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John Key

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Atacama Crossing (2010) blog posts from John Key

13 March 2010 11:02 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Ah, its nice to wake up knowing there is only 10km between me and some pizza and coke... :-)  I know i can do well today cos for the last 4 days i have been on only 1000-1200 calories a day and even i know thats enough for this short burst (i should try and beat Ryan !!)  Seriously, that guy is insanely good - he won the 74km in under 7hrs yesterday and sprinted up a near-45 degree sand dune (you'll probably see it on the pics) - such an outstanding athlete.  My approach was to picture it in my mind as parkview hill and then dealt with the disappointment of no refreshment at the top once i trudged my way up there !! (how different we are !) I guess yesterday was a time for reflection as the kilometres ebbed away.... i had time to think about the whole event. I am delighted to have raised so much money for charity with all of your very generous support. I am thrilled to see such a spectacualar landscape where so much of it is untouched by man. I am very pleased that my body has held in so well and made all of the training worth it - i have no muscle soreness and no blisters and did not get cramp once - its amazing really - because of that i have to say thanks so much to Maree, you really have been a star in the gym, on the e-mail, on the phone and of course in the pub ! - your advice has been invaluable and i am so incredibly grateful for everything. I am also very glad to have been here and helped others achieve their goals as they have helped me (my tent mate gave me gatorade powder wed and thurs as i came in to camp as i was visibly shattered and weak after so little calories  - that was so kind of him and i am very grateful for that.)  Finally, i am so proud to have finished this (almost !!) -  i may have had low moments after each day cos of my nutrition - i felt like i was only properly fuelled on day 1 and have had to dig so deep (i think i have dropped 3-4kg !) - but the original goal was completion and that should be good enough for me so as far as i am concerned, job done and bring on the next challenge ! (maybe a bottle of wine a day in Bora Bora later in the year and on day 5 drink 2 !!)  Thanks again for the last time for all of your blogs . Special thanks to my family - you are the best and i can't wait to see you in Singapore & Hong Kong in the next few month, it will be fantastic. The last word of course to my wonderful wife - i can't wait to see you on tuesday and thanks for all of your tremendous support over the past 6 months. You have the patience of a saint as my weekend runs meant our plans had to be adjusted at times and i really appreciate your understanding. I can't wait for the cheese, crisps and jelly beans - not to mention the steak and bottle of red the night i get back - you are the best !  :-)  It must also have been lonely delving into the wine fridage on your own too, but next week baby, i am back !!! :-) xxx   

Comments: Total (3) comments

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 07:05 pm

Congratulations mate, I am extremely envious of the drive and determination you have to complete such an incredible feat - well done.

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 10:50 am

Well done JK...thought the big day may have caused you a few problems as most days it sounded like you were a bit to keen out the blocks and struggling to pace yourself. Well done and look forward to hearing all about it.

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 07:54 am

You did it Bro!!! Sooooo proud of you. Youre blog notes had me in stitches and in sympathy. You're a champion and we are sending you lots of hugs and kisses from Singapore xxxx

12 March 2010 06:30 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Finished !!  Well, 240km, last stage took just under 15hrs so off to bed now before 10km jog and loads of coke and pizza tomorrow !! (i'll bore you with the 74km race details tomorrow or when i got back but same as other days really - good start, couldn't eat , ran out of energy, scrapped like an Irisih Navvie to make it to the end - simple !!)  
 
Love you Lauren xxx
 
zzzzz......

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 05:05 pm

50 miles!! I can't even begin to contemplate how you go about completing a distance anything like that, let alone across desert terrain having completed three marathons in consecutive days. You're a legend mate. 10km, now that sounds a little more like it! Enjoy that Pizza and Coke. Sorry I can't join you in HK next week to celebrate over a beer.

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 09:35 am

You are doing amazingly well John.Soon be pizza and coke time!!Lots of love.xxx

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 09:06 am

Well done, mate! You've done so well - we can't even begin to imagine what you've been through, we struggel to walk to Ashton Memorial! That last 10km will be a breeze. You kick ass! x

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 06:26 am

This is just fantastic John! YOU ARE AMAZING! and ....IT"S NEARLY OVER, phew!! You have achieved such amazing results... I cannot imagine how difficult this has been physically and mentally. You are my hero :-) Enjoy the 10km tomorrow = I'm sure you will... I'm also pretty certain you'll be doing a Linford Christie on us - and in lycra too! Cannot wait to hear from you. Lots of love x x x x

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 03:04 am

JK thats amazing! We have all taken great interest and pride in following your progress in the office all week. I will take the liberty of having a few drinks in your honor tonight, but of course there will be more on your return. Have a good rest and enjoy the glory of the sprint finish!! Safe trip home.

