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Gobi March Blogs 2016
6
PostsGobi March (2016) blog posts from Oli Read
24 June 2016 02:32 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Long March
22 June 2016 02:21 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Day 4
Comments: Total (10) comments
Tim Cairns
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 11:44 am
Great effort mate. Keep seeing you smiling in photos on the course. It's all just too easy isn't it! Glad to see you've also given the green jacket a rest. Enjoy the day with your feet up and then get your head down and figure out how to catch up Morson and win this thing! nothing wrong with a bit of friendly rivalry is there?! Fantastic effort by you and all the boys. See you in the BnG. Don't forget to text us ETA so we can be there with the pints on ice!
Shaun Read
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 10:44 am
Keep going, bro... No pain, no gain! I'm glad you and Morse are spurring each other on so that you don't lose your mind out there.. or start conversing with the wildlife like Legs haha!. Totally in awe of you boys! xx
Claire Cairns
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 05:02 am
Long march is now over...... the finish line is in sight - well done Ol, amazing experience and a job well done! Now come home for some well deserved beers.
Katy Chandler
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 05:01 am
All the best for the long March Oli. That seems like a pretty life changing experience and I know you've got the right mental attitude to totally nail it. We're all routing for you here in HK. x
Ross Carter
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 02:06 am
Mate, you and Scott are having an unbelievable race. Best of luck with the long march, no doubt they'll be many ups and downs but it'll be an experience you won't forget so enjoy it!
thavy Read
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 01:26 am
Wowsers babe.... the next leg is 80K?? have I told you that you were bat crazy doing this? If only Andie knew what this holiday meant! She misses you so much and keeps asking when you will be home. I will allow you to celebrate with a beer or two--- three max! Ha ha ha ha! Can't wait for you to get back! xxx
Darren Tavares
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 12:53 am
Give it hell today Readie...80 Desert stroll ....you've got this. Goood luck!
Elaine Read
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 10:00 pm
Hi Oli, you really are a star, so proud of you Very good luck for the rest of the journey. Can't wait for you to reach the final destination though I have to say. You and the rest of the guys have been amazing and so supportive to one another, a great team Xx
Simon Read
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 03:51 pm
Well done bro!! Amazing effort , you and Morse are defying the sports industry with all your pre race traing on the beers lol! Keep on rolling! the long march tomorrow 80ks wow be safe and let's see you in the top 35 again or better no pressure
Ben Chandler
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 03:23 pm
Long march done? Gooooood man - your done - get to that line and celebrate - u can do 10k on your knees ! Amazing effort dude - life changing experience ..... Looking forward to boozing soon!
21 June 2016 04:00 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Day three
Comments: Total (10) comments
Thavy Read
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 11:34 am
Famous last words babe... Fear not another mid-life crisis will come. I am so proud of you and you are doing so well. We miss you so much. I am writing this from SG with shell bel and she too thinks you're absolutely nuts. She sends you her love!!!Our little Andie still thinks you are holiday. :)
We miss you loads. Please come in one piece. You are almost there, chin up and keep it going!! xxx
Ross Carter
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 07:44 am
Mate you are flying and climbing up the leader board! Seemed like a very tough day from reading the blogs, and you seem to be getting stronger...what are you taking and have they asked you to pee in a cup?
Massive effort! Keep going!
Paul Taylor
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 06:05 am
Cairns' messages are funny, mainly about the planks of doom in the bogs, cracking me up. You are doing it the right way round Readie, steady start and finding your rhythm.. I reckon the long day will be your long day, reeling in the people one by one that you can see on the horizon. It's time to make some history, I've got money on a top 20 finish tomorrow! Eat the pain, or the pills right up, just the one day remaining then you can hang up the trainees, and drink beer after cool beer! Good luck mate
Georgina Morson
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 06:05 am
Go Readstar, Go Readstar, Go uncle Oli...
How's your holiday ha ha. Thavy will kill me. Molly and Andi are having discussions on if you and Scott are in the "Obi" or on holiday. Not sure you will take that destination again.
