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Gobi March Blogs 2008
8
PostsGobi March (2008) blog posts from William Kreamer
13 June 2008 02:04 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
Just wanted to get the official word out - Scott and I withdrew from the race on the morning of Stage 4. Successive days of 100+ degree heat and high altitude (for our sea-level-trained lungs) and made going on a losing proposition. We got a ride back to Kashgar, are cleaned up and rested and are seeing the sights.
Thanks for all of the support over the last week, and see you back in Boston!
10 June 2008 12:54 pm (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
Hi all,
I decided to take a much slower pace today, as yesterday several competitors were overcome by the heat. Fortunately, the medical team is very capable and everyone seems okay. Anyway, I think I finished in about 9hrs 30 mins. Some spectacular views and great pictures, to go along with heat in the high 90s.
I got your emails, too, so thanks for those!
Looking forward to seeing you all at home.
Bill
I decided to take a much slower pace today, as yesterday several competitors were overcome by the heat. Fortunately, the medical team is very capable and everyone seems okay. Anyway, I think I finished in about 9hrs 30 mins. Some spectacular views and great pictures, to go along with heat in the high 90s.
I got your emails, too, so thanks for those!
Looking forward to seeing you all at home.
Bill
Comments: Total (15) comments
Posted On: 12 Jun 2008 04:03 pm
Hi Bill! We haven’t met before, but two of my physicians are part of the medical team with you (Drs. Brian Krabak and Marla Kaufman), so I've been tracking the event and reading through people's blogs, pictures, etc., and I just read your bio and I wanted to congratulate you for doing this event especially after breaking your neck! How inspiring!! Anyway, best of luck in the last few stages. And if you happen to see my docs on the course, please tell them to post some more blogs! Everyone at the clinic is asking about them :) !! Thanks! And best of luck to you!
~ Vanessa :)
Seattle, WA
Posted On: 11 Jun 2008 12:36 pm
Over half-way there! Can't wait to hear some of your stories and descriptions of the experience. Jenifer has been glued to the website since the race began. She is really proud of you. -As we all are.
Posted On: 11 Jun 2008 10:35 am
Hi Bill:
I continue to be amazed at your fortitude! I'll take some lessons in it when you get home.
A penny for (all of) your thoughts on the trail would probably yield a fortune.
Congratulations on completing stage three!
Love, Mom
Posted On: 11 Jun 2008 02:44 am
Keep it up! Stay hydrated! We are thinking of you.
Gregg & Lauren
Posted On: 11 Jun 2008 01:52 am
Haven't seen the Stage 3 pics yet, just glad you made it. The course description is pretty glowing, so I bet you passed thru some really nice areas. Are you taking pictures? Take it nice and easy, on to Kongsu! Love, Dad
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 11:42 pm
Hi Bill--Glad that you and Scott are in this together. Be safe and take care--Scott's uncle and aunt, Andy and Robin
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 11:20 pm
Glad to hear that you're still trucking along and enjoying the scenery. I've got some cold Bud Lite in the frige when you get back.
Rich
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 09:58 pm
Keep up the trek man! I'll reiterate what everyone has been saying about staying hydrated and maintaining a reasonable pace, but it would be fun to compete with Scott about how long you can go between water breaks.... or not. Great work man!
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 07:15 pm
You look great in the pictures. Going slow appears to be paying off. Keep hydated. Congratulations on the amazing accomplishments of this race. The landscape is so varied. Look forward to seeing the pictures. Good luck!
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 04:33 pm
Great job Bill! We saw you looking fresh during Stage 2. I like your idea of taking things slow. It's paying off! The landscape from Stage 3 photos posted today looks very different from the previous 2 days. Hopefully that means some cooler weather! Keep up the great work! We're all so proud of you and looking forward to seeing you both soon!
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 03:59 pm
Good idea to take it slow - just enjoy the scenery and keep pushing on.
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 02:22 pm
Good to hear you're playing it smart. How's the water?
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 01:56 pm
Glad to hear that you are taking it slow and enjoying the scenery! Keep up with that plan! The pictures are amazing. Saw you in all your gear-looked like you are having a great adventure. Keep drinking, taking it slow and enjoy this experience.
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 01:55 pm
Yeah Bill,
So happy you are being smart in the heat! Glad to see your update on your posted time for stage two..keep on trucking!!!
Love,
Mandy
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 01:20 pm
Kate says GO BILL! Glad to hear that you are doing well and staying hydrated! Scenery looks amazing. Great to see some pictures of you. Have a good stage 3!
