RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RTP Home

Gobi March Blogs 2014

Michael Gilgen

7

Posts

Gobi March (2014) blog posts from Michael Gilgen

06 June 2014 12:27 pm (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

The long run was a great experience. Very tough terrain and the weather wasn’t supportive. Changing from hot to cold and at some times extremely chilly.

The landscape is remarkable and up in the high hills it looked like the start-up picture of Windows, with all this green mountains. There were lots of wild horses around as well and it must have been a great season as there were many fouls too.

I managed to come in before dark, which was my ambition. We’re staying at a beautiful lake called Sayam. This camp is over 2000m so even though the sun is out it’s chilly. The run around the lake will also be the final stage of tomorrow, which will give us the last 14km, before we get back to civilisation.

I’m looking forward to that shower, then I’ll stroll to town and enjoy some non-dry freeze food. This is better than the food in the hotel. My mother had already told me about how horrible the food is in this corner of the world and I must admit she’s absolutely right!

So hear you back in the cosy enjoyable live! Take care and thanks for following my blog. Michael G.

Comments: Total (3) comments

Lusbueb Adrian

Posted On: 07 Jun 2014 11:17 am

Dear GM CONGRATLATIONS for your phantastic achievement! Kiss youe feet and relax :-) ..! A happy and proud crowd from Richti. Save return and all the best! Adrian & family

Margarete G

Posted On: 07 Jun 2014 06:54 am

Herzlichen Glückwunsch, eine tolle Leistung. Geniesse die Dusche und das hoffentlich schmackhafte Essen. Einen grossen Knuddel M

Lilian G

Posted On: 07 Jun 2014 05:32 am

Enjoy the final run around the lake with its beautiful scenery! Despite the over 230km your legs and feet have already carried you, this must seem like a "piece of cake" to them😉. My warmest congratulations on what you have accomplished so far on this incredible challenge and all the best for the final stage! As you write, there's a shower and hopefully some really enjoyable food waiting for you😄. Big hug! L.

04 June 2014 01:32 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

It’s been a hard day, but worth ever meter of the way. Wonderful landscapes, lots of rivers and swampy grassland. Then after some 18km into the hills, beautiful sights when you get up them, however hard work to do. The final part today was a tarmac road through a small little village with many people cheering you up for the last miles.

What I definitely learnt today is, if they say there is just one water crossing with ankle high water, don’t trust them, as there will be plenty more. The one they warned us from didn’t wet my feet, but many others did so. And as last time, if I have those wet feet the blisters come by their own.

Now I’ve been in the medical tent and feet are all set up for the long run tomorrow. Even though the 68km might seem short, there’s a lot of elevation in there. So looking forward to that one.

Tell you more later, cheers Michael G.

Comments: Total (5) comments

Massimo Bertoldo

Posted On: 06 Jun 2014 06:56 pm

Hi Michael, Congratulations! You've reached the last stage! Head high, look straight ahead, and keep smiling....the last few meters are all you have ahead of you. ;-)) Massi

Wife Annie

Posted On: 06 Jun 2014 06:28 pm

Hallo my Love Great Race!!! You are now in 19th Place! I am very proud of you!!! Cheetah and i are watching every move of yours! Heading onto my European Tournee tomorrow.... Love You dearly...

Heinrich Störi

Posted On: 06 Jun 2014 04:46 pm

Hello Mike. congratulation go you succsessful Stage 5. You improvisiert your placement, this is ver. String. Keep going, its almost done! Take Card any keep some Energy for the Rest. All the Best for the Rest! Kind regards Hanni and Heini

Entcho Ivanov

Posted On: 06 Jun 2014 01:32 pm

Dear Michael, even though your body is suffering a lot, your strong spirit shall guide you and help you achieve the “unachievable”. I am in my thoughts with you and wish you a great strength and nice moments. Kind Regards, Entcho.

Lusbueb Adrian

Posted On: 05 Jun 2014 08:56 pm

Hey GM Going great! Best wishes from all of us, good feet, strog mind! We keep fingers crossed for the long one and cheer for you all day. Bises, Adrian

03 June 2014 01:37 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

I started up well, however the rain and cold kicked in quite hard. At checkpoint 1 I wanted to put on my rain jacket, but without the help of a staff I would have had no chance, my hands were so clamp. It went better after another 5km and trust it or not in check point 2 they announced the race will only continue for another 3km. No chance to get into the mountains, because of too much snow. I wasn’t too disappointed, as I got the chance to warm up.

Now the sun has warmed up the scene and my gear is dry again. We’re staying in a nice little yurt for the night. The missed km will be added up to the next stages. So we’re up for some longer stages now…. Let’s go.

Take care and hear you soon.
Michael G

Comments: Total (2) comments

Heinrich Störi

Posted On: 04 Jun 2014 01:20 pm

Well, that sounds like a hard day to come. We wish good luck and hopefully better weather conditions for the next running day! You are almost half way now, so home comes closer. Keep going Mike, your are used to the winter conditions! Best regards from Switzerland, Hanni and Heini

Juerg Sutter

Posted On: 04 Jun 2014 09:04 am

The snow wouldn't be a problem for you! ;-) good luck on the next stages.

02 June 2014 01:42 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Rocks in all sizes and slightly uphill plains with lots of ditches in them, that was todays landscape. The plains are gorgeous full of well smelling herbs and the whole is accompanied by the sound of flying insects.

Now we are at a campsite next to a river. This could be in the Swiss alps too. Wonderful! Although the temperature could be higher. I’m glad to have all my warm stuff with me.

