The Sahara desert is a vast expanse of nothingness. Miles upon miles of sand, wind scraped rock formations, carved valleys and spiked croppings. Howling winds and silent simmering heat makes it harsh and unforgiving. There is nothing but loneliness in this desert. 

What makes it romantic is the person you are with. In this place there is nothing but your companion. This race makes you gravitate to those around you and embrace the incredible journey together. 

This is a cornerstone that will be with me forever. I have added something profound to my personal journey with this grueling slog. I am forever grateful for all those who made this possible including my tent mates, friends, and supporters; especially my wife. 

I am passioned more for life now than ever and have never felt so content. 



To Samantha Fanshaw and Alina Brown and all others who organized and put together this race - thank you! You did a fantastic job and I will never forget Alina's countdown from 10!

To Ryan, Samantha, Sam, Ed, Dave and Maghnus: I am so proud of your accomplishment in the Sahara - you are all amazing athletes and people. Your charisma and passion has inspired me and for that I am thankful!!

250km done!!


After coming in from the long day at 9:45pm I was able to rest the entire next day. Competitors took up until 3:30pm to arrive! It was a hot tiring day as had little food to restore the body. My tent did really well with all competitors getting in before 10am! It was great cheering the last competitor in.

For the rest of the day we just relaxed and tried to stay in the shade - I don't think I got any sun coloring at all - may be even whiter than before I left!!

Yesterday morning we got on the bus and drove for 3 hours to the pyramids and had a few km run up past the sphinx and through, around and past the towering pyramid of Khufu and surrounding ruins. Tourists thought we were insane and probably reeled in terror from our smells. However, locals cheered and seeing that finish line was tremendous! Probably not for tnhe cheering crowd or the local band drumming and singing but for the cardboard pizza and cheap beer that was on the other side!!

I had 3 pieces of pizza, beer and coke and immediately felt like I was going to pass out. Giddy, laughing fits and emotions were a bit out of control. Ed in our tent had 2 Fantas and was visibly shaking, it was crazy!! 

Back at the hotel:

- Ridiculously long shower
- 7 shampoos of the hair until feeling clean
- 5.5kg lost
- Chicken Schwarma and beers
- Swim at the pool but no body fat so into the hot tub (in 30+ weather...??)
- Celebratory dinner buffet: 4 rounds of dinner, 2 rounds of dessert - beers, wine and so tired I can't see straight! - Best feeling I have ever had in my life.... so content it is ridiculous... nothing could bother me

All - can't thank you enough for the overwhelming words of support. I think I used every one them yesterday.
 
Long Day:
 
There were 9 checkpoints in yesterdays race between 8 and 10k each.
 
Stages 1 and 2 were pretty flat but sand was annoying and boggy. The heat was on pretty early and I decided to bang out some kms pretty quickly as I knew the heat would beat me later in the day. Came through the first check point in 10th and second in 11th positions. The next stage was a wide open valley which led to a massive sand dune with the check point at the top. There was a breathtaking view walking up the spiny ridge of this dune splitting the horizon. Then down and into the Valley of the Whales which was more hard pack. Whale and shark bones are laid out for people to view. I did not spend any time slowing down but got a few 'mental stills'. A pushed quite hard up to the 40k mark and really started to heat up. The next 10k was entirely a long slow uphill which, with the heat, was a bit blurry. Once I got to the 5th check point I was started to suffer from the heat substantially and decided to wait until my head cooled. I had 20 minutes and felt a bit better and then I continued on. This stage was a rocky, sandy, winding and undulating track that seemed to take forever. This was probably one of the hardest stages since you have already done over 50ks. I was also really hungry. So far in the race I had eaten a helping of 'Perpetuem' which is a powder that I mix into a paste about 300 calories. Also had a couple of powerbars. Luckily at the 60k check point there is hot water- so I had some beef noodles that I was dying for. My energy was seriously dwindling and the heat was making me loose mental focus. At the 60k mark I had a 40 minute break and really made sure that I was feeling alright.
 