You're all doing amazingly, we are all extremely proud and your positions are just outstanding. Go for it today and tomorrow and then you can have that well earned rest day Friday ready for your sprint to the final line.
Good luck for the longun tomorrow and make it a time to plan the next few years in HK, holidays, that book you will write, achievements (obviously including this) you will plan and smash before you are 40!! I've booked you on the Macau bungee :) ha ha
Keep Scott warm and away from those low moments, remind him we are waiting for him but more importantly there's a large vedette or two in the Bar & Grill with his name on it..
x
Alex Moran
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 05:24 am
I was trying to work out if it was because you are obviously ...the most handsome man in the race or is the fact that you have possibly the brightest jacket in the race that you are getting photographed so much??!! My money is the jacket....definitely no missing you in that.....i agree with Tim, not a keeper i'm afraid.
Sounds like you had a dark day mate but glad to hear you and Morse were together nothing like having a comrade pushing you on during these things. You doing brilliantly .....so just keep on doing what your doing.
Claire Cairns
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 12:58 am
Good luck with the long march tomorrow, keep going and just think of the nice refreshing cold beer! You are doing amazingly well x
Tim Cairns
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 12:01 am
You know that green jacket you've clearly become so attached to......that's not a keeper. Right then you. Man up and stop whinging about how much it hurts. You're absolutely tearing it up and you've got top 20 finish in sight. Are you a man or a mouse. You've reeled them in. Now eat them up for breakfast. I expect you to crush it. The mind games are nothing to you. This is your strength. No weakness there. The poles will save you. Make them make you faster. Destroy the long March my friend. You are gong to make us proud!! How are the planks of fury treating you. I bet they seem like the ritz Carlton by now!
Ben Chandler
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 11:25 pm
Beer is within site Oli - great work pushing on - use those poles dude - they help lift u up with it gets hard - they are also great for singing Ymca out loud! Hope day 4 went well - long march next - pace it / crush it - it's all that stands between u and larger ..... Stay strong brother
Elaine Read
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 10:41 pm
Brilliant Oli, a fantastic effort! I can only imagine how gruelling this must be and I hope you will look back on the experience with pride because you should be very proud of yourself; we all are
Simon Read
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 07:21 pm
Well done big boy, keep um coming..
You can do this madness! Just think your girls seat the finish line waiting for you
20 June 2016 03:15 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Day Two
Comments: Total (10) comments
Fingers Aukland
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 02:51 pm
think I would Have completely stopped talking by now if I was in the race!!! Either that or I wouldn't stop moaning. Keep hunting morse down mate I'm sure a man of your abilities can catch him! best of Luck tomorrow.
Alex Moran
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 12:47 pm
Awesome effort Reedie! Was your bag really that heavy at the start....bloody he'll, that makes how your doing even more impressive! Although I'm pretty sure you have already devoured a couple of kilos of that....
Just keep ignoring the pain and keep thinking of the glory.....oh and bragging rights of finishing it!
Thavy Read
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 09:30 am
Keep it going babe-- despite the pain you described the pictures makes it seems like you are actually enjoying it!!! We are missing you so much and can't wait to have you back. See through the pain babe! xx
Ross Carter
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 06:46 am
Readie you're so far up the leader board you'll be getting a nose bleed! Well done mate keep going.
Shaun Read
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 06:45 am
Amazing, brother! Very impressive! Congrats on the 25th place finish today and also the number of photos you're on :) Remember, there's always someone with more blisters than yourself. Keep on moving, bro! X
Ben Chandler
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 05:50 am
Amazing mate - keep going ..... When u reAd this u will be halfway - and I know it's a quicker journey home - look after that hip - use poles if u can - should help the stress. Fooking hot in HK! I here it's hot where u are !
Paul Taylor
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 01:22 am
Nice work again Ollie, 25th is crazy, and still looking happy in the photos! Two days down, good pace... pack will be lighter, time to raise it up a gear, and start reeling the boys in! Easier written than done, but by the end of today you're well through it. Good luck today, we're all checking the updates to see how you're doing.
