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Gobi March Blogs 2009
6
PostsGobi March (2009) blog posts from Heather Hunt
19 June 2009 10:50 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
From 9:00am Thursday morning to 3:30am Friday morning, I learned what it means to truly perservere.
I started the march riddled with injuries, pains, exhaustion, anxiety and less than two hours of sleep. During my nearly 20 hours of walking, I rode the precarious edge of my pain barrier constantly. I thought about dropping out no less than 2,000 times. For the first 40km, I walked mostly alone, not being able to lift my gaze more than 3m in front of me, for fear that I would realize how vast the terrain I had yet to cover was. At the overnight checkpoint (50km) - a couple of tents on a rocky ridge 2,000m above sea level - I had had it. My legs were bruised, my feet were swollen, my jaw hurt from clenching my teeth for hours. Had another injured marcher not appeared, I would have pulled out of the race, but with some encouragement from the volunteers and a heavy dose of hydrocodeine (pain killer/tranquilizer), I bit the bullet and ventured off into the night with my marching partner, not stepping to rest. The fact that he was devastated with shin splints and excrutiating pain somehow lifted me out of my own brutal discomfort. We literally put one foot in front of another in the black of the night, looking for glowing markers with nothing but our headlamps for over 8 hours. As we stumbled through desert riverbeds, we walked past delirious marchers slumped on the side of the course, suffering, unable to make it to the next checkpoint for rest. When we finally made it to the camp, completing our 80km, I felt as though my mind and body had separated. I was still in thinking/strategizing/grin and bearing/focus mode - totally in the zone - but my body was totally shattered. I sat in front of a fire for 4 hours trying to stop myself from shaking. When it was finally light again, the shaking eased up.
I can't believe I made it in one piece. I'm suffering right now and my immune system is so weak that I've caught another cold. But I made it and I'll be crossing the finish line tomorrow with the other survivors.
Thanks everyone for your wonderful blog comments and emails. You have all helped to make this a truly incredible experience.
With much appreciation,
Heather
I started the march riddled with injuries, pains, exhaustion, anxiety and less than two hours of sleep. During my nearly 20 hours of walking, I rode the precarious edge of my pain barrier constantly. I thought about dropping out no less than 2,000 times. For the first 40km, I walked mostly alone, not being able to lift my gaze more than 3m in front of me, for fear that I would realize how vast the terrain I had yet to cover was. At the overnight checkpoint (50km) - a couple of tents on a rocky ridge 2,000m above sea level - I had had it. My legs were bruised, my feet were swollen, my jaw hurt from clenching my teeth for hours. Had another injured marcher not appeared, I would have pulled out of the race, but with some encouragement from the volunteers and a heavy dose of hydrocodeine (pain killer/tranquilizer), I bit the bullet and ventured off into the night with my marching partner, not stepping to rest. The fact that he was devastated with shin splints and excrutiating pain somehow lifted me out of my own brutal discomfort. We literally put one foot in front of another in the black of the night, looking for glowing markers with nothing but our headlamps for over 8 hours. As we stumbled through desert riverbeds, we walked past delirious marchers slumped on the side of the course, suffering, unable to make it to the next checkpoint for rest. When we finally made it to the camp, completing our 80km, I felt as though my mind and body had separated. I was still in thinking/strategizing/grin and bearing/focus mode - totally in the zone - but my body was totally shattered. I sat in front of a fire for 4 hours trying to stop myself from shaking. When it was finally light again, the shaking eased up.
I can't believe I made it in one piece. I'm suffering right now and my immune system is so weak that I've caught another cold. But I made it and I'll be crossing the finish line tomorrow with the other survivors.
Thanks everyone for your wonderful blog comments and emails. You have all helped to make this a truly incredible experience.
With much appreciation,
Heather
17 June 2009 09:27 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Today was absolutely brutal. 10 hours and 45 minutes in the boiling sun traversing some of the toughest terrain I have ever encountered in my entire life takes its toll on your body. Right now, my legs are completely trashed. My left hip flexor is so strained and inflamed that I can't lift my left knee. I've taken a bunch of anti-inflammatories but I'm not sure that the pain and inflammation will come down by tomorrow. Of course, tomorrow is really the "last day". It's the long march - 80km in one day. I really have no idea whether I'll make it or not, but as usual, I'm going to wake up and give it a go. Half of my tent (4 people) is injured so hopefully I have somebody to hobble the whole way with. If it's too excrutiating, I'll have to pull out.
Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed.