09 June 2008 12:19 pm (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
whoof. that was hard. Stage 1 was approximately 39km going through some varied terrain - river crossings, sun-baked flats, rolling hills of rock and shale. Scott and I took it slowly, walking the entire way, I finished in about 6 hrs 32 mins and Scott finished about 15 mins earlier.
we're recuperating at camp now, building up strength for Stage 2. Miss you all! Jen, I hope you're having a great time in Lisbon and London.
Mandy, I hope Edgar is not giving you too much trouble, give him a kiss from me!
Should be able to post again tomorrow.
Bill
we're recuperating at camp now, building up strength for Stage 2. Miss you all! Jen, I hope you're having a great time in Lisbon and London.
Mandy, I hope Edgar is not giving you too much trouble, give him a kiss from me!
Should be able to post again tomorrow.
Bill
Comments: Total (20) comments
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 10:27 am
Hi Bill:
I hope that you are, or soon will be, resting after completing stage three! We're seeing you in pictures on the website, so it's great to "be there" with you. I hope that our collective positive thoughts are coming through, especially on the trail.
Love, Mom
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 08:46 am
Keep on rocking it Bill!
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 04:27 am
Great job on stage 1, look forward to hearing results from stage 2 and beyond.
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 02:42 am
Keep it up and if Ribich is slowing you down feel free to leave him to fend for himself.
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 02:32 am
Nice job Bill. One hell of a day. What do you think about? Besides your feet. Anyway, may your energy stay high! love, Dad
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 02:05 am
Awesome job Bill! Finally able to go to bed knowing the results of stage 2. At this point you're already on to stage 3. Maybe there will be more shade in the farmlands. Good luck.
Posted On: 10 Jun 2008 01:48 am
Congrats on finishing Stage 2 - it looked and sounded extremely hard - you did great! Please drink that water and take it easy! Thinking about you each day - actually several times a day!! Way to go!
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 11:53 pm
Congrats on completing stage1! It was great to see your photo on the website this evening. Please stay safe, healthy and hydrated. Miss you!
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 07:55 pm
Good job Bill! Hoping Stage 2 goes well - boy it looks HOT. We're thinking about you and cheering you and Scott on. Stay cool and hydrated!
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 07:28 pm
Bet you guys are wishing to be running in the cold rain in the Fells again :P. You're both doing really well - keep on truckin.
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 07:27 pm
Hi Bill:
I join the others in (fervently) hoping that you and Scott will continue to do well and stay healthy. Each moment in each stage is all you have to get through. Easy for me to say, but maybe it'll work for coordinating your mind with what your body must do.
Love, Mom
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 04:57 pm
Bill, I hope you made it through Stage 2 OK. Nice pic of you moving uphill looking rather fresh. I'll check later for an update. Do those electrolytes. Love you, Dad
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 04:46 pm
You think you are tired now. Wait til the litlle one arrives!
Keep going dude!
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 04:02 pm
Bill,
Nice job on stage 1. Hoping you and Ribs keep it going.
-Sanch
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 03:50 pm
Congrats Bill!
Glad to hear stage 1 went well! Stay strong and hydrated:)
Love,
Mandy
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 03:23 pm
I'm glad you got all that wet weather training in Scotland, its probably coming in really useful now....
Take it easy Bill, and remember to protect your face, its your greatest asset ;-)
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 03:16 pm
So great to read your email and know you are good! Been checking for Stage 2 results but not posted yet - takes a long time! Sending love and cheers your way!
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 03:11 pm
Wow Bill! Great Job on Stage 1. We're waiting to hear about Stage 2. Seemed like it was just as hot! The photos that we have here are amazing. I think we all feel like we are along on this journey with you because of them. Wishing you well and continue the updates!
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 01:55 pm
Good job, Bill! We're really enjoying 'watching' the race, as well as the cultural events, people etc. from afar. It really does look like the experience of a life time. Take it easy, and enjoy the scenery along the way. We love you, and are so very proud of you.
Jenifer and Scott
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 01:22 pm
Congrats on Stage 1! Hope Stage 2 went well. We're waiting for the results, seems to take a while. Keep in touch.
26 May 2008 05:12 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
So, I'm carrying the Raidlight 30L pack, and I am using the shoulder-strap add-ons to carry two water bottles. I really like using the tubes to drink from, so I also bought two 600 ml Raidlight bottles, with the bite-tube cap.
I was really psyched to try them out, so I filled 'em up with water and .... couldn't get a drop out without trying so hard it felt like I was going to suck my eyes back in their sockets. I found out after asking around that others have experienced the same issue (read this thread http://www.themds.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=220) - and it's because the manufacturers didn't think to provide a way to let air in (!) as you suck fluid out... jeez. The thread above did offer some ways to add a valve, but they all seemed really complicated.
