This is the story of Ted Archer's running of Marathon Des Sables, a 153-mile self-sufficiency race through the earth's most godforsaken terrain: dunes, salt flats, and rock gardens. Each year, hundreds of runners travel from around the world to take part in one of the world's toughest footraces. They suffer from dehydration and malnourishment, tend to blistering feet, and at some point question what it was that they were ever hoping to find out in the desert.

Bloody excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Funny, poignant, painful and inspiring. -- Brendan Sainsbury, Lonely Planet Guide Books

It's world class Dreamers like Ted that make us want to pursue our own Dreams. -- Eric Lochtefeld, C.E.O. of University of Dreams, Inc.

Ted Archer is a native Californian who works as a marketing executive in Silicon Valley. Prior to competing in the Marathon Des Sables, he competed in four marathons and one 50-mile race, Rocky Raccoon, which he won in February 2008. His 16th place finish at Marathon Des Sables - the best by an American, was unexpected.

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