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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2014
6
PostsAtacama Crossing (2014) blog posts from Lourens Roets
10 October 2014 03:14 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
To the guys back home, fam, friends, guys at the office – very much appreciated all the messages of encouragement over the last week; this really pulled me through! Jislaaik, this was truly a very tough week in Chile. I think the combination of unbelievably rough terrain, water, sand, monster dunes, the heat, crazy frozen broccoli fields, moon craters and mars rocks, definitely are all contributing factors to making this one of the hardest deserts to race in. Unfortunately, my race was more of a survival power-walk in the end to meet all the cut-off times, as opposed to running most of the course. Yesterday was really very hard for me, I struggled physically with every step sheer agony, as well as mentally to drag myself 80km through some rough desert terrain. Having said that, it was a tremendous feeling of accomplishment to cross the line at 5am this morning, 21 hours after starting the long march. I teamed up with Paul (fellow Saffa) and Mark (tent buddy), early in the stage and we helped each other through those dreaded lows, shared some Mypradol, shared water when running low at some stages and generally just dragged each other over that line this morning – thanks gents! Ryan Hill – indeed, this was déjà vu from the Sahara. I do not want to overanalyse what went wrong with my shoes; however, it comes down to the size of the toe-box of my shoes. I am a big Hoka fan; however, the Mafate Speed simply do not cater for my unfortunate wide old flatties, especially if they get baked by the 45deg sun every day and double in size – oeff. The Atacama is a truly amazing place, it was an amazing experience to have been one of the bunch of lunies running through this amazing place this week, and I’m very grateful to have family and friends who supported me through every step of the long 250km. Just for the record, 250km is damn far! I can’t wait to cross the line tomorrow after a 10km token run; followed by a cold coke, some fresh food, a shower, and a phone call to HK. I have some amazing pictures, which will be shared as soon as I get back home. Finally, Lex dude – thanks for looking after the girls for me! Signing off – Lourens. PS – Danie, can’t wait for the next monster steak braai.
08 October 2014 02:51 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Apologies in advance for the short blog tonight. I was holding on by a thread today, unfortunately both feet smashed and every step agony. Having said that, I will reboot tonight with some warm food and good few hours of sleep, tape my feet like old mummy-foot tomorrow, and finally good old painkillers. I am confident if I
Comments: Total (24) comments
David Grosse
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 08:57 pm
excellent work old bean - long day done - now just a few KM, beer and pizza - all well earned. many congrats
katharina koenig
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 02:24 pm
Hi Lourens - you are AMAZING!!!! We are sooo soooo impressed with your resilience and determination. What an achievement - it sounds like a life changing experience. We look forward to hearing all about it. Hang in there on the last days - you can do it. We send you a lot of courage and strength from Laos - Love from Jancu, Katharina, Lulu, Jojo, Vivi and Koko
Madelein Nel
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 02:00 pm
Woo-hoo!!! Congratulations on completing the long march! You are a superstar! xxx
Engela Roets
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 01:56 pm
Jy is fantasties,baie baie geluk dat jy dit voltooi het,weet nie hoe met voete wat opgepak het nie,dit moes seker n moordende 80km gewees het.
Rus lekker voor more se laaste deel.Liefde Maxx
Etienne Lange
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 12:31 pm
Mooi gedoen en sterkte daar
leonie roets
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 11:36 am
The results are not out, but I saw that you made it in the breaking news section! We are sooooo happy that this is over and that you have done it. I am sure it took a lot of courage and will power to get through the last few days as it really seemed as if it was tough going from quite early on. Very proud of you for not giving up. Just extremely worried to know/see what your feet look like. Are we going to have any more black toe experiences? Please phone us the minute you get back to the hotel. Baie lief vir jou en baie baie verlig dis verby! L
Mide Chan
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 09:27 am
It's hard but have confident you could make it.
Best, Mide
Madelein Nel
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 03:54 am
Hi Lolla. Hoop jou voete hou die long march. Jy is nou so naby... Proe al die koue bier :) Baie baie sterkte! Ons is almal baie trots op wat jy al reeds gemaak het. Xxx
ryan hill
Posted On: 10 Oct 2014 03:33 am
L
Dig deep buddy. I've been where you are now and its tough, but you can make it......with enough pills! Never give up
cheers Ryan
gary ogilvie
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:58 pm
Keep it going Lourens. All in the office rooting for you with your photo from Atacama on the wall !
Engela Roets
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 02:21 pm
Hi my kind bid en vertrou jy kry krag om met seer voete die lang roete te kan doen.
