on earth - why wouldn’t I want to give it a go?First stepsMy first challenge was breaking the news to my girlfriend, who while incredibly supportive was less than impressed by the documentary I showed her of James Cracknell’s adventures in the 2010 MdS

, sand and intensity of the MdS, but smart training will get you as close as possible. Nail down a long-term training plan and sign up for an ultra or two (there are a growing number of multi-day stage races on our events listings). For a pre-race multi

the world but it's the Brits who have made the race their own and are now the most represented nationality. The MdS - as it's known  - has become a rite of passage for British runners who want to explore the scary territory of a self-supported stage race

sub-3:00 marathons, long-distance triathlons and the Devizes-to-Westminster International Canoe Race. His goal was to make the top 50 at the MdS; he finished 21st. Here's how he did it, and how you can learn from his impressive debut:1. Turn up