The Marathon des Sables

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• http://www.ultramarathonmike.co.uk/

This week is getting better and better - I passed the exam I didn’t think there was a cat in hells chance that I would and I got 83% in my final project dissertation write up. Not too bad!

It’s been a long 6 years, but I am honestly glad it is over as life without the deadlines and workload over my head is … well, very good. My training is going very well, life is much less ‘full’ and best of all I have time for the important things in life like my family.

There is sure to be more down the line but it certainly will only be when I am ready (and won’t be 6 years!), it would be unfair to put anyone else though that again, let alone me!

So, I did a quick(ish) 4.5 miles tonight to stretch the legs after last Saturdays ultra. Looks like the weather for Rotherham is going to be shambolic, marvelous!

It’s several degrees below zero, the sun hadn’t even risen yet, it was going to get dark in about 8 hours time and there are 60+ people gathered around a rugby club in Brecon, many of whom are in infeasibly tight shorts … it can mean only one thing … the boys (and girls!) at Likeys have organised an ultra!

The route consists of the following, about 4 miles of canal, a twenty mile loop, done twice, and a 4 mile run back along the canal. Topping out at The Gap next to Fan Y Big (you couldn’t write this stuff) and some looooong climbs this was going to be a grand day out.

After unpacking the new gear I got my sticky mitts on I got changed and packed, the only thing I am miffed about is that I only clamped eyes on my new swiss army card I bought for about 3 seconds when I transferred it from packaging to bag and then promptly lost it somewhere … being from Yorkshire, boy has it stuck in my mind!!

The run started off nice and gentle along the canal and then started climbing, it wasn’t steep – it was just long, very long in fact it didn’t seem to end but the weather was glorious and the views were just perfect. After topping out sometime later just near the first at the checkpoint we topped out and started descending on some very frozen tarmac and slid into checkpoint one. With more water on board it was time to start … er climbing again. As we he was headed up to the gap past a couple of groups of really fed up looking TA’s towards the Gap.
The Gap was windy and the descent very, very icy, in fact it was later to generate a 40 minute mile for some competitors! So, after picking our way down the descent and thinking … “boy that was tricky” we came to the next checkpoint and then found ourselves fumbling down “Devils Gorge”, “Death Valley” or any other apt name cursed at the time by stumbling competitors! It was about 1km of loose rocks and stones on a very thin and chopped up pathway with added branches and sharp stuff waiting to slap you in the face whilst you kicked a loose rock the size of a rugby ball with your left foot and loose your right foot in a pot hole.

After 4hours 40minutes we understood the front runners has come through an astonishing hour earlier and we ourselves were not doing badly! After celebrating the halfway mark I was still in infeasibly little clothing, it was still icy and everyone was still smiling.

Starting the loop again we covered marathon distance somewhere up the long long drag which we took a little easier than the first time round. Again we topped out hit the checkpoint and Alan donated some pork pies to the checkpoint and we marched up towards the gap. It was mid afternoon and the temperature was dropping lower again, the TA’s were still there and the looks they gave us were even more curious.

Still we marched up to the Gap were more ice had formed on the down stretch and the light was fading. By the time we made it to Devil’s Gorge/Death Valley/Hell it was torches out and eyes down. The small road sections were covered in more ice and the boggy fields were frozen we finally made out way back to the canal and it was almost over. Just 4.1 miles of tow path to pick our way along. We finally made it back for Hot Chili, tea and good cheer all around. Me and Alan managed to yomp around in 10hours 43 which was well below what I would have confidently predicted a huge bonus to an amazing day out.

It was great to be out at the finish line (after being warmed, fed and beered up!) to see the last competitors come over the line after the temperature had dropped to -5.5C and they were literally covered in frost and had frozen water bottles. Those guys worked the hardest …

As ever thanks to all the folk involved, the tremendous organisation, Alan for his girly swearing and spot on company almost all the way round and everyone else I met and talked too over the weekend.

Well, the bucket of brown rice I had with it was … the scorching hot vindaloo was a bonus and the potatoes can only help! Whether authentic vindaloo is great ultra prep is a still open for further debate.

After last nights 5.5 mile leg stretch which was more of an ice skate than run (although racking up a surprising sub 50 minutes) today and tomorrow are rest days, I have even stayed off my bike!

The weather is looking like it’s actual going to be a good with maybe some sun but I think we can almost guarantee some snow en route which will make my weekend. To help make it a little more comfy I have purchased some new kit for the weekend both to ensure that I meet the minimum requirements for emergency kit and I bolster up my currently sparse MdS kit!
My purchases are:

• Swiss Army Card - potentially useless in any situation other than when it’s better than a plastic knife, but compact and with light
• Under Armour HeatGear Compression Shorts - because chaffing is BAD
• Toe Toe Running Socks - because toes need love too…

Right, only one thing left to do … pack!

With only a few days to go and the weather continuing its winter theme the Beacons Ultra should be an interesting run! There has been plenty of snow in Brecon according to Uncle Likey and some very changeable weather.

I have done plenty of walking running and cycling in winter conditions but I can confidently say that I haven’t done 45/46/47 mile winter conditions ultra in mid Wales, or anywhere for that matter!

The course is a double loop south of Brecon with a maximum elevation of 599m, and a course profile like thus:

The weather could well slow progress on the day but with a 7 hour cut off for the first loop and 16 hours available it should be a dream. I have been tapering since my run last weekend but will stretch the legs with a small run tomorrow, probably in the snow and on the East Yorkshire ice rink.

It’s going to be a great weekend and opportunity to meet a whole bunch of fellow loons from the MdS forums taking part in the 2009/2010 etc MdS…

Bring it on!