My knee starting to act up on the next stage. I was running along and then all of a sudden I had to walk, and then I couldn't walk at all. I had a very strong anti inflammatory and managed to start working up to a solid paced walk over the next half hour. It is crazy when you have been running in the heat for 8 hours and the temperature just wont subside - I kept on looking at my watch and it sat at 36 then 34 degrees for ever. Then at about 5 it dropped below 30 and hung there for the rest of the evening. Once I humped it in to the check point at the 68k mark things were starting to feel a bit better for the leg - just a low grade pain amongst all other pains.
 
My biggest problem now was that I was struggling to drink electrolyte or water because it was tasting so foul. The water bottles were so nasty tasting and I was gagging drinking from them. The heat and the bacteria in them infect the flavor. Plus after drinking 19 litres of water in one day the flavour apparently starts to make me feel nauseous.
 
At the next check point I was into the headlight. Pitch black and only markings were via green glow sticks. I was on my own for this stage which was a little unnerving. It is not a fear of what is out there, or the unknown or even getting lost - it is more a fear for yourself. That you may have a problem this late in the stage and be 30 or 40 minutes away from the competitor behind you. With the head light you struggle to find the best footing in the sand and I often found myself really bogged down especially with the exhaustion.
 
Once I got to the final check point I had been up and running like a madman for some time and was not about to stop except for some water and just put my head down. The very last part of the race was coming down a steep mountainside of sand and rocks which was chaos. The legs didn't have a mass of power in them to slow me down but thank goodness for all the early morning pitch black training runs from Manly to the Spit! Swiftly descending that I came out to a boggy sandy salt flat which was painful to run on. My poles would get stuck with every touch. You could see the camp from a couple of kms away and as soon as I saw that nothing would stop me.
 
I was happy to end up 15th for the long stage and feel that my training really paid off big time for it. The even better news is I was able to take a meal right when I got in and I suffered no dehydration, no rashing or chafing and only one blister which looks better after the long day than before I left!!
 
The Aftermath:
 
Today when I got up my body feels surprisingly good considering what it has been through. We are seriously food deprived now that it is the end of the week and we are suffering a bit as a result. We just make jokes about what food we wish we had, etc.
 
I have definitely lost weight - I can see veins in my stomach and some people around camp are making comments about how much of a freak I look like. Generally, I am really happy things went so well.
 
Tomorrow we just have a run around the pyramids but the places are final and tomorrows run is just a token. We will just circle the pyramids then head back to the hotel. Will be back by 6pm for our banquet at 7. I am hoping to gain a kilo or two!
 
Gus - get the lamb going mate! I am going to need it!
 
Again, thanks for all your support and kind words. I wish I had the blog working perfectly the whole time but I hope this helped you to catch a glimpse of this truly amazing experience. Will let you know what's next!
 
 
Have to get out of the tent, there are hundreds of flies all over me and it is driving me crazy!
 
love to all - Malcolm
 
Amber see you soon xoxox

Today was a pretty boring race. Fairly flat and wide open expanses. Yet, the sand was still slow and painful. Really going with the strategy of energy conservation today. Feeling surprisingly good considering the 155ks over the past 4 days. Knee played up a little bit today. It is worse on the flat expanses. Luckily my pack is getting lighter which seems to be assisting. Ran with Samantha (from Sydney) for the whole day which was good pacing.
 
This morning it was 41 degrees at 8:30 with not a breath of air and I was absolutely soaking with sweat. I could barely hold onto my poles and I was inhaling salty water off my buff (which covers my face). We are now at a camp that perches on a sandy hill with massive sweeping views of a flat valley with rock pillars and plateaus breaking the horizon.
 
My tent is quite excited to have Ryan (American) guy sitting in 2nd place overall. I think he has the ability to push and catch on the long day. We will just have to see how it goes.
 
Tomorrow's strategy:
 
Tomorrow is a whole new world of pain. The stage will be approx 96k, not quite sure exactly. Can see that my muscles in my legs have suffered atrophy. Just not taking in enough calories - maybe 2500 per day but probably burning 6000. Just have to eat as much as possible today and tomorrow morning prior to race.
 
It is likely that I will suffer some heat exhaustion tomorrow. But I will stick with my regimented drinking, salting and eating and keeping my skin covered. I am probably the whitist guy in the Sahara at the moment (although there are a few really white brits). Just have to be aware of feeling bad and watching my pacing.
 
