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Gobi March Blogs 2009

Jill Wilson

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Gobi March (2009) blog posts from Jill Wilson

17 June 2009 09:45 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Not this trip.  Gave it my best, but  was attacked by altitude or exhaustion - the result being that I had to pull out of the race. There really wasn't any question to it.  I was spent.  And at the second checkpoint I believe I was forth or fifth in the women on the day.  But was overcome. Strangely tho  I feel ok with it.  I really did put my best foot forward but this wasn't the week for me.  Of course I had tears on the course when I realised that I simply shouldn't keep going. I will tell more tomorrow seeing as I'll have all day to write!  But wanted to thank you all so much for keeping our spirits high with your messages.  It really helps. 
 
I did get thru 3/4 of the coursee today. Went to 3000 metres to a place called Heavens Gate. AMAZING! The entire day was one spectacular scene followed by another. So I didn't miss the whole thing. Big day for all of us here. I'm very proud of all the guys I've trained with, as well as Kathryn, who came in fourth female for the day! Well done! 
 
Lots of love to my wonderful little men, Jesse, Cooper and Ben!!  Love you miss you and can't wait to see you!!!!!!
 
Cheers
Jill
 
 

Comments: Total (11) comments

Posted On: 21 Jun 2009 03:51 pm

Hi Jill, Well done! You and Andrew have a very good fighting spirit. You did a great job helping other people in need. Keep it up! Great people! Amie

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 09:02 am

Well done Jill, saw the boys today and they are on fine form, keeping busy but looking forward to midnight Sunday. See you next week- you have all done marvously.

Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 07:35 am

well done jill, i know that would hav been a hard decision to make, but essentially the right one. my bro was faced with a similar decision, chose to carry on and is no longer here!!!! There is always next year, or the next race : ) proud of you and swany, and see you when u get back!

Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 01:16 pm

well done Jill, fantastic work don't be disappointed you certainly did a great job...good to listen to your body. Sean and I are really proud of you. Go cheer on Swanny to the finishing line. Love to both of you. Dianne & Seanxx

Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 11:36 am

Hi, I don't know you, but love your spirit and strenght in pulling back when needed, you should return and tackle it again, Good luck

Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 10:36 am

Jill you must still feel so proud of yourself - what you achieved is more than most of us could. Finally got to the bank today and added a little more for each day you ran - you are a marvel - enjoy putting your feet up! See you soon.xxx

Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 09:28 am

Hey Jill A hard decision to make but so obviously the right one. A truly great effort all round. Now you get to really enjoy the surrounding landscape and make sure your 'tent family' arrive in good shape! Looking forward to your return and the stories. Love Nic

Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 06:38 am

What an amazing effort Jill! Can't begin to imagine how you felt but so glad you listened to your body and health! Wish I could be there with you to see Andrew cross over the finish line! Lots of kisses and hugs to you both from me!! xoxo Stay warm!

Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 02:36 am

Jill ... you are absolutely extraordinary ... 150K ... in 4 days ... in a desert ... carrying your entire kit is extraordinary. You have so much to be proud of ... what an incredible life experience. And if you're crazy enough to give another a go ... name the location ... I'm there! See you next weekend ... and you take super care til then.

Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 01:20 am

The boys would like to know what you will be doing and they are proud of you for what you've done so far! They would also like to know if you can do part of the course again if you feel better. Someday they want to do the Gobi Desert with you both (if, they add, you are not too old by then!) I think what you've achieved is extraordinary by any measure and I'm glad you also chose to protect your health when you reached the tipping point. Excellent example for the boys of determination, grit and wisdom!! And when you go back to do it again next year, an even greater example of resilience! You are such a wonderful role model for your lovely boys. Jesse says "Super, awesome, excellent, superb and wonderful!" Cooper says "Good, great, well done and congratulations - and also doing well". Ben says "Super, excellent, proud, you've done really well." They all would like to add that they love you very much. And so do I. You go, girl!!

