Yesterday, I completed the Atacama Crossing 2009.  I am now in Santiago resting before a 24 hour flight to return to Hong Kong. I am at a loss for words and will complete my blog either during my stopover in Sydney or when I arrive in Hong Kong.  I have seriously infected blisters but have received outstanding medical help from Drs. Grant, Marla, Alice and Jay so should be back to normal soon.  Mary

The Long March is over but it could not have been a tougher 26 hours -- the most difficult 26 hours of my life.  The stage started out over more grueling salt flats before winding over a hot and dusty road.  The third section of the course contained more endless salt flats with no path.  Just when I thought it could not get much worse, they took us up a massive sand dune.  So steep was the sand dune that I had to use my trekking poles to climb to the top.  At one point my water bottle started to roll down the hill.  By the time I made it to the third checkpoint, I was wiped out.  The checkpoint was manned by Dr. Alice who saved me.  She helped to cook a Mountain House Primavera for me heating it on the car hood.  She let me warm up in the car and have a quick 45 minute snooze.  Despite all this tender loving care, I felt so tired almost like I had not slept in seven days (which was partly true).  The next part of the course was flat but grueling because I had exhausted all energy.  I rested a few times in the middle of the road and fortunately my iPod saved me again.  It helped me not to think about every step of pain.  The next checkpoint was manned by Dr. Marla and she too played a key role in my ability to continue.  She allowed me to sleep for 15 minutes although she claimed I slept for 45 minutes. I struggled to get out of the backseat of the staff vehicle to continue on -- it was cold and 3 am.  The sleep rejuvenated me and I raced to the next checkpoint; well maybe not raced, but it was the least pain I had felt all day.  I had to reach the sleeping checkpoint by 6 am and I arrived at about 5:00 am again allowing for one hour of sleep -- we were required to depart the final checkpoint by 6 am.  Alasdair and I shared a sleeping bag at the checkpoint.  We all left around 6 am for the last leg of The Long March.  What was supposed to be 9.8 kilometer felt like 15 kilometers -- every step was painful and hot.  We went through the Valley of the Moon winding through narrow canyons, over dry waterfalls and up and down a few more dunes.  I arrived at camp around 10:00 or 10:30 am to cheers from everyone at camp. It was very emotional to have finished.  Had anyone encouraged me to drop out, I probably would have.  Every volunteer and medical doctor did everything possible to get me to the finish.  I have done three Eco Challenges, completed the Marathon des Sables multiple times, run dozens of marathons, but nothing compares to the Atacama Crossing.  Every day was surreal and somehow I found the inner strength to push on. I have made some great new 'pain mates" -- and friends for life. Lucy, thank you for supporting me.  You had to pull out because of a knee injury which could have happened to anyone. Maria, thanks also for the laughs and smiles over the many miles.  Alastair Todd, you are an inspiration -- how you managed to finish with those blisters, I will never know.  To all my tentmates:  Laurie, Harold, Alastair, Fred, David, Gary and Ken, thanks for sharing one of the most memorable week's of my life.  Thank you to everyone for all the emails and blog comments -- it meant so much to me and pushed me to the finish each day.  Tomorrow is a mere 8.5 kilometers into the finish line where pizza and coca cola will be waiting for us. Sunday I travel to Santiago before returning to Hong Kong.  Love to all for your support.  And much love to Alasdair Morrison who walked with me most of the night of The Long March and supported me each day.

Thank you to all the wonderful people for sending inspirational messages to me.  I just finished Stage 4, the Salt Flats.  It took me about 12 hours.  The weather was relentless with sun and no wind.  I found the first part of the course tougher than the last part.  Fortunately being at the end, the top competitors had blazed a trail through some of the salt flats making it much easier for me.  I hardly said one word the whole day and put on my iPod through the salt flats.  I was gutted to find out that Lucy Rivers Bulkely had to withdraw due to a horrible knee problem.  I enjoyed walking with her a lot of the first three stages, she really inspired me.  I am also sad that Ken Davis, one of my tentmates, was unable to overcome a bug he has had since almost the start of the race and the doctor recommended that he withdraw. I cannot believe that Ken made it through the first three brutal stages.  The medical team has been fabulous taking care of any medical problems large or small.  I am so appreciative of their help.  I could not get through without them.
 
