Marathon des Sables

weeman2

Has anybody on here done this race or are going to do it ???

If you have done it what was your experience of the race???

RoyMcC

Classic thread here

bart simpson

weeman2 wrote: »

Has anybody on here done this race or are going to do it ???

If you have done it what was your experience of the race???

hi gary, i was thinking weeman might be you, i heard you on the darcy show saying you were going to do this, and there is not many people crazy enough to take it on, so it kinda narrowed it down
you should watch james cracknell toughest race on earth, it was on discovery a few months ago, below is a trailer, download the whole thing and you will have an idea of the challenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCP0puWBDbU

PDCAT

Yeah Gary, Think Ben Fogle also completed it. Also show on TV about it. Looks very tough.

weeman2

Hey Bart

For some reason it seemed like a good idea at the time but i can not wait it will be my end point to everything i have done. First i have to finish the diet and keep training hard.

I have seen the documentory a few times i purchased it on Amazon on Monday

I am hoping to find others who are doing it in 2013 there are 3 of us going so it would be good to hear from other people doing it.

I am also looking for any tips and words of wisdom from people who have done it.

Chartsengrafs

Best of luck with the training Gary.

bart simpson

weeman2 wrote: »

Hey Bart

For some reason it seemed like a good idea at the time but i can not wait it will be my end point to everything i have done. First i have to finish the diet and keep training hard.

I have seen the documentory a few times i purchased it on Amazon on Monday

I am hoping to find others who are doing it in 2013 there are 3 of us going so it would be good to hear from other people doing it.

I am also looking for any tips and words of wisdom from people who have done it.

why 2013? that is not that far away at all , the guy in this link http://mds2008.blogspot.com/ needed to train for four years and he didnt have to lose the weight you have to lose. you will need to be able to do a marathon in at least 4 hours to do MDS, im not saying you cant do it, but 2013! thats 15 months away gary....ya need to be realistic aswel

edit....but then again if you do do it...you will have the added bonus of being a very rich man from the book and publicity you will get

RacoonQueen

Following on from the other thread...

I don't understand the MdS registration? MdS is more than just a difficult or landmark event, it's one of the toughest events of it's kind. People who train for years struggle to finish it, struggle to make time cut offs, struggle with the food/water rationing. People who are from the general area get lost, struggle with the climate etc

Hunnymonster, zuppylurk and odysseus all did it a few years back. Three seasoned ultra distance athletes and they didn't find it easy. Don't mean to be critical, but this seems like some undertaking for you.

Given the history of MdS, what it consists of and the sort of skills and experience it requires - it just seems rather irresponsible for your Doc to allow that. It's ok for inexperienced people who have cameras following them around, thats a completely different story - they have aid, right beside them, the whole way.

I know you say you do this for yourself, good luck and all that. MdS just seems rather extreme to me.

weeman2

The MdS is extreme i fully agree, i am not looking for slaps on the back or anything like that for aiming to do this.

I have looked long and hard at this, i have spoken to many people and am very priviliged to be able to speak to so many people who are very qualified. I know what i need to do, the demands, dangers ect. I decided that i wanted to do this in September and have taken until now to commit and enter so i could speak to such people and know what i am getting myself in to.

Why? well why not? i spent the last few years making excuses. That was the old me i no longer look at things and say i can not do that i look and say why cant I. Some things do not interest me but the MdS does for some very strange reason.

I fully realise people are skeptical and some people just look down there nose at me (i had this at the Dublin Marathon) and think what i am doing is a joke but hey thats there issue as they are the very people who think people like me are just fat slobs who do nothing but eat.

Why 2013 well for me it is the finish line to what will have been a major two years+ journey and the start of a new life with endless posabilities.

bart simpson

weeman2 wrote: »

Why 2013 well for me it is the finish line to what will have been a major two years+ journey and the start of a new life with endless posabilities.

well i dont look down my nose at you, i admire you, and i admire your determination, the only thing i think that will let you down on your quest is patience, patience is in my opinion the most important quality of all the qualities of a runner,and im sure most on here will agree with that.
long distance running takes time, the heart, the skeleton, the core, leg muscles, the mind, all have to change so that the body can undertake such challenges. many guys on here have long term goals that are 2 or 3 years away, running is a lifestyle to them now, so they just need the patience to keep plugging away at it.
you have already started your new life a year ago

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

I think you are massively underestimating MDS as RQ states above. I am bat **** crazy at the best of times but its not on my list for a while yet as i am not ready for it yet. I cannot believe you are being advised to do this by professional people given your current state i think its bordering on stupidity.
I highly commend what you are trying to achieve but cannot help but think you are jumping into this too quickly when you should set shorter term goals to build up to this. Is it your view to suffer like hell and possibly risk your health or enjoy the experience if not why not wait until 2014/2015.

