Newsletter
Online Store
Login
RACE INFO
RACE INFO
RACE INFO
Gobi March Blogs 2016
7
PostsGobi March (2016) blog posts from David Abratt
24 June 2016 02:38 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
I did it! Stage 5 was HARD physically and mentally and probably the most difficult thing I have done. The race started an hour earlier at 7am yesterday morning for the long 80km stage as it was expected to be hot. And we were not disappointed! We entered the Black Gobi (black because of the colour of the sand ) and the temp just continued to climb. There were kilometres and kilometres of amazing landscape and rock formations and it was like walking through a furnace. Temperature was 40-50 degree centigrade (I am told it even hit 51 degree c) and no shade and no respite from the baking sun except at the checkpoints. Ankle was s bit sore initially but then luckily settled down, helped by the occasional paracetamol.
22 June 2016 02:20 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Hello Everyone,
Comments: Total (15) comments
Talia Franco
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 12:01 pm
Shouldn't write comments on an iPhone. I meant 19hours not mins! And not god but good ;)
Talia Franco
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 11:59 am
Well done David. God to hear you finished day 5. Looking forward to hear your comments. 19.50 mins of running/walking, I am in awe of your determination, mental and physical strength. Enyoy the 7 mile stroll, you did it! X
Jonny A
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 03:23 am
Klau, thinking of you man, hope the Long March is going well.
Everyone here in Gettysburg knows about you and wishes you luck and hopefully an easy end to the this mammoth stage.
Hopefully on your arduous journey you have discovered the riddle of steel, learnt it's discipline. For no one, no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts... This you can trust...
Love you my man.
Mighty Mouse
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 09:50 pm
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many path and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
The Lord of the Rings
The Old Walking Song sung by Bilbo Baggins, Chapter 'A Long-Expected Party'.
Mighty Mouse
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 09:50 pm
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many path and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
The Lord of the Rings
The Old Walking Song sung by Bilbo Baggins, Chapter 'A Long-Expected Party'.
Gan Dalf
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 09:45 pm
"When evening in the Shire was grey
his footsteps on the Hill were heard;
before the dawn he went away
on journey long without a word.
From Wilderland to Western shore,
from northern waste to southern hill,
through dragon-lair and hidden door
and darkling woods he walked at will.
With Dwarf and Hobbit, Elves and Men,
with mortal and immortal folk,
with bird on bough and beast in den,
in their own secret tongues he spoke.
A deadly sword, a healing hand,
a back that bent beneath its load;
a trumpet-voice, a burning brand,
a weary pilgrim on the road.
A lord of wisdom throned he sat,
swift in anger, quick to laugh;
an old man in a battered hat
who leaned upon a thorny staff."
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1)
Maxine A
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 11:46 am
Hi dovie. I'm sure you have finished this long hard stage. Waiting to hear your comments and hope it all went well despite all the little sore bits. You are a star and we so proud of you. WjT a tremendous experience this has been for you. The end is in sight. Waiting patiently for your blog and to know you fine. Lots and lots of love. Xxxxx
Jonny A
Posted On: 23 Jun 2016 12:23 am
Klau you the man!! For sure the hardest man I know. Twisted ankle and all.
Tomorrow when you are at a low point and you want to quit, that's when you need to keep pushing!!
Tres bien Klau. Tres bien
Talia Franco
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 10:19 pm
Ankle sounds ouch! I hope it feels better tomorrow for your big, long day. Your pix from day 3 are amazing. You look so at home, even a smile on your face. That is determination. Good luck again. Looking forward to reading your blog tomorrow. Lots of love xx
Team Kingsbury
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 08:25 pm
Dave, we have been following all the blogs and pics so far -- you are doing so well, good luck for the next stage!! All of us and the clients at Kingsbury are so proud of you. We know you can do it - a man with a spreadsheet can never go wrong!! Stay safe - we can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!
Leslie, Ros and Romy
Daniel S
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 05:10 pm
Strap the ankle nice 'n tight. Big day tomorrow, no doubt you'll smash it. Go Gobi racer number 1!
Spider Man
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 04:25 pm
"If you can't run, then walk. And if you can't walk, then crawl. Do what you have to do. Just keep moving forward and never, ever give up."
Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner
Caroline Abratt
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 04:23 pm
Will be thinking of you tomorrow - hope it goes well and your ankle holds up ok.
You're amazing and doing so well. Just let us know that you ok tomorrow. You can give a longer update on the rest day.
Love you
Cxxx
Maxine Abratt
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 03:25 pm
Hi dov. Well done for completing Stage 4. You are brilliant and don't even think about the twisted ankle. Make like it never happened. Although I must say after all this you sound like the walking wounded. Hope you have booked yourself off a few days next week to recover. We so admire your determination and desire to do all these different challenges. I at say the Black Gobi sounds a bit scary. Keep drinking in the heat. We await tomorrow's blog when the worst will be done. Fantastic dov. We love you all the way to China and of course back. Xxxxxx
Bat Man
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 02:50 pm
You will give the people an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders. - Man of Steel
21 June 2016 04:02 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Today we were woken by really strong winds blowing through the campsite..so got everyone up pretty quickly.
Comments: Total (5) comments
Natalie Jacobson
Posted On: 22 Jun 2016 06:49 pm
Hi Dovid. So pleased (and relieved) to hear how well you holding up!! PG tomorrow will go well. Just pace yourself! Your backpack is close to emptying by now I assume! By the way - in SA anything black is classified as ominous!! Tread lightly........ And then run for your life!!!!
Bugs Bunny
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 07:33 pm
"There are people who have no bodies, only heads. And many athletes have no heads, only bodies. A champion is a man who has trained his body and his mind, who has learned to conquer pain for his own purposes. A great athlete is at peace with himself and at peace with the world; he has fulfilled himself. He envies nobody. Wars are caused by people who have not fulfilled themselves."
- Coach Sam Dee The Olympian
Caroline Abratt
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 06:21 pm
Well done! Let me know what you want me to make next week?!
Hope blisters aren't too bad and tooth holds up. Love you, you're amazing taking on this challenge.
Jonny A
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 05:05 pm
Klau, some fine work there, there are some great pics of you on the Stage 3 photos from today. Great news on the placement, definitely some very impressive stuff. Tito looks pretty cute from the pics too. Hope the blisters calm down and none of your toe nails fall out!
That which does not kill us man...
Love you
Daniel S
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 04:25 pm
Stage 3 sounds like a page torn out of We're Going On A Bear Hunt - 'can't go over it. can't go under it. got to go through it!'
Well done Dave! 35 & creeping up the ranks! That little dog is awesome too, how is he/she keeping up? Does he have an owner? Enjoy tomorrow.
20 June 2016 03:03 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Firstly thanks everyone for all the e-mails and blogs. Really nice to come back to camp in the afternoon and read them. Please keep them coming!
Comments: Total (7) comments
Raymond Abratt
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 01:28 pm
HI David
Wow!
Time has gone so quickly already.
You can think of what you have already achieved.
I understand that it is cooler than it might have been, which is good.
Val sends her love.
Natalie Jacobson
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 05:53 am
Dovid we are following blog with great enthusiasm. Also getting regular "breaking news" bulletins via email from the 4 deserts website. It's very exciting esp when we see you quoted!! Looks like there is another South African (Chinese?) guy running? Caroline has also managed to find two lovely pictures of you which she has shared with us! Hope the toe is still attached and doing what it's supposed to do. Keep going strong. xxx
Jonny A
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 08:40 pm
Laddie, another great day and fantastic result.... and another great few pearls of wisdom. You could be a thespian with your literary talents! As long as you walking and all faculties are coordinated - you cant complain. Enjoy the korma, dehydrated or not, you cant go wrong with a good Indian. Thought of you today at lunch, at this pub here, there are these chicken wings called Gettysburg Ghosts - they use the Carolina ghost peppers, you have to sign a health waiver when you order them, some dude apparently had to go to hospital. A far cry from the Elephant & Castle that Smollan, you and I had the benefit of enjoying...alas the book of Kells... Goodspeed!