I wanted to thank all my wonderful nephews and neice for their kind messages.  Thank you Ben, Patrick, Joey, Drew, Madeline, Trey, Chris, Matthew, Grayson and Nicholas.  Love to everyone.
 
Tomorrow is the 50 mile stage and if I make it through, I just have a 10 kilometer run on Saturday and that's it. 
 
I am off to bed.

Wow, what a stage.  We started in huge, sharp salt flats and we ended with huge rolling dunes.  It was 40 Celsius today with no wind at all.  I always thought the stage would flatten out, but it just kept getting tougher and tougher.  I now have about five blisters but they have been well taken care of by the medical team.  Today between the second and third checkpoints I shed some tears thinking about friends around the world that I met through RacingThePlanet and how many special people we know.  Last New Year Eve's we sat on the patio in Australia and called friends around the world to wish them a Happy New Year.  RacingThePlanet forms a real brotherhood; today I was in the middle of slate rocks and sand struggling up a gradual include with someone from China, Ireland, England and Italy.  We hardly said a word but the friendship will be permanent.  All the volunteers and staff have been so terrific.  I am afraid I am too wiped out to write any more, especially since tomorrow will be the salt flats -- considered to be the toughest stage yet.  Thanks to everyone associated with RacingThePlanet.

Stage 1
After little sleep, I started Stage 1 which began as a killer.  The altitude knocked the breath out of me, and I managed to slip and fall down a hill creating some early wounds.  The whole stage was tough, not the terrain but the altitude shock.  I have not done a multi day race since the French Marathon des Sables more than six years ago (my best time was 26:30 -- second female).  Competitors have always told me that the Marathon des Sables was Disneyworld compared to a 4 Deserts events, and now I can confirm that the Atacama Crossing isn't in the same category as the Marathon des Sables -- the Atacama Crossing is so much tougher -- the terrain, the altitude, the heat, the cold at night, the hills, etc.  Anyway, I made it to the finish.
 
Stage 2
What a beautiful stage with the freezing slot canyons, the view of Moon Valley and the sand dunes.  I struggled until I got to CP2 and for the first time ever I asked Dr. Grant to give me a pain killer -- my back was in pain.  I am not sure if it was the pain killer or the iPod that I put on, but the next 20 kilometers were great.  I am now at camp trying to eat and write the blog before I go to bed.
 
We are very sorry that Erik de Haart had to withdraw but it sounds like he will be okay. Erik wanted nothing more than to finish, but the medical doctors made the right call.  We have now lost about five individuals including Laurie Brophy who happens to be my tentmate.  Talk about courage and determination, at 77, he fights to the very end.  He also has such a great sense of humor.  Gary Parker also had to withdraw due to a really bad knee.  No doubt Gary will get his knee fixed and be back next year.
 
I wanted to thank everyone for their terrific emails; they mean so much to me.  I managed to read them today and was almost in tears from some of them.  Thank you to everyone -- I will send you each a follow up when I return.
 
The truth is that my shoulders are aching. I now have three blisters.  My legs ache.  I have lost my appetite.  I am not sleeping well.  But all those around me inspire me and I will keep taking one checkpoint at a time.
 
Thank you Intel for these amazing bombproof laptops that allow us to blog and send emails from the Cybertent.
 
Thank you Alasdair for all your support. 

I just returned from the equipment and medical checks -- all passed with no penalties. I was hoping to have a backpack around 16 lbs, but mine came in at 22 lbs. with trekking poles. I will get rid of some more items tonight -- likely I will dump some sausages I recently bought and another jacket. The last item before I am ready to go is to charge my iPod and solar panel. The solar panel holds one full charge but I'll also tie it to my backpack to take in the sun each day.  The more music I have the better. [Remember that we are not allowed to charge anything at the campsite -- we have to be completely self sufficient.]   I have now put any work to bed and plan to just relax and take one checkpoint at a time.  I'll start blogging tomorrow after Stage 1.  Good luck to all the competitors including myself, the person who probably needs the most luck.

