ATACAMA CROSSING (CHILE)
250km / 155 mile, 6-Stage Ultramarathon

ULTRALITE (CHILE)

4 - 10 April 2027

280

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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2013

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Atacama Crossing (2013) blog posts from Andrew Espin

LAST NIGHT I DREAMT OF SAN PEDRO 08 Mar 2013

08 March 2013 03:49 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi all, long stage in the bag, wasnt my finest moment, or collection of moments, but its done and dusted and I am beyoind relieved and happy and exhausted and so many things all at once.

The queue for the cyber tent is so long, everyone wants to let the people at home know whats going on.

So we started off yesterday morning running through a lake. A salt lake, and the ohotos are stunning, but I decided this is not baywatch and I wasnt spriunting through the water. Sensible, because we hit about 20 odd kilometers of salt flats, it was truly truly mind blowing, almost rolledmy ankle twice and I have such deep respect for the two blind guys because that stuff is every bit as difficult as all the tales I have heard.

Hit some sandy sections and ran as best as I could. From checkpoint three the heat cranked up, and it was time to buckle down and make it happen any way possible. We hit a dune of which you would have to see photos to believe it, and entered a such an incredible lunar landscape at the top of the plateau, I had hooked up with such a great French guy living in Hong Kong and we did the whole section from CP3 ro CP5 together.

As we came down the plateau on the other side, I felt my knee turn a bit in the sand, but we made it down and trudged on through the longest river canyon.

The sun burned so badly here, and I started to have to dig deeper and deeper to keep the pain at bay.

Was reduced to a walk for the last 18km or so, my left knee (and as a result of over compensating, my right shin) were in a world of hurt.

We climbed up another mountain section and I got to see the sunset over the mountains, and it was one of those golden moments that will be forever etched into my brain as the air cooled and the light reflected off the salt deposits in the rock.

What was quite interesting here was the combination of salt flat beginning - it took almost three hours just to do 17km across the salt, and exceptionally long sections between checkpoints, except for the last two, each section was 14km - it certainly ranks up there with the 100km of Sahara and the hilly 86km of Jordan.

In true RTP fashion, I saw the kilometer mark hit 77km and yet I could still not see camp. It was dark by then and starting to become worried, all I could see in the dark were the glow sticks along the road, we turned off the road, down some dunes and all of the sudden, out of nowhere there was the camp.

How awesome was it to see everyone, Alina came to hug me to congradulate on finishing and Daniel-Son was there to take my pack and help me to the tent.

All in all I am in pretty good shape, a blood blister on the back of my left heel, a blister under the pad of my right foot, similar to the sensation I had at Jordan when I was convinced that i had no shoe left under the foot, but it was just the constant rubbing.

Will try and blog again from the hotel tomorrow to cap it off - thank you once again for all your messages, I look so forward to catching up with al of you when I am back, and sharing the photos. your blogs and emails have been a constant source of strength and motivation for the week.

Andrew

Comments: Total (10) comments

Siobahn Chidley

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 09:01 pm

Well Done that looks like a fabulous achievement. Hope you have a good break planned!!! Regards Siobahn

Caryn Kennedy

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 01:30 pm

Well done Andy! Another 4 Deserts race in the bag - simply amazing. You should be very proud and I look forward to hearing all the details... Take care, CK

Linda D

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 01:21 pm

Wow Andrew, the mental strength you're digging into sounds incredible, and you've powered such a damn fine race - we're all so very proud of you, #whatachamp! Sounds like this route dishes out everyone's fill of salt flats... Don't worry, you'll be back in SA soon for a good helping of pepper ;-) By the time you're reading this, you'll have the final stage under your belt - HUGE congrats on yet another 4Deserts race, you're amazing! Can't wait to see the photos of the scenery you describe - sounds beyond moonscape! Now rest up well, enjoy Peru, take loads of pics of Machu Pichu (sp) and we look forward to catching up when you're home. L

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 11:01 am

I'm so gonna kiss those feet! On my way, baby! Enjoy tonight. And that shower (soopah glad I'm only seeing u after your first shower, ha ha!) Lots of love, Superman xo

Lobby Russell

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 09:31 am

Well done Andrew, missed your message after that grueling stage but glad that it is over for your sake. OFten thought of you during what seems to be an awful stretch though I realize you probably don\'t view it as such because it all is part of this amazing life experience! Look forward to seeing the photos and frankly would like to see the Jordan ones again. Enjoy the time with Bee and relax completely. love Glyn and Lobby xx

