Sunday, August 30, 2009

Charlie Stockford - Completes the '24th Marathon des Sables'


Charlie........ Out!

This is the last entry I will write on the MdS 2009......

It has been the experience of my life, one that I will talk about for the rest of my life!!! Like anything it is the people that make any experience, thank you MdS’ers 2009!!!

Will I do it again? Absolutely!!
Will I do other similar races, taking up my annual leave each year? Without a shadow of a doubt!!

There is talk of a similar distance race in 2010 with 2 very good friends of mine, can’t wait and have the deposit ready and have another charity in mind. Next year I want to run the London Marathon, the Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc (which is happening as I write this entry). I also want to seriously start my Iron Man goal so have the London 70.3 Half Ironman in my sights & intend on running in one Triathlon before the end of this year and next year I want to complete a half Iron Man….. The Verdon Canyon in France is also high on the list. To this day my family has never seen me complete any marathon or ultra marathon so the London Marathon next year is hot on my list… Also, I will be forcing them to watch me finish the Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc. I need to thank my family for making the trip to the Sahara Desert to see me cross the finish line this year; I am just so sorry that this didn’t quite work out… I love you for it though and it means a lot to me, more than you probably know. Mum, Dad & Jo – you are the best!!!

I also want to thank everyone who helped me raise over £5,430 for ‘Get Kids Going’. Thank you so very much, amazing effort….

I have never been in the desert before, I have never been forced into a group of literally best group of people I have ever met, I have never run over 200km in the desert before but I would do it all again in a heartbeat… There are some people from the MdS that I have grown very close to both during the MdS and after and I can honestly say the Marathon des Sables has changed my life. Here is not the time or the place to discuss this but as soon as I returned from the desert I started to make many changes of which I know I will be happier. For everyone that was a part of the MdS 2009 I thank you so much for making it the event in my life that I cherish the most.

Happy training everybody,
Charlie

The last night in the desert....

So, here it is...... The moment over 800 runners had been training for for over 2 years!!! Patrick Bauer gives each runner thier medal as they cross the fnish line.... Mixed emotions, we had run the longest ever stage, had the craziest weather, run well over 200km in the desert but all wanting a little bit bit more (at least I did)....
I think we waited on the line until everyone had come in for around 5 hours, best experience of the race...... Amazing place, amazing people, amazing friends......

All finished off with the Paris Symphonic Orchestra playing for us for an eveninf concert in the desert.....










Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Day 9 - 42km Marathon Stage!!

Day 9 Marathon Day - 43km - Sad day...... The last day..... :o(
Stage 1 - 12km
Stage 2 - 8km
Stage 3 - 8km
Stage 4 - 15km


The last day or day following the longest day is always a marathon 42km stage....

REST DAY - MUCH NEEDED

After crashing out at 06,00 I arose at around 12 mid-day to find BW still not back..... I began my search and after 3 hrs (I think) I found him heading towards me across the wilderness.... All in camp we began more rest..... 91km down and 42km to look forwar to tomorrow.....



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Charlie Stockford runs the Longest ever MdS stage!

Day 7
91km
Stage 1 - 12km
Stage 2 - 14km
Stage 3 - 10km
Stage 4 - 14km
Stage 5 - 14km
Stage 6 - 15km
Stage 7 - 12km

This stage was long, hot, uncomfortable but we were about to finish the LONGEST EVER STAGE ON THE MdS so here goes.... It took me 20 hours (from memory) I raced all day from 09,00 to 14,30 when I collapsed in a medics tent.... Uncontrollable once again before eating, drinking, resting and I was off again.... Passed Penny at the half way point and totally blanked her as was sooo in the zone - sorry Pen, big regret....... Got to a camp at 11,00 where Ipassed out while, yes you guessed it - the uncontrollable shakes had returned..... I woke up at 12,30 and set off at 01,00 and bumped into Guy when walked together for rest of the night, amazing comradary and strength between us both to carry on regardless was incredible.. Guy pushing hard even though in a lot of pain from feet and sickness. Ran into Tim and Nick at 02,30 and teamed up again till finish. Tim and Guy struggleing but were pushing each other on, Nick & I following but chatting at the same time, torches and green lazer...
Arrived at 06,15 and headed straight for the tent and passed out..... AMAZING DAY AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF I HAD HALF THE CHANCE......

LOVE YOU ULTRA RUNNERS, WE MADE OURSELVES PROUD THAT DAY!!!

NUFF SAID!!!!




THE MOST AMAZING SCENERY EVEEER!!!


THE ALL IMPORTANT LAER THAT LED US ALL BACK TO BASE CAMP THROUGH THE NIGHT........ INCREDIBLE!!!






WITH NICK, TIM & GUY - COMRADERY A IT'S BEST!!!


THE END RESULT!!! NICE....