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Gobi March Blogs 2010

Fiona Hayvice

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Gobi March (2010) blog posts from Fiona Hayvice

02 July 2010 10:04 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Thank you all for your continued phenomenal support - it has been unbelievable. Stage 5 was extremely tough and much to my great disappointment I suffered badly from heat exhaustion - "the oven" lived up to it's name. I made it to check-
point 4 (45km) at approx.3pm but unfortunately lay there zapped of all energy until close to midnight (a very unwelcome and unpredicted end to stage 5 for me).
 
I did thoroughly enjoy the first 2 legs. Leg 1 took us down a narrow river bed where we dodged tall reeds and crossed the water numerous times. We then wove our way down through canals and vines into leg 2 - winding through a village. The streets lined with many friendly locals waving and cheering us on - I was joggling along sipping my water and feeling strong. As we entered the salt flats the heat literary hit me like a base ball bat.  
 
Today has been spent flat on my back drinking water which is literally hot tap temperature straight out of the plastic bottles. It has been at least 50 degrees here at camp - not the best conditions athletes recovering from 100km on the back of 120km.
 
Tomorrow is the final 10 km stretch to the finish line where we are all looking forward to a much deserved cold beer and shower! 
 

Comments: Total (19) comments

Posted On: 04 Jul 2010 01:15 am

Well done! A fantastic achievement Fi. Love to you both Tanya, Al, Daniel xxx

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 10:54 am

Well done Darling, so great to see that you have finished. We are so proud of your efforts. Enjoy the celebrations and have a safe trip home. Love to you and Todd OOO XXX

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 07:49 am

Congratulations Fi, thrilled to know you have finished and crossed for the final time despite your problem yesterday! Susise Dean rang me this avo to say you had completed the trip. She was very excited. Tony has been following you closely also and we are thrilled for your success. Poor Todd hope his sweeping duties are over. Much love from us all jj and co xx

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 07:17 am

Hi Fe, You have done us all proud in getting so close. You go show them on your final leg that you are a gooer and that you are one Kiwi Bird that ain't going to give up or let some desert get the better of you. So you go show them all how wonderful you are.

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 04:48 am

You have done amazing Fi, have a blast on the final leg, and enjoy that very well deserved beer! xx

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 04:24 am

There are not many people who can ever say that in their lifetime they pushed themselves till the very end...very few would even try. To even reach that point you must have been digging really deep, pushing your mind and body to its limit... your endurance truely is remarkable...wow your little legs have just carried you hundreds of km, across one of the harshest places on earth...you must have a profound appreciation of just how extreme that landscape is now....I am sure you will think about this experience for years to come - ESPECIALLY the part where you came in 1st that great day and showed us all what you can do!!!! I will happily remind you of that for years to come....let me tell you, you have set one hell of a standard! Okay enough of the mushy stuff - go and get yourself RE-HYDRATED!!!!!!!!! XXXXXXXXX

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 04:15 am

oops I put the last message under stge 4... So thrilled to see you have crossed the Finish Line, What an unbelievable effort Fiona, through that extraordinary country in such heat, You are in inspiration !! Wishing you now great celebrations, Todd cuddles, good food and drink And rest CONGRATULATIONS and much love from us all xxoo

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 04:12 am

Fantastic! Good on you-all our congratulations and best wishes to you both . We will look forward to hearing more when D and L pass through next wkd love Heather and all at Conway Flat.

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 01:01 am

go sister so, you can do the final stage. do it for yourself and us but mostly do it for our dearest ma, i know she will be there with you. sending you both huge hugs full of tears and joy! xoxoxoxoxo

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 11:53 pm

All so incredibly proud of you. Nothing could have prepared you for that kind of heat. Hope you enjoy the final 10k leg. We couldn't even run that, let alone your phenominal effort. Go Girl !!! Love to you both xxx

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:39 pm

You have done a phenomenal job Fi, we are so proud of you. Being first and third woman in two legs is an amazing achievement, especially considering how many experienced people you are competing with. Enjoy the last 10 km, and I bet that beer and shower will never taste and feel so good! Lots of love xx

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:20 pm

you bring tears to my eyes! fantastic effort big sis, you have done us all sooooo proud. keep your chin up and cross that finish line knowing that we are all there with you. then you need eat and drink til you have to roll around the floor, your body will need it! xoxoxoxo

