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John Howard

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Atacama Crossing (2022) blog posts from John Howard

11 September 2022 11:28 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

So well, I've never done a race like this before, so it's been quite a learning curve to prepare for it, especially the logistical stuff. It seems like I've been preparing for months, well I suppose I have actually. And now it's only 6 days before I fly out and there is still more to do ... lots more! I have certainly come to the conclusion that the hardest thing about this race is getting all the gear sorted out! and the travel logistics.... it's just never ending logistics! I've pretty much bought all new gear, and spent a fair bit to get light gear. Didn't know this race was going to be so expensive! But I'm committed now, in too deep. At this point I'm relying on the race being quite relaxing compared to the prep. I can't wait to arrive in San Pedro, I feel that once I get there next Sunday I can just chill a bit and at a nice leisurely pace prepare my kit for the race. I'm arriving there in good time with some friends, giving us 6 days to get ready (and acclimatized). 

I hope I'm correct about the race being easy compared to the logistics! No doubt I'm probably be wrong and completely underestimating the difficulty of it! And I shouldn't jinx it should I! So many things can go wrong on a race like this. 

Forecast seems mild in comparison to what they were warning us it might be like. 23C? Seems quite nice really ! But yeah, it's 2 weeks away... a lot could change!

Comments: Total (46) comments

Kay Oxley

Posted On: 02 Oct 2022 09:16 am

Well done. Amazing achievement to have completed, let alone come 8th. Brilliant 👏

Dorothy gill

Posted On: 02 Oct 2022 04:01 am

Congratulations John. An amazing achievement. Relax, have a beer and enjoy

Maureen Howard

Posted On: 02 Oct 2022 02:24 am

Congratulations John! Michaela and I are both super proud of you. Absolutely amazing achievement! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Lots of love, Maureen

Maureen Howard

Posted On: 02 Oct 2022 02:24 am

Congratulations John! Michaela and I are both super proud of you. Absolutely amazing achievement! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Lots of love, Maureen

Maureen Howard

Posted On: 02 Oct 2022 02:24 am

Congratulations John! Michaela and I are both super proud of you. Absolutely amazing achievement! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Lots of love, Maureen

Maureen Howard

Posted On: 02 Oct 2022 02:24 am

Congratulations John! Michaela and I are both super proud of you. Absolutely amazing achievement! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Lots of love, Maureen

Maureen Howard

Posted On: 02 Oct 2022 02:24 am

Congratulations John! Michaela and I are both super proud of you. Absolutely amazing achievement! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Lots of love, Maureen

Corry Ravenscroft

Posted On: 01 Oct 2022 08:42 pm

Welldone Jon! 8th aswell!!! You & Selina have done brilliantly - hope the other 2 are ok too x enjoy a beer, wine, shower & rest! Corry x

petra howard

Posted On: 01 Oct 2022 05:41 pm

Congratulation to the 8th place....well done.

Robert Howard

Posted On: 01 Oct 2022 03:37 pm

Hey Bro, day 5 so good, looked like a long one, you are doing so well.

Dorothy gill

Posted On: 01 Oct 2022 10:57 am

The long March is over...enjoy today and the magic bus!! Look forward to hearing about your adventure. Love Dorothy

Dorothy gill

Posted On: 01 Oct 2022 12:17 am

I think you are on to day 6. May be wrong as the sandstorm slowed things down. Either way you are almost there!! Sleep well. Love dorothy

Piotr G

Posted On: 30 Sep 2022 01:51 pm

Chapeau bas John!

Dorothy gill

Posted On: 30 Sep 2022 12:10 pm

Way to go John, day 4 done and you are doing great. Drink lots and do whatever you can to get rest. Thinking of you. Love Dorothy and Stephen.

Dorothy gill

Posted On: 30 Sep 2022 12:10 pm

Way to go John, day 4 done and you are doing great. Drink lots and do whatever you can to get rest. Thinking of you. Love Dorothy and Stephen.

Robert Howard

Posted On: 30 Sep 2022 06:29 am

Hi Bro, Day 4 awesome!, you are doing so well, keep well hydrated

Mariamne Ingalls

Posted On: 30 Sep 2022 03:50 am

Thanks for your blog, John! Good luck on the Long March! Best Regards.

Kay Oxley

Posted On: 29 Sep 2022 07:34 pm

Keep up the good work John. Doing amazingly 👏 well and we're all routing for you. 😁

Fabrice Godot

Posted On: 29 Sep 2022 08:36 am

Hi John, You are doing very well. I wish you the best for the rest of the race. Take care. Fabrice

Gary Pearce

Posted On: 28 Sep 2022 09:18 am

Keep going John, great effort so far, looking strong, top 5 finish is on but please keep enjoying the expensive water!!!!

