One week to the start of our extreme challenge and we're finalising on the technical aspects of the logistics i.e. what to eat for breakfast!
Actually I'm only half joking. The key to ultra-endurance events is divided equally between physical fitness, mental toughness and nutrition. Our food is a mix of carbohydrates and proteins derived as much as possible from natural foods like oats, nuts and seeds, however the sheer weight of 'regular' food means that we need to use nutritional products to supplement our intake.
Maxim and Performance Sports Nutrition will provide us with the energy requirements whilst running through Gels and Energy Bars. The freeze dried Expedition Foods will provide the evening meal where 800 Calories in 150g is as lightweight a food as you can get! NUUN salts will provide us with the electrolytes that are critical in reducing dehydration and cramping.
My food pack contains 18,264 Calories for 250km of running over 7 days. The rest of the pack includes survival equipment, first aid supplies, a Medcomms Satellite Phone (for live links to TV Malta Llejla, Xarabank and Bay Radio), a rugged digital video camera, a downs jacket and sleeping bag for the freezing nights, and a solar panel to charge the gadgets.
The aim is to carry less than 9kgs plus the water ration. Water is rationed every 13km throughout the run, and an added 4ltrs is provided to prepare your meals, re-hydrate and brush your teeth :) Showering is not an option - hence the Berber Tents having no side walls or doors.... I am not looking forward to the smell on the bus ride out of the Sahara basin on the last day!
The site of the race is a 6 hour drive south of Ouarzazate, on the eastern side of the Atlas mountains and close to the border of Algeria. This is one of the most inhospitable places in Morocco, due to the searing heat and stark landscape. That is also what makes it so beautiful. With no light pollution, the sky at night resembles the London Planetarium on an enormous scale.
The stillness encourages an opportunity for reflection and indeed meditation, and many claim the event to be a spiritual experience as much as a voyage of self discovery and extreme endurance. I'm looking forward to this event.
The Ironman last year was a great test of physical and mental endurance, but the Marathon Des Sables goes further. Isolation, no soft hotel bed after the hard days' slog, and harsh conditions throughout. Both myself and Douglas have had a difficult time preparing because of our busy jobs, as well as the odd injury that is expected when you need to build up to 200km a week of running in only 3 months; however I believe we are prepared mentally, and that will make all the difference.
Being egged on by the reason we are doing this - the charities benefitting from our effort and your generosity drives us on. Please visit our Simply Giving page on www.simplygiving.org.mt/extremechallenge and help us out. If you have any questions about the event or the charities, please comment on the blog! More soon....