RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RACE INFO

RTP Home

Gobi March Blogs 2013

Alison Cooke

9

Posts

Gobi March (2013) blog posts from Alison Cooke

10 June 2013 01:44 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

When I signed up for a desert ultra, I had visions of myself cresting a sand dune, legionnaire's hat billowing in the hot desert breeze, legs somehow longer, slimmer, more tanned...  As we hauled ass 25km up a 2,870m mountain yesterday in a thunder and lightning storm with hail, ankle deep in cow shit and wearing a black bin bag (that`s a garbage sack for the Americans), we might as well have been having a summer holiday in the UK! I had terrible nausea above about 2,500m and was dry heaving and in need of a painkiller top-up and a hot drink by the time we reached checkpoint 5, the designated "camp" stop with hot water.  When they called us over and told us they were stopping the race for the day due to the conditions, I wept - about 95% relief and 5% disappointment - as I absolutely knew that having topped the big mountain we were going to finish.  So we did a total of 53km in 10:20 and were on track for a 16 hour finish, which would have been fabulous.   
 
After checkpoint 5, we had about a 7km run out to a tarmac road where we took shelter in an obliging farmer`s hut.  Fantastic to see inside one of the rock-built huts we had been been running past.  Very basic hard-pack mud floor with a kang taking up about 2/3 of the space, covered in thickly embroidered blankets.  More embroidered blankets were hung on the walls and the thick wooden ceiling beams were smoke-tanned.  The family looked more Eurasian than Chinese.  By the time the bus came to get us, there was a total whiteout, which made for an interesting drive, with many farmers out herding their animals in from the storm along the road. At this stage, Janine and I were wrapped up in our space blankets like two Christmas turkeys - very grateful for that piece of equipment!
 
We were brought to a yurt village and allocated yurts for the night, with padded sleeping mats and a pile of duvets in each - what bliss! By this time it was about 10.30pm, so we managed to eat some noodles and all 20 people in there went quiet very very quickly. There was lots of discussion this morning about what next - would we be bussed back to where we left the course to finish, would RTP lengthen the last day to make up the miles? But when we looked outside our cosy yurt at 6.30am, we didn`t need to be told.  The temperature was hovering in low single digits and we were only just below the (new) snowline.  With all of our kit still sopping wet from yesterday and the logistics of moving 140 competitors in 2 small minibuses, no-one was going anywhere today.  David, our ever-entrepreneurial tent-mate managed to find a small shop nearby and brought back a couple of cases of soft drinks and bags of noodles - and anything seems better than the sad-looking 2 bags of freeze-dried gloop I have nestled in the bottom of my backpack! 
 
Jade, I kept my little bottom moving as instructed, and we did try singing and it worked!  We went through every song we could think of from Sound of Music (Janine has a great voice!) and even made up our own song.  Thanks darling, your letters have been fab!  Love to you and Daddy, and thanks for all the great comments everyone, so welcome!  Only 14km to go now!!
 
xxx

Comments: Total (0) comments

08 June 2013 07:23 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

There was blood (just a few scratches), sweat (bucketloads) and tears. And mile and miles of laughs with a great bunch of people. We covered some 227km in about 46 hours. Today's 14.5km run out was magnificent; uphill from the yurt camp to the mountains' edge then along and down to the shore of Lake Sayram, across carpets of blue cornflowers and buttercups, with legions of grasshoppers jumping at every footfall. I had a quick swim in the freezing but crystal clear water, which was a jolting energiser, followed by a traditional Kazhak / Gobi snack which bore an amazing resemblance to a Cornish pasty! Janine has been the most incredible teammate on this race, organised, patient and humorous, she is inspiring, thanks J! Final factoid before I exit the blogosphere: you can wear the same pair of socks for 7 days and they don't smell! At least, I don't think they do, I'll check with Neil.