Posted On: 13 Mar 2010 02:53 am

sooooo happy for you!!!!. . . .will celebrate on your behalf only it won't be pizza and coke:-). . . . fantastic effort , you are a STAR!! am wondering what time you can produce your last 10k in tomorrow with pizza and coke waiting for you at the line - could be a world record x

11 March 2010 06:40 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hey everyone thanks again for the awesome blogs - had another very similar day today although there was a 13km straight section in the middle of the race so i did push on there (i am not very patient !) rather than the steady-eddy approach i was going to take... i got into a decent position again before the usual last 10km scramble for the finish when about 15 people sail by me !!  The first stage was awesome today, just stunning, we went down a huge dune into an oasis and water crossing (up to people waists at times !) we also had a 14km salt flat section which was very tough and slow going -definitely one for the hikers as the poles were so important - its like a thin crust with swamp underneath so one wrong foot and you are knee deep in that shit ! I enjoyed today like i have every day so sorry if any of you thought i was being negative - i really am very happy (there are always ways to improve and i know that - i just wanted everything to slot into place so i could hold on to 20-25 place finishes because that was where i was running for large chunks of each day and i am competitvie like that - but i am genuinely very happy to have made it through 4 marathons in 4 days :-)  Big effort now to get through tomorrows 50-miler and then 10 miles into san pedro on saturday for ice cold coke and pizza (oh jeez...... that will be so good its scary -  another competitor and i were talking about how much we would pay for a can of coke for immediate delivery out in the desert today, it was alot !!!)  Good news - i found out last night my tent mates parents own wooloomooloo steak house in Hong kong-  i think i may have wangled a free feed for us Lozza  - last time we went there i had a 26oz "cow-boy" rib-eye and pretty much fell asleep straight away - that'd be awesome right now !)  The Blue Mountains sound great, i am so glad you had such a nice time there and went to the trouble to check on my progress. Mazza - thanks for the advice, i really can't stomach perpetuem anymore - its yukk ! i even had pumpkin and garlic soup for breakfast today to avoid having oats and sustained energy mix !  i will just have to keep going on my last ration of crisps and nuts tomorrow and hang in there one more time (in a sick kind of way i quite like busting myself up in the first half/three quarters of the race then fighting it out !  - i think thats why i ran again today when it probably made no difference to my finish time) .  Thanks again for the blogs - i look forward to reading more tomorrow (although it will be much later for me as i have a MONSTER day ahead fo me !! ) Adios.

Comments: Total (16) comments

Posted On: 14 Mar 2010 10:05 pm

Wowee Jonners ~ so proud of you!! Lol, Al & I been following your daily progress while we tucked into pizza and red wine; not long before you can over-indulge again. Many congrats from us all. xxxxx

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 06:29 pm

Well done John! Keep going you're doing such an awesome job! Was having a look at the photos and it looks spectacular and brutal at the same time. Looking forward to hearing your stories n seeing more pics when you're back. Good luck for the final leg! x

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 05:30 pm

good luck for tomorrow buddy, get through this big day and you are almost there. Top effort mate

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 04:23 pm

You're a beauty. We are all pleased that you are doing so well. All the best for the big one. Only a couple of days to go the finishing line and your other skill,eating machine, can kick in.We are all proud of you. Good luck.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 12:14 pm

Seems a few people are keeping you up to date with the important things going on in the world, so here's my contribution from CNN.The headline "Healthy Men Have More Sex for Longer". You may think that sounds like good news. However, it doesn't, however, say anything about clinically insane people who run 250 through a desert! I think you have your own (very small) category! Sounds like an amazing adventure - strange to think you have had to run through water in a place that never rains. Am looking forward to the pickies (oh, and James wants to meet this wooloomoloo guy).