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:02 pm

Morning Darling, sooooo pleased to see that you are still in one piece and ok ! 0 degrees here as the sun comes over the hills, so can't imagine what 50 degrees would feel like !! We too have been very concerned for you and are so relieved that you are recovering well. We have been at the computer regularly over the last few days looking for updates and photos. This has been a great way of keeping us informed without us having to experience the heat first hand.! We are so proud of you Darling in this superhuman effort. Well done and we hope you can simply enjoy the next stage and the run to the finish line. Much love OOOOO XXXXXXXXXX

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 08:52 pm

Hi Fi, I reckon the long day would have fried alot of people, while disappointed enjoy the last couple of days. You'll look back and smile, while planning to come back and do another one, we all think you're a champ for completing as much as you did!

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 08:42 pm

You are doing amazing well, we are very proud of you. Most people don't do these for a reason, you are and your incredible strength and determination is shining through. Excellent work!

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 08:28 pm

You are a wonder Fiona...just head for that goal! Our love to you both.

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 08:12 pm

Just being there is significant, hear hard to imagine when its - here love from the J's

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 08:11 pm

Oh Fiona, how incredible !! what a super human effort. I too have tears of happiness, overwelmed reading your blog this morning. We are all SO proud of you. Soon soon that cold beer and shower. Enjoy your great success. All our love xxoot and to you and Todd

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 05:52 pm

Hello my dear sister, I love you, no words can describe how proud I am of you! You are my hero as always, I'm so happy to hear that you are ok, I've been worried sick. I'm crying with happiness. Much love xxx

01 July 2010 03:35 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Flaming mountains, flaming hot!! A very early start, very little sleep - perhaps 3hrs - resulted in an emotional Fi on the start-line today (5.30am in the dark). All I wanted to do was snuggle up to my husband this morning and hide under the covers. Managed to pull myself together though - helped greatly by the fact I've found a running, walking buddy - Amanda Clarke (just in time for the 100km tomorrow!!). We paced ourselves today jogging all the way down the rocky river bed, over the desert plains and up into the flaming mountains, chatting away to keep each other company and successfully made it out of the mountains before the peak of the day in 4th equal place.
 
Todd on the other hand was on sweeper duty today so had to follow the last competitors the full 36km to the finish-line - 14hrs in the blazing 50 plus degrees. He and the other sweeper have a lot of respect from the competitors for pulling those through that wouldn't have otherwise made it.....a few competitors won't be on the start-line tomorrow.
 
Off to try and get some sleep - extremely HOT still - 9pm.

Comments: Total (19) comments

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 04:08 am

SO thrilled to see you have crossed the Finish line !!!!! What a spectular effort Fiona. Wishing you much celebration,hugs from Todd good food, drink and rest all our love xxooo

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 10:45 am

Hi Fiona, Congratulations on your wonderful achievements. I\'ve enjoyed reading your blog and of your successes. A great collection of descriptive pictures and videos on the site too - (you can almost smell it :) !) - wish I was there too (but on a bike!) Awesome scenery! Good luck for a strong finish! Enjoy the final - the worst day on the run should beat a good day in the office! Cheers xx Jos

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 10:45 am

Hi Fiona, Congratulations on your wonderful achievements. I've enjoyed reading your blog and of your successes. A great collection of descriptive pictures and videos on the site too - (you can almost smell it :) !) - wish I was there too (but on a bike!) Awesome scenery! Good luck for a strong finish! Enjoy the final - the worst day on the run should beat a good day in the office! Cheers xx Jos

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:25 am

cheering you on in silence! are you there yet?? xoxoxox

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:16 am

Go Fi! xx Almost there :-)

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 09:03 am

Not long to go now. What an experience. Life changing probably. xx

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 08:58 am

Go GO GO Fiona !! All our love and guts to you for the rest of 5 and stage 6. We are cheering for you all the way !!! With much admiration. Your true grit, guts and determination is an inspiration, thank you !! xxxoooo S J O

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 07:57 am

Grrrrr to the sun, sand and lack of sleep....you will be back in your comfort zone soon enough and I know you have some steam left under your bonnet!! Power to the Pea!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 06:04 am

Hi Fiona, you are doing very well, great attitude, you'll remember all the good stuff when you get home, it'll seem like magic that you were in 50 degrees and an exotic location, doing the thing you love. Remember the pain will subside, just keep one foot in front of the other.

