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Gobi March Blogs 2010
6
PostsGobi March (2010) blog posts from Nick Chappell
02 July 2010 10:15 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
That has to be the hardest and longest 19.5 hours of my life. Managed to run the first couple of stages but after that in was self preservation the rest of the way. Just for a bit of fun the organisers sent us off through endless streams just to make sure everything was totally wet and feet were in a real state for the rest of the day. Endless salt flats and barren landscapes were totally sole distroying but thank got there was cloud cover yesterday and we only got blazing sun for the later hours of the evening. Check point 7 had to be the low point of the day knowing there is still 35kms to go and still the dreaded 5km of sand dunes. Managed to team up with one of my tent mates Paul for sections 8 and 9 and that pulled us out of the 100km blues. Into the last 10km we teamed up with 3 more lost souls and together we pushed through the sand dunes, which where beyond a joke and the legs were screaming for mercy. At 3:15am we rounded the top of the last dune and looked down into camp, what a heavenly site, we had done it all that was missing was a pizza and an ice cold beer, but settled for crawling into the tent and crashing for a few hours.
Temps in the camp this lunchtime have risen to 45 degrees and most people of trying to grab sleep in there tents were they can. People are still out on course which must be unbearable. Last day tomorrow and still 20km and more dunes to content with but after today how much harder can it be. Martin & Dad that one's for you.
Girls really miss you and looking to getting pampered when i get back love you so much.
every one that sent blogs and emails thank you soooooo much really appreciate all the kind words and message of encouragement. Any volunteers for washing my kit whe i get back?
Temps in the camp this lunchtime have risen to 45 degrees and most people of trying to grab sleep in there tents were they can. People are still out on course which must be unbearable. Last day tomorrow and still 20km and more dunes to content with but after today how much harder can it be. Martin & Dad that one's for you.
Girls really miss you and looking to getting pampered when i get back love you so much.
every one that sent blogs and emails thank you soooooo much really appreciate all the kind words and message of encouragement. Any volunteers for washing my kit whe i get back?
01 July 2010 02:25 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
The saying goes pain is inevitable, suffering is optional....Boy did I suffer today. killer of a stage up at 3am bus to start and kickoff at 6am, after 2 stages of long flat runs on the plains we finally headed up to the dunes and canyons (fiery canyon). I was going alright up until stage 3 then nothing in the batteries and went backwards from there on and got passed by a number of people, finished the day stumbling to the finish and emptying half a tonne of sand from the shoes. Temps well into the 40s and everyone is getting through water like it flows from a tap (which is doesn’t out here) I cant even imagine what tomorrow is going to be like 100km in this heat and finish over the dunes, sod finishing up the field I'm switching to survival mode.
ok going to rehydrate and get some kip
miss you gals
ok going to rehydrate and get some kip
miss you gals
Comments: Total (20) comments
Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 02:42 am
Congrats! Well done Nick for finishing the long march in a good time. I hope you had a good rest after the long run and you're all ready for the last leg. Just read from the news that stage 6 has been shorten to just under 6km - not long to go! You're amazing Nick and we are all very proud of you. Good luck with stage 6!!
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 04:28 pm
Applause!!! Your my constant watercooler topic at the office. Workmates impressed! Go Nick!!!
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 11:57 am
Wowee!!!! So relieved to see that you have finished this hellish stage! And in a really good time as well, just one last push, give it all you got! We can't wait to have you back home, were missing you very much, although you have given your girls bragging rights for being such an amazing dad! Love you...
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 10:07 am
You must be made up with your stage 5 time mate...awesome effort that ! I think you need to cross a checkpoint on the last stage with your pants down or something so you finally get a namecheck on the updates !!?
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:34 am
You are amazing! The end is so close now... Good luck for your last day....
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:16 am
We've just seen your result for Stage 5. Well done, 100Km in 19 hours, which is very good. We are very impressed. Keep going, only one step left.
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 07:36 am
Hi Nick,
We are sooooooo impressed by your determination! Keep going and hope to see you real soon back home.
P.S. we are now in changshang and yes, it is damn hot in china!
May all the luck and streghth be with you.
