Today: Mar 28, 2024

Marine Corps veteran races across Sahara desert, shares experience

Anisa Jibrell – General Assignment Reporter 

After having completed the seven-day-long, 156-mile footrace across the Sahara desert with sweat-sodden clothes glued to his skin, the Marine Corps veteran and Sherpa Fitness owner Jean-Paul Desrosiers Jr., said Marathon des Sables was a goal that didn’t just happen overnight.

“One great piece of advice I received before leaving was, ‘don’t not finish,’” said Desrosiers. “To take all this effort and to go out there and not finish is the worst possible way to end this whole cycle.”

During Desrosiers’ talk titled, “Moving Boundaries,” he recounted his trip to North Africa to compete in the 2014 six-stage, Marathon Des Sables, under the blistering hot Moroccan sun. A physical hardship that, according to Desrosiers, 1100-1200 people participated in, who spent roughly 4,000 euros each in registration fees.

“It is not a team event, so you show up as an individual,” said Desrosiers. “You make friends if you can.”

The Discovery Channel has deemed Marathon des Sables as “the toughest footrace on Earth,” and it sells out within hours upon registration, said Desrosiers.

“I had to prepare for all of this in a way that was self-supportive,” said Desrosiers. “Meaning whatever you needed for those seven days, you had to pack on day one.”

Desrosiers said preparation was key, which included having the right shoes to keep the fine, sand from infiltrating them.

“If you lose your feet then you lose the race and you’re done,” said Desrosiers.

Audience members lined up to catch a glimpse of all of the items, with the exception of food, that Desrosiers brought along during the race that were on display on a back table. Some of the items included items like shoes, a compass, and a worn-out hat.

“Part of this talk is not necessarily to just talk about Marathon des Sables,” said Desrosiers. “I want to talk to you about goal-setting, and how I came to the realization that this is something that I really wanted to do.”

Desrosiers discusses getting involved with Marathon des Sables by reaching out to people online who have completed the race in the past, and how he went about assessing his goal and making sure that this was something he wanted to do.

He talks about the importance of engaging in everyday training, accountability, and utilizing social media as tools to map out the process.

“To keep myself accountable, I started telling people that this is something I wanted to do,” said Desrosiers.

Senior social work major, Brittany Breland said having her goals written down is a way for her to have easy access to what she’s accomplished or didn’t accomplish and checks everything off as she goes.

“I usually either tell my family, friends, or boyfriend so that they can keep me on track, push me,” said Breland, “and make sure I’m furthering my goal.”

In regards to fitness goals, Breland said social media apps like Instagram are a good way to receive feedback from people and get motivated.

“Unless you keep yourself accountable, it’s easy to let yourself off the hook,” said Desrosiers.

Some argue that holding oneself accountable is the key ingredient to goal-setting, Jasmine Valdovinos, senior and Spanish major, said it’s passion.

“If you don’t have any passion or dedication,” said Valdovinos, “you won’t get anywhere in life.”

Photo Credit: tent86

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