Byt vas ons almal dink gedurig aan jou,alreeds wonderlik gedoen.Liefde
David Grosse
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 01:01 pm
Great effort Lourens. Just count off each 10 km checkpoint as you go through the long day and you will magically arrive at the end, then one last celebratory few KMs and done. Head down, grit teeth, and done. dg
Richard Sanderdon
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:58 am
Well done Lourens. Sounds like some pretty harsh terrain! Best of luck mate for stage 5.
Danie Schutte
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:58 am
Almost there, well done, by the time you read this it will just be a short trot left to the finish. We're looking forward to fattening you up when you get back. Hang in there!!
Cobus Roets
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:44 am
Jy doen amazing,ons dink baie aan jou, moet jou footies nie afskryf nie .. jy is amper daar 'last stretch'
David Barnard
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:20 am
Sterkte vir die lang dag. Vasbyt en ek hoop die voete is beter. Groete. David
David Barnard
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:20 am
Sterkte vir die lang dag. Vasbyt en ek hoop die voete is beter. Groete. David
David Barnard
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:20 am
Sterkte vir die lang dag. Vasbyt en ek hoop die voete is beter. Groete. David
David Barnard
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 11:20 am
Sterkte vir die lang dag. Vasbyt en ek hoop die voete is beter. Groete. David
Riaan Jordaan
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 07:58 am
Baie sterkte! Julle is oor die hond se stert. Ek sien dis taai, moer taai. Groete aan Paul!
Erik Roets
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 07:17 am
Dink en bid vir jou Lolla, baie baie sterkte vir daai laaste stretch.
Dennis Theodosis
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 06:31 am
Hang in there Lourens. Sounds brutal, but am confident once the long march starts, you will inevitably see it through.
leonie roets
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 04:50 am
Wonderful news to see you have finished stage 4. Now for the last stretch home. You can do it. One step at a time. Love you. L
Vuyi Malumo
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 03:00 am
Very instpiring Lourens, well done!
We are all cheering for you at the office..
07 October 2014 02:20 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
I worked overtime today
Comments: Total (11) comments
David Nel
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 02:06 am
Well done Lourens! Vasbyt, die einde is naby.
Jonathan Tam
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 01:49 am
Go for it my boss. You can do it...
Simon Hendrie
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 12:42 am
Rocky broccoli and salt spikes ... that's what i call difficult terrain. At least the soles on the Hokas are thick enough to handle anything - Good luck!
Gary Ogilvie
Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 12:34 am
Hang in there Lourens ! Just think how many steps you have for Vitality.
Louise Botha
Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 11:59 pm
Hi oom Lou Lou ons dink a aan jou en Lyton vra is jy OK hoop ALS gaan goed en ons is daar saam jou !!!!!! Johan het n draai in Caneda gemaak op oppad Athens NY toe weer lekkery tyd maar gaan voort en voet vir een voet hoe moed ons dink aan jou
Botha USA family
Louise Botha
Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 01:30 pm
Hi Swarie sorry om te hoor van die voete, jy doen gr8 ons dink aan jou en weet jy gaan Atacama se boude skop!!! Sterkte daar baie liefde Louise Johan Menay Lyton
Ps Lyton se go oom Lou Lou go
Engela Roets
Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 01:27 pm
Baie geluk dat jy al so ver is,hoop jou voete gaan nie nog erger word nie.Pas jou op,moet jou nie ooreis nie.Baie trots op jou. liefde Ma
David Barnard
Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 09:06 am
Vasbyt Lourens. Jy doen great. Groete en sterkte. David
lex roets
Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 07:20 am
hi dad, its me again. Every one misses you. I just hope you finish this so you can just come home now. Boo is still crying. She goes to your side of the bed and lies on it. This is a message for you from her m6gyrytkyrytretoigeersjj . I put Boo on the keyboard and made her dance. We all miss you a lot. Start moving your chops!
Lex
Mide Chan
Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 06:42 am
Dear Lourens
Confident you could make it, proud of you. Your perserverance will come over all obstacle...
Best, Mide
leonie roets
Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 04:04 am
I was so happy to see the blog. We didn't think you would blog after which seems like a nightmare of a stage if one reads the comments on the website. Sorry to hear about your feet. The results haven't been updated yet, but great to know that you have completed day 3. Druk deur. Die einde is in sig na dag 4. Ons mis jou baie. Baie liefde L
06 October 2014 04:20 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
I
Comments: Total (9) comments
Louise Botha
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 02:53 pm
Hou moed Swarie jy doen gr8!!!! Ons almal hier dink aan jou .
Johan Louise Menay Lyton
Engela Roets
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 12:39 pm
Hi Lourens,alles klink soos n riller,hou maar moed,ek hoop jy het genoegCelebrex vir die seer spiere.
