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Lucy Rivers Bulkeley

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Atacama Crossing (2009) blog posts from Lucy Rivers Bulkeley

10 April 2009 03:31 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

After travelling for 24hrs, arriving back home was amazing but rather surreal. Last week spent in the middle of the dusty and dry Atacama Desert seems a million miles away now. It is very hard to describe how 83 strangers bond over such an extreme adventure. The camaraderie in camp is incredible, and how ever much pain and agony you are in, there is always a joke and giggle by the campfire whilst eating a dehydrated meal!!

Thank you so much to all my fellow competitors for all the support and giggles along the way, and to everyone at home for the emails. 

I'm going to get to the bottom of what is wrong with my knee and hopefully, all being well, will be tackling another of these insane races very soon!!xx

Comments: Total (3) comments

Posted On: 14 May 2009 03:56 pm

Hope all is well and you on the road to recovery,pleasure to meet you good luck in the future events

Posted On: 14 Apr 2009 03:57 am

Lucy, it was a pleasure, although painful, getting to spend time with you during the stages. Up and over the sand dunes, over the slate, through the slot canyons.... Let me know the verdict on your knee. I may compete in the Sahara Race in October. Mary

Posted On: 14 Apr 2009 02:02 am

Lucy I followed your blog during the atacama, great effort, hope you sort the knee out. Thanks for the tips on blisters, tracking down compede and paper tape is my task for the week Cheers Nick

03 April 2009 05:06 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Watching everyone leave camp yesterday morning for the start of Stage 5 - the dreaded long stage of 75km - was gutting as i would love to have been going with them but even hobbling between my tent and the campfire was agony.  They needed an extra person to help at check point 5 (the overnight one with hot water) and instead of sitting doing nothing all i day, i found myself there.  The first runner came through at 5.55pm which is incredible and the last one at 4.30am..........it was rather a long night! 
 
We are all now at our last campsite, with everyone either resting with their feet up or lying in the sun topping up the tan! Tomorrow the remaining runners have a 10km 'sprint' into the square of San Pedro. Apparently there will be pizza and drinks waiting for us and i can't wait.  Then it will be time for a much needed shower and V&T!!
 
Thank you very much for all your emails -the knee is still strapped and i'm on morphine .....couldn't be happier!!xx

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 05 Apr 2009 07:14 pm

Sorry to hear about the knee. You've done loads more then us pen & pram pushers so far. Who knows perhaps you could get company for theGobi in 2010.

Posted On: 04 Apr 2009 12:56 am

Lucy - sorry to read about your knee - even though it's great to chew the pain killers, you did exactly the right thing to stop. Go and get it sorted, rest up and make sure you can come back to do another. All the best and let us know how you get on. Rob

02 April 2009 09:35 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

After 4 stages, only 68 (from 83) will start tomorrows stage and i'm gutted to say that i won't be one of them. My knee was killing this morning - having taken some strong pain killers i set off on Stage 1 - stunning but quite tough. Big dunes, shingle and then down into a canyon, in knee deep bog like water! Half way through stage 2, my knee buckled again. I made it to the next check point where i dosed up on more painkillers and started off again - by now the temp was up to 40c again. Good for the tan but not much fun when you're carrying a rucksack and clad in lycra!  Just as i started on the salt flats i realised that my knee was not going to cope -  we had 14km of the horrendous stuff to cross and as i was sinking in mid calve on razor sharp going, it made everything alot worse.
 
Gutted to have had to stop but i'm still going to continue for the Gobi, but instead of in 9 weeks time, it will now be June '10 followed hopefully by Antartica later that year. Anyone keen to join me....??!!
 
So sorry to have let you all down but after an hour in the medical tent, i now have a very impressive knee brace on and an MRI will definitely be needed when i arrive back.  Everyone going up to Aintree this w/e, have a fab time, i'm very jealous - please could you text me the National winner.
 