Lots of love
Ian & Joey
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 05:02 am
sounds tough... but then you're tough, too! keep going...you're almost there! you have a fans club here with the nikki, nya & neil.
sooo very proud of tito nick...love lots from the 3 musketeers <3 <3 <3
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 02:49 am
Hope the feet are holding up! What you are doing is awesome. All our love and best wishes.
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 02:15 am
Hey Nick! I've been checking the breaking news and the stage update, hope you're one of the 57 competitors who had finished around 6-ish this morning.....the result page is still showing only the first 11 places...must be a very very tough race hope you're feeling ok and good luck with the rest of the race!!
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 10:29 pm
Hang in there mate sounds real tough. You've earned that beer at the finish :-)
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 10:08 pm
wow, it's a tough ordeal if you're suffering 'cos you're granite when it comes to this kinda stuff mate ! Hope you packed some Irn-Bru for Stage 5 ??! Hang in there mate, get this biggie out the way and it's plain sailing after that...!
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 09:46 pm
Hey Nick! This is my first time to visit your blog and I have just finished reading all your probably so called once in a life time documentary journal and others' heartfelt comments and I now have two words for you..........ENGLAND SUCKED! Ok, seriously, OMG, it sounds so brutal running on dunes in such heat!!! Luckily for you, this is the time for all your training to be paid off and you have what it takes to keep on going. Thanks for sharing your experience in the form of journal. What a great idea! Can't tell you how proud of you for taking up a huge challenge. On behalf of Mark, Erika and Ginger, I wish you all the best and good luck throughout the race. Oh, by the way, Japan sucked big time too and we lost against Paraguay during the penalty shoot-out. Not that we were expected to do well like England anyway but stil...aagghhhh!
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 09:46 pm
looks like its really rough on this stage. nice going so far, nick. we all know you can make it.
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 08:54 pm
sounds really tough going Nick but we are so proud of you and I know your dad and Martin would have been too love you very much xxxx
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 04:33 pm
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going !
Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing, i would choose pain!
Come on NIck, you can make it!
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 04:01 pm
Now you should be in stage 5, a really tough and difficult one, am really proud of you
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 03:05 pm
hello luv (too hehehe), tish and una says "whoah tito nick's winning!" and i replied he'll win on the last day of the race! then una said " he's walking in the dessert! wow he's doin a good job! :-)
we'll do keep urself hydrated, drink lots of beer! oh i mean waterssssss okey...the beer will be waiting for you here in hkg...keep safe and well!
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 02:55 pm
Well we only sponsored you to start and finish the race, not to go and win it...!! Sounds like its been sheer hell. We're all really proud of you and willing you on thru this masssively long day. Hope you're reading this with a large bottle of water and a rehdryated tikka masala... ;=)
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 01:44 pm
Hi love,
you sound utterly exhausted, but I'm sure there's still a lot of spark in there to go all the way! I'm waiting for stage 5 blog, I can't seem to see the results, hope your ok and sheen is not giving you much trouble. I just got in from a flight and I'm wrotting on the ael, I'll do a proper email when I get home. The chappell girls missing you tons. Love you.
Bx
29 June 2010 09:03 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Earlier start this morning 8am and straight down onto the river bed and boulder hell. Not nice having to negociate streams boulders and sharpe rocks when your legs are just starting to warm up. On the bright side it temps were nice and low as there was good cloud cover. After an hour climbed out of the river and onto the plain so good to stretch the legs, last section was over the start of the dunes so the old legs started to burn a bit, then long run down over dusty tracks back into an old village which is camp for the night. Again had a quite good run today and still no major damage. Tomorrow we're up at 3am so not looking forward to that.
thanks to all for your emails, really makes a difference.
love to my girls hope you're looking after mum Brie
ps Pete yes the smell is bad
thanks to all for your emails, really makes a difference.
love to my girls hope you're looking after mum Brie
ps Pete yes the smell is bad
Comments: Total (13) comments
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 04:58 am
amazing, nick!!! you're doing so well! we're all so proud of you!
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 05:51 am
Go Go Go!!!! Can't wait for the final result....