Comments: Total (8) comments

Imi Bond

Posted On: 09 Jun 2013 10:20 am

Truly fantastic both of you. Cant wait to hear more once you have rested up, Lots of love and admiration, Imi XXX

Ester van Steekelenburg

Posted On: 09 Jun 2013 08:28 am

WOW!!!! This makes our mclehose look like a walk in the park....VERY proud of you! Xxx es

Lynn Naylor

Posted On: 09 Jun 2013 02:09 am

Absolutely tremendous girls. You must be very proud of yourselves & each other. It's definitely beer o'clock for you both. Much love & admiration Lx

Andrew Heithersay

Posted On: 09 Jun 2013 01:10 am

A brilliant effort and momentous achievement! You deserve a rest! Cheers, AH

BRENDA Cooke

Posted On: 08 Jun 2013 06:00 pm

Well done both of you hope you have made a ton of money for your charitys lots of love Mum xxx

Sherry Mo

Posted On: 08 Jun 2013 01:01 pm

Huge congrats to you and Janine to have completed the race. You must be very proud of yourselves! it's truely amazing! We can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Lol, Sherry & John

Sam Canham

Posted On: 08 Jun 2013 12:42 pm

Dear Allison and Mummy, You guys are a great team. I loved the photos of you jumping, stretching and in front of the shrine. Well done! Love Sam and Josh

Sarah Green

Posted On: 08 Jun 2013 12:01 pm

Well done Allison xx Meanwhile here in HK the only marathon I have achieved is a 3 day birthday celebration :-)

05 June 2013 02:50 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Woohoo, Day 4, done, 4 mountain marathons in 4 days, who’d’ve thought it? Really loved today. Our tentmate, Victoria ran again with us today, we’re all a very similar pace and lots of chat about; much as Janine and I love each other, we’ve been training together for a year so its good to get some new stories!

 

The scenery was magnificent, high grasslands between two ranges of snow-capped mountains, huge herds of sheep, and the ever-bloody-present river gorges to clamber in and out of. The camp is close to an irrigation channel and we managed a cooling swim in its slightly murky waters after we finished today – no luxury beach resort ever felt better!

 

So, we’ve now completed our training for tomorrow – the Long March...  Tomorrow’s outing is 75km up a mountain and over the other side.  Elevation gain something like 2,600m.  We set out at 8am and are hoping to finish in under 20 hours. 

 

Body / Kit check – achilles scored a new high of 7-ish today and the other one has come out in sympathy, so at least I’m balanced.  Despite the wonders of my portable pharmacopia I’m finding good old Panadol hits the spot best on the pain relief front, so that’s good.  The stiff legs have eased a bit and we’ve settled into a steady Gobi Granny trotting pace.  The pack hasn’t bothered me at all, the training with my 5kg bag of rice and assorted dive weights obviously did the trick. Couldn’t have done this without my poles to help on the uphills and dragging myself out of gulleys.  They’re also pretty good for swinging across rivers on. Gaiters are fab too, haven’t had to stop at all to get stones out of shoes.  Should have brought more tape, my feet look like a scene from The Mummy Returns. Our food plan has been pretty spot on, though we do need to force ourselves to keep eating.

 

I heard from RTP that my Sunday blog (Day 1) got lost in the blogosphere, but has just been found looking lost and lonely so they’ve posted it.  Please do keep the comments coming, it’s really great at the end of the day to take a look and see some encouraging words from friends and family, thanks for all your notes.

 

Jade, I’m going to need Cliffie back when I get home!  I have been opening your letters every day and today’s was great, I did win that battle! Missing you and Daddy, but having a great time!

 

xxx

Comments: Total (12) comments

Andrew Cooke

Posted On: 07 Jun 2013 03:21 pm

Get on Sis, Glad you're having fun... I shall be hiking for 5 days soon, all around glastonbury festival :-) It's gonna be hard work if it's sunny xxx

Neil Gallifordd

Posted On: 07 Jun 2013 12:52 pm

WELLL done darling! Looking forward to having you home!

Ian Love

Posted On: 07 Jun 2013 08:00 am

Its amazing what adventures are possible in just a week of being outside the box...enjoying reading the blog each day...Best Ian

David Brown

Posted On: 07 Jun 2013 06:48 am

Keep going Alison!! - the scenery sounds fantastic, I'm very tempted to sign up for one of these events now. Good luck with the big day, I'm sure you'll do well. David

Lynn Naylor

Posted On: 07 Jun 2013 06:44 am

Tremendous girls. Keep trucking! Lx

Graham Coutts

Posted On: 07 Jun 2013 04:02 am

Sounds like you are having a great adventure, hope the last leg goes well, I suspect tho that "Caifu!" as mentioned in an earlier blog doesn't mean "go for it" but rather " strange people these foreigners, don't they know there is a train to Ulan Bator" best wishes, Graham & Jane

Sherry Mo

Posted On: 07 Jun 2013 01:29 am

Reading your blog is like reading a travel journal, it\'s like seeing the scenery with our own eyes. Really happy for you to have come so far, only two more days to go, you can do it. Lol, Sherry & John.