I was about ready to switch bottles, when I remembered that I'd also tried out the SmartTube hydration system which you can buy at the RTP web site. I didn't like that product too much, but I remembered that it came with a small rubber valve that fit into a hole in the cap, to let in air. I could just steal the valve and add it to the cap on my Raidlight bottles!
So, that's what I did. Just drilled a small hole in the cap and popped the valve in. simple as that. I've included some pictures below.
.....
ok, I can't figure out how to upload a picture. trust me, though - it works and it was easy :)
I was really psyched to try them out, so I filled 'em up with water and .... couldn't get a drop out without trying so hard it felt like I was going to suck my eyes back in their sockets. I found out after asking around that others have experienced the same issue (read this thread http://www.themds.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=220) - and it's because the manufacturers didn't think to provide a way to let air in (!) as you suck fluid out... jeez. The thread above did offer some ways to add a valve, but they all seemed really complicated.
I was about ready to switch bottles, when I remembered that I'd also tried out the SmartTube hydration system which you can buy at the RTP web site. I didn't like that product too much, but I remembered that it came with a small rubber valve that fit into a hole in the cap, to let in air. I could just steal the valve and add it to the cap on my Raidlight bottles!
So, that's what I did. Just drilled a small hole in the cap and popped the valve in. simple as that. I've included some pictures below.
.....
ok, I can't figure out how to upload a picture. trust me, though - it works and it was easy :)
Comments: Total (20) comments
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 10:02 pm
Keep your spirits up! Keep pushing through the hot temps too! Best of luck!
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 04:10 pm
Bill -
Always thought you were crazy, in the best way possible. Looks like a great adventure, best of luck and kick some butt.
Dave
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 08:33 am
Go team Bott! Glad to hear that you and Scott survived stage 1! I'm off to the London shops w/ Diana for the day, which is much more of my type of marathon :). Stay safe. xoxo
Posted On: 09 Jun 2008 02:22 am
Great job on Stage 1 Bill! Looks like you formed a Team USA! Have fun on Stage 2! You'll do great! Stay cool and as the resident NP of your following, drink drink drink! :)
Posted On: 08 Jun 2008 11:31 pm
Hi Bill. Hope you're having fun in the heat and the dirt. I took Edgar for a long walk that we'll call the Narragansett March. That dog will do anything for a treat.
Good luck on the second leg
Rich
Posted On: 08 Jun 2008 09:58 pm
Hey Bill,
So Stage 2 is over - that's great! We are thinking of you and cheering you on! Edgar says Hi and he misses you - he was great this weekend In Rhode island. Keep it up! You are doing awesome! Love, Penni
Posted On: 08 Jun 2008 05:45 pm
Hi Bill! Greetings from London! Diana, Wolfram and I are closely tracking the race and cheering you and Scott along. Thinking of you and missing you. Wolfram will have a pint in your honor at the pub tonight.
xoxo
Posted On: 08 Jun 2008 05:21 pm
Congrats on Stage 1! You guys are awesome! Keep it going tomorrow.
Posted On: 07 Jun 2008 04:01 pm
Hi Billy,
Hope you are off to a good start today. We are thinking of you and wishing good luck.
Love,
Patty and Bob
Posted On: 07 Jun 2008 12:09 pm
Hi Bill! Hope you guys will be able to enjoy your last night of sleep before the race begins! Miss you guys! Have a great race!
Posted On: 06 Jun 2008 09:26 pm
Bill,
Thinking of you and know you must be excited for the start of the race! Best wishes on a great start. We will see Edgar this weekend and hug him for you!
Love,
Penni
Posted On: 06 Jun 2008 07:46 pm
You should be only hours away from the start of the race so I just wanted to wish you luck. The two of you should have a blast.
Posted On: 06 Jun 2008 05:55 pm
Hey Bill,
I just got an update email that you are now in Kashgar..so exciting. Best wish on a great start tomorrow!
Love,
Mandy
Posted On: 04 Jun 2008 05:38 pm
GO BILL AND SCOTT!!
Have a blast..I will be tracking you guys on your adventure via the web safetly from home as I eat real food...Bill I am having Guru in your honor this week:)
Love you! Be Safe.
*Edgar, Tank and Aru are cheering for you too!
Posted On: 04 Jun 2008 04:55 pm
Bill,
Hope you had a good trip to the Gobi1 We are thinking of you and wishing you well. Can't wait to hear all about it! Have fun and be safe!
