Mindset - Motivation - Resilience Through The Sahara

In the words of Henry Ford, “If you think you can or think you cannot, you are right” This still resonates with me today especially when I hear my inner voice saying “I’m not sure I can do this” or “you’ve got no experience for something like this …” you know the type of conversation that usually follows, right?

There was a time when the putting the words Running and Darren Carrington in the same sentence would have seemed so disjointed because I didn’t think I could run and guess what? I was right for so many years.

Let me share with you the story of transition that literally changed my life.

The Marathon des Sables (AKA: MDS) simply tagged the toughest footrace on earth – is a multi-day, self-sufficient annual ultra-marathon event that requires competitors to complete the 240 Kilometer (151 Miles) course over six stages.

Whilst the first three days are just bouncing either side of a marathon a day, day four is the one that sends shivers through even the hardiest of runners. Why I hear you murmur? Well, this is the double marathon stage that demands athletes to negotiate an arduous 84 Kilometer (52 Mile) course that confronts you with terrain of all concoctions, taking many through both, day and night to conquer this immense challenge before the 34-hour window closes.

If that doesn't sound grueling enough? Day six is a welcomed single marathon distance whilst day seven enthusiastically positions the cherry on top of the cake with the completion of the course being nothing more than a 17 Kilometer training sprint to the finish.

The whole event takes place deep in the Southern Sahara Desert with the start line being some 6.5 hours from Ouarzazate, Morocco.

The distance alone is intimidating but that combined with the demanding daily temperatures exceeding 48° C plus humidity levels up to 90%, now, it was becoming clear as to how this race earned its title as the Toughest Footrace on Earth.

I mentioned earlier that this is a self-sufficiency race which translates to all competitors having to carry all they need for the 7-day duration (food stipulation of a minimum 2000 calories per day for every day of the race, clothes, medical supplies, emergency kits, and all of the survival accessories you can imagine in a back pack ranging between a minimum 6.5 kgs to a maximum 15 kgs). The only things provided is a tent and rationed water which is defined by the distance and terrain of each confronting stage.

By now you’ll be getting the picture but let’s just throw in a few more elements for good measure in the form of locals such as snakes, scorpions and the odd camel spider when added with rugged terrain, rocky slopes, dry river beds, salt flats, towering dunes - a mother of a reason to feel slightly less than confident!

In knowing all of this information, (because it was freely available by competitors of the 21 previous events) what was the motivation behind wanting to go ahead and commit to this life changing event??

Simply that! It would be life changing. I had never been exposed to such conditions and it was the ultimate challenge that I was ever likely to face.

The sense of doubt masking itself as fear in the months, weeks and days leading up to the event were daunting beyond words but nowhere near as when being faced with the harsh reality of having to run 240 Kilometers in scorching heat with feet that were demolished through blisters and exploding toe nails.

Determination and my willingness to dig in deep had been my motivators all the way but exhausted and dehydrated, these were swiftly drifting away. Instead, the motivation came from the reality of being there in the middle of the vast Sahara Desert. Being vulnerable to the elements surrounding me that were way more I could comprehend.

Being in this environment certainly sharpens the focus to give that virtual slap to say “come on pull yourself together!”

I remember vividly that on the double stage where I was alone in the Sahara at night, not a soul for miles and being tired and delirious. The course markers of glow sticks were, like me, losing their glow! and I just stood there panning my head and body 360° and nothing stood out to me as to which way I should proceed.

It was on the second scan that I saw a glimmer of what looked like the beacon I was seeking so I turned in its direction and started to head for it counting my paces as I went. Some 200 or so later it became quite apparent that my eyes were actually having a laugh with me and there was no course marker whatsoever. With this revelation, I turned 180°, retraced my 200 or so paces back to where I had veered off course, turned left and blind faith got me back on track!

The remaining checkpoints came and went until the lights of basecamp beckoned me from a distant glimmer. The elation I felt to have made it. To have survived the Sahara at night all alone was simply the most amazing accomplishments I had ever experienced.

There was no room for quitting this remarkable opportunity despite wanting to almost every minute of every day. Pushing through the barriers to survive the day and edge ever closer to another achievement by finding something deep within that I had never previously identified. That very sense of survival and purpose to carry on because it gets you one stage nearer to completing the goal and delivering on all of those promises that were made to the sponsors who believed in me.

There were many lessons that had been absorbed by this wonderfully unique opportunity. The life-changing experiences that showcased the finest form of bad decision making and then being committed to pushing through those decisions to survive the unforgiving environment of the deep Sahara Desert.

Battling through the physical and mental exhaustion of each day to overcome whatever obstacles presented themselves. Going on regardless of your body screaming out at you to stop!

The physical fitness played a huge part in this expedition but the mental toughness and mindset was surely the caped crusader as without it, the physical strength would have been useless.

Everything that I have touched upon here make up the ingredients that have inspired me to want to do more to help others achieve their goals. From personal to professional, whatever your desires, if we dare to believe and face our fears, we can accomplish the insurmountable.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE if we only allow our self the space to embrace the opportunity to try.

My journey to conquer the Sahara Desert is a great metaphor for getting through these challenging times and on voyages like this, you need someone at your side who can safely guide you through the dunes back to basecamp.

Do you or your team need help with motivation and engagement to reach your goals in 2021?

I offer a variety of coaching, mentoring and training services that will support you and your team to exceed expectations for the coming year so why not schedule a call with me via the link below to discuss your YouNique requirements.

https://calendly.com/darrenyounique/leader-discovery-call

Here’s to your ongoing Success!!