Arriving back in San Pedro has been pleasant as usual -- one of the most beautiful and unique towns in the world -- the adobe houses and restaurants with open fires add warmth to the chilly nights. The town is also unique in that it probably has the greatest number of luxury hotels per capita in the world including the new luxurious Tierra Atacama.  I am again staying at the La Casa de Don Tomas, a wonderful quaint hotel which has been my home for the past five years when I visit San Pedro. The staff are always kind and helpful.  This is also where a good majority of the website updates are done throughout the day.  The website is updated through a combination of cybercafes, satellites and Blackberries.  A four-person media team works around the clock to provide photographs, videos, features, stage updates, results, breaking news, and most importantly to deliver the emails and blog comments sent by thousands of individuals around the world to the competitors.  Staff in Hong Kong, India and San Pedro work in different time zones to keep the website updated.  RacingThePlanet probably has one of the most extensive custom built websites of any event -- most updates can be made from anywhere in the world by anyone without a technology background. 

Today is volunteer training for everyone, and competitors will begin arriving today.  Tomorrow is check in, and then we depart for the first campsite at around 3 pm.  New this year will be custom made Egyptian tents that have been specially imported from Egypt.  The campsite should look spectacular against the stunning colors of the Atacama Desert and Andes Mountains.

I ran into 77-year-old Laurie Brophy of Wales yesterday. Laurie looks young as ever and if he succeeds in completing the Atacama Crossing, he will be the oldest to have ever completed a 4 Deserts event -- what an inspiration.

Zac and Sam will be managing the event, and Alasdair Morrision will be giving the famous course briefings.  I will be completely focused on the task at hand, making it through each checkpoint.

Thank you, Rob James, for providing such great training tips.  If you have any last minute inside tips, let us all know.

I am looking forward to competing in my first 4 Deserts event.  My goal is to finish, but longer term I plan to compete in The Last Desert in Antarctica in 2010.  I would like to complete the 4 Deserts series.

I will be blogging during the event -- here's hoping to be at finish line in San Pedro on 4 April to receive the medal

Here's a list of equipment I am bringing to the Atacama Crossing 2009. I may modify a few items at the last minute -- it's always hepful to see what others are bringing.  This was typed in the airport lounge in Auckland -- thank you to all the nice people at Qantas for making my eight hour stay here so pleasant.