So sorry once again xx

Comments: Total (8) comments

Posted On: 05 Apr 2009 04:42 pm

Lucy, you have not let anyone down. The Atacama salt flats are a nightmare and had you not stopped then you could have done more damage to yourself. Very few people have the guts to attempt the races and you have been absolutely amazing completing Sahara and getting so far in Atacama. Remember, I have seen you in action in Sahara and I know just how much guts and determination you have got. Get your injury sorted and I will cheer you on in Gobi 10 (I will give you all the info on Gobi 09 if I survive it). Must meet up soon for a drink and to hear about your adventures. Remember this though - you are an absolute star and your dad would be so proud of you. Love from Helen xxx

Posted On: 03 Apr 2009 01:28 pm

You've been amazing and if you didn't stop now you wouldn't be able to do the others! Money raised which is the main thing and you have met some great people and are having some fantastic experiences - all very important!! Big drink when you return. xxx

Posted On: 03 Apr 2009 05:06 am

Lucy, Good job making it that far!! I hope you knee heals up nicely!! Congrats on doing it!!! -Eric

Posted On: 02 Apr 2009 10:16 pm

Lucy It was a real pleasure meeting you and I look forward to seeing you again on a 4deserts adventure. Like you I am gutted that The doctor told me I couldn't go on especially when I knew I could. I'm not used to failure so I guess That I will see you again in the Atacama. Get your knee fixed up and remember that you still have your striong heart. You are a great girl and I hope to see you again. Erik

Posted On: 02 Apr 2009 08:50 pm

Silly muppet, of course you haven't let anyone down, least of all yourself! As someone commented when I told them, 'at least your mother can relax again'! Ru longing to see you and photos. Enjoy the rest of your enforced holiday, take it easy, you deserve it.

Posted On: 02 Apr 2009 07:44 pm

You are AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING....to all of us it doesn't matter AT ALL that you wont finish. To us all you are already a WINNER...you have raised so much money and just being there at all is pretty special....so much better to stop...and get better...not worse! I will not be joining you in 2010 - nutter - ! but huge congrats for all the running you have done thus far. pretty impressive stuff! lots of love and large drink when you're back. big love xxx

Posted On: 02 Apr 2009 06:11 pm

If I was there, I would comfort you. Hey kid, you are an animal for just trying it. I know you are disappointed but now you know what to do differently when you take on the Gobi. Kent and I did it in 07 and it was gorgeous. Once you get back to civilization, send us a couple of snapshots of you in action. Your Pal, Rodney

Posted On: 02 Apr 2009 04:51 pm

For goodness sake, don't be sorry. None of us could have completed the first stage, let alone got as far as you have. Thanks for the kind offer, but I might not join you next year. Hope you're not in too much pain and look forward to that large drink next week. x

31 March 2009 07:47 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Thank god i inherited some of the family stubborness from Daddy as i needed it today as it was pure hell.  40km in 40c heat with hardly any breeze on terrain which was completely energy zapping - it was either endless sanddunes or a dried bog of mud and salt!
 
I was with Carlos, aka the Croc Man, for some of stage 2  - this is his 4th desert and he does them all in Crocs...! to make us all feel even worse, he is walking from San Fran to NYC this summer, again Crocs......completely mad!
 
I have to confess that i had to resort to my ipod for Stage 4 as it was brutal - i was with Mary G (the founder of these races) who is doing her first desert race. We were both in pain and had our heads down, ipods turned up - not much conversation, but quite comforting to know that someone else is there.
 
Tomorrow we hit the salt flats which we have all been warned about- not even the top ultra endurance runners will be sprinting over those!
 
At least we have 3 days and 110km behind us.....roll on the finish line on saturday. Thank you again for all the emails xx
 
(Knee update for Ma: i twisted it quite badly on day 1 but it is not getting any worse - the medical team are being brilliant and the combination of anti inflamatory cream and super duper painkillers will ensure i make it to Saturday xx)

Comments: Total (8) comments

Posted On: 02 Apr 2009 12:25 am

keep it up! looks like you are doing fantastic!!