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 05:36 am

So proud of you. bragging to all that you are there actually doing it. Great. Marverlous and simply stunning. Just to be there amongst it. Todd sweeping? Good training Todd. Housework next job.

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 05:14 am

Go Fe!! You are doing so well and we are all screaming our support for you. Can't you hear us all? It's good that you have a buddy as that can make it a little easier. Keep it up and do youor best, that is all you can do, and from what I have seen, you are doing bloody well.

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 05:03 am

Go for it Fi! What an incredible effort you have put in and it sure has paid off with your results. Loads of love and energy for your last day. You're amazing!!!! Hugs, Vicki and Chris xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 12:10 am

Go Fi! We're all reading your very interesting blogs and looking at the photos on the website at work and thinking of you! What a super human effort. We're all so impressed and proud of our amazing colleague. We look forward to hearing about your last stage and how you place. You rock!

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 11:02 pm

Hi Fi, top effort. Local paper man wants to interview you... Its -2c here this am. Love T & J

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 11:01 pm

Can hardly believe what we are reading! Well done. Amazing results! Your " true grit " and passion will drive you through to a great finish we are sure.Our love to you and Todd. Marg and Kate. x x

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 09:48 pm

Arrh, thank you for your post Fiona So glad you and Amanda Clarke have found each other. Amazing !! Keep 'Trucking' on Fiona, You CAN do this !! all our love to you and Todd

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 09:19 pm

hold in there sis, sending you good vibes and inspiration, you can do it!! xoxoxoxox

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 12:29 pm

After midnight here, but can't stop wondering how you are getting on with the 100k, guess I will have to wait till the morning for the results. Great that you have found a running mate, that should be a big help. Only one more day to go when you read this! Love and good luck for your last day. ps. Had a photo I took of the snow and hoar frost on TV1 weather tonight !!

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 11:50 am

It's hot in Austria Fiona, but we can't imagine the heat you are experiencing. Good luck for your last runs.

29 June 2010 09:38 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

After an extremely cold morning - even felt a few rain drops as we huddled around the camp fires and munched our breakfast - we were on the start-line reluctantly shedding our jackets and woolly hats (so glad I took Hamish's advise and packet an icebreaker beanie - thanks Hamish). 
 
Stage 3 started with 10kms straight down the riverbed, scrambling over boulders and crossing the ice waters about 6 times (felt quite at home as the cloudy conditions meant temperatures close to an NZ spring/summer). Out of check-point 1 and onto a long gravel road, quite a grind down to check-point 2 - my runners legs were enjoying the flat. Unfortunately, the second leg - undulating schist sand dunes took to my knee and I slipped from my 2nd placing.
 
Out of the dunes the last 7km gradual down-hill sandy, extremely exposed (we were so thankful for the cloud cover) stretch down to "Peach Village" (our home for this evening, complete with icy stream to rinse ourselves and our clothes in - what a treat) I picked up the pace again but a lot too late - placed 3rd women today. 
 
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Selina and Dave - send Gobi Good Wishes and hugs to you both - exciting, happy times ahead.
 
Thank you again to everyone for their awesome messages - from an extremely hot Peach Village - 7.30pm - off to bed shortly as we have a 4am departure for a 6am start-line in a bid to try and beat the heat on "the flaming mountains" ..... and we paid for this?!!!??  

Comments: Total (18) comments

Posted On: 02 Jul 2010 06:11 am

Thanks for thinking of me Fiona! Awesome to hear you are doing some wonderfully! You are an inspiration to me! Lots Love to you and Todd.... Go well!

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 09:05 am

Wow - we're so impressed!Loving following your progress. Hang in there love Marian & richard

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 02:06 am

I only just found this blog page!!!! How silly, but hope you have been getting the other messages I have been sending!! xxx so good to hear in more detail how amazing it all is...bloody fantastic, Fi and thinking of you!!!! xxxxx Now run, run, runnnnnnn!!!!!

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 01:08 am

Great job Fi! We are really enjoying following the race and reading the latest stage updates at 9pm every night! You are doing amazing - so proud of you x

Posted On: 01 Jul 2010 12:46 am

We are exhausted even thinking about what you are doing. The girls keep asking if they "can run fast like Aunty Fi" when they are older, and ask every day how you are doing in your race. All very proud of you. Love to you both. Wayne, Lyn and the girls =)

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 08:59 pm

Thinking of you today, this looks like a long hot one !!! Fiona, take care, just to cross the finish line is a Huge achievement !! Love, strenght and light feet to you xxooo

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 08:33 pm

Super Woman!! Sounds like you're in true Kiwi Spirit.. Go Girl!!