BACKPACK
4 Deserts Backpack by RacingThePlanet: I wanted a balance of weight and the small size forces to me focus on just the essentials. The pack fits well on my frame.
SLEEPING BAG
Mountain Hardwear 800g: I am worried that this will be too light so I am also bringing a silk bag liner to sleep in). The evenings are fairly warm in late March in the Atacama, but it gets quite old between 4 am and 6 am each morning.
7 DAY FOOD SUPPLY
4 Mountain House Meals (pro pack size)
Beef sticks, sausage, cheese sticks, parmesan cheese, Doritos, potato chips, ramen noodles (2), oatmeal (instant, two each morning), hot chocolate with marshmallows, crystal light (to drink at camp). Freeze dried blueberries and raspberries to put in Oatmeal.
HEADLAMP + BACK-UP
Black Diamond Cosmo
SureFire E2L: These have amazing beams. If I have a hard time locating a flag, I will pull this light out.
COMPASS
A cheap model that I found at home.
SAFETY PINS
Heavy duty large safety pins bought at RacingThePlanet,
NATIONALITY PATCHES
16 US patches bought at RacingThePlanet.
KNIFE
4 Deserts SwissCard: Amazingly small and lightweight, will use for blister kit as well.
WHISTLE
1 Storm whistle.
SURVIVAL BLANKET
1 Space brand bought at RacingThePlanet.
HAT OR CAP
4 Deserts cap received at a past RacingThePlanet event.
SUNGLASSES
1 Oakley: just bought in Auckland, nothing special.
LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET
1 Marmot Ion Windshirt: Marmot is good value for money and incredibly durable. May wear in my sleeping bag if I am cold.
1 Marmot Ion Jacket: Very light, a windbreaker.
1 Patagonia Cap 3: Patagonia makes great zip neck shirts.
1 Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Zip T.
SHORTS OR TIGHTS
CW-X Pro tights and shorts.
1 black nylon shorts.
FLEECE HAT
1 Mountain Hardwear.
GLOVES
1 No name brand.
T-SHIRTS, LONG OR SHORT
1 Icebreaker shortsleeve: amazing merino wool from New Zealand – with the New Zealand dollar weak, they are now more affordable. Love all their clothes – look for them to be on the RacingThePlanet Store soon.
1 Patagonia Cap 1 shortsleeve: great for fast drying.
SHOES
Asics running shoes, not trail shoes.
SUNSCREEN
Dematone Lip ‘n Face: Makes great sunblock with z-cote – bought at RacingThePlanet Store.
BLISTER KIT
1 RacingThePlanet blister kit – perfect through experience on thousands on feet by the awesome RacingThePlanet medical team
MEDICATION
24 generic brand ibuprofen bought at Sam’s Club in Virginia.
ALCOHOL GEL
1 tube from home.
ELECTROLYTES
Gatorade powder.
Hammer Endurolytes.
Nuun.
RED FLASHING LIGHT
Mini-mode bought at RacingThePlanet Store.
SLEEPING PAD
1 POE Uber Light: If you need something super comfortable, this is not the pad. This does the job and nothing more, but it is super lightweight.
SCARF / HEADGEAR
2 RacingThePlanet Buffs: Awesome for every use in the world.
TREKKING POLES
Black Diamond Trail: I have a very bad ankle, and these may be key to completing the Atacama Crossing. Black Diamond makes some of the best.
SOCKS
3 Injinji Crew Toe:
4 SmartWool
HYDRATION SYSTEM
Salomon drink holders and regular water bottles
FLIP FLOPS or SLIPPERS
Crocs which were leftover from a shower auction at the Gobi March
LIP SUNSCREEN
Carmex: I have been a big fan of this for 20 years.
EATING UTENSILS
Light My Fire Spork.
ZIP-LOCK BAGS or WATERPROOF / SANDPROOF BAGS
30 bought in street in Hong Kong
TISSUES
7 packages.
WET WIPES
4, can’t remember the brand.
TOOTHBRUSH / TOOTPASTE
A Rite-Aid travel toothbrush with Colgate toothpaste.
iPod
2 mainly because of battery needs. Secretly took Alasdair’s as backup!
SOLAR PANEL
1 Solio Hybrid 1000.
ENERGY BARS / GELS
14 Vanilla, Tropical Hammer Gels: Vanilla are awesome and help to balance the fruity taste of drink mixes.
5 Oatmeal bars.
NUTRITION PRODUCTS
Hammer Sustained Energy: to help keep me going during the day.

Since returning from Namibia, I have been to San Francisco to host a dinner for Dean Karnazes to award him with the overall 4 Deserts championship award, and have just returned from the Outback in Australia.  I have been struggling to get in the kilometers, but have managed to get in enough which will hopefully enable me to complete the Atacama Crossing.

The dinner in San Francisco was special with only friends and family of Dean, his sponsors -- The North Face, a handful of past volunteers, Zac from RacingThePlanet and a few other friends and supporters.  We replayed videos from the 4 Deserts events in 2008 and concluded with a special photo gallery show of Dean in the events over the past year.  I can't believe 2008 is already over and we are now starting over with the Atacama Crossing in just a few weeks.  While in San Francisco, I managed to get in some workouts in the hotel gym, but jet lag really took its toll and I found myself sleeping most of the day and working out in the evenings.  I always enjoy visiting San Francisco -- I think the last time I was there was while I was working on a venture capital project for The Samsung Group, visiting many of the venture capital firms around Palo Alto.  The city seemed a lot calmer with more office vacancies around.

Shortly after I returned to Hong Kong, I departed for a trip to Australia, first to Sydney for a day, and then to Kunnunara, Australia via Perth and Broome.  I was scheduled to meet two people from the Western Australia Tourism Board to discuss the location for RacingThePlanet:  Australia 2010.  I could not have been more impressed by all the cities I encountered along my way, and the people.  It really felt like the Outback and the scenery was some of the most unique and spectacular I have seen anywhere in the world.  I have always considered spending more time in Sydney, but there was something about Kunnunara that really captured my heart.  I was also fascinated to hear that El Questro, a famous cattle ranch was up for sale -- I had read a story about El Questro some years ago and always wanted to visit.

While in Kunnunara, I was delighted to find out about the options for running trails, one through a national park and the other along a lake both of which went for miles and miles.  Although the wet season, we managed to get in a few ten milers, while scouting the area for a course.

