Due to arriving so late into camp after stage 4 (after 12 hours in the desert) there was no chance to write an update.  It was described as the hard day....and they werent joking.  We started the day with a climb to 9500ft to see heavens gate which was truly stunning but not ideal with the injury i was carrying.  This stage really did the damage and contributed to my experiences the next day, but more on that later!
 
Foot condition played its part to and in the end it was a case of just putting one foot infront of the other.  Walking alone for such a long time in those conditions drives you a bit crazy and by the time i reached camp I just needed a quiet corner to rock alone!!
 
The following day required a 5.30am wake up so very little sleep meant a tough start and frankly my body was far from ready having such few hours to recover for a short hike, let alone the 80k we were all faced with!!
 
Still, I pushed on near the back of the pack and in general felt ok, until 25km into the stage.  This is where my physio gets to say 'I told you so'....the impact of protecting my right knee's ITB meant extra strain on my left leg and after the previous days torture it resulted in a torn right thigh.  This event meant so much so I tried to push on but it was clear I could do premanant damage....and with a heavy heart was forced to pull out the race after fighting through 190km. The gang here have been really supportive and without exception agreed I had left nothing out there and carried on where most would quit.  Although this helps vindicate my decision to stop after so much preparation I cant help but feel hugely dissapointed....but I am not too down. It has been a great experience in a stunning and unique location and I have certainly discovered things out about myself only somthing like this can draw out.  To many to list on this blog right now but things that will manifest in my life from here on.
 
Oh, the camel....when I was out on my feet a man on a camel came and saved me and gave me a 20 minute ride onto the flat.  Straddling a camel is not easy at the best of times but with two damaged legs it was hysterical, but never have i been so grateful to be tortured!!!
 
The messages and emails have been great and helped lift my spirits during those tough moments....make sure you start thinking up more messages of support as I am not finished just yet....
 
Frosty

Day 3 and another marathon down (well, just shy at 39km).  It was 50:50 if I would make the start as the condition of my feet and knee wasnt looking great....but a warm up, some food and a substantial cocktail of pain killers got me lined up for the off at 9am.  Was another tough day which included river crossings and a long 9km climb up to 2,400m to tonights camp.  Luckily the weather played its role today and was way cooler than yesterday.
 
I am so physically tired that even writing a blog is sapping the little energy I have left....should be a good rest tonight and then tomorrow wen have the 'tough' day with multiple climbs and descents....and then just 82km in a day and practically home and dry :-)
 
Well, my mind has dired up so gonna sign off and make my final climb of the day..into my sleeping bag.
 
Frosty

Please forgive any bad spelling (Brownie!) but this is being written on a laptop smaller than my mobile phone....well, it wont be hard to believe that i was the first to recieve an injury, and it was before we'd even left the hotel in Kashgar!!!! A fire cracker came in through the hotel door like a bullet and hit me in the eye during the morning breifing.....hmmmmm......i didnt cry though....so, after a long days travelling to reach Kashgar and a further day getting ready and travelling to the start it was a joy to finally get underway at 9am this morning!!   The night before was spent in a very uncomfortable tent and my 8 tent mates reckon i snored....find that hard to believe?
 
Even getting up at 7am i only just reached the start line in time, but we all (bar one who was stuck in the toilet) got away ok.  It was a 42km stage with 3 check points for water and recovery.  It was a hot hot day so close attention to hydration and electrolytes was critical, so Nick and I took things steady.  Just over half way Nick wanted to power on a bit (his competitve side took over) but I played fiddle to my dodgy knee and kept things manageable.  All in all it took me around 7hr 20 mins (which to satisfy my competitve side puts me at about two thirds down the field of 127...general condition is ok, knee hurts a lot and my pack was too heavy at 12kg so shoulders are murder.....but already looking forward to marathon #2 tomorrowo...apparently a bit tougher.....some gear is getting jettisoned tomorrow!!
 
Most importantly though the scenery was dramatic and stunning, remembering too look up from time to time was not so tough.
 
Signing off now as I have a large crowd if local kids from the village we are staying in checking my blog (and spelling no doubt!) over my shoulder....they are hilarious!!
 