Lobby Russell

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 09:29 am

Well done Andrew, missed your message after that grueling stage but glad that it is over for your sake. OFten thought of you during what seems to be an awful stretch though I realize you probably don't view it as such because it all is part of this amazing life experience! Look forward to seeing the photos and frankly would like to see the Jordan ones again. Enjoy the time with Bee and relax completely. love Glyn and Lobby xx

O'Brian Barber

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 05:07 am

Hi Andrew, Wow - keep up your spirits and the fantastic race you are having. You past the long haul and onto the last bit. Enjoy and can't wait to hear about all the experiences. Truly well done. Cheers Ob

Sue Barber

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 04:54 am

Hi Andrew realised when you had not written on the 7th you were propably exhausted but as you said the queue was long! Well done on a really rough stage and a long one. I guess it's literally that you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel when you knee's are aching and your feet are raw and sore! Gosh we know how a blister from a new takkie or shoes feels, very painful, losing skin on the underneath of your foot excruciating! Anyway at least you have almost finished I am sure the stage today is short and you only have 1 more sleep till Bee is with you and you can both enjoy some time out together and a fantastic holiday. We look forward to seeing your pics and DVD, I still need to see your Jordan one. Travel safely and stay strong during the last leg of this gruelling race. WELL DONE you can be so proud of yourself, it's not about winning things like this but just being part of a lifelong memory and experience. Ciao Sue xx

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 04:35 am

I love those sunsets around the world that one never forgets. I truly admire those blind guys and their guides. Well done!

Angelique Espin

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 04:27 am

So releived to see your blog. Knew you had finished, but needed to hear you how you felt/were doing.Please be careful on the last stretch, enjoy it and go and ave a good rest when you are done.

MAN IN THE MIRROR 06 Mar 2013

06 March 2013 02:58 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi everyone

I found the stage today alot tougher than yesterday even though I know realistically that the running surface and course was alot easier than yesterday.

We did a tough, tough 14km stage through the salt flats today from check point 2 to check point 3 and it truly was a trial of fire.

We set off this morning from camp and started climbing dune after dune which eventually after an hour and only 5km gave way to some rocky terrain which I was so grateful to run, following the mountain ridge, we came down passed a little town, through checkpoint 1 and onto a long sandy stage of about 10km, where the heat started cranking up big time. I just kept doing my shuffle, head up and music on full blast.

We passed through a very strange "forest" and checkpoint 2 just after 20km and so began what was probably the most awful stage I have ever run.

The salf flats. Brownie batter with an icing crust thats what it was like, and the white salt crust reflected the heat and I had to dig so very deep here, just running flag to flag, trying two or three flags at a time. We went passed two volunteers, and I though this CANNOT be half way, I was spent.

Luckily it was 3.5km to checkpoint 3 and I put my head down and just kept plodding. I had to concede a couple of positions on this stage, I just did not have any response unfortunately.

Thought a lot today why I do this, why anyone does this for that matter. there are other things to be doing that could be fun, other runs where you can sweat, get muddy and get clean after. I think that this event burns away all the peripheral shit and the only thing that remains is your absolute truth.

I want to give up, I want to go shower and have a decent meal, but I cannot now. It is both my crisis and delight now.

Introspective I know, but hey its not all fun and games is it???

Thank you for all your comments and emails, they keep me moving. Head is in a good space (promise) and have a good camp life.

Nervous about the long stage, but am just going to take it like I have taken everything so far. Ipod charging and I have a special playlist for tomorrow.

Cant wait to chat to you all. I have lots of photos.

SweetBee only 4 more sleeps babe

Comments: Total (20) comments

Sean Moolman

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 05:49 am

Well done Andrew! You are an inspiration to us all. I am sure that you can teach me a great deal about mental discipline. The landscape is truly remarkable and I am looking really forward to your pics and video. Now you can really enjoy your deserved holiday.

Janes Cloete

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 03:41 pm

Andrew, hang in there. Inspirational stuff to look up to :) Love the detail with which you share your experience. Good luck.

natalia watkins

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 02:09 pm

Hang in there....you'll get that shower and food soon, and then all you'll be doing is missing the desert.....and planning for the next one.

Kriss West

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 01:24 pm

EPIC!!!!! nee wat, die woestyn pomp in jou are meneer! Can't wait to hear all the stories and see the pics! you handled the long day like a pro!!!!