Robert Howard

Posted On: 28 Sep 2022 08:42 am

Hi Bro, you are doing so well, day 3 awesome, keep well hydrated

Dorothy gill

Posted On: 28 Sep 2022 12:33 am

Hi John, sounds like day 3 is the really hard one!! Hope you are doing OK. I saw you in a video on day 1 and you sounded really pumped...just remember that feeling. Love you, and so proud of your accomplishment

Dorothy gill

Posted On: 28 Sep 2022 12:33 am

Hi John, sounds like day 3 is the really hard one!! Hope you are doing OK. I saw you in a video on day 1 and you sounded really pumped...just remember that feeling. Love you, and so proud of your accomplishment

Petru T

Posted On: 27 Sep 2022 09:43 pm

“ while (alive ) { eat 0); run (); sleep (); repeat (); } ”

Robert Howard

Posted On: 27 Sep 2022 12:06 pm

Hey Bro, you are doing so well, keep well hydrated and enjoy!

Gary Pearce

Posted On: 26 Sep 2022 12:53 pm

Come on John keep going, Top Ten finish required in the British Section 11th atm. Good Luck, Gary

Gary Pearce

Posted On: 26 Sep 2022 12:53 pm

Come on John keep going, Top Ten finish required in the British Section 11th atm. Good Luck, Gary

Dorothy . Gill

Posted On: 26 Sep 2022 11:03 am

We are terribly proud of you little brother.hope everything goes well with the race and that all the prep was worth while. Enjoy!

Dorothy . Gill

Posted On: 26 Sep 2022 11:03 am

We are terribly proud of you little brother.hope everything goes well with the race and that all the prep was worth while. Enjoy!

Robert Howard

Posted On: 26 Sep 2022 09:31 am

Hey Bro, great to see your progress, hope you are feeling ok and enjoying the run and great scenery

Robert Howard

Posted On: 25 Sep 2022 08:14 pm

Hey Bro, hope its going well, keep well hydated

Ant Welch

Posted On: 25 Sep 2022 07:05 pm

Hope your all having a great first day John. Looking forward to seeing how your all doing. Stay safe all of you 🙏 👍 Ant

Sally Deamer

Posted On: 25 Sep 2022 03:32 pm

Best of luck enjoy and stay safe xx

Corry Ravenscroft

Posted On: 25 Sep 2022 11:04 am

Hi Jon - just to say GOOOOOOOOD LUCK!!!!!! Will be thinking of you all , you’re all amazing (& bonkers …) - I’ll keep checking how you’re getting on & reading any update!!! GOOOOOOOO JON!!!

Corry Ravenscroft

Posted On: 25 Sep 2022 11:04 am

Hi Jon - just to say GOOOOOOOOD LUCK!!!!!! Will be thinking of you all , you’re all amazing (& bonkers …) - I’ll keep checking how you’re getting on & reading any update!!! GOOOOOOOO JON!!!

Corry Ravenscroft

Posted On: 25 Sep 2022 11:04 am

Hi Jon - just to say GOOOOOOOOD LUCK!!!!!! Will be thinking of you all , you’re all amazing (& bonkers …) - I’ll keep checking how you’re getting on & reading any update!!! GOOOOOOOO JON!!!

John Howard

Posted On: 24 Sep 2022 12:16 pm

Morning all! Didn’t see these messages until now! Race brief in 45min and then comms darkness soon after! I guess I will be able to respond to these messages during the race from the “Cyber Tent”! Don’t know to be honest !! Thanks for the messages, it means a lot 😊

John Howard

Posted On: 24 Sep 2022 12:16 pm

Morning all! Didn’t see these messages until now! Race brief in 45min and then comms darkness soon after! I guess I will be able to respond to these messages during the race from the “Cyber Tent”! Don’t know to be honest !! Thanks for the messages, it means a lot 😊

Danielle Howard

Posted On: 24 Sep 2022 11:55 am

Good Luck Dad, I hope it all goes well for you! Bring me something back from Chile lol

Petra Howard

Posted On: 24 Sep 2022 11:53 am

Hope its everything you thought it would be, have fun.

Andrea Armstrong

Posted On: 24 Sep 2022 07:05 am

Good luck John enjoy take care I will be following you x

Topher L

Posted On: 22 Sep 2022 09:29 am

Hi John, hope Chile is being kind to you. Hats off to you for doing this race, I wouldn't even of thought of doing what you are doing! I hope you're doing ok and look forward to hearing all about it. Certa Cito, all the best, Topher

Maureen Howard

Posted On: 18 Sep 2022 11:47 pm

All the best John! If it is any consolation I found the most stressful part of my journey was the packing beforehand. What to bring what not etc. Though your venture is a bit more extreme than mine was! Anyway I'm sure you will appreciate all that light gear when you are out and running and the sun is beating down! Hope you get to do some tourist stuff too beforehand. And let me know if you see some interesting birds! Lots of love Maureen

Rachel Howard

Posted On: 16 Sep 2022 03:53 pm

Good luck!

Robert Howard

Posted On: 16 Sep 2022 02:01 pm

Hey John, best wishes for your run, i will be following you. Cheers Robert

Mary Gadams

Posted On: 11 Sep 2022 11:10 pm

Hi John, I can't wait to meet you. Seems like you have everything in order. You will be surprised at just how amazing Chile is, vastly different landscape from the South to the North. The weather can be very hot during the day and always cool at night. The sunsets are some of the best in the world. Can't wait to cheer for you and everyone else in the race. Safe travels. Mary
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