In April 2014 I will join approximately 1000 competitors on the starting line of a race in the Saharan Desert, The Marathon des Sables. Over six days I will run the equivalent of 6 full marathons (approximately 155 miles), carrying with me all that I need to survive; organisers provide a strictly rationed daily water provision and a space in a shared bivouac. Food and everything else needed to subsist and run in the Southern Moroccan Sahara I will carry in a pack.
Temperatures can reach or very occasionally
exceed 50˚
Celsius, the terrain varies from steep energy sapping sand dunes, to long rock strewn,
foot crippling wadis. Competitors must
complete each stage, including the longest which is usually around 55 miles,
within stringent cut-off times, failure to do so results in disqualification.
The Marathon des Sables is recognised as one of the toughest foot races on
Earth.
Why enter? Not an easy question to answer and certainly not
simple to define concisely, so please bear with me; I had never been fit; I
played sports in school, ran sprints with the local athletics club but was not
fit. Leaving education I put on weight through excessive eating, alcohol
consumption and a total lack of exercise.
I am not entirely sure when but at some point in my early 30’s when
totally unfit and near my heaviest I read an article about the Marathon des
Sables, whilst impressed by the strength,
endurance and bravery of the runners I couldn't identify with them or
see any rational reason for anyone entering the race.
In April 2014 I will face up to the harsh
conditions of the Sahara and submit to 6 days of self-inflicted hardship, what
though of those for whom every day brings hardship and struggle? The travel, entry and mandatory equipment
costs add up to a substantive amount and could be used to benefit
those who have not, as I have, enjoyed a safe, stable and loved upbringing or
help people who have taken a wrong turn, as I have on many occasions, but lack the support network to help them get back on track.
I hope therefore to raise an amount equivalent to the cost
of entry, travel and equipment for charity. I will be running in aid of
Framework a Nottinghamshire based organisation whose mission is to help
homeless and vulnerable people by providing high quality housing, support,
prevention, and training services. They
enable people to live independent lives by offering choice and opportunity.
Every penny raised will go directly to Framework as I am
fortunate enough to be able to fund the trip, entry and equipment costs myself.
As part of the build-up to the Marathon des Sables, I will:
- Run at least 3250 miles in training between January 2013 and race start day
- Run from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William along the West Highland Way, a distance of 95 miles over which I will ascend 14,760ft, I hope to do this in under 24 hours (West Highland Way Race http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/)
- Attempt to run for 48 HRS around a 400m track (The British Ultra Fest http://britishultrafest.com/)
- Shed a further 1 1/2 to 2 stones, as weight will make a huge difference to performance in the desert
- Severely try the patience of my wonderful wife Sicilia and incredible daughter Sophia
Whilst I am not expecting James Cracknell or Ian Sharman,
the highest placed British competitors to date, 12th and 13th
respectively, to lose any sleep over my entry I do intend to run the event hard
and place as highly as possible.
I will be delighted if you can help me raise money to help
homeless and vulnerable people across the East Midlands. Your donations will
make a huge difference to people’s lives and will be an invaluable
source of motivation and encouragement to me throughout my training, build-up
events and the Marathon des Sables itself.
If you would like to donate please visit my Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/allyarchi
You will be able to follow my progress in the run up to the event on this blog and throughout the Marathon des Sables itself at:
http://www.marathondessables.co.uk/site/
If you would like to donate please visit my Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/allyarchi
You will be able to follow my progress in the run up to the event on this blog and throughout the Marathon des Sables itself at:
http://www.marathondessables.co.uk/site/