Caryn Kennedy

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 12:40 pm

Hey, what's this??? Slacking off in the blogging department... I have been waiting all day to log onto my computer to read your stories of the Long March, but nothing! It's now 14h39 - tut, tut :). Just kidding! Well done on the long stage, you did brilliantly! You are basically done now and you can be so incredibly proud! Yeeeehhhaaaaaa!

Victoria Bennetts

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 11:48 am

Hi Andrew. An unimaginable achievement! You really are an inspiration and I shall never complain that I am feeling tired whilst running ever again!

Sue Barber

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 09:47 am

Hey Andrew ok so we have not heard from you today guess the 13hours took it out of you but hopefully it went well? Look so forward to your descriptive detailed stories of your day! Hope the music was loud and you imagined you were dancing on air with Bee in your arms! ONLY 2 more sleeps! Hope all is ok love Sue xx

ian waddell

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 05:41 am

well done on the long stage!!! a tough day at the office! i look forward to hearing about your adventures over a coffee!! happy holidays after the last stage!!!

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 03:25 am

You're done, my honey!! Über proud!! Only 16 to go tomorrow. Have a great, well deserved rest. You rock, beautiful Dex xoxo

Dalene Barnard

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 03:02 am

Hi Andrew. You have just finished the long stage and that actually means you have completed the race. Welldone and congrats it truly is an amazing achievement. Please give all the South Africans n high Five Regards Dalene just someone at home watching all of you.

Linda D

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 08:01 pm

Hey A,you're amazing! Keep on doing that shuffle (the feet AND the ipod) and you'll keep getting ever closer to the finish line. Your head is strong and you're doing damn brilliantly, keep it up, champ, we're behind you all the way! Huge hugs!

Sandy May

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 03:36 pm

Well done do far Andrew.You're well up in the field! Love your analysis of why we do these things. Know your busy with that long stage right now and I hope it's going OK. Thinking of you

Celeste Blake

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 10:43 am

Wow Andrew, today sounded really though. Stay strong, you are doing great!!! Postive thoughts :-) Good luck for the next stage!

John K

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 09:40 am

Andrew been reading your blog and catching up news via Caryn. Just amazing resolve you have. Keep moving forward inch by inch and take it all in, what an adventure in all aspects - you're living the dream that so many have!

Susie Derkins

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 09:27 am

I love the bit how you describe why you do this to yourself. "I think that this event burns away all the peripheral shit and the only thing that remains is your absolute truth." That's profound and beautiful. And Dave asked me just this morning (after I bragged showing him yesterday's photo of you) what is going on in someone's mind to keep them going when they do this. I am so proud of you!

Liz Black

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 09:02 am

Wow. There are no words. What an amazing achievement! Good luck today - turn the music up loud and think of Bee hopping on a plane any day now to see you at the other end!

Bei Hu

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 07:46 am

Ahahahaha. I know this is the most inappropriate response. But I just burst out laughing reading this: ``Thought a lot today why I do this, why anyone does this for that matter. there are other things to be doing that could be fun, other runs where you can sweat, get muddy and get clean after....I want to give up, I want to go shower and have a decent meal, but I cannot now. It is both my crisis and delight now." You know all of those sound awfully familiar!!!! At least I kept my end of the bargain and am staying on lush green hills. ;p Now you are more half way done, probably almost all the way done by the time you see this, there's no talk of quitting. Just hang onto Luisa's shirt tale, you will probably end up in the top 20!!! That woman is a machine. Numerous MDS ....Please pass my best regards to her and say it was an honour to have run alongside briefly in Jordan last year when she slowed down due to injury

Sue Barber

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 05:28 am

Andrew keep on going you almost there! Just play that music loud and let the beat keep your spirits up. Imagine you dancing with Bee and your feet feel like they floating! Easy for me to say as I sit on my chair typing this to you must irritate you somewhat but sometimes if we let our minds drift and think about other "stuff" if helps pass the time and the km you are crossing. Good luck with the long one and we all hope it goes well and that you stay strong.Don't be nervous you have no need to be as you are really good at what you do. Cheers for today and we will all be thinking of you as we go about our day in CT Lots positive energy Sue xx

Angelique Espin

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 03:41 am

"Its a long way to Tipawery, its a long way I know". Or You could use-"Keep on swimming,keep on Swimming". Well done on a brilliant race so far. Only one more major(crappy) hurdle and then you are in the home stretch. May the music gods be with you on your 100km journey.

