RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RTP Home

Atacama Crossing Blogs 2010

Kenneth Reid

8

Posts

Atacama Crossing (2010) blog posts from Kenneth Reid

19 March 2010 02:14 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

I crossed the finish line to be welcomed with best tasting Pizza. After a week of freeze dried food, gels, bars and electrolytes this was heaven. Chris, Sam, Ray and myself jumped across the line together to get that illusive medal and of course our piece of pizza. Not a bad return for a week of sweat, blood and tears. We had all pulled together and we were there for each other through the highs and lows of the week. Thank you guys.

Memories of the 45 degree C temperature through the canyon on day 1 persist, the foul tasting water, the flats on section 3 and 4 of day 2, the brutal sand dunes on the last section of day 3, the notorious salt flats and of course traversing the sand dune on Cordillera de la Sal on the long day will live with me for a long time... but will soon fade.

However the more lasting memories will be the sense of achievement and the highs. The scenery on day 1 and 2 that gave me a real buz, running down the sand dunes, crossing the Salar de Atacama, finishing the long day, the mood in camp on the Saturday morning, the laughs and of course crossing the finish line to get our Pizza. These memories will last with me forever.

It was also great to catch up with old friends from the Gobi , Fred, Eric, Vince and many others. I would also like to thank all of you who took the time to send me emails and notes of encouragement on my blog.

My fund raising for Heep Hong has exceeded all my expectations and I would like to extend my thanks to those of you who have made a contribution to this worthy organization who do so much for the needy children of Hong Kong. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and you can be sure your money will be put to a very good use.

For many reasons, I said before the Atacama that this would be my last RTP event. However, I was quite concerned that not long after the race I was heard saying 'the next time I would do....". This is worrying!

Then I remembered I really don't like Pizza. Maybe this will do the trick!

Comments: Total (3) comments

Posted On: 22 Mar 2010 02:54 am

Great job Ken. It was awesome to have you out there. I hope to see you at your NEXT RacingThePlanet event and we can share a slice of PIZZA. Ha! Well done Ken!

Posted On: 21 Mar 2010 10:01 am

We'll just have to do another so we can finish (or should I say start?) the team song! Another jug of pisco sour please...

Posted On: 19 Mar 2010 08:36 pm

Great blog Ken ! Thanks for the inspiration !! See you Bert ps: Do you know how I can contact Vince ?

11 March 2010 07:33 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Day 4 and the famous salt flats! It is like walking across a fozen ploughed field. You need to watch every step for 14 kms.From camp 3 we had about 3 kms of shifting sand then a long climb up volcanic rock down a very steep sand dune and into water! Again. I did everytning to protect the feet but the water was followed with14 kms of sand and rock and then onto the salt flats.Now in camp and ready for the big one tomorrow. Day 3 was brutal. After 35 kms we were taken over very big sand dunes into camp and yet again I was out of water.Last night we were all shattered. Chris, Sam and Ray are all in good spirits. Just looking forward to cold beer on Saturday!

Comments: Total (15) comments

Posted On: 16 Mar 2010 08:55 pm

Ken, well done seems like you've made it and in one piece, a great acheivement, how are the feet? Looking forward to seeing the photos when we come to Hong Kong later on in the year.

Posted On: 15 Mar 2010 07:57 am

Excellent job, Ken. Totally full of admiration for what you have achieved. I am looking forward to the step-by-step de-brief and feedback. On the basis of that I'll sign up for the next Atacama.

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 12:38 pm

Well done Ken. Great effort and no little pain I expect. Look forward to seeing you for a beer in HK very soon

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 06:12 pm

I spoke to Gail this morning and she said you had finished the 'long day. 'Congratulations. I bet you though that it would never end. Love anne. xxx

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 03:30 pm

Ken WELL DONE - YOU'VE MADE IT! CONGRATULATIONS Mike

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 03:26 pm

Ken Sounds like it's tough going out there, and I can only assume for your "protecting my feet comment" that they are covered in blisters? I hope it's not too bad. Keep going, you’re almost finished. I’ll have a few cold beers in your honour tonight! :-) Mike Mike

