjam’, I thought I’d try and explain why I keep coming back and why the MDS is in my DNA.

 

With over 1000 Runner’s the sheer magnitude of the race is overwhelming. The amount of thought and energy that’s been expended just to get to the start line, let alone the expense is mind-boggling. Yet no-one ever says they didn’t get value for money.

 

And it’s that value and it’s worth that really got me thinking. After shaving every last bit of kit down to make a 7.1 kgs at the start line (as pack weight is imperative) - I decided to take something with me that was priceless to me and yet worthless for the race. One of my treasured possessions, bought for 3/4 in old money (17p) when I was five years old from a toy shop in Stratford-upon-Avon. As you can see it’s been well loved and It’s not worth anything. 

 

Except to me. It’s about 56 years old and if it was in mint condition would be worth a couple of hundred pounds but it was worth so much more during the race as when things got tough it was there in my pocket to remind me that even when things get broken, they still have a purpose. And just like my battered Corgi 226 Mini Minor - I’ve survived and as I head home my thoughts are that ‘value’ in life isn’t about what and object is worth, it’s what it means.

1,156 Marathons - 271 Ultras - 9 GWR - 16 Marathon des Sables

Into the Sun - Weekend Players

Song - Into the Sun - Weekend Players

As I set off for my 16th Marathon des Sables (MDS) aka ‘The World’s Toughest Footrace’, in a couple of days, it got me thinking about what this ‘pilgrimage’ actually means to me. Funnily enough we fly out to the race seven years' to the day that I became ill with GBS. And as you know the MDS became part of my healing process. How apt.

I always say the race is part of my DNA yet it’s five years’ since I was last in the Southern Morocco slaving out 250km (156 miles) over six stages in temperatures of up to 50c. I can remember my first MDS in 1999, being 37 and running in fancy-dress, über-fit, super-excited, without any of the gizmos we now take to monitor our distance, heart rate etc. with a sense of freedom, adventure and innocence that’s sometimes hard to hold on to.

 

Twenty-four years and 1,000 marathons later, I’ve decided to just go and enjoy the whole experience and soak up every last drop of the highs and lows that the race brings. I mean why go if it’s too easy or impossible as the race is very doable. It’s all about looking after yourself and dealing with problems and situations as they unfold. Being able to adapt is the key quality as let’s face it 50c carrying a pack full of ‘space-food’ and living like a tramp for the week when your feet ache, ain’t easy.

 

So, this time, I have no race predictions. I’ve just surrounded myself with good people. Honest people. People I like and people I want to help feel the way I do about this amazing adventure. People I want to help finish the race too. There will be blisters, sweat and tears, but that’s why we go. To feel alive and to say ‘I’ve just run across the Sahara Desert’ to anyone who’s willing to listen upon our return to some kind of normality.

 

If you are racing, enjoy, do your best and don’t give up. If you want to follow anyone’s progress the ‘MDS Live” site is here, my tent number is 99 and my race number is 1033. Some get a move on messages and Premier League results are more than welcome.

 

I’m back in the office on May 2 and will willingly burn your ears with tall tales upon my return.

 

Until then, Au revoir…

1,154 Marathons - 270 Ultras - 15 Marathon des Sables - 9 Guinness World Records

Enter Sandman - Metallica

With the MDS less than three weeks away I tought it would be worthwhile writing a short blog to try and help those that are injured/unwell/anxious or just plain excited.

If you feel you haven’t done enough or trained hard enough, join the crew as everyone will be having those thoughts right now. Self-doubt is a major part of the Kryptonite that can undermine your MDS.

There again, if you are in the shape of your life and feel your running shorts are going to explode, beware as there’s a massive opportunity to mess everything up by running one last marathon/ultra, walking 60km with a massive pack or playing a rough game of five-a-side with your kids - it does happen - a lot.

If like me, you’ve recently had Covid, take your time to return to exercise. My lungs felt like I’d become a 60-a-day smoker overnight and in reality it doesn’t matter that much if I don’t run again until the MDS as I’ve trained enough - just like you have hopefully - to get me through the race.

My advice would be to concentrate on staying healthy and work on lightening your pack weight. It's time better spent

Lastly, the MDS is really doable - it’s just as hard as you make it. Plan - plan - plan and be ready to adapt as the race unfolds and if you are still unsure or need some help please contact me as I’m here to help everyone get to the finish line.

And hopefully I'll be there celebrating with you on the 29th April.

See you in the desert...

1,153 Marathons - 270 Ultras - 15 Marathon des Sables