MdS - the journey commences (5 April)

A bit of a low key start to a big adventure. First it's a bus to Brussels Midi Station. accompanied by long suffering Keren (already planning the house parties I bet!), then a Eurostar to London. Lunch with mater is planned, then on to Gatwick for a Morocco bound flight in the morning.

I'm meeting up with biker buddy Chris, who had the foresight (stupidity?) to sign-up for this event more than a year in advance, so he could do some decent training, plan his food and get advice from people at the MdS Expo event in London. We've been virtual training together via the Strava app since January, logging the progress of our runs, commenting and sharing advice; it's been a good motivator for both of us. We plan to be desert and tent buddies too.

Coming down from York, Chris joins me at Gatwick's Hilton hotel for the overnight stop before the flight. Also joining me at the hotel is my new 'hot sleeping buddy': a slim and lightweight, but perfectly puffed-out, down sleeping bag (what did you think it was - this is a family show!), custom manufactured for me by PHDesigns of somewhere Oopnarth.  Hopefully she'll keep me warm on cold lonely desert nights, without getting me too sweaty!  A mix up with her factory dispatch meant that I was not able to receive her in time for packing, but luckily the hotel was happy to receive it for me. Phew!  The backup option, an older bag in my collection, is almost double the weight (690g) and not as warm, and will now be consigned to the suitcase for the entire adventure.

In the lobby I spy the famous runner and previous winner of the MdS, Elisabet Barnes. It's her myRaceKit shop that I've purchased much of my gear from and she's a repository of good advice too.

Chris and I do some last minute packing, and especially food rationalisation before heading out for dinner in the Gatwick South terminal. Returning to the hotel we continue packing, essentially focusing on what we'll be carrying on the flight and what we'll check in.  Without doubt, I will carry as hand luggage, anything essential and personal to my run.  That includes, my running shoes, that I'll wear, backpack and waist-pack, socks, some food, specialised sweat wicking shorts, running top and hat, torch and electrical stuff.  If the suitcase gets lost in transit I should be able to scrounge the missing kit and food at the camp (this is the general advice to all runners).  Also in the hand luggage is Arthur the chicken, joining me fresh from his Everest adventure and looking forward to being baked in the desert. 

Chris has brought so much food that it barely fits in his suitcase let alone his bag, I manage to persuade him to do some extreme rationalisation and eventually it fits with the help of gravity. 

Chris packs it all in, somehow!