Love,
Penni & Rich
Posted On: 04 Jun 2008 01:52 am
Like I said to Scott, you're probably still on the plane as I write this. I actually tracked your flight today when I was bored at work...and you were over the Arctic Circle! Neat-O! Have a wonderful journey Bill. We look forward to following your progress! Take care!
Posted On: 04 Jun 2008 12:42 am
Hmm, I was thinking the same thing as Sanch. Hopefully you won't need any engineering skills while you're over there. :P
Kick ass, man
Posted On: 03 Jun 2008 09:48 pm
Good luck Bill! Have a fantastic adventure. Cannot wait to follow you and Scott through the race and see the pictures when you return. As Shannon says have fun and stay safe!
Posted On: 31 May 2008 01:14 pm
Good luck Bill! I've just watched volume I-III of the Gobi videos. Very exciting! Enjoy this wonderful experience, I'm glad you and Scott are going together. Have fun and be safe and we can't wait to hear all the details.
Posted On: 29 May 2008 08:39 pm
I think it is funny that your profession says software engineer and you can't upload a picture into the internet.
29 April 2008 02:06 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
OK, good news, finally!
A Briggs Passport and Visa Expeditors came through like a champ. Scott's and my passports, complete with chinese tourist visas, were delivered to my office via Fedex today!
Kashgar, here we come!
Bill
A Briggs Passport and Visa Expeditors came through like a champ. Scott's and my passports, complete with chinese tourist visas, were delivered to my office via Fedex today!
Kashgar, here we come!
Bill
Comments: Total (0) comments
22 April 2008 02:15 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
I just spent a really, just really wonderful day in NYC trying to navigate the bureaucracy that is the Consulate-General of the PRC in NYC.
Be warned, they aren't kidding when they say on the web site that Monday is a busy day. I got on line at 8:45 am (15 mins after they opened the doors) and pulled ticket number 88. I heard a lady behind me say she had ticket number 332... My number was called at 11:45am, so there was no way she was going to see anyone today.
Then, joy of joys, I found that the NY consulate-general had changed their documentation requirements on Friday, 4/18 to include:
(1) Proof of hotel accommodations in mainland china. I'm going through HK, so I planned to provide my hotel reservation in HK and the hotel information that I have for our accommodations in Kashgar.
(2) Copy of airline ticket to/from mainland china. I was told that a printout of an e-ticket confirmation would suffice.
(3) Copy of a bank statement (!) or other proof of financial self-sufficiency. I guess they want to make sure we aren't planning to emigrate to China...
(4) Letter from employer indicating that the applicant has been granted leave for the "vacation". I planned to have my supervisor sign a letter I wrote.
Hmm. Not having (3) or (4) in my possession at the time, I retreated to the relative comfort of the Starbucks on 11th and 42nd street to mull my options.
Passport/Visa Expediting Service... I ended up paying A Briggs (http://www.abriggs.com/) to handle my application - $55 for "regular" service (supposed to be 4-5 days) plus $42 for shipping to Washington, DC and then back to my house in Somerville, MA. This on top of the $130 consular fee for a single-entry visa. The guy (Tim Cantwell) helped me draft a letter explaining the (somewhat unusual?) circumstances of my visit, so I thought that was helpful.
I'm supposed to call back on Thursday to get a tracking number for the shipment of the visa and other documents back to me - I'll post again later in the week to let you all know how it goes.
Be warned, they aren't kidding when they say on the web site that Monday is a busy day. I got on line at 8:45 am (15 mins after they opened the doors) and pulled ticket number 88. I heard a lady behind me say she had ticket number 332... My number was called at 11:45am, so there was no way she was going to see anyone today.
Then, joy of joys, I found that the NY consulate-general had changed their documentation requirements on Friday, 4/18 to include:
(1) Proof of hotel accommodations in mainland china. I'm going through HK, so I planned to provide my hotel reservation in HK and the hotel information that I have for our accommodations in Kashgar.
(2) Copy of airline ticket to/from mainland china. I was told that a printout of an e-ticket confirmation would suffice.
(3) Copy of a bank statement (!) or other proof of financial self-sufficiency. I guess they want to make sure we aren't planning to emigrate to China...
(4) Letter from employer indicating that the applicant has been granted leave for the "vacation". I planned to have my supervisor sign a letter I wrote.
Hmm. Not having (3) or (4) in my possession at the time, I retreated to the relative comfort of the Starbucks on 11th and 42nd street to mull my options.
