It is the day after the Gobi "Long Day" and there is no running today!

 

By now you will have seen the results of yesterday and know that I had a very good day - finishing the 76km stage in 11h32 and 35th position. My overall position is now 29th.

 

The long day started with a two-hour bus trip from camp 5 to the starting point.

 

My start to the stage was no different to the previous two days - slow and going now where fast. I reached the halfway mark in 6h40 and 65th position. We got caught in a thunderstorm at this point and maybe this is what I needed to get going. With rain pounding down I started running at a nice pace and finished the second 38km in less than 5 hours, making up 30 positions. My feet were really hurting towards the end, but it was all about finishing strong and also "enjoying" the experience of completing the long day.

 

The route for most of this stage was next to the Kunlun mountain range which separates China and Pakistan. The snow-capped mountains are just a magnificent site.

 

Today everyone are either sleeping, cleaning blisters or walking around like wounded soldiers. The rugged and stoney surface of the past few days has really left its mark on most competitors feet. We will all return home with real evidence of a desert race!

 

Tomorrow we have the final stage - 15km to the end of the 2012 Gobi March.

 

I will write the next update from the comfort of my hotel room in Kashgar - after my first shower in 7 days!

 

Please remember to support the SANGONeT "No Pain No Gain" fundraising campaign - www.ngopulse.org/npng.

 

I would like to thank everyone who have e-mailed me messages of support and commented on my blog posts. Many many thanks.

 

Until next time.

 

"No Pain No Gain"

 

David

Another brutal day for me. Finished 64th in 8h21. No energy and just not into the race as on the first two days. Not sure if it is the altitude.

 

However, despite the tough course today, we still had the priviledge of seeing Shipton’s Arch / Heaven’s Gate. Amazing site and fantastic views from up there.

 

After that it was just one up and down hill after the other, in most cases close to scary cliffs and on loose gravel and stones. I don’t like heights and that 12km stretch tested my nerves to the extreme. I also lost a lot of time during this stretch.

 

The rest of the day was just long and tiring.

 

Now it is only the ‘Long March’ that remains – stage 5 - 76km.

 

Hopefully I will have some better news to report on tomorrow night.

 

Remember to support the SANGONeT ‘No Pain No Gain’ fundraising campaign – www.ngopulse.org/npng.

 

Thank you for all the messages of support.

 

Until the next update from the Gobi Desert.

 

No Pain No Gain

 

David

Greetings from camp 4 at the end of stage 3. The stage was called “Langerville”.

 

Today was a tough day at the office. Completed the 35km in 5h55, 32nd position.

 

Although my position for today is disappointing, many competitors finished quite close together, so hopefully my overall position is still not too bad.

 

Today was just one big uphill over rocks and gravel. We crossed many canyons and river beds. We started at 1663m, checkpoint 1 was at 1793m, checkpoint 2 at 1890m, checkpoint 3 at 2100m, and the finish at 2525m – a net gain of almost 900m!

 

I went through checkpoint 2 in 16th position, but then fell very hard going down a steep slope – I have a sore left shoulder and a bruised left palm – but that’s life – “No Pain No Gain”. Thereafter I just did not feel like running, but hopefully are my fast first two days, it was a blessing is disguise and that I saved some valuable energy.

 

My feet are still ok, no blisters, so overall I’m ok. Must just get my head ready for tomorrow’s 4th stage of 42km. We have been warned that it will be very tough, so after today, we are not sure what to expect.

 

Tonight is expected to be very cold given the height of the campsite. Hopefully I will have a good rest before tomorrow’s challenge.

 

Today’s tough stage will no doubt result in a number of drop outs. It is sad to see people dropping out, but these undulating stages over very rocky terrain take no prisoners.

 

Thank you for all the blog comments and e-mail messages. Really appreciate them. But please keep them going.

 

Remember to support the SANGONeT “No Pain No Gain” fundraising campaign with a donation – www.ngopulse.org/npng. We value your support.

 

Until the next update from the Gobi Desert.

 

“No Pain No Gain”

 

David

Greetings from camp Langerville at the end of stage 2 of the 2012 Gobi March.

 

I had a great day, finishing the 39km distance in 5h02, 15th position for this stage. I know most people back home will have sleepness nights about my fast start to the race, but I’m really feeling good. My food, nutrition, backpack and other equipment are all making this a very “pleasant” experience so far!

