Facing up to the Marathon Des Sables - September 8th 2013

8th September 2013

Facing up to the Marathon Des Sables - September 8th 2013

The (other) 'Toughest footrace on Earth', as described by the Discovery Channel. 7 brutal days of running 250km, through soft sand, in temperatures exceeding 50c, whilst carrying about 10kgs of gear and water. Tough indeed. What have I let myself in for?!

The 'Toughest Race on Earth'

Compared with racing 600km to the North Pole at -40c, how hard can this be? Well, many folk (including the good people at 'Discovery') do indeed rate this as the 'Toughest Race on Earth'. However, I reckon simply because they film it and stick it on TV... Only two other people have done them both, so probably hard to form a meaningful opinion.

I guess one way to think about it is to think of the pain of a normal marathon... now multiply that by about 6. Add to to that the challenge of running it on sand (estimated to be 60% harder than running on the road). Add to that the challenge of running in temperatures that regularly exceed 50c (it went to 54.1c this year!). If that wasn't hard enough, now imagine doing that with all your sleeping gear, survival equipment and food on your back. You are basically given a tent and some water and then you get on with it.

The stories you hear about this race are legendary... people dying, people getting lost, people losing toes, people going on drips... none of them pleasant. Whilst I have no doubt many of them are true, I have heard these sorts of stories for every challenge I have ever done. However, I am under no illusions. This is going to be hard. Very hard.

Want to get an idea of what it is like? Well, check out these Youtube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Qak8e4vYA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwQKGt10DCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ21aIF9BxI

Will it be harder than the North Pole? I know first-hand the pain of that one… let’s see how this one compares.

Transforming into a runner

I have never described myself as a runner. When I left for the arctic, I was about 94kgs (that’s 207lbs for the American’s amongst you). Whilst much heavier than normal, I don’t have the frame of a runner, but I am going to need to try and acquire one. I can't say I have ever actually really enjoyed running, although it is a true test of one's self. There is no hiding and no short cuts. It's a simple sport. To get ready for this, I am going to have to run about 1,600km (1000 miles) - that in itself is a challenge and a half. All of this in a city where many people have told me to never run alone for fear of drunken motorists, a lack of pavements, potholes, drunk drivers and muggers who will steal my shoes...

Part 2 starts now.

Updates

Sand running and volcano climbing - November 29th, 2013

Sand running and volcano climbing - November 29th, 2013

Why am I going so slowly? 8kph? Really!? My feet are on fire. There is sand in my shoes. This hurts. There are people staring at me. I am sweating more than I thought was possible. Hmm... This...  more »

Intercontinental running  - November 3rd 2013

Intercontinental running - November 3rd 2013

A half marathon in Joburg. Have a shower, get on a plane, 16 hours later, get off the plane, run a half marathon in Washington DC. This style of life is becoming the norm and trust me......  more »

Facing up to the Marathon Des Sables - September 8th 2013

Facing up to the Marathon Des Sables - September 8th 2013

The (other) 'Toughest footrace on Earth', as described by the Discovery Channel. 7 brutal days of running 250km, through soft sand, in temperatures exceeding 50c, whilst carrying about...  more »

Altitude, heat and hoodlums - August 25th, 2013

Altitude, heat and hoodlums - August 25th, 2013

Move aside Thames Path with your variety of interesting historical monuments, your traffic free running lane and your shady tree laden shores. I am moving to Johannesburg, city of gold, hills...  more »

Part 2: Cruising to Polaris - April 11th 2013

Part 2: Cruising to Polaris - April 11th 2013

The weather was amazing as we left Resolute for our epic journey ahead. It was ‘only’ about -17c, no wind and beautiful sunshine. For the next few days, we would be pushing forward...  more »

Part 1: Journey to the top of the world - April 6th 2013

Part 1: Journey to the top of the world - April 6th 2013

The nostril hairs and my eyelashes started to freeze up – something that has only happened a few times in my life – typically at about -25c. The worst part was that I was still a two...  more »

'Adventure is just bad planning' - March 31st 2013

'Adventure is just bad planning' - March 31st 2013

It is with Amundsen's quote that I start my final blog before my own attempt to walk to a pole. Whilst I doubt my effort will be as celebrated, I hope it will be as successful. In the final...  more »

Counting Down... - March 13th 2013

Counting Down... - March 13th 2013

100s of KGs of kit, hundreds of individual items, food to be purchased in Canada, guns and ammunition to manage and sponsorship/fundraising efforts to sort out - the lead in to the North Pole is...  more »

Success on Aconcagua - February 9th 2013

Success on Aconcagua - February 9th 2013

100kph winds, -40c, deep snow... I had it all in my fight to get to the summit of the highest mountain in the Western and Southern Hemisphere's at 6,962m (22,841ft). Whilst telling everyone...  more »

How cold is 'cold'? - January 6th 2013

How cold is 'cold'? - January 6th 2013

One of the most common questions people ask me is 'how cold will it be at the North Pole?', to which I normally reply 'could be anything from -25c to -55c... and with windchill,...  more »

Maps & Tracking

Maps & Tracking

You can explore the full route to the North Pole and follow Paul’s progress with live maps that will plot his position each day as he progresses towards the pole  more >

VSO

VSO

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries (www.vso.org.uk). The Fire and Ice Challenge is aiming to raise £50,000 for VSO’s secure livelihoods programme  more >