Comments: Total (10) comments
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 05:15 pm
i admire your determination, coming this far and enduring the pain. Remember that finishing is a bonus, you're a winner already. Take care - Mel
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 04:35 am
It's really amazing that you people made it so far, brutal but meaningful.
Fighting Heather.
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 08:39 am
it's amazing you've come so far! hopefully with 1 night rest you are feeling better today for the long march. *hugs* See you in 2 days!
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 04:26 am
You are a real fighter, kid sister. We're all really proud of you.
xxoL
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 03:56 am
Hey Heather,
Keep it up. You're almost there!
It's all in the head (easy for me to say!)
Tell Kev I hope his ankle feels better!
You can do it!!
-Rob
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 03:09 am
Anxious,and relieved. You must be proud of yourself.Inspite of the pain,you made it that far.Dont push yourself too much.From me to you,finish or not finish you are already a WINNER.We just want to see you in one piece.Good luck and take care.much love,milmil
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 02:40 am
go go GO Heather!! keep on trucking as far as you can. you are doing an incredible job, i\'m so wowed. WOW.
PS my sister\'s (Lizzie Edwards) boyfriend, called Ben Marlow, is also one of the crazy race pack. if you happen to come across him (or speed by him!!) give him a wave from me.
you just take care and come back safe :)
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 01:55 am
God bless you, Heather!
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 06:48 pm
Well, the whole thing sounds brutal, Heather! I admire your fortitude but hope that you will pull out prior to doing yourself damage. I look forward to hearing about the whole thing in more depth in 3 weeks which seems like a short time to me but might seem like a long time to someone who has 80km to walk the next day! Love, Lorna
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 05:13 pm
Very relieved to read your blog and know that you are in one piece. It's great that you've made it so far. We are behind u all the way but it is OK to pull out as the Long March is going to be another gruelling and brutal exercise. We don't want u to injure yourself permanently. Lv n kisses.
16 June 2009 08:34 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Half way there!
I can't quite believe I've completed stage 3, but here I am blogging from the cybertent in Camp 4 - Heaven's Gate. I am now officially half way through the race with a 120km behind me.
Although the weather was a lot more manageable today (we actually had a little bit of rain), the course was nevertheless hard. Actually it was kind of excrutiating. The first 20km were spent running through cultivated fields. By the first half an hour, I was completely covered in mud and my shoes were caked with soil. I had a hard time keeping myself vertical, let alone moving along horizontally. But I plodded along and made it to 2nd checkpoint. The next 10km were beautiful but absolutely brutal on the body. The course wasn't that difficult, but we had to hike over a rocky (golf ball sized rocks) river bed steadily uphill on a 10 degree slope for 9km. For an hour and a half, I worried endlessly about bruising my feet, aggravating my tendons, and trying not to put any weight on my right achilles (which has been strained and inflamed for the last two days). But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and finally made my way through to the end of the section which ended in an amazing series of cave-like formations straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Everything was swell until I got to the final checkpoint whereupon I realized I was going to have hike up another 9km of long and steady incline over rocks! About half way through, I just about wanted to die. I sat on the path for a good 5 minutes, thinking about giving up. Now about 400m higher than where we were when we started, the altitude was hitting me quite hard and the track just didn't seem like it was ever going to end. But it did. And thank god it is over.
Right now, I'm feeling alright I guess - in better spirits than yesterday, but in poorer physical condition. Every muscle in my body feels wrecked and my body just feels kind of broken. At this point, I don't think I can give up. I've made it too far. But at the same time, I'm wondering how my body and mind are going to handle tomorrow's 40km and Thursday's 80km! This morning, an elite (sub 3:00 marathon) runner pulled out of the competition. And now, my friend and tentmate KL, who has been placing in the top ten and running with the best of them, can barely walk due to a severely spained/bruised ankle. Every single person in this race is fighting some kind of pain or injury. I guess it.s just a matter of grinning and bearing it.
Hopefully, I survive.
Thank you for everyone's emails and blog comments. They are keeping me going! I can't wait to see all of you soon and am missing you so much. I feel so fortunate to have your support. Keep it coming!
I can't quite believe I've completed stage 3, but here I am blogging from the cybertent in Camp 4 - Heaven's Gate. I am now officially half way through the race with a 120km behind me.