Mr Slow

Hi Gary,

As others have said it takes years to change your physiology into that of an endurance runner, you've made huge leaps in a short space of time but this may be a bridge too far. A positive attitude is a powerful thing but you need to dust it with reality.

Just another thought, if you do it then what next? It would be much more rewarding to pick off 10 challenges over the next 5 years.

Check out www.bendoeslife.com and good luck.

nerraw1111

Hey Gary,

Would you be willing to a training log on the forum? It'd make for a fascinating read.

Plus you’ll get lots of advice from some of the ultra runners here. Win win for everyone. I have my eye on the MDS too but a few others I’d like to tick off first.

weeman2

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Hey Gary,

Would you be willing to a training log on the forum? It'd make for a fascinating read.

Plus you’ll get lots of advice from some of the ultra runners here. Win win for everyone. I have my eye on the MDS too but a few others I’d like to tick off first.

I am setting up a website and will put up alot of info on that re my training and events i am doing next year.

I am not too interested in putting the info on a forum to allow people to pick apart. I am very very lucky to have a huge team around me (i probably have more help than some of the Irish Olympic hopefulls). This team includes my coach, foot specialist, 2 physios and a sports Physcologist. I will also have a nutritionist once i finish the diet. I see two indepentanndt doctors for the last year and this will continue. I get bloods once a month and i train to heart rate.

I am also lucky enough to be able to talk to some of the most qualified people around inc the S&C coach to the british athletic/olympic team and i have had some pms from people who have done the race who i will be meeting up with.

Even with my diet i don't go into it with too many people as it works and it can be negative to have everybody giving there two cents.

So for that reason i am not that interested in having everybody pick the details of my training apart. But who knows i may change my mind. I will read peoples comments and good or bad i always take things on board.

I am sure there are some very well qualified people on hear but as i have pointed out i am lucky to have such a great team around me. For the record not all are 100% happy but they know me well enough by now and have agreed to help on the condition that i do what they ask of me and meet goals they set for me.

bart simpson

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Hey Gary,

Would you be willing to a training log on the forum? It'd make for a fascinating read.

Plus you’ll get lots of advice from some of the ultra runners here. Win win for everyone. I have my eye on the MDS too but a few others I’d like to tick off first.

+ 1 on this, the only reason im posting on these topics is id love to see him do it, it would be great and would be a great log to follow, i think he needs more time, i could easily say "you go man, go for it" but saying that wont get ME what i want, and thats him to finish it! il leave it at that

and back to the OPs original question, any of the guys on here thinking of doing this in 2013.....or even the next 5 years?

RayCun

weeman2 wrote: »

For the record not all are 100% happy but they know me well enough by now and have agreed to help on the condition that i do what they ask of me and meet goals they set for me.

Do you have intermediate goals that you have to meet before you run MdS?

Must be able to run the next Dublin marathon in X time, must be down to Y weight by June next year, must be able to run at least Z miles per week every week for a month - and if you can't you won't do it?

TFBubendorfer

weeman2 wrote: »

This team includes my coach, foot specialist, 2 physios and a sports Physcologist. I will also have a nutritionist once i finish the diet. I see two indepentanndt doctors for the last year and this will continue.

Bloody hell, that is one serious support team! :eek:
May I ask, how did you manage to gather all those people around you?

BobMac104

^+1

rom

Why not ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TFWDUsvLCoE

weeman2

@Raycun

Ya i have a list of goals starting with running a 5k and it builds steadily over the year. I had done other stuff before the marathon too 5ks and i swam in a race and didnt finish last

I will have to be down to 16-17 stone and be injury free in order to do this.

It's not a case of if i don't meet certain goals i can not do the MdS these people spent the last 3 months going over plans with me and when i did the marathon in Dublin it was all part of the build up which was also used to decide 100% wheter i would do it or not.I do however have to do what they have planned for me and give it 100%, they know how serious i am as they worked with me for months now and have seen how far i have come in that time.

