250km Thru Sahara Desert@ Marathon Des Sables | PrisChew.com

Running through a dried lake bed at the MdS.

A surreal and memorable experience

Running through the desert was definitely a surreal experience and one that both runners would never forget. Said Ian, “I was constantly awestruck by the scenery and landscapes we were traversing, and kept thinking about how incredibly lucky we were to be out there.”

“On the long 81km stage, I remember being completely mesmerized by the alien beauty of the desert at night. The full moon illuminated the landscape in a most eerily beautiful manner,” he added.

But it was not only the running and scenery aspects that were surreal. There were other memorable moments, such as the camp life in the desert. Explained Wei Chong, “Meeting like-minded folks, speaking to runners from different nationalities and trading training stories are some of the memories I’ll treasure.”

Completing the race did not come without one or two regrets, though.

Competitors’ living quarters during the race.

Said Ian, “While our conservative strategy definitely helped us to finish the MdS in pretty good physical shape, we still had some fuel left in the tank at the end, so I would probably push harder if I were to take on a similar race in the future.”

Insights Gained

Both runners have definitely learnt much about doing ultras and desert races from this experience.

Wei Chong explained that preparation is very important. “Get to know your equipment, food and how your body will react to tough physical training. And keep a positive frame of mind, despite the odds,” he said.

The Marketing Communications Director also added that “a smile, a pat on the shoulder for your fellow competitors and a willingness to stop and lose a few places just to encourage a fellow runner will do a whole lot of good to your own mental psyche.”

Wei Chong and Ian carrying the Singapore flag during the Charity Stage of the MdS.

Continued Wei Chong, “Mentally, it’s tough when it is you alone versus 250km but when it is us versus 250km, it gives everyone a boost.”

So companion and friendship were important lessons learnt in such a tough endurance race.

Said Wei Chong, “The most touching moment of the race for me, was when Nikki Kimball (the female winner) and Laurence Klein (the female runner-up) held hands and ran through a difficult stretch, encouraging each other during the process. They were vying for the same prize yet they showed such compassion, friendship and sportsmanship…”

The amazing capabilities of the human body – both mental and physical – was another insight gained.

Explained Ian, “It’s really amazing that the human body is capable of more than we think too. It really struck me when I met a Japanese competitor who only trained for less than a month, and yet, managed to use some mental techniques to help him complete the entire race.”

Reading emails from home.

Tips for other desert and ultra runners

Now that they have this race under their belt, what tips do Ian and Wei Chong have, for runners who are dreaming of tackling such desert and ultra races.

Said Ian, “Be specific in your training. (For) a desert ultra race, do a lot of training on sand. It would also help to stimulate the hottest hours of the day to try and mimic the desert conditions.”

And Wei Chong agreed. Said the Marketing Communications Director, “I was surprised at how well the Singapore hot weather helped us to cope with the extreme heat of up to 50 degrees Celsius.”

Added Ian, “Trekking poles are also a life saver out there as it will take some pressure off your quads when climbing up and down dunes and the mountains. This will help you conserve energy.”

Ian and Wei Chong's team mates, on Day 1 and 2, before the race started.

Ian and Wei Chong with their team mates – before the race started.

He said, “But come with the expectation that no matter how prepared you think you are, unexpected problems will happen.”

Ultra running passion intensified

Participating in this race may just have intensified the passion of these two runners for ultra races.

Said Ian, “Hopefully, this will prepare me to take on the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji in Japan next year, and the Ultra-Trail Mount Blanc in 2016, which is the holy grail and big daddy of mountain trail races.”