Baie liefde ook van Oumatjie. Maxx 7
Lex Roets
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 09:53 am
hi dad. Sorry i didn't blog yesterday. It is just that I was busy so I blog today! Good luck for stage three3. We all miss you very much. Now i will give you some words of encouragement here we go, keep going, you will make it. Do not stop.
ok thats it anyway , have you been putting on sunscreen? Boo is still crying plus we have been taking her every day for a run in the playground but before that we take her behind stanley ho sports grounds Lex Roets 8 years your son (by the way, that is supposed to be funny!)
Mia Roets
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 09:37 am
Well done! Just keep going, only three days left!!!
I miss you so much!
Mia and Boo :{)
David Barnard
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 09:26 am
Hi Lourens, jy doen great, vasbyt en sterkte vir dag 3. David
Cobus Roets
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 09:05 am
Hey Kêrel , jy doen great!! Hou maar moed , ons dink almal baie aan jou en baie sterke vir die volgende stage.. Cosie
Tim Cairns
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 07:18 am
Hang in there Lourens. Another day done, another day closer to a cold beer. Those sound like the days that you hate at the moment but will be special memories for the rest of your life! Not envious of the pain but jealous of the experience. Keep hammering away it! Good luck for stage 3. The AIA crew are cheering you on!
angela Ko
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 07:16 am
Well done Lourens! Keep it up and we look forward you to share the stories when you are back.
sean muffet
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 05:59 am
Lourens, good dig Stage2, having done it, it is the toughest.
you are still there , March On mate and put this one away.
awesome work and regards.
05 October 2014 03:07 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Mixed Fortunes
Let
Comments: Total (16) comments
Lara Reynolds
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 04:37 am
Jy het ten minste dag 2 klaar gemaak Lourens ! Baie voorspoed - ons weet jy kan dit doen. Hou moed. Lara
leonie roets
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 02:48 am
Just saw the results for Day 2. So happy that you are one day closer to finishing. I am sure you are exhausted, but keep your head down, don't overthink it and just keep doing what you are doing. We are very proud of you. Love you. L
Serena Chan
Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 01:00 am
Hey Boss,
Great work and keep going!
david Grosse
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 08:22 pm
Very well done L. looks spectacular. I wish i could be there. Dont worry about the pace - just churn them out each day, and before you know it you will be at the end celebrating another great race. Look after the feet - and all will be well. Cheers dg
Madelein Nel
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 11:19 am
Well done for completing stage 1! Wish I could see the beautiful views, but Ill wait for your pictures :). Following your blog everyday. Good luck with stage 2, you can do it!!! Love xxx
Engela Roets
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 10:12 am
Sjoe klink erg,bly eerste deel agter die rug.Baie sterkte,moed hou ,dink baie aan jou.Liefde Max9
Brad Emery
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 09:44 am
Well done Lourens - keep going.
David Barnard
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 08:04 am
Hi Lourens, lekker om jou blog te lees. Sterkte met die res van die race. Vasbyt. Groete. David
David Barnard
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 08:04 am
Hi Lourens, lekker om jou blog te lees. Sterkte met die res van die race. Vasbyt. Groete. David
Gary Ogilvie
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 06:48 am
Good start after that journey ! Keep it going !
Mia Roets
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 05:25 am
Well done!
I miss you so much.
Keep going!I can't wait for you to come back home again!
Mia and Boo :p
Nerida Rigg
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 05:22 am
Hi Lourens,
Hope today's stage was a good one. The stars at night sound amazing, well worth getting to camp for each night! Stay strong out there, we all think you're incredible!
From Nerida and Riggsy (your under - neighbours B1)
Dennis Theodosis
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 04:45 am
Good solid start Lourens. You seem to have a great perspective on this amazing experience.
Watching your progress every day. Take care.
Dennis Theodosis
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 04:45 am
Good solid start Lourens. You seem to have a great perspective on this amazing experience.
Watching your progress every day. Take care.
leonie roets
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 04:36 am
We were so happy to see a picture of you and Paul at the finish of stage 1 this morning, as the results took a while longer to get published. Well done on completing the first day. "Take it easies" in the words of our man Nacho. Saw Mike yesterday and he reckons the first 3 days are about self preservation only. So, just keep doing what you are doing. Love you. L
Vittorio De Angelis
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 03:35 am
yo dude
my hero!!
wish I were there... really!
01 October 2014 02:41 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
I sound like an old broken record before the start of every multi stage race, in Bruce Fordyce's word; "rather overweight and undertrained than underweight and overtrained".
