Atacama Crossing Blogs 2011

Gary Cambridge

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Atacama Crossing (2011) blog posts from Gary Cambridge

11 February 2011 04:40 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Well, February 11 and the snow is still stacking high in the area. Temperatures have been floating around -20C and the sun battles with the clouds for the day. Training has come to almost a complete stop. Now, most people will post how training has ramped up or beginning to tamper. I have come to a complete stop. First the tear in the calf, then the massive knot in the calf, then the flu. Never run with the flu, never. Finally being able to start to run again, priceless. So between injuries and illness and the weather I think I may have experienced the Antarctica elements. No disrespect tot he competitors. So, now I need to readjust and resync the thinking for Atacama. Do the best, push the limits, but overall enjoy the sights and the people. See you in the high desert.

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 03 Mar 2011 11:24 pm

GOOD LUCK GARY!!!! Like Bilbo Bagins, always room for one more adventure eh? Regardless of the results, it is the journey after all isnt it. I admire your perserverance Gary, and to think I started out as a strat, HA!! BON VOYAGE MON AMI!!

Posted On: 28 Feb 2011 05:05 pm

Good lluck Gary, one step at the time and if you start to feel bad and depressed, think about the beer after!!

Posted On: 28 Feb 2011 03:08 pm

Gary....best of luck on the run!

Posted On: 22 Feb 2011 05:35 pm

Just keep going from CP to CP, pink flag to pink flag! Good luck and enjoy it - Atacama is the most stunning of all the deserts Luce

Posted On: 13 Feb 2011 02:17 pm

Gary, Tom Glad I'm not the only one freezing in training as well as my achilles is killing me too. I'm sure things will warm up, and hopefully the heat will loosen up the tendons too.

Posted On: 13 Feb 2011 04:35 am

Gary. I can sympathise with the injuries - I'm in the same place with an Achilles strain. So don't worry, you won't be the only one on the start line unsure of what's possible! As you say, whatever happens, I'm sure we'll enjoy the sights and the company of like-minded people. See you there. Tom

04 January 2011 07:11 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Well only 60 days until the actual running begins. Training has been plodding along at a steady pace, sometimes steadier sometimes not. The weather has been particularly interesting. The snow remained for a few weeks, temperatures over freezing some rain and then nothing! Those days were good for running, but mother nature has returned with a little vengence. Began reviewing the gear list and looking at "trying" to loose at least 1kg of weight without breaking the bank. Amazing what one can remove, switch up or adjust. Off to the Chilean consulate next week to discuss the concerns of bringing in food for the race. I need to find out if i can bring in my secret weapon for endurance.... Good training all and we'll meet in Chile.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 07 Jan 2011 04:09 am

Hi Gary, I will be interested to hear what you learn from the Chilean consulate regarding food items. They have been strict in the past, not allowing fruits (even dried), vegetables and meats. Also, always keep your food items in their original packaging until you are in Chile - particularly with the powders and gels. You can pack these into plastic baggies once you are in the country. There is a large supermarket in Calama and some small stores in San Pedro de Atacama where you can purchase last minute food items. Let me know if you have questions...

11 December 2010 03:19 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hello All Well to those you preparing for the Atacama, welcome. This will be my second event with RTP/4Deserts and looking forward to it. Last summer I did the Gobi and found it an exciting and memorable experience, said I didn't need to do another - one month later I signed up for Atacama. A couple of friends from the Gobi have signed up and it will be great to see them again. Many of you out there are fortunate enough to be living in areas of the planet where snow doesn't exist, you are very lucky. Here in the climes of Canada where I live, we were fortunate enough to have 6 feet of snow dumped on us. So I have decided that I will not need to think of doing the Antarctic challenge as I am doing that aspect while training for Atacama. Out there in the whitish snow and cold cold temperatures, I think, white sand in the night, as the temperature drops in the Atacama at night. Well, need to go out and do a run, first the fleece tights and wooly other clothing.

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