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Gobi March Blogs 2009
7
PostsGobi March (2009) blog posts from Jim Fitzsimmons
19 June 2009 10:45 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
just a quick note. I missed blogging the other day, at the end of stage 4. It took me 13 hours to get in and the cybertent was closed.
After a few hours sleep, we were bussed to the start line for the 80k stage. I'm not sure how I did it, but I made it. 240k are finished and we waltz into Kashgar tomorrow.
Too much to write and too little time, but this experience has been amazing. I only walked, but somehow I found the strength to get through it, hour after hour.
My best moment was walking out of the mountains after 13 hours and 50k yesterday. The sun was setting, the wind was cooling and it seemed like of all of Xinjiang was laid out below of me.
I'll walk over the finish line tomorrow with the rest of the scrappers who put in 13 hour walks under the hot sun. We weren't into this to win, just to finish. That took a lot more strength than you build in any training session.
After a few hours sleep, we were bussed to the start line for the 80k stage. I'm not sure how I did it, but I made it. 240k are finished and we waltz into Kashgar tomorrow.
Too much to write and too little time, but this experience has been amazing. I only walked, but somehow I found the strength to get through it, hour after hour.
My best moment was walking out of the mountains after 13 hours and 50k yesterday. The sun was setting, the wind was cooling and it seemed like of all of Xinjiang was laid out below of me.
I'll walk over the finish line tomorrow with the rest of the scrappers who put in 13 hour walks under the hot sun. We weren't into this to win, just to finish. That took a lot more strength than you build in any training session.
16 June 2009 07:55 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
A long day. The best part was walking through Uighur villages. Most of the course was along a river valley. Very green and happily an overcast sky. The people were sitting outside their compounds or at a crossing, mostly just watching but also smiling.
Trudging through the muddy fields and through the rivulets was another matter. It was draining. The last section was a relatively short 8.5k, but a long incline. I went through it with my tentmate Liz and we needed each other for it. Cruching through the gravel and hoping the camp would be around the next bend. It never was until the last minute.
The 3 days of walking has worn me a bit raw. I'm slowly losing my phlegmatic outlook, very strange. Serves me right for pushing myself.
But we're at the half way point in the race. Tomorrow is Shipton's arch. I can't wait to see it.
So I did all but about 1k today in my Crocs. The badminton shoes are less and less of an option as my feet swell more and more. They worked fine. Just goes to show you you can't keep a good man in ugly shoes down.
Tomorrow I'll walk for another day - see how it goes.
And can someone give me the rundown on the Iranian elections? Need the info....
Trudging through the muddy fields and through the rivulets was another matter. It was draining. The last section was a relatively short 8.5k, but a long incline. I went through it with my tentmate Liz and we needed each other for it. Cruching through the gravel and hoping the camp would be around the next bend. It never was until the last minute.
The 3 days of walking has worn me a bit raw. I'm slowly losing my phlegmatic outlook, very strange. Serves me right for pushing myself.
But we're at the half way point in the race. Tomorrow is Shipton's arch. I can't wait to see it.
So I did all but about 1k today in my Crocs. The badminton shoes are less and less of an option as my feet swell more and more. They worked fine. Just goes to show you you can't keep a good man in ugly shoes down.
Tomorrow I'll walk for another day - see how it goes.
And can someone give me the rundown on the Iranian elections? Need the info....
Comments: Total (9) comments
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 02:19 pm
James-keep on truckin'!!! We are with you 500%! The scenery is amazing - and enlivening experience - something for your memoires. Antoine asked me if you were "doing" like Forrest Gump.:-) XXO
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 11:27 am
We're all with you out there, keep pluggin along and informing us of your progress and pains. It's good therapy.
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 05:00 pm
Way to go Jimmy! Eric K told me about this. At least your not an ugly man in good shoes. Keep it up!
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 01:48 am
You are kicking a$$ James - keep on keeping on!
I'm glad I found your blog! I can't wait to see pics!
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 12:50 am
It's amazing how person's idea of beautiful can change.: I never would have thought of you and croc's.Whatever works
An extrordinary journey..thumbs up.
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 08:35 pm
Hi' mate,
I am still in a shock-like state, a little more than 2 month ago you where talking this - but as I remember still weren't doing any training. And now you are rocking through the Gobi, like a champ.