Passport/Visa Expediting Service... I ended up paying A Briggs (http://www.abriggs.com/) to handle my application - $55 for "regular" service (supposed to be 4-5 days) plus $42 for shipping to Washington, DC and then back to my house in Somerville, MA. This on top of the $130 consular fee for a single-entry visa. The guy (Tim Cantwell) helped me draft a letter explaining the (somewhat unusual?) circumstances of my visit, so I thought that was helpful.
I'm supposed to call back on Thursday to get a tracking number for the shipment of the visa and other documents back to me - I'll post again later in the week to let you all know how it goes.
Comments: Total (0) comments
25 February 2008 01:22 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
Judith posted a question, but I don't know how to reply directly to her, so I'm creating a post in response. She asked where did I buy my Raidlight pack from?
I bought the pack directly from the Raidlight web site. The specific model I bought is here.
I didn't buy any of the water bottle holders, but now I'm thinking I will do that. The shipping costs add $20 or $30 US, so you should think about whether you'll want any of the extra items before you place your order. I wish I had!
I really like the pack, though, and would recommend it as very comfortable to run with.
I bought the pack directly from the Raidlight web site. The specific model I bought is here.
I didn't buy any of the water bottle holders, but now I'm thinking I will do that. The shipping costs add $20 or $30 US, so you should think about whether you'll want any of the extra items before you place your order. I wish I had!
I really like the pack, though, and would recommend it as very comfortable to run with.
Comments: Total (0) comments
25 February 2008 01:08 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)
This post is just to say hello to ... well, honestly, how many people just accidentally wander over to this little (odd) corner of the Web?
I guess I'm saying hello to all of the other competitors and whichever relative of mine decides to check in to see if anything I say might explain why, exactly, I've signed up to travel to the other side of the planet to eat out of a little foil bag, p**p in a hole in the ground, and run 155 miles while carrying a 20lb pack...
Well, I am not sure myself. I can't say I have been training for this my whole life, but I have a growing feeling that this will turn out to be an incredible, unforgettable experience. Which is saying something since, as my wife will tell you, I have a hard time remembering what I had for lunch the day before.
So, hello to everyone. I'm looking forward to learning about the Gobi March, training, food, equipment, and all of the other competitors over the coming months. Actually, the list of things I know I need to learn is so long that it makes me wonder how long is the list of things I don't know I need to learn?
So long for now.
Bill
I guess I'm saying hello to all of the other competitors and whichever relative of mine decides to check in to see if anything I say might explain why, exactly, I've signed up to travel to the other side of the planet to eat out of a little foil bag, p**p in a hole in the ground, and run 155 miles while carrying a 20lb pack...
Well, I am not sure myself. I can't say I have been training for this my whole life, but I have a growing feeling that this will turn out to be an incredible, unforgettable experience. Which is saying something since, as my wife will tell you, I have a hard time remembering what I had for lunch the day before.
So, hello to everyone. I'm looking forward to learning about the Gobi March, training, food, equipment, and all of the other competitors over the coming months. Actually, the list of things I know I need to learn is so long that it makes me wonder how long is the list of things I don't know I need to learn?
So long for now.
Bill
Comments: Total (7) comments
Posted On: 22 Mar 2008 04:43 am
Bill, my aim is to complete the Gobi Desert March in 2010. (complete, not compete!) I'm a very average guy who has not done anything more than a half marathon 5 years ago. Do you think I'm insane or is my dream achievable?
Posted On: 28 Feb 2008 02:54 am
Thanks for the information. I will probably do that. I am in Maine. I had thought about competing in Reach the Beach but it seemed a little long. Not sure exactly why the Gobi March is on the list this year. So far it is the only one on the list. Though have you thought about running the 20 mile Eastern States race along the coast of Maine and New Hampshire March 30? My email [email protected] Thanks again for responding. Judith
Posted On: 19 Feb 2008 03:21 am
Where did you buy your Raidlight backpack. I cant find one in the USA?
Posted On: 12 Feb 2008 01:21 pm
I hope you will still look as healthy after the run! It sounds like a great experience!
Posted On: 04 Feb 2008 10:37 pm
Hi Bill,
Just checking out what you had written so far - trying to keep learning about this Gobi March. You know I wish you good luck on this but mostly, I wish you to return safely and uninjured!
Posted On: 28 Jan 2008 01:55 pm
I will be cheering you on from the other side of the world why you March the Gobi Dessert!
Posted On: 27 Jan 2008 10:12 pm
Well Bill, you will have to be very mentally disciplined and single minded. So don't change a thing. Good luck, and keep in touch! Check out http://www.adventureclassroom.org/adventures/gobi/map.htm, a nice Gobi-related website.
Comments: Total (1) comments
Posted On: 16 Jun 2008 02:19 pm