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 03:06 am

Baby, you are AMAZING, so very well done so far! By the sounds of many, it was a hectic day. Today is going to be loooooong, I will be thinking of you all day. Madge & Mike will get u thru! xoxoxo

WHEN MADONNA SAYS "TURN UP THE RADIO"... 05 Mar 2013

05 March 2013 03:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

...You better turn that motherf****** up hahahaha

Stage 3 done and very dusty. 120km in 3 days people and I am not going to lay down just yet.

But seriously, I did not get the memo on the this one, serious sense of humour failure towards the end of this one, but more about that later.

Today had a lot of variety. Left camp and did a left onto the salt flats, and let me tell you it's crud.

I made a slight strategy error here because I left at the back again like yesterday, my goal was to do what I do best and put my head down and do the IronMan shuffle, but the entire race backs up and starts to walk and I got stuck, and had to take whatever opportunity could to move passed people. After 4km eventually we hit a hard sand road, and I could work up a bit of position, we hit sand, but it wasnt too bad and just kept motoring. After check point 2 at about 18km we hit the salt flats. well there's not much flat about these, but its quite lush with vegetation for a desert, but its a thin surface of white mud, and it cracks underneath your feet as you run, but the trick of it is that you dont know when its going to crack, so you could take 5 steps and suddenly your leg sinks down, so one needs to be careful. I took it easy here, and ran the bits that i felt comfortable with and walked very quickly on the others, trying to be as efficient as possible and not try to tempt fate with my knee.

Incidentally, they announced at camp this morning that there is a tummy bug going around camp, and I think that was the problem on Sunday, but its all good now.

The salt flats turned into sand about 2km from check point 3 and we went from fairly lush vegetation to desert proper.

I ran well here, (mostly because Thriller came on the ipod) and I managed to get myself up a couple of positions and made full use of any runnable surface and whatever rock i could find. The problem came just after the half way point of the stage, and the course just turned ridiculous. I actually managed to fall down a dune, total dumbass moment, and it just became a slog of note, up a dune, down a dune and then we could see camp and in total mind f**** we turned left and went down into a river ravine, slogged through the mud and sand and then back up on the other side, along yet another dune and the sun was just soooo hot. Had to scramble on all fours up the dunes, and let me tell you the only way that sand could have been hotter was if stopped and spoke dirty to it for 20minutes, but kept slogging, ran where it was possible and saw camp and then lo and behold, we turned the other way and went away from camp, down and up, around and then to get into camp - eventually - we had to climb a one HUGE HUGE 45 degree angle hill. Oh well, my run time was not hugely impressive but i did it, i am in and one step closer to putting this under the belt. Knee was ok and I am loving being here. I am so hugely blessed to be able to suffer across the salt flats of the Atacama desert and its really cool to be here.

Daniel held his first place, and he said he took it a little easier today, and Craig pulled anotherthird finish out of the bag to be this race's Dark Horse, very pleased for him because he has the right attitude about it completely.

Anyway, huge thank yous to everyone who has been commenting and emailing.

Mom, Dad, Angelique and Kix, miss you guys stacks

Sandra, the vibes are coming in the sweetest waves.

Lucy flag to flag slowly slowly catches the monkey (i think thats how the saying goes)

Ian - your other two clients seem to to be kicking ass and taking names, congrads

Ant - mmmm food is a big thing at the moment, i am so looking forward to a burger

Bei - you have got to make a plan to get here

Mike Willment - what an awesome tent mate Craig has been, he's doing well and taking everything in his stride, no pun intended, he is making a huge mark here

Naomi, Tom,Celeste, Sue, Glyn, Lobby, Sandy, Eric, Sean, CK - you guys totally rock keep those comments coming, if i wasnt so hardcore (hehehehe) all your messages make me quite emotional.

Susie Derkins spinning the tunes here

SweetBee almost coffee time baby, miss you lots. Love you baby.

Comments: Total (15) comments

debbie derby-lewis

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 07:18 pm

Well done on you current position and good luck for the rest of the race.

Tom Flummerfelt

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 02:08 pm

Moving up in the world again...excellent stuff. Getting emotional uses up precious energy...stop being a sap and catering to your female audience. Grunt like a gorilla, howl like a wolf and lay it down again.

Adele van Litsenborgh

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 11:07 am

very impressed with your great progress! long as you're having fun and enjoying it kudos to you!! good luck for the next stage :)

Kriss West

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 10:15 am

Looking good Andrew!!!! you are indeed eating the Atacama for breakfast. well done on your 25th position....can't wait for today's update. lekker man, enjoy!!!!

Sean Moolman

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 09:57 am

Nice pic of you. You look steady and powerful... What an amazing oasis Toconao is; a surprise to see water and greenery in such an arid place. Thank you for taking us along for the adventure and wish you a good day today. Tomorrow is the big one, right?