I'm full of admiration and cheering for you all the way. YOU ROCK.....
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 04:37 am
Way to go Jim! You are absolutely amazing! What a fantastic journey you are on! Enjoy the trip .We are so proud of you.
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 03:22 am
Here you go:::
The council, Iran's top legislative body, has agreed on a recount of disputed ballot boxes in last week's presidential election if it finds irregularities in the vote count
Recount may lead to changes in the candidates' tally, the council was quoted as saying.
Iran's Supreme Leader on Monday ordered the Guardian Council to investigate the claims of fraud in the recent presidential election which gave a landslide victory to incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 01:43 am
Great!
We care your status every day.
Please be careful in Gobi!
Can you use cell phone in Gobi?
15 June 2009 08:35 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
The days are getting longer, unfortunately not for seasonal reasons. I've decided that the replacement shoes I bought are meant for badminton. My feet are pretty rough, but otherwise I'm ok.
The scenery was amazing, big, empty spaces. The one benefit of being slow is that I can enjoy it.
Happy birthday to John, I was thinking of you as I slogged through the last canyons. Sorry I can't make your show Lia, I promise to catch you on Broadway some day.
Enjoy Turpan, bebe, thinking of you.
2 days down, just trying to keep going
The scenery was amazing, big, empty spaces. The one benefit of being slow is that I can enjoy it.
Happy birthday to John, I was thinking of you as I slogged through the last canyons. Sorry I can't make your show Lia, I promise to catch you on Broadway some day.
Enjoy Turpan, bebe, thinking of you.
2 days down, just trying to keep going
Comments: Total (4) comments
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 02:32 pm
James, all friends in Shanghai are amazed and proud of you.I'm praying to St. Christopher everyday( and have had a few beers in your name also)
May the Luck o' the Irish be with you
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 07:14 am
Buddy, Hang in there!!!!.BTW, are you still smoking while walking in desert? Take some picture for me.
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 05:23 am
James! We're all supporting you (mentally) in Shanghai office! Go Go Go! :)
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 09:47 pm
Finally took some time to see what you're up to, very impressive. Looks like a great adventure, wish I was with you (but on my motorcycle). Be careful and hang in there.
14 June 2009 07:16 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
first day of the race. What a beautiful morning walking through a river valley that emptied out to a dammed lake. Quiet, with mountains and hills that looked like they were dribbled out of the sky.
Then the second part was a reminder that this is a desert race. Rocky scrubland when the sun was at its zenith. My new shoes are breaking me in quickly, but still some blisters and the odd rock in a wrong place.
@John - of course I'm wearing an American flag. The only things I'm taking are a vitamin pill in the morning so I can pretend I'm as healthy as everyone else, ibuprofin in the evenings because I'm not as healthy as everyone else and electrolytes so I don't dehydrate.
@Lia - the beard makes me look great, right? The scarf I'm wearing is my Cambodian sarong. It's pajamas, bath towel, bathrobe, scarf, bag, hat and whatever else I can think of. Don't leave home without one.
@Shyam - my feet are my obsession, thanks but too late for tip
Then the second part was a reminder that this is a desert race. Rocky scrubland when the sun was at its zenith. My new shoes are breaking me in quickly, but still some blisters and the odd rock in a wrong place.
@John - of course I'm wearing an American flag. The only things I'm taking are a vitamin pill in the morning so I can pretend I'm as healthy as everyone else, ibuprofin in the evenings because I'm not as healthy as everyone else and electrolytes so I don't dehydrate.
@Lia - the beard makes me look great, right? The scarf I'm wearing is my Cambodian sarong. It's pajamas, bath towel, bathrobe, scarf, bag, hat and whatever else I can think of. Don't leave home without one.
@Shyam - my feet are my obsession, thanks but too late for tip
Comments: Total (3) comments
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 08:33 am
glad to hear you've survived the first day and seems in good spirits. I'm sure the are impressive, other than the view of your feet.
You must go on regardless; pain is your friend. It means you're still alive! Ibuprofen is just a better friend.
'ya big dummy'
Posted On: 15 Jun 2009 01:49 am
Congrats for progress so far. It has been so hot here, almost 100, so I have been wimping out on out door exercise but then am even more impressed with what you are doing. Have fun!
