marathon des sables
Survivors’ Stories: Marathon Des Sables 2016
April 19, 2016
I ran the Marathon Des Sables in 2014 and for the last two years, I have been going down to Ouarzazate for the end of the race as a volunteer to help the runners check in to their hotel, relax and then get on their flights at the end. This year I was also working as writer for www.runultra.co.uk and www.hopesobright.org. That added an extra depth as I followed our heroes' journeys across the sand. Marathon Des Sables, ultra race, trail race, ultrarun par excellence - the toughest footrace on earth. Here are some of their stories.
Ten things I love about running
January 7, 2016
Running may be glorious but it is also very, very hard. I am in no way a natural runner and so just getting myself out there can be a trauma. Worse, I have taken a long break, and now it is time to knuckle down. I have really written this as my New Year's Motivation to GET running again. My own personal ten top running tips!
I think the snake is dead
July 2, 2015
12 hours 20 mins of hiking. 1300 metres of ascent and 31 kilometres covered. A big day out in the Atlas Mountains, climbing Mount Meltzen
Behind the scenes at the Marathon Des Sables
April 14, 2015
They came back heroes! The finishers from the 2015 Marathon Des Sables, It is the toughest footrace on earth with six marathons across the desert in six days. Headwinds, sandstorms, blisters, dunes and heat. They battled them all and triumphed. And there I was, waiting at the end with a key to a hotel room complete with soft bed and hot shower.,...
Three diets for fitness: paleo, vegan, calorie counting
April 4, 2015
I piled on the pounds towards the end of last year. Lack of a clear running, cycling or adventure goal for January, the delights of Christmas and a lack of will power all came together and helped me gain that extra fat. For the New Year, I decided to combine some research with a quest to lose weight. Three months - three diets that different nutritionists swear by - paleo, vegan and calorie counting. I thought that a month for each was a fair crack of the whip.
Run Until You Drop!
March 13, 2015
The next time Charlie Shepherd says, "Alice, I've found this really good challenge, you should do it and write about it...", remind me to shoot him!
Marrakech Half Marathon
January 26, 2015
Palm trees silhouetted against the snow of the Atlas Mountains. Cold air but hot sunshine. A carnival mood and a scenic route round the ancient city. It is time for the Marrakech Half Marathon.
MdS Kit: What did and didn’t work
December 11, 2014
You would think that running would be a kit-free zone but somehow I managed to spend a fortune, kitting up for the Marathon Des Sables. In fact, because you have to carry everything for the week, it is incredibly important to get the necessity versus weight ratio right. Food was one of the really crucial factors and bizarrely I found that less was more.
Recovery or Slump?
June 18, 2014
2 months since the Marathon Des Sables and the glory is starting to fade....