I am honest enough with myself to say that i would be very happy to run some of it and walk some of it.

rom

weeman2 wrote: »

@Raycun

Ya i have a list of goals starting with running a 5k and it builds steadily over the year. I had done other stuff before the marathon too 5ks and i swam in a race and didnt finish last

I will have to be down to 16-17 stone and be injury free in order to do this.

It's not a case of if i don't meet certain goals i can not do the MdS these people spent the last 3 months going over plans with me and when i did the marathon in Dublin it was all part of the build up which was also used to decide 100% wheter i would do it or not.I do however have to do what they have planned for me and give it 100%, they know how serious i am as they worked with me for months now and have seen how far i have come in that time.

I am honest enough with myself to say that i would be very happy to run some of it and walk some of it.

Hope your blogging all this ? somewhere as it would be a good read.

weeman2

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Bloody hell, that is one serious support team! :eek:
May I ask, how did you manage to gather all those people around you?

I often wonder this myself ! I am just very lucky that such people are very kind. I suppose as what i am doing is out there in the public people new i wanted help and where happy to help me. All offered to help me and have done trojan work which i will never forget some have become very good friends too.

I also have other people i can turn to and will do so over the next year or so one person is Gerry Duffy who came out and joined me in Dublin for a while after his race and had given me great advice before the race.

hardCopy

The first I heard of the race was years ago when I saw a documentary about this guy, absolutely mad race.

RayCun

weeman2 wrote: »

I am honest enough with myself to say that i would be very happy to run some of it and walk some of it.

I think everyone walks some of MdS!

What I mean is, are there are any lines (in the sand!) that you or your support team have drawn, where you say "If I am not fit enough to do this, then I am not fit enough to attempt MdS"

weeman2

RayCun wrote: »

I think everyone walks some of MdS!

What I mean is, are there are any lines (in the sand!) that you or your support team have drawn, where you say "If I am not fit enough to do this, then I am not fit enough to attempt MdS"

No because they have all been with me for a while some know me alot longer and have seen what i have come from and know how serious i am and my commitment to what i am doing.

I think for that reason it has never been a what if.

The only thing that would stop me going would be injury which will always be a risk and in that case i would do it in 2014 if i can not do it in 2013 but for me that will be the only reason.

Oryx

weeman2 wrote: »

No because they have all been with me for a while some know me alot longer and have seen what i have come from and know how serious i am and my commitment to what i am doing.

I think for that reason it has never been a what if.

The only thing that would stop me going would be injury which will always be a risk and in that case i would do it in 2014 if i can not do it in 2013 but for me that will be the only reason.

But if your team say to you, you are not yet strong enough to do this, you will fail. What then?

--amadeus--

bart simpson wrote: »

and back to the OPs original question, any of the guys on here thinking of doing this in 2013.....or even the next 5 years?

I will be doing this or an equivalent in the next 5 years but only when I start to slow down in regular marathons. After all you can run long forever but we all slow down with age.

Back to the OP I know three people who have done it (which indicates I probably need to change my circle of friends). Now I long ago gave up telling people they can't or shouldn't do something on here for the simple reason that no-one listens. So I am going to tell you what the 3 I know had to say and put my own context on it and it is up to everyone else what they make of it and how / if it applies to them.

The first person I know who did it is one of my oldest friends and a successful businessman. He is very focussed and committed and has run marathons / ultras / multi-day events around the world (Himalayas, both poles, Gobi desert, Amazon rain forest and of course the Sahara). He considers the MdS to be physically no harder than any other event of it's type and easier than many - although that is a relative term! It is however one of the most mentally demanding. The terrain is unrelenting and you find yourself looking up and fixing on a landmark that seems in the near distance. You look down and slog on for a couple of painful and difficult hours before looking up again and seeing that the landmark is no closer. It is soul-destroyingly difficult to push on through pain when visually you seem to be making no progress. And the running conditions are a challenge. The wadi's are rough uneven rock that demand intense concentration to avoid turning an ankle on and the sand isn't sand as we have it - it shreds even the best gaiters and he likened it to running on ground glass. I've been to the Sahara (I assume the OP also has so they have a reference point for the conditions) and the heat is like nothing I have ever experienced. Walking was tiring, let alone running with a pack.