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 10:49 am

Hi John, i know today is going to be very hard but you know..you CAN do it.You have been in my thoughts all this week and i am willing you on to the finish.Thinking back to when you were young i now can,t understand why you used to make such a fuss if i suggested that we went out for a walk!!!!And you would only go if you could take your football with you...no room in the back pack i presume!!!!!!!Anyway..enough of me..i have probably embarrassed you enough already.I love you very much.Les and Grandad send their love and good wishes too.xxx

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 09:36 am

Mate, you are tearing it up out there...no one would think this is ur first attempt...doing awesome mate ....Its the biggie tomorrow so get a good nights sleep and a hearty brekkie, and dont forget the Vase. Good luck bro

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 08:23 am

Go wonkey, nearly there mate, tremendous effort ! P.S super scousers got done again this time by the mighty Lille !

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 07:51 am

Well done John....the big one tommorrow so don't get out the starting blocks too quickly!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 07:46 am

Keep going John!!! :) We'll be thinking of you in the last 10km sprint!! Cool to read ur blog today... i have a Chilean friend who was staying in NZ for a while. Spanish is such an awesome language! I'm learning it now in school :) ANYWAY! Your nearly there... do it for the cause! hahah :) You can do it ... theres nothing to it ;) x

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 07:42 am

GO JOHN!!! The end is in sight but it's all beginning to feel a bit like the end of the Apprentice season... what am I going to do for my am. entertainment fix when you've finished? Heath phones me from work every morning for an update on your progress overnight... all in all it's a rather sad reflection on the lack of excitement in our day to day lives! ;) Jokes aside, we're routing for you!

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 06:28 am

Hey Johnny, top effort again today ! You are nearly there now and I'm sure in some sick way looking forward to attacking the double tomorrow. I dread to think how little food you have... can you try the oats with boiling water for brekkie? I will be getting in all of your foodie favs - Lays Salt and Vinegar crisps, nice cheeses and hams and jelly beans to fatten you up with. You are not allowed to weigh less than me !! hee hee !! I cannot wait to see your photos when you get back... I have been looking at the ones available on this website and it all looks breath-taking. It is also nice to see some examples of camaraderie about camp. It looks like everyone is supporting each other - so use this to your advantage and pester someone for some food! I read Nick's blog - very funny - telling us that he saves his best pukes for entering camp so that he scores a can of coke! (thou I hope you are not that desperate). Good networking skills - I love a free feed :-) We are now back in Bondi - off to meet Uncle Big tonight. Thinking of you all the time - good luck tomorrow.... what an incredible thing to be doing. So proud of you. Much love xxxx

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 06:28 am

Sounded like another walk in the park! I know you will relish the double bubble Friday so keep your fighting spirits up and try and enjoy it......the finishing line is getting closer. Spoke to Polly and your flight from Santiago is now scheduled 1 hour later to 23:10 but I should hopefully have any further updates later.

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 05:58 am

Splendid Effort fella, been wondering who owns Wooloomooloo for ages!! After 4 marathons your pace/tempo on the long will be everything, good luck and if your rashions are getting lean at least stay hydrated! Your doing a top job and we're all with you. Frosty PS: did a Sun Headline search, and apparenly Freddie Star has eaten someones hampster and Richard Gere is very upset about that as all he has left is a plastic tube...no idea what that means tho. And finally, when things get really low, just think Angry Dragon.....

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 04:35 am

Great effort so far! All your training will see you through tomorrow absolutely fine, good luck and keep focussing on that full fat coke at the finish line.....

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 03:24 am

Yoooo la, well done - you sound as though you had a good day albeit tough:-). . there certainly are some racers out there but after them there is nothing wrong with your times, they are great you are with the front pack. . I like your spirit today! . . shame you are a banker and not a trader you would have got rid of that perpetuem and swapped it for something you can stomach :-) don't let anyone pass you in the last 10k tomorrow. . . . proud of ya!