 

Today’s course was called “Mars in the Gobi”. The first part was again very undulating, with more ups than down, than a fairly flat 10km over open veld to the third checkpoint, and then a big 4km climb before a steep 4km downhill, and a final flat 2km.

 

After a slow first few kms with stiff legs from yesterday, I started feeling stronger and stronger and passed a number of runners over the last 15km.

 

The course remains very rocky, and although I still don’t have any blisters, my feet are sore. However, no blisters are a big bonus and I hope this situation remains the same for the rest of the race.

 

After staying in the Tashpushka village last night, we are back in our tented village today in what looks like a cut-down wheat field.

 

We have a great tent with everyone getting along without any issues – although my snoring is again an “evolving issue”!

 

Remember to follow and support the SANGONeT “No Pain No Gain” fundraising campaign – we need your support – www.ngopulse.org/npng.

 

Tomorrow’s third stage is called “Langerville” and will be 35.6km in length.

 

I miss everyone at home and the office.

 

Until the next update from the Gobi Desert.

 

“No Pain No Gain”

 

David

I finished the first stage in 3h55 in 18th position overall and could not have asked for a better start. I ran with Ryan Hill, one of my tent mates, for a big part of the day and it was great to run with company for a change in the desert.

 

After a fairly undulating first 10-12km, the rest of the day was relatively flat, although we ran straight into a strong head wind for most of the day. It also wasn’t too hot, but the course was rocky and rough on the feet. Given the rain that fell earlier in the week and rising rivers as a result, the length of today’s course was reduced from 42km to 32km. No one is complaining, and as a result, a few more people had a comfortable first day.

 

Everyone in our tent finished day one which is great start.

 

After sleeping in our first tented camp last night, tonight we are sleeping in a small village called Tushpushka. Every tent has been allocated a room in a villager’s house – not much in each room other than a thick carpet. However, this is already much better than the rocky surfaces on which we slept last night. The toilet is shared with a few cows!

 

Overall impressions of day – I feel my training schedule really helped. I felt strong all day and hope tomorrow will be another good day. No blisters and stiff legs, although my backpack is too heavy and I will have to reduce the weight tonight.

 

Tomorrow’s stage 2 will cover 39km and is called Tashpushka.

 

Great to hear that the Bokke won against England!

 

Please remember to follow and support our ‘No Pain No Gain’ campaign – www.ngopulse.org/npng.

 

Until the next update from somewhere in the Gobi Desert.

 

‘No Pain No Gain’

 

Cheers!

The big day has finally arrived.

After travelling from Beijing to Kashgar on Friday - it almost took the whole day - we are now getting ready for a two hour bus trip into the GobI Desert to Gazi where we will stay for the night.

This morning we had a detailed race and medical briefing, followed by kit and equipment checks.

My bag weighs approximately 10kg, which is not too bad.

The race starts at 08h00 on Sunday, 10 June 2012, and the first stage is called "Canyons and Camels". We will start at an altitude of 1787m, with many up and down hills waiting for us over the next week.

The daily race distances will be - 42.1km, 39km, 35.6km, 41.6km, 72km, 15km

My next update will be at the of Stage 1.

# I'm participating in the Gobi March in support of the 2012 SANGONeT "No Pain No Gain" fundraising campaign. To learn more about our campaign, refer to http://www.ngopulse.org/npng.

7 June 2012

Greetings from Beijing.

The countdown to the Gobi March in now full swing - just three days to go! I'm flying to Kashgar tomorrow morning, before travelling to Gazi on Saturday with all the other competitors. We will stay in our first desert camp on Saturday evening, before starting the race on Sunday morning.

Competitors in multi-day, self-sufficient, desert footraces face many challenges. These include the weather, sand, injuries, blisters, tiredness, thirst, lack of comfort and privacy, etc.

But there is one challenge which ultimately could make or break your race - the weight of your backpack. Finding the fine balance between the overall weight of your bag, and the food and equipment required to get you through the race, could have a major impact on your ability to finish or not. Ultimately, what every runner packs will be determined by personal preferences and daily nutritional requirements. Runners are only provided with water during the race - 1.5l at every checkpoint, 8-12km apart, and 4.5l at the overnight camps - everything else required needs to be in your bag when the race starts on 10 June 2012.