The second guy wrote this:

Not a very productive day today. Yesterday started with a 91km stage the longest ever in the history of the race. It started with a lot of sand dunes and moved on to a dry wadi bed with lots of mini sand storms. Mud flats to round it off. Then we headed up a long set of rocky mounds. I am not quite sure of the order sorry, head is still messed up. Checkpoint 4 saw lots of high dunes followed by a climb up a 45 deg escarpment and a steeper decent (which I did in the dark). HM laid up in CP5 and slept and just arrived in. Tired and wrecked. Chest infection is worse and green gunk is coming out. Any ideas? Her shoulders are hurt from the heavy pack and feet are wrecked. Sand here is like glass applied with a wind blower. I push through the night because I needed medical attention. Feet lost blood flow and got ripped as my gaiters got shredded. I came screaming up the last 12km in the dark in pain and worry about my feet. Cut everything off and medical team treated me.

So Jo is wiped. She needed a week to recover and a course of lots of drugs.
I set me legs back about a year and have possible 2 days let. Frustrating is the fact the weather conditions that cancelled day have lead the organisers to choose the most brutal course possible to save face and not to have it listed as the easiest one. Longest day to date ever was 74km. Putting 91km in has hurt lots of people. As I sit here 26hrs after the stage started, people are still rolling in in ones and twos. Sun is baking those who chose to sleep rather risk getting lost in the night. I am worried about my feet.
Looked necrotic last night but the dark blotches have changed to red, the hamstrings won't work and lost my quads 2 days ago. Shin has a lump, don't think its a stress fracture but can't admit that to anyone. Dehydration a huge factor. Specking of which I need to head back and pick up today's water ration.
HM is in bits but will rally once dinner stays down

HM is better now that she is resting and had dinner. I am suffering with what the French call gastric confusions. 3 times an hour only now. Got a cool can of Pepsi today as a treat. We feel honoured. 45km stage tomorrow but no idea of terrain. but to be fair the maps are useless. So longest day ever and a second ultra. Never been two ultras and before you point out its only 3km you really need to see the walking wounded.

I got back at 2am and HM at 10 after her sleep but people are still rolling in and its 17.00. She might be faster but this cripple can walk thru the pain. :-)

Everyone is in bits bar the elite field. And some of them have dropped out.

Charlie- Enjoy editing my babble. Life is not so good in the desert.

The writer of that holds the official world record for the fastest marathon in full firefighters gear, has completed at least one off-road 100 mile race, IM triathlons - oh and he has swum the English Channel. He is also a qualified medic so when he talks glibly about necrosis and stress fractures it is from a position of some knowledge.

It's easy to watch a TV show, read a book or the web and get swept into the grand challenge of it all; the physical challenge and the romantic notion of life's great adventure. There is also the testosterone thing - they are people, I'm a person, they can do it, I can do it. You can read a blog where they talk about how tough it was and having to push on through the pain and the macho element in us all comes through with "I could do that, I could push on when the going gets tough!" And the websites for these events pander to that - I have lost count of the variations of "toughest race in teh world" that I have seen on various event sites. But go back and re-read that quote slowly. That is the raw un-edited experience of a tough and seasoned endurance athlete in the middle of the event. There isn't a lot of glamour in the reality.

The final person I know who has done it is a bit of a machine. Completed 2 IM tri's in a week, finished an IM despite a competitor punching her in the face and breaking her nose midway through the swim. Held / holds the unofficial Irish womens 100 mile running record. I had the dubious pleasure of crewing for her on a multiday event once and I was stunned by her mental resilience - one minute she was in bits by the side of the road, feet that looked like mincemeat wrapped and weeping through bandages. Next she was up, trainers on and running. She is the HM referred to as being "in bits" with wrecked feet and shoulders in teh quote above and needing a week and lots of drugs to recover. Have a look through her MdS photo album to get a flavour of things. Look in particular at the photos of her and his feet and legs and the size of the packs they had to run with.

And ask yourself are you physically on a par with these three people? Because if you are entering the MdS then they are your peers. They all struggled to a greater or lesser extent with the challenge. Look in the mirror and ask are you really fitter and mentally more resilient than they are?