Im not able to read any messages so thank you for any sent and more updates tomorrow.
Frosty

Following my ITB injury (and subsequent doubts over whether I would make the Gobi at all) for weeks I shyed away from blogging.......Distracted? Sulking maybe? Mostly it was because all my energy was focused on getting the knee working (thanks to Sierra my Physio) and keeping my cardio fitness up...therefore any blogs would have taken on a rather whiney form as it tracked my rollercoaster like experience since mid April.

Another symptom of doubt over my participation was not buying my kit....and in true Frosty fashion I've left it until the last minute to order some fundamental equipment....including my rucksack......which arrived just 30 minutes ago.....I am so happy I can barely form lucid thoughts, a truly overwhelming moment.......its just.....so......coooool.

I must extend a thank you to Martin at Likeys who provided great guidance and ensured my kit landed in time to sew badges and stuff!  Top lad.

Significant upsides of my injury dilemma have been keeping my mind occupied and re-aligned my expectations.  I've been so busy treating my knee and pushing my fitness that I haven't had a moment to get anxious or nervous about the looming fly-out date (unlike Mr Anderson ;->) and my new goal is no longer about times, but just enjoying being in a beautiful place, with like minded people and most importantly crossing the finish line....last is fine....but i MUST finish!!

My final fraut few days in HK will be spent getting my final bits of kit together, getting obsessed with pack weight and preparing my body for a few days of calorific starvation....pasta is my best friend this week!

Also, Sam sent out the tent plans, and assures me we have a great crew...look forward to meeting you all and hearing about their experience from previous events...which will hopefully help me through the Gobi.

Final thanks to everyone who has donated to our Charity, Motability.  It is very close to my heart and to be able to give them somthing is tremendous and the commitment I have made to everyone who has given so generously will no doubt help motivate me during the inevitable low moments.

See you all soon.
Frosty

Hello Blog (I am addressing my own blog as pretty sure no one else reads my drivel!),

Training was progressing nicely.....distances being upped.......even steeper gradients attacked with new found vigour......motivation was peaking........feeling energised just thinking about my next 25k over the hills........then, with 7 weeks until ..........BANG!!.

My right knee gave way 27k into a 50k training hike last Saturday.  Luckily my team mate Nick was on hand to ridicule and baratte me otherwise it could have been really bad! :)

I was thinking the worst, pain levels were so sudden it was shocking and didnt seem to be going anywhere fast....so only choice was limp home and rest...but more importantly wallow in my own dispair.   The only thing now running wild was my imaination as all the possibilities passed through my mind....from a slight strain to years in calipers.....not ususally prone to such dramatisation....honest!!

But the overriding feeling was the utter dissapointment that I may not be participating in what was going to be the greatest 6 days in my short (ish) life so far.

A visit to a specialist on Monday followed by a session with the physio has gone some distance to reassuring me that I still have a great chance of not just making the start line but achieving the goal of finishing strong!

Turns out I have what is a common knee problem in HK, due to the amount of hilly running.  ITB Friction Sydrome.....or Runners Knee.  For those that dont know it is a tendon that connects you pelvis and knee/lower leg.....but the good news is that it is treatable and more importantly didnt flare up half way across the desert....so I can at least manage the problem.

Taking a rest is proving tough, and seeing my team mate pushing on with training only compounds the frustration of limiting my efforts to swimming and stretching...but bizarrely this entire episonde has in so many ways deepened my resolve to do this and do it well!!!

Right......I'm of now to do some more lunges!!!

Frosty

Its been a while so thought I should really add some news...

With 'business time' less then 8 weeks away therefore just 6 weeks of hard training remaining, finally the running, hiking and gym work is paying off as I begin to sense a fresh level of strength and endurance...whether this will be enough shall be discovered all too soon!!  eeek

My optimism is further boosted by a noticable improvement in general motivation and focus....which so far translates into better diet management and resisting the temptation to get shit faced at the weekends (not easy in HK)....although I did let go a bit at a wedding last Saturday!!

I have received some magnificent advice and support (thanks to you all) which really helps and definately drive me on....I'll try to remember this while feezing my goolies of at night or half way up a mountain with cramp in both calf muscles..hopefully to spur me on!!!

