1-2-1 with ultramarathon runner Wouter Kingma

The 4 Deserts is considered by many to be the word's toughest rough-country endurance foot race series. Each race takes over seven days and 250km in some of the harshest conditions and remote locations known to man. To finish one of these events is akin to a badge of honour for ultramarathoners. Only 11 participants have completed the four races in the series - the Gobi Desert March (China), the Atacama Crossing (Chile), the Sahara Race (Egypt) and the Last Desert (Antarctica) - in a calendar year. Mary Gadams of event organisers Racing The Planet once told CNN that the desert-based ultramarathons are so transforming that after completing one, about a third of the competitors quit their jobs to do something more fulfilling.

It was into this madness that a Dubai-based photographer descended this June. A first-time runner in the Gobi March, Wouter Kingma reckons the event was a life-changing experience - blisters, bruises and dehydration notwithstanding.

Going on my own

I had a F&B job at the Burj Al Arab before I ventured off into doing experiential marketing for car manufacturers. I was a keen photographer, but after being part of the media crew at a Land Rover G4 expedition through Thailand and Laos five years ago, I decided to give up my marketing job for photography. I read somewhere that a man can have three addictions - sport, drugs and a monthly salary. It is not far from the truth; all of us love the comfort of a pay cheque. I just knew back then that if my career as a photographer didn't work out, I could always treat it as a sabbatical and move back to a job that gave me a regular income.

I've always loved sport

I love sports. I love shooting sports as well (Kingma has covered the Tour De France in the past). In 2007, I shot three legs of the 4 Deserts Challenge (in Atacama, Sahara and Gobi) and it was during one of those evenings that I decided to experience the event as a competitor. It all happened when I put my hand up to Mary Gadams's query asking if anyone from the organising crew would ever run the race.

Preparing for the race

I have been involved in long-distance running in the past; I have participated in Iron Man triathlons (the last one was in France, 2009). But 250km over seven days is not easy and training for an event like the Gobi March is a huge commitment. And though I had made up my mind about Gobi in January this year, I started training about two and a half months prior to the event. I hooked up with The Abras, a local running club, to get started. I trained alone a lot, especially in the area behind Bab Al Shams, at ridiculous hours because I wanted to make sure my training was not eating into my time at work or with my wife and kid. I once finished dinner at a friend's place, drove straight to Wadi Bih and ran for the next six hours. But apart from the physical conditioning, I used the opportunity to try out new power gels, and experiment with the kind of nutrition I needed.

A lot of it is in the mind

The toughest bit of the race was the 80km stage on the fifth day. This is tough, but I would say about 70 per cent of this is in the mind. Obviously, the stretch is easier if you are fitter, but you've got to learn to pace yourself. I have seen athletes charge forward at the beginning only to run out of gas eventually. It is easy to give in to the adrenaline rush and try to keep up with the pace-setters. At the 70kms, the home stretch can seem unending. But the realisation that you've made it this far just keeps you going. Your feet hurt like hell and you've got hardly any speed left. But persevere and you know you will be rewarded.

You are in a bubble

I was hoping to find answers to some questions that I had about my work and personal life. I thought I would have a lot of time during the event to mull over these questions. I had no epiphanies, nothing was revealed to me. You live in a bubble during those five days. It was tough both physically and mentally. I had to concentrate on taking care of myself - have my supplements on time, keep myself hydrated regularly. Your world is really small and is sometimes limited to the next check-post.

Happy with my finish

At the outset, I just wanted to finish the race. At the half-way stage, I would have been happy settling for a place in the middle of the pack. But I think I'll take the 22nd place finish gladly.

Doing my bit for charity

I was raising money for a charity in Uganda called ABC Children's Aid Uganda. The idea was to raise $15,000 (Dh55,100) and hand over the cash personally to the charity in Africa. I have to thank Audi Middle East for their help and support in spreading the message about this charity. I have shot extensively for Audi and they were keen to support me when they head about my plans. I have raised about $7000 now, but I hope to take it to $15,000 and then go down and hand it over to them myself.

A life-changing experience

A race like this had a huge impact on my life. It's probably one of the toughest long-distance running events you can do and completing it gives such a kick. It is also such a confidence booster. I have learnt that if we just keep pushing the boundaries, the success will follow - be it a finish line, a new business or personal goals. As adidas says, impossible is nothing. Would I do it again? Some of my friends now seem keen on participating after hearing my stories and reading my blog updates. I'm willing to go again if they are serious about doing this. Not any time soon though. I've earned some rest but I know I'll want to do something of this magnitude again soon.