Posted On: 01 Apr 2009 02:34 pm

Well done Luce, keep going. You are amazing. Jen xx

Posted On: 01 Apr 2009 10:52 am

u need to get on Prince Zafonic at Exeter (3.40pm) at the local Aatacama Ladbrokes... Glad its going well, will text u with National result x

Posted On: 01 Apr 2009 10:19 am

AMAZING GIRL!! Keep going. xx

Posted On: 01 Apr 2009 09:12 am

Keep up the good work. That reminds me I must get out of the office a bit kmore!!

Posted On: 01 Apr 2009 06:23 am

Keep going Lucy, you are absolutely amazing. You know the IPOD works so keep it turned on - just look at how we moved on the long stage in Sahara with them turned up! Another day closer to the finish - WELL DONE!!! Hels xx

Posted On: 01 Apr 2009 05:51 am

Lucy - doing great!! Keep it going tomorrow and then it's so, so close.... Salt flats are not as bad as people make out - just head down, i-pod on and pick a good route, stay on front of feet and you'll glide through ;-) Rob

Posted On: 01 Apr 2009 03:19 am

Lucy, it is good to see that you are working through these long days. I wish I could be there to cruise with you and give one another the support to make it to the end. I will do so from home this time but I will see you in the future. Keep going baby. Rodney

30 March 2009 09:10 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Wow, what a day! The altitude and heat (35c) are beginning to take their toll - guttingly 5 people have dropped out so far. I'm afraid my knee is still killing and so i went at snails pace today - as long as i finish on saturday, i don't mind how long it takes me
 
Stage 1 was spent in a stunning canyon and 7km of the 10km was spent in knee deep freezing water! refreshing at first but then it was really rather cold.  Stage 2 was hell....we climbed uphill for about 8km and then went down a very steep sand dune....again skis would have been ideal.  Stage 3 and 4 were never ending but luckily now at camp, which is by a salt lake.
 
Now off to the medic tent for a little tlc on my knee and some more super duper painkillers before a dehydrated shepherds pie for sups!!
 
Thank you again for all your emails, love all the drunken stories from the w/e, i'm very jealous and can't wait for that VERY large V&T on saturday xx

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 31 Mar 2009 02:28 pm

Great job!! It sounds like tough terrain. I'm looking at doing this one day, but just following you guys to see I actually want to do this :-)

29 March 2009 09:10 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Oh my goodness me, here we are at Camp 1 which is at 10,000 ft in the middle of the most amazing canyon. After our medical and kit checks this morning (my backpack weighed in at 8kg) we had a stunning 2 hour drive through the desert.  There is a good team of the Sahara runners out here, which makes it more fun.


Tomorrows first stage is graded 'difficult' so we will all be jumping in at the deep end and having just seen the starting line, i'd rather be on skis than in trainers and lycra!!


Thank you very much for all your emails, please keep them coming.

Comments: Total (0) comments

26 March 2009 12:30 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

After travelling for 24hrs, i'm finally here in San Pedro de Atacama - a very small town in the middle of the most arid desert in the world. The population is only 1000 so i dread to think what they think of us all, as we saunter around, stretching our legs and trying to eat as much normal food as possible before we head off up into the hills on saturday, and start living off dehydrated food for a week.

We are only at 2500 above sea level at the moment, and you can already feel the difference - the air is incredibly dry, along with the heat and humidity............drinking water by the gallon!

Until saturday.....

Comments: Total (7) comments

Posted On: 30 Mar 2009 04:36 pm

Lucy, you are an animal. Kent and I are keeping track of you from our comfortable offices here in sunny California. Keep going and good luck. Rodney

Posted On: 30 Mar 2009 03:58 pm

Goodluck Lucy! Hope you enjoy the awesome Racing the Planet special loo's that they provide at the campsite's!!!