Although the weather was a lot more manageable today (we actually had a little bit of rain), the course was nevertheless hard. Actually it was kind of excrutiating. The first 20km were spent running through cultivated fields. By the first half an hour, I was completely covered in mud and my shoes were caked with soil. I had a hard time keeping myself vertical, let alone moving along horizontally. But I plodded along and made it to 2nd checkpoint. The next 10km were beautiful but absolutely brutal on the body. The course wasn't that difficult, but we had to hike over a rocky (golf ball sized rocks) river bed steadily uphill on a 10 degree slope for 9km. For an hour and a half, I worried endlessly about bruising my feet, aggravating my tendons, and trying not to put any weight on my right achilles (which has been strained and inflamed for the last two days). But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and finally made my way through to the end of the section which ended in an amazing series of cave-like formations straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Everything was swell until I got to the final checkpoint whereupon I realized I was going to have hike up another 9km of long and steady incline over rocks! About half way through, I just about wanted to die. I sat on the path for a good 5 minutes, thinking about giving up. Now about 400m higher than where we were when we started, the altitude was hitting me quite hard and the track just didn't seem like it was ever going to end. But it did. And thank god it is over.
Right now, I'm feeling alright I guess - in better spirits than yesterday, but in poorer physical condition. Every muscle in my body feels wrecked and my body just feels kind of broken. At this point, I don't think I can give up. I've made it too far. But at the same time, I'm wondering how my body and mind are going to handle tomorrow's 40km and Thursday's 80km! This morning, an elite (sub 3:00 marathon) runner pulled out of the competition. And now, my friend and tentmate KL, who has been placing in the top ten and running with the best of them, can barely walk due to a severely spained/bruised ankle. Every single person in this race is fighting some kind of pain or injury. I guess it.s just a matter of grinning and bearing it.
Hopefully, I survive.
Thank you for everyone's emails and blog comments. They are keeping me going! I can't wait to see all of you soon and am missing you so much. I feel so fortunate to have your support. Keep it coming!
Comments: Total (7) comments
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 01:44 pm
We are all thinking about you here in Boulder and sending love and encouragement. Go Auntie Feather, Go! says your niece.
An amazing accomplishment already to have made it so far.
xxoL
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 07:57 am
GO HEATHER!!! Mind over matter - you are on the downhill stretch (even if it's going uphill!) Think of the end - you will be so happy when you've completed it! We are all wowed by your acheivements already.
Just don't hurt yourself... it sounds like you are doing a great job of being careful.
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 07:53 am
Two questions from me: 1) when did you set off for running everyday? I guess it's very early in the morning, isn't it? 2) Can you have shower everyday? I can't think about how you can survive if without shower everyday. No need to answer right now if you are very tired after the 4th day's game. You can explain it after you are back!
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 02:01 am
So cool, Heather! The challenge is not only physical demanding, but also hones your mental thoughts. You look stronger! Heather, you did UNBELIEVABLE well in the third day. I look forward to the celebration party for the Return of the Queen!
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 01:16 am
will done Heather,if Nina Wang is the riches woman in Asia,for me you are the super woman.Great job,and you deserve a trip to clubmed. BILISAN MO HEATHER. you know what it means right.Good,and god Bless.love milmil
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 12:56 am
Echoing the encouragement to use your best judgement about how to proceed! Do what's right for you. It is INCREDIBLE that you have gone through 3 whole days of this grueling challenge!!
Love, Lorna
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 03:51 pm
We are thinking of you all the time,regularly checking for breaking news and and the results announcements; n anxiously waiting for the evening blog. It is really amazing and inspiring that you have completed half of the course what with all the pain and everything. While supporting u 100%, still expect u to use good judgement as u go forward. Just think of ClubMed in 3 weeks. Lv n kisses.
15 June 2009 08:46 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
It's the end of Day 2 and I am still in one piece, albeit a slightly fragile piece. I took slightly longer today, partially because I was being careful about my legs and also because the course was slightly longer and harder. Although I haven't aggravated the tendonitis, I still have quite a bit of pain in the back-of-knee area. Combined with a couple of pretty juicy blisters on my feet (which I proudly just drained) and some incredibly sore shoulders, I'm feeling pretty physically exhausted. What's good however, is that I've been able to handle the heat pretty well - no sun burn or heat exhaustion yet!
Today was "Mars in the Gobi" day - endless traversing up and down steep brick-red clay hills. For the most part, I was in pretty good spirits, partially because I tried to make sure I was walking within eye shot or with someone for the majority of the course. Although the "elite runners" who clock in at under five hours are pretty amazing, the normal people who walk the whole course are just as inspiring. When I think about how miserable/tired/injured I am and realize that there are others who are working through sweat and tears and coming in three hours after me, I have nothing but admiration for them.
Right now, I'm just happy I've survived two days. My goal is just to try my best to finish. I know the hardest parts are still ahead of me and so much can happen - twisted ankle/injury/unbearable blisters, etc. - but basically I'm just thinking about the next 10km. The hardest part is just waking up and doing it.