As I said at the start I am interested in doing this event - or a similar one - in the near future but want to finish "fast" marathons first. If I were to commit to one the minimum lead time I would give myself would be the same as the OP, around 18 months. And that is starting as a healthy male of 6' tall and weighing 69kgs with ~10 marathons under my belt and a PB of 2:58. In the 18 month build up I would be attempting to get my mileage up to 70 - 100 per week with back to back long runs of 20+. I would attempt at least three specific events in preparation - the Sahara marathon and two other ultras, ideally 50 miles plus and with 1 off road (maybe something like the Art O'Neill challenge which includes navigation). In my opinion someone attempting the likes of the MdS needs to have a long background in endurance events and a build up of that nature to give themselves a fighting chance of completion. Being in anything other than superb physical condition at the start line is frankly asking for trouble.

Good luck whatever you decide.

griffin100

I'd hoped to do the MdS in 2013 as it occurs around the time of my 40th birthday but in the end the costs meant I couldn't justify it.

I wish you the best of luck Gary, like every MdS entrant your going to need it. Its a huge ask for anyone to do the MdS but to go from a 17hr marathon to the MdS in 18 months is a big challenge but having a team that large around you will certainly help. I'm sure that you understand that this is the reason behind some of the incredulity that's on this thread; every year many seasoned runners fail the MdS challenge and mental toughness is not enough on its own to get through a race like this that has such strict cut offs. You are taking a huge risk so don't let the dream take precedence over your long term health.

Who came up with the MdS as an idea before you had done the DCM?

weeman2

Oryx wrote: »

But if your team say to you, you are not yet strong enough to do this, you will fail. What then?

I will not fail i know and believe this. I have a very detailed plan and i will give it 100%. It may need to be adjusted as all plans are but the goal is simple and clear. For us there simply isnt the option of failure much like my diet i know i will do it.

The team believe in me two and i believe in them and teher ability to help me.

This may not tell you what you want to hear but that is just me i believe in myself and i know what i need to do to achieve it.

The only way i will fail is if i give up hence i live by the quote "if i don not give up i can not fail".

--amadeus--

weeman2 wrote: »

The only way i will fail is if i give up hence i live by the quote "if i don not give up i can not fail".

Well technically you could fail by not making the cut off times, or worse.

weeman2

griffin100 wrote: »

I'd hoped to do the MdS in 2013 as it occurs around the time of my 40th birthday but in the end the costs meant I couldn't justify it.

I wish you the best of luck Gary, like every MdS entrant your going to need it. Its a huge ask for anyone to do the MdS but to go from a 17hr marathon to the MdS in 18 months is a big challenge but having a team that large around you will certainly help. I'm sure that you understand that this is the reason behind some of the incredulity that's on this thread; every year many seasoned runners fail the MdS challenge and mental toughness is not enough on its own to get through a race like this that has such strict cut offs. You are taking a huge risk so don't let the dream take precedence over your long term health.

Who came up with the MdS as an idea before you had done the DCM?

It was entirely my idea.

The marathon was 10hrs 46 mins not 17hrs, i struggled to walk in January so people thought i was mad doing the marathon. I run regulaly in training (intervile training) and i should point out i am still on a protein only ketosis diet which is not ideal for all the training i do yet i still do it.

RayCun

Look in the mirror and ask are you really fitter and mentally more resilient than they are?

I think the mistake is thinking that extra mental resilience will make up for lack of fitness.
you can get around a normal marathon on guts, will-power, determination, stubborness... whatever you want to call it. You can say to yourself "I refuse to give up", and not give up.
But for something like MdS will power is not enough. All of the people who have attempted MdS and couldn't complete had will-power. They were all determined. You can't just assume that you can do it because you want it more than they did. You need that level of fitness as well.

The Dublin marathon stayed open until you finished. MdS won't. Although we're usually very happy-clappy in this forum, the truth is that not everything is possible, there really are limits to what you can do.

griffin100

The marathon was 10hrs 46 mins not 17hrs

apologies, my mistake, 17hrs is burned into my mind as its the IM cutoff....

Oryx

I say this with the best possible intention: Dont let determination blind you to reality. I want you to do this, I want you to succeed. Think of what an achievement that would be! But at the same time, dont go for this just because you said you would, or because you want it. Go for it because you can, because you are ready.

weeman2

@ Amadeus

Thanks for the post re your friends there are some very excellent points in it.

This is exactly what i am looking for not all the questions about what if and why, i appreciate some people think i am mad and that this is a joke but i know i can do it and that is all that counts. I have great help and i know what I have to do to achieve my goal.

I have been told so many times along my journey that i am mad and it can't be done i believe in me and i know i can do it.