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 05:38 am
So So SooooOOOOOOO proud of you Nick. Keep it up!
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 01:11 pm
Dan may well be no 1, but it's pronounced as no one...Chappy is number one !
Keep pushing hard Nick, you're doing amazingly well mate.
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 11:48 am
Hi love,
Just got back from a long turn around and of course the first thing i need to know is how you did today and so happy to see you're still doing so well. Great to hear you're feeling no major aches and pains as yet. Keep going not too long to go now. We're missing you very much and are so proud of you. We get very excited seeing photos of you(not very many) that's brie's complaint and she's asking who's Dan?(number 1 guy) as she thinks you're suppose to be number
1, so I said you'll always be number 1 to us.
Love you, b
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 11:06 am
Keep going Nick. You\'re doing brilliantly - you can show those namby pamby England players what dedication and stamina is all about :o)
Has it warmed up? Charlie told me to bring lots of warm stuff for Mongolia. xx
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 07:46 am
You haven't mentioned camels for three days! One hump or two?
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 06:53 am
Go Nick Go. The scenery looks amazing - well from the comfort of my desk anyway! Must be incredible to be out there. Good luck for the last remaining legs. And for your last remaining legs for that matter, too....
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 03:03 am
Well done Nick, keep the good results coming. I'm away tonight so not sure I can keep up with your progress but wish you well for the remaining stages. Baz.
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 02:46 am
Well done you, just keep it steady, love you loads, from us lot xx
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 02:17 am
Well done nick, for someone who's taking it easy you're doing rather well. Make sure you don't try to do it the English football team way and take it easy & do really badly....they'll never find you in the desert!
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 08:16 pm
well done mate, an englishman living up to expectations and doing the business, now thats a novelty. Those dunes tommorrow will seem easy compared to training at Wells on sea as kids
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 05:36 pm
well done once again Nick everyone here sends their love and are thinking if you xxx
28 June 2010 09:08 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Yet another cold night last night, was wearing wearing everying that i brought which by the look of the rest of my fellow tent members was par for the course. Race started at 9am and straight uphill for the first 1hour 30mins (not nice) amazing views yet again and some terrific canyon runs. last 2 sections were mainly on the flat but the dust and the heat is starting to rise. Felt good again today and was trying to start off a little slower but still managed to finish quite well. More soreness in the feet and plenty of hot spots but as yet no blisters ( the curse of the long distance runner) . Long sections start tomorrow so determined to start easy, camp food sucks and a cold beer would be the order of the day. Heard England lost so that wasnt a good start to the run.
Hope you are seeing some of the pictures and the amazing scenery we get to run through every day.
love to my girls daddy misses you all
Hope you are seeing some of the pictures and the amazing scenery we get to run through every day.
love to my girls daddy misses you all
Comments: Total (10) comments
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 02:47 pm
Well done Nick! We are all following the race always checking for news and visiting your blog. Great to hear you are doing well and I hope the blisters will stay away...best of luck for the big run tomorrow!
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 12:41 pm
Doing well in your run Nick. Keep it up. I know you can do it. Godspeed!!!!
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 11:54 am
Go Nick!! You make us all proud. Everyone is talking about your race. We are all praying for you here.
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 11:46 am
Go! Go! Kuya Nick... How's the new Ipod goin'??? Heard you're doing great with the race... We are all proud of you here in Davao!! Dont forget to take photos of the camels, alright?!?
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 10:20 am
Brilliant effort matey keep it up!! Region looks amazing and something to take your mind of the pain and lack of beer! Look forward to hearing the stories in person when you get back.
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 08:15 am
very impressive, keep up the good job :)
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 08:04 am
Awesome mate ! So much for taking it easy, edging up that leaderboard daily. How was your local housestay ? Run Forest (fan), run !
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 06:31 am
Looks like its going to be a fun day tomorrow from the website - ""an early morning 4:00am wake-up call for tomorrow's Flaming Mountains stage"" - and the rain and wind have come in. Sounds like ur battling the elements as much as the distance. Awesome job. Are you teamed up with any of the other runners ?