Duncan O'Neill

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 03:40 pm

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second". You must have several times more than that!! Awesome effort! All the very best, Duncan O'Neill

Katie O'Hara

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 12:37 pm

Well done girls, glad to hear you are having so much fun although I can't imagine why. All our love Katie and Paddy xxxx

Imi Bond

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 11:54 am

Best of luck on the big day Alison to you & Janine both! You guys are AMAZING, have I said that before? Truly heroic! Come join us on the boats at Yau Ley on Wed 12th, champagne for everyone! XXXX( Pass message to J as running out door now X)

Annie Bresh

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 10:40 am

Hmmmmmm, you are making my twice weekly 30 minute run seem just a teensy bit inadequate. Am sure that Duke of Edinburgh bronze hike and overnight camp (in fact wasn't it just the preparation for the actual bronze hike?) we did on Dartmoor has given you all the stamina you'll need- just hope no one opens the portaloo flap on you (if you even have such luxuries!). Seriously, though well done you, look forward to seeing pics in due course (but NOT of the foot!), lots of love, Annie xxxx your oldest friend xxxx

BRENDA COOKE

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 06:30 am

looking at the blogs every day, so pleased to see you and Janine are still going strong.sounds If your having a lot of fun. Take care lots of love Mum xxx

04 June 2013 01:46 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Day 3, and a complete change of scenery from yesterday. We climbed up out of the valley into Sound of Music territory, stunning alpine meadows with lush clovery grass and wildflowers against pine forests and snow-capped mountains. The ever-present river gorges to cross. One brutal climb straight up the side of a mountain to 2,000m (Neil, think day 2 of Nepal), followed by a 5km steep downhill gravel road; I definitely prefer the ups to the downs, like a true HK girl. Today seemed much shorter than yesterday as the terrain was so varied, absolutely stunning.

We have a great bunch of people in our tent, a couple of them are pushing through crippling knee pain and remaining in the most incredible humour and giving us a laugh a minute. Paul unfortunately had to drop out today as his stomach has been in terrible pain since the very start; incredibly tough ex-army all-round super hero.  It turned out his wife, Victoria, is a similar pace to Janine and I, so we teamed for the rest of the day which was great for all of us.  Janine is doing really well, just a few minor niggles, but very strong and super-supportive.  The local people are very curious and friendly, groups of 2-8 of them hanging out with their horses by the roadside, yelling out "Caifu", meaning "go for it". Many of them then whip out their iPhones to snap a pic as we hobble past.

Physically, doing OK.  2 more toes have joined the blisterhood and achilles seems to be hovering around a 4.  Janine thinks most people would have that as a 7-8 and advises I revise my scale.  Rather than start again, I'm going to clarify that a 1 is "Ow, that hurts quite a bit". I did spend quite some time today musing on the nature of pain and its ability to clear the mind, but I'm not planning on taking up flagellation as a religion just yet. I have a list of things to think about to inspire me; the good people at Mandalay Projects and the work they're doing, my friend Andy Naylor and his family and of course my ever-patient husband Neil and gorgeous daughter, Jade, but up til now I'm drawing all I need from the amazing scenery, clean air and wide open spaces. Doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you all though!

Xxxx

Comments: Total (12) comments

Kellie Irwin

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 01:38 am

Good luck for the long day, although I know you both will be fine.......I wouldnt expect anything else! xxx

Richard Reitknecht

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 01:29 am

Go Alison! Enjoying the blogs and so happy to hear you doing well. Can't wait to see the photos and the blisters! Kidding on the last part! Good luck!

Andrew Heithersay

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 01:27 am

Great stuff Alison! Go girl! Cheers, AH PS. Terrific blog...when this is all over, you should give up real estate and become an adventure travel writer!

neil galliford

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 12:15 am

Very proud that you are going so strong still. Good luck with the big one today and hope you enjoy (?) it! Lots of love Neil xx

Ian Love

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 01:12 pm

Alison good going....I am thoroughly enjoying your blog and I am more than a little envious of the adventure you are having. I am reminded of the walking day trips we had when we lived in HK many years ago. Keep on keeping on...best Ian

jade & daddy galliford

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 12:27 pm

I enjoy down hill more! Have you opened my letter yet? are you enjoying the food that we tested? i am really jealous that you get pot noodles that i love! when you get back can i have pot noodles for dinner or would you be to sick of then(m) love Jade and daddyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx p.s can we sleep in sleeping bags to? pretty please!