My training and fitness is probably 70% of what it ideally should be at this point in the game; however, I start the race absolutely injury free. For the first time in years, my achilles is behaving like a normal tendon and not an annoying little jackal biting my ankle the whole time. I contribute the magic healing of my achilles to my new maximalist Hoka running shoes. Any runner not running in Hoka's already should race to the nearest store after reading my blog and buy a pair straight away.
So, fitness there or there abouts, injury free, enough experience in taping my feet and treating blisters to be awarded a medical degree....so only the jetlag and altitude to deal with! I'll be jetting in last minute like the village clown to arrive at the race on Friday evening - if all goes well. The trek is going to be painful, 16hrs to New York, then 10hrs to Santiago, another 4 to Calama and 1.5hrs to get to the base for registration - this is before being bussed off into the desert to Camp 1 before the start of the race...ouch!
Also, altitude is something completely untested for me. We will start the race at more than 3,000 meters above sea level, which is twice as high as Jo'burg. Most competitiors will arrive a few days ahead of the race to acclimatise to the altitude; however, I'll be hitting the ground running....literally.
Having said that, can't wait to see the Atacama desert close up. The Atacama is recognised as the driest place on the planet and the closest resemblance to Mars. This place is 50 times more arid than California's Death Valley, which is amazing.
Please let the messages, words of wisdom, or just good old banter roll in.
So far so good....
Lourens
Comments: Total (12) comments
Engela Roets
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 10:25 am
Dankbaar eerste deel voltooi,klink baie erg. Sterkte v die tweede deel,hou moed,dink baie aan jou.LiefdeMaxx
Cobus Roets
Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 08:16 am
Well done so far bro, very proud of you. Take it easy on the next stretch and don't strain yourself... no pressure as Mia said:))
Tim Cairns
Posted On: 05 Oct 2014 12:05 pm
Seek out Brett Foote, Inia and Rob Trepa. My tent mates from Gobi and top lads. Hope you have a good race. Smash it and don't get injured. I do not want to be called in for your trailwalker spot!!
Good luck!!
mia roets
Posted On: 05 Oct 2014 07:55 am
Hi dad,
Good luck!!
We all miss you back home.You will do great - no pressure!
I can't wait for you to come back home. Enjoy it!
Lots of love
Mia Roets
leonie roets
Posted On: 05 Oct 2014 06:22 am
Hi lovie, by the time you see this DAY1 would hopefully be done and dusted. Just tackle one stage at a time. Look after those feet and please remember to wear your sun block!!We miss you but hope you enjoy it. Make the most of the experience. Lots of love. L
Lex Roets
Posted On: 05 Oct 2014 06:10 am
hi dad I miss you so much and I think in the next few weeks it is just going to get worse . Boo misses you also. So does mum and Mia. Mia is not feeling well right now. She has a cold and a fever plus boo has been crying since you left. I had rugby this morning it was really fun. I wish you could have come to watch. We did our first contact match plus the head guy said that you need to sign up to go to the sevens today. So I told mum to sign up .And i just wanted to say good luck and i will send you a message every day.
Lex
roets 8 years old
your son
Danie Schutte
Posted On: 05 Oct 2014 02:41 am
Following the trip you described, the race should be a breeze. Good luck!!
Gorete Welland
Posted On: 04 Oct 2014 10:18 am
Good luck and most importantly have fun!
What an awesome experience!
Engela Roets
Posted On: 04 Oct 2014 04:40 am
Baie sterkte my kind,vasbyt ons dink almal aan jou.Liefde Maxx
Madelein Nel
Posted On: 03 Oct 2014 10:03 pm
Go Boetietjie.... Cant believe you are doing your 3rd desert. Really amazing and inspiring to all of us. Good luck and mind over matter as you have done so many times :). Dannes would have been very proud... as the rest of us. Lots of love xxx
Madelein Nel
Posted On: 03 Oct 2014 10:03 pm
Go Boetietjie.... Cant believe you are doing your 3rd desert. Really amazing and inspiring to all of us. Good luck and mind over matter as you have done so many times :). Dannes would have been very proud... as the rest of us. Lots of love xxx
Alison Hoffmann
Posted On: 02 Oct 2014 09:52 am
Good luck Lourens. Will watch your progress. Jy is baie braaf :)
Comments: Total (7) comments
Jancu Koenig
Posted On: 11 Oct 2014 01:16 pm
Andy Reynolds
Posted On: 11 Oct 2014 12:32 pm
Lara Reynolds
Posted On: 11 Oct 2014 12:08 pm
David Barnard
Posted On: 11 Oct 2014 11:17 am
David Barnard
Posted On: 11 Oct 2014 11:17 am
Dennis Theodosis
Posted On: 11 Oct 2014 09:45 am
Madelein Nel
Posted On: 11 Oct 2014 05:19 am