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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2013

Mike Sundet

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Atacama Crossing (2013) blog posts from Mike Sundet

06 March 2013 11:55 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hate to disappoint those following this, but I lost the battle to the desert today. Made it 15 miles into today's stage, but had some issues w the heat and had to withdraw. Not the end I planned on, but an unbelievable experience nonetheless. Did 90 miles thru some very scenic, unbelievably challenging terrain and met some incredible people. Wishing my new friends and tent mates all the best on the long march tomorrow. Big props to Alina on throwing a great race, and to Dr Mark and his whole medical team...they're amazing. And a special thank you to Dr Julie and the CP2 crew, you guys are so great..thanks for the great care.

Comments: Total (7) comments

Jarrett Kovics

Posted On: 12 Mar 2013 12:16 pm

Mike, you are a true warrior. I know, because I was with you that day. Even when you were staggering from the blazing heat, you plowed ahead and never complained... Not once. Even under the care of the medical team, you were determined to get back into the fight... Had the dreaded salt flats not been next, and had it not been peak 115 degree heat, you would have made it, as you were in far better physical shape than me and many others. I would be proud to run another race with you in the future. Please forward me your contact info to [email protected]. The tent wants to stay in touch with each other and I am putting together a domain site where we can do that. Best, Jarrett

Mike Nesladek

Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 11:58 pm

You attempted an incredible feat. No shame in 90 miles over 3 days in sand,rocks and water. Most of us me included can barely leave the pavement. Can't wait to hear about it. Safe journey home.

Susan Goldsmith

Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 05:46 pm

Congratulations to you Mike on your major endeavor. We are sorry to hear about the medical challenges, but as we say in the Olympics, "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well." (Pierre de Coubertin) Cheers to a well fought fight!! Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/pierre_de_coubertin.html#EOI4krJd1VuP6K7o.99

Susan Green

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 05:36 pm

Sorry to hear this but glad you are okay. We know this isn't how you wanted it to end but lots of people in St. Louis are seriously impressed and proud that you took on such a huge challenge and as always faced it head on! Congrats for the awesome job and safe travels home, where we will celebrate!

John Costello

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 01:59 pm

No disappointment here brother......what you accomplished with limited training due to physical setbacks; you did "AWESOME"!!!!! * Congrats and safe trip back! ** Go grab a steak and some cold one's.....well deserved!!!

Greg Litwicki

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 01:23 am

Congrats on a great experience. Sounds unbelievable. Appreciated all the recaps. I can't wait to have a cold one with you and hear the stories. Safe travels back.

Donna D

Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 12:11 am

you have achieved so much..........don't be disapponted........amazing achievement.........

05 March 2013 03:24 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Wow. Not sure what else to say about today. I’d say it was impossible, but I finished so that can’t be the case. Tough doesn’t do it justice though. We climbed and descended so many sand dunes, including a vertical wall of sand that I had to climb like a ladder using both hands and feet. The last 6k took my over 2 hours in 105 degree weather. In normal conditions I’d run that in 25 minutes. Felt good thru the first 28k…the last 12k HURT. Definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically.


The good news is we’re halfway done with the mileage. 27+ miles tomorrow…the last “short” run before the 48m overnight stage. Finish those two, and it’s a short jog of 10k into the finish on Saturday. Hoping I recover well tonight!!

Comments: Total (2) comments

Linda Burkhardt

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 10:57 pm

Mike, I continue to be in awe of your ability mentally and physically to be in this race. Best of luck! The BL team and I are reading your updates and rooting for you! Do you miss the cold STL weather yet? :-)

John Costello

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 04:39 pm

Keep Grinding Brother!!!!!!!! - JC

04 March 2013 04:11 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

So, finished Day 2...28 miles and was very tough and hot at the end. The first leg was absolutely AMAZING as we ran into a river canyon and then crossed back and forth across the river probably 20 times as the walls closed in on a particular side. Was crazy beautiful. We also descended down a HUGE sand dune...maybe 200 feet? and very steep. The sand would give out and fall and you`d end up w sand up to your mid calf as you were going down. So fun.

The other great thing about today is I seem to be over the major bout of altitude sickness that hit me yesterday a couple hours after the race. Was naseous, dizzy, headache...couldn`t eat anything...about as miserable as I`ve ever been. The medical staff here is amazing...really good people. They gave me some naseau medicine, but did`t really go away until about 30 minutes before this stage. Came back a couple times today but feel great now...and I`m craving a cheeseburger!!! One of my tent mates got it as well, and unfortunately had to drop out...she`s a super woman and ton of fun to be around. Her husband is still in the race, so hoping she stays the week. The altitude thing was a whammy. I was fortunate (I guess) to get it right after stage 1, so I was able to mostly recover before I started stage 2. Around 24 miles tomorrow...the fun never stops :)

Comments: Total (0) comments

03 March 2013 04:20 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Finished the first stage today...glad to get started. It was relatively "easy" as far as some of our stages will be...just 22 miles. But it got up to 110 degrees, so very hot by the end. Mix in the terrain, a big climb up a river canyon, my 25 lb pack and 10,000 feet of altitude and it didnt feel so easy. If I had it to do over again, Id spend a lot more time training on different training and running w my pack. Actually, Id spend a lot more time training, period...then Id run more with the pack. I tried to take it easy today knowing whats coming the rest of the week...so I ran (jogged) the downhills, and walked (crawled) the uphills. We have 28 miles tomorrow including a number of river crossings and a 500 meter stretch through the river, so will be a tough day and hope my legs recover. Also hope its not quite as hot, but doubt we`ll have any luck there. Heading to go get some dehydrated food...yum!!