Lynn Naylor

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 11:47 am

Great to hear how you're doing Alison. Hope the achilles stays in the lower numbers. I'm sure Andy is routing for you too. Lots of love Lx

Arnout van Rijn

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 10:45 am

Go Alison. Quite envious of you. Interesting to read Hawaii Garden also participates, have always thought that place is a ghost town. Are most participants really the Horrible Overachievers I make them out to be or are they really nice and do this for a good cause? Love your colourful English. Keep warful Achilles at bay please and keep going! Arnout, yes we are back!

Brenda Sawyer

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 09:10 am

Great blog Alison; its almost like being there with you - wish I were! Enjoy every moment and take the long day one checkpoint at a time ... good luck! Brenda

Lucy Fletcher

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 05:54 am

Keep it up Cookie you are doing so well. Reading your blog makes me think an ironman is a breeze in comparison (dont tell Neil i said that) but at least unlike thise races you benefit from stunning scenery and a fabulous cultural experience too. Cannot wait to keep reading, cannot offer any advice on the Achilles other than its worth every penny you are raising for 2 great causes. Happy thoughts from BC xxx

Lynne Poelmann

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 05:14 am

Way to go Alison. Really enjoying reading your daily blogs, as I sit at my desk looking out at dull Wanchai. Hope the archilles pain stays bearable. Lynne x

Imi Bond

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 04:56 am

The hills are alive! At least you dont have hoards of kids following you though! Glad you are doing well and the achilles is mediocre, hope you have pain killers too? Enjoy your long day today, pace yourself and enjoy the views, when you get tired sing Edelweiss It always seems to do the trick(?) Will be thinking of you whilst up the twins tonight- obviously that's much tougher than your 'walk in the park' so stop moaning and GO FOR IT! Lots of love, Ims X

03 June 2013 08:11 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Day 2, tick.  Grass, grassy gravel and gravelly grass.  We followed the foothills of the Altai mountain range the whole day, with the mountains on our right and the grasslands on our left, clambering through countless steep dry gulleys running out from the mountains.  Achilles 2-3, not too bad, so we managed to get some good kilometres of trotting done, though disappointed it didn’t really show in our time!  The wildlife was less varied today, lots of sheep with shepherds on horseback, lizards and dung beetles!  We had all four seasons in one day – from a cool, breezy start through blazing heat to a thunderstorm with freezing downpour that had us rifling through our packs for the obligatory rainjacket which we’d sniggered at buying. Apart from stiff legs from a cramping calf all day and a couple of minor blisters, feeling great.

 

The camp this evening is fantastic; a tree-lined meadow in a valley next to a roaring river with icy meltwater complete with cows… and cowpats – just like home! The “cybertent” today is a yurt and I’m sitting cross-legged on a soft rug with carpeted walls writing this.  Shame we’re only allowed 15 mins, I’m quite tempted to sneak back here later for a snooze, much comfier than the rock under my spot in the tent.  We managed to wash ourselves and our clothes in the river this evening, so we’re feeling relatively fragrant now.

 

Continuing the theme of 6-degrees, Neil, one of the chaps in our tent lives in Hawaii Garden! I think we can see his roof terrace from our bedroom. Nothing like travel to broaden the mind!

 

Jade, thanks for your Day 1 letter, when it hurt I did keep putting one foot in front of the other and it worked, I got to the end!  I’m looking forward to reading tomorrow’s letter, it’s a highlight of my day. xxx 

Comments: Total (8) comments

Tara Smyth

Posted On: 06 Jun 2013 02:43 am

Your little comments to Jade and her notes to you make me cry! I guess I don't have blisters, rocks under my "mattress" and an achilles injury to distract me - as I sit here in my comfy chair, overhead fan whirring nicely, hot cup of Starbucks next to me... Keep up the good work! You are A-MAZING! xx

Karen Foon

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 01:42 am

Saw the pictures, they are beautiful! You must be enjoying ev’moment, hope your ankle hold on till you complete/return. Keep up the good work! My son was allotted first choice for primary school and was overjoy! karen

Peter Seeley

Posted On: 05 Jun 2013 12:19 am

You are probably reading this note after completing your third day. Hope your ankle is holding up and you are still having some sort of fun. We are all rooting for you.