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 08:08 pm

Amazing Fi, you are doing so well - you go girlfriend! FYI - justine and chris had a little girl, Alana on Tuesday

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 10:23 am

See you are still doing fantasticaly, third woman overall, tremendous effort, hang in there. Thinking of you and willing you on for the huge 5th stage. Real proud of you !! OO XX

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 09:20 am

We are rooting for you. With you all the way!! GO Girl......

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 08:16 am

You are going great guns matey, keep up the good work! xx

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 07:41 am

keep it up sister! xoxoxo

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 04:15 am

You're doing amazingly well Fiona. I can't imagine being in your shoes but I'm rooting from far away in Vancouver, Canada.

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 01:13 am

Wonderful Fiona !! you are doing so well 3rd is Fantastic !! Yes you paid for this so hope you can enjoy the amazing enviroment too Cheering you On !! think now you have to really dig deep, you've got it ! much love xxoo A S A Susie

Posted On: 30 Jun 2010 12:30 am

We are all watching your efforts with pride and girl you are doing a fantastic job. Can't wait for more updates. Amy and the team xx

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 07:52 pm

Ha ha you are such a fighter. I would have been pleased with third. But you show em! Tracking the photos on the site, it looks amazing! Wish I was there to shout you on. Stage 4 today, yay, can't wait to hear what the route is. Have fun Fi and look up and take in the beauty when you need a breathe xx Kvr

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 07:46 pm

Woohoo, you are on fire, doing amazing well, didn't realise how competitve you were :-) Excellent work, we are amazed by you. Keep it up. Pleased to hear you are occassionally getting some cooler conditions to remind you of home. All the best to both of you.

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 07:20 pm

Another top effort, we need icebraker here all day every day. T & J

28 June 2010 10:24 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Unbelievable ...... some how I managed to be the first female across the stage 2 finish line. Some reward for all those hours of training.
 
Stage 2 - the first leg was grueling ups and downs very similar to the second half of day 1. I took to these schist hills and gullies very wearily, taking care not to put any unnecessary strain on my knee. Then much to my delight the second 2 legs flattened out across rice fields, up a stony riverbed and then down an undulating gravel road. I felt quite at home with images of training runs at the Conway out to Medina and the Bluff, and along Wellington's rocky south coast. Approximately 6km before the finish line we looked out across the river valley below and there perched high on the other side was base camp - what a tease! Thankfully I'd listened carefully at the morning briefing and didn't let my mind think we were nearing the end - following the calf deep river crossing there was still a 3-4km grind up out of the riverbed. And then the beating of the drum caught my ear and I knew the finish was only 200-300m away - just around the corner - yippee!

Comments: Total (7) comments

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 10:22 am

Awesome awesome awesome! I\'m so proud of you. Keep up the great work. Lots of love SADJ xx

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 10:22 am

Awesome awesome awesome! I'm so proud of you. Keep up the great work. Lots of love SADJ xx

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 09:36 am

Great to see that you are doing so well. Exhausts me just to read about it. Good luck for the next (last) 4 days. Thinking about you, Willi

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 08:44 am

WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL !!!!!! Great to read your account of your run yesterday . Seems you are still very near the front today ! Well done Fiona !! much love A S

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 08:19 am

go sister go!!!! xoxo

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 06:25 am

Top effort. Mary sat (Muller) called me today... thinks she wants to do it,, T & J

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 06:25 am

Top effort. Mary sat (Muller) called me today... thinks she wants to do it,, T & J

27 June 2010 07:54 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Two nights spent in luxury in the official Racing the Planet hotel, Urumqi is now a distant memory, as I sit in a make-shift cyber tent on a sandy ridge surrounded by barren mountains at the end of stage 1.
 
Saturday 26 June was official check-in; including mandatory equipment checks - my pack weighed in at 9kg (excluding 1.5kg of water we were given at a later check-in station) - I'm going to have to eat a lot in the first few days!, medical declaration, and bib allocation - for the next 7 days I'm known as #63. Following we 158 competitors were herded onto 5 Chinese bus (very small seats and spacing between the seats) and the volunteers i.e. Todd jumped in 15 black branded 4x4's each with their own Chinese driver and the entourage was on the way - quite a site along the Urumqi highway.
 
