Atacama Crossing Blogs 2011

Shiro Arai

5

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Atacama Crossing (2011) blog posts from Shiro Arai

11 March 2011 05:38 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

It was a long long long stage, 76K.
 
I cannot recall all the memories during the stage, as I ran and walked about 12h till the sunset.
Yes, I did complete Stage6, which was actually not a “overnight” stage for me.
 
The stage started with extremely difficult 15K, and after that I felt fatigue all my body.
I felt the limit of “keeping my pace”, and had to challenge against the wall ahead of me.
Your voice messages on my iPod shuffle encourage me a lot during the last one hour.
 
All the competitors and volunteers encouraged me a lot, too.
I am so happy that I could finish with my friend Ali, who encouraged me during the last 5K.
 
I am also amazed the number of the blog comments and messages to me.
I do read all the comments, and am looking forward to sitting to the computer in the cyber tent every day.
I do thank your encouragements and I will bring you a medal to Japan.
 
Tomorrow will be an off-day for me and I will enjoy the last 16K.
 
I do thank and love you all
 
Shana

Comments: Total (7) comments

Posted On: 17 Mar 2011 03:26 pm

It was amazing! Finally, I read the all your blog here. You did greatest job what I ever know! It means you are the greatest man who I ever know. I am so proud of you to be a part of your folks:-) Many many many thank you to Shana, you are so brave enough to encourage your people who knows about you. Thank you so much!

Posted On: 13 Mar 2011 01:46 am

Congratulations on your finish! I wish you safe travels back home and pray that all your family is safe.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 02:37 pm

I'm very happy to hear your finishing toughest stage 5. Now, it is hard situation in Japan by earthquake. But I surely beleive that we can overcome this disasters. Because we know that YAREBADEKIRU through your incredible challenge. Keep AHO & GO! We are looking forward to seeing you in Japan.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 12:46 pm

I am very pleased to hear your completion of stage 5. You are really tough! As Takashina-san mentioned, Japan faces the the disaster of earthquakes of the largest magnitude in recorded history. It attacked mainly Miyagi, Iwate and part of Kanto prefectures, and the damage was unbelievably terrible. My parents in Sendai are O.K., but one of my relatives loss their house byTsunami disaster and other cannot still contact. But Shana, your amazing challenge gives us much courage and bright feeling. Please complete your challenge and come back with full smile and memory. Thank you and Ganbare!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 08:33 am

Well done! We all are looking forward to see you wearing medal here in Japan. Be happy, good luck!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 07:29 am

Stage 5 was a fantastic run. It ends with the festival is coming soon. I look forward to the completion of your report. Please enjoy the last 10 miles.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 03:35 am

Shana Congrats for completion of stage5 with amazing ranking up. / You might not know yesterday disaster of earthquakes in Japan’s Miyagi, Fukushima and other prefectures, so I write down some here. Even in Tokyo we experienced the most terrible quakes we have ever had. Series of awful aftershocks have been continued in broad Japanese areas. Powerful Tsunami are making serious sadly disasters in Tohoku, indeed it’s very sad. Most of my friends in Tokyo areas are safe, but still I cannot get information of several friends in Tohoku. It’s really terrible situation. People in Tokyo becomes settling down little by little from today. We try to be calm and find out anything we can help for people in disasters. / Shana, please keep your challenge and finish up your stages tomorrow. I am sure you encourage all of your friends who are afraid of earthquakes right now. We are looking forward to seeing you growing up lots from this race. Ganbare!! @ttaka47

09 March 2011 05:44 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Good morning, my friends almost in Japan.
 
Good news from me that I finished the toughest stage4, which was actually crazy to run and walk.
 
The salt flats was really breaking-shoes ground, amazing!
I will never run over that flats rest of  my whole life.
 
Now I am at the camp beside the beautiful salt lake. I will show you the pics here, which must be amazing.
 
Sadly, I am not sure that I can update my condition thru twitter as I misunderstood the limit of mails that I can send from cyber tent.
Now I have 3 big blisters on the side of my both soles and shoulder, and have dull pain in the right knee.
 
However, I am now realizing I am getting more tough stage by stage. My condition should be okay.
 
