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Gobi March Blogs 2019

Lisa Bourgogne
The last 2 stages and final stretch

03 August 2019 05:31 pm (GMT+08:00) Kuala Lumpur, Singapore

I did it. I actually completed 250kms across Mongolia by foot.

 

Woke up the morning of Stage 5 (Friday) with minimal ability to move or lift the bottom half of my right leg with the pain like a blade having been stabbed upwards along my shin bone and an inflamed left knee (blisters being irrelevant for me at this point)... not the ideal combo for moving forward. But I placed myself with my 2 other fellow criplees at the back of the pack and slowly but surely through rivers, rocky fields, gorgeous meadows (with deer flies having a party biting us away due to our lightning speed), and endless beautiful valleys we encouraged each other to push through grunting and yelping away - the downhills testing our pain threshold to the max ... it must have been quite an amusing site to watch us from a distance - but we jokingly pretended to race one another and finally after a long day on our feet we heard the drums and made it to the cut off with 30mins to spare to the sound of our fellow competitors and volunteers cheering us on from afar at the last river crossing of the day into camp. Such a whirlwind of emotion getting there after enduring 40kms of pain. No one can prepare you for that. But with the banter and company, you can still finish smiling! Needless to say, my priority was not checking the cyber tent that evening but sitting down.

 

Stage 6 today - woke up earlier to a freezing cold morning  to enable us (the slower bunch) to set off before the rest so we would all make it around the same time to the final final finish line - the last real push of determination ... popped some drugs to just get me through the last 10kms and needed help to put my right shoe on. I’ve never been so happy to see the finish line while entering into this gorgeous ancient city, my first tears shed that it was completed and I didn’t let myself give up along the more difficult moments of this journey.

 

I have dedicated so much of my time and focus towards that finish line and it was more than worth it ... it truly is such an inexplicable feeling to accomplish the Gobi March and be surrounded by the support of incredible people who also constantly challenge themselves, new friends and with beer & pizza at the end.

 

Now for a much needed shower, a good banquet dinner this evening to celebrate our success and finally a good night’s sleep and some much needed time to recover my body and poor legs.

Comments: Total (15) comments

Olivia Christiansen

Posted On: 10 Aug 2019 07:58 am

Burge what an incredible woman you are!!! I’m so inspired, you pushed through such immense pain, overcame all the challenges and you made it!!!!! I hope you’ve recovered quickly and are basking in your amazing achievement. Lots of love xxx

Damian Leach

Posted On: 04 Aug 2019 09:45 am

Wow so proud of you Lisa ! Champion you did it - lifetime achievement and what a ride you have had. Finishing it with Friends and in impeccable style ! Well done, put your feet up and look forward to the stories over a nice bottle of wine when you get back 🙏🙏🙏😉👏D p.s. poppy and ivy can’t comprehend your achievement they are very puzzled by the distance ! Must admit when I put it into context it’s like London to Devon - wow 😎😂👍

Katie Simpson

Posted On: 04 Aug 2019 06:35 am

AWESOME!!! Well done Lis, what an incredible experience and achievement. Looking forward to hearing all about it xxxx

Bells Whisker

Posted On: 04 Aug 2019 05:39 am

Wow Burge. You are incredible! Well done is an understatement! Fantastic journey and incredible to achieve such a massive goal. Enjoy the rest and hope the repairs are ok. Amazingly inspirational xxxx

Tom Wigram

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 09:58 pm

Legend, enjoy this incredible achievement. All that hard work, sacrifices over the last year have all been worth it. That beer will taste unreal. Xxx

Anita Wolfgram

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 05:43 pm

AMAZING - you did it! There are no words but just total awesomeness!!! Xxxx

Pieta McCrum

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 02:27 pm

I feel like just saying “congratulations” doesn’t even touch the sides of how proud and in awe of you I am. You have had one hell of a journey that runs far deeper and wider than 250kms. This has expanded your soul, your appreciation for the things that we often take for granted, like air, like water, like the support & love from strangers on the same path as you. You have completed something so huge that you are super human in my eyes. “So proud” doesn’t even cut it. Soak it all up honey, you deserve so much love, respect and rest. You are truly remarkable in every way. Well bloody done xxxxxxxxxxxx

Alexander Mearns

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 01:53 pm

Congratulations Lisa that's an amazing result. 17 hours on day 4. Wow! that must have been gruelling. Elise, Ambra and I are very proud of you. Looking forward to seeing you when you're back.

Claire Langree Saf

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 01:38 pm

“The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.” — Juma Ikangaa Such dedication and determination to run the distance. What strong state of mind! THAT is totally admirable. We are all in awe. Cannot wait to see and hear you! Love and hugs from the Saf Co.

Mags R

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 12:40 pm

Woohoo!!! Celebrate such an incredible feat Lisa! All your training has culminated into success! You are the Ultimate Ultra marathon runner! Revel in your success and what an achievement. So super proud of you. Bloody legend and inspiration. You rock.

Lea Stephen

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 11:22 am

“Congratulations” just doesn’t do your achievement justice Lisa! You really are a champion and an inspiration! This is a wonderful day for you! What an almighty accomplishment!!!!!X

Deborah ROQUES

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 11:14 am

Amazing strength you have ! So proud of you to have lived such experience ! Have a good rest ma pomme. Looking forward to hearing all the stories xxx

Rogé Pathuis

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 10:37 am

Awesome!! 250km of congratulations to you!! Enjoy the after-party with your new friends for life!

Ange Webber

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 09:44 am

Burger!!! We knew you would do it!!! You are AWESOME!!!! Well done you. Man you are an inspiration, totally amazing, and we are sooo proud of you. Enjoy your shower, rest, massage, anything you want. YOU ARE AWESOME!!! Xx

Georgie Hackett

Posted On: 03 Aug 2019 09:41 am

You are amazing! Massive congratulations my friend. You are so inspirational and am so incredibly proud of you. Celebrate every minute of finishing xx
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