A Big Thank You

To all my friends and family, anonymous donators and anyone who helped me on my way over the last two years this is for you.

A real heart felt thank you is sent from me to you.

The 2014 Marathon des Sables has now come and gone, a mere memory which I relieve through stories, pictures and the odd bit of cramp as I try to go for a run. Getting to the start line was a true adventure in itself and I completely agree with those who say that getting to the start line of any event, having completed your training and being without injury is 95% of the battle. 

Getting to my start line began 2 years ago, I'm not trying to be dramatic but thats when I entered and set my mind on the goal. I went for coaching sessions, focused my Marathon goals and built up to ultra distances so that by New Year 2014 I was ready to push things one step further.

My training can be seen on my blog www.scottisrunning.gmail.co.uk but what can't be seen is all the assistance that I had along the way. Encouragement from friends and fellow runners, support from Sam and Poppy when I was always away from home and even support from work colleagues when I talked running non stop and hit the gym or went for a run whenever possible. 

When people ask me about the MDS I find it incredibly difficult to sum it up. It was a race, it was a week away running great distances in the sunshine, it was all that and more, but what it also was, was endless running in the cold and dark when others were in bed, taking days off work to go away competing, getting up early and missing the school run, getting home late and missing story time and also not seeing friends for a long long time because I have just been too busy.

I couldn't have done all of this without the love of my family and the support of those around me so for that I am truly grateful. Whilst away I received many of your messages, these were a real boost and kept me going, never underestimate the value of a few kind words.

Now its over I want to readdress the balance in my life a little. I'm going to try and spend a little more time at home and I'm going to try and catch up with friends before they are lost for good. 

I am really happy to report that with gift aid we have together raised over £1085 for The Chestnut Tree House charity. This really has added icing to the cake and I want to express my heart felt thanks for your generosity. Thank you.

My just giving page www.justgiving/scottmds2014 will remain open for a little longer until I have completed my next little event. Its a last minute addition to the calendar before I take a much needed break but on June 14th I will be running the South Downs Way 100, 100 miles on foot in a single stage event. It must be completed in under 30 hours!! Check it out at www.centurionrunning.com

Am I mad, quite possibly but hopefully the endurance is there so I figured what the heck. Thank you and and hopefully I'll see you out on the trail....

Solidarity - The Charity and last stage

Stage 6 is the Charity Stage - Its only 7km and all competitors are given a blue UNICEF charity t-shirt to wear. Most runners and walkers tended to stick together and pretty much everybody walked this last stage. There was no timing chip so nothing to be proved here.

Tent 109 were no exception, we walked pretty much the whole 7km together, only breaking out to chat with newly formed friends. The terrain was lots of soft sandy, a couple of small dunes and before you knew it, town was just around the corner.
We formed back together, went arm in arm and crossed the line for the final time.

Just that short walk had made me realise how different the walking experience would be as my back was starting to get stiff. No time for post race celebrations and although there was a mini carnival of locals at the end, we were ushered with our packed lunches onto the coaches and back to civilisation, well sort of.

Following the long journey we were greeted with a really nice hotel, the food wasn't great but there was plenty of it and that was a relief. Tom's parents even made a show of it and provided the 3 amigos with beer while queueing to get in the hotel :-)

The next morning we were offered the opportunity to visit a local school which is sponsored entirely by the Marathon des Sables. This year they have given 40,000 euros to the school which will fund them for another year and assist with their growth into new premises.

The school 'Solidarity' is a place where children can come and learn, they learn key life skills through play and sport and they also learn French which is essential for getting ahead in Morocco. The mothers are alos catered for too, they also attend the school, learn skills such as needle work and also to speak french. Following my short visit I am happy to say that I believe this charity is a great cause and I think that it is a credit to all those from the Marathon des Sables who have supported it. Here are a couple of pictures I took whilst there .... the kids were amazing ...  (pics to follow)

MDS Part 3 - Just keep running

Day 2 (41k) 
This was a tough day for me. The sand dunes on day 1 had wiped out many runners and we
were informed at the start of many non starters. Day 1 had also taken its toll on me, the initial
excitement was gone but we were still here to enjoy the experience so crack on we must.

Day 2 was flatter and the pace was quicker, I was out of breath early on, we completed the 41km in around the same time as the 34km on the day before. Flatter doesn't mean easier, it does mean less excuses for walking breaks meaning that Tom and I pushed on and on. It was Tom's day today and I needed him to push me on which he did as my ipod was kaput and my back had rubbed sore. Only my buff squeezed at the base of my spine was making it bearable. Tom only left me half a mile from the finish when he still had juice in the tank. That spurt gave him a minute on me but he was there at the finish line. First blisters today, razor and iodine mmm. 113th overall after a 96th place finish today :-)

Day 3 (37.5)
This day held our first great mountain and my best day so far. A difficult climb but amazing views with the helicopter passing just overhead.  Once scaled there was a great downhill path that allowed us to stretch our legs. We caught up with Marcus at the bottom who was having a nose bleed and he joined in with us. We ran some amazing and beautiful soft peaked rolling dunes, we even stopped for pictures and to play running down the steep stuff. Our first taste of salt flats was like running across a frying pan but we took it steady, listened to our bodies and thanked our heat chamber training for keeping us in the safe zone.

The Long Day  (81.5k)
This was to be my longest run ever, previous max at 46 miles. I wasn't worried as Tom, Marcus and I decided to stick together and help each other through. The first stage was completely flat but through lots of camel grass. After CP1 we went vertical. Straight up a massive mountain and running was not an option. It was so steep that rope was provided at the top to prevent falls. The mountain was truly beautiful and just as brutal in contrast.
A very technical boulder jumping descent then the salt flats came. Mile after endless mile of emptiness in all directions, it was amazing. Eventually the mountain came but I ran out of water 5k from the next CP. A brutal 5k of sloping soft sand and unrunnable surfaces. The race leader who had started 2.5hrs after us came by at CP4 as did Danny Kendall (no relation) and we cheered them on. The miles drifted by and we were conscious that night was falling. Marcus and Tom faded so they broke out their music, mine wouldn't work but surprisingly as the sun set I felt good. We donned the head torches (mine was completely inadequate) and I was really grateful for their presence.

Following glow sticks we were guided home across more supersoft sand and in 9.5 hours we
were done. All home and happy we rested and waited for the others. Runners and walkers kept crossing the finish line until almost 5pm the day after! Those of us who were back rested the next day, hand washed our clothes and tried to stay out of the sun. We played 'secret allah' (think secret santa) giving non edible gifts of less than 25g :), the airfreshner and game were particularly welcomed.

The Marathon (42.2k)
Being in the top 200 meant a start 1.5hrs after everyone else. You'd think this would be good but
everyone shot off the line like it was the race of their life. Was I missing something? Had everyone been holding back all week? I pushed hard trying to stay with Tom and Marcus. We passed Alfie who had blown up and was giving walking a go, then we started to pass the back markers which was great as we shouted words of encouragement which was returned with gusto.

The second half of the race brought climbs and rolling roads and I came into my own. It was only
the wicked flat sand that took the feeling from me. This section was long but soon we were rewarded with dunes and a far off view of the FINISH line. Cresting the dunes we broke into song, 'Sweet Chariot' for some reason and sucked the last of our sweets. The lump in the throat was big and I fought back the tears as we crossed the finish. Friends cheered us in and there were sweaty embraces a plenty. After a long queue Patrick Beauer the race director handed out nedals and we were done. 101st and a big smile on my face.

That night following a small awards ceremony we were treated to a set fron the Paris Opera. Picture it ... starlit sky, friends and beautiful music. I'll never forget that scene :)