Well, I suppose I could talk about the weather, and how they shut the race down. How the heavens opened up and unleashed their mighty fury upon us in the mountains, but I’m sure the web site will tell you all about it. I managed to pull off 55KMS before course closure. I was really having a fine day. The extreme weather did add a new challenge, but was usual for a Calgarian runner. In fact, at check point 4, highest point of the course, I still had just my T-shirt on. That is until the doctor ordered me to put a coat on. Probably a smart choice. Minutes later, I felt the full wrath of the storm.

Earlier in the day…

Imagine a tiny valley slicing through giant, lush green mountains. There is a creek running through it. At the base of a mountain is a small canvas hut nestled into a small outcropping of land which ends the steep banks of the creek. Smoke rises out of a stack and there is woman tending to something in the yard. There is a pen made of stone for her sheep. As I come running up the dirt trail on the opposite side of the stream, I can’t help but feel how surreal this all is. Just then, a small boy, maybe 4 years old, comes running out to greet me. He cheers and waves to me as I pass. Then, I paused. I jumped across the stream and approached him. He was smiling. I looked to his mother in the yard. She was also smiling, and gave me a nod. I crouched down and we shook hands…This was my Gobi moment. The moment in which I had travelled to the other side of the world for. The human experience.

Thank you to my friends at Ronald McDonald House…The staff and volunteers that go to work every day after long day to support the kids and families that pass through your doors.

Love,

Well, the Gobi is underway and…so far so good. Day 1 started out great. I was feeling good and ran the first 20K. Then my wheels fell off (but only a little – LOL). I  was struggling with my calories and electrolytes, trying to find the right mix, and feeling a bit  crappy. Regaining composure, I finished the last 10K feeling better. I was quite happy with my overall performance and looking forward to day 2, knowing I usually get stronger as the week goes on. The scenery was absolutely amazing and every now and then I had to remind myself I was running in a part of the world where Westerners are forbidden. Seriously, no one will ever run here again. Locals look at us like we are aliens, and I suppose we are in this land. 42 down … 208 to go.

Day 2 was another good day. I finished 25^th overall which I consider to be one of the greatest athletic accomplishments of my life. I won’t lie though. I am knackered when I cross the finish line. “Leave it all out on the course.” Spare a little to write blogs and emails. I have been running the last 2 days with a tent mate and fellow Canadian, Dan. He is a true gentleman and one tough SOB. I have begun the transformation from clean cut citizen to mangy, unruly ware wolf. Perhaps the most fun part of the race. 

Well, time to go eat some noodles – yum!

Thanks for all the well wishes. I will put them into a blender and make an energy drink with them. They definitely keep me chugging along.

Cheers to everyone at the Ronald McDonald House. While this race helps stroke my ego, I also do it for you.

Lori and Oskar – through the desert and back xoxo

I can't tell you how excited I am to be going back to Asia. The last time I was there was about sixteen years ago on a business trip to HongKong. Back then I was touring the globe with work and getting into all kinds of crazy situations. That is what 20 something year olds do with their time off in foriegn lands. From being (nearly) car jacked in Columbia, to drinking beer with a rat in HongKong, I had no shortage of adventure. So how did I come to share a beverage with a rat in HongKong you ask? It was late one night and I was having troubles sleeping due to the time change. So I walked down to a nearby grocery store, grabbed a couple beers and set out to explore. Along the way I passed by a long, dark alley and couldn't resist checking it out. Well, the many inhabitants of the alley decided to check me out as well. Rats! Being from Alberta (a rat free province) I had never seen a rat in real life so this was a brand new experience. Anyways, I proceeded to sit down against the wall, enjoy  my beer and observe my furry friends. Somehow, by accident I knocked my beer can over and spilled a little on the ground. And that is when it happened. Ever so slowly, one of the rats crept up along side me and began to lap up the small puddle of beer. And so I took a drink from my can as well, and we enjoyed a bonding moment between two of the most unlikely of creatures to ever drink together. 

So what does this have to do with racing the Gobi March. Absolutly nothing, but these are the kinds of stories I look forward to sharing with tent-mates at the end of a long hard day in the desert. It is perhaps the funnest part of the adventure - when the unlikeliest of creatures come together in a bonding moment.

In the beginning...there was a thought (after reading a magazine article.) How cool would it be to run in the Antarctica? Then there was the research and realization of what it would take to get there. And so, a plan was put into motion. I would attempt to complete the 4 Deserts series in order of Sahara, Atacama, Gobi and last but not least - Antarctica. Simple right? Wrong. Shortly after registering for the Sahara Race in 2009, our (my wonderful wife Lori and I) 4 year old son Oskar was diagnosed with a heart condition requiring open heart surgery. And so, everything stopped...but only for awhile. It is impossible to stop inertia. Once something is in motion it stays in motion. 

Then...a revised plan was formed. After Oskar was repaired and on the mend, I re-entered the Sahara Race 2010 with a new purpose. Raise money and awareness for the Ronald McDonald House (for giving my family a home away from home) and of course, complete the 4 Deserts.

In the middle...now after completing Sahara and Atacama I am ready to meet the Gobi. The mission may be half over but who knows what lies ahead. One thing is for sure, when it comes to a 4 Deserts event, nothing can be taken for granted. And so I have begun the mental and physical perperations for this incredible challenge. 

Brett