I am going to try for 15 hours, but will be very hard to judge how I will feel above 40ks in the heat. But I feel incredibly strong mentally at the moment and will go hard. I think that things will look incredibly different after tomorrow. A couple of top 10ers will probably blow up or fall way back. There will be a lot of shifting - even some in the 30-40s could be in top 20.
 
Round camp:
 
Things are pretty upbeat - today was a bit easier in lieu of the long day. The smells are starting to get a bit out of control though. Running down wind of other competitors can make you nauseous. Stomachs are certainly on edge with the heat and the freeze dried meals. But, I am still thinking about hamburgers religiously and today it was swelteringly hot and for some reason all I could think about is a 4 Olives muffin... Showering is another thought amongst the others but for some reason I am not too phased, just enjoying the moment in all its stinky, hot, painful, and odd shape. If you want to check out the other competitors in the tent with me:
 
Samantha Gash - Attempting to tackle all 4 deserts in 1 year and will be the youngest to do so after Antarctica in December (from Melbourne Australia)
 
Ryan  Bennett - Currently in 2nd place - Ryan has the same shorts as me and we accidentally got them mixed up so my shorts came in 2nd place! Its actually really funny but horrible at the same time that we had run 120 odd ks without so much as a drop of water to clean them and wore each others! The only way I could tell is because my shorts started ripping (in the worst possible area) so I had to sew them on the 2nd stage! Ryan's really cool he sells inspiration arm bands called 'heart on my arm' where you can carry a photo for inspiration (I wish I had one right now!)
 
Mannus Collins and David Burns - Irish lads. These guys rode their bikes from Capetown to Ireland via North Africa! Its awesome - Mannus broke his back 3 years ago and is pushing strong in the event. I mean you know the Irish - they never give up. Great guys!
 
Sam Wilson - Sam did the Gobi event in July and did very well on the long day by just conserving and controlling himself well. He managed to gain a lot of spaces and I imagine he will do the same thing. This race is all about conditioning, patience and control. You miss electrolytes for 30 minutes and you could be out of the competition. Sam is a really funny guy and gets the whole tent going.
 
Edward Matts - I was fortunate enough to share a room with Ed the night before we left to go out to camp 1. Ed is a really interesting guy. He did a 1200 mile march last year Lands End to John O'Groats (Cromwell, England to North coast of Scotland). Took him a couple of months but crazy achievement. I am certainly getting some new ideas! (Amber won't be happy)
 
Jane and Trish are from Singapore, they are very kind and really are working hard. Jane is walking but doing an amazing job for charity for World Vision.
 
Well, it is time for me to sign off and get some more food then try and sleep on incredibly hard ground - but body is getting used to it. Wish me luck and I know all of your thoughts are with me. I will be thinking of you all (I certainly will have enough time to do it!) Really appreciate the comments and can't wait to read my blogs tomorrow!
 
Amber, love you tonnes hon! Didn't get a message from you today but I am sure you are doing well. Can't wait until I see you again! xoxox
 
As my spirit races forward tomorrow I am going to do my damndest to catch it... then go for the impossible and smash it.
 
Catch you on the other side!!  Love - Mal xox
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No matter what happens tomorrow - I am positive, I will finish, I am sure even if I have to hobble I will make it...

Just found out that my blogs were not completed from my first two days. So you probably have no idea what is going on... I thought I wrote them but did not complete them properly.
 
Pre Day 1:
 
Came down with food poisoning in Cairo. Ate a steak at my hotel on Tuesday and was projectile vomitting all over my hotel bathroom. Staff really took care of me though. Thank goodness I stayed at the Fairmont (gotta love Canadian). Had a massive fever but next day went to my new hotel (a Thai hotel in Cairo? Not sure why they chose it). By the evening fever broke. Went to the Egyptian museum the next day even though rumblings of terrible meat remained. That evening spent about 5 hours sorting out my kit (repackaging etc).
 
Next morning started feeling better and packed our gear had med and equipment checks, got on a hot bus and drove for 3.5 hrs to the middle of nowhere.
 
