Stage 6 - For most, this stage was a victory lap where one could take things easy. Unfortunately, my poor performance on stage 4 forced me to try to run this stage as fast as I could. My legs were fully recovered from the long march but my feet remained badly bruised on the bottoms. Each step felt like stepping on a nail. I started off slowly to let my feet get numb from the pain. Each kilometer I picked up the pace and began passing competitors. The strategy worked and I was able to make up three places in the overall ranking by finishing 16K course in 1 hour 31 minutes. This improved my final rank to 76. The race ended with young Uyghur children performing for the finishers. It was very emotional to see competitors finish and released all the tensions they had throughout the week. The mood was positive and joyful and a great way to finish. Post Race reflections Below are some post race reflections for future competitors. - Mistakes I Made 1. Wearing Minimus Shoes - You certainly can run a Marathon distances in minimus shoes. Unfortunately, the combination of sharp stones and the wear and tear of multiple marathons eventually wear out your shoes then your feet. This cost me hours in the race. 2. Mountain Running - I did some training in the mountains in Hangzhou, China. This helped provide the basics for rising and descending steep climbs. Unfortunately, I think more experience on higher more technical peaks could have benefitted me. 3. Clean sock - I pack only three pair of Inji sock and two cover up socks. In the future, I would pack a fresh pair for each day. - Things that worked well 1. Salt replacement - I poured oral rehydration salts in my water bottles. Most people do not like the taste but I am used to it. The benefit of the ORS powder was that I did not need to watch the time to take a salt tablet. I think people fall short or their electrolytes because the time passes quickly in the desert and they forget to take their endurolytes. 2. Nutrition - I packed enough food to keep satisfied. I never went to bed hungry nor did I ever have extra food at the end of the day. 3. Use of terrain for advantage - Unfortunately, I was unprepared for the rocky terrain nor the heights. In order to compensate for these shortcomings, I modified my strategy to run hard when the surface allowed. This strategy helped me recover 13 places on stage 4 and 55 positions in Stage 5 (long march) - Things I will remember the most 1. Friendships - One of the things that has left an impression on me is the camaraderie developed in the camp. Thank you to Nick, Lee, Richard, Bert, Marta, Marko, Beatriz, Vicente, and Nahila for all their support and encouragement. Also Colin, Christian, Francisco and Jeison for providing their technical expertise on mountain running. 2. The Scenery - My initial expectation of the desert was a desolate lifeless place. I left with the understanding that the desert is beautiful with plants, life and lots of sharp rock :-) 3. The last competitors to finish the long march - One of the most special moments of the race was when the last two competitors approached the camp at the end of the long run. The runners had been going continuously for 24 hours. They were exhausted and barely could walk. When word got around that the last two competitors were arriving, the entire camp came out to greet them and cheer them on as loud as they could. Thanks to the RTP staff and doctors who helped throughout the week and congratulations to all the finishers !!!

Yesterday, I was not able to describe what stage 4 was like because the cyber tent was closing.  A basic description was that this was vicious.  We ascended and decended mountains that I did not think were climbable.  We ran along ridges with sheer drops of over 1000 meters.  Finally, we were on 6 inch ledges over 1000 feet high.  This was not for the faint of heart.  I lost tons of time because the terrain was so harsh and the mountains were s high.  This was more a mountain expedition than a race. The views were incredible.  Check out the pictures on the Gobi March website.

 

Ran the 75K Long March in 13hours and 50 minutes.  The mountains are beautiful with red yellow and tan colors. The major vegitation are thorns which the sheep and camels eat.  The first half of the course was grueling with 35K worth of sharp stones (Similar to the Hangzhour Ridge).  My feet bruised under the callouses which debilitated my running ability in the terrain. By the half way point I was in 134th place.  The remaining portion of the race was a mixture of sand and stones.  This terrain was much easier on the feet and gave me an opportunity to make some time.  I was able to finish 79th overall with my feet on fire.

 

Peter and Dede - Thank you for taking me to Hangzhou. Without this training I would have been in worse shape.

 

Tomorrow, we will be running a 15K race.  Not sure how the feet will hold up but I will finish.

Day 4 is complete.  This was extremely tough.  We climbed mountain ridges and traversed mountains on goat paths the width of my foot.  I took my time and completed the course in over 10 hours.  103rd place.  I hope tomorrows 75K is easier. 

 

The views were tremendous.  We climbed to Shipton's arch and many of the peaks in the surrounding area.  Some peaks were as high as 3,000 meters.

 

Thank you for all the donations to the David de Oliveira Memorial Scholarship. We are close to our target.