The next 16 months will be very tough and challenging and hopefully a few of you will change your minds over that period as i do other events, some of you will never believe i can do it i believe i can and that is all that matters to me.

I am very honest and realistic but for far too long i looked at life and gave reasons why i couldnt do things. I may not finish the MdS it may brake me but i will give it 100%

weeman2

Oryx wrote: »

I say this with the best possible intention: Dont let determination blind you to reality. I want you to do this, I want you to succeed. Think of what an achievement that would be! But at the same time, dont go for this just because you said you would, or because you want it. Go for it because you can, because you are ready.

I fully appreciate what you are saying, i have had many such conversations with people. My plans for the next 16 months are very clear and detailed and have been set out by very experienced coaches. I will be prepared physically for this race.

Oryx

In fairness Ive seen a few larger people take up sport, and it sounds funny but you begin with such a base of strength simply from carrying the weight. Anyhoo, maybe you would link to your website when you get going. I really want to follow your journey. And no matter what happens, you wont be the same person at the end as you were at the beginning. Good luck.

hardCopy

Oryx wrote: »

In fairness Ive seen a few larger people take up sport, and it sounds funny but you begin with such a base of strength simply from carrying the weight. Anyhoo, maybe you would link to your website when you get going. I really want to follow your journey. And no matter what happens, you wont be the same person at the end as you were at the beginning. Good luck.

+1, best of luck and please keep us updated. Start a training log here or on your own blog.

rom

Why not lose the weight first and then train for it the following year. What is the rush ?

sideswipe

Hey Weeman, while I have maximum respect for what you have, and are trying to achive with the weight loss, I think this plan is insane, possibly borderline stupidity. I don't question the goal, but the time frame.
You yourself have said getting to 40+ stone was stupid (or words to that effect) but doing something like this, too soon and without adequate running base is potentially just as unfair to your body.
Sorry for the bluntness, this is just my 2cents worth as I can't fathom the rush in attempting such a mammoth undertaking so close to the start of your journey (then again maybe I'm just jealous and worried I'm setting my own goals too low!!!).
I suppose there's plenty of people in the past that were told they were mad and then went on to achieved incredible things, I wish you the very best of luck.

metamorphosis

Gary,

I know no matter how many things are said to you here,trying to show you some reason, you will still go for this. Regardless of whether you complete it, don't complete it or whatever - all the best success with it and with the training. Just remember, nothing in life is permanent and something can change with the click of two fingers,m injuries, sickness etc. Mentally prepare your self for the rigor. You have done so much so soon, if you want your body to stay well for life, get it ready to do so.

Hope to see you next week or in the new year in Sexton St. The main man might be gone away home but we are still here

--amadeus--

A lot of faith is being placed in mental strength, self belief and discipline here. And rightly so - the more I run and the faster I get the more emphasis I put on the mental side. And great credit should be given for the metal discipline to stick to a diet and lose x amount of weight, or a training program that sees you train 4 - 7 times a week for 16 - 24 weeks.

And all 8000 or so finishers in the DCM this year should be very proud of the mental toughness they showed getting to the start line and from there to the finish. As should the thousands more who finished the marathons in Limerick, Conn, Belfast, Cork, Newry, Kildare, Dingle and Sixmilebridge. And the finishers in the Ultras in Conn, Portumna and Dingle. And the 30,000 or so who finished in NYC and London. And the 20000 or so in Paris and Chicago and the 15,000+ in Amsterdam, Rome, Rotterdam... I'm sure you get the picture; mental toughness is not what separates one marathon runner from another it is what unites all endurance runners. It is as fundamental to distance running as a heart and lungs.

Nor is mental toughness alone enough. Navy SEALS aren't know for being softies who quit at the first sign of trouble, but read this:

A few years back, four Navy SEALs had applied to run the race, but were rejected because they didn't have experience in running ultras. As race official Phil Marchant put it, "Just running a marathon doesn't qualify you to do this." The SEALs attended a pre-race meeting, and, Marchant recalled, "They stood up and said, "We officially protest; we are as badass as anyone here; we defend you and your country.' So the organizers let them run that year. Three of them dropped out by Stovepipe Wells (42 miles into a 135 mile race), and the last one not far after that."

(link) Now Badwater is to MdS what MdS is to the DCM but again the point is that being mentally strong is sometimes not enough. Every competitor in the MdS is mentally strong and has strong self belief. Every year hundreds of them drop out.