Sarah Green

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 11:35 pm

Something to make you laugh......... Hope you are wearing a good sports bra as you trot along......as middle age approaches mine now has to be done up so tightly that I managed to punch myself in the face whilst struggling into it last night!!! Lol!!! Keep up the good work girls xxxx

BRENDA COOKE

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 05:09 pm

great to hear your doing well, keep it up both of you. Thanks for Bithday presents and cards. Very proud of you, Dad would have been over the moon. Take care lots of love Mum and Andrew xxxxx

kellie Irwin

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 02:56 pm

Great start! Just looked at the pictures and you look like you are having a blast. Keep up the good work xx

jade galliford

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 11:02 am

i am glad my advice worked! you are doing GREAT!!! the scenery sounds fantastic, not what we thought... clifford is now following me around every step in (ignore the n) take, i am now mini you! me and daddy miss you a lot and hope 9in(in you ignore that! you come back soon! p.s our keyboard is not letting me delete so excuse the errors! love jadexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Neil Galliford

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 08:24 am

Well done, keep going. Dave the Vet told me this morning on our very wet bike ride that getting thru Day 3 is the toughest mentally. Everyone sends their love, Cliffie will be envious to hear about the roaring rivers to jump in.

02 June 2013 10:08 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Wow, what an amazing first day! Beautiful, stunning scenery in The Stone Valley. My geology O’level fails me in describing it, gigantic boulders, smooth as if water-eroded, with holes, dips and basins in them, and in all shades of grey and brown with streaks of green and rust, just gorgeous. And where small rivers cut through gorges, there were wild flowers and camels, sheep, goats and cattle grazing. There were a couple of gers and low mud houses, quite a change from HK.  

It was a day of rollercoasters - in terms of the terrain, my physical condition and emotions. If 1 is “oh, that hurts” and 10 is ”FFS cut my leg off!”, the achilles ranged from 1-4 today. We climbed up some brutal steps to a temple nestled in amongst some fabulous rock formations and I had an experience of extreme euphoria at the top - couldn’t decide if it was a religious experience or a rush from the painkiller and energy gel combo... Going to savour my allocated teabag for today and put my feet up for a bit now.

Jade, thanks for your lovely first day letter. When it was tough, I thought of you cheering me on and it really cheered me up! I’m really looking forward to reading Day 2’s note tomorrow. The lucky charm you made is hanging from the back of my pack and coming in very useful as Janine has the same pack! Hope you’ve had a great weekend xxx

Comments: Total (0) comments

01 June 2013 02:39 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

3 flights, one bus and one car ride… and we’re at Camp One, officially in the Gobi Desert.  The camp is on the edge of a dusty, windswept plain with snow-capped mountains in the distance.  Am wondering about the zero degree sleeping bag with extra warmth silk liner and merino/silk ski underwear as I sit sweating in the sun at 7pm….  We’re only 7km from the Kazhakstan border and there are some friendly-looking chaps in green watching us from a hilltop encampment with binoculars.

 

There’s a friendly atmosphere in camp with the 6-degrees of separation rule being reduced to the normal two, as we all realize how many people we know in common.  Laurence, who we met on the first flight and is in our tent too, even had a daughter competing in the same biathlon as Jade back in HK today!  We have all been bonding in the tent as we all tape our toes, admiring some funky methodology.

 

Time to go and sample our first dehydrated dinner….  Very excited about setting off tomorrow.

 

Ax

Comments: Total (15) comments

Ester van Steekelenburg

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 07:48 am

Two stages down, wow!!Keep going gobi girl!x es

Lynn Naylor

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 01:42 am

Hey girls I hope you're doing OK, enjoying it as much as possible and your injury isn't bothering you Alison. Thinking of you both a lot. Take care Lx

Imi Bond

Posted On: 03 Jun 2013 08:44 am

Another tough day out there girls, I hear it was windy and sharp rain, must have been a mentally tough day for you both. Good job you are both so bloody minded! Keep going, we are all in awe of you both. May the force be with you! Imi XXX

