Wow.

It has been difficult to conjure up a description of my time in the Sahara where I endured the most brutally brilliant week of my life. I experienced so many emotions, from exhaustion to elation, humbleness to liberation.  Although my body was livid with me by the end of it all, I had nothing but admiration for it. There were times when I could hear my heart beating in my head, desperatily trying to deal with what I was putting it through. In an event where both male and female past MdS winners dropped out through injury and heat exhaustion, I feel incredibly proud to have achieved my goal of completing the Marathon des Sables.

I'm still not sure how to relay my experiences and emotions, it will take time to truly sink in as I keep having moments of realisations. One thing is easy to instantly appreciate though and that is the overwhelming support and generosity of friends, family and complete strangers who have got behind me, wished me well and stepped up for nature by donating to my chosen charity, the RSPB. Amazing stuff, thank you!

Although my mission is complete for now (there will be more!), nature still needs our help. You can still do something awesome for wildlife by donating on this page and helping me reach that £1000 mark! By donating you will be helping protect species and their habitats, both for wildlife and for people. So dig deep, make me smile, enjoy nature and get inspired!

Thanks again,

 

Jack 

 

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So,

In April I will be running the Marathon des Sables, a 6 day ultra-marathon across the Sahara desert covering 150+miles. Ranked by the Discovery Channel as "the toughest footrace on earth".

Why? Well the answer to this is simple but comprehensive and my blog explains all (http://jackrunsmds.blogspot.com). In a nutshell I'm doing this for the experience and because I have craved the achievement ever since seeing the event years ago on Trans World Sports!

These events are great opportunities to raise money for charity and this year I am fundraising for the RSPB. The RSPB speaks up for nature in the UK and further afield, conserving wild places through science, campaigning and public engagement. We all have a responsibility to protect our green spaces, particularly with issues such as climate change, urbanisation and agricultural intensification becoming ever more significant.

By sponsoring me on my relatively mini trans-saharan migration you will be 'Stepping up for Nature' and making me very happy! The smallest contribution makes a difference and will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for visiting my fundraising page and supporting me and my charity on the hardest challenge of my life. I can't wait!

 

Jack