I first heard of the Lanzarote training camp years ago through a patient of mine. Straight away I was enchanted by the idea: training daily for a week with like minded people, on a sunny island in the middle of the British winter. Even better, it was designed specifically to prepare runners towards the dream race I had been meticulously planning for the last 2 decades: The Marathon des Sables.
Work and family life with very young children made it difficult for me to commit at the time but I kept the idea in the back of my mind.
In October 2021 I was lucky to toe the start line at MDS for the first time and absolutely loved it. I raced well, even better than I had hoped for and ranked 9th. A few weeks later it was time for the MDS Expo. A wonderful event organised in London by Steve Diederich for all future MDS entrants. I went there to listen to experts and to relive my own MDS story and met up with Ian Corless again. We chatted and he mentioned his Lanza training camp and said he would be keen to have me on his team. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, whether it was a serious offer or not. I mean, seriously…? The following Monday I got an email from Ian asking me if I had given thoughts to his offer. I couldn’t believe it and a day later I confirmed my participation.
MDS had been a life dream for me and after October 2021 I spent days and weeks looking at pictures from the race. Somehow I struggled to let go of my “MDS mode”…it took me weeks to “come back” to normal life. I had spent 20 years thinking, dreaming, watching, reading, researching and planning every details about MDS. I was hooked.
This camp would be the perfect set up to give back and advise people on how to prepare successfully for a stage race like Marathon des Sables. Everything I had learnt over the past 20 years as a competitive runner and as an MDS Top 10 finisher would be shared with camp attendees. I would tell stories, give important advice and tips to not only make it to the end but to enjoy the whole process along the way. I couldn’t wait.
That first experience as a running guide in January 2022 was absolutely amazing. Runners were so keen to listen and learn everything I had to share with them. It really was a fantastic week. The vibe at Club La Santa was relaxed and fun. Guides and runners alike were mixing together all day long, talking adventure, mountain, desert and Nature. Everyone had an experience that others could benefit from. I felt we were all equal when in today’s society, hierarchy divides people.
After Lanza 2022, I received a huge amount of thank you from so many runners. Even weeks later, runners would contact me again to thank me for my time during the camp. What an absolute pleasure to share my dream with them! What a privilege to help people doing something you deeply love.
Since then I have joined Ian’s team in 2023 and 2024 and can’t wait for 2025. I also raced and completed MDS 2023 and The Coastal Challenge 2024.
I genuinely believe that camp attendees get a huge amount of invaluable information towards multi-stage races. We as guides, are there for you during the whole week and can answer any questions or doubts you may have. But you also get a chance to share your own experience with everyone and that gives a deep sense of community to the camp.
Come join us, you’ll love it!
JOIN US HERE
LANZAROTE TRAINING CAMP - March 4th to 11th 2027 