10 March 2010 06:39 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Day 3 - Deja Vu...   First of all thanks so much to you all for your very kind blogs - they really mean so much and i look forward to reading them when i still have a few kilometres to go !!  So thank-you.   today was another tough old struggle for me - i went through the first 31km in 4hrs 45mins but took 3hrs for the final 11km.. it really is brutal out here and i have probably been trying a bit too hrad if i am honest as fitness-wise, i am not quite there to do the full marathon  at full vigour - but hey, i am getting to the end and there is nothing that will stop me finishing this (i know at least 7 drop outs today and i am sure the official number will be more so it really is hammering us all.) My inner-ambitions of running big chunks each day does need re-thinking though - the terrain is so much harder than i thought and running 20km-30km in HK in 2-3hrs was definitely not the way to approach this (take note Rob Tull - you need to do 5-6 hr hikes before the Gobi 250km - it will help you so much more )  Unfortunately i am pretty much blowing up 3/4 of the way in and seeing all the strong hikers finish ahead of me and i am sure they are enjoying it more keeping it constant rather than max it then suffer  like i seem to be doing on a daily basis... it also incredibly technical trail here - today was all about sand dunes and crusty mud flats so i probably only ran 30% of the day and that is a lot of energy spent for little reward... I've decided i'm going to hike with a bunch of english guys tomorrow and try and make the 40km a bit more enjoyable (i'll probably take between 7hrs 30 and 8hrs whichever way i do it,) cos this really is a spectacular place to be. I decided not to take perpetuem today and only ate one pack of energy sweets during the first 30km so that also makes running it tomorrow difficicult as i sacrificed food for a light pack (i actually got it down to 6.9kg in san pedro as decided to ditch a lot of stuff, but no regrets though, its tough enough without a heavier pack so i can live with that.)  Thats probably enough about the race as i don't want to bore you all - thanks again for the blogs.
 
Spencer - can you please ask Polly Lai to reconfirm my return flights in case there are still problems in Santiago (i have no idea of any news here but glad to hear my fantasy footy team is holding its own !) Thx.  Rob Tull - go for an 8hr hike this weekend !!  :-)  Frosty - shame on you for visiting such sites ..!!  Mum - please don't worry, i will never put myself in any serious danger, i promise x.  For everyone who offered me beers -  great !!  you have no idea how much i crave a beer / cold can of coke / steak right now....    Lauren - i love you xxx 
 
Chat tomorrw   

Comments: Total (16) comments

Posted On: 12 Mar 2010 12:42 am

Great job! Sounds like an amazing time. Keep up the good work

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 10:50 pm

I think I might be more impressed that you have managed to write yourself a blog without taking down the internet or setting your computer on fire. Wonders never cease. Keep going Cletus!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 09:40 pm

Hey little bro!! You are doing SO well! We are so very, very proud of you sweetie. Keep it up, don't push yourself too hard, we'll need a drinking buddy when we come to HK!! Lots of love and big dribbly kisses from Amelia. Love you. xxxxx

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 02:58 pm

whoop whopp!!! Goooooo John, you are my hero! Love you bro. Keep at it....nearly there. Lots of love Jo, Steve, Finn and Orin xxxx

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 11:26 am

Great stuff John, sounds like hell but just keep going pal. And please don't die as i'm really looking forward to my trip to HK in a couple of weeks! Just keep thinking steak, beer and casino!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 10:10 am

you gotta be feeling that it just keeps going..... but you can only hurt so much and once you there just need to push it out of your mind.....also your close to the home straight....keep at it, well done...eye of the tiger!!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 09:18 am

Wow, John you are amazing. Stick with it, and be positive! We are all thinking of you and wishing you all the very best!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:53 am

Me again. . if you only have the perpetuem on you then can consider taking it for recovery at the end of the stage. . . also can consider hydrating with it before you start your next stage, then can save the sweets for during. . . you can not take too much food!!!. . . can't imagine you skinny buddy . . .go hard you are a star!!!!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:33 am

Hey solider, you're doing just great out there... I know you must be going over all the things you should have done differently in training - BUT this is your first ever competition of this nature and until flying to Chile you had only ever competed in one marathon. You have now done more kilometres of running and hiking than you have ever done in your life. I agree with Maree's spirit on this - she knows her stuff and more importantly she knows you and your capabilities. Enjoy the expereience tomorrow - an excellent plan to group up with some of the hikers. It will probably mean you'll feel better going into the double tomorrow. Despite the bouts of negativity - you are kicking ass on the results table - 34!! and more importantly you are still there giving it your all. I have managed to find a hostel (things I do for you!) that has internet so that I could check in on you whilst we are here in the Blue Mountains... John, it is stunning here and I bought you a very nice bottle of NSW wine to enjoy back on HK turf! We went on a 3 hour walk around the national park today - just gorgeous. Back to Sydney tomorrow and look forward to hearing about how stage 4 goes... hoping for some positive comments and some more deserving praise from yourself about how awesome it all is... and how bloody brilliant you are for doing it :-) Love and miss you x x x