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 08:09 am

Just finished bloggingyou when I checked the breaking news... Ken Reid has just crossed the line. Can't stop crying.... I am so proud of all of you........... Home straight tomorrow. FANTASTIC. Gail xxxxx

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 08:04 am

Still checking to see if you have finished stage 5. Had quick look at the pictures and there's the Hong Kong Posse ....You, Ray, Sam and Chris.. You all look to be in good spirits. Hope stage 5 has gone well. Home stretch tomorrow. Give it all you've got. Love, Gail xxxxxx

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 12:22 am

Just had a look through the videos and saw one of you finnishing stage 4. Hope you look as well after stage 5. This stage sounds as though its going to be a bugger..... Hope all goes well and will keep checking the results table to make sure that you arrive safely. LOVE YOU. Gail xxxxx

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 09:13 pm

The end is in sight, but I can imagine there are a couple of hard days ahead. Best wishes. I am sure that beer will taste superb!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 07:56 pm

Ken, sounds like you are having a great time and getting through well and enjoying it which is great. The scenery sounds alot like some around here at the moment although not as hot. Good luck for tomorrow or today I am not sure what the time difference is and hopefully the feet don't get too bad, I look forward to seing what tomorrow brings.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 02:33 pm

Wow! Incredible. Any thought I had that my feet hurt after one marathon pales in comparison to what you've gone through. Sounds like you're doing brilliantly. Not (too) long to go.... What an achievement once you've finished! Katie x

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 01:17 pm

You're nearly there ... well that's not really true as you've still got the long "day" to go but you know what I mean .. you've been there before so good luck with it and look forward to hearing how it goes. Cheers Ali

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 06:53 am

Doing really well. Good luck for tomorrow. Sounds as though the feet have taken a bit of a battering . Still as Peter says, get a good night's sleep so that you are ready for the long trek tomorrow. Thoughts are with you, as you well know. Love you loads, Gailxxxx

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 04:57 am

Well done Ken. It sounds a bit tough matey. Get those tootsies cleaned up and have a good nights sleep.(Trust you got my email?). PS Have you ditched the kilt and the lunch box yet?

08 March 2010 06:56 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Just finished the first day. The scenery was quite amazing but this was a tough stage although short at 35kms.Chris"s watch recorded temp of 45 degrees 10 kms from camp. Camp last night was good and we dropped from about 3200 metres to about 260..0 metres. Altitude did not pose a problem but it was hard going up hill. Just glad to finish the first day an get a rest. Ran out of water  before checkpoint 3 but most people seemed to have the same problem because of the excessive heat. Feet seem to be OK.
 

Comments: Total (24) comments

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 10:14 pm

Up, as usual ,at 5am to check how each stage of the race is going. Keep looking for photographs of you, but you must have turned camera shy! Will keep checking throughout the day to see what your times are for this stage of the race. Just to rub it in, I am going to have a nice long lie and then go out for lunch with Jackie. Enjoy your dehydrated chicken whatever! Love, Gail xxxxxx

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 05:16 pm

WOOOOOOOO, so happy for you guys making the cut off. You are doing so well... Glad that you are stopping a long the way to take lots of photos, very excited about seeing them all and dare I say it... heaing about your amazing experience!!! Hope today goes well and as always thinking of you. You really are doing an amazing thing. Love you very very much . Gills x

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 09:47 am

First reaction was to look at the kilted git and then think how he will return from Chile -the before and after?! Also wanted to know if Sharrock is behaving himself at night :-)! Will think of you tomorrow when am playing at DB and having my photograph taken with the Claret Jug - not! Keep it up, Ken. BR, Stuart

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 09:14 am

Ken No worry - office is fine and under control. Soon it will be over ... the finishing line is right in front of you... just keep looking ahead. Well done. Cecilia

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:48 am

Stage three over.......only 3 to go! I think I got it wrong and it's the salt flats tomorrow. I read Chris' blogg, which said that you were both suffering.... well at least you suffered together and helped each other to reach the camp. Hope you're feet are ok and in good shape for the next punishing stage of the race. Just keep thinking of the kids at Heep Hong and how much they are going to benefit. Love and miss you, Gail xxx p.s. so proud of you!!!!!!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 07:28 am

