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JUNGLE MARATHON INFORMATION
Date October 8th -17th 2009
Things you need to know.
Preparation to be able to finish the Jungle Marathon is listed below.
There are 2 distances in 2009 a 100km involving 4 stages and the longer 200km with 6 stages
Entering this adventure race should not be treated light hearted, it is a brutal event even the fittest most experienced athletes fail to finish.
Each competitor has to be self sufficient and carry all their foods and equipment for the whole race. Bottled drinking is supplied by the organisers at pre arranged check points.
Each night you will have to sleep in a hammock with, mosquito net and rain fly sheet which is part of your equipment you carry from start to finish.
Your confidence will be tested to the ultimate limit.
Some stages can take 24 hours – learn to keep going with short breaks all day during your build up.
How to pack a rack sack so it does not swing or is top or bottom heavy.
If you fall sick it can take many hours to be taken to hospital
Expect it to be hot and very humid.
You will make slow progress which can be soul destroying.
Prepare your feet many months in advance. Short toe nails.
It is common to be bitten by bugs almost hourly.
Correct fitting shoes. Change socks daily.
You need to train for steep terrain that you have to walk and crawl up and slip and slide down.
Equipment
Shoes more for scrambling and hiking rather than running.
Long sleeve top and full leggings.
Cycle mitts for scrambling
Sweat band
Use toe socks to help delay blisters.
Training for the Jungle marathon
Always have a medical test before completing any form of exercise first.
Train regularly with a rack sack. Not all the time.
Spend time on your feet, walk when ever you can, use the lift for leg strength.
Learn to have less than 4 hours sleep.
Practise sleeping in a hammock.
Learn to run or wade thru water – You can do this at the edge of
(1) Swimming pool shallow end
(2) Beach
(3) Lake
Wading can be very leg sapping.
Learn to be able to conserve energy with every step.
Run on as many different terrains as you can include sand on the beach to prepare you for the Jungle beach stage.
Heat acclimatisation is very important.
Run in the dark off road with a head torch is a vital part of your preparation.
Practise with your race food because without practise you will not be able to finish.
Learn to drink large amounts of fluid when heat training.
Practise swimming in your full kit and find the best way to carry your rack sack either on your back or pushing or pulling it with you as you may be required to cross deep water.
Need to overcome
Sickness heat exhaustion diarrhoea can be a daily common occurrence.
This event is as much mental so you need to overcome deep pain and no energy just to move forward.
What it takes to finish the Jungle marathon
The Jungle marathon will require determination expect to go through many re-occurring low times when you hit rock bottom.
Learn to dig deep, feel sick.
Jungle marathon mistakes to avoid
Learn to pace yourself and do not be competitive with others.
Pack all food in water proof zip sealed bags to keep dry for water crossings.
Don’t just sit in a sauna learn to exercise when hot.
Fear factors
Learn to overcome bugs creepy crawly’s spider’s snakes etc.
Start preparing your mind now.
Sleeping out in the open in a jungle.
Competitors 2008
62 Finished the Jungle marathon in 2008
For more information about the event click on link below
http://www.junglemarathon.com/sponsors.php
Ironmate copy right.
If you wish to use any of the above information for publication purposes please mention www.ironmate.co.uk as the source.