One Foot After the Other..
“If you asked me what one single thing motivates me, I could honestly say I’m not sure. Maybe it’s the adventure, maybe it’s the challenge, maybe it’s even the friendships I have made along the way.. I don’t think it really matters, as long as I continue to pursue activities that redefine my definition of what’s possible it can only be a good thing.”
Sam Lipscombe – press interview June 2006
Throughout my running career I have been asked the very same question by many different people, why? It’s a hard question to answer and I don’t think any ‘ultra runner’ has just one response, certainly not me.
It wasn’t until September 2004 when I first put on a running shoe, initially to loose part of the 19 stone I had accumulated through the first part of my life. It was a tough start but throughout the following year out of sheer accident I discovered my total passion for progressive challenge. After many mornings of off road running I shed almost 6 stone and completed my first half marathon. I was hooked like a disease and was infected by the thoughts of completing what was described as “the toughest footrace on earth” the Marathon des Sables. The idea of a 150 mile self supported footrace, which takes competitors across the sands of the Sahara desert in Morocco, seamed on the verge of impossibility. The infection wouldn’t go away, I had to complete the race. I put pen to paper and signed up for the 20th Marathon des Sables in April 2005.
The months passed and the race moved nearer, bungee jumping, monster truck driving, zorbing and the Tough Guy races provided the temporary antibiotics and a simple distraction to what was to come. The fear of finding myself in the desert lost and without water made me incredibly focused on training to give me the best chance I could to complete the race. After a few stumbling blocks and learning a great deal about myself I got to Morocco where I found myself completing one of the best races of my life.
The disease however, did not succumb, the Atacama was calling. Unfortunately for me so was a 7 foot 8 kilogram Rhino Suit..
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