Good lord, its one of the devils in skirts from the third foot and mouth infantry. Looking good Ken, we are all behind you...quite a long way away but still behind you. Keep up the great work. Martin

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 05:12 am

Hi Ken, 115th in the race, like all good athletes you have not yet made your move up front. A marathon not a sprint!Seems to be quite hot and a few have dropped out, you'll be hoping a few in front drop out so you can move up the leader board. Keep it going mate, a pint of cider or bottle of Corona will be waiting when you finnish.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 10:58 pm

Ken, Anne and I have come to the conclusion that you are really sitting in Hong Kong having a cool beer cos we have just gone through all 249 photos and you are not in any of them!! Seriously though, the scenery is amazing and we think it must be incredible to actually be there. Take care love neil and anne. ps. did the peruvian band do a gig recently in buchanan street ?

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 09:34 pm

Gosh. here I am whacked after a goodnight's sleep, goodness knows how you lot are feeling!! Salt flats today. Hope all went well and that you are still "enjoying" the scenery. Saw a pic of Chris and Sam ... they were both smiling. Hope you are all smiling after today's stage. Love, Gailxxx

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 05:22 pm

They said this about you in the stage 2 updates: "Chris Sharrock and his son Sam ran most of the stage together, however, Sam managed to pull away and ended up finishing the stage ahead of his father. Hong Kong-based Ken Reid was also running at about the same pace as Chris" Whoop Whoop well done guys

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 04:35 pm

The pics look amazing, Sand dunes look incredible, what an amazing experience, but it really does sound and look like a tough tough day, so very well done for completing Day 2. Hope the feet are coping a ok, saw a pic of a women's feet hanging out of a tent, elevated and all bandaged up. So so so proud of you Dad, love you lots and the bestest of luck for Day 3, I will be checking regularly. Love you loads Gills Think of us having a celebratory cool beer in HK very soon.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 07:45 am

Well done for the second stage of the race.Have to say that the scenery looks amazing from the phtographs posted on the website. Hope your feet are ok and that going through all the rivers wasn't too punishing on them. Wouldn't think the gators would have helped much on those sand dunes!Love you. Gail xxxx

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 06:28 am

Good job and go ahead to the goal to achieve your objective! Your friend RICE and All the Heep Hong kids will be proud of you!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 06:01 am

Ken, Chris and Ray - keep it up guys! whenever in trouble just look at Chris's bottom or get Ray to explain securitization products - it should make everything else easy !!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 03:01 am

Good work Ken; keep it up!! Best of luck, Nicky x

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 11:17 pm

Hi. Am on tenderhooks to find out how you did on the second stage of the race. I have to leave for school now so will check at break. Hope the water didn't play havoc on your feet......maybe you actually used those " sock things" Chris got.... Will blogg you again later. Love, Gail xxxx

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 04:48 pm

By the way Sarah posted a comment on your "Up, up and away!" Blog. Loves xxxxxx

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 04:16 pm

Go Ken! Well done for day one, must be good to be on your way now. Can totally sympathise on the water front though, know what it's like to be pushing yourself to your physical limits under extreme conditions and without enough water......reading your blog really took me back to our walk in the Hong Kong hills the day after Gill and I hit Lan Kwai Fong with her race winnings!! On a more serious note, looks like this will be a tough challenge and an amazing experience, wishing you all the very best.

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 04:04 pm

Well done Ken, Chris etc. Congrats on being the first 53 year olds home.....don't worry about the 56er's, 59er's who finished in front of you! 10 degrees in HK but maybe warmer than the river tomorrow. Keep it going!

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 01:45 pm

Sounds like lots of people suffered big time ... so good effort! Obviously you're Scottish heritage make your ideally suited to 45degree deserts??! .... Stay strong and smart. Cheers Ali

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 10:32 am

What an incredible challenge... wishing you the best of luck! Great that you have completed the first day and glad to hear the feet are ok. Look forward to seeing you in Hong Kong in a couple of weeks for a celebratory drink!