Comments: Total (4) comments

Ben Bocklage

Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 01:49 am

Dude - hope the 'dingo trot' is in full effect and you are seeing some amazing things along the way. I can only imagine the stories you will have...

Sue Brown

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 10:53 pm

Love the blog - hang in there, i will live vicariously because i am 100% certain that I will never do this!!

John Costello

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 06:23 pm

Been following ya bro.....lucky for me "on line" and "NOT" in the desert!!!! * Keep on truckin brother....if my calculations are correct....today should have been "Hump Day" and even though it's a tough road ahead.....you've got three stages in the bag and every step is another step closer to that finish line!!!!! So the word of the day/week is: "FINISH"!!!!! ** Best of Luck the rest of the way Mike!!! - JC

Amy Sundet

Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 08:11 pm

Had pizza last night and thought of you. Is that mean??! Just messing w/u mister! But I did wear shoes that hurt my feet yesterday so I figure I'm feeling your pain. Plus I got real tired walking upstairs to the loft. Hylerical-ness aside, we r rooting for u

02 March 2013 05:10 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Finally made it in after midnight last night...but all part of the adventure. Had a late dinner w a new friend, and got a few hours of sleep. We had a briefing this am and went thru a gear check, and now getting ready to jump on (yet another) bus to head to our first camp in the desert. A number of people here have done these events before, so I spent a lot of time this am looking at others gear kits and thinking "I wish I had thought of that!" Something to be said for experience...though the idea of doing this again is kind of daunting right now. Big thanks to all my friends and family for your support and well wishes!!

Comments: Total (2) comments

Mark Westphale

Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 10:48 pm

Start slow and taper...Good Luck Sundet! MW

Sujei Sierra

Posted On: 02 Mar 2013 06:22 pm

But you have something in YOUR gear kit they did not think of. You can never be too safe. You're welcome ;)

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

Who knew getting to the start of the race would be so hard?? My original flight out of St Louis was delayed, and I landed in Dallas at the same time my flight to Santiago was scheduled to leave, assuming I missed it...I'd been scrambling and stressing with the help of some friends to find alternate plans, but there weren't any great options. "Thankfully" my flight from Dallas to Santiago had mechanical issues, so they had to bring in a new plane...delaying things plenty long (and then some) to make that flight. I did however miss TWO connections from Santiago into Calama. Caught the third one, but we were diverted elsewhere in mid-flight for "security reasons"...so I'm now on a 3 hour bus ride to Calama. To take a 90 minute bus ride to San Pedro de Atacama. I keep expecting to meet Del Griffith/John Candy and have a conversation about shower curtain rings. Oh well, it's all part of the adventure. And on the bright side I did meet 3 fellow competitors on the last flight who are great guys, and we're making the last part of the journey together. Seems like a lot work just so we can go run 250k thru the desert... :)

Comments: Total (1) comments

Sujei Sierra

Posted On: 02 Mar 2013 05:06 pm

But you're gonna making it and that's all that matters! Plus this is a way better story than "So I jumped on a plane and arrived in Chile" ;)

25 February 2013 03:34 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Well, race week is finally here!  While I was on a very good training plan throughout the fall, I had a couple of injuries during the winter, and am coming into the race in the worst shape I've been in for quite some time.  Regardless, I'm excited to get to Chile and start the experience.  Have a couple last minute things I need to prepare to finalize my kit, and then head for the airport on Thursday.   Been thinking about the race for a long time now, and can't believe it's finally here!!

Comments: Total (5) comments

Sue Brown

Posted On: 01 Mar 2013 07:22 pm

My first day at grad school, a team of us were put 'in the desert' had to decide to stay or go - and risk surviving or dying. We died. I'm sure you'll do better - maybe if you bring Bud Platinum! xo good luck!!!!!

Ben Bocklage

Posted On: 01 Mar 2013 04:25 pm

PS - I called Domino's, but they said they didn't deliver to your area. Sorry man, i tried.

Ben Bocklage

Posted On: 01 Mar 2013 04:24 pm

Hey bro - Good luck. Will be following you. Have seen you accomplish insane feats with less than optimal shape, so just stay in the game!

Mike Nesladek

Posted On: 28 Feb 2013 03:25 pm

Mike Looking forward to following along online. Go get that desert. Mike N.

Jarrett Kovics

Posted On: 27 Feb 2013 01:19 am

Mike, I believe we are tent mates. Looking forward to meeting you. I felt like I was constantly injured for months during training so I feel you pain. It will be an awesome adventure. See you there. Jarrett