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Gobi March Blogs 2009
4
PostsGobi March (2009) blog posts from Peter Dunn
19 June 2009 09:52 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
The big 80km day has finally arrived. my plan was to take it easy until after the steep decent at stage 2 - with such big quads you will be surprised how hopeless i am on the descents. this stage labelled difficult wasnt as hard as i was expecting and after walking most of the way with si, we parted ways at te 20km mark (ilistening to his wedding song on his ipod must have been the turning point!) i started to crank it up from 20-50km & got on a roll, massaged the itb at each checkpoint & was well fuelled. at the 50km mark i couldnt have eaten my meal on the run (spag bol) any quicker however soon after my favourite injury struck back. The next 10kms were reduced to limp but after more massaging and many, many references to quotes / references to emails i have received over the last 4 days got me back on track. Matty - i dont follow AFL closely but your Tigers tale has pushed me through many barriers; Mikey - cant tell you how many times i screamed out aloud "an extraordinary result requires an extraordinary effort" (everyone in our tent loved that one); Griff loved your oscar wilde quote; Luce & the family for all the updates on Daisy and her sydney trip and everyone else who has emailed. It was a wonderful sound hearing the beat of the drums at the finish line & i couldnt have gotten there quicker. Although exceptionally happy with the day, it was Swanys day, exploding from the start and continuing the whole way, arriving in 10.5hrs - extraordinary effort, an given everything he has gone through, very well deserved! Swany, Si & myself crossed the finishing line before darkness set in while others continued on until early afternoon the next day- an amazing amt of courage shown. Looking fwd to the 10km tomorrow. thanks again everyone for the emails - love them. Luce - thanks for everything and cant wait to hang out with you and the little princess on monday
17 June 2009 09:07 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
day 4 highlight for the day was si robertson trying to open up his emergency blanket in what must have been close to zero degrees at 6am - had the whole tent in absolute stitchers. Whatever he did clearly worked because he charged to the finish line in 7hrs & walked the whole way - phenominal effort (beat most of the runners). It was a tough day and one that didnt seem to want to finish, particularly the last stage. It was amazing that jill even made it to the gobi after walking pneumonia but today her immune system shut down and throw in altitude sickness (we got to 3,300m today), she pulled out. Swany & Tobs carried her pack for part of the way which was a monumentous effort. The scenery is stunning - check out the photo section on the website. The big 80km day is tomorrow and will be a killer. luce - sounds like daisy is winning a lot of fans in sydney, even if she was keeping mum up last night. cant wait for sunday to see you both again. thanks again for the emails.
Comments: Total (15) comments
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 09:41 am
Having a celebratory for you as I type old boy ..... Lucy tells us your in 26th place, TOP EFFORT mate ... looking forward to seeing you soon .... Hodge.
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 03:32 am
I am so proud of you for making what must have been one of the most challenging days of your life. We have been following your every move here in Pymble and have even spotted you on a couple of the videos that are posted. The scenery is just incredible. I hope you have a good rest today and enjoy the last 10kms tomorrow.. You must be feeling so chuffed. Daisy is just too divine for words and everyone is in love with her! P x
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 11:00 pm
Well done Dunny.. true legend !! One day to go , you're almost done! Carsie
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 10:37 pm
Crazy stuff, Dunn. Well done, champ.
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 10:25 pm
Hi Dad! Mum just told me you finished the 80km day. I am so so proud of you. I know mum thinks you can be a bit of a softy sometimes but I always knew you would kill it. Run fast those last 10kms for me. Does that mean I get to see you sooner? Miss you lots. Daisy x
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 11:56 am
Greetings Dunny. Plenty to think about whilst out there I bet. I hope you find time at the end of each day to add to your growing journal. What a terrifc opportunity to find life's unusual perspective, especially now as a new Father. Great going. Be good. Bill.
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 10:29 am
Pete - hope you are still going strong, cant believe how well you guys are doing...amazing effort .Cheering you on from the dhabi
Ellie
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 08:12 am
You're probably totally whacked after completing the hardest stage.. I saw your beautiful daughter, Daisy, the other week - first week back at work and found out you guys are doing the 4 deserts. A good friend just completed Namibia last month, and another who did Gobi last year.. you are doing SO well in the races.. gosh.. amazing... looks like you might be hooked to do the rest of the series !?!
pls send my wishes to Swanie / Jill and Si
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 06:52 am
nice work Dunny. Puts my 7km run this morning into perspective.....good luck to the rest of the punters in your team/tent.
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 04:08 am
Good luck with the big 80K! Enormous effort you've put in so far. Keep your dreams to yourself not to upset the rest of the pack!
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 12:16 am
Dunny and Swannie, You are so so so inspiring.. Fells very strang sitting here at a desk with a fat belly in the comfort of the sunny Gold Coast knowing you guys are out there doing such life changing stuff. You've already got Matt thinking about doing another manathon (which he swore he never would!). Cant wait to hear of your sucess thrugh the final leg. You're a TRUE LEGEND! (P.S. your dads blog made me cry!)