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:30 am

Thank you for the kind reassuring message John.I have every faith in you...i know you can do it.I am looking forward to your next blog.Really,really so very proud of you...much love Mum.xxx

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 08:23 am

Hello John heed Pollys words...massive respec! half way there stay strong and keep going. FYG we smoked the DB races Sat look forward to getting you back....

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 06:55 am

John - youre a legend and a nutter of massive proportions! Keep it up mate, we all know you can do it and we are looking forward to hearing your tales when youre in Singers next month! Stay strong and enjoy that well earned beer when your done! Steve

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 06:18 am

HEY JOHN! :) You are so awesome being a part of such a massive race... its such a big thing you are doing! You are definitely an idol (to me) and I really hope you keep strong through this. Wish so much that we were there to support you but as mum says... we are with you in spirit! :) My stupid religious studies teacher always tells us that "you can do more than you think" and i hate to admit, but its so dam true and you are about to prove that to everyone :) Go John Key! You can do it! Don't stop believing in yourself and you will make it through. Stay happy! :) :) (because smiling is supposed to relax the muscles in your butt believe it or not!!) miss ya xoxoxo

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 06:04 am

Hey Buddy!!! Only just found out about the blog so soz I am not here sooner - been with ya in spirit tho!!! First of all stop all this negative crap you are talking, it was never going to be a walk in a hk park. . .you have trained you are fit and you are strong so don\'t doubt your abilities. . . you just need to get smarter with your pace you hit the nail on the head yourself, consistent, solid pace, the hikers are handling it. . you must back off for the first half of the day - you don\'t have the calories to hammer it all day long, then after you have hit the days halfway mark you can push on, but only a little!!. you can do it mate . .I have total faith in you. . :-)) Look forward to reading a positive John Key blog - the John Key we all know and love to get pissed with

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 03:17 am

mate sounds tough! but I'm with spencer I bet you are somehow enjoying the mission. Good luck mate and well done again on a great effort so far! everyone at Evo cheering from HK!

Posted On: 11 Mar 2010 03:05 am

Sounds like another brutal test but i sense you're enjoying it in a bizarre way. polly said flights were still on schedule but will be checking again later this week so will keep you posted. Keep it going, you're doing great.

09 March 2010 06:05 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

before i explain thank you all so very much for the blogs, you have all put a smile back on my face and i really appreciate it
 
i will start positively by saying i am fired up to do a better job tomorrow, but it was bitter-sweet crossing the line in not much under 8hrs today.  i had a solid first 15km and felt really strong but i had a really bad reaction to drinking perpetuem (energy poweder you mix with water) and had to walk the final 27km... i think its the heat as its hard to stomach when warm and you are running in the sun - it was hard work today just slogging it out and my feet and legs have taken a bit of a battering for it as nearly 8hrs today.)  The good thing is that i know what it was so won;t take any tomorrow, though i am not sure what i can take to replace it - maybe i have to run faster and use breakfast as my only fuel !!  Todays course was stunning though, we crossed rivers (knee-deep) and even waded up a gorge for 500m which was tough - we also ran down a 150m plus sand dune and ran through some really rugged parts of the desert - the plus side to walking is that i took lots of photos along the way !!  its already 5.45pm here cos i was such a slow-coach today so i will end now as want to stretch, rest, eat so i can do a better job tomorrow. 
 
Lauren - so glad to hear you are having fun  in sydney, i miss you xxx 
 
Chat to you all tomorrow  

Comments: Total (18) comments

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 11:14 pm

Hey Jonners ~ Lol & I got tired walking 50 metres on Bondi beach!! Did laugh and think of you and what you were doing ~ we're such lightweights!! You are da man dear son-in-law. Awesome achievement already. Loving your blogs; love San xxx

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 08:09 pm

Good on ya mate. Hope the next leg is better and you don't have so much time to catch the views. Do they have Waitrose there?