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 11:46 pm

I love you so dearly that I am near tears with pride and pain for you right now. Rest and take care. You have had an amazing experience and you are my hero, sweetie! Truly blessed you are to be made of the stern stuff you are and to have a gorgeous team to help you along when the body fails, for your spirit will always be one of the strongest I know! Your friend-Jen

16 June 2009 08:54 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi! Day 3 gone!  Toughest so far!  Can't describe the agony of the last 10 kms. For me. Swanny, however,  is a machine and I will admit that if he weren't busy pulling me up, down and thru this beast - The Gobi - he would certainly be much much  farther ahead.  The biggest chanllenge for Swanny will have been to not be the intense competitor that he could be.  I think he might have been in the top 20 without me!  Next time :-)  
 
  Once again I am here at the closing hour and it's freezing! Thank you for your lovely well wishes, love you my gorgeous little men.  I can see you are keeping Aunty Sissy on her toes! Matthew - we don't eat lunch - but we do have a lovely array of freeze dried food to eat when we get in.  SO much more  to tell, hope to have more time and energy tomorrow.... but who am I kidding!!!  Hugs and kisses, Jxxx

Comments: Total (5) comments

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 02:29 pm

Dear Jill, I just read that you had to withdraw today. I was almost hoping you would after stage 2 as it is just an unfathomable task that you undertook. What an inspiration you are - you gave it everything you had in you and now you can look forward to having that well deserved shower! You can only push your body so far and it isn't worth putting your health at risk which you have already done. What an incredible effort to have made it so far and we will never know how unbelievably tough it has been for you all. "A champion is someone who gets up, even when she can't", and you did that! Be proud! Lots of love Viv

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 02:15 pm

Hi Jill So sorry to read that you had to withdraw when you were more than halfway through. We are still in awe with how much you acheived even when you were so ill. Believe us, health is more than important than anything in the world. Take it easy, get some rest and get better! At least now, you may be able to enjoy the sights!

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 07:55 am

Hey Jill! Didn't see your blog until now! Hope that brother of mine has been passing on my wishes to you! Your are amazing and very inspirational! That doesn't mean I'll be doing the gobi anytime soon!!! Look after yourself and remember that your health should come first. Love you both

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 07:39 am

im watchin you Wilson!!!! keep goin!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 05:29 am

Hi Sweetie! There's a bit of time lag so the stage-end blogs don't post for us to see until the next am. You'll see this at end of Stage 4, but we're all thrilled to congratulate you on Stage 3! You've done it!! The boys were so excited to see the picture of you with all of them as your blog pic. We're all so proud of you and your can-do spirit!!!

15 June 2009 08:50 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi All
 
Fun and Games in the Gobi.  So many  things to tell but no time - will write more tomorrow. Started well today - Swanny pulled me thru with flying colours - he's a machine!!  The result was that I was second woman in today and 38 overall if you believe what Swanny says! In any case, it is a true pyschological marathon with many emotional micro-climates out there in the rock, sand, shale,  moonstones and mars mud.  It is epic and endless. It's amusing, hellish, frustrating and mostly simply AMAZING!!  Would I recommend it to everyone? Not on your life!  But if you have a masochistic streak and enjoy the company of others like you - GOBI is the place to be!  Lots of love and thanks for your messages.  Di - tell Matthew that I haven't yet seen any UFO's, but I hear they are part of the Thursday double marathon program, along with raging Desert gypies, moonmen, ten headed camels and anything else our delerious minds come up with. Lots of love - keep the love flowing, it's great to get your messages!!! Can't say how much they mean to us out here! Jillxxx

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 02:14 am

Jill, you are such an inspiration! Second woman in is truly phenomenal. More money coming in today and more to follow to push you on each step of the way. So much love to you all, Charlotte xxx

Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 12:42 am

My darling, I am watching your every step via Swanny and the Breaking News and I see what I knew I would..u are up and running: kicking the Bronchi and the Gobi both squarely in the ass!!! Glad you have a Blog now. I can send you squeezes personally daily, altho I feel sure Swanny was delivering them for me! Don't let that guy of mine stumble when he has no running buddy, k? The way you two are doing it is fantastic. Carry each other through. I am working out hard here and hiking/trotting to send you more Jen karma through the week. I will take another good one on FRI. The new therapy is working and I am going like the wind! Maybe next year?? Will keep Dee posted on all the gorgeous news if she is not getting it all. XXX JJJ