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 06:09 am
Hi Nick,
We are so proud of you!!!! GO GO GO!
Keep up the good job!
Best wishes,
Ian & Joey
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 05:22 am
You are doing us so very proud! Results are getting better everyday, by the time you're on stage 6 statistically you should be in the top 10, we'll that's just me being very confident about your running skills. Your girls are missing you loads and we can't wait to have you home. Meanwhile enjoy the rest of your toturous adventure.
Love you loads...
27 June 2010 06:50 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
First day done and dusted. 32km in total and the first half of the race over flat and dusty plains. Second half of the race was definately much harder over steep grassy hills but the scenery is amazing and not a camel in sight yet (i think they are posting photos of the day on the site so check them out). I think i've started out a little too fast as i came in quite high up the field, i'm sure that will all change tomorrow when the bigger hills start. My body has a few aches and pains but i'm sure this is only the start to the pain and suffering. Temperature is bloody freezing at night and i definately didnt bring enough warm clothes... oh well!! we'll be hitting the desert in 2 days time so better get ready with the factor 50. Can someone please email me the england result tomorrow ,,,, come on England. Thanks to all for your emails of encouragement. please keep them coming.
miss you Bev, Brie and Bella
miss you Bev, Brie and Bella
Comments: Total (18) comments
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 03:16 am
Some very consistent performances there Mr. Chappell, could be in with a chance of the playoffs. Best of luck. Baz.
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 02:55 am
Forget the football. We beat the Aussies at cricket and rugby!
If it's cold at night, hug a camel!
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 01:52 am
17th.. Amazing!! Go Go Go Uncle Nick! I'm so proud of you! Godspeed.. Mwah!
Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 01:16 am
Go Nick, your such an awesome dude...
Yeah go dad....
Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 02:30 pm
No blog for stage 2? Satellite must be down, anyways saw you finished 17th today, so proud of you, keep it up. We love you.
I wish you will wind dad I mis you I love you love from brie
Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 01:21 pm
Great effort Nick! Can't believe you've got the energy to blog after a day racing, but we all really appreciate being able to share this with you. Best of luck for the hot stages.
Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 12:37 pm
well done Nick you are doing really well im so proud of you
Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 09:58 am
Off to a really good start mate. Keep it up. Much better than the England boys last night who gave up so easily.... Looking forward to your next update ;)
Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 09:49 am
Germany 4 England 1
Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 07:29 am
Pretty dire at the Spot last night - more fun in the Gobi I am sure! Dont stop..
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 11:25 pm
fantastic effort mate...unlike England who were absolutely dreadful...again !! Should make all those overpaid players do what you're doing as their punishment ??! Keep trucking boy !
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 05:06 pm
way to go, nick! 18th place on stage 1! so proud of you! not bad for a 'middle aged guy' on a midlife crisis ;-)
we're rooting for you...woohoo!
be waiting for your next update.
take it easy...
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 04:27 pm
Luv, it's a bit of a bad news-good news with the england v Germany situation. Ok it's bad that you lost royally at 4-1 but it's good that you're out there doing a much less painful torture than sitting in pub watching the entire game... So there you go. Have great stage 2 can't wait for the new blog.
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 03:23 pm
hi tito nick! glad to hear ur enjoying the scenery but do try to keep ur self warm at night...u shud hve included in ur super packed food congee :-) we're cheering for you from start till the end! oh and una says you look good in ur pic here hehehe
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 02:48 pm
Go bro go! Make England proud! =p
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 02:17 pm
So happy to hear your doing so well, take it easy ok, watch that sheen. I\\\'ll try to get the England results for you tomorrow, maki came aroung last night and loaded an application which allows me to watch the world cup in the iPad, cool aye! We love you very much and we\\\'re so proud of you.
Go dad go!
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 02:17 pm
So happy to hear your doing so well, take it easy ok, watch that sheen. I\'ll try to get the England results for you tomorrow, maki came aroung last night and loaded an application which allows me to watch the world cup in the iPad, cool aye! We love you very much and we\'re so proud of you.
Go dad go!