Lance Munroe

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 09:31 am

Hey Andrew, keep going mate, cant believe how far youve gone already. Here was me chuffed beyond belief about doing my first 10kms hill training run for Oceans and then I read this. Wind significantly stuffed out of sails. Take care Champ, and keep going! Later

Susie Derkins

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 08:41 am

25th! Well done, poodle! I bragged about you in our meeting this morning. Just so people know what awesome people I know. Obviously that makes me awesome by association. Also, please run closer to the cameras whenever you see them. And do a little dance Rod Tidwell style.

Celeste Blake

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 07:31 am

Well done Andrew. So glad to hear you are doing so well. Keep up the good work! xo

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 07:03 am

FOUR more sleeps indeed, my number 25 man! You're amazing! 'You're Bruce Lee with the way that you move, You're Travolta getting into your groove, You're James Dean driving in your fast car, You're a hot track, you're my suppa duppa star'!!

Sue Barber

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 06:44 am

Hey love reading your news every morning while sitting with a cool breeze coming through the window sipping my cup of, yes, not coffee but tea!!! Guess we must try and get you onto some nice herbal teas when you return to CT!!They weigh nothing when packed in a bag! Had a lovely quick lunch with Bee and Glyn yesterday and as I am sure you know Bee is hectic at work but looking so forward to joing you in only 4 sleeps now I think? We ate a divine salad and pasta with prawns. Guess I am being a real cow telling you what we ate but this will encourage you to run faster and climb harder thinking of what is waiting for you at the end of this gruelling race, Bee and good food and some booze!!It's also been pretty hot in CT but I think some rain is due tomorrow and Friday. Keep your spirits up and just know that we are all thinking of you a few times a day while going on with our lives and wondering just how you are doing on the next leg of your race. Lotsa positive energy and hugs flowing across to you! From all of us xxx

Chris Sandes

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 06:41 am

Well done Andrew climbing up the Leader Board after the"bad" start. Keeping Hout Bay proud!! Chris Sandes

Angelique Espin

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 06:35 am

Hi there. Sounds like you are having a blast over there. Keep up the excellent track record. I can just picture you with Thriller playing.(You were trying not to do the moves right?)

Caryn Kennedy

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 06:21 am

Andy, sitting here at the gym waiting for my spin class (and when I usually see you through the window...) - doing my last 'training' for Argus. I'm stressing about Argus and there you are slogging away in the desert and doing some ridiculous things by the sounds of it. My heart if pumping in my chest as I read all you are going through and I'm thinking, geez I need to toughen up before Iceland and you are going to have to do a lot of pep talking to me - I am not as hardcore as you are :). So glad you're doing well and just love reading all your news. Keep going, you've made up a good couple of places and you're so close to the top 20 - what an amazing achievement. Thinking of you and wishing you all the best for today. xxx CK

Glyn Russell

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 05:57 am

Hi Andrew - how awesome does your race sound! Again I say that your descriptive prose goes a long way in making the whole thing so real for us, but then I get real and imagine your saying to yourself "they have NO idea what this is all about!" But despite trying to visualise it all, I suppose one has to be there to appreciate how darn tough these races are! So what I'm trying to say is GOOD FOR YOU!! And keep trucking and well done. Much love Glyn and Lobby

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 03:35 am

Woohoo, The Madge rules! Well it sounds like u rocked this stage, I read it was going to be a hard one so well done, babe. Ian must be super proud of you guys! xoxoxo

DO YOU THINK I'M LOOKING HOT? 04 Mar 2013

04 March 2013 04:05 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hahahah ok, so let me get this out of the way, I think this was probably the prettiest stage I have ever run in an event.

Just.Absolutely.Mindblowing.

I decided to start at the back this morning because I was worried that my energy levels were going to do what they did yesterday and I was worried about my knee. I might have picked up something funny because I have a bit of an ablution issue yesterday and if that’s the issue then at least it can explain what happened to me on yesterday’s run. Be that as it may, I ran the f*&&(^ out of today all thing considered. J J J

As we left camp, we dropped down into the river canyons and ran for about 8km along side, in and across the river. It was quite fast flowing glacial water from the snow capped volcanoes that surround us. Yes, you read that right. And I think that I was a little kid, cos all I wanted to do was splash around in it.

