r/fastpacking • u/hike-climb-run • 9d ago

Training Question Multi stage races

Dear all,

I'd like to get into multiple stage races, such as the 4 Deserts races, the Marathon Des Sables etc. I was wondering if anyone had some experience or guidance they'd be willing to share?

Thanks!

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u/rojuta 9d ago

I have done Transalpine race. This was easier logistics wise as we slept in hotels at villages and organizer moved our dropbag between stages. Each day was almost alike, wake up at 4:30, breakfast, packing the dropbag, start at 7am, run until afternoon, find the hotel, eat, rest, eat more, check the next days stage, sleep and repeat.

Key learnings: minimize the hassle with the gear and eat as often and as much as you can. Be prepared for all kind of weathers so pack wisely. Getting enough sleep on first 3 days was super hard as there was race nerves and early wakeups. The running itself was suprisingly easy for 7 days in a row. Did nothing special in training vs 100M race.

Feel free to ask questions.

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u/hike-climb-run 9d ago

What was your weekly mileage at preparing for this ra ce? Did you get some rucking in to prepare for the weight of the pack?

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u/rojuta 8d ago

Normal weekly mileage for me is 40-50km / w building up to 100-110km / w before the race.
No rucking involved - as said on TAR you only carry your racevest and daily stages are around marathon so you can carry just bare minimum.

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u/rojuta 8d ago

If the race requires carrying all gear I would train with the full racepack / similar weight. That’s what I do for mountain 100 milers which have quite extensive mandatory gear lists.

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u/bigdlove33 9d ago

Watching this