We took a helicopter over an area called The Kimberley which contains spectacular waterfalls, crocodiles, kangaroos and all sorts of creatures and wild terrain.  The weather was stormy so we couldn't see everything that we wanted to, but what we saw was out of this world.  It didn't take long before we decided that The Kimberley had to be the location for RacingThePlanet in 2010.

This weekend I am finalizing my equipment and clothing for the Atacama Crossing and will post my list by Monday. It's always helpful to see what others are carrying and I hope my list may be helpful to someone.  Zac has just finalized the list of tent assignments for the Atacama Crossing and it looks like it will be a very special experience for everyone.  I think I am sharing a tent with Laurie Brophy, the 75-year-old veteran of two 4 Deserts events, among others.  I can't wait to relax and let others do all the work organizing.  The Atacama Desert and Chile will always be a special place for me.

I arrived in Namibia via South Africa two days ago.  The arrival felt much like Kashgar with the plane arriving a stone's throw away from the airport terminal requiring us to walk a short distance to collect our bags.  The air was very dry and warm.  It was a 13 hour flight from Hong Kong followed by a short two hour flight from J'burg to Windhoek.  On the Hong Kong to J'burg leg, I was lucky to get an empty row with four seats to spreadout enabling me to catch up on some sleep.  I am making my final visit to Namibia before returning for the event in May.  We spent yesterday wtih back to back meetings with government officials and other private companies who will be involved with RacingThePlanet: Namibia.  I was really taken aback when the head of the parks and environment for Namibia said:  "Do you realize how special this event will be for the competitors?  They will be walking on land where no human has been before."  All meetings could not have been more positive -- Namibia is a shining star in Africa.  And the fact that they are so careful with their environment and landscape makes me believe that I will be coming back to Namibia for years to come.

Yesterday I awoke around 6 am and tried to find the gym in the hotel only to be told that it was way in town. I instead found a golf course which worked perfectly. While running outside, I really felt like I was in Africa -- with small planes flying overhead; no doubt ferrying people around the vast country. Namibia is the second least populated country in the world, with only Mongolia having fewer residents per square mile.

I am about to depart for Fish River Canyon which is in the southern part of the country.  We will spend a few days with the park ranger, camping outside, followed by a meeting with the Mayor of Luderitz, an old German town along the Skeleton Coast.  We want to make sure the route is not too difficult in the Fish River Canyon.  Hopefully, I can get in a long run this evening.

As the news is a nonstop drip of layoffs and unbelievable stories of greed, it's so nice to be able to just put on the iPod and go for a run.  I have just spent the last week in Atlanta and Salt Lake City, and just returned to Hong Kong yesterday.  The weather in Atlanta was unseasonably cold but crisp and I enjoyed getting out each day and also working out at home.  It seems that the mood is changing in America and that people are more focused on things that really matter including family, daily workouts and just enjoying the simple things in life.  Atlanta is a fabulous city with a culture of its own.  I am always amazed at its sophisticated airport and the amount of international destinations which are served by it.  The city has a certain charm and high level of customer service which make it a nice stopover destination.  If I were flying from Europe or the United States to Chile, I would likely fly to Santiago from Atlanta -- there is a wonderful nonstop flight on Delta from Atlanta.  I believe it's the shortest flight to Santiago in the United States.

I was in Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer Show, keeping up to date with the latest equipment and clothing and looking for any new innovative products which could be used in our events.  The mood seemed positive at the show.  I spoke to many retailers who said that their business did not yet seem to be affected, and that they think it's because many people will want to go back to camping and more exercise, simpler forms of gratification.  I was last in Salt Lake City for the Eco Challenge in 1995 -- nothing much seemed to have changed.  Salt Lake City has a great feel to it; I would like to return for an extended period of time one day.

I have a hugely ambitious training regiment over the next six weeks which I hope will put me in good form to receive a finisher's medal at the Atacama Crossing in Chile, my ultimate goal.  In the meantime, I am now gathering and testing my equipment and plan to hire a nutrition and fitness expert to give me a few additional tips.