Training in pairs is really helping and the ongoing banter between Nick and I keeps spirits up...long may this continue (well at least until we cross the line.....we WILL cross the line!!).

This weekend Team Rutting Stag hits the HK trail early doors, as we look to complete the 50k in around 6.5-7 hours....if slower, no problem.....its a marathon not a sprint right?!?

The other thing I am running now, is out of ideas, so I'll sign of and go do some squats!!!

Frosty

A Hong Kong to UK round trip placed unwanted pressure on my training schedule; however, I was pleased to find time to run for minimum one hour 5 out of 7 days plus some gentle gym and stretch sessions.....so guilt levels are manageable!!  At best I maintained my fitness, but no improvement.

Much more concerning is the impact of poor diet and general health on my ability to push fitness limits....I have long accepted plane food is not the corner stone of a balanced and healthy diet...but it seems bouncing around several appointments in the UK caused old 'eat on the run' habits to return and the net result is unwanted weight loss and very low energy (jetlag also contributing).

With around 8 weeks of training left and another 5 day trip to the planned for 2 weeks time I have big challenges it seems!!!

So, what to do about it???  I've wasted no time, and re-focused attention on calorie and nutritional intake, as I look to boost overall energy levels and ensure a robust immune system.  Hopefully this will result in travelling having limited impact.  I will also begin using more sophisticated sports performance products to better manage protein and carb levels before, during and after exercise.....even more importantly continue suppressing the desire to go drink a large cold beer!!!!

If anyone has any advice on antioxidant supplements, please share your thoughts.

Right, where did I leave that giant bowl of Broccoli?

....its 3am, landed in the UK from HK about 6 hours ago and CANNOT sleep!

With just 3 months before Gobi stepping up training and managing travel/work time is a challenge I hadnt thought through fully...friends overseas weddings (so booze avoidance...eek), hotel stays, hours in airports and jetlag are going to feel like down time I cannot afford...factor in the sporadic and probably unhealthy diet and suddenly things are getting more interesting...hmmm, as if it wasnt hard enough already...

Being early am and jetlagged, blog writing could easily turn ramble; so will cut this short before I bore myself as well as anyone reading it!! LOL

Will try and write more insightful posts in next couple of days.

 
Frosty

Each day I learn more about the sheer enormity of this event and the task that lies ahead....much of what I read helps galvanise my resolve and reassures it is good for me on many levels.....and then an article like this comes along....<sob>

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/24/gobi.marathon/index.html?bcsi_scan_27AAAEA820E7FFC0=bceThHEwqQpkA6qPwyN/xQcAAACQwlkS&bcsi_scan_filename=index.html

...I may try and sneak a Land Rover in my rucksack!

Well, if actually submitting your entry is taking the plunge then I am now 3,100 dollars below sea level!!!

I am experiencing a healthy mix of fear and excitement as Team Rutting Stag moves closer to the starting line in June....I am looking forward to seeing how these emotions evolve as the weeks of training pass us by!

I say 'us' as Team Rutting Stag For Men consists of two tortured souls, myself and Nick Anderson (also blogging on here)....since arriving in HK we have both developed a healthy obsession for hiking, starting with some rather drawn out and humid 25k hikes over HK's testing terrain last summer too, some months later, becoming highly competitive and setting stretching time targets as we look to run much of the Island Trails.

Nicks experience benefits from entering the HK Oxfam Trailwalker last year...from the state of his feet after 100k I am mightily impressed he wants to tackle 250km now!!   So, for me this will be my first taste of this kind of challenge and I do not intend on leaving anything to chance.

We are hiking every weekend interspersed with additional hikes or demanding gym sessions during the week in a bid to be as close to ready as possible.....so far so good!!

My motivation will come from several areas, not least the banter we have as we prepare but even more meaningfully for me, I will be supporting a wonderful cause close to my heart...more on that in future updates.

Make no mistake, for those that know me well there is also the realisation that this kind of heroic activity makes me way way more attractive and interesting to women...and as I near my mid-thirties I need all the help I can get ;->

Please feel free to drop me a note of encouragement, abuse....or if you’re an easily impressed female living in HK your telephone number!! LOL

Catch you all soon.

Frosty