Sherrin Loh

Posted On: 03 Jun 2013 05:35 am

Fantastic girls - cant believe day one already done! You both just amaze me and will continue tuning into your blogs to find out how you are going. Thinking of you both, besos sherrin & james PS please say hi to Jo Eades - another fab girl from HK

candice stella

Posted On: 03 Jun 2013 05:02 am

Keep up the good work! Sounds like getting to the start line was as much effort as the race. Enjoy and we will be watching. Take care Candice x

Tara Smyth

Posted On: 03 Jun 2013 02:20 am

Keep going girl! Hope the achilles is holding up ok... Thinking of you daily and look forward to the updates :-) What an experience! xx

Bob Nipperess

Posted On: 03 Jun 2013 01:13 am

Good luck Alison - I'm terribly envious!

neil galliford

Posted On: 03 Jun 2013 01:10 am

One stage down - good to see you are in the middle of the pack, so obviously managing well! Good luck today, will be thinking of you. Love Neil & Jade xx

Rich Reitknecht

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 10:58 pm

Now the real fun begins! Good luck Alison! All good back here.

Rachel Sproston

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 04:11 pm

Remember you have 147 ANTS supporting you all the way. Xx

Sherry Mo

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 01:38 pm

Thinking of you as we were driving along Tai Mong Tsai Road with outside temp being 36C. We are very pleased to find out that you've completed stage 1. xxx

Ian Love

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 11:04 am

I am sitting here with Sunday evening glass of wine in hand and warm soup on the stove. Wonderful to read of your adventure....I am a little envious of the adventure I am missing but looking forward to reading it as you go along... sleep tight and good luck tomorrow. by the way you are now over 17 k raised Best Ian

Imi Bond

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 08:56 am

Go Alison, run faster the man in green on the hillside was Borat in his mankini! Thinking of you guys today as we ran to Sheko in the heat but less than half the distance of your run today. Hope it's not too hot? Hope your first day was fab and each day gets better XXX

Kellie Irwin

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 08:48 am

Go Alison......such an fabulous opportunity, keep us updated along the way. Lots of luck for the week ahead xxxx

David Gibson

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 04:34 am

All of us at The Mandalay Projects are very proud of you and Janine as you set off on this epic adventure. Take care, and enjoy the whole experience. We'll catch up with you when you get back to HK. A thousand thankyous for all your hard work and generous support. GO GOBI GIRLS! Best wishes and good luck, David. (David Gibson, CEO & Co-founder, The Mandalay Projects Ltd.)

30 May 2013 08:31 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Bags are packed and alarm is set for 4.45am tomorrow to get to the airport for the hop, skip and jump across China to arrive in Bole tomorrow evening.  Just need to flick on the “out-of-office” message and all my troubles become my boss’s for the next week (thanks, Peter!).

 

I’m hoping that some miracle of dry desert air will shrink the contents of my over-stuffed backpack on arrival, so I can fit my food in.  It’s currently still sealed in packs and tins given I don’t fancy explaining to the nice chap at customs why I’m carrying a kilo of white powder in a double-wrapped Ziplock baggie. 

 

My other hope is that my enforced regime of cross-training will be sufficient to get me through.  The dodgy achilles stopped me running four weeks ago, so I’ve been swimming and cycling.  Swimming – that’s got to be useful in the desert, surely?

 

Doing this with a buddy is great, the WhatsApp line between Janine and I has been running hot all week with alternating excitement and panic (mostly panic), inane packing questions and random weights.  Preparing for this race, with all the thought that needs to go into equipment and nutrition, has brought out my inner geek, so here’re some stats:

 

·         Pack weight – 8.6kg before adding drinking water (I’ll be in trouble if I do have to swim given everything in there is dehydrated)

 

·         16,380 calories in 4.3kg of food

 

·         Funds raised for the two causes – US$18,300

 

·         Alison & Janine’s Gobi March fundraiser page on Ammado – Top Fundraiser globally – yay!

 

Talking of fund-raising, we heard fantastic news this week from The Mandalay Projects that we’ve raised sufficient funds for them to take on a new orphanage project in a remote part of Burma. The project involves building a safe house for a group of children aged between 3 and 16 years who currently live in extremely basic conditions.  MP are currently scoping out what exactly will be provided, but initiatives may include safe water storage, improved sanitation and provision of skills training; giving these children safer and healthier living conditions and reducing their vulnerability to exploitation.  Many thanks again to all my friends who’ve made this possible, what a shot in the arm to get just before heading off!

