The Marathon des Sables

Stage Two was a circular from ERG ZNAIGNI, 36 kilometers or 22.36 miles for the metrically challenged. This stage saw some surprisingly fast speeds from the front runners which may have had something to do with the temperature and humidity reported as;
0845 hrs 15.8 deg C 38% humidity
1000 hrs 20.7 deg C 37% humidity
1215 hrs 24 deg C 18% humidity.
These are not the conditions Mike was expecting but they are definitely in his favour and he completed this stage in 5 hrs 15 mins 34 seconds moving up in the ranking 13 places to 303
There were 6 retirements from the race at 1215 hrs.
A few interesting facts gleaned from the list of competitors (with a reasonable degree of accuracy given there are over 800)
The oldest competitor is 70 yrs
There are only about 13 people younger than Mike taking part.
There has been no word from Mike as yet on today’s performance but according to the ‘darbaroud’ MDS website tomorrow sees ‘the longest and mythical stage…’. The route details are not released until the day of the race but if it is the longest then it is a real test, more than doubling the miles run in the last two days, in a single day….a total of 50 miles !

Being described as a razor dodging workshy retiree sort of guy with to much time on his hands was, if not entirely true, fairly close to the mark. As it turned out the challenge was gratefully accepted and although not averse to communicating with people on various levels I found the business of drumming up support a little daunting but with such effort being put into the preparation for this event resolved to do my best.
I have to say that without the support of my good friend Will Richardson this task would have been a lot harder.
Will runs Hunsley Acoustic Music nights at the Half Moon pub in Elloughton on a monthly basis and any profit he makes is given to the Teenage Cancer Trust, one of Mike’s preferred charities.
On the 14th March Will organised a fabulous night of music at the Village Hall, Elloughton featuring Paul Liddell and Elbow Jane. There wasn’t a spare seat in the house and Will not only promoted Mike’s efforts on the night but generously allowed the raffle proceeds to be given towards the supported charities.
The response was (as were the donated prizes) superb.Just over £500.00 was raised on the night.
As a result of local advertising much more support was promised in sponsorship and services, such as pre race sports physiotherapy from Hugh Crossland at North Ferriby and other scources who I will acknowledge in a round up post when the sponsorship closes.
The donation facility on the site is still open (and secure!) for business folks, just as the race and the pain Mike is sure to experience in the next few days.
Thanks to all for your support.

After a day of constantly scanning the MDS website and any other weather forecasting site we could find to anticipate the next move, news came through at last that the 2009 MDS was underway with a modified route which had to take into account the effect of the exceptional weather experienced in the preceding days which put the staging of the whole event in the balance.
Tonight we received our first e mail from Mike.
‘Hi All, enjoying getting going and feeling very good about the first day,
was a comfortable day and all systems are nicely intact! feet etc good.’
His first day was fantastic ! 20.5 miles in 4 hrs 38mins 35 secs placing him 316 of 812 competitors.
I know Mike’s approach is not specifically about position but personal performance and I think this first day is very creditable and reflects the training and effort put in place over the last two years.
We look forward to tomorrow….

From the 28th of March during the race itself Darbaroud (the race organisers) set up an email service in which they deliver emails to competitors in the tent, and that’s where you can help!

There is a section on the darbaroud website called “écrire aux concurrents/write to competitors” click on that and you can fill in a form which when sent will wing it’s way to me. When possible I will get some information on this blog but I will do my best.

It would be great to here from anyone who reads this blog. The messages will do me a whole world of good!

I have had a busy day with an early start to clear some work and then a quick presentation at Tilbury Primary School, followed by work a trip to the docs a sports massage and a kit check…
The talk was great and the head even turned out to be able to knock off a highly respectable 1hr27 half marathon!

I was glad I toddled on down to see the GP to try and sort out this ear, he took one look and said it was a good job I did pop in as it was a very nasty ear infection which, if left, could have been awful. With a double course of antibiotics (one for the ear infection and a second course should I encounter problems with anything else whilst away) the Doctor assured me I would be fine by Wednesday and ready to fly, he wished me well and I was on my way home.

After work I had a second massage session with physiotherapist Hugh Crossland of North Ferriby, who kindly donated his services, it was a second sports massage which has left me feeling excellent. Any tights bits have been loosed and all areas have been checked and are ready to go. His prognosis is good and it looks like I should remain trouble free.
No doubt that by Tuesday or Wednesday I will feel a little bruised but that is natural.

With a kit list drawn up, checked, double checked and packed up the pack is sat beside me (almost) ready to go. Just a couple of sundries to buy, top up the sun cream and I am ready. It’s probably a little heavier than I would have liked but I not weighed it yet.

The time is nigh!