Before I sign off, I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful notes of encouragement you have been sending me. Please keep them coming as they really do help to keep my spirits up. They are so so nice.
More tomorrow!
Today was "Mars in the Gobi" day - endless traversing up and down steep brick-red clay hills. For the most part, I was in pretty good spirits, partially because I tried to make sure I was walking within eye shot or with someone for the majority of the course. Although the "elite runners" who clock in at under five hours are pretty amazing, the normal people who walk the whole course are just as inspiring. When I think about how miserable/tired/injured I am and realize that there are others who are working through sweat and tears and coming in three hours after me, I have nothing but admiration for them.
Right now, I'm just happy I've survived two days. My goal is just to try my best to finish. I know the hardest parts are still ahead of me and so much can happen - twisted ankle/injury/unbearable blisters, etc. - but basically I'm just thinking about the next 10km. The hardest part is just waking up and doing it.
Before I sign off, I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful notes of encouragement you have been sending me. Please keep them coming as they really do help to keep my spirits up. They are so so nice.
More tomorrow!
Comments: Total (5) comments
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 02:59 am
Great job, Heather! I know you have great staying power in everything you do. From your words, I believe you have more adapted to the racing and situation. When you read this note, half journey is past! Wow, Congratulations!
When I was in Thailand for holiday last week, I saw lots of people running on the beach under the blazing sunshine. Everytime I saw them, I was thinking of you in the race. You are my idol.
Drink more water, eat more, have good sleep and enjoy the race!
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 01:52 am
Dear~Your optimism & iron were deeply affected me.Still worry about your knee, do not just yourself too much,baby~U will always be a hero in our minds.Blessing you, missing you, my H.
Love,YW
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 05:30 pm
Great job finishing Day 2, Heather! Such a smart approach to stick close to other Marchers. I'm sure you're as much an inspiration to them as they to you. LOVE, Lorna
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 04:41 pm
We're relieved that you got thru Stage 2 and came out 86th of group with not too many injuries. We stayed up late to ensure we see your blog.The worst is still to ome but be balanced and ensible -listen to your body. Miss you and wish we were there. Good work, lv n kisses. mims and dad
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 04:04 pm
Heather, I am so proud that you have survived the last 2 stage. It looks like you're having an amazing time and am really jealous of what you are experiencing. I don't think I'll be brave enough to sign up to one of these things.. Keep it up! HUGS, Cath
14 June 2009 07:14 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
So there's good news and bad news. The good news is that I survived Day 1. Although I had a bit of a lingering cold, I managed to finish 42.5km in 44C heat in 7 hours and 42 minutes. The first 20km were pretty amazing. The scenery is absolutely incredible here. We were hiking through dry river beds, huge canyons and the most alien (and untouched) landscape. The next 20-30km were great too, but I really started to feal the fatigue and the loneliness. For about 2 hours, I walked on my own with hardly anybody in sight. Of course, you start thinking about all sorts of things - about how difficult the course is, about how hard/hot/dry the race is, about how on earth you are going to finish another 230km. But somehow, I managed to perservere.....until the last 10km.
And so for the bad news.....
Right after I passed the 3rd checkpoint at 30km, the area behind my left knee started to seize up and I felt a sharp pain radiate from the back of the knee all the way down to the achilles. The pain was so severe that I ended up halving my pace and basically hobbling to the finish line, worried all the way that I was going to tear the tendon. Needless to say, I'm pretty worried about the situation.
It's about 8:15pm right now, and after several hours of rest and a bunch of celebrex to bring the inflammation down, my leg feels alot better. I'm going to give tomorrow a fair shot, but honestly I'm pretty worried that I might do some permanent damage to my leg. Of course this is a big downer...and as you can imagine, I feel pretty miserable and frustrated about it. Aside from this, I've been pretty fortunate in that I haven't developed any real blisters yet, but that's all just a matter of time. My feet feel pretty raw from all the river crossings and I have a bunch of hotspots around the balls of both feet.
Alright, I'm going to try to eat something now (the appetite is pretty low). More tomorrow - hopefully with less pain!
And so for the bad news.....
Right after I passed the 3rd checkpoint at 30km, the area behind my left knee started to seize up and I felt a sharp pain radiate from the back of the knee all the way down to the achilles. The pain was so severe that I ended up halving my pace and basically hobbling to the finish line, worried all the way that I was going to tear the tendon. Needless to say, I'm pretty worried about the situation.