Today was hard on the knees and feet and even though the last part was downhill, running was no option. And strangely enough the backpack seems to get heavier with every kilometre.

To all those who wrote to me, or took the time to read my blog, all the best, take care and hear you soon.
Cheers Michael G

Comments: Total (2) comments

Massimo Bertoldo

Posted On: 03 Jun 2014 08:38 pm

Hi Michael, your half way there. I hope you are well.. Keep it up! Greeting Massi

Ove Opseth

Posted On: 03 Jun 2014 09:26 am

Go Michael Go. It's fantastic to follow you this way. Hope you are OK and we are with you in soul and mind. All the best and keep on enjoying your long run.

01 June 2014 01:08 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

What a start, just superb. Today we did a 48.5km run, through lots of stony and rocky areas, with scattered plains (huge plains) in between. The people here are very friendly and the police seems to have the job to control us, they’re all over.

Scenery wise it’s absolutely impressive these huge unpopulated areas and lots of animals to see. Some of us even saw a wolf. But running through the plains seems endless.

For once my feet are just fine after a first stage. Just some hotspots and no blisters. I hope this stays up.

All of a sudden I started to bleed from my finger and it didn’t seem to want to stop. However I would have to make up a cool story about it, as I have no clue what I did. Anyhow it was the day of scratches, as I stood on a branch, which tried to defend itself and took a go at my leg. Have to get that one fix up, as it doesn’t look nice on the photo…. But no worries nothing bad!

I wish you all a great time and take care, Michael G.

Comments: Total (2) comments

Wife Annie

Posted On: 03 Jun 2014 01:17 am

Hi Love You are Doping Great... Hope your feet are better than Mine After my 8h flight and walk to Boston... Following your Rates with 12h timedifference... Good luck... Love You... Your wife... 😜

Lusbueb Adrian

Posted On: 02 Jun 2014 12:22 pm

Hey GM I was running for you along the beach in Cannes and sent you the sensation of my cool & wet little feet, since the water temperature is still spring cold... All the best and a great run! Cheers Adrian

31 May 2014 01:17 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

So we arrived at camp 1. As there was a heavy storm yesterday night and they’re expecting the same for tonight, we’re staying at small little miner houses. Nice and cosy and the best housing you can find (besides a tent). And definitely dry, I hope.

I’m looking forward to tomorrows’ stage which will be 48.5km, as they lengthened the first stage and took the extra k’s off the long one. First impressions are great, very stony and tons of wind. Without wind it’s nice and warm, however as soon as the wind come up, it gets quite chilly.

Even though the room we’re in is tight and the floor is plain concrete, I’m longing for a good night’s sleep and I’ll definitely have one. as I’m still jetlagged.

I already had diner (Expedition food: Asian noodles with chicken), so I can be off to bed now….and I’ll write you more after the first meters are done.

Cheers!

 

Comments: Total (1) comments

Anja Gilgen

Posted On: 01 Jun 2014 04:36 pm

Hi Love Well done...! Love you dearly... Cheetha and me...

28 May 2014 08:28 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

It went so fast. I feel as if the Jordan race is just over for a short time; and now i'm sitting at the airport ready for my 27 hours trip to Bole. I'm so anxious to travel to China and it has been my wish to go there for ages. So finally I'll get to see sights a normal tourist doesn't visit. I'll keep you posted during the race, as good as I can. There will definitely be awesome experiences, thousands of memories and more to tell,when I cross that finishing line. And on top the "last desert" qualification and another nice contribution for the Theodora foundation will be done. Take care & hear you soon Michael G

Comments: Total (7) comments

Heini Störi

Posted On: 03 Jun 2014 11:01 am

Hallo Mike, das tönt alles super, muss eine tolle Landschaft sein. Gratulation, du liegst ja sehr gut im Rennen! Wir wünschen dir weiterhin alles Gute und Drücken die Daumen, dass Füsse und Beine weiterhin gut mitmachen. Herzliche Grüsse Hanni und Heini

Christoph Schneider

Posted On: 02 Jun 2014 11:20 am

Lieber Herr Gilgen bin in Gedanken bei Ihnen und sende Ihnen Kraft aus Züri. Und irgendwann werde ich mich auch in diese Laufstrecke begeben. Christoph S.

Maria Cuérel

Posted On: 01 Jun 2014 08:21 am

Hi Michael Alles Gute, viele tolle Erfahrungen und schöne Begegnungen. Good luck!

Lilian G

Posted On: 31 May 2014 08:51 pm

BH😄! Happy you arrived well! Have a good rest and start off the race well tomorrow... And keep enjoying the awesome views - step by step! I will definitely be accompanying you with motivating and warm thoughts... Big hug!

Margarete Gilgen

Posted On: 31 May 2014 04:20 pm

Hi Mikkeli Erfreue Dich trotz aller Anstrengung an der interessanten Landschaft, good luck Gruss Mami

Massimo B.

Posted On: 31 May 2014 02:37 pm

Hi Michael Wir wünschen dir einen guten Start, viel Kraft und Durchhaltevermögen. Wenn du Zeit hast, sollte der Spassfaktor nicht fehlen! ;-)) Gruss Massi mit Ursi

Alina B

Posted On: 28 May 2014 01:52 pm

Best wishes, Michael! Wish I could be there to cheer you on in person, but I'll be doing so from afar. Keep up the good work and enjoy the Gobi March -- it's a beautiful course!