10 years ago my cousin Louise died of Lupus. Ten years on I thought I could do something to help raise money and awareness to continue research into this little known about disease. There are definitely more productive ways and a myriad of less-painful ways, to use hundreds of hours to raise money for Lupus.... so please please please share my pain from the comfort of your computer and donate a few sheckles...

About the Marathon Des Sables
Man was not designed to run 6 consecutive marathons. The Sahara Desert is a place for camels not for humans. The Marathon Des Sables - 6 days, over 150miles, carrying over 15kg of kit, navigating yourself, temperatures topping 50 and dropping to zero - it's no wonder this is billed as the toughest foot race on earth.

Why would anyone in their right mind want to do this?
Good question - honestly I don't know. It seemed like a good way to get fit, now it seems like a stupid way to get fit, perhaps a good way to die. My main reason is illogical - I'm curious to know why an insane fringe of humanity would want to run across the sand, in the heat, carrying lots of weight... In my mind, giving myself a tracheotomy with a biro would be more worthwhile, perhaps even more fun. So why? The illogical solution - do it and find out. So currently there is no good reason why I'm doing this. At the finish line, I'll either know or I'll give myself some surgery...

Share the Pain - 'The Daily Pain' Email me (info@inomad.co.uk) before 7th April, and I will send you 'The Daily Pain', my daily sandy rant as the Sahara pulls me closer to insanity.