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 06:15 pm

Keep going cletus - you are a machine! Even Charlie's class at school know of your mission and think you must be "amazing" and "cool"!!! Little do they know of your KFC habit. Plough on through tomorrow. Good luck.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 01:12 pm

Well done Big Guy. If its any consolation I have to go to Luton next week - you think you've got it tough! Don't be tempted to push yourself too hard. You're doing great.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 12:53 pm

Way to go John ..maybe you will get lucky and find a bar on the way that sells guiness to replace the mixture that upset you! Great to hear of your progress. look foward to your next bulliten

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 12:37 pm

Its sounds very tough but you are doing so well John.I am worrying like only a mother can and i am so proud of you. much love Mum. xxx

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 12:21 pm

Hello mate, good work on finishing, I still can’t believe you are doing this. I will have a couple of nice cold pints waiting for you when you are home next. Keep up the good work mate.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 12:09 pm

Sorry to hear that you are beating yourself up about today's performance - you still did amazingly well! Crikey, your description of the course sounds epic. At least you know for tomorrow to change up your food - is there some underground trading of food for money, as I hope you found the dollars I have sewn into your pants for such occasions !! I really hope that you feel better tomorrow so you can attack the course will full John Key enthusiasm and force! I have been quite addicted to the 4deserts website and we log on to see the latest news.... we're all so proud of you. I had an awesome day in Manly Beach, with Mum and Alex. We are off to the Blue Mountains tomorrow so I will search out an internet cafe to try and make contact with you. BTW there is a photo of you with a Mannings carrier bag which I was surprised to find you with in the desert - as was the official photographer who also commented on the fact this man had to be from HK! I am happy to ignore the fact you have taken my lovely camera into the Atacama desert as it obviously bought you a lot of pleasure today. Maybe you can start documenting your beard growth! Take care and I hope Stage 3 is your best yet. Love you x x x x

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 11:48 am

good work JK, all sounds pretty tough. hope day 3 has gone easier and looking forward to the next update

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 11:37 am

Sounds like it was one tough day for you. Hope you have had chance to taste your chicken curry yet - lets hope that does not upset your tummy. Hang in there - u are doing really well xxx

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 10:15 am

keep going mate. The beers are just a few days away. Honestly mate - great work. Look forward to your next blog.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 10:06 am

Hang in there and keep going! Go JK Go!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 09:29 am

Sounds tough but awesome at the same time. Keep going we're all rooting for you... channel Forest Gump and you'll be done in no time! Good luck for tomorrow x

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 06:53 am

Well done Wonkey, Keep going mate, sounds incredibly tough !...You'll be pleased to know Coventry won 1-0 again :)

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 06:11 am

from looking at the stretch in times and comments on the various blogs you did sensational today!! Sounds tough but truly epic! Hope the camp site is providing plenty of support and remember to tap Rob J up for a few encouraging words. Keep it going fella....and also pleased to see Claire doesnt visit the same websites as me where things like Nipple Counts are readily available...yesterdays Sport was a dissapointing 17 but there was apparently three 'nought' near misses!! ;-> Frosty

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 05:59 am

Did you know you cant see the nipple count of the star online - sorry i cant keep you updated whilst you run across the desert. Youre doing awesome, keep up the good work!

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 05:41 am

Well done mate, you did well to get through it. Have a good day tomorrow.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 02:48 am

Good job finishing day-2! Glad to hear you have your sprints up and strong still. we'll be looking forward to seeing your pics

08 March 2010 05:25 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hey everyone, day 1 is over and it was tough !! Heat and altitude really played their part and there was an 8km hill to fight to (mental i know - and everyone i spoke to ran out of water, including me so that was really hard to get thro - walking by then of course !!)  i ran the first 25km and felt good , but there is so much of each course you can;t run so i will tske it steadier at the start tmrw (Maree - are you surprised i ran the first 25km like a scolded cat and then had to walk an 8km hill suffering becuase of it ?!?!) I'm feeling ok now though and looking forward to tomorrow and another one !  i hope i sleep better tonight as only had two hours last night (i really am not a tent-man, i am sure that shocks none of you, plus there was too much snoring going on which did not help...)  Lauren you will be amazed i got my sleeping bag into its case in one go this morning !!  - i hope you made it to Sydney ok and have a great time with your mum and sis - have a beer for me ! Can you pls call Grandma for me and let her know we are thinking of her as it was dads birthday today - thanks honey, love you x.   Hope everyone else is well, my fat fingers are not designed for this mini-computer so i will sign off now (apologies for any typo's)  Will chat again tmrw - hopefully after some decent sleep (if thats possible) and a good day in the desert !  Adios .