Tomorrow must be a long day, about 76K “all-nigh stage”
 
I do thank & love you all.
 
Shana

Comments: Total (15) comments

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 01:30 pm

Thank you for your courage today! A great challenge!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 11:20 am

Well done! I am very happy to hear you got over the toughest stage! I am deeply impressed by your photos in the website and I can't identify you are the man who sang a song naked in Karaoke bar ; ) I hope you enjoy the toughest run in stage 5 and 6, and get to your goal with full smile!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 08:12 am

Hey Shana! Every morning I get relieved with your strong and crazy comments. We really enjoy and are encouraged by your challenge. Now there only remains two stages which is less than 90km! I can't imagine how hard it is to overcome this crazy race ,but , you've already done 4 stages with great pace ! Plz don't fight against your blisters, make friend with them! ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 08:01 am

Hi, so you've achieved above the half of the whole race, sounds great! Hope our message will cheer you up. See you soon,

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 05:59 am

I'm very impressed your great challenge! Go and Take care!!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 05:29 am

Keep it up and take care! Don't squeeze the blisters. (´□`。)

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 04:40 am

Well Done! I think you cannot imagine how many people are deeeply impressed by your challenge and blog, especially "getting more tough stage by stage". Maybe you will see this after toughest stage 5. So, the goal is almost there! Go and come back to drink with sharing your great challenge!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 03:44 am

Please enjoy ! Hang in there !

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 03:36 am

Nice fight!! Seeing every morning is the enjoyment. It prays to recover early.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 03:21 am

Go!Go!!Go!!!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 03:20 am

everyday, when I check this blog, your great challenge always encourages me. thanks & take care of yourself. Ganbare!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 03:19 am

You are a man of the greatest AHO! I hope you run the whole distance. Please take care.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 02:48 am

Shana, you are so great. YaTaRe---!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 02:13 am

I'm little bit afraid of your blisters and knee pain... But you look like fine and tougher as you wrote. I m looking forward to seeing your photos in the officail website everyday, your challenge should encourage us all day by day. Hope you will be safe through the rest. May the force be with you! bacio

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 02:13 am

I get great spirit every morning! Thanks!!

08 March 2011 06:36 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Thank you very much for many messages, including honored desert finishers and my friend in Israel!
I received much power from you all, and please make sure that you send messages or blog commets IN ENGLISH.
 
Stage 3, it was also tough at the last 10K.
The course director never makes us disappointed. So many up and down. Hard places to run, sharp bush, rusty rock, soft sand, salt flat like pins.
 
I am still good and totally enjoying the race.
2 middle-size blister are cerebrating me very much.
 
Next stage, is the toughest among the all stages. I am sure to be back to the camp.
 
Unfortunately, one of my tentmates dropped out during the Stage2.
He was so brave to stop his race. I love all the competitors, as they are all challengers and no broken-hearted.
 
I am sure to continue the race for him and other challengers.
 
I do thank & love you all.
 
Shana

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 01:32 am

I am happy to see your report of the wonderful experience. Thank you!Enjoy the next stage and take care. Shidu

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 01:10 am

Go shiro!Go shiro!

Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 03:49 am

I am happy to see your completion of stage 3! Like takashina-san, I am very excited to check your tweet and the result in the morning too. Of course, I am looking forward to update of this blog :) I am praying you conquer the big challenge in stage 4. Enjoy yourself and take care.

Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 03:24 am

Congrats for conquering stage3! I'm so happy to see your much tougher mind than crazy course :) Have good sleep and rest then run and keep firing your heart!

Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 03:21 am

Shana Congrats for completing stage3 ! I am following all data of the official web about you. So now I know you get to know how to work your sticks. ;-) Funny Pine!! You know all of your friends are exciting about your challenge and can't wait for your coming back to Japan safely. The morning around 9am to 10am JST is my most exciting hour this week because we can see your updates via web. Thank you Shana, Ganbare&Arigato. ttaka47

Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 03:17 am

Thank you for informing this. We also receive a power from you! Take care and enjoy the continuous race. Go forward! bacio

07 March 2011 05:59 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Tough, Tough, Tough.
 
Today I have many things to write, but now it is 5pm and I will go to bed at 7:30pm, so I will share you some quickly.
 