Cow Boy
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 08:03 pm
I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
-Jesse Owens
Daniel S
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 03:28 pm
Dude, 36th place - that's incredible! Sounds like one helluva climb today too, I'm sure the view from up there was magic. Great photos coming through on the website and they keep quoting the wise words of David Abratt from South Africa! Enjoy the Korma, warm weather and grassy meadow - sounds like your average afternoon on Hampstead Heath (minus the warm weather and prob. the Korma!) Go stage 3!
Caroline Abratt
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 03:21 pm
Great news! Wonderful to hear how you're getting on - the girls are enjoying hearing all your adventures. Amazing that you came 36th today - well done! Chicken korma was my favourite in testing ;-)
We all good - off to Oxford tomorrow, time is flying here!
Looking forward to your next installment (perhaps you've finally found the subject of your book!) Lots of Love Cxxx
Maxine Abratt
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 03:12 pm
Hi dovie. Glad the day was good. It actually sounds quite beautiful there. I think you are used to compromising your food with the gluten free. You will be thinner than ever!!!! So now you have become your own foot surgeon too. Watch it and pad it tomorrow. So happy that you are loving it. Dad says Vasbyt and I say enjoy. No word on your tooth. Hope it's ok. Luv u lots. Xxxx
19 June 2016 02:40 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Well, I survived day 1!
Comments: Total (9) comments
Maxine Abratt
Posted On: 20 Jun 2016 07:47 am
Hi dov. Hope today goes well and the amazing scenery continues. Let us know how the tooth is behaving. Enjoy every minute. Luv u.
Talia Franco
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 10:21 pm
Well done Dave. I wanna know how cold it got overnight? Was your sleeping bag warm enough? Good luck for the climb!
J S
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 07:56 pm
Great job
Cowboy
Enjoy day 2
Fascinating adventure
Jonny A
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 06:51 pm
Laddie, fine effort man. Sounds pretty awesome with all that scenery. Not unlike in Forrest Gump! Good luck for stage 2!
Daniel S
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 06:13 pm
Awesome Dave! Great start. I hope that extra weight in food was swallowed rather than left behind! Run strong on stage 2!
Natalie Jacobson
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 05:40 pm
Well Done Dovid. First day behind you. Well done. Hope you have a good sleep and its it too cold!xxx
Caroline Abratt
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 03:44 pm
That's brilliant Dov! the girls ran 5K today - even little Dans (strong legs - must take after you!)
We love you and are so proud of you. Cxxx
Rachel Abratt
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 03:41 pm
WHY ON EARTH DID YOU NOT TAKE ALL YOUR FOOD!
I LOVE YOU LOTS! FROM RACHEL XOXOXO
Maxine Abratt
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 03:09 pm
That's great doc. You must be exhausted but thrilled. We are proud of you. And the scenery must be stunning. Have a good night and keep warm. We love you lots
19 June 2016 01:16 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Well, finally writing from first campsite in the Gobi Desert! It is very beautiful and very cold and still can
Comments: Total (2) comments
Natalie Jacobson
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 11:24 am
Dovid!! So proud of you. I mean for eating freeze dried Shepard Pie. You are a strong man!! Anyway Dovid we thinking of you and wishing you so much luck!! Look after yourself and be safe. Will be following you on web. Nat xxx
Maxine Abratt
Posted On: 19 Jun 2016 11:22 am
Go dovie go. We are so proud of you !!!!! Have a good race today. We behind you from the great RSA
13 June 2016 07:35 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
I can't believe it but after months
Comments: Total (3) comments
Raymond Abratt
Posted On: 25 Jun 2016 04:19 am
Hi David
I feel choked up reading about what you have done.
Its a beautiful thing.
I am sure you will play back the experience over and and over in your mind.
Best
Justin A
Posted On: 21 Jun 2016 03:11 pm
Hi Dov. Halfway there. Abratt power kicking in. Keep the flag flying high. Love u lots. Dad xxxx
J S
Posted On: 17 Jun 2016 09:23 pm
May the force be with you
Comments: Total (6) comments
Beth Richardson
Posted On: 30 Jun 2016 01:32 am
Daniel Smollan
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 10:08 pm
Caroline Abratt
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 05:46 pm
Jonny A
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 04:25 pm
YO DA
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 03:22 pm
Maxine A
Posted On: 24 Jun 2016 03:10 pm