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Gobi March Blogs 2009

Mark Jorgensen

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Gobi March (2009) blog posts from Mark Jorgensen

19 June 2009 09:25 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hello everybody,  the Long March day is over and it was my best day.  79 kilometers is a long way, but I got a great second wind at about the 60 km point and came in feeling strong.  Just 9km left for tomorrow and surprisingly I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. The course again was amazing and extremely challenging.  I can tell you for sure that China will never run out of rocks.  If any of you are challenged by the concept of infinity as a number, just come here and consider the idea of counting the rocks.  Very difficult to either walk or run in.  Shred the feet.  Anyway, this is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen.  We have a camp in an oasis today and everybody is happy and relaxed.
For those of you who know Swany, he turned in an absolutely incredible performance yesterday-13th place in the stage.  For a guy who is built more like a gridiron football middle linebacker than a long distance runner that's pretty amazing.
I have to say that I really appreciate all of your support and encouragement.  It was exactly what I needed at the end of each day.  I also want to mention what a great group of tentmates I had.  Andrew (Swany) & Jill I already  knew were great, but it was great to get to know Pete, Ed, Katherine, Simon, and Toby.  (Sorry I spelled any of those wrong)  All great people who made the experience even better.  Regret not being  in Hong Kong any longer to see them again, allthough who knows. 
 
Bye for now.  Hope to see all of you over the coming months.
 
MJ

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 07:09 pm

Pride doesn't even express how I feel about what you have accomplished. Congratulations on moving up even more in the standings. See you the 1st of August. Love, AB

Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 07:48 am

Mark, you conquered the Gobi!! So amazing you are. What a warrior. Can't wait to hear the stories about this. You are my hero, guy of mine! Could not possibly be prouder of you. Everyone here is in awe of what you of done, and as you see...you had no reason to doubt but that you would succeed and do gorgeously!!! Come here to HK and we could celebrate this properly...or I will simply have to postpone and celebrate with you in awhile.... All my love, Jen

Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 04:03 am

Congrats to you !! You said that you just wanted to finish but you did so much more then that !! We're all so very proud of you and can't wait to hear all your stories of your adventure. Take care.....rest up and we'll see you in July. God Bless Karen

Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 03:34 am

Mark, what can I say..you grew into the man I somehow knew you would become...I am so proud of you...if only you knew what you truly mean to me and what you meant to Uncle Doug. I love you to death. Thank you for what you have done and what you have become. I look forward to seeing you on August 1st. I have a big hug for you! Love, AB

Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 02:02 am

Congratulations on your accomplishments son. We are so proud of you and know that it took a lot of commitment and endurance. You have improved on your performance each day, anyway that is what it appears. Tomorrow or today, is the end and we are sure you have developed some wonderful friends along this rocky trail. We love you and are looking forward to your return. We will be in Chicago to pick you up. Love Dad, Mom, & Rachel

Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 01:04 am

Congratulations Mark. What commitment and discipline you have! Wish I had a fraction.

17 June 2009 09:33 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hello all!  Today was BRUTAL!  First two stages I was strong, but exhausted during stages 3 and 4. Amazing views again. Brutal climb to Shipton's arch. Back is frozen up right now' so need to go stretch. Early start and inconceivably long day tomorrow. Sorry so breif, but really wipedb out. Thanks for all your support & encouragement.
MJ

Comments: Total (12) comments

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 11:21 am

Good job, Mark...here I am staying up nights watching your progress... I continued to be amazed by your stamina and mental strength. I am so very, very proud of you... Love, Auntie Barb/Burp/Brat, et al

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 04:54 am

bro we made 40.00 donation for your charity love Todd ,Karen,and girls

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 04:14 am

hey bro you made great time on the 5th stage. Lot faster than i thought you be able to do it in. so proud of you your bro

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 02:52 am

You have shown me who you are...Mark. you are just a nice guy...believes in his family and helping others; you are beyond great in my humble opinion, so be it....Go get 'em tiger! Love, AB

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 02:47 am

Way to go Mark!!! Great time...your really moving up the rankings :) I'm glad to see you made it through the roughest day !! Your brother (and the rest of us) have been worried about you all day ;) Todd's been calling each break to have me check on you :) We're all so proud of you!! Rest up and Take care of yourself before your last day. God Bless !! Karen

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 01:02 am

We love you dad you did the hardest part!!!! U CAN DO IT!!!!!! keep on running!

