Service by appointment only
Call 020 7736 0046
Call 020 7736 0046 To book
It takes a certain kind of person to tackle an ultra event, but add to that extreme heat and extreme terrain and you’ve got a whole other kind of hell!
And yet even with this knowledge, this doesn’t stop man’s desire to test the limits. How far can I run, how much discomfort can I tolerate, how much can I endure? Answers by Profeet Ambassador, Chris ‘Kip’ Patterson.
What inspired you to take this event on?
After completing MDS in 2016 I decided that it would be my only, once-in-a-lifetime multi-day desert Ultra event.
…However, After Covid and lockdowns, I began getting the urge to do something similar and missed the adventure. The Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan felt like the right fit: 250km over 5 days featuring runners from over 20 different nationalities and a total elevation of over 2500 metres.
I haven’t yet found the words to describe succinctly just how breathtaking the landscape is. Brutal but absolutely stunning. I took the opportunity to raise money for Emmaus UK. They support people to work their way out of homelessness, providing training and a stable home for as long as they need it.
What kind of training did you do?
My training was mainly based upon lots of long slow distance runs. I ran several marathons in Bridgend – Merthyr Mawr – Wales, on the sand dunes to get closer to the sort of desert terrain I would be facing in The Wadi Rum. This area has the highest sand dune in Wales, known as “The Big Dipper.” In the final month of training, I added in lots of heat chamber work and Hot Pod yoga to help with acclimatisation.
What shoes did you wear and how did Profeet custom insoles help?
Profeet Kitted me out with a wide fitting Brooks Adrenaline Trainer, the right shoe for the task in hand. A firm ride with the right amount of support and softness. Custom made insoles tailored the fit and increased support and comfort: they gave me the perfect package to let me complete the race in as much comfort as possible.
See the full range of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Shoes in our online shop
What was the greatest challenge?
I think it was a combination of the vast amount of sand we had to run on, combined with the heat. It’s very difficult to make quick progress on soft deep sand – 2 steps forward and 1 step back at times.
The heat would really kick in at around 11 am. It was like someone just turned the oven on! I suffered from Heat Stroke on day 1 and didn’t sleep at all.
How did it feel to finally cross the finish line?
Amazing. A combination of relief, euphoria and pride. All the runners stayed at the finish to welcome everyone in and here was a real camaraderie between all the runners and staff.
I can honestly say it was one of the best weeks of my life!
Congratulations to all the hardy souls who completed this incredible challenge. And thanks to Chris for sharing his thoughts. If you’d like to have a crack at the Jordan Ultra you can find out more here: ultra-x.co/jordan/
Photos: Courtesy of Ultra x
OUR SERVICE IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Profeet’s services are by appointment only, please call or book online in advance