Where did this dream to undertake the Marathon come from?

“This dream has been lingering at the back of my mind for many many years. This race was triggered when I was approximately 11 years old. I remember I was watching Italian TV news with my dad,” Ian told Lovin Malta.

“It was the time when an Italian competitor undertook this race and during this race along the 90km stage, there was a sandstorm. Due to this sandstorm, he got lost and ended up roaming the desert for a number of days with no water or food.”

“At the time this was big news. As a kid, I didn’t understand the seriousness of this. What was captured in my brain was that this race seemed like an incredible challenge.”

“You must be crazy to actually attempt a marathon in the desert.”

“I remember I had promised myself that when I grow up I must do this race! This dream faded away over the years as when I was growing up, I kind of left sports although it always lingered in the background. It never actually left. I was always a junkie for extreme things so something like this was hard to fade away.”

“This ultra-marathon came back to light when I started sports again in my 30s. I had then started running, moving on to half Ironman races. I told myself I needed to do this before I get old cause if I don’t it would be one of my biggest regrets.”

“I took the decision to do this race last year after a super personal best I managed in Poland Ironman 70.3.”

“I said I would like to give this a shot. I want to do this for my 40th.”

How did it come to fruition?

“I spoke to Andrew Abela, the guy who had done it the year before and he passed me onto my coach today Kevin Zammit although still undecided as I was scared.”

Ian had never done any ultra-run before in his life. Not even a full marathon – let alone 250km in the desert.

“Last summer I remember I had met this German guy and we were discussing dreams and goals. I had mentioned that the next goal for me is either a full Ironman or this MDS. I know I could do the Ironman although was not sure about completing the MDS.”

“So I was still undecided and scared. He told your decision is easy. Which is the one that scares you the most? I said obviously the MDS. He told me, there you go, you just chose for yourself. If it doesn’t scare you, it is not exciting enough.”

“After a week I meet Kevin again and told him, let’s do this. Preparing was a journey – and the journey is as important as the destination. It took me a full six months of commitment and long hours of training.”

The days before

“Ten days before I was shitting myself. It was a mixture of fear and emotions.”

“Then, on 20th April, I arrived at the airport and was quite emotional. I couldn’t believe I arrived here, walking up to the plane I was flying on.”

“I was going to be the only Maltese this year to take part in this event. I arrived in Paris Charles des Gaulles and headed to an airport hotel. Entering the airport hotel I was suddenly surrounded by similar-looking people walking around with water bottles popping out of their side bags and Salomon shoes walking up and down the reception like lost chickens. I realised I’m in the right place.”

“I stuffed my bags in the room and headed down for dinner, as butterflies accumulated.”

April 21st

“Got myself out of bed at 4.15am after waking up another four times in the meantime. Had my last warm shower. Checked out my bag and headed to the airport. That is where I was greeted by a queue of MDS competitors. You can spot them from miles away.”

“Headed to Morocco. Destination: Eracchida, where we were then taken to our starting point. Destination and race are still secret. This was to be handed to us on the bus.”

“On arrival, I headed to my tent, no. 13. Met my tent companions. Four Portuguese and three Spanish and by the end, we ended up just like family taking care of each other.”

“The first two days were easy apart from having to sleep in a tent and sleeping bag. The first sandstorm happened. Quite an experience. You just jump in your sleeping bag, hide your face and wait till it ends. Usually 10min/15min. After the sandstorm, you get up and find the whole tent full of sand.”

“We had dinner, breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. There were not many toilets so it was open toilets for all. Fully back to basics.”

Here’s the diary Ian kept throughout his journey:

The race started on Sunday 23rd

The first stage: 36km

Everyone is extremely excited. Being the first day it is common that you start fast. A common mistake that I fell for. I realised this mid-way when I reduced pace. The first stage went on well. Ranked also very well.

Today I realised that during this race my body was still acclimatising to the heat. The heat is quite a shock to the system. There was a point during that race where I was just throwing up whilst running. Just do your business and move it. I wasn’t the only one. Sounds fun.

(Today’s total dropouts: 37)

The second stage: 31km

The night before I started having gastric issues. I spent all night shitting myself. Woke up for the 2nd stage super exhausted and dehydrated.

When the 2nd stage started I couldn’t even run. I walked 95% of it. It was a short stage 31km but very very hard. Elevation of 25 percent gain on sand dunes.

My job was to keep myself walking and not pass out. I couldn’t get to the first water station but I forced myself.

I didn’t want to give up. I couldn’t go home. Step by step I said and you’ll arrive.

During this race, I saw a lot of people being taken away by helicopters from the sand dunes. All giving up due to dehydration. I arrived later on in the afternoon. Got on very badly but was happy I crossed the finish line. In the tent, my friends realised I looked very bad. So they gave me Imodium to keep it in. I ate all my food raw so as not to take liquids as I couldn’t quit after all this training.

(Today’s total dropouts: 100)

The third stage: 34km

Day started much better than the 2nd although not 100%. I had poop stops along the way. 13km of fun sand dunes that killed me (100 drop outs). Till here I was hating it.

Fighting a lot of demons who told me to quit.

(Today’s total drop outs: 100)

The fourth stage: 90km

I was scared shitless as stages two and three had not gone as expected at all so I took it cautiously. A guy in the tent couldn’t run as his legs were all butchered. So we decided to walk at a fast pace. I said that would work.

If then when the sun goes down I still feel strong I would run and that is what happened. As soon as it was 6pm this guy started falling back, his legs were killing him. I decided to
move on with 40km to go. I left and I just couldn’t stop running at a fast pace.

I kept the same thing in mind to endure the training –  just don’t stop. I was running at a ridiculous pace for the desert. Felt a bit like Forrest Gump.

Part of it was that I was happy I was back and healthy. I smashed it. I loved it. I think I passed around 300 people in all, over this 40km stretch running with my head torch.

So happy! The body can perform things we have no idea are capable of. It all depends on the mindset. This night I went to sleep hungry as my food was running out. Not ideal when you have another 42km the next day at 45/50 degrees.

The fifth stage: 42km

Down to 771 participants.

I woke up strong and wanted to arrive giving it my all and that is what I did. I managed to smash it ending up in 42nd place in this stage.

Overall, a hell of a race. Actually, I wouldn’t call it a race at all. A survival game fits in more.

“MDS was a roller coaster ride for me. Probably the same for all who undertake it for the first time.”

“The feather seen in the photo was given to me by my kids before I left… They told me to take it so if I get tired I use it to feel better and lighter. So I kept it with me.” 

“I feel grateful and blessed for what I have accomplished thanks to my health. We should all feel blessed that we can achieve things many people can’t even dream of.”

“The body can achieve limits we are not aware it is capable of. It all depends on the strength of the mind. You either give up and go home or remain in control.”

Well done Ian! Would you ever take up such a challenge?