Posted On: 30 Mar 2009 07:51 am

Bulks, You are probably mid race by now and hopefully it's going well and you're all in good spirits. I think you are mad, but hats off to you. Looking forward to celebrating with a few cold ones in The Kings Head on your return! Well bowled. Max & Jess

Posted On: 29 Mar 2009 10:48 am

Hi Lucy I wish you all the luck in the world. You are truly a very amazing young lady and a credit to us all. Tell us all about it when you get back, Lady Marian and I are hoping to do it in 2011. Take care and keep safe. X

Posted On: 28 Mar 2009 09:09 pm

HI LUCY i ran marathon des sabels in 1997 with mary,i also did the first race in the atacama i have run badwater,death valley lots of times . put me in for 100 us dollars for your dad both my parents lost their life to cancer. all you have to do is finish and ill send you the money good luck and say hi to MARY..

Posted On: 27 Mar 2009 01:58 pm

Knowing you, I'm sure you'll get to know the 1000 people over the next week. I'm half expecting to hear stories of downing tequilla at the bar minutes before your race...water my arse. hahahahahah. big love and keep running, Rands x

Posted On: 26 Mar 2009 08:05 pm

get ready for those special 4 D's tan lines!!! As we said in the Sahara- keep going as we are getting a tan and getting thinner all the time!!!

23 March 2009 10:04 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

I fly to Chile tomorrow and start the crawl across the sand and salt flats of the Atacama on Sunday morning.  All my kit (including a lot of life saving peanuts and haribo starmix!) is packed and the ipod and camera are charged. The butterflies have definitely kicked in now......what on earth am i doing putting myself through the pain and agony all over again??!! 

Thank you to everyone who has helped raise over £16000 so far for Macmillan Cancer Support - an incredible amount, which i hope will keep rising (www.justgiving.com/4desertsisters) 

Until the desert..... 

Comments: Total (5) comments

Posted On: 26 Mar 2009 08:02 pm

Sorry not to be there with you this time around - when the knee gets stronger and I can face dehydrated shepherds pie again!! xx

Posted On: 26 Mar 2009 08:09 am

Hi Lucy, nice seeing you in San Pedro last night. I wanted to wish you good luck, although you probably won't need any luck. We miss your sister as well. Mary

Posted On: 26 Mar 2009 04:37 am

Lucy - Goodluck in Atacama!! You'll be in my thoughts the entire time!!

Posted On: 24 Mar 2009 12:33 am

Lucy - you'll love Atacama...have a great week! Rob

Posted On: 23 Mar 2009 08:37 pm

Very very proud of what you are doing, especially as you are heading off alone. True Bulkeley grit - or bloody mindedness!

29 January 2009 03:43 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

This is the first blog i've ever written but i thought that i had better start one as it is the easiest way to update you all once i'm over in the sand and salt flats of the Atacama.

I can't quite believe that this time in 8 weeks we'll all be at the hotel in San Pedro - it seems only yesterday that we were on the flight home from the Sahara race!

Having recovered from the bad case of flu i had over Christmas, i'm now back in training and pounding the treadmill and lanes around home.

I'll be back in touch nearer the time.

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 23 Mar 2009 10:52 am

Will be avidly waiting for news. Good luck & take in some sights as well. Daniel & team Sandars

Posted On: 13 Mar 2009 08:52 am

best of luck from all at pembroke castle,send us a postcrd this time last one got lost in the desert dave!

Posted On: 09 Feb 2009 06:51 pm

Seemed to be doing plenty of training on the dancefloor on Saturday night too!! Gobi is smack bang in Ascot week - decisions decisions!

Posted On: 06 Feb 2009 05:01 am

Hi Lucy, just a note to wish you luck in the Atacama Crossing. I am sure you'll do very well, especially with experience from the Sahara Race! Mary