Comments: Total (7) comments

Lauren and Andrew OHara

Posted On: 04 Jun 2013 06:51 am

7.45am in the uk and you are probably sweltering away somewhere. I\'d eat all the food in one go if I were you. Seems a sensible way to lighten the load! We hope its going well and we are thinking of you - quite exhausting. Lots of love xxxx

Ester van St.eekelenburg

Posted On: 02 Jun 2013 12:25 pm

Just keep popping those pills honey !! Anything anti inflamatory will help !! Good luck!, thinking of you xx es

Lynn Naylor

Posted On: 01 Jun 2013 10:18 pm

Good luck girls. I'll be thinking of you everyday. Take care & enjoy! Amazing effort already. Lx

neil galliford

Posted On: 01 Jun 2013 11:43 am

Hi there, good luck tommorrow for the start. We had a lovely day today, very hot & sunny weather - went out on the boat with the Browns after the Biathlon, then a barbeque at home - perfect day! need to get jade in bed soon she is very tired!! Let us know how you go tomorrow.

jade galliford

Posted On: 01 Jun 2013 11:38 am

if you are tired, open my letter! BTW , this is my tenth time writing this because the deleter button is not working so i have to spell carefully! love jadexxxxxxxxxxxx P.Sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Imi Bond

Posted On: 31 May 2013 04:35 am

AMAZING fund raising, the the enormous achievement of the funds you have raised to be able to build a safe house is far and beyond what you need to keep you motivated when the going gets tough. Well done both of you. Loads of love XXX

Tara Smyth

Posted On: 31 May 2013 01:15 am

I'll be following your blog every day - good luck Alison - another amazing adventure - well done you! Enjoy it!

20 May 2013 02:36 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Dear Friends,

 

Two weeks to go until I head out to the Gobi with my friend, Janine Canham.  Contents of rucksack have been planned, have tested more energy bars than I care to remember and carbo-loading is well underway (for the last 6 months).  Unfortunately a niggle in my achilles has re-emerged so I’m testing the limits of HK’s ever-obliging pharmacies to see how close I can get to anesthesia in tablet form, just in case needed. 

 

I sent out an email to friends a couple of weeks ago asking for sponsorship for a couple of causes close to my heart and have been overwhelmed with the generous response and tickled by some of the comments (“Darling, that’s a marathon a day….I couldn’t even eat a Marathon a day”, “Your baggage only weighs 10kg? That’s not enough for your duty free allowance” and “You're officially an over-achieving, alpha-female nutter…” being fairly representative of the selection).  Thanks to all my lovely friends who’ve donated and details of the causes again below for those who haven’t gotten around to it yet!

 

The Mandalay Projects

 

The Mandalay Projects is a small but tightly-managed charity focusing on improving the living conditions and life opportunities of impoverished children who are at risk of abuse.  Their mission is to help prevent the trafficking of children into the worst forms of child labour. To achieve this, they work with local, in-country partners to identify sustainable development projects to help reduce the vulnerability of children, effectively removing them from the supply chain which feeds the global child trafficking market.  The projects are primarily in Myanmar and Laos. More info at www.themyanmarprojects.net and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvxhzjreI3E. To donate directly to the Mandalay Projects, pls visit our donation site – https://www.ammado.com/community/137375.  (Note that there’s an Options button once you’ve clicked Donate, please do leave a message with your name as the default setting is anonymous donor).

 

Naylor Education Trust

 

Many of my Hong Kong friends know the Naylor family and were also deeply upset by the loss of Andy whilst competing in the New York Ironman last August.  Andy was a pillar of our local community and is sorely missed, as you can see from https://www.facebook.com/AndyNaylorMemorial?fref=ts.  Lynn and their three daughters now face a range of uncertainties as they plan their departure from Hong Kong this summer.  Donation details are in our post on the Facebook page. 

 

Wish us luck!

 

Alison

 

Comments: Total (2) comments

Imi Bond

Posted On: 29 May 2013 01:06 pm

All the very best to you and Janine, be thinking of you girls XXXX

Ben Lloyd

Posted On: 20 May 2013 05:43 am

Do let us know if you find anything in those pharmacies. Best i came out with was a tube of Voltaren gel! Awesome comments from your friends. You can replace the sweaty kit, orange food bags and emergency whistle etc with a few bottles of champagne (or whatever the Uyghur local tipple is) in the knowledge you'll be a guru of bag packing by then. Two more weeks and hope that charity money keeps buidling up. See you in Bole......