Met all my tent mates who are incredible and went to bed. No sleep at all as decided last minute to drop my sleeping mat to save the extra 500 grams of weight. Sand was hard and tent on crazy angle.
 
 
Day 1:
 
Incredibly difficult day for me. Found the heat unbearable. Just a lot of sand blowing at me and 45+ temperatures. The scenery was not amazing but more bizarre. Just very barren and rocky. The sand was fairly compact so it was considerate a moderate difficulty level - but felt way more intense.
 
Have so much respect for the people who are able to complete this event. Was very down after this day as my ITB was not feeling good. Shayan and Liam are going to be upset - or at least gainfully employed for the next year.
 
My blog in retrospect I think was very negative and I was really concerned about whether or not I would make it through the next stages. Also, I was in a 42 degree tent dripping sweat onto a laptop. I guess I was very concerned about the heat and if my body can do this.
 
 
Day 2:
 
Day 2 much harder for me than day 1. We got into the dunes today. Some of the scapes were phenomenal, I hope you can see some of the breathtaking images. And I am trying to take them in even though it is hard at times to stay concentrated. Day 2 was extremely hot and I really felt it. I had a major low after the second checkpoint and was really lucky to be running with Dylan a really friendly Welsh guy who pulled me through. Owe him big time for that!
 
In my blog yesterday was also pretty negative - not good but I think I was just overwhelmed with the enormity of how difficult this event is. I have found this incredible respect for other competitors and people who complete this.
 
I have also changed my overall strategy to completing this event rather than placing. I do not care about getting a specific time. Mark - there is certainly no way I have a chance of keeping up with Anders. I can't describe the level of athletic ability here. Even those who walk the event are absolutely amazing athletes. Most people would have to train for well over 8 months for this event even if they were in good shape. There are so many variables: so many people drop out due to heat exhaustion or just not being able to go on mentally, everyone has some form of injury were it blisters, pulled muscles, etc. In fact the camps are really just plain horrible. People should really have walkers, it looks ridiculous - all these people hobling around in recovery tights (and of course italians only wearing compression mankinis), eating space food but laughing through it. Never met so many friendly people in one place - it is tremendous.
 
Plan for tomorrow was to go slow and try and deal with the heat better
 
Oh yes - forgot had massive calf cramp today and had to have it pulled out on the course by two others - was excruciating! But cramping seems to be a big issue even though I am going crazy on the electrolyte.
 
Day 3
 
Day 3 was a great day for me. Got a decent sleep tonight and decided to eat 800 cals for breakfast - noodles and oatmeal (although felt a bit funny after that combo). This made a huge difference and I was able to keep up a slow steady pace with my two Irish and one Aussie tent mate (and Dylan).
 
Today they put in an additional check point - worried about people not getting enough water. Just for instance: On my run today I had 7 litres of water, 3 of those litres were electrolyte and had 500 calories and 7 salt tablets. My racing gear is no almost completely white from the salt that I have shedded!
 
The landscapes today were my favourite so far: huge undulating dunes with a magnificently blue sky. It was absolutely scortching though and was the hardest day except for the long day starting the day after tomorrow. The long day is 94.5km straight. There were flat landings coming out of the dunes which looked lunar with grey black and white sands and volcanic style rock. Huge rock pillars tower up through dunes. Please have a look at the pictures.
 
Amber I know you struggled to find me. This is because I am not exposing much of my body. So I am wearing:
 
White had with buff (or balaclave type garment) up over my face, silver shirt, black short tights, red and grey gaitors (things covering my shoes to stop the sand from coming in), white sleeves, white calf guards (got rid of those today because they were cutting off my circulation due to calves swelling (Paul - they are huge), my bib number is 16.
 
I am upset that those blogs were not received. It is good to see how my mental state changes every day. But now I see why you guys haven't been commenting back. So I apologize and just want everyone to know that I am well. I am trying to stay positive and endure and just want to finish the long day and complete this thing. I am enjoying myself even though the bizarre circumstances.
 