Elaine Read
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 10:59 pm
Hi Oli, another great day;what an endurance test! Look after your feet and hope you've got some strong painkillers for your aches and pains. There are some good photos of you guys but yes where is Scott? Hope you enjoyed your night in the Yurt
Tim Cairns
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 10:36 pm
Outstanding mate. Keep at it. You'll soon forget all about that pain. Can't promise the same about the planks of fury you hang over each day. That's mental scarring, right there!
England 0-0. Wales top group after beating the ruski 3-0.
Incidentally, you are literally in almost every photo. Hardly surprising but what have you done with Morse?! He's like the invisible man.
Simon Read
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 09:33 pm
Another great day bro keep it up.. Put those Aches and pains to the back of your mind, keep on moving
So proud of you... X
19 June 2016 03:02 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
So Race Day One
Comments: Total (10) comments
Sinon Read
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 09:28 pm
Great work bro, keep the momentum after a great day one start
Keep building and you'll smash it!!
Champagne is on ice
X
Graham Mcneill
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 12:07 pm
Great work! You guys are doing fantastically well. Denise and I are both monitoring the daily progress. Keep going and stay strong! Mind of matter!
Elaine Read
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 09:35 am
Well done Ols a great first day! You look pretty relaxed on the photos. Hope you got a good night's sleep. Onwards and upwards
Ben Chandler
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 08:40 am
Go on son ..... Keep those legs pumping .... Look after your feet!
Sally Gentle
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 06:37 am
Boom! Great work Oli! Good luck with your mat repair work too - hope you can get a good night sleep. If Scott's not having it, Matt is a human hot water bottle so snuggle up :)
Claire Cairns
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 05:35 am
Well done Ol, amazing finish on day one - keep it up. If you get too cold at night I am sure Scott won't mind you giving him a cuddle.
Keep going xxxx
Chigs taylor
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 04:42 am
Nice work Readdie, 26th is a cracking start! And sounds like you're enjoying it, that makes it easier. Saw a few photos of you, and you look the most relaxed out of the boys. Like a stroll in the country.
Good luck today, heard there was a bit of climb, you're probably going up there as I write this on Monday lunchtime. I know where I'd rather be, there!
Tahvy Read
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 02:54 am
Good going babe!!!! We are both thinking of you. Andie still thinks you're on holiday....if she only knew. We love you and keep it up!! xx
Tahvy Read
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 02:54 am
Good going babe!!!! We are both thinking of you. Andie still thinks you're on holiday....if she only knew. We love you and keep it up!! xx
Tim Cairns
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 01:41 am
Crushed it on day one mate. NICE. Don't forget, pain is temporary. Hurting is living it mate. Think of the vedette I am drinking for you. Savouring it's coolness. Ah well, not long til you can join me for one in celebration! or 10.
There's a good photo of you in the Yurt on FB but they think you are called Scott Morson for some reason! Don't worry, we told them you are really called Mary.
Have fun and keep on running!
17 June 2016 11:47 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
After Thursday night in Shenzhen, a 7:30am flight on Friday morning to Urumqi, a 3 hour wait for a train followed by a 3.5 hour journey to Hami and then a 30 min cab ride to the wonderful and palatial Hami Hotel, we had arrived in North West China at 8pm.
Comments: Total (3) comments
Claire Cairns
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 12:30 pm
Hi Oli, I hope the first day went well, good luck for the rest of the race. Enjoy it and I hope the food bags are OK.... xxx
Tim Cairns
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 12:09 pm
How's the first day?? Hope it's all good. The beer is on ice
Elaine Read
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 10:45 am
Glad to hear you are well on your way Oli and will now have been out there doing it all day today. With you in spirit. Lots of love xx
Comments: Total (5) comments
Alex Moran
Posted On: 25 Jun 2016 04:52 am
Elaine Read
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 04:13 pm
Thavy Read
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 03:17 pm
Simon Read
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 03:06 pm
Ben Chandler
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 02:52 pm