Posted On: 18 Jun 2009 12:06 am
Mate. You're flying. Fire up for that last assault. Look forward to the full and frank final report.
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 10:40 pm
I have the beautiful Miss Daisy in my arms and have just read her your blog. She is following your progress every day. When you are pushing your boundaries today for the big one we will all be thinking of you and hoping that knee holds on. You sound in good spirits - keep up amazing work. P x
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 09:45 pm
Oops got it wrong in my earlier comment Pete. Just realised you are still to tackle the 80k jog but I know the outcome will be the same...and so does Daisy
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 09:17 pm
Just read the results of the 80k "stroll in the park" andhugely excited that you made across the line. All night long I thought your gammy knee would pull you up short but no,....I hadn't factored in your incredible courage and determination to succeed. The last coupla stages should be a breeze for you now. Shame about Jill but it's no reflection on her incredible stamina as she fought to overcome the horrendous obstacles she encountered in the weeks preceding the event. She is yet another outstanding example of what all you guys are all about...ton of guts to tough it out and really push the boundaries. PS I had near on an hour with my little g'daughter last night and we chatted non stop about you...in between big hugs of course. Go nail the last runs and pick up your medal for a sensational and courageous effort. LUV Dad
15 June 2009 07:18 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Just walked by the medical tent and it wasnt looking pretty. luckily our tent has avoided it so far. it was another 40+ degree day however i was feeling strong ..... until just after the 3rd checkpoint - i never imagined playing traffic cop today but at the 32km mark, i took up a post and directed traffic. what i thought may have happened on day 4 or day 5 happened today - my itb blowup. it looked like i was hiding a small mango by the side of my knee but luck was on my side as a father and son team cruised by with a tight bandage to put on. swany, jill & si were on fire and cruised by the green light - jill blitzed it, coming in 2nd fastest woman for the day! Yes cliffy, they both crossed the finish line holding hands again. matty - very inspirational message and in true mv manner - a tear was shed. swany takes out the 'kicking off his camp shoe and landing it in a group toilet' award which was amusing to all of us, incl him. he also took out the best snorer on site for the second day running - i expect this will continue unchallenged. at the end of the day whilst addressing sore musclesj and blisters, it was very humbling to hear a girl who had completed the 250km Namibia race 3 weeks ago, talk about how she wont push it too hard on this race as she has a 350km race in switzerland in a few weeks ... amazing! mungo i am off to do exactly what you would want me to - massage the hell out of my itb. great to hear that daisy is loving sydney and is on her best behaviour - im guessing my pain today was only a fraction of what she went through descending into mascot on friday. thanks again for all your messages - its one of the highlights my day.
Comments: Total (2) comments
Posted On: 17 Jun 2009 07:18 am
Pete, have been following the site each day and checking on your progress - can't believe you have been running for 24 hours by now - I find 80 minutes for the City to Surf a challenge!!
Daisy is amusing many, she is such a doll, being on her best behaviour, smiling to all and happy to be cuddled by all as well. Rainy and cold here, surf messy, so nothing to be jealous of.
Best of luck for the rest of the stages
A x
Posted On: 16 Jun 2009 10:59 am
Hey Pete, just spotted your blog for the 1st time. Sensational start, tough luck the 2nd day and wishing a trouble free 3rd day although your knee doesn't sound good according to Swannie. Had my 3rd nurse/cuddle/huddle with our SPECIAL girl today, just can't get enough of her. Gave her a big kiss 4 U and she said "go for it Dad, we're proud of you" Will be hanging out 4 your next blog Luv Dad
14 June 2009 08:37 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
There was a lot of nervous excitement by the time we arrived in kashgar, 17hrs after leaving HK. Si, Jill, Swany, Toby and I got through all the transfers without a hitch although Chris (UK) wasnt so lucky - the pot-smoking Dutchies over at KLM forgot to put his bags on the plane from Amsterdam to China - fortunate for Chris everyone chipped in and he had a full bag by kickoff. Speaking of, I didnt quite make the start of the race on time as i was checking out the structure of the latrines. They worked fine and a few minutes later I crossed the start line and soon after we were negotiating what turned out to be about 10 river crossings. The scenery was absolutely stunning, particularly with the snow-capped mountains behind the red, purple or cream coloured hills. Unfortunately my mixture of blended nuts, dried fruit and jelly babies were off by the time I took my first mouthful but luckily i had backup plan of perpetuem (powdered fuel), protein bars and a snickers. Given Swany & Si's equipment procuring skills (you would struggle to find anyone better), i got my pre-race pack down to 8.25kg which was on the light side - this was a big help in achieving my time of 5hrs 12mins for day one. Was happy to just make it to the finish line in one piece. No doubt this will be the best i feel for 7 days. The locals were incrediby supportive, cheering us all along - i can only wander what they were thinking
Thanks for the messages - gives you a reason to get to the finish line each day.
Thanks for the messages - gives you a reason to get to the finish line each day.
Comments: Total (2) comments
Posted On: 20 Jun 2009 11:26 am
Posted On: 19 Jun 2009 08:28 pm