Do we really need challenges?
How the marathon Des Ables changed Mr. Ken Stirrat
Have you ever been bored before? Maybe you’ve simply run out of things to do or have been working so hard and all you need is to take some kind of break. Or, you’re bored of your everyday routine; you want to do something to change things up, to challenge yourself. This was the case for Mr. Ken Stirrat when, in 2013 he decided to travel all the way from Singapore to the Sub-Saharan desert to run the marathon Des Ables, which has been called the toughest footrace on earth. The marathon is one of the oldest organized ones of this kind, starting in 1986. During the race, athletes run an amassed total of 250 kilometers, in 6 race stages.
Preparation
Mr. Stirrat has been the head of mathematics at east campus for almost seven years, and, just like anyone else he likes to challenge himself every now and then. This has been a routine part of his life for a while. Since he ran the marathon des Ables in 2013, he has done multiple events of the same calibre. During his presentation I watched during a two week period of presentations called writers fortnight, Mr. Stirrat mentioned how he started feeling like he needed to do something new and challenge himself as the years went by in the same routine. His inspiration came from needing something new, something different. In the months leading up to the race, his life consisted of his day job and training, and carefully watching his diet. When it was time to go, he was fully equipped with a suitcase and a tiny ‘marathon bag’ in which there were protein bars, nuts, sunscreen, and other supplies for the next days.
The marathon
The race itself is one of the largest challenges you can give to yourself, but what happens in the race, physically and emotionally, are much bigger challenges than the running itself. The terrain is one of the desert: sand. Walking through sand is difficult enough, each step taking sand with it and sinking down once again. In this marathon, you run up to 80 km each day in this rough terrain and incredibly hot sun and sub saharan temperatures. He recalled the biggest challenge for him was the third day. He was in terrible physical pain and hadn’t been able to keep food or water down for almost 24 hours but prevailed, pushed through the pain and continued running. 10km before the day’s race section was over, he found himself collapsed under a tree, in pain, and almost ready to give up. All he wanted to do in the moment was stay there. If it wasn’t for a supportive friend whom he met the same day, he might haven’t have left. He powered through the last bit of the day, and when he got to camp he went to the infirmary. He told us how significant the moment was to him when he walked into the clinic and saw racers in much worse state than him; people who could hardly move they were so sick. This was an eye opening moment for Mr. Stirrat, a reminder to keep going on because this was the point of a challenge, he was in no way as bad as the others. He received the treatment necessary and headed on. This part of his story stood out to me so much because it highlights the angle and purpose of his going to the marathon in the first place: to challenge himself.
Challenges
Everybody needs to challenge themselves. Whether it be trying a new food, travelling to a new country, or a physical challenge, challenging yourself and changing things up is and should be a part of life. This story is a reminder of how impactful and important routinely doing new things can help you. Not only do they change your outlook on small everyday things, but they could change the way you look at the world, like it has for Mr. Stirrat. Though there might not be another chance to challenge yourself as greatly as the marathon Des Ables, it is important to always try new things, and live your life creating memories.
https://spark.adobe.com/page/XmHR48Ft1C060/
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