Review of Running the Sahara
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Payal Mehta 1
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- Latest Review: Running the Sahara by Marcel Nickler
Review of Running the Sahara
[Following is a volunteer review of "Running the Sahara" by Marcel Nickler.]
Running the Sahara by Marcel Nickler is a comprehensive account of the author’s experience of participating in one of the most grueling ultra-marathons, the Marathon des Sables; a 6 day run covering 237 km of the Sahara desert in southeastern Morocco in 2017. Swiss-born Marcel Nickler, has been a marathon runner since years and has an impressive 19 ultra-marathons under his belt, some of which he has run multiple times. Running the Sahara is a narrative consisting of Marcel’s journey from running marathons, graduating to ultra-marathons, and his wife, Monika suggesting him to participate in the Marathon des Sables, to his odyssey through the Sahara and the lessons learned from it. This book is a wealth of information on running marathons, the diligent planning and training that goes into it, the importance of positive attitude, resilience, hard work, discipline and goal-setting and gives the reader a different view and perspective of life through the eyes of a marathoner.
This book was an immersive experience for me as it painted a clear picture of a long week spent running in the scorching heat of the Sahara, through the picturesque yet varied terrain of sand dunes, gorges, rocky hills and deep sandy passes, with a 7 kg backpack and the company of 1094 other runners. As the author recounts his months of training under his coach, Timon Abegglen, convincing his daughters, Manuela and Simone, choosing appropriate equipment, clothes and a nutrition plan, packing his backpack so as to economize every gram, and then actually pushing his mind and body to their breaking points, I was mesmerized by the Herculean effort put in by him and learnt to appreciate the difficulties and ordeals that indeed make us better and stronger people.
I laud the fitness levels and enthusiasm of Marcel Nickler, as he took up this challenge at the age of 57, and with systematic planning and a detailed action plan, he achieved his dream of completing the Marathon des Sables. His experiences of crossing the steep and exhausting Jebel El Otfal, the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi, running in the moonlit, cold desert at night, conserving every drop of water during the torrid days, living in the humble Berber tents with 5 other Swiss friends, sleeping on a narrow and short inflatable sleeping pad, eating vacuum-packed high-tech food and queuing up for the toilet, are all vivid and awe-inspiring.
What sets this non-fiction book apart are the positive vibes that it exudes. Hats off to the author for his positive outlook throughout this arduous journey, his enjoyment of the natural beauty of the arid landscape, his perspective on friendships and comradeship and the fact that he raised money for children’s rights, equality for girls and the campaign for clean drinking water in Ghana through his marathon. Running the Sahara is peppered with motivational quotes by legends like Franklin Roosevelt, Kahlil Gibran, Soneca and Robert Louis Stevenson, but the one that resonates with me the most is the Berber saying ‘The person who enters the desert will not be the same one who leaves it.’ The exhaustive Equipment List, detailing everything that the author carried with brand names and weights in grams, as well as the Food List with specifications in kcals and brands is a beneficial addition for anyone who is planning to participate in such marathons. The list of marathons that Marcel Nickler has participated in, is summative and inspiring. The sketchy illustrations add to the visual appeal, while the photographs bring to life the enriching experiences of Marathon des Sables.
For its foolproof editing and easy-to-read, inspirational narration, I would rate Running the Sahara 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book not only to marathoners and runners, or sportspeople, but to anyone who is looking for some inspiration and an interesting read.
******
Running the Sahara
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Running the Sahara by Marcel Nickler is a comprehensive account of the author’s experience of participating in one of the most grueling ultra-marathons, the Marathon des Sables; a 6 day run covering 237 km of the Sahara desert in southeastern Morocco in 2017. Swiss-born Marcel Nickler, has been a marathon runner since years and has an impressive 19 ultra-marathons under his belt, some of which he has run multiple times. Running the Sahara is a narrative consisting of Marcel’s journey from running marathons, graduating to ultra-marathons, and his wife, Monika suggesting him to participate in the Marathon des Sables, to his odyssey through the Sahara and the lessons learned from it. This book is a wealth of information on running marathons, the diligent planning and training that goes into it, the importance of positive attitude, resilience, hard work, discipline and goal-setting and gives the reader a different view and perspective of life through the eyes of a marathoner.
This book was an immersive experience for me as it painted a clear picture of a long week spent running in the scorching heat of the Sahara, through the picturesque yet varied terrain of sand dunes, gorges, rocky hills and deep sandy passes, with a 7 kg backpack and the company of 1094 other runners. As the author recounts his months of training under his coach, Timon Abegglen, convincing his daughters, Manuela and Simone, choosing appropriate equipment, clothes and a nutrition plan, packing his backpack so as to economize every gram, and then actually pushing his mind and body to their breaking points, I was mesmerized by the Herculean effort put in by him and learnt to appreciate the difficulties and ordeals that indeed make us better and stronger people.
I laud the fitness levels and enthusiasm of Marcel Nickler, as he took up this challenge at the age of 57, and with systematic planning and a detailed action plan, he achieved his dream of completing the Marathon des Sables. His experiences of crossing the steep and exhausting Jebel El Otfal, the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi, running in the moonlit, cold desert at night, conserving every drop of water during the torrid days, living in the humble Berber tents with 5 other Swiss friends, sleeping on a narrow and short inflatable sleeping pad, eating vacuum-packed high-tech food and queuing up for the toilet, are all vivid and awe-inspiring.
What sets this non-fiction book apart are the positive vibes that it exudes. Hats off to the author for his positive outlook throughout this arduous journey, his enjoyment of the natural beauty of the arid landscape, his perspective on friendships and comradeship and the fact that he raised money for children’s rights, equality for girls and the campaign for clean drinking water in Ghana through his marathon. Running the Sahara is peppered with motivational quotes by legends like Franklin Roosevelt, Kahlil Gibran, Soneca and Robert Louis Stevenson, but the one that resonates with me the most is the Berber saying ‘The person who enters the desert will not be the same one who leaves it.’ The exhaustive Equipment List, detailing everything that the author carried with brand names and weights in grams, as well as the Food List with specifications in kcals and brands is a beneficial addition for anyone who is planning to participate in such marathons. The list of marathons that Marcel Nickler has participated in, is summative and inspiring. The sketchy illustrations add to the visual appeal, while the photographs bring to life the enriching experiences of Marathon des Sables.
For its foolproof editing and easy-to-read, inspirational narration, I would rate Running the Sahara 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book not only to marathoners and runners, or sportspeople, but to anyone who is looking for some inspiration and an interesting read.
******
Running the Sahara
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Running the Sahara by Marcel Nickler