Gus - sorry about the knee mate! Had previously suggested that although it is hot here I am sure Mason would still try and faint the cold by shivering. Also, responding to your note about the 40km just being like a Sunday morning run followed by coffee on the beach (mate I wish it were that easy! you'll notice that my times would be 2hours longer than training times due to the heat and complexity of terrain and how I am feeling - but I am trying to be positive and I will be dreaming of it) Actually have been dreaming about hamburgers a lot and someone actually mentioned lamb earlier and I started to get emotional!
 
Amber - we definitely need to organize some hamburgers when I get home (although, you wont be there for a few days!) I am missig you hon and wish I could talk to you. But I am doing well and taking care of myself and being sensible. They have doctors at all the check points and are very well organized! The camera is broken, turned it on yesterday and it made a funny noise and when I shook it tonnes of sand fell out. I binned it (extra 500 grams weight savings woohoo!) kept the mem card through.
 
Dad - pumped on my poles, some people are referring my running and pole use style to 'the gazelle'. I am hoping that these are my ITB and knee saviours!
 
Mum - Don;t worry as I said to Amber really taking care and trying to be sensible
 
To all, really really appreciate the comments but would love to hear about whats happening back there as well. Can not begin to describe how much they help me.
 
Also broke my shoulder strap on my bag so had to jimmy rig it - should hopefully hold up for the rest of the race. Dropped the top of my bretelle bottle today so no straw. My trapezoids are almost complete shot and my right triceps cramps all the time. At this point I think that everything is manageable except for my left knee but again finishing is everything to me. That is my goal.
 
All in all - miss everybody, having fun, this is by far the hardest thing I have ever done and makes the North Face 100 seem like a walk in the park, but really enjoying it. Love to all!! Malcolm xox

Almost there...


I am pretty much complete on my training. I did the Sydney Marathon on Sunday. It was alright, pretty boring though. Funny thing was that I had no time posted initially and I had no proof I even did it. I guess there was some sort of error with my timing chip. However, they have managed to recover my time now. I did make the mistake of wearing racing flats which ended up giving me a bit of quad pain but all in all not a bad race. Went to the Metallica concert the night before so was buzzing on almost no sleep and legs were a bit tired from a pack run the day before - still, was happy with being able to run a nice pace (without 10kg pack!!)

I am just doing a couple of short light runs to keep the cardio up but trying to stretch and let my legs recover from the training. I fly out to London on Saturday evening. Two days in London, then down to Cairo for Tuesday evening. Will just do some sight seeing and relaxing in Cairo. If anyone wants to meet up I would be keen. So close now. Just working on getting all my gear finalized and trying to fit it all in my pack. Seems like I should be alright. Had a few hickups getting freeze dried into Australia. Not sure if I am going to get it all in time. I have 5 meals but was going to go with 8.



Mid September Notes:

Starting to get a bit of niggling pain in my right lower calf and ankle. Just over doing I think. Should hopefully hold up for another run this afternoon and one tomorrow on the soft sand. Weather has turned to be a bit wet and windy which makes the beach almost impossible. I will start tapering things back next week. My plan is to continue with stretching and light leg strengthening through weights. I will ease the running back to a couple days a week and shorten long distances and lighten the pack a bit. Then for the last two weeks I will only do 2 or 3 short runs.

I ran with the raidlight front pack today for the first time. Found that it doesn't really change much in terms of running speed or awkwardness. I have just decided to turn up the ipod louder so that I don't even hear people yelling at me or making comments as I pass. I have embraced the fact that I look like an idiot with all my gear. 

The best comment I have had so far is from some tradies stopped at a light in a ute. I have the bretelle bottles on the front of my pack. The guy was halfway out of his car yelling at me "have a drink mate, have a drink!!" and then laughing like crazy so of course I had a drink and he pumping his fist "yeaahh!!" - gotta love the Aussies!