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 10:01 am

Well done old man...must be good to have the first day over and done with. Thinking of you loads...Love you lots and hope Day 2 is not too tough. Loves and big kisses to all of you. Gills xxxxxxxxx x xxx

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 09:07 am

Just now have been able to check your time. Well done. Hope that the feet didn't take too much of a battering. Looks like you are all in for a really rough time tomorrow. The scenery looks amazing.... Will call your mum tonight to let her know how you are doing. Love you, Gail.xxx.

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 03:17 am

Well done Ken. Unbelievable heat and I know what its like to run out of water! Keep those feet looked after!

07 March 2010 03:13 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Yesteday was a rest day while and bag packing. Managed to get the bag down to 10.5kgs so I am happy with that. This mornings plan is a nice breakfast before the dry packed foods on the race, do a final check on the gear, sandwich lunch and off to the camp for the start which is at 3500metes and located north west of San Pedro. Will be cold so I hope my gear will be warm
enough!

Due to the delay I just  want to get started as we have too much time to think what is ahead. Some people only arrived late last night and a few of the ladies don´t have any gear as it has been lost in transit. I can´t imagine what it must be like to look for gear and food 12 hours before the check in. Fortunately between Chris, Sam, Ray and myself  we had spare food to help the ladies.

Lots of nervous energy and I just want to get going.

Thanks again for all your support.

Cheers.

Ken.
   

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 02:03 am

Hi Ken, having a rest already, before you start! Good luck and hope all the training pays off. Joe

Posted On: 08 Mar 2010 10:14 pm

Have just checked the results and saw at the top that all the competitors have made it through the first stage. Great news. Have just had a read of what is in store for you tomorrow....rather you than me! Hope the ear pluggs are working for your tent mates! Love you and miss you. Gail xxx

Posted On: 08 Mar 2010 12:25 pm

Hi Uncle Ken I just wanted to wish you the best of luck! (not that you will need it with all that rice training) Tom also sends lots of luck - he\'s pretty jealous, I think he wishes he was doing it with you. I\'ll check later in the week to see how you are doing. I\'m heading to mum and dad\'s tonight so I\'ll show them how to message you. Love Kirst x

Posted On: 08 Mar 2010 08:45 am

Don't know if you will be able to get emails so just thought I'd blogg you as well to wish you all the best for the next 5 days. Thinking of you all. Happy trekking! Gail xxx

05 March 2010 03:45 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Arrived in San Pedro at 8pm Thursday on a later flight as our original flight to Calama was cancelled due to the disruption at Santiago Airport. The terminal is still closed due to the Earthquake and check in and passport control is being done in the open with superb organisation from LAN Airways. Everyone is so helpful and can´t do enough to help. Management from Heathrow should be sent to Chile to learn how a crisis should be managed! Exceptional effort from everyone we have met at LAN.

We are now staying at an Oasis within an Oasis - at the Awasi Hotel. Great meal last night and now off for Breakfast. What a lovely spot.Today will be a chill out before we head to our competitor hotel for the start on Monday. This afternoon we may go to the hot springs in the mountains. The start has been delayed because many competitors are struggling to get here on time due the flight disruption. It just means we go straight into the final srage 6 after the long day. That should be fun!

Hello to all. 

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 08 Mar 2010 03:19 am

Reidy - just keep telling yourself it's an extremely long golf course. All the best my friend, I know you have the heart the size of a pumpkin, so I will be watching with interest. Frenchy

Posted On: 07 Mar 2010 11:14 am

Good luck Ken. You and Chris will have to use all that experience against the youth of Sharrock junior! will be following your progress. Enjoy.