1 hour into the journey we left the highway and the road changed to a dusty, dirt trail - not so suited to buses and made worse by the fact the 2 days prior there had been server flash floods (and temperatures were down to 7 degrees during the day on the course - we were all praying this would continue for the next 7days - mmmm unfortunately this was not to be.....). We were off and on the buses numerous times as they tackled a number of extremely challenging crossings, finally making it into camp 1 at 8.30pm. Thankfully it's daylight here till 10.30pm so still time to fix our space in our 10 person tent, make our dinner (hot water added to back-country chicken tikka masala) and prepare our pack for race day 1.
   
So race day 1 - 32kms - the first 2 stages 9km and 8km I jogged along at a steady pace as we gradually rose out of the village along desert plains. This wasn't to last as just out of check-point 2 we were confronted with an almost vertical shingle scree to concur. And the next 15km were to be some of the most grueling climbs and descents I've had to tackle to date (who knows what's in stall for us tomorrow), made worse by the 2500m altitude and sticking sun. been told temperatures were tame though compared to what's in stall for us!
 
I managed to cross the stage 1 finish line in 54th place (field of 158) despite an excruciatingly painful knee (intensified by the down-hill) and running dangerously low on water - lesson learnt - from now on I will be taking and carrying all water allocated irrespective of the weight .... knee - lots of stretches and have to take it easy tomorrow.
 
Wonderful to be sitting in this magical, desert land and to receive all your message of encouragement - I will certainly be recalling these in my times of need over the next 6 days.    

Comments: Total (16) comments

Posted On: 03 Jul 2010 10:18 am

You are a star Fiona. !!! What a great acheivement. What ever we love you and can't wait to hear all the wonderful stories you both must have. Hope you have recovered well. Love and hugs to you both. xxoo

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 06:51 am

Fiona, we are inspired! Exciting reading your results each morning. Keep it up, but take care and say Hi to Todd encouraging you behind scenes. Love C and W.

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 05:14 am

Kylie has forwarded the blog to us in the Hutt about you being the first woman home! That is so fantastic Fiona, You are awesome, what a thrill. Wonder how the body and that knee is today? Scree slopes sounded hard work and dangerous, take care out there and drink lots.Keep up the good work , from us all at HOT in the Hutt, and me

Posted On: 29 Jun 2010 02:40 am

FANTASTIC Fiona !!!! You are doing SO well And talk about INSPIRING !! What a Wonderful finish yesterday !! All love and good wishes for #rd day today xxooo A Susie

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 10:52 pm

Can,t believe what I have just read !!! That is fantastic, first woman home on stage 2 !! GO GO GO, but don't break ! Love

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 10:32 pm

Excellent - first woman home absolutely awesome - we are thinking of you

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 08:29 am

Fi, you are doing freakin' awesome! Am loving following you via photos and the blog. Keep it up but look after that knee x

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 06:39 am

Stage 2....Super Fiona! You have our strength too. Take care, love to you both.

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 05:23 am

You are doing so well Fi. Exciting to keep up with all the news and goings on. Photos look great. Even Todd looks the part. Keep going girl!!

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 04:37 am

Well done on Stage 1 Fiona...you go girl!!! - we are very proud of you

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 04:22 am

Well done stage one. Sue MacD and Mary sat are following you.. Don't go tooooo fast and blow up.. love T & J

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 01:54 am

Have just seen you talking on the registration video, amazing !!

Posted On: 28 Jun 2010 12:47 am

Hi Darling, Well done for first day, great to see the photos (3). Email message on direct link. Good luck for today, Love Dad and Lorna

Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 10:57 pm

Fi! awesome effort on the first day. I ran my half marathon yesterday 2:26, and again just put you in a field of your own. I thought that was hard, wind and rain, but flat as. Saw the pic's of the hills you guys did, omg so awesome. Keep going Fi! you are going to kick as... Take care of that knee. Hi Todd! ok you guys have fun on the next route, will keep chatting!

Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 10:51 pm

Congratulations Fe on doing so well in the first stage, 54th. is very good. Getting used to the conditions will be ongoing. Plenty of streaching and sleep will get you through, oh and don't forget your water. Say hi to Todd when you can. All the best for the next stage. Love David

Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 08:12 pm

OMG what a brilliant effort, way to go. Definitely lots of knee stretches, and take it easy on the downhills, and take all your water. Better to learn that on day 1 so you be ready for day 2. Fantastic work, you should be really pleased with yourself. Hope Todd is getting lots of photos. All the best to both of you.

23 June 2010 08:51 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

A freak cold snap including rain meant our plans to explore some of rural Urumqi were quickly replaced with a shopping spree .... oh dam what a shame .... ! We're all hoping that this cold snap sticks around for at least another 10 days!

The nerves are kicking in big time now as we're moving out of our 3 star basic but functional Chinese motel into the official 5 star competition Hotel. Two nights of luxury before I'll be spending the next 7 nights with 9 other tent mates. 

We will miss the cuisine of this area though - the many street vendors cater to the employees of the large 7 floor blocks of market stalls - selection and authenticity is in abundance.

Comments: Total (5) comments

Posted On: 27 Jun 2010 10:19 am

GO FI !!!! Congrats on finishing the first leg of the race. Been viewing the pics and updates on the web. Thinking of you both. xxx Michael, Wayne, Lyn & the girls.

Posted On: 26 Jun 2010 04:55 am

Love to you both. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Posted On: 25 Jun 2010 05:57 am

Hi Fiona, hoping with you for a cold spell, but I have no doubt, you are prepared. Good look and our best wished Willi and Carol

Posted On: 25 Jun 2010 12:04 am

Sending heaps of love to you and Todd Kia Kaha A Susie xxooo

Posted On: 24 Jun 2010 11:24 pm

Hey Fi Just wishing you the best of luck for your journey ahead, thinking of you. All my strength coming your way....look forward to reading how it all goes my friend. xxx Karena

22 June 2010 06:47 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Departing Auckland just short of midnight on Saturday 19 June, heavy rain pelted against the wings of our aircraft destination Singapore. It was a tropical 14 degrees outside.
 
Three flights, 19 hours flying time, and 5 hours worth of transit time in Singapore and Guangzhou later, I squashed my nose upto the window and below me for as far as the eye could see spread the Gobi Desert.
 
Why on earth had I talked myself (and my brand new husband for that matter!) into signing up to traverse that massive, sandy, mean looking expanse below - on foot!!
 
How on earth was 11 months running along the tranquil Kapiti Coast, concurring Mt Victoria and Mt Fyffe, and scaling the ridges between the Brooklyn windmill and the South Coast of Wellington possibly prepare me for the terrain I saw below?!!
 
Touching down in Urumqi, China at 9pm on Sunday 20 June, the pilot announced a balmy 34 degrees.
 
We've now spent 2 days pounding the pavements of this 'Chinese' modern, extremely cosmopolitan city. There are areas of heavily concentrated Muslim/Western Asian peoples with their associated cuisines and wears for sale, then just around the corner underground shopping centres spanning for blocks filled with high-street Asian fashion. 
 
Today off to try our hand at catching a local bus and exploring a more rural area outside of this intense city....

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 23 Jun 2010 11:22 pm

Fiona I was pleased to find this on the site, WOW !! You are bound to have doubts I know it/is a huge challange but what an adventure I too felt worried when a I looked at a goole earth map showing the route you will be taking through endless sand dunes on some days !!!! Take care, what a huge adventure you are both on !! What a Honeymoon !!! mountains of love A Susie

Posted On: 23 Jun 2010 02:15 am

wow - i think what you are doing is truly inspirational, good luck !!

31 May 2010 12:11 pm (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Some recognition for those hundreds of hours on my feet.

I made page 6 of our capital cities newspaper .....

Here's a link to the online version: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/3756736/Wellingtonian-prepares-for-gruelling-run-across-desert

 

 

 

 

 

Comments: Total (3) comments

Posted On: 21 Jun 2010 01:04 am

Hope you have arrived safely and starting to get used to the weather. We will thinking of you and wishing you well. Go Girl you can do IT!

Posted On: 13 Jun 2010 05:14 am

I went for a run on Bondi beach the other day. It nearly killed me! I am thinking of you running 250 laps of Bondi- wow that is amazing. Sending you lots of cosmic carbs from Sydney. x x

Posted On: 10 Jun 2010 11:11 am

You're my hero! x