Chris Timms returns to the Endurance Asia Podcast fresh from Marathon des Sables, the legendary multi-stage race across the Sahara.

This episode breaks down the reality of MDS — from the race format and self-supported setup to the physical and mental demands of racing across multiple days in extreme conditions.

Chris shares how he trained in Singapore, how he approached pacing and fueling, what surprised him most, and what he would change if he did it again. The conversation also dives into the emotional side of endurance — including racing with grief, being disconnected from family, and what the desert teaches you.

Beyond performance, this is a story about community, resilience, and why stage racing is a completely different challenge.

Timestamps
01:15 Intro and Chris returns from the desert
02:35 Why Marathon des Sables had always been on the list
06:43 MDS explained: stages, format, and self-supported racing
11:20 The field, the stories, and DNF reality
13:10 Training for MDS in Singapore
17:45 Gear choices: shoes, pack, and foot care
23:20 Nutrition strategy and calorie planning
26:07 Sleep, recovery, and life in camp
31:22 Pacing the race and lessons learned
36:57 Race result and finishing top 30
38:35 Camp life and learning from elite runners
41:54 Finish line energy and community
43:49 Bag weight, comforts, and mistakes
45:30 Racing with grief and mental strength
47:18 Time away from family and isolation
49:34 Why stage racing is uniquely hard
51:46 What’s next after MDS

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