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A few years ago I did the Marathon des Sables, although it is a particularly gruelling 6 marathons in 7 days self-supporting across the Moroccan sahara, I felt it was worth doing as at last, I could hang up my running shoes and retire to the sofa safe in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be Top Trumped and could rest on my (slightly withered) laurels in comfort and slippers. What could possibly go wrong?

My wife Lois, unfortunately, is not a lazy, sloth-like creature such as myself and inspired by my embellished tales of daring-do decided that she too quite fancied a pop at doing it. This is what went wrong, you see, no more could I claim one-upmanship, I could no longer lounge around in my velvet smoking jacket and curly Turkish slippers, there was only one thing for it – to regain the high ground I would have to do it all over again with her.

Fortunately though, this years Marathon des Sables is the 25^th anniversary so that means it’ll be a little longer than usual, now rounding out to 250 kms, I’d always thought that 240 kms just wasn’t quite long enough so I’ll be looking forward to those extra 10 kms at the end...

Usually I wouldn’t bother with too much training, it can be bad for you, but Lois insists that it’s a good idea so we’ve been trudging about the highways and byways for months now getting into shape, doing events like the Caledonian Challenge, (you may have heard of it), and after a long wait it is now only 3 months away. Gulp!

We’re again running for CHAS, the childrens hospice charity, and all sponsorship will go directly to the charity as all entry/event costs have been covered. CHAS are doing fantastic work at their Robin and Rachel houses providing care and support for families in terrible circumstances and it’s been a cause close to both our hearts for a fair few years now.

So, on 1^st April, (how appropriate), we fly out to and after a day sorting things out will take our first steps of quite a few through the dunes. We have to cover 250 kms / 155 miles over the course of the week which equates to about 6 back-to-back marathons carrying all our own food and equipment, travelling pretty much cross-country in temps that may range well into the thirties (or hundreds, in old money). We’re in company with another 275 countrymen, (including Olympic gold medaller James Cracknell, whoever he is, Lois seems to know…), in a total field of 800 multi-national entrants. Lois is really looking forward to it. I’m really looking forward to putting my slippers back on when we get home.

 

 

 

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