MDS 2009 - James

Thursday, November 29, 2007

The British Ultra

When I first thought of doing the MDS I spent a lot of time searching the web for accounts of previous athletes and any hints and tips for desert racing. I was surprised to find that there wasn't that much out there. Fortunately another 2009 competitor, Mike Adams, had come to the same conclusion and decided to do something about it. The result was an MDS forum (www.themds.co.uk) where MDS competitors share their experiences with training and kit. It really is a fantastic resource.

For some time now LittleFatWelshman (Martin Likey - www.likeys.co.uk) has been teasing the forum with snippets of information about a possible UK ultra event. Well, last week all was revealed. In May 2008 the inaugural British Ultra (www.britishultra.com) will take place for 6 days over 150 miles of the finest scenery Islay and Jura have to offer. Like the MDS, competitors will carry all their kit and sleep in tents. It will be a little bit cooler though.

We had not planned to take part in an event like this and it came as a wee bit of a surprise. What to do?

All three of us would love to do it but we won't be entering this one as Team HotRunning. We are already heavily committed to our MDS training and charity fundraising so it's hard to justify taking another full week (not even counting the extra training and expense) to take part in this race.

Fortunately for me, being a bachelor boy does have some benefits; I can be as reckless and impulsive as I please without having to consider anyone else. So that's my week's vacation time (can't in all honesty call it a holiday) booked and the application in the post.

Now I have to face the prospect of getting fit enough to put in a respectable effort within 6 months. Here goes...