Comments: Total (15) comments

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 02:54 am

Sounds incredibly tough but dig deep and you'll be glad to know you made up good ground in fantasy footy.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 02:03 am

Stage 2 "read" like a real shocker, not that Stage 1 was a walk in the park. Good luck JK.........head down and dig in.

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 01:43 am

Dude, u are totally rocking this event ....keep it up mate ur doing great.

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 05:54 pm

Like a hare out the traps on day 1. Great to keep up on the blog.....well done and keep on plugging away.

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 11:17 am

BTW I don't know what is more impressive - completing the first stage today or getting that sleeping bag repacked!! Leading on from Chris - as requested, The Sun's headlines are:- Peter Andre: "I only wanted sex with my stylist" "Steven Gerrard v-sign fury at ref" "Alex Reid - Men can dream of me" ...... should I go on?!?! Lozza x x x

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 08:42 am

Outstanding start John. Keep it up!

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 08:11 am

well done john your off and running, Stage 1 ticked off and on the way....were all tracking your progess and a feature of the morning call, like the photos of you as well....good luck and keep at it....

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 06:48 am

Hey dude, sounds like your staying strong in tough surroundings (did you remember the ear plugs?). and cracking stage 1 placing. Sunday Sport Nipple Count was 34 btw :) We're all routing for you guys. Frosty

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 06:47 am

Hi John, glad to read about stage one going well! The photos are already up and it looks stunningly challenging. Great photo of you wearing your shades which reads "serious in shades" ! I was more concerned to see that you have already grown a beard and it's only day 1! Mum and I were walking on bondi beach today and stopped ourselves short of saying how difficult it was walking on sand! I hope the feet are not showing signs of blisters and that you manage to get some much needed sleep tonight - I hope you did take the ear plugs in the end. I shall call Hazel tonight. I hope tomorrow goes well for you = I read it is supposed to have the most spectacular views of all the stages, I'm sure this can help you to keep going. Thinking of you, Love You xxx

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 06:19 am

amazing effort... Keep going...

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 05:58 am

Well done mate you are going great. Hope they are serving good steaks for you up there!

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 03:49 am

Great first stage mate, keep up the good work. Good luck tomorrow. Bourney

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 03:29 am

Great start John. Been avidly watching the results come in. Heath did a 4km dog fun run on Saturday... didn't quite make it into the medals but he is feeling your pain! ;)

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 02:16 am

well done mate! keep up the good work! we will all be eagerly following your progress. good luck. sambo

Posted On: 09 Mar 2010 02:14 am

Well done dude!! Keep pushin' on!

07 March 2010 03:33 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Finally its here... we set off to camp shortly to spend a night in the desert before day 1 begins... its been  a great 3 days in san pedro on the fringe of the desert (we have a 3hr drive to the first camp).  I feel relaxed and looking forward to a massive challenge - i keep changing my mind on how to run the race - the heat is searing and the altitude really sucks the energy from the body - so i am pretty sure steady as you go is the only way to approach it in order to give myself a chance of completion. The secenry here is stunning. I went 2hrs east and into the Andes mountain range yesterday and saw some geysers erupt as the sun rose, quite spectacular.. The strange thing about staying outside the desert are the green trees, the water and the animals, when on the horizon is this dusty, lifeless, lunar-like landscape that is 50 times more arid than death valley, or, if you like, our home for the next 6 days. The idea of this post was to flag myself on the blog list so you guys can find me more easily.... i will chat to you all after day 1 where hopefully things shall have gone well. Lauren tells me that the money raised for charity went through 10 thousand pounds after i arrived here which is fantastic news, so thank-you all so much for your generosity.  Will blog again on monday night, take care, John.

Comments: Total (8) comments

Posted On: 10 Mar 2010 06:57 am

JK, just read your day 2 blog, keep your chin up and dig deep, we're rooting for you from all corners of the globe, so don't give up !!!

