Stage 1 : 33KThe first 13K of the stage was on the flat. The ground was uneven but firm and I was feeling fine. In the distance were towering sand dunes that shimmered like silk; they turned out to be the next part of the route and stunning though

to alison.hamlett@natmag-rodale.co.uk.Follow these links to check out some of the Q&As we've already featured on the site:Swim Q&AsBike Q&AsRun Q&AsLive Online Coaching ClinicWe’re also planning to start a live online coaching clinic on the first Monday

Stage 2: 38KThe sun usually rises here just before 6am but there was no sunrise this morning. We woke to a sandstorm, just what we didn't need to kick off a 38K stage. I'm sharing a tent with Jay Batchen, who has done the race eight or so times: he

. The first 12K were relatively flat, albeit stony; then we came to the dunes and stayed on them for most of the day. I actually managed some running today but I'm still only really keeping up with the walkers who aren't stopping at every checkpoint. You can

At just 17.5K, the final stage of the 26th Marathon des Sables was the shortest by far but still proved to be challenging. It was another hot day - although once the temperature rises above 40C it's hard to differentiate between simply hot

with the orchestra, so we've had a concert, eaten the last of the emergency peanut M&Ms and used all the stove fuel for cups of tea. Tomorrow we have 17K to complete the race. It sounds like a tiny distance compared with what we've faced every day up to now, but my

for the third consecutive year in 2010 completing the total distance in 19:55:08, has won four MdS titles. The most successful British competitor is double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell who finished 12th in 2010. You may have seen the documentary aired

You've followed Triathlete's World Editor Alison's Marathon des Sables blog over the last week, and now she's back with some stunning pictures which show off the dramatic backdrop to this epic week-long desert race (and her bandaged feet...).

for 2009 as stepping stones to his ultimate goal in 2011. "I've given myself two years to reach my goal so I can get down to a proper racing weight. I want to do myself justice and be in good shape."Already well on the way to achieving his race goal, he