Today was a difficult day.  We climbed the entire day.  There were a few steep hills but none too dangerous.  Finished 64th with a time approximately 6 hours 30 minutes.  This race is more mountain climbing than running.  This has slowed me down significantly.

 

Tommorow, is going to be extremely difficult there is technical climbing for over 14K with very high peaks. The entire camp is discussing the technical challenges.  My plan will be to go slow and careful.  Finishing will be the key.  I will definately drop several more places in the standings. 

 

Thanks for all the notes of encouragement.  We will be careful tomorrow in anticipation of the long march.

 

Thank you

 

John Caamano

Finished stage 2 in 6 hours and 6 minutes.  55th overall for the day.  We traveled through an area of the desert called Mars.  The stones and sand were all bright red.  The mountains are beautiful.  It reminds me of our time in Tibet (with a lot more heat). 

 

The terrain is the biggest issue.  I am running with minimalist shoes (barefoot shoes).  This slows me down significantly in the jagged rocks and steep hill areas.  It is a blessing in disguise because the slower pace keeps me from overheating.  Today, I finished strong.and I feel like I have not worked out.

 

Tomorrow will be a very difficult day.  The entire race is climbs uphill through rugged terrain.  If I finish in the top 100, I will be happy.  Either way, I intend to have a good time and stay healthy for the long march on day 5.

 

Bert, Lee and Rich are doing great.  We have a great tent and everyone is happy.

 

Thank you to all who have donated to the David de Oliveira Scholarship Fund.  When the my feet throb and I feel like I am running through an oven, I think of what David went through and say this race is not that bad.

 

 

John Caamano

The local population greeted us and put on a talent show including a demonstration of their horse riding skills.  Last night was difficult night.  We slept on a rocky plain at the foot of some steep mountain passes.  My tent mates are great and the staff from Racing the Planet is very helpful.

 

The course was slightly shorter today (32K) due to high water in the river crossing.  The course was grueling with a large portion of the running over a dried river bed with sharp stones that penetrated your shoes.  The temperature was hot but bearable.  The wind was a significant factor.  It appeared that we were running against the wind most of the time. 

 

I finished the day 40th overall with a time of 4 hours 20 minutes. Given the terrain, wind, temperature, hill climbing, and heavy pack I am satisfied.  Tomorrow, I will try to slow down to recover for the tougher stages of the race.  We have to make up the 10K we lost due to the flooded river.

 

We are still accepting donations to the David de Oliveira Memorial Scholarship.  For more info please visit:

 

www.oliveirascholarship.com

 

John Caamano

#19

It is challenging for some to overcome the pitfalls of growing up in an inner city in the USA. In the city of Newark, 1 in 2 public high school students will not graduate. Those who do transcend these challenges did so with determination and the help of strong families, the right friends, and mentors from the community to guide them on the correct path. When I was growing up in Newark, my track coach Ollie Dickerson was one of my mentors that I credit for keeping me on the path that has led me to the person I am today. For this generation of Newark East Siders, Dave De Oliveira was that positive influence. Dave was East Side High's girls volleyball coach who led the school to their first ever state tournament. Unfortunately last year, at the age of 37, Dave lost his battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Dave's dedication and determination pushed him to coach and mentor throughout the debilitating stages of his disease. I will be running the Gobi March in June and would like to raise money for the Dave De Oliveira Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will help an eager Newark East Side student with financial need go to college and continue the path to their dreams. It's a way to give back to the community that helped raise me and honor someone who gave selflessly throughout his life. My initial contribution to the Scholarship will be $1,500. I ask that you give whatever you feel is appropriate. You can find out more about the scholarship and donating by visiting the following link: http://www.charitysmith.org/endeavors/doliveira/ Some of the my friends are donating based on their confidence in me to complete the Gobi March. Their schedule is: $25 - You're a wimp and won't show $50 - You'll finish the first Marathon then DNF $75 - You will not finish the 4th Marathon (There is a section where you have to scale hand made ladders up a rock face and I deathly afraid of heights.) $100 You will not be able to finish the 80K (double marathon) on the 5th day $125 - You will complete the 250K course $150 - You will finish in the top 50 $250 - You will finish in the top 40 Others are betting on how much weight I will lose. Feel free to set up your own challenges with your friends. To track my results, I will post a blog at the end of each leg of the race. My hope is that you can help this fund can grow and in turn help some of the young talent in Newark grow and prosper while honoring one of the lights in our community that was extinguished prematurely.

One of the reasons for me to run was to raise money for a scholarship for a Newark East Side student. I have set up a charity in David De Oliveira's name. David was a positive influence on the students at East Side. Hopefully this scholarship will be a good way to remember him. Attached is a link to the website: http://www.charitysmith.org/endeavors/doliveira/ Please check out the website. Thank you John Caamano