I get asked all the time, which is my favorite event.  The truth is that I enjoy them all, but that I am always glad to return home at the end.  However, the one city where I could spend a month before or after the event is San Pedro de Atacama, Chile -- the host city of the Atacama Crossing.  The town has unbelievable charm and an array of unique hotels from five star to hostels.  There is something about the Atacama Desert that gives me a special feeling, and the sun sets in the Atacama Desert are the most beautiful I have seen anywhere in the world.  If you have the time, arrive a few days early and/or stay a few days after the event. 

On a side note, I was so happy to see that Ray Zahab accomplished his goal of setting a speed record to the South Pole. Ray is such an upbeat and positive person.  He deserves to succeed. [Ray has completed the Sahara Race and Gobi March.] 

I am leaving in two days for Namibia on a final course scouting trip.  Our course director will arrive shortly after I depart to do a final walk over the entire course.  I must get in training while I am there.  Namibia is a safe country, so I should have no problem running at anytime of the day or night. 

The training has begun...I began with a nearly five- hour hike in Royal National Park in Australia.  The day was overcast yet for some reason the flies were out in force -- no less than 100 followed me every step of the way.  I heard that the flies can be much worse in Western Australia, the location for RacingThePlanet:  Australia 2010.  Fortunately, I returned to the same area for another five hour hike/run two days later to find not a fly in sight.   Australia is never to be taken lightly -- half way through the hike I noticed a six foot black snake below a rock to the right of the trail.  Luckily I stopped three feet before I would have stepped on the creature!

A lot of my focus right now is getting mentally prepared for the training.  I believe that the event is 50% mental, 50% physical.  I too have always believed that almost anyone can finish a 4 Deserts event with the right mental preparation.  I am struggling with a very weak ankle, but I will not go into the event with the attitude that I will stop if my ankle hurts too much.  Unless I will do permanent damage, I will continue to the end.  Over the past several events, we have noticed that competitors have begun to take a lot of pain killers, something that I will not take (I may take a few Advils).  Taking pain killers results in an unfair advantage, but most importantly they can be dangerous.  Look to some rule changes in the future with regard to pain killers.

I am scouting the world for a few marathons to do in preparation for the Atacama Crossing. If anyone can suggest some in Asia, that would be appreciated.  I would prefer road marathons or marathons on flat trails with not a lot of rocks -- I just worry about twisting my weak ankle.

I have begun to think about equipment and will post an equipment list soon.  There is no one list that works for everyone.  I don't plan to carry more than about 8 or 9 kilos.  The Atacama is fairly warm at night in March, and I understand that we'll be getting new specially made tents from Egypt which will be warmer and more comfortable than the old tents.

Happy New Year to everyone.

A few days ago, I completed an online application for the Atacama Crossing 2009. Although I am the only person in the world to have been at every single RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts event, I have never had time to compete myself.  My goal has always been to get an excellent management team in place and then to complete the series myself.  The time has arrived and I can't wait.  I'll be spending the holidays in Sydney, Australia where I hope to get out and run and/or hike every day.  I feel a bit rusty but ready for the challenge.

Just a bit of background, I have actually been involved in endurance sports for more than fifteen years.  I was an early adopter and packed as much in as I could find in my twenties and early thirties.  I have completed more than fifty marathons and ultramarathons and three Eco Challenges.  My best marathon time is 3:18 set at the Houston Marathon many years ago. I have also completed the Boston Marathon two or three times, and the Western States Endurance Run, a non-stop 100 miler through the Sierra Nevada mountains back in 1994.  I just read Dean Karnazes book "Ultramarathon Man" and was surprised to see that he competed in the Western States that same year too -- I was glad to see that he was suffering at the front as much as I was suffering at the back. I finished the Western States in about 29 hours and 30 minutes good enough for a 1st or 2nd place in my age group of 25 - 29 at that time (more than half do not finish!).   I also finished a race called the Marathon des Sables as the second female -- the race is a good starter race, but is now slightly too large for my taste and love of remote landscapes and rich cultures without too many people.

I am an ex-finance person (the large bank I worked for was taken over during the recent crisis) and strategist (I worked in the chairman's office for a global technology company in Korea).  I went to university in the US and graduate school in the UK.  I have now lived in Asia for more than ten years, but I travel so much that I could almost call four countries home.

Besides my family, I have met simply the best people in the world through RacingThePlanet and the 4 Deserts.  I look forward to meeting my fellow competitors in the Atacama Crossing.  Do drop me an email if you have any questions.