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 12:46 am

wasaaap?!?!?! Dad you are so awesome that Albert Schwarzenegger wishes he had your skills! We are all rooting you!!! Luv ya Em

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 11:51 pm

take care of your body and your spirit and your almost there, big guy! Thank your for helping Jill get through. My heart is aching for her, after so much training, but her hiking bud was there to lend a hand. You're almost there..and each day you conquer is a day that should mentally boost you higher and higher, sore back or no! Proud of ya! XXX

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 06:59 pm

Wow, what a race you guys had and we are happy that Jill is ok. You all were great to help her and Andrew. We continue to be amazed my your endurance and will be really routing for you to keep on trukin in phase 5, sounds like a rough one. Rach is making cookies with grandma and will be glad to see her pops! We are all hoping for a real good conclusion to the race. You keep on creeping up in the rankings and we are envious that we couldn't even attempt such a adventure. I am sure you will have stories and memories of this adventure for years to come; Love, Dad, Mom, Rachel

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 05:56 pm

Uncle Mark, This is so cool that your doing this. I'm so fascinated by it, me and my mom can't stop reading the blogs and watching the videos. Grandma said you were in one but we can't find you he-he! Love ya Katy aka Peanut

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 05:07 pm

Wow, great time today, your still moving up the list :) I bet the views are beautiful, but hard to concentrate on. We're all really proud of you. We've all been glued to the computer to follow your adventure. We're all behind you and cheering you on !! Stay strong and God Bless !! Karen

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 04:51 pm

Mark, I continue to be amazed by your strength, both physical and emotional. I have been checking for your blog for the last hour or so and was so excited when I saw it! You do the Jorgensen name proud. Hugs to my favorite oldest nephew. AB

16 June 2009 08:12 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Day 3 is behind me.  Started out okay today, long slight uphill first leg that went okay.  After that a lot of sloshing through irrigation bogs and getting literally soaked and covered in mud up to my knees. Was still okay there, but then a 16 km ascent up a dry canyon for the first half and then an uphill rock road. Finished at 2,800 meters with a headache and absolutely spent.  Happy with my outcome today though. Did just manage to have a stool collapse under me sitting down to write this. scared me good, but think it only strained my knee.   altitude and exersion giving me a headache.  Thanks for the emails for support.  They give me a boost when I get into camp. All I can say so far is that every one of these days have been harder than running the marathon without training. That said this is an amazing place. Bye for now, Mark

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 04:09 am

Hey bro I'm so proud of you. WE all are so proud of you. wish I was there too cheer you on. I'm cheering you on from here. I told my friend about what you are doing they said they routing for you too. Love Todd

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 03:17 am

We're all watching and keeping up with the updates. We're glad to hear your doing well. Your times look great too. We're all proud of you !! Stay safe and God Bless !!! Karen

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 01:08 am

I am so proud of you, Mark. You have become such a wonderful person and continued to grow in ways I could not even imagine. I am so very, very happy to be able to brag about you! Good job, Mark. I'll keep watching you.... Love, AB

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 12:56 am

Hi dad, I'm really impressed by your timing. good luck on stage 4 and I hope you make it in one piece. I miss you a lot and love you. I saw your video. Your little Sugarblum, Love, Rachel Beans

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 12:43 am

You are doing fantastic..every day amazing me more, but never, ever surprising me that you are getting through this. Going to find that vid so I can see you in person. Sounds like a load of fun, slogging through the mud. Wish I could have been there with you for that. Miss you lots. It would be amazing to be your partner in this... Maybe next year XX

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 06:23 pm

Awsome, you had your best time. Mom, Rachel, & I just watched your video. Keep on trucking. Rachel gets a big kick out of reading the blog's and the results. Shortly, she is getting lesson 101 on driving the lawnmower. We of course are all routing for you. Just got a call from aunt Barb and she is really excited for you too. Love Mom, Dad, Rachel

14 June 2009 07:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

End of day 1 and the scenery is incredible, but the terrain very rough on the feet.  Great sense of relief to get through the firrst day at least. Got in in about the time I was hoping for maybe a little slow.  Thanks to Jeff from Hong Kong for distracting me from the blister pain during the last 10 km.  I've gotten the emails that were sent to me, but today was the first chance to send anything back out.  Only get 6 during the week, so will be using them to send blogs instead of individual emails.  Wet feet the whole day from the river crossings that started right away.  Awesome to be walking accross the desert and see the mountains covered in snow out in distance.  Don't know what range, but must be over 6,000 meters based on the amount of snow.  Wish the snow were here to cool my feet. Couldn't keep up with the group from HK, but feel okay all in all.  Any of you that want to contribute to the charity - gobi4good.com is the link to do it.  Wish I could get on the phone to say hello and hear your support.  I know it's there.  Tired and need to eat.  Bye for now and no worries...it's all good!  MJ