Training in September to date:

Sept 23   Core weights + 10km run No Pack 39mins
Sept 22   Shoulders weights
Sept 21   Chest + core weights
Sept 20   REST
Sept 19   SYDNEY MARATHON  42.195km  3hr 20min  3.5kg Pack
Sept 18   20km  2hr 30min  10kg Pack
Sept 17   Back + core weights
Sept 16   Shoulders weights
Sept 15   36km run   3hrs 40mins  12kg Pack
Sept 14   4km run   15min  +  Shoulder weights
Sept 13   Chest + Legs weights
Sept 12   REST
Sept 11   22km run   12.5kg Pack
Sept 10   29.5km run   12.5kg Pack
Sept 9    Shoulders + Biceps weights
Sept 8    34km run    12kg Pack
Sept 7    Back weights
Sept 6    Chest + Legs + Core weights
Sept 5    7km run     No Pack
Sept 4    31km run    12kg Pack  Power Yoga 1.5hrs
Sept 3    REST
Sept 2    31.5km run   12kg Pack
Sept 1    Back + Core weights

End August Notes:

I have been feeling pretty good in the last week and recovered no problem with 97km of heavy pack running over 3 consecutive days most in soft sand. I am just trying to get food and gear organized here and thinking about my pack which is already starting to break down due to the load and kms. Starting to get excited, not too much longer until I begin to taper. I would rather go into the event a little under trained than over trained, essential to make sure that everything is loose and avoid the last minute injury from over training!

Mid August Notes:

I am going to try and do more long back to back runs and incorporate some sand. Finding that long sand runs require more recovery than trail or road. Going to have to try and step it up even more but try and avoid injury.

Training for August:

August 31   22.5km run  12kg pack  2hrs  + Shoulder weights
August 30   Legs + chest weights
August 29   Rest
August 28   31km run   12kg pack  (31km sand)  4hrs 
August 27   32km run   12kg pack  (25km sand)  3hrs 40mins
August 26   35km run   12kg pack  (12km sand)  3hrs 45mins
August 25   5km run   No Pack  17mins  + Shoulder weights
August 24   Back weights + Core
August 23   Legs + chest weights
August 22   10km run  No Pack  45mins
August 21   35km run  10kg pack  (12km sand)  3hrs 45mins
August 20   35km run 12kg pack  (4km sand)  3.5hrs
August 19   Rest
August 18   35km run  11kg Pack   (6km sand)
August 17   5km run   No Pack  18mins
August 16   Leg + back weights
August 15   24.5km run  5kg pack  2.5hrs
August 14   42km run   10.5kg pack   4hrs
August 13   1hr surf  +  shoulder weights
August 12   Legs + chest weights
August 11   35km run   11kg pack   3.5hrs
August 10   8km run   No pack  30 mins  + 30mins cross trainer
August 9   Back + leg weights
August 8   10km run  No pack  (10km on sand)  40mins
August 7   35km run  10kg pack  (30km on sand) 3hrs 40mins
August 6   1.5hr surf   +  30mins cross trainer  + 4km run  No pack (3
August 5   Leg + back weights + 4km run  No pack
August 4   36km run  9kg pack  3hrs 10mins 
August 3   Chest weights
August 2   Shoulder weights  +  4km run   No pack  15mins  +  Cross trainer  15mins
August 1   Back + leg weights

July training history is as follows in the lead up to the Sahara 2010:

July 31   22km run   8kg pack   (4km on sand)
July 30   Surf 2hrs (don't think this counts...)
July 29   10km run   No pack  38mins
July 28   Cross trainer   30min  + leg weights
July 27   35km run   8kg pack   3.5hrs   (10km on sand)
July 26   10km run   No pack  40mins + chest weights
July 25   Leg weights
July 24   38km run   4.5kg pack   4hrs
July 23   10km run   6kg pack   55mins
July 22   REST
July 21   35km run   6kg pack   3.5hrs   (10km on sand)
July 20   Muay Thai Practice
July 19   10km run   No pack   40min + chest weights
July 18   Leg weights
July 17   20km run   No pack   2hrs   (20km on sand)
July 16   10km run   No pack   40min   + back weights
July 15   Shoulders + leg weights
July 14   26km run   7kg pack  2hr 25mins   (6km on sand) 
July 13   1km swim + chest weights 
July 12   10km run   No pack   42mins
July 11   Shoulders + legs weights
July 10   20km run   No pack   2hrs

July 1-10 still in recovery from Northface 100, just doing 10km runs and bike spin classes.