Hallo,

i am a new member and will ask all the specialists, whether it´s possible for me to take part in a desert run. I´m 45 years old, my weight is over 95 kilo and my height is 1,84 m. I´m running between 25 and 50 kilometers each week. My best result in a hm was 02:12 h. In youtube i got informations and clips about three desert challenges.
1. marathon des sables
2. 100 km del sahara
3. dune-up

You know something about them? I think, that the 100 km del sahara are not so difficult and it should be possible to reach the camps. And i think, if i will push my running kilometers to 60 or 70 each week, the others (dune-up and mds) should also be possible. Please tell me, what do you think about it and how should i plan my training.

Hi

Well you certainly aim high! I think all things are possible, but something like a Marathon des Sables would be a major project and need a hell of a lot of work

To be honest, when I was running 70-80 km per week ("standard") marathon training, I really didnt feel that I could have handled that kind of several-day long distance run. You should, hopefully, get some advice from some of the people here who have done that kind of event. I suggest you try, eg, a normal marathon first, see how you go, then look in detail at the sort of training & stamina you would need (long-distance running, hill running, sand running, running in strong heat, running over several days, running with a backpack... :eek: ) Try to plan for the debilitating effect all these would have on you in combination; these runs are as much a mental challenge as physical.

It is likely to take a couple of years plus to get to a comfortable standard for extreme distance from half-marathon level.

I think that if you did do one of these, you would need to substantially increase your miles, and if possible, lose a few kilos, but I certainly would not rule these races out as impossible, since I don't think it is impossible, and it's a great goal to have

Best of luck!

Hi

I am a little heavier and a little older but about the same height and have done a couple of desert runs. I do have the advantage of having a long running background. Having said that people I have met at these events tend not to be hardened runners but people with big ambitions.

It is difficult and expensive to get into the Marathon des Sables. Have a look at the Augrabies Extreme Marathon in South Africa, same distances but easier to get in and a great race. www.extrememarathons.com

Having the right attitude is the most important thing, but you also need to train well

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Hello and welcome Beginner

Impossible? No way!
How to get there?
I would suggest a progressive build up.

In Portugal there's a "Beach Race"... It's called Raid Melides Troia. The distance is 43km and so it's not that much for someone who is aiming as high as you are (and I admire you for that).
I guess that doing something like this as a test would be very good for you to make up your mind for a more challenging race.

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