From there, we hit a bit of a road, and a rather tough climb (through a tunnel) up up and up and then down the steepest sand dune, of which I have great photos. Down through the Valley Of The Dead, across the road and then smack bam into the heat. And I ran it all. Sorry in case you didn’t get it, I RAN IT ALL, bitches. I cannot tell you how f****ing tired I was, but it felt so good to be in control, forced the GU’s down, nibbled on sports beans, I did it by the book.

Knee was sore, but it seemed to get better as I went along, and I am so happy with today over all. We are camped at a location called L:aguna Cejar (I think that’s how its spelt) it’s salt lakes similar to the Dead Sea and the water looks so tempting but it’s all salt and no one dares to swim.

Anyway, news from here: Daniel came first again today, but it came down to a sprint finish, and Craig….well Mr First Time, placed third today. Awesome.

Been getting on well with the two of them, and we scored big time last night, Edna the Mexican lady from our tent lost her luggage and had to buy everything again in Calama – so she bought a 45l pack and filled that mofo to the brim. Yesterday evening she decided to unload and gave us a boat load of food. Nuts, coffee, noodles. I of course took the coffee.

Am worried a little that I might be low on food but managing so far. I am just concentrating on trying to put enough back in as I possibly can.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been commenting, emailing, its great to read them, one gets kind of emotional reading it sitting at the ass end of the world, soooo many RTP alumni and folks back home that I didn’t expect.

CK, I did get your email thanks.

Marko, you have got to do this race!!!

Angelique, Mom and Dad and Kix, sending a big hi five to Kix and lots of love.

Sandra – every zap is much appreciated!!!

Kris, yesterday’s mantra – keep moving forward even when I wanted to sit down.

Susie Derkins – Lana Del Rey rocks even in Chile

Ian – I am the baddest mofo EVER, you know I wont quit – what the hell did you do in Daniel and Craig’ programs???

Natalia – I just got better at the electronics store, and for future reference, its now called the HUB hahahha

Celeste and Frick – how hard are we gonna Boogie when I am back?

And last but by no means least:

SweetB – you are the magnetic pull that keeps my compass north, you are with me all the way.

Just been looking at yesterday’s blog comments, if I have forgotten anyone, please don’t feel sleighted, I appreciate every single comment and thought that you guys have sent out to me.

Andrew

Comments: Total (13) comments

Bei Hu

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 04:01 pm

Hi, man. Pretend to suffer just a bit, would ya? It's not supposed to be all boisterous kids' play ;p. Truth be told, I'm just friggin jealous! So glad to see you doing great and having loads of fun. Tell us about your tent. Wish you could upload photos now. How did you twist our knees? If you ever need hard surface training, Hong Kong is your place. Stone steps built for giants, miles of concrete catch water, never ending tarmac road, take your pick!

Sandy May

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 03:48 pm

Well done so far Andrew. Hugely impressed with what you're up to. Keep up the good work!

Naomi Potgieter

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 02:47 pm

LEKKER to read what's going on there!!! Obviously sounds like a dream to us... you're in another world!!

Tom Flummerfelt

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 02:04 pm

Way to bounce back Andrew. Awesome to hear. Hope the knee continues to behave. Kick some more ass today.

Lobby Russell

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 01:28 pm

Howzit Andrew - all sounds very energetic - a little bit more than my gym in the morning !! Vasbyt and keep on going china - we are all rooting for you as they say in the states. Love - Lob and Glyn.

Mike Willment

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 12:15 pm

Hi. Been following your blog to hear news of my son Craig. See from results he is doing well. Let us know how he is coping and hoping no blisters or injury. Tell him that everyone from our small town of Underberg is rooting for him. Mike

Sean Moolman

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 12:11 pm

Seems like you are well underway. Thought stage 2 looked really beautiful; must have been fun to run in the water through the canyon. Hope that you are doing well today and look forward to your blog later. Still feels good to be in my armchair though :)

Celeste Blake

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 10:47 am

Well Done Andrew. Im so glad your knee feels better. So glad to hear stage 2 went well. Will have to take you up on that Boggie offer ;-)

Caryn Kennedy

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 09:20 am

There's the Andy that I know - welcome back Dude! You sound like you are full of beans (not just sports beans) after yesterday's run, and I hope it continues this way. Just draw from what is around you and take it all in. Keep going!!!

