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| Stage 5 |
02-Jul-2010 10:15:54 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2010 |
That has to be the hardest and longest 19.5 hours of my life. Managed to run the first couple of stages but after that in was self preservation the rest of the way. Just for a bit of fun the organisers sent us off through endless streams just to make sure everything was totally wet and feet were in a real state for the rest of the day. Endless salt flats and barren landscapes were totally sole distroying but thank got there was cloud cover yesterday and we only got blazing sun for the later hours of the evening. Check point 7 had to be the low point of the day knowing there is still 35kms to go and still the dreaded 5km of sand dunes. Managed to team up with one of my tent mates Paul for sections 8 and 9 and that pulled us out of the 100km blues. Into the last 10km we teamed up with 3 more lost souls and together we pushed through the sand dunes, which where beyond a joke and the legs were screaming for mercy. At 3:15am we rounded the top of the last dune and looked down into camp, what a heavenly site, we had done it all that was missing was a pizza and an ice cold beer, but settled for crawling into the tent and crashing for a few hours.
Temps in the camp this lunchtime have risen to 45 degrees and most people of trying to grab sleep in there tents were they can. People are still out on course which must be unbearable. Last day tomorrow and still 20km and more dunes to content with but after today how much harder can it be. Martin & Dad that one's for you.
Girls really miss you and looking to getting pampered when i get back love you so much.
every one that sent blogs and emails thank you soooooo much really appreciate all the kind words and message of encouragement. Any volunteers for washing my kit whe i get back? |
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Comments (14)
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| Stage 4 |
01-Jul-2010 02:25:17 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2010 |
The saying goes pain is inevitable, suffering is optional....Boy did I suffer today. killer of a stage up at 3am bus to start and kickoff at 6am, after 2 stages of long flat runs on the plains we finally headed up to the dunes and canyons (fiery canyon). I was going alright up until stage 3 then nothing in the batteries and went backwards from there on and got passed by a number of people, finished the day stumbling to the finish and emptying half a tonne of sand from the shoes. Temps well into the 40s and everyone is getting through water like it flows from a tap (which is doesn’t out here) I cant even imagine what tomorrow is going to be like 100km in this heat and finish over the dunes, sod finishing up the field I'm switching to survival mode.
ok going to rehydrate and get some kip
miss you gals |
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Comments (20)
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| Stage 3 |
29-Jun-2010 09:03:41 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2010 |
Earlier start this morning 8am and straight down onto the river bed and boulder hell. Not nice having to negociate streams boulders and sharpe rocks when your legs are just starting to warm up. On the bright side it temps were nice and low as there was good cloud cover. After an hour climbed out of the river and onto the plain so good to stretch the legs, last section was over the start of the dunes so the old legs started to burn a bit, then long run down over dusty tracks back into an old village which is camp for the night. Again had a quite good run today and still no major damage. Tomorrow we're up at 3am so not looking forward to that.
thanks to all for your emails, really makes a difference.
love to my girls hope you're looking after mum Brie
ps Pete yes the smell is bad |
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Comments (13)
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| Stage 2 |
28-Jun-2010 09:08:13 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2010 |
Yet another cold night last night, was wearing wearing everying that i brought which by the look of the rest of my fellow tent members was par for the course. Race started at 9am and straight uphill for the first 1hour 30mins (not nice) amazing views yet again and some terrific canyon runs. last 2 sections were mainly on the flat but the dust and the heat is starting to rise. Felt good again today and was trying to start off a little slower but still managed to finish quite well. More soreness in the feet and plenty of hot spots but as yet no blisters ( the curse of the long distance runner) . Long sections start tomorrow so determined to start easy, camp food sucks and a cold beer would be the order of the day. Heard England lost so that wasnt a good start to the run.
Hope you are seeing some of the pictures and the amazing scenery we get to run through every day.
love to my girls daddy misses you all |
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Comments (10)
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| Stage 1 |
27-Jun-2010 06:50:59 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2010 |
First day done and dusted. 32km in total and the first half of the race over flat and dusty plains. Second half of the race was definately much harder over steep grassy hills but the scenery is amazing and not a camel in sight yet (i think they are posting photos of the day on the site so check them out). I think i've started out a little too fast as i came in quite high up the field, i'm sure that will all change tomorrow when the bigger hills start. My body has a few aches and pains but i'm sure this is only the start to the pain and suffering. Temperature is bloody freezing at night and i definately didnt bring enough warm clothes... oh well!! we'll be hitting the desert in 2 days time so better get ready with the factor 50. Can someone please email me the england result tomorrow ,,,, come on England. Thanks to all for your emails of encouragement. please keep them coming.
miss you Bev, Brie and Bella |
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Comments (18)
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