RACE INFO

RACE INFO
Gobi March Blogs 2010
8
PostsGobi March (2010) blog posts from Chris Hansen
02 July 2010 09:40 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Ran out of water as well as power, had to rely on other racers to hand me a few drops here and there.
Had an hours rest on trail before stumping down towards the finish line.
Two causes, I believe.
Had a hard time getting any food down since Tuesday morning, in short relying on power drinks and Electrolytes to feed the system, not enough, I knew but thought Section 4 could be dealt with and recover.
However, decided to take a day off racing, to do some sightseeing and some recovery.
Am at the camp, in the middle of the Gobi desert, a place like nowhere else on earth, beautiful, but yet the oven is burning and it is only 10.00 Am.
Tomorrow I should be back in the race, so look out at the finish line.
Monique is today at Check point 4, expected to sweep the following stage, so she is busy.
We are all looking forward to have the latest updates once she is back.
Tomorrow for the final run across the line, both Monique & I are looking forward to see Sonia & Donna.
After crossing, I am heading directly for the first and the best local noodle soup.......
Thanks for everyone's support and comments
See you all shortly
01 July 2010 03:32 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Completed, just.......................
Overall performance for the first two check points was OK.
However, when we went into the large canyon leading towards the Turpan depresion, I ran out of water.
Hit the wall, and had to sit down for a good hour to rehydrate.
The temperatures are now up in what feels like the late 40's or early 50's
Hopefully I will be fully rehydrzte for tomorrows stage, if not I may just run a few stages, take the rest of then day off and rejoin the race again the following stage.
Sonia & Donna are tomorrow on their way to Urumqi to meet john, Monique & I at the finish line, we are very much looking forward to see them here.
Monique was today at CP 1 handing out water and cheering on the racers.
Tomorrow she is off as a sweeper between CP 4-5
more in the morning
Comments: Total (7) comments
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 03:41 pm
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29 June 2010 08:02 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Anyway, the nail does not bother me, certainly at this point.
Todays stage was a challanging 10 km river gulley run, crossing > 7 rivers, which was fun.
The second part was overall a rather a boring route, along the "Never ending valley" with nothing really to comment on.
The third part was not much better, althought there was a few minor rolling hilss, as well as a small rain shower to brighten up the day, in the desert.
Total distance, around 33km
Today Monique was at Check point 1 making sure all racers got additional water and a cherfull word for the rest of the journey
Camp is at a small village, where we have invaded just about every room the have with a roof.
Nice and rustic.
Tomorrow, we have an early start, around 04.00 with a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to the start line.
The trail itself, is a run along the Flamming Mountains into Turpan, I believe.
The technical issues with yestereday's blog, should have been fixed so that you know have the report.
Thanks for all the messages, keep them comming
Comments: Total (18) comments
Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 09:55 am
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29 June 2010 08:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Today's trails was outstanding, we started up with a few rolling hills, over a 15 km stage.
By rolling, it was a combination of the first and the last hill an MacLehose 3, tuff, but it was rewarded with fantastic views. Took my time and have plenty of good pictures, I hope.....
The last 2 sections was fairly easy, down hill across a "raging river" well that may be a bit of an overstatement, as the water was hardly up to the ankles.
Overall, a good day.
Finished overall somewhere in the 20's, which was great, so I am pleased.
Health wise, all good.
So far no blisters, touch wood.
Hips and knees holding up.
Food and drinks staying where they are supposed to......
Suntan, so far no problem, have been well covered when on trail.
Weather, an unbelievable cold night and morning.
Today however have been somewhat warmer and are new camp site appear to be warmer than our last one.
That being said we are surrounded by mountains so we expect the sundown to be early and tomorrows sunset to be fairly late, so who knows, maybe another cold and windy night.
Monique has been busy, all day today at the arrivals tent checking in competitors as they arrive.
She is as always greeting each and everyone with a few nice words of encouragement.
Later today, I think she is assigned to the Cyber tent.
Tomorrow, we continue down the valley towards Turpan, which is sure to bring true Gobi dessert temperatures.
So lets see.
Game plan, to continue putting one foot in front of the other, making it to the finish line.
Thanks for all the messages, keep them coming, it is great to hear from all of you
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27 June 2010 06:39 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Just finished the first stage of the Gobi March 2010.
Stage 1 was a short 32 km towards the Gobi desert.
All went well, actually it went real well.
