Eliott SAGEAT (465-FRA)

Interview with Eliott SAGEAT (D465-FRA), 27 years old, sports coach in Paris, who will participate in his first MARATHON DES SABLES during the 37th edition, with little experience in running (first competition in 2021).

So Eliott, this will be your first participation in the MDS, why are you facing this test?

Indeed it will be a first participation in the MDS and in any ultra running event! I've been watching MDS for years and it was a childhood dream to be able to take part in it one day! In fact, when I embarked on the adventure I didn't realize how difficult this event is and the closer you get to the event the more stress I start to feel, but it's super galvanizing! I think 2023 is my year in sport!

You're not really a runner at first, what relationship do you have with running?

Running ? Funny story. I have always been very bad at running and I did not understand how people could take pleasure in running long distances! In 2020, one of my clients registered for the Paris half-marathon and registered me with him to challenge me. Since I never refuse a challenge, I went to train with him. Finally, this semi was postponed to 2021, my client did not participate. I went there very "relaxed" not at all prepared, thinking that my physical condition would be sufficient to finish it in 1h50. In the end I did 2h09, I finished with a bloody foot! My competitive spirit took over, and by dint of training after a year, I dropped my time to 1h34 at the Boulogne semi! And I am now completely addicted to this discipline.

You have known sport at a high level, and therefore you have a strong competitive spirit? How will it go on the MDS?

I have a huge competitive spirit but sometimes borders on unreason. I find it difficult to set limits, to stop! I think the goal of a first MDS is to finish it! Afterwards, once my feet are in the sand, I'm not telling you that I'm not going to get a stopwatch...

The MDS is certainly a sporting event, but it is also a great human adventure. What do you expect to live there?

This is one of the reasons that pushes me to live this kind of events. I hope to meet people who share the same passion. To see mutual aid, to be able to help and be helped when I am in difficulty. I think that this kind of test leads everyone to compete with themselves and not with others.

And who says MDS says food self-sufficiency… For someone savvy in nutrition, is it easy or a headache?

I'm not a big fan of freeze-dried food but I think I'll have to switch to it. I am well surrounded and I do not think it will be a black point in my preparation. Afterwards, in conditions with stress, fatigue and heat, it's another story!

The particularity is also to carry a relatively heavy backpack to run for 6 stages... A particular strengthening program as well?

I started to think about this and I think I will carry this bag in my next races to get used to the load. Finally I want to say that it is one more difficulty among the countless difficulties of this race!

The hardest sporting thing you've experienced so far?

The hardest ? Breaking my ribs in competitive judo. That's what ended the competition for me. Last year's marathon was my first, I ran injured and it was very, very painful!

Your weak points and your strengths for the MDS?

My fears ? Not finishing the MDS because of my competitive spirit. Leaving too fast or following someone doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

My strength, being used to fighting in judo under difficult conditions (regimes, etc.) which is similar to that of the MDS except that it is rarely 50 degrees in a dojo! And my mind. I never give up anything.