The MDS is run from 31st March to 11th April. I assume there may be different starting times and I hope to check that out.
But assuming a start on March 31st then there are only 62 days to go. They don't seem to do a clock counting down in hours, minutes and seconds!?
I'll see if I can get an interview with Nicky to see how things are going etc. Soon I hope.
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This Blog was started because Nicky was trying to raise money for a charity whilst having fun running across the Sahara desert. I'm now changing its aim to concentrate on our Junior club events Especially our fun run on Northstreet Moor
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Which top chef wants to do the Toughest foot race on Earth?
According to my Runners World magazine delivered today the answer is Michel Roux Jr. Its one of his top three races he has yet to attempt.
Warren Pole writes in the March copy that Michel has already run 16 marathons including the London, with a best time of 3:13, and completed a 100k ultra marathon in 10:56.
He apparently sees his biggest challenge in the desert as the need to eat boil-in-the-bag meals!
I wonder if Nicky is bothered about that!
Warren Pole writes in the March copy that Michel has already run 16 marathons including the London, with a best time of 3:13, and completed a 100k ultra marathon in 10:56.
He apparently sees his biggest challenge in the desert as the need to eat boil-in-the-bag meals!
I wonder if Nicky is bothered about that!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Marathon de Sables
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Nicola Chrascina is fundraising for Nowzad Dogs
Click here to go to Nowzad Dogs web site for more information
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Ultra running as seen by FETCH
Comments on ultra running in the Jan 14th newsletter on FETCH, the Runners World web site for Runners! Link here.
In response to a query from Nightjar I'm going to see if I can dig out a few interesting nibbles on ultra running. Aside from being the perfect event to be sponsored by Always, an ultra refers to any race longer than 26.2 miles, with the exception of the London Marathon, which of course is the longest 26.2 miles ever. One of the difficulties of being part of a running community, is that your perspective of normal is skewed. Suddenly everyone around you has run a marathon, and there are dozens of stories of wonderful ultra running experiences.
Out of nearly 200,000 race performances in the database, only around 1% were longer than marathon distance. The longest continuous race performance I could find was the 153 mile Spartathlon, and the longest multi-day race was Run The Moose, 188 miles over six days, both completed by Binks. There's also a wonderful blog about the incredibly daunting Transalpine Run - an eight day 180-mile journey across the Alps - by ATOM. - it's well worth a read, and says more than any statistic.
There's no doubt that running must be a very big part of an ultra runners life, but do they turn in an enormous amount of mileage? I looked at the last four months of training, and runners in the sub-50 mile group ran a typical mileage of about 600 miles. Typical 3:15 marathoners usually run a similar mileage, so it's clear that our ultranutters are pretty dedicated to mileage. Runners of longer races do about 650 miles in the build up, which is not phenomenally more, but it's still about as much as I manage in a year.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Marathon de Sables
Subject: Marathon de Sables
Dear All
As some of you may know, on the 31 March this year, I am heading off to Morocco for 10 days to take part in the Marathon de Sables. You may have seen TV documentaries about this race which is known as the "Toughest Foot Race on Earth".
Around 1200 competitors from around the world will be taking part of which only around 5% are female. All competitors are of course certifiable!!!
I think you can all see where this email is going!!
Anyway, the race involves around 150miles (240km) of racing over 6 days (including a rest day). All competitors have to be self sufficient ie. carry all items required for the full 6 days on your back! All food, stove, fuel, sleeping bag, toiletries, clothing, loo paper etc! They only thing they supply is the sacking cover at night in case it rains!!! & 10 litres of water p/day given out at various check points. The water is for all drinking, cooking & washing.
Temperatures average 0 degrees at night & around 40 degrees during the day. A couple of years ago it reached 52 degrees. Should temps get over 50 degrees we are allowed to lots of IV fluids if required.
I entered this race 2 1/2 years ago & cannot believe that i leave in less than 3 months time. I am getting extremely nervous now although I have put in a lot of training. I have just started running with a weighted back pack to get used to that too & work out where all the hotspots on my back & shoulders will be.
Most people who fail to complete this race is because they either die (yes, die!!) or the sand destroys there feet & they cant walk! I hope I don't die, and I am having special parachute silk gaiters made to cover my shoes & lower legs. These are however by no means fail safe!!! For more info on this event just google Marathon de Sables. If you want a laugh, punch "MDS blisters" into You Tube!!! Ouch.
Anyway, I have funded the whole trip myself as I do not believe in charities paying for me to "enjoy" myself. However I am raising money for a charity called "Nowzad Dogs". If you would like to give a £1 or £2, please check out my just giving page. You will also be able to find out a little more about Nowzad on there.
Many thanks for reading this all the way to the bottom. I will send out a little story if I make it to the end of the race with some gruesome piccies.
Nicky
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