Posted On: 14 Jun 2009 05:03 pm
hey there !
the first stage didn't seem too bad, I'm relieved at least you went through the first day !
i'm safe too it turpan with alice, who's sayisng hello. long but long trip by train and nice drive in turpan this afternoon.
will be in kashgar in two days.
thinking of you and your new shoes.
love you and proud of you bebe !!!!!!!
your french sweetheart ;-)
13 June 2009 09:24 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Last night in Kashgar I caught the last prayers at the Id Kah mosque. Working men rushing in, fixing their hats, shuffling out of their shoes, and squeezing into the mosque's great veranda. The sound of the prayers was a pleasant moment as I stood at the gate.
We're in a valley to the north. The people are Kirghiz and trooped out to welcome us. It's yet another oasis town with mudbrick buildings, tall trees and rocks. It's wonderful to be out here.
Tomorrow is the first day of the race. I'm excited,apprehensive, blah, blah, blah.
We're in a valley to the north. The people are Kirghiz and trooped out to welcome us. It's yet another oasis town with mudbrick buildings, tall trees and rocks. It's wonderful to be out here.
Tomorrow is the first day of the race. I'm excited,apprehensive, blah, blah, blah.
Comments: Total (0) comments
12 June 2009 02:03 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
I forgot my shoes in fricken Shanghai! I just got a pair of some kind of sneakers in Urumqi.
I came home yesterday, got the checklist out, packed, and completely spaced my nice, broken in, trail runners.
I never cease to amaze myself with random acts of buttheadedness.
Whatever mild anxiety I felt has been replaced with gibbering panic.
I'm having a beer at the Fubar in Urumqi. It's not that I deserve it, but I need some small consolation.
Comments: Total (3) comments
Posted On: 14 Jun 2009 09:45 am
D'oh!
Will be keeping up with your progress.
Can't wait to hear your stories.
Posted On: 13 Jun 2009 06:51 pm
Hey James,
Get some vaseline to put into your sox (or rub on your foot) and then put on your shoes. Its an old marathoner's trick to keep your feet from bleeding.
Good luck. I have a beer waiting for you at PA's.
Posted On: 12 Jun 2009 11:09 am
Jim - I have a pair of Mizuno road shoes, UK size 12 if they would be any use. Let me know.
Cheers
Gary
11 June 2009 09:04 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Of course I meant to write this a few days ago, but I'm leaving in the morning and have left it to the last minute.
I've checked and rechecked my gear and sorted out the rest of my packing, so I must, or should, or really just could be ready. I'm wavering between determined and despairing, punctuated with the occasional WTF am I doing moment.
My training has consisted of laps around the Puxi side of Shanghai and flight upon flights of stairs. At least I will not be walking for 8 hours in the streets of Shanghai or staring at steps anymore.
Because after all that I'm finally going to have my adventure. For the past few days I've been consumed by the looming physical and mental challenge. But that's only a smallish part of why I'm doing this.
I know a little of the history Xinjiang and Kashgar, just a little. As I stagger around the edges of the Taklamakan I know the dirt under my feet has had the trade, the wars, the explorations of many societies ground into it. For such an empty place there has been so much foot traffic.
So I will daydream through the desert and hope to stumble across the finish line.
I've checked and rechecked my gear and sorted out the rest of my packing, so I must, or should, or really just could be ready. I'm wavering between determined and despairing, punctuated with the occasional WTF am I doing moment.
My training has consisted of laps around the Puxi side of Shanghai and flight upon flights of stairs. At least I will not be walking for 8 hours in the streets of Shanghai or staring at steps anymore.
Because after all that I'm finally going to have my adventure. For the past few days I've been consumed by the looming physical and mental challenge. But that's only a smallish part of why I'm doing this.
I know a little of the history Xinjiang and Kashgar, just a little. As I stagger around the edges of the Taklamakan I know the dirt under my feet has had the trade, the wars, the explorations of many societies ground into it. For such an empty place there has been so much foot traffic.
So I will daydream through the desert and hope to stumble across the finish line.
Comments: Total (3) comments
Posted On: 21 Jul 2009 05:39 am
Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 07:01 am
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 11:31 pm