Kriss West

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 07:42 am

Espin!! you beauty! moving up and up....I can smell the 20's. Just keep doing what you are doing, one flag at a time dude! and remember, enjoy every single minute. Bad or good! ps. it is a BONUS when you have someone in the tent with too much food, I ate leftovers in the Sahara with 'geen skaamte'!! What's up with Daniel and Graig...??? What did Ian do to them??? we need to have a serious chat with Ian when you are back :-)

Sue Barber

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 07:11 am

Hey well done on your results! Hope to hell you don't run low on food what do you do do the others share? Sure as hell hope so! Hope today goes well keep us up to speed. Seeing Bee today with Glyn for lunch so looking forward to that, I see she says 5 more sleeps will be so nice for her to join you and then your travels to the Amazon and Lima very beautiful part of the world. Not sure if you know that I flew to La Paz and then went by bus to Puno over Lake Titikaka slept there the nioght then a whole day trip on the train to Cuzco where I spent 3 days. I know what hunger is as we were too nervouse to eat the meat they locals were braaing along the way, but all the German tourists did'nt give a shit and ate, so I sat watching them all day and salivating and almost dying from hunger! Eventually I gave in an ordered some fries, thought of well the hot oil will kill any germs!I think when you hungry anything tastes nice! Lots love to you and tons luck on your continued race Love Sue and Family xx

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 06:33 am

PS. Stage 2 photos are amazing, what great terrain!

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 04:56 am

YAY, baby, what great news!! SO glad 2nd stage went so well. Sounds so beautiful, can't wait to see pics. You rock! And are my rock! Have a great day 3, my love xoxo Ps. SO missing our coffees....5 more sleeps

FEET DONT FAIL ME KNOW 03 Mar 2013

03 March 2013 02:45 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Get me to the finish line.....hi everyone, today was tough and not a great start to the race, started off ok, slowish, my game plan was to keep steady and at about 15km I just ran out of steam, dont ask me why, there was just nothing there. Not sure if its the altitude, we started at just a little under 3000m above sea level and it was pretty hard to breathe, anyway to make things worse, i have twisted my knee quite badly and am a little worried.

The course was actually predominantly runnable today which was te frustrating thing because as i was marching along I kept thinking, I should be running, should be running.

I just put my head down, forced myself to remember song lyrics - which is where the Lana Del Rey song of the title comes from, anything to just get by.

We first part of the course was fairly stoney and gave way to a bit of softer surface just before we went through a looooon canyon, it was quite hot and because i was going so slowly i ran out of water, was not a happy camper there at all, but made it check point three, managed to crack a penis joke with the volunteers :) :) and limped back home to camp. Everybody and definitely someone;s granny had made it back to camp already so was plenty of peeps to greet me.

tent is a exceptionally multi national, two Saffas, a Zimbo, two Brazilians, three Chileans and a Mexican, who came with her very own flag. Nice people, but not a wholebunch of English going around there.

Camp here is a on a plateau - very stoney, but breathtaking views, and am happy for my small sleeping mat, even though I kind of wish it had been bigger now. Incidentally, my pack is the lightest its been for any RTP event!!!!

A little worried about tomorrow, its long, 44km and think i am going to start at the bag, and maybe walk the first kilometer and then try to run and see how knee is doing , along with energy levels, i am thinking positive and hoping for the best.

Havent checked any emails or comments, not on this machine that I am typing on, but sending lots of love home.

Thanks to all the support, comments and emails it is very very much appreciated.

Miss you madly SweetB, cant wait to sip caipirinhas with you - although the national drink of Chile is apparently Pisco Sours, will have to check it out.

Atacama Andy

:) :)

Not really sure what the

Comments: Total (9) comments

Nicola Frick

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 06:11 pm

One down. Well done! Go get 'em tomorrow and may your knee rectify itself in your sleep tonight and bend at all the right times tomorrow.

Celeste Blake

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 02:29 pm

Well done on stage 1 Andrew. Hope your knee doesnt let you down. Keep strong!

Marko Loubser

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 09:57 am

Aaaargh!! Hope that knee sorts itself out dude, not an ideal start I'm sure, but you'll be into things in no time! Congrats on getting the first stage out the way ;) Hang in there buddy, you know it's gonna be worth it! Plenty of support and good wishes from us here in Abu Dhabi..

ian waddell

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 09:15 am

Hang in there, Andrew!!! Unlucky start, but you are a survivor so keep chipping away

Caryn Kennedy

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 09:10 am

Hey Andy, well done on Stage 1 - I'm sure it can only get better from here. Just enjoy what is around you and make the most of each day - you're doing what you love... Thinking of you and hope you have a better day today. I did send you an e-mail to wish you luck - hopefully you get it at some point. All the best and look forward to hearing how Stage 2 went. xxx CK

Kriss West

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 08:48 am

Espin! lekker man, first day done and dusted. there is a cool pic of you, and you look dusty! haahaha. hows the shower facilities in the Atacama, lots of running water? It really looks amazing out there and I'm sure you are having a blast. hope your knee behaves today! Right meneer, ek cheer klip hard al die pad!!!!!!

