- By Phil Halford, fundraiser
My name is Phil, I’m 42 next week and I’ve recently signed up to run 151 miles to raise money for MAG.
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That’s the equivalent of five-and-a-half marathons. Over seven days. In Morocco. Across the Sahara Desert.
That’s me on the right.
For those who’ve never heard of it, the Marathon des Sables is the toughest footrace on earth, described as “the world of lunatics and masochists” by the website saharamarathon.co.uk, which adds:
You will have to prepare all your own food throughout the race and I warn you that there is not a chain of Tesco stores or corner grocery shops dotted around the Sahara. You will experience mid-day temperatures of up to 120°F, of running or walking on uneven rocky, stony ground as well as 15 - 20% of the distance being in sand dunes.
I had a chicken tikka and onion bhaji sandwich for lunch today, washed down by a can of ginger beer.
The heat, distance and rubbing will trash your feet and may cause severe trauma if incorrect shoes and equipment are used... Even if you have run dozens of 26 mile marathons, this does not mean that you will automatically find the MdS easy - either way you will be planning to do lots of training prior to the MdS.
I last ran a marathon in 1986. The Tidworth Marathon in Wiltshire.
On the 4th day, you will set off across the barren wilderness to complete a 45-50 mile stage. Few people complete this before dark that evening and some will not come in till after dark the next night. This is followed by the 42km Marathon stage!! Its tough, so don't say that nobody warned you in the strongest terms.
The good news is that I have 23 months to prepare: D-day is in April 2011.
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Unorthodox training for a run across the Sahara...? |
The question I get asked most is: 'Why are you going to put yourself through this?'
Having worked in landmine clearance for the last 12 years, I’ve seen the devastation that these weapons cause to men, women, children and families. Their lives are under constant threat just going about their daily routine, gathering water and food become a life or death battle for survival.
If by putting myself through this masochistic event for seven days I can make a difference to people’s entire lives then that’s my motivation.
I realise that this is going to an uphill struggle, being an overweight middle-aged asthmatic, but I know I will be successful in the end.
Follow my progress as I move down the road to fitness, culminating in the event itself. And please sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/philhalford.
Thank you,
Phil
13 May 09
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