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 02:16 pm
So happy to hear your doing so well, take it easy ok, watch that sheen. I'll try to get the England results for you tomorrow, maki came aroung last night and loaded an application which allows me to watch the world cup in the iPad, cool aye! We love you very much and we're so proud of you.
Go dad go!
22 June 2010 07:09 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Only a matter of days away now before I depart for Urumqi. Question is have I done enough training to get me to the finish line…only time will tell.
Many thanks for all the guys that turned up on Friday night at the Globe for the fundraising event. We managed to raise about HKD30,000 for the two charities thank you so much for that. Also, a big big thanks to all of you that have donated on-line as well as all the guys making donations down in the office in Manila.
Comments: Total (20) comments
Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 01:59 am
Now Day 4 and you must be around the halfway mark. Hope you are well and your "engine is purring along". Go Chappy, Go Go Go !!!
Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 03:13 am
Good result on day one, certainly better than England!! Keep pounding out the miles.......
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 11:22 am
We're very very proud of you love! 18th to finish and just the first day! Not bad at all. Go dad go!
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 09:52 am
Run, Fatboy, Run.
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 06:34 am
Good luck, Nick.
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 05:55 am
Go Nick Go! Enjoy the experience. Am sure it will be awesome, as the Canadian would say..... I'll be in HK for a few days from July 5th so hope to see you (and congratulate you then). Safe running, The Merry Mainlanders
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 05:21 am
All the best Nick. Pouring with rain in HK, should be a bit drier in the Gobi. Will miss you at Spot Bar tonight for the big game!!
Baz.
Posted On: 26 Jun 2010 08:42 pm
Good luck, thinking of you. Im so proud of you. lots of love mum x x
Posted On: 26 Jun 2010 04:24 pm
Hi Nick! Just want to wish you good luck tomorrow, hope you have a great start and a smooth run. We just got back from dinner with Joey and Ian and we are all cheering for you!!
Spoke to Bev earlier to check if you're free on July 10 as we plan to host a pool & bbq party to welcome you back from Gobi. So rest well, have a great run tomorrow, and we look forward to seeing more update on your blog!
Posted On: 26 Jun 2010 03:05 pm
We were so excited to see your photo on the website, Brie's so proud of you. Hope your all rested for the big day. We'll be thinking of you always. Love you.
Posted On: 25 Jun 2010 08:26 pm
Dad and Martin will be so proud, although im sure they would have both done it quicker and with more style. Be safe bro and try and enjoy it all.
Posted On: 25 Jun 2010 06:13 am
Hi love,
how was the flight? You're girls are missing you loads already, but we know you're on for a great big adventure and we support you all the way!
On race day just remember you've got you're own cheerios rooting for you from start to finish!
Love you, b+b+b
Posted On: 25 Jun 2010 01:28 am
Go Nick, all the best in this amazing challenge
Posted On: 25 Jun 2010 12:52 am
Go Cloughy !!!
Best wishes Nick on this most amazing race, experience and adventure. You are an inspiration to all of us. Good luck, and have a safe journey.
Posted On: 24 Jun 2010 10:24 am
I just had the pleasure of telling some friends doing the Threak Peaks Challenge in the UK this weekend, not to complain about the heat!! Wishing you all the best Nick!
Posted On: 24 Jun 2010 09:15 am
You go and make them eat sand dust, NICK! :-) we\'ll be cheering you on and we\'re confident you\'ll make it in one piece!!! ;-)
break a leg (not literally)!!!!
nice profile pic, FTW! :-)
Posted On: 24 Jun 2010 09:14 am
You go and make them eat sand dust, NICK! :-) we'll be cheering you on and we're confident you'll make it in one piece!!! ;-)
break a leg (not literally)!!!!
nice profile pic, FTW! :-)
Posted On: 24 Jun 2010 08:29 am
It would be a great race, Nick! You are the best!
Posted On: 24 Jun 2010 03:45 am
You can do this Nick, We support you all the way.
We will pray for your safe race and have a good one.
You rock....
Posted On: 24 Jun 2010 03:12 am
Go Nick! Manila supports you all the way. Hope you find the winds blow favorably to aid you in this awesone run.
Cheers!
Comments: Total (14) comments
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