The Breakdown of the stage as follows,
CP 1 9km
CP 2 8km
Finish line 15km
Total distance 32km
Started out with a good 30 min running from the start, towards CP1, after that I swithched to walking.
From CP 2 - finish we ran into our first hills, nothing dramatic, but never the less it gave uus some good picture opportunities
Approaching the finish line, was great, as Monique was on duty registering the runners as we finished.
Overall I came in # 17, not sustainable I know, but never the less a good start.
Believe it or not, but our camp is freezing cold and that is with the sun shinning.
I am sure that once the sun gets in it will be shockingly cold.
Can not wait to get down towards the Turpan Depresion, where the temperatures are somewhat more humane.
Comments: Total (23) comments
Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 10:29 pm
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25 June 2010 06:04 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
This morning is all about the official checks and balances......
I am allocated a 10.00 Check-in.
We will at that point be issues the official race number, racing log-book, which has to be presented at each check point.
Additionally there will also be a bag check.
Where the team will be scrutinizing the content of our bags assuring that we have all mandatory equipment packed.
Woke up early this morning and took the opportunity.... to run through my stuff one more time.
It yet again... seems to be OK. I had initially thought that I could not be bothered carrying coffee, but changed my mind yesterday and went out and bought some instant. Should I end up consuming the lot that would bring my average daily calorie intake to 2.400 or there abouts.
After the official check-in we are all at lunch and will then at 14.00 be departing for camp 1, so that we are ready for tomorrows 09.00 start time.
Rumours, this place is full of it.... which is really only what could be expected as the excitement builds.
The latest rumor is that although the first couple of days are expected to be fresh, with temperatures as low as 7 Degr. C the temperature from day 3 and onwards are expected to increase significantly.
This is exactly what could be expected. However, rumors have it, that the management team are thinking about changing start times to 07.00 for day 3 & 4 and potentially to 04.00 for day 5, in order to avoid the heat. Unbelievable, if this holds true, it will favour racers not prepared for the heat,...
Well lets see , at this point it is all just gossip.
Monique have been busy. I had the pleasure of having breakfast with her this morning.
But can you believe it, they "made" the volunters work all day yesterday.
After they finished training, putting stickers and labels on support vehicles, practising check-point procedures and so forth they went off for dinner as well as watching the first half of the Portugal Vs Brazil game.
Monique's first statement in Urumqi to the RCP team was, please do not make me a swiper, this have now changed so that she is trying to get at least a little action on the course.
Enough for now, and thanks for all the messages.
Jack M. Happy B'day, you are now officially a teenager.
Comments: Total (11) comments
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 11:24 am
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24 June 2010 07:21 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Woke up early this morning.
Checked my bagpack, calculated the daily calorie requirements, double checked that the necesary rations are in the bag and that all my equipment have made it through in a decent condition. I am pleased to say that all appears well.
Went for a brief stroll through the city centre of Urumqi after breakfast with Monique (she is now off for a full day of Volunteer training).
Hopefully the scenery on trail is somewhat more exciting than the city, everything here is grey.
In the city the temperature is a chilly 18 degree C and misty, who knows, it may even rain later on today.
However, I have checked the forecast, it is predicted to be 15-25 degrees C for the first 2 stages, the remaining 5 days is in the Turpan Depression and the Gobi desert and the conditions are expected to be more summery..... with lows in the 30;s and highs in the late 40's....
Thank you for all the messages, I am truely overwhelmed.
Keep them up, after long days on the trail, I will be looking forward to hear read them all.
Comments: Total (6) comments
Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 12:21 pm
Posted On: 25 Jun 2010 08:05 pm
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23 June 2010 10:06 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
6 months ago when the idea of participating in the Gobi March 2010 first came about, it sounded like a rather exciting challange.
Today, 68 hours before the start, just outside Urumqi, the initial excitement has evaporated, the only thing left is sheer fear......
That being said, the backpack is now packed and stuffed with all mandatory equipment such as blister kits, compas, sleeping bag & mat, extra chlothing plus naturally enough freeze dried breakfast & dinners, power gels, beef jerky, electrolyte tablets and so forth to feed a small army....
Throughout the race we are to be identified by our race number (which in my case is 60) as well as Nationality flags on the left shoulder (Denmark) and country of residence flags (Hong Kong) on the right.
So should you spot someone with these charekteristiks in the pictures you will know who is hiding behind the dessert hat and dark sunglasses.
More later as we are about to board
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