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| Stage 5 - Camel Ambulance |
19-Jun-2009 10:09:26 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2009 |
Due to arriving so late into camp after stage 4 (after 12 hours in the desert) there was no chance to write an update. It was described as the hard day....and they werent joking. We started the day with a climb to 9500ft to see heavens gate which was truly stunning but not ideal with the injury i was carrying. This stage really did the damage and contributed to my experiences the next day, but more on that later!
Foot condition played its part to and in the end it was a case of just putting one foot infront of the other. Walking alone for such a long time in those conditions drives you a bit crazy and by the time i reached camp I just needed a quiet corner to rock alone!!
The following day required a 5.30am wake up so very little sleep meant a tough start and frankly my body was far from ready having such few hours to recover for a short hike, let alone the 80k we were all faced with!!
Still, I pushed on near the back of the pack and in general felt ok, until 25km into the stage. This is where my physio gets to say 'I told you so'....the impact of protecting my right knee's ITB meant extra strain on my left leg and after the previous days torture it resulted in a torn right thigh. This event meant so much so I tried to push on but it was clear I could do premanant damage....and with a heavy heart was forced to pull out the race after fighting through 190km. The gang here have been really supportive and without exception agreed I had left nothing out there and carried on where most would quit. Although this helps vindicate my decision to stop after so much preparation I cant help but feel hugely dissapointed....but I am not too down. It has been a great experience in a stunning and unique location and I have certainly discovered things out about myself only somthing like this can draw out. To many to list on this blog right now but things that will manifest in my life from here on.
Oh, the camel....when I was out on my feet a man on a camel came and saved me and gave me a 20 minute ride onto the flat. Straddling a camel is not easy at the best of times but with two damaged legs it was hysterical, but never have i been so grateful to be tortured!!!
The messages and emails have been great and helped lift my spirits during those tough moments....make sure you start thinking up more messages of support as I am not finished just yet....
Frosty |
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| Stage 3 |
16-Jun-2009 09:03:47 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2009 |
Day 3 and another marathon down (well, just shy at 39km). It was 50:50 if I would make the start as the condition of my feet and knee wasnt looking great....but a warm up, some food and a substantial cocktail of pain killers got me lined up for the off at 9am. Was another tough day which included river crossings and a long 9km climb up to 2,400m to tonights camp. Luckily the weather played its role today and was way cooler than yesterday.
I am so physically tired that even writing a blog is sapping the little energy I have left....should be a good rest tonight and then tomorrow wen have the 'tough' day with multiple climbs and descents....and then just 82km in a day and practically home and dry :-)
Well, my mind has dired up so gonna sign off and make my final climb of the day..into my sleeping bag.
Frosty |
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| Stage 2 |
15-Jun-2009 06:57:17 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2009 |
Day two....HURT! Was nearly 45c and described as a moderate to hard stage....i hope I never see a rock ever again! Unfortuately it seems my decision to use North Face shoes has backfired and where skin hasnt detached itself from my feet it is a blister....to add insult to injury my ITB has also flared, the medical team have been ace and as well as fixing a toe that doesnt look like it should be joined to a human they helped me drill the two toe nails that were filled wiith blood. Nice.
I learnt something about myself today, the injuries meant mustering degrees of spirit and will I wasnt sure I had and as I crossed the line after 8.5 hours battling the desert I was filled with a wide range of overflowing emotions....Pain....Exciliration...add in extreme dehydration (convinced I heard Ewoks in the sand dunes!) and it made for a tough day.
The sense of achievement already exits and this is far from finished, the levels of support you get as you cross the line are overwhelming and the care to get you feeling vaguely human is humbling. Its hot, it hurts......its brilliant!!
Also had my first Desert Dump today....after 32oz of chicken and rice last night its safe to say Gobi has a new mountiain!! Nuff said hehe
Gonna go stretch and contemplate tomorrows challenge while hoping I will be fit to compete...
Frosty |
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| Stage 1 |
14-Jun-2009 09:06:42 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2009 |
Please forgive any bad spelling (Brownie!) but this is being written on a laptop smaller than my mobile phone....well, it wont be hard to believe that i was the first to recieve an injury, and it was before we'd even left the hotel in Kashgar!!!! A fire cracker came in through the hotel door like a bullet and hit me in the eye during the morning breifing.....hmmmmm......i didnt cry though....so, after a long days travelling to reach Kashgar and a further day getting ready and travelling to the start it was a joy to finally get underway at 9am this morning!! The night before was spent in a very uncomfortable tent and my 8 tent mates reckon i snored....find that hard to believe?
Even getting up at 7am i only just reached the start line in time, but we all (bar one who was stuck in the toilet) got away ok. It was a 42km stage with 3 check points for water and recovery. It was a hot hot day so close attention to hydration and electrolytes was critical, so Nick and I took things steady. Just over half way Nick wanted to power on a bit (his competitve side took over) but I played fiddle to my dodgy knee and kept things manageable. All in all it took me around 7hr 20 mins (which to satisfy my competitve side puts me at about two thirds down the field of 127...general condition is ok, knee hurts a lot and my pack was too heavy at 12kg so shoulders are murder.....but already looking forward to marathon #2 tomorrowo...apparently a bit tougher.....some gear is getting jettisoned tomorrow!!
Most importantly though the scenery was dramatic and stunning, remembering too look up from time to time was not so tough.
Signing off now as I have a large crowd if local kids from the village we are staying in checking my blog (and spelling no doubt!) over my shoulder....they are hilarious!!
Im not able to read any messages so thank you for any sent and more updates tomorrow.
Frosty |
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| #7 - RUCK SACK HAS LANDED! Overwhelming joy, like |
04-Jun-2009 09:05:50 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2009 |
Following my ITB injury (and subsequent doubts over whether I would make the Gobi at all) for weeks I shyed away from blogging.......Distracted? Sulking maybe? Mostly it was because all my energy was focused on getting the knee working (thanks to Sierra my Physio) and keeping my cardio fitness up...therefore any blogs would have taken on a rather whiney form as it tracked my rollercoaster like experience since mid April.
Another symptom of doubt over my participation was not buying my kit....and in true Frosty fashion I've left it until the last minute to order some fundamental equipment....including my rucksack......which arrived just 30 minutes ago.....I am so happy I can barely form lucid thoughts, a truly overwhelming moment.......its just.....so......coooool.
I must extend a thank you to Martin at Likeys who provided great guidance and ensured my kit landed in time to sew badges and stuff! Top lad.
Significant upsides of my injury dilemma have been keeping my mind occupied and re-aligned my expectations. I've been so busy treating my knee and pushing my fitness that I haven't had a moment to get anxious or nervous about the looming fly-out date (unlike Mr Anderson ;->) and my new goal is no longer about times, but just enjoying being in a beautiful place, with like minded people and most importantly crossing the finish line....last is fine....but i MUST finish!!
My final fraut few days in HK will be spent getting my final bits of kit together, getting obsessed with pack weight and preparing my body for a few days of calorific starvation....pasta is my best friend this week!
Also, Sam sent out the tent plans, and assures me we have a great crew...look forward to meeting you all and hearing about their experience from previous events...which will hopefully help me through the Gobi.
Final thanks to everyone who has donated to our Charity, Motability. It is very close to my heart and to be able to give them somthing is tremendous and the commitment I have made to everyone who has given so generously will no doubt help motivate me during the inevitable low moments.
See you all soon.
Frosty |
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