It's about 8:15pm right now, and after several hours of rest and a bunch of celebrex to bring the inflammation down, my leg feels alot better. I'm going to give tomorrow a fair shot, but honestly I'm pretty worried that I might do some permanent damage to my leg. Of course this is a big downer...and as you can imagine, I feel pretty miserable and frustrated about it. Aside from this, I've been pretty fortunate in that I haven't developed any real blisters yet, but that's all just a matter of time. My feet feel pretty raw from all the river crossings and I have a bunch of hotspots around the balls of both feet.
Alright, I'm going to try to eat something now (the appetite is pretty low). More tomorrow - hopefully with less pain!
Comments: Total (16) comments
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 04:02 am
I will fully support you in any case. waiting for your safe return in SH. Yoooooou arrrrrrre myyyyyyy heroooooooo!!!!!!!!!
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 03:32 am
Dear Heather, how are you today? we all worried about your knee and really hope you feel much better now. Do Take Care of Yourself. You are so brave to challenge your body limit and have expanded it successfully. You are my hero! look forward to see you soon.
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 03:12 pm
HH~you are doing an amazing job i am in awe of you!!! Yooou caaan doooo itttt ~~~~
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 07:12 am
お元気ですが?
頑張ってください !
自分を信じろう！君は一番强いんだ！
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 05:48 am
Hi H, u r doing very well! Keep running in your own pace following your style and strategy. Add Oil!
d from Lashihai
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 03:53 pm
Dear Heather,
We are very proud of you!
All the best from Albert, Daisy and myself in Lijiang
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 09:47 am
Despite all the aggravation and pain, you finished 94th not bad for a first-timer - a feat not normally achieved by most mortals. I should have gotten you more celebrex. We are all very proud of you but don't go and destroy your tendons. Lots of love, mims
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 07:26 am
Congratulations for the stage 1 mission completion! How's today's situation about your knee? I am so worried about your painful knee after reading your blog. Heather, never never force your body to take too much challenge that it can't bear. Take care of yourself and don't tear your tendon. Eat more to make up your energy and have good rest in the night, brave girl. We are all with you.
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 07:25 am
Hey~ You're so brave and amazing for finishing stage 1. Have a good rest & Take care! We all stand by you.
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 07:10 am
Hey,Heater,Hope your legs feel better. I'm so pround of you.
Good luck and take care youself!
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 06:50 am
Hey H, greetings and cheers from Lijiang. Hope u haven't got to many blisters. Hang on Heather, we've already completed 1/3 of your mission. Lots of HH r waiting for u!
d.
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 03:16 am
Hey Heather,
Amazing how you finished Stage 1. You should be really proud of yourself!! Hope your legs feel better, and best of luck with stage 2! :)
p.s - Too bad you can't do the Kevin squirt dance!
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 02:10 am
Despite the knee pain, you still finished the race, I'm so pround of you~H~
Blessing you all the best, don't worry, u will be fine.
Take care~Dear~
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 01:52 am
Good luck Heather! I hope your body holds out for you (without permanent damage)!! It sounds like you are having an amazing time.
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 01:08 am
Congrats on finishing your first day. Sounds like a genuine challenge. Trust your gut (and any medical advice you can come by) when it comes to deciding how best to proceed with your injury. Lots of Love, Lorna
Posted On: 14 Jun 2009 02:46 pm
Good job Heather on Day 1!
11 June 2009 09:05 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Guess it's about time I set this blog up! I'll be posting here for the duration of the race before resuming blogging on my website www.heather-hunt.com
I can't believe I'm only a few days away from the start of the race.
Before I leave, I just want to thank everyone for their incredibly generous support. With all of your contributions, I've managed to meet my fundraising target for UNICEF China!
Special thanks to KL, ZW, and JP for patiently answering all of my nagging questions and for helping me set up my website/blog.
See you in Kashgar!
I can't believe I'm only a few days away from the start of the race.
Before I leave, I just want to thank everyone for their incredibly generous support. With all of your contributions, I've managed to meet my fundraising target for UNICEF China!
Special thanks to KL, ZW, and JP for patiently answering all of my nagging questions and for helping me set up my website/blog.
See you in Kashgar!
Comments: Total (3) comments
Posted On: 13 Jun 2009 03:11 am
Good luck and take care. We will be watching your progress as the week goes by. All our friends wish you success.
Posted On: 12 Jun 2009 07:23 am
加油！海蜇～I'll attend your race progress everyday and miss you so much, wait for your triumph~_~
Posted On: 12 Jun 2009 06:16 am
Good luck Heather! See you at the finish line!
Comments: Total (12) comments
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