F.E.A.R - Ian Brown

Forget Everything And Remember.

The BIG question this week as we head towards the 38^th Marathon des Sables (starts a week today btw) is, ‘What are you afraid of?’ Are you afraid of the adventure? Afraid of the heat? Afraid of the blisters? Afraid of the distance? Afraid that you haven’t done enough training? Or just simply AFRAID?

 

Well, I’m not surprised if you are frightened, especially if this is your first venture into multi-stage marathon running. It’s only natural to feel that way about such an undertaking. Even if this isn’t your first rodeo in the sand, it’s only natural to feel afraid about what will happen as the race week unfolds. As I head into my 17^th MDS – I have my own fears to conquer – if I wasn’t afraid, I just wouldn’t be human, would I?

 

You see, ‘fear’ is a primal, evolutionary response ingrained within the human psyche and it serves as a survival mechanism against perceived threats. And boy, this race is certainly threatening. Fear manifests in various forms, from rational fears like the fear of danger or death to irrational fears such as phobias. The flight and the claustrophobia of the sleeping bag are two of the biggest hurdles that I must conquer during my MDS. Some light medication helps minimise those I’ve found that dampen my amygdala.

 

The amygdala, a region in the brain responsible for processing emotions, plays a pivotal role in initiating this response. When confronted with a perceived threat, the amygdala sends signals to the hypothalamus, triggering the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones elevate heart rate, increase blood pressure, and sharpen focus, preparing the individual to confront or evade the threat - just what you don’t need in the heat of the desert. Fear is not solely a physical reaction; it also profoundly influences cognition and behaviour. Chronic fear can impair decision-making and lead to avoidance behaviours, and a state of hyper-paralysis. I’ve witnessed that at the start of the race where one guy didn’t even cross the line to start and once at the top of the jebel when the person wouldn’t run down the sand through his fear of heights.

 

However, the race can cultivate courage and resilience, essential for navigating life's challenges and pursuing personal growth. Courage does not mean the absence of fear but rather the willingness to act in spite of it, embracing uncertainty and vulnerability as opportunities for learning and growth. Building resilience involves developing coping strategies and reframing adversity as an opportunity for resilience-building.

 

Am I afraid of the race? Well, reacting to heat, blisters, dehydration and whatever the race throws my way? I hope I’ll deal with these using previous experience, combined with a level of problem solving and if needed and a dose of common sense - as it’s easy to say that understanding fear is all about delving into its psychological, physiological, and sociological dimensions. 

 

Hmm…

 

In reality it’s about taking a huge dose of ‘Man the f@ck up’ tablets and getting on with it.

 

See you out there in the sand. You’ll survive and enjoy the ride.

1,182 Marathons - 276 Ultras - 16 MDS - 9 GWR - One Life