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 07:28 am

Missing you truly, madly, deeply too baby, home is NOT the same without you :o( GOOD luck with stage 2, my honey. Hope your knee holds up xoxo

Susie Derkins

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 07:03 am

Aww, thinking of you, poodle! You are so awesome and making us so proud. Keep spinning those tunes. "The road is long, we carry on Try to have fun in the meantime" :)

Angelique Espin

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 04:26 am

Well done on getting to the end of Stage 1. Doesn't matter how, just as long as u finish! All the best for S2. Holding thumbs for the knee and trying to keep all the Possum related encouragements to myself. :)

Mincemaker 02 Mar 2013

02 March 2013 10:30 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Babe, I will be back soon to sort out all your mince cooking requirements, among other things :) :) Thank you for everything. Love You. Call me. Maybe. Sorry couldn't resist that last one.

Comments: Total (3) comments

Celeste Blake

Posted On: 03 Mar 2013 11:50 am

Good luck Andrew. Have a great race. Marco & Celeste

Lobby Russell

Posted On: 02 Mar 2013 04:41 pm

Last good luck Andrew from Lobby and Glyn. Will be thinking of you and hope that you have a good race from every aspect.

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 02 Mar 2013 04:40 pm

Darn, I was gonna use that one, ha ha!! 'Ooh la la you're my Superstar, Ooh la la LOVE the way that u are!'

Old dogs and new tricks 02 Mar 2013

02 March 2013 10:23 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Last blog before we head out.... Spent a very easy,quiet day yesterday went for a short run, and again cannot describe how beautiful the mountains are here, it looks like something straight out of John Carter of Mars. Daniel moved into my room (on the Friday we all share rooms) and between him myself and Craig just had a few good laughs as we packed our bags and went through kit. Proving that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, I moved my freeze dried meals into zip locks, dumped my coffee (eeeeeek), cut straps, halved medication, and gained a little bit of weight loss and A LOT of space in the pack and I am feeling confident about it now. Eventually it was time for dinner and we headed off and turned in. Today is a hectic one: 1 Briefing 2 Walk back to HotelAltiplanico 3 Pack up and check out} 4 Walk back to Don THomas Hotel 5 Kit Check 6 then I have decided topop into town to buy a pizza for camp 7 Camp Anyway, just a lot of admin today and then tomorrow buckle down and keep heading FORWARD hahah. Thank you to everyone who has sent support and best wishes, it means the absolute WORLD to me. Sending lots a luck and best wishes to Ryan and Linda for their respective races today. Andrew

Comments: Total (2) comments

natalia watkins

Posted On: 03 Mar 2013 12:02 pm

Have you actually managed to leave the electronics shop at home? Good luck Andrew.

Bretta Russell

Posted On: 02 Mar 2013 04:46 pm

Enjoy that pizza, my Dex. C and I are toasting u with strawberry daiquiris and mojitos! (she just slurped her last bit and did a you, 'that tastes like more' :o) )

Spending My Time 01 Mar 2013

01 March 2013 05:29 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi all Now that the luggage is here, I must admit that I am feeling far more relaxed. Things have worked out well, I am keeping my room tonight, and sharing with Daniel. Went for another short trot this morning just to try and keep lose - come what may this is one of the most alien, yet beautiful places I have seen and that just in and around town.... Went out to dinner last night with Daniel and Craig (hahaha Daniel Craig, James Bond anyone) and Ole, a Norwegian runner. Listening to his story about how cold it is in Norway at the moment and how it was sometimes snowing so hard that he was forced to do his training on treadmill, just made me appreciate and put my training into perspective, those loooooong days of traipsing up the mountain on my own. I guess everyone has their unique set of issues and its such a great feeling to come to these things and feel completely normal among the athletes as opposed to the constant "You are mad" conversations I usually get back at home and in fact, I think I might even be considered a slacker by some here ahhahaahha which is a really fun interesting persepctive. Again, I want to stress that the altitude is f$$"#%// breathtaking, no pun intended, but Sandra SCIOed the crap out of me yesterday and I honest to goodness felt the difference. Anyway, just a quick HELLO to all and thank you so much for the messages of support everyone, I really appreciate it. Babe, missing you terribly and cant wait to see you next week. Me