Many funny troubles I met today.
#I left my light on yesterday, so I do not have main light any more
#I have lost my right slipper somewhere on the course.
#I dropped my sleeping bags into the river, it was floated down about 50m.
#I slipped crossing the river, and I got wet to the chest
#I got flood blood from my nose in 25km point.
#I do not know how to work my stocks, so I just bring them with me.
 
Anyway I am totally enjoying the nature.
 
Crossing river was awesome.
I crosses and walked in the river 30 times today, which is literally cool.
 
I am now waiting for next crazy stage tomorrow.
 
I do thank & love you all.
 
Shana

Comments: Total (10) comments

Posted On: 17 Mar 2011 03:14 pm

So, did I say to you:-) You lost many of your belongings for this time.. But you will gain more worthful. I bet it.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 12:01 am

How cool ! しゃな、いい顔してるね。 毎日とっても元気もらってます。 応援してますよーーーー。後半、がんば! Don't leave your belongings behind anymore. www

Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 01:27 am

Your days always cheer me up. Thanks!

Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 07:31 am

いろんなトラブルが襲いますね! それもレースの一部かも。 くよくよせず、完走を祈る♪

Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 04:49 am

You lost something same as usual in the world... Sleep well and enjoy tomorrow as well. bacio

Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 04:27 am

伸縮性ストックですかね…だとしたら伸ばして(カメラの三脚の要領で、ツイストして引く)。ストックの先につけるアタッチメントも忘れずに。 色々落としてまわってますね…頑張ってください!!

Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 04:15 am

Just like shana! You never disappoint us. でもね、そこでの面白ネタ作りは危険ですYO! ストックの使い方、ダレかに聞いてください。お願いします。(。-人-。)

Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 04:06 am

Did you lose your belongings even in Atacama? Come on! Why are you so funny!?ww Take care of yourself, and please enjoy third stage!

Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 03:43 am

Your experience is great and Englis writing skill is also great!Go on your challenge,but take care of yourself.Good luck!

Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 03:39 am

AHO desune! But i love your aho! Everyone loving you (´∀`)♪ Ganbattene~!!!

06 March 2011 07:25 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Thank you very much for the kind and powerful messages to me, which encouraged me a lot.
 
I've completed the stage1 safely, which took me about 6hours.
 
The cource was 35km, half difficult and half moderate. However the cource seemed to be easy, the altitude is the highest among the whole stages and it kept me serious a little.
 
I felt completely happy through the stage, as the mountains view was really amazing and also the never-ending desert mede me excited.
 
Everything about my body is quite well. I had good sleep last night in spite of 3,300m high.
A small blister in left sole might annoy me in rest of the stages, but I will sure I will overcome till the goal in San Pedro.
 
I will slow down a little tommorow as the stage 4-6 are the toughest and I have to keep good in shape.
 
Tomorrow a river crossing, a famous spot in Atacama Crossing,  is waiting for me. I will be sure that I will enjoy to the full.
 
I do thank & love you all!
 
Shana

Comments: Total (10) comments

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 11:48 pm

Congrats for 1st and 2nd stage! Keep having good and strong mind!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 11:38 pm

ナイスランです!! この調子で頑張ってください!!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 09:32 am

Good to know that you have completed Stage 1 in good shape. Ganbatte! All the best from snowy Tokyo

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 07:47 am

しゃなーーーー 景色が見てとれるいい記事だ!明日の川渡り、頑張れ! 幸運を祈る!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 05:25 am

Glad to hear you are safe and able to sleep very well. Please enjoy yourself and find something inside of you. There is nothing except attacking ;-) May the Force be with you

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 05:09 am

がんばって!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 05:07 am

元気そうで何より! まだ始まったばかり。 楽しんで!!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 04:57 am

陰ながら応援してますよ!!!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 04:56 am

I am very happy to hear you got over stage-1 challenge. I am very excited and given much power from this blog. Enjoy the challenge of crossing over a river in next stage, and I am looking forward to seeing next article. Good luck!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2011 04:44 am

I'm glad to read this blog. Hope you enjoy the whole race untill the goal and take good care of your body consistently through your challenge! I always take many notice of you. Good luck! bacio :-)