Leo's Marathon des Sables

0773 - MDS Results

2010-04-12T05:27:00.000-07:00

Last name: AVERY
First name: Leo
Number: 773
General position: 193
Nationality: GBR
Country of residence: GBR- GRANDE BRETAGNE

General:
Time:
38H32'25
Delay:
18H47'16
Average:
6.46

Stage 6
Time:
02H 23'14
Delay:
00H 59'54
Average:
8.8

Stage 5
Time:
05H 18'58
Delay:
02H 08'23
Average:
7.9

Stage 4
Time:
14H 35'58
Delay:
07H 26'44
Average:
5.62

Stage 3
Time:
06H 15'20
Delay:
03H 13'34
Average:
6.39

Stage 2
Time:
05H 44'38
Delay:
02H 55'32
Average:
6.09

Stage 1
Time:
04H 14'14
Delay:
02H 03'06
Average:
6.84

0773 - MDS Stage 4

2010-04-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

Stage: 4 Dist: 82.2km, Time: 14hr 35min

A few do's about this double marathon stage:

1. Change your socks for 1st time of race (nice)

2. Check your batteries on ur headtorch (you'll still be on ur feet after dark),

3. Ensure a healthy selection of 1980s rock anthems are close at hand for when the going gets tough (recommend starting with Eye of the Tiger).

Don'ts:

1. Knock almost a litre of water over when picking up ur 3 litre allowance at a check point during the hottest part of the day (asking 4 more=time penalty).

2. Run a bit 2 close to a thorn bush early in the stage cutting ur arm(prick).

3. Wipe out when running down a dune showing off to a photographer (not me!).

No two ways about it, today was one of the hardest things any of us have ever done. Another scorching day and had to tackle some physical and mental demons from hours 9-11.

Thankfully second wind kicked in and I found the enegy to push for home,getting to the tent before midnight. Unbelievably some people still out on course almost 30hrs in.

Tomorrow's stage is just a marathon.

Enjoy ur holiday.

0773 - MDS Stage 3

2010-04-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

Stage:3, Dist: 40km, Tme: 6hr14min

Top temp-47c. Blisters: still 2. Feet holding up well, unlike a few of the guys in the tent. Tunes listened 2:0.

After yesterday's efforts, today was all about patience, holding back & thinking about tom (without actually trying to think about what's awaits us). Getting harder to get going in the mornings, with it taking a good to hours to feel ok. After an early big dune to get over,the day turned in2 a long, hard slog under a relentess Saharan sun.We couldn't escape its powers as we made our way across vast salt pans, river beds & (unsurprisingly) wide open expanses of sand stretching out across the horizon,with only camels to break up the view. Everyone definately feeling the heat and relieved to make it to the cover of camp at the end of day althu sun so strong conditions remained pretty tough as we tried to rehydrate, eat and recover. In first 3 stages, over 50 people already bailed, which is way more than usual. Your messages have been amazing at lifting me in the evenings.

Pls keep up t gd wrk!

Now for bed. L

0773 - MDS Stage 2

2010-04-06T00:45:00.000-07:00

Stage 2: 35.5 km, time 5h 44, max: a balmy 46c

Blisters: 2 small on end of toes. After yesterday's efforts (268th/1013) we needed a good night's sleep. After passing out for a few hours a warm Saharan wind kept most of tent up for most of the night. 8 quite grumpy faces this morning over breakfast, as novelty of this little adventure rapidly waned.

In search of a couple of secs of TV fame, we found ourselves at the front on t starting line alongside Crackers. Once gun went off and we'd let lead runners thru we settled in to same routine of yesterday with mix of run/walk to ensure we didn't burn ourselves out too early.Keep having to remind ourselves of how long this event is and not push too hard too soon.

Today's stage really brought home how tough this thing is going to be. Had some big old climbs, some gruelling sand dunes and a huge flat salt plain that seemed to go on forever under a baking midday sun. But we all got through in one piece,all definitely feeling it and doing our best to remain in good spirits.

Tomorrow's distance increases to 40 k - please keep messages coming to help me thru! Leo

0773 - MDS Stage 1

2010-04-06T00:42:00.000-07:00

Stage 1, Dist.29km,time.4h14. Max temp. 46c.

We're finally under way! Had to undergo two frustrating days in camp doing admin, medical and kit checks while James Cracknell in tent next door was constantly being filmed for his Discovery Channel Documentary. He's no doubt looking keen and ready.

Before any big race, a good night's kip is always vital. So to experience our first big sandstorm wasn't ideal timing. Sand for a midnight feast. Yum.

Once race underway,settled in2 a 20min run, 10min walk routine with Sam, Ollie and Dan Brit. Today's a short day,all about saving ourselves for stage 4 and getting into a routine. Mix of terrain-dunes,stony paths, baked river beds,steep rocky climbs. With 1st day adrenaline, wanted to run faster but forced ourselves to hold back. All made it through in 1 piece and feel good. James Cracknell came 9th overall. Amazing. Now refuelled, stretched and getting ready for bed before stage 2 tomorrow where some big dunefields await!

Thanks for all your messages. They're such a lift when back in camp.

Keep them coming please as I'm top scorer in tent! Leo

Half way to fundraising target!

2010-03-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much to everyone for your generosity and for helping us reach halfway in our fundraising target of £10,000.

If you haven't donated yet, you still can by visiting www.justgiving.com/leoavery and making your donation online in a really quick and easy way.

Keep the ££££ rolling in!

The Marathon des Sables

2010-03-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

This April I will be competing in the Marathon des Sables, an event often described as the "toughest foot-race on Earth" in aid of St Michael's Hospice.

It involves running/walking/crawling 155 miles across the Sahara Desert in temperatures of up to 45 degrees. I will have to carry all of my kit for the week; including all food, cooking equipment, water, a flare, an anti venom pump and unsurprisingly for a man of my tanning abilities suncream, lots of suncream.

About St Michael's Hospice
I will be running in aid of St Michael's Hospice, a fantastic charity which provides palliative care, to individuals with life-limiting illnesses, and their families in the south east of England.

I have set myself an ambitious fundraising target of £10,000, which is the amount the hospice needs to raise from voluntary donations in order to provide just one day's care.

So please help me reach and the hospice reach this target and make a donation via this link: www.justgiving.com/leoavery

To learn more about St Michael's Hospice visit: www.stmichaelshospice.org/