According to the rules of the race, there is a standard list of compulsory equipment which every runner has to carry from start to finish (e.g. head lamps, sleeping bag, blister kit, etc.). In addition, every runner has to start with at least 14 000 calories of food and nutritional supplements for the entire race. Anything else in your bag is a personal choice of what will make the experience as comfortable as possible for you over seven days in the desert.

The preferred weight of a backpack is between 9 and 10kg for most runners, with some starting with less and others with slightly more weight. My aim is to start the Gobi March with my backpack weighing less than 10kg.

At the moment, I have the following items in my backpack:

15 x Muscle Science Staminade Endure hydration unites
7 x Muscle Science Staminade Recover units
7 x Muscle Science Opti Joint sachets
7 x Muscle Science Xplode units
6 x packets of Muscle Science protein mix
12 x Rehidrat Sport sachets
6 x PeptoPro Sport sachets
7 x sachets of Oats so Easy mixed with Muscle Science Protein (for breakfast)
6 x packets of salt and vinegar chips
6 x packets of biltong
6 x packets of fruit and nuts mix
7 x dinner packs – biltong and smash or freeze dried beef and rice
7 x pairs of Nike socks
2 x Nike running shorts
2 x Nike running shirts
1 x Nike running jacket
2 x water bottles
1 x knife
1 x compass
1 x camera
1 x solar charger
1 x iPod
1 x sunscreen
1 x lip ice
1 x blister kit
2 x head lamps
1 x flashlight for back of backpack
1 x sleeping bag
1 x inflatable mattress
1 x emergency / space blanket
1 x head scarf / buff
1 x running cap
1 x insect net
1 x unit of Vaseline
50ml of Hand hygiene gel
1 x sewing kit
1 x spoon/fork
1 x toothbrush and toothpaste
1 x packet of Voltaren tablets
1 x packet of Ponado pain tablets
10 x Imodium tablets

In addition, I will be using the following gear:

1 x pair of Nike Pegasus 28 trail running shoes
2 x gaiters
2 x Black Diamond tracking poles
1 x Garmin Forerunner 310XT watch
1 x Blackberry phone with Endomondo app for live tracking

Based on my experience in the 2011 Sahara Race, most competitors start the race with more food items (and therefore weight) than required. After every stage everyone re-assesses their requirements for the remaining days and reduce their weight (and especially food) accordingly. This usually results in a mini feast amongst those sharing a tent!

Ultimately, a desert race such as the Gobi March is all about survival and as we say in Afrikaans - vasbyt!

But then again, there is nothing to gain without a little pain!!

# I'm participating in the Gobi March in support of the 2012 SANGONeT "No Pain No Gain" fundraising campaign. To learn more about our campaign, refer to http://www.ngopulse.org/npng.

6 June 2012

Greetings from Beijing.

I arrived in Beijing late on Tuesday night after a 14 hour flight from Johannesburg. I will be staying here until Friday morning before flying to Kashgar.

I'm getting really excited (and anxious) about the Gobi March now that I'm in China. After months' of training and preparations, it is now only 4 days to the start of the race.

The last few days at home were very hectic in terms of work commitments and final preparations for the race. Packing for a seven-day self-sufficient desert race is a science in its own right. It is all about weight and substance. Whatever goes into your bag must serve a real purpose because you have to carry everything from start to finish - too much weight and you will pay the penalty over seven days, too little substance in terms of food and you will also suffer over seven days. You need to find the right balance.

This is my fourth desert race and I think the packing process is getting slightly easier, although it still requires a lot of planning, discipline and patience!

With a suitcase full "powder" - rehydrate drinks - and a bag of biltong ("the secret weapon of all South African participants"), the process of getting through customs on arrival in Beijing was a bit nerve wrecking. Fortunately, no-one was interested in checking my bags.

This is my first visit to Beijing since 1999 and it didn't take long to realise how much has changed over the past 13 years.

The new airport is a very impressive building. Constructed in support of the 2008 Olympic Games, it is massive in size. The highway from the airport into Beijing is also very impressive, although it was very congested even at 11:00 at night. Beijing itself is a transformed city. Big new buildings everywhere. And like anywhere else in the world, everyone is talking on a cellphone!

I hope to go for a walk in Beijing later today, but this trip is not about sightseeing.

The race is getter closer and my aim is to take it easy for the next few days before taking on the mighty Gobi Desert!

# I'm participating in the Gobi March in support of the 2012 SANGONeT "No Pain No Gain" fundraising campaign. To learn more about our campaign, refer to www.ngopulse.org/npng.