Comments: Total (10) comments

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 01:29 pm

MARK, IT IS MORNING HERE AND IT APPEARS ALL HAVE FINISHED. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR TEAM AS WELL. MOM AND I MADE A $100 DONATION THIS MORNING TO CAMP BARNABAS IN RACHEL'S NAME AND ALSO FOR YOUR INDURANCE IN RUNNING THIS RACE. WE LOVE YOU AND KEEP GOING SON. LOVE MOM & DAD

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 11:47 am

I think it's so awesome that your doing this race. Your such a great inspiration to others ! Keep on fighting, we're all here behind you and cheering you on. Your brother and the rest of us are so proud of you!! God Bless, Karen

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 11:25 am

Oh, Mark, I am so extremely proud of you for this accomplishment. You make my little bike rides and walks look so insignificant! I can't wait to see you this summer. Love, Aunt Barb aka Auntie Burp!

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 08:25 am

saw those day 2 results. That was a tough day. Keep on trekking tough guy. You're awesome. I was so tired after my big, bad 25km jog that Ross nearly killed me. Complete humiliation in the gym when I couldn't take the heat. Boooohooooo. Feel better, now? You're light years beyond me, superstar! :)

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 04:21 am

Go Uncle Mark, Hey Uncle Mark, Hows the race. I cant believe your going to be running/walking for that long. He-He I would die within the first ten min. Mom and Dad said that you had to work out and run for a long time to get ready for it. That's so cool, that you put so much time and dedication into it. Well have fun and keep warm love you!!!! *~*Peanut*~*

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 12:55 am

I LOVE you POPS and I am thinking about you every day. I am routing for you POPY!!! GOOD LUCK ON THE REST OF THE MARATHAN. GRANDPA SHOWS ME YOUR PROGRESS ON THE WEB EVERY DAY. DON'T FALL ON YOUR LITTLE NOSE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR PIGGIES!! LOVE XOXOXO, RACHEL BEANS

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 12:28 am

Keep going, we are all for you completing this. We are following you on the web site. sounds like Florida heat and now you will succeed. Rachel, Mom, & I are all routing for you and know you have the strength and inner spirit to do this. Wish we could all be there to cheer you on. Love, Mom, dad, Rachel

Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 01:02 pm

HI every one here send there love cheering you on. just keep your head up. It's cool to think that you are doing a race like this . Love Todd ,Karen,Kassy and Katy

Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 09:38 am

HEYA HOMIE! You are hiking in the Gobi desert HOLY COW! It looks really cool from all the pictures!!! I have been cheering for you (woot woot! GO DAD)!!! I reallllyyyy miss you and can't wait for summer holidays! You got blisters? Owieee. G is very happy because he won the hockey game at last =) I love you so much, I'm so proud that you decided to do something really challenging like this, it is good =). When I tell peoples at school that your in the Gobi desert running a few marathons they go 'WOW DAS AWESOME'!!! You are so cool, ice cubes are jealous! Good luck with the rest of the hike! EmLee

Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 09:00 am

thinking about you nonstop. Took a hike/trot today in the hills. Every tottering step I took in the muddy gooey heat was with love and karma coming straight from me to you all. I trust you and am so proud of you! You will find strength inside you now the way you always do and bring me to my knees with awe for what you are doing while I only watch from the sidelines..which I could be there to cheer you in person, so hope you feel my good vibes. Love from all of us. Jen

01 June 2009 06:38 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

9 days from now I'll start the 36 hour flight to Kashgar. It sure looked a lot better when I thought I would be starting from Hong Kong. Oh well, It's all good. Today was the last day of training. Just some light stuff from here on in. Have been feeling like rubbish at the end of the last three training sessions, but have been recovering well overnight. That's as much as someone just hoping to finish can expect. Best part of training-eating anything I want and still losing weight.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 12 Jun 2009 11:32 am

I have every faith in you. Track down Jim Fitzgibbons..he came shoeless and weak in spirit as well. So, you see, you are not alone in your trials.. You will find the strength within yourselves to do this thing and learn so much in the process...go get GOBI, GUYS!!!! BTW..ILU!