St Mary’s CHASES Lab Prepares Runner for Desert Challenge

A marathon runner has been preparing for one of the hardest challenges in the world, the Marathon des Sables, with the help of the Centre for Health, Applied Sport and Exercise Science (CHASES) at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham. Simon Martin is currently preparing to take part in the Marathon des Sables, a 156 mile race in the Moroccan Sahara desert and as part of his training, is using the heat chamber in the CHASES lab to stimulate the environmental conditions that he will face during the six day race. Simon commented, “I had been extremely excited about training in a heat chamber and the reality was not disappointing. I ran at 11kph with a 6kg pack in 30 degrees and 50% humidity. The session got noticeably tougher but I really enjoyed the experience. “In reality the temperature in the Sahara will be far higher, the humidity much lower and I certainly do not expect to be running at 11kph but the session gives an idea of what the body will have to cope with during the MdS. Over the remaining heat chamber sessions I hope to increase the time on the treadmill.” Also training with Simon was Aya Stevens and Liz Pinches who will be competing in the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon competition in March.