How did Ben train for the Marathon Des Sables?
The MDS is often described as the world’s toughest footrace and should not be undertaken light-heartedly. As a late entry, my training was restricted to just two months during which time I trained for two, 2 hour sessions per day, averaging around 20 miles. Some people train in a sauna to prepare for the Sahara heat, and while this may be a little ambitious, it is important to take on enough liquid during training sessions to prepare for desert conditions.
There are many suggestions for preparing feet, and while a pair of gators will undoubtedly reduce sand friction, if you’ve got soft skin your feet WILL blister as mine did. It’s not fun, but it’s all part of the MDS lore.
You can find out more at www.telegraph.co.uk.