Marathon des Sables Tips, Training, and News

April 2, 2010 by Bryon Powell · 1 Comment

We thought it would be useful to collect all iRunFar’s articles on the Marathon des Sables stage race in one place. While the articles are written with MdS in mind, they provide information useful in preparing for any self-sufficient stage race and those held in desert locations in particular.

We begin with our Marathon des Sables Guide, which lists articles covering heat acclimation, gear selection, and nutritional choices. Next, we highlight our coverage of the 2009 Marathon des Sables followed by a set of articles on training for MdS, including a summary of pack training. Finally, there is a compilation of gear reviews for items iRunFar contributors have used at MdS.

If you are interested in the 2010 edition of the Marathon des Sables, read our extensive 2010 MdS coverage and results article. (We also previewed MdS 2010.) After the race, we conducted a video interview with champion Mohamad Ahansal.

Marathon des Sables Guide

Endurance Science: Heat Acclimation for Runners- Dr. Bill Henderson, and exercise physiologist lays out the science behind heat acclimation, as well as his own experience with the subject.
Heat Acclimation for Runners: A Coach’s Analysis – A primer on heat acclimation for runners, an index of other heat acclimation sources, and Bryon Powell’s personal account of his heat training.
Gear/Kit List for the Marathon des Sables – An overview of Bryon’s gear choices for MdS 2009 and changes he’d make for future desert stage races.
Pack and Sleep System for the Marathon des Sables – Bryon discusses his MdS choices for pack, hydration system, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad, as well as what he’d do differently next time.
Food for the Marathon des Sables – Bryon talks about his nutritional choices for MdS. Balancing weight, calories, and other nutritional needs is no easy task.
Energy Gel Comparison – A comparison of energy gels, including energy density (weight is crucial at MdS), caffeine and electrolyte content, carbohydrate sources, and other functional ingredients.
Footwear for the Marathon des Sables – A compilation of some of the shoes companies have built with the Marathon des Sables in mind. Bryon Powell also shares his shoe choice for MdS ’09.

2009 Marathon des Sables Articles

Bryon Powell of iRunFar competed in the 2009 Marathon des Sables. Here are the stories of his adventure.

Marathon des Sables 2009: A New Challenge – Bryon Powell announces his decision to run MdS in 2009 and explains why.
iRunFar Does the Marathon des Sables – Bryon reflects upon the race a week before toeing the line.
MdS Prelude: The Deluge – Bryon talks about his travel to Morocco, his brief visit to Casablanca, his time in Ouarzazate prior to the race, and the flood that resulted in a night in an Erfoud hotel rather than the bivouac.
MdS Admin Day Delay, First Stage Canceled – A quick news update in light of the once-in-15-years flooding and consideration of weather during the race.
MdS Delusion – A weather update from Erfoud.
MdS Admin Day Redo – An overview of race check-in and contemplation of course changes.
MdS 2009: Team Dreamchasers USA – A photo of Bryon’s team not long before departure for Stage 1.
MdS 2009: Stage 1 – A brief update from the bivouac after Stage 1. Bryon discusses his education in sand dunes running during the 33 kilometer stage.
MdS 2009: Stage 2 – In another update from bivouac, Bryon talks about the flat, 36-kilometer second stage and the solid performances by his American compatriots.
MdS 2009: Stage 3 (long stage) - The longest stage in MdS history – 91k (56 miles) – is the subject of this message from the bivouac. Bryon also notes his adventure of running at night after he broke his glasses.
MdS 2009: Stage 4 and Overall Results – Bryon summarizes his 19th place finish, as well as the finishes by his team (3rd) as well as fellow Americans Meghan Hicks (second woman) and Michael Wardian (8th).

Marathon des Sables Training

Marathon des Sables Training: Weeks 1-8 – Bryon discusses his first 8 weeks of MdS training and his general training plan.
Marathon des Sables Training: Weeks 9-22 – Bryon reflects on his training, including sharing details regarding his pack training.
Heat Acclimation for Runners – A primer on heat acclimation for runners, an index of other heat acclimation sources, and Bryon Powell’s personal account of his heat training.

Gear Reviews Related to the Marathon des Sables

Original Buff Review – Read why Michael Wardian and Meghan Hicks found their Buffs indispensable during MdS 2009.
Inov-8 Race Pro 22 & Shoulder Strap Bottle Holder Review – Meghan Hicks shares her secret of why this pack was awesome at MdS.
Montrail Mountain Masochist Review -Bryon Powell writes about the shoe he wore for the 2009 Marathon des Sables.

Filed under Races, Resources · Tagged with Marathon des Sables, Nutrition, Shoes, Training

Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell

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My (Hesitant) Running Bucket List: The Marathon des Sables | Chasing 42 says:

April 15, 2013 at 7:28 am

[...] With this race, not only will I need to be aware of those aspects, but I’ll need to prepare for the heat, the desert climate itself, and the fact that I’ll have a 25L pack on my back at [...]

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