Posted On: 08 Mar 2010 01:42 pm

Good Luck John!! I am sure you will do great. We can't thank you enough for what you are doing, this money will really help the children. Take care x

Posted On: 08 Mar 2010 01:12 pm

So I made it to Sydney! Mum, Alex and I are here together and talking about the challenge that awaits you today. I am now well rehearsed in talking about the race, your prep and the distance you are about to run but it still scares me that you are actually THERE and this is NOW happening! I hope the altitude was manageable and that you are actually enjoying the experience on fresh legs. We are thinking of you, especially me. Good Luck! Love you xxxx oh and Mother and Sister-in-law send love too!! xxxx

Posted On: 08 Mar 2010 01:12 pm

Hope all is going well JK. Looking forward to hearing how the 1st day went.

Posted On: 07 Mar 2010 11:08 pm

Ganbare, all the best JK!!

Posted On: 07 Mar 2010 02:36 pm

Wishing you loads of luck John - Stay safe. Look forward to the daily updates. xxx

Posted On: 07 Mar 2010 01:20 pm

Glad you made it at least to the start line! Maybe mother nature will work in your favor for the rest of the trip. Will be thinking of you, you crazy thing. Enjoyed Lauren's pj party - had a drink or two in your honor.

Posted On: 07 Mar 2010 11:59 am

Best of luck John. We will all be think about you tomorrow.

25 November 2009 05:53 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi,   this is my first post....  Atacama is my first 4 deserts event and i just wanted to share a few things that may helps newbies like myself.....   My running history is brief - i ran my one and only marathon 6 months ago and since then havce tried to build a solid base ahead of the Maclehose 100km that took place last weekend (of which several friends on here completed....)  As far as i am concerned the Maclehose was a success - although i did the event somewhat differently to everyone else.... firstly i broke it into 2 parts to try and simulate the 4 deserts a little better - it also meant i could run more than if i just tried to slog out 100km in one go.  Basically i wanted to see how my body reacted to consecutive days of time on feet....  What i did was 47km on friday,  44km on saturday and then another 20km on sunday - and i got through it unscathed - i was able to run most of the flats and downhill sections and the hills provided a good test for muscles and mixed terrain a good test for the shoes and soles of the feet !!   The reasons for its success (and here is where i hope it helps you guys...)  1.  my back-back was incredibly comfy (the OMM 25 litre - i have my doubts whether big enough but i hope so - still plenty of time to try slightly bigger but an excellent bag that fits tight to the back and also nicely around the stomach / on the hips.  2.  no blisters (wow!) -  vaseline on feet and injinji socks with another pair of ultra thin socks over the top (from RTP store) - i am amazed not even a hot spot as i was on my feet for approx 7hrs, 6hrs then 2hrs - i am also a 90kg + guy and not the most agile of creatures - i am definitely sticking to this strategy of double-socking + vase for Atacama....  3.  Montrail shoes very comfy (only half size too big - may go one size too big for Atacama but not sure yet as feet did not really swell - maclehose was cold i guess but with double-socking could maybe remove a pair if it gets tight during the event.....)  - the montrail where the grey and yellow ones (i am not yet an equipment geek ! )  I hope this is helpful to at least one person - very happy to swap training tips with people but i am a novice so others with experience can be more useful i suspect.  Anyway, nice to write something at last.... good luck to everyone with their training, all the best, John.

 

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 04 Mar 2010 02:23 am

So pleased to hear today that you and the other guys got your flight out of Auckland to Santiago. Thinking of you all, as you now make your way to Atacama xxx

Posted On: 01 Mar 2010 04:58 am

test for john

Posted On: 08 Feb 2010 01:57 am

Hi Maya, i used Teko-Merino Ultralight socks over the top. i did not feel any hotspots on my feet - i am very happy with the injinji / teko-merino mix with vaseline, tho of course, everyone is different. If i end up hiking lots in Atacama, as opposed to running, then i would definitely re-apply during each stage (i may still do this when i run as will be stopping for water so may make sense to do then , but kind of gonna take it as it comes.)

Posted On: 08 Feb 2010 01:56 am

No blisters?! Wow good job ^^) Did the vaseline stay on the whole day or did you need to reapply? And did your feet get too hot? I've been experimenting with TriSlide and Hydrope