Beware of Camels and Sawing Logs

I dropped of my official registration packet yesterday morning at the post office.  All sorts of forms, signatures, photographs, etc.  The best part was a portion of the waiver that stated:

"I have also been advised that I may be exposed to physical and/or psychological injury from a number of natural factors, including sandstorms, debris on the course, lack of water, thorns, rocks, snoring, steep mountain passes, feral animals and/or reptiles among other things...blah, blah, blah...permanent injury or even death...blah, blah, blah..."

Ok, I get the feral camel/scorpion/snake thing.  I totally respect the blinding sandstorm.  Lack of water goes without saying, but the psychological injury from snoring?  I assume there would be no physical injury unless you are the one that is snoring too loudly and your tent mates decide to end it with a sandy sock in your mouth.

Anyway, I'll be packing TWO pairs of ear plugs...and try to sleep on my side.

Time to Dine?

OK, got some time to kill so I think I'll throw out some food thoughts.  Estimated base metabolic rate for myself is around 1500+ calories per day.  If you use an estimate of 1cal/kg/km for running @ 250 km (MDS distance) and 68 kg (my weight) this adds 17,000 additional calories for the race or about 2,800 a day.  Totalling over 4,300 kcal per day.

This assumes total at rest when not running and other unrealistic factors.  In fact the BMR would be more like 2,200 or so thus nudging the daily total to around 5,000!  That is about 3 lbs of food a day based on approximately 100 kcals/oz or 18-20 lbs for the event.  But how does this compare with the factors applied in the Harris-Benedict approach?

Using the BMR and applying the "heavy exercise" factor of 1.9 yields around 2,850 kcals/day, a much smaller number.  It is also a much more managble weight -1.8 lbs/day or a little under 11 lbs total.  What the truth is it is hard to say. Most likely it is in between these two extremes.  But an obvious truth is that nine lbs is nine lbs more to carry.

If the true calloric requirement is on the high end and, one does not want to carry the additional 9 lbs, then you have to make it up.  The only place to draw upon then is body stores.  Fat is around 3,500 kcal/lb. Assuming then (and there are a lot of assumptions here and in all of this "math") that the higher number is correct, then there is a deficit of around 2,150 kcal/day to make up.  This translates to around 2/3 lb of body mass per day or around 3.5 lbs for the entire event.  At my current weight of 150 lbs we are talking about 2.5%.  That may be acceptable for an event of this magnitude.

Further research and testing is in order.

Pack and Food

Well, not too much activity on the MDS front.  My Raidlight pack came along with a sampling of various foods I will be trying out during my elk hunt next week.  It is apparent that the Evolution 2  pack at 24l my not be big enough.  It is not so much the gear but the volume of food.  Even at 2200 kcals per day it would be a squees to get all of it in.  As such I put in an order for the next size up pack (30l). Adding on a front pack that I already have would bring it up to around 34l.  This would be more than sufficient for the volume anticipated.  We will compare both side by side and see which looks like the one to go with and which one to return.

Now a word about food.  After reading a bunch of nutritional labels searching for the optimum manna, I have come to the realization that I may have to plan for more calories.  The "2000 calorie diet" will most likely not cut it.  The question then becomes how much more?  2200?  2600? 3000?  Yes I do have a built in store to draw on but a week of bonking would be unpleasant.  This is going to take a bit of time to figure out.  Hard to believe that I will be counting calories, not to loose weight but to maintain it!

Official registration packet is almost ready to send in. Trying to run down trip insurance.  After that only flights and hotels will be the big administrative items for a while!

Christmas in August…Ho, Ho, Ho!

Eight months to get ready!  Panic time so to speak.  After assembling all available information my focus has been on gear selection and procurement.  I started gathering what I had and evaluating what else I potentially needed to get.  There are large varieties of resources out there for recommendations and it just takes some time to sort through them and make your own decisions.  Many gear selections are personal and based on your own experiences and preferences.  Besides, contemplating all these questions is half the fun!

So gear purchases are on!  I have procured many items that will make up my kit including a super small Esbit wing titanium stove, a new Petzl headlamp, titanium mug, a Spork and a Leatherman “Style” multitool.  The latter is a modern version of the classic Swiss Army knife.  Included are a blade, scissors, file, screwdriver and tweezers all in a one oz package.   This fine tool is about half as light as my Leatherman Micra that I was initially planning on bringing.  Many other items I already own (signal mirror, compass, survival blanket, etc.). 

I also ordered my pack (24L Raid Light Evolution 2).  I think it will be large enough.  Some say this brand is not as durable as others; however I used a smaller one (14 L Endurance) during the Desert RATS race and had no problems.  I was also happy with the fit.  Additionally new and in hand are a Thermorest zlite pad and a Western Mountaineering Highlite sleeping bag (rated at 35 degrees and weighing in at 16 oz).  I am amazed at this sleeping bag!

As you can see, weight is an important factor.  Ended up purchasing a cheap digital scale to weigh various items to get an idea of what my pack will total up to.  Initial estimates are putting a starting weight of around 17-18 pounds including food and without water.  Food will make up about half of that weight.  With a full load of water I am looking at 20-24 lbs to start with.  Not too bad.  I will eventually post a complete gear/weight list. 

Also my brother Dirk has set up a pledge site for those wishing to help defray some of my expenses.  You can link to the sight here.  Thank you.

As the Talking Heads song goes....Well, how did I get here?

My journey to the MDS began about a decade ago during one of my first marathons.  At the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range I noticed a competitor with a shirt from a previous Marathon Des Sables.  Not only did I find the shirt intriguing but the competitor appeared to know his stuff when it came to performing in the desert.  He was obviously competing in the “Heavy” division which included a 35 lb pack.  As I pushed on I worked to remember “Marathon Des Sables” the entire race so I could look it up later.  What I found was obviously several levels above my ability at the time but something that I kept in the back of my mind over the years.

As my running progressed I eventually went beyond marathons.  While I focused on the local events that were fun, I always kept thinking about the MDS.  Finally I decided to give something like this a try and signed up for the Desert RATS race.  While it is not a totally self supported event, it is of similar format and distances.  Running across southern Utah in June is also hot.

I learned a lot from my preparations for and participating in the Desert RATS.  The staff and co-sufferers were great.  One person of particular note was Greg Pressler whom I traveled many miles with on the second stage.  He helped me get through my toughest part of the race and gave some overall inspiration.  Talking with him I discovered he was a two time participant in the MDS as well as a Badwater finisher.  So I had to ask, “Greg, do you think I would be able to finish something like the MDS?”  The answer back without hesitation was “Yes”.    

 Greg Pressler and myself during Desert RATS 2012 (stage 2)

That single word started things in motion for me.  After some recuperation from the Desert RATS and some discussions with Lisa I decided to put my name in on the “short wait list” for the 2013 MDS.  What the heck, no harm, it’s a long shot right?  I’ll just start focusing on getting into the 2014 edition; get another Desert RATS under my belt, etc.  July 12^th, name placed on wait list, July 30^th a slot opened up for 2013 MDS, August 1^st my entry secured! 

Wow that was quick.  

Looks like I may find myself in another part of the world.  

Once in a lifetime?

Welcome to my MDS 2013 blog!

Here I hope to share my experiences preparing for and competing in the 28th edition of the Marathon Des Sables which will be held April 5-15 in Morocco.  The MDS is a six day self supported stage race of approximately 150 miles in length.  Competitors must carry everything with them to complete the event (including food) while water is provided along the way by the race organization.  For more information about the MDS go to their web site here.