Woundedknee.

weeman2 wrote: »

Has anybody on here done this race or are going to do it ???

If you have done it what was your experience of the race???

I've done the MdS and my experience would be very different to almost all of what I've read and heard about the race while researching it and since finishing. I went from non runner to MdS in 2 years and finished the race without a blister. It was tough but I enjoyed it and would love to do it again but think it's over priced and too big.


Do I think you can finish? You didn't ask that and sure it doesn't matter what I think.

Woundedknee.

weeman2 wrote: »

Hey Bart

For some reason it seemed like a good idea at the time but i can not wait it will be my end point to everything i have done. First i have to finish the diet and keep training hard.

I have seen the documentory a few times i purchased it on Amazon on Monday

I am hoping to find others who are doing it in 2013 there are 3 of us going so it would be good to hear from other people doing it.

I am also looking for any tips and words of wisdom from people who have done it.

Don't let it be your end point! When you cross that finish line you will need a new goal or you could quite easily go backwards.

Words of wisdom? See above

RayCun

Woundedknee. wrote: »

I've done the MdS and my experience would be very different to almost all of what I've read and heard about the race while researching it and since finishing. I went from non runner to MdS in 2 years and finished the race without a blister.

Do you mind if I ask - did you run any other events in those two years? What kind of progression was there?

Woundedknee.

RayCun wrote: »

Do you mind if I ask - did you run any other events in those two years? What kind of progression was there?

Started running in April 2001 and finished Dublin Marathon same year in 4hrs02. The following year I did Belfast Marathon in 4hrs18, Longford Marathon in 4hrs09 and then Dublin Marathon in 3hrs58. As you can see I went backwards before I started to go forwards.

bart simpson

RayCun wrote: »

Do you mind if I ask - did you run any other events in those two years? What kind of progression was there?

you would have to assume he was able to run 5k in under 28 minutes before he started his training

Woundedknee.

bart simpson wrote: »

you would have to assume he was able to run 5k in under 28 minutes before he started his training

First run was approx 5K and by half way I was struggling. Probably took 40 minutes to complete.
Don't want this to go off topic as it's not about me it's about MdS.

red face dave

Very interesting topic and something I have always loved to read and watch. I found James Cracknell documentary very good from a point that he was in top shape and he found the mental side of the event very tough.

Gary I wish you the best of luck cant wait to read your progress. Hope everything works out for you. Remember one step at a time:)

weeman2

I think people are of the opinion that all i have going for me is mental strength and am depending on it. I know my mental strength is good but i wouldn't dare rely on that heading into the MdS.

I would like to point out i was 29 stone on marathon day so i carried an extra lets say 14-15 stone (compared to most people) around the course which most people had told me wasn't a good idea, we had no water after station 3 and after pheonix park the roads where re opened so we where up and down foot paths. It rained for nearly 2 hrs on us so for the rest of the day we where wet and cold, after mile 19 we saw no signs as they where taken down, we got lost and did an extra half to full km. That was with 29 stone and 10 months training.

By MdS i will have been training for 28 months and will be 16/17 stone (it is hard to know my exact weight so lets just say very lean but i would hope 16 st) i know what my body and mind are capable of, i know i need 16 months hard training to build up to it and i know if i do it write i will complete the MdS.

bart simpson

weeman2 wrote: »

I think people are of the opinion that all i have going for me is mental strength and am depending on it. I know my mental strength is good but i wouldn't dare rely on that heading into the MdS.

I would like to point out i was 29 stone on marathon day so i carried an extra lets say 14-15 stone (compared to most people) around the course which most people had told me wasn't a good idea, we had no water after station 3 and after pheonix park the roads where re opened so we where up and down foot paths. It rained for nearly 2 hrs on us so for the rest of the day we where wet and cold, after mile 19 we saw no signs as they where taken down, we got lost and did an extra half to full km. That was with 29 stone and 10 months training.

By MdS i will have been training for 28 months and will be 16/17 stone (it is hard to know my exact weight so lets just say very lean but i would hope 16 st) i know what my body and mind are capable of, i know i need 16 months hard training to build up to it and i know if i do it write i will complete the MdS.

i cant remember exactly because i was driving while listening to you on the radio, but did say something about your immune system taking a hammering after the marathon and that you had water retention? do you not think this will happen training for MDS, how many km or miles a week are you running now? and when you are 20 stone in say 7 months time, how many miles will you be able to run then?