Since deciding to run Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc (“UTMB”) in August 2015 and turning into my dream, I have come a long way. It feels like the journey in itself has turned into an ultra trail, filled with plenty of steep ascends and wild downhill sections, mental highs and lows. More than eight years into this journey, the most recent segment of this adventure best compares to a difficult, technical trail. Running countless races and accumulating thousands of kilometers by foot, I came to realise that it was time to hold my breath and pause. So, let’s take one step back and rewind my journey until today.

life, runNicki Lange20 October 2022the speed project, utmb, ultratrail, marathon des sablesComment

MARATHON DES SABLES PACK LIST

With a little over a month to go, the final preparation will be on its way for more than 1.300 daredevils that are ready to take on the Marathon Des Sables (“MDS”). Aside from the month-long physical and mental preparation for this mighty challenge, the equipment plays an equally important role to master this 250-kilometer desert crossing.

runNicki Lange14 February 2019marathon des sables, running, pack list, ultratrailComment

PHOTO RECAP OF MARATHON DES SABLES 2017

Just over a month ago I was on my way through the Moroccan Sahara. Marathon Des Sables has been a truly breathtaking experience. It has been a week filled with running through the dunes during the day, sleeping in a bivouac and watching the sun rise in the morning, and set at night. I crossed paths with a number of interesting people, as much as I came to discover new sides within myself. Not only did I assemble almost 250 kilometres over six days of running, but I was able to collect memories for a lifetime. Below you can find a selection of some of those moments in time.

runNicki Lange10 May 2017morocco, sahara, marathon des sablesComment

MARATHON DES SABLES 2017

"Living easy, living free, season ticket on a one-way ride, asking nothing, leave me be, taking everything in my stride, don't need reason, don't need rhyme, ain't nothing I would rather do, going down, party time, my friends are gonna be there too, I'm on the highway to hell." Those are the opening lyrics of ACDC's infamous song and the final words every competitor hears before they start each stage of Marathon Des Sables (MDS).

runNicki Lange20 April 2017morocco, sahara, marathon des sables, ultratrail Comments

TRACK AND TRACE ME IN THE SAHARA

We have come to the point, where it is only a matter of hours until I will embark on the most challenging ultra marathon I will have faced up until today. On Sunday, 9th April around 9:00 am the over 250 kilometer long adventure will commence. The organizers of Marathon Des Sables (MDS) have implemented a GPS service, which tracks and traces every step that my fellow runners and I are going to take. So, if you are curious to see where I am from Sunday onwards, you can check the official Marathon Des Sables website.

runNicki Lange6 April 2017morocco, sahara, marathon des sables, ultratrailComment

ALL THE THINGS ARE PACKED

At this time next week, I will have completed the first three stages of Marathon Des Sables and run over 100 kilometres through fine desert sand. The thought of such leaves me speechless, as it is getting serious.

runNicki Lange1 April 2017morocco, sahara, marathon des sables, ultratrail Comment

WHAT IS MARATHON DES SABLES?

Before I am diving into the details of my equipment, food, as well as training regime, I should explain what Marathon Des Sables (MDS) actually is. The ones that have followed my blog over the last few months will have read about it on multiple occasions, some may have even heard about it before, whilst others have absolute no clue what is going on here.

runNicki Lange18 March 2017morocco, sahara, marathon des sables, ultratrailComment

NO BARCELONA MARATHON 2017

Whilst I am sitting here and writing this post, I am watching athletes running, walking and trotting towards the finish line. Though, I wish this post was called “Barcelona Marathon” and I was able to tell you about my experience of running through the Catalan capital, I suppose you can gather from the title that such is not the case. Instead, I shall describe the feeling of saying “no” to running the Barcelona Marathon.

runNicki Lange12 March 2017spain, barcelona, barcelona marathon, marathon, marathon des sablesComment

ONE MONTH UNTIL THE DESERT

Exactly one month from today, on Friday, the 7th April, I will be driving into the desert joined by 1295 fellow runners. I am a little lost for words, as I am looking back at my journey, and how time seems to have flown by. It all started off in Madrid in December 2015. If I am not mistaken, it was a Saturday night that I had spent at home, when I came across a couple of YouTube videos about Marathon Des Sables on YouTube. I have heard about MDS, as it is commonly known, before, but I was far away from thinking that I would ever be participating in this event. Whilst being one of the most unique stops on the Ultra-Trail World Tour, it is also known as one of the toughest courses of the tour. Running and completing MDS would not only offer some incredible experience and memories, but also grants six points towards the Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc qualification. I was fascinated by the visuals that I was watching and the reports, which I was reading. I signed up.

runNicki Lange10 March 2017morocco, sahara, marathon des sables, ultratrail Comment

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Though we are almost two weeks into 2017, I guess it is not too late just yet to wish you all a happy, happy new year. May the upcoming one be full of smiles and joy, success and learnings, memories and experiences, but above all I hope that you all stay fit and healthy.

lifeNicki Lange11 January 2017eiger ultra trail, verona marathon, cappadocia ultra trail, marathon des sablesComment

A LIFE WITH RUNNING IS BETTER

It’s been a while since I last dropped some thoughts on this blog. Tel Aviv had been the last event, of what I can refer to as my rookie running season. At the end of 2015, I look back at a number of finishes, but above all mind-blowing experiences. I completed the Madrid Half Marathon, as my first-ever running event, before moving on to running two Marathons, one in Madrid and one in Munich. In the meantime, I participated in the Red Bull Wings For Life World Run, before I wrapped up the season with the Coca-Cola Zero Tel Aviv Night Run.

runNicki Lange3 February 2016marathon, istria100, utmb, wingsforlife, cappadocia ultra trail, marathon des sables, milanComment