Posted On: 06 Mar 2010 11:24 pm

You must be speaking Spanish by now. You have been there so long. Reality bites tomorrow! Best wishes, Mike

Posted On: 06 Mar 2010 09:29 am

Good Luck. Hope you've managed to get all that food in your rucksack!!!!! Love you loads. Gail xxxx

04 March 2010 04:15 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Arrived on time and only took 1 hour 20 minutes to clear customs which is as real bonus considering the airport terminal is still closed. Everyone has been most helpful and calm in the most trying of circumstances. On arrival we went straight to the LAN offices to check our flight for Calama today and it turns out the plane has been rescheduled to the 4.30pm today. The only issue we had on the trip was at JFK whilst in transit. We declared we were carrying food on the arrivals card and we were duly searched on arrival in JFK and cleared. Our bags were then taken to the transfer baggage desk where and people were most helpful. When we got out bags in Chile all the bags had been broken open and searched. Good one guys after checking our bags they decided to break them open after something had come up on their scanner. Review of their process me thinks.

Had a good meal with Chris and Ray last night and hit the sack at about 1030. Good rest with the help of a sleeping tablet. They work well Agie! Just going for a nice breakast now and a quick look round town before heading for the airport. I am writing this from almost a blank keyboard as all the keys have worn away from incessant use! Not easy for an OF like me!

All and looking forward to get to Calama tonight and starting the race on Sunday.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 04 Mar 2010 01:47 pm

Rice The Chilean men wear their Poncho's over the shoulder – like Clint Eastwood did in "The Good, The Bad and The Scotsman"? Got it? Over the shoulder - NOT around the waist! Good to hear you arrived safely. I'll be following your every step. Mike

01 March 2010 09:23 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

About to head for the Airport for what will be an eventful journey in its own right. Heading to Chile as fit as I have been for many a year and now looking forward to the start line and of course the finish.  

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all who have donated to the Heep Hong Society. The donations to date are way beyond my expectations.

Our thoughts are with the victims of Chile's Earthquake and I am sure we will raise funds in support over the next few weeks.   

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 04:43 pm

Best of luck, hope its all going well. Go Ken!! x

Posted On: 02 Mar 2010 07:01 am

Hi Ken, Good news that you are on the way to Chep Lap Kok. Let us know how your journey goes if possible on the forum thread linked below. All news is good news! Safe trip Sam H - RacingThePlanet http://www.4deserts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4401#4401

26 January 2010 05:28 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

RICE! No I don't mean Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate. Nor do I mean the various forms of how we consume RICE here in Hong Kong. I am referring to carrying Rice! For two months now I have been walking and running around the trails of Hong Kong with up to 9 kilos of my freind RICE. Whether RICE is from China, Thailand, Japan or Vietnam, vacum packed or loose, it all has the ability to rest at the bottom of my trusty Raidlight!

By now most may have thought I would have struck up a close relationship with my friend Rice - wrong! Many a day on the trail I have considered consigning my friend RICE to the pot. It is fair to say that on my return from the Atacama there will be a RICE fest. After all RICE has been a real pain in the neck!

A few weeks ago my friend RICE and myself were somewhat shaken up whilst  training with Chris and Ray. As we were flying along (OK walking fast) along a narrow trail on Lantau we were charged by two Water Buffalo and had to take evasive action by jumping over railings to our left to avoid being crushed by these very fast fear stricken beasts. Now, if you are like me, the only time I have ever seen Water Buffallo, throughout Asia, is when they are wallowing in water holes or padddy flelds. Well, I can only assume these two are also in training because they could easily take on a few of the Nags that run in cirlces around Happy Valley each week. Getting back over the railling was another challenge because we didn't have the help of adrenilin this time round! Who says Hong Kong is a concrete jungle! 

Having decided to deal with RICE I just need to Lighten up and my mind is now consumed with saving grams wherever possible.

Training is going well. My objective of going to the Atacama fitter than the Gobi '08 is on track. 

Thanks to all who have donated to the Heep hong Society, a truly great organisation. For more information visit www.heephong.org
         

Comments: Total (3) comments

Posted On: 03 Mar 2010 02:27 am

Nice rice box though!

Posted On: 02 Mar 2010 10:38 pm

You have goofed already Ken - they don't wear that sort of stuff in Chile - it doesnt mean " cold" you dope! Also you will need a bit more than rice Good luck anyway - I will be watching you!!

Posted On: 28 Feb 2010 08:46 am

Join the rice credit scheme! I'm looking forward to my next trip to the China Bear!