Newsletter
Online Store
Login
RACE INFO
RACE INFO
RACE INFO
Namib Race Blogs 2010
6
PostsNamib Race (2010) blog posts from Brett Sharkey
16 October 2010 03:06 am (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time(US & Canada)
Hello friends. I am back home now and am starting my recovery. After the LONG day was over I thought I may never attempt one of these crazy races again "NOT!" To tell you the truth I'm already thinking about the next one. I suffered really bad tendonitious in my shins which flared up at about the 60KM mark of the long day. The pain was to great to walk so I actually found myself running faster than I had all week. It was as if some kind of force had lifted me up and I was gliding over the terrain. How I found such a burst of energy after 220KM is beyond me. Anyways, through this incredible journey I learned that with the support of family and friends and a little self determination anything is possible. I am extremely greatful for everyone that helped me get here and I can't wait to share my experience with all of you. If my experience inspires just one person to accomplish their dreams then it will have been a total success. For all the pledges and donations to Ronald MacDonald House on my behalf...THANKYOU! We have all been in this together. Thanks to my wonderful tentmates and new found friends. You guys made it possible to get up and do it all over again day after day! I'll say goodbuy with this...and keep in mind I am not a religious man..."It was my ego that got me into this race, but it was God that got me through it." Brett.
05 October 2010 01:10 am (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time(US & Canada)
Hello freinds...things have picked up. As my great uncle Bill says "adapt or die" and I seem to be adapting slowly. I finished 98th on day1, 81st on day2 and 42nd on day3. I am getting a little stronger every day. It is hard to imagine how such a beautiful place can but be so unhospitable. Sometimes it feels like this is a different planet. My tent has gone from 8 mates down to 5. People seem to be dropping out everyday. Anyways, I'm having a wonderful.. experince and greatful my body is hanging in there. Mom and dad, if your reading, I'm doing GREAT! Thanks everyone for sending me emails . Especially Antie Sue. Your's have been extra special. Brett.
Comments: Total (20) comments
Posted On: 09 Oct 2010 02:10 am
Wow Brett!!!
Stage 5 must have been quite an experience! You did incredible!!! I'm overwhelmed with your strength and determination.
41st overall. Brilliant showing!!
Enjoy the final stage and have a safe trip home.
Robin and John
Posted On: 08 Oct 2010 11:55 pm
Almost there! Great job yesterday! Can't wait to hear you talk about your experience first hand!
Posted On: 08 Oct 2010 06:16 pm
WAY TO GO BRETT!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
That was quite the finish !!! Enjoy this last stretch and the victory dance around the pyramids!!! Unbelievable job!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!
love to you,
A Sue and U Jerry xoxo
Posted On: 08 Oct 2010 05:45 pm
Bert. Awesome Job Buddy!! 41st! that is somethingto be proud of. Enjoy the jog around the pyramids and relish in the last couple of steps over the finish line. way to go bud!
Posted On: 08 Oct 2010 03:15 pm
Hi Brett, enjoy your rest today. Congrats on a job well done!! Only 10 hours behind the leader! Awesome job! Looking forwrd to seeing pictures of your smile when you cross the finish line!
Mike & Sally
Posted On: 08 Oct 2010 02:52 pm
Congratulations Brett on completing your toughest day. We have such great admiration for your tenacity & endurance. Only 5 km left to the finish line. Can't wait to hear your stories. Love ya !
Posted On: 08 Oct 2010 01:40 pm
Congratulations Brett on completing your first extreme race - finishing the last leg in just 17 .14 hrs is incredible, and being 41st overall. You are such an inspiration to everyone that knows you.
See you Sunday for Thanksgiving dinner.
Bob, Nadia and Baba
Posted On: 08 Oct 2010 12:21 am
AWESOME man! AWESOME. We hope and pray for a successful and heathy return. See you Saturday, God willing. You can find God in teh desert!!!!!
Posted On: 07 Oct 2010 07:21 pm
Way to go Brett!! Everyone at Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton is rooting for you. You've got the admiration of everyone in the House and we're excited to see you keeping advancing as the day's progress.
Posted On: 07 Oct 2010 01:02 am
Way to go Brett!!! Can't wait to hear your stories and see pictures, especially the one of the finish line. We are all behind you.
Posted On: 07 Oct 2010 12:11 am
Way to go Brett! You are amazing, and sounds like you are ready to finish strong!
Posted On: 06 Oct 2010 10:08 pm
Sounds incredible - I've shared your blogs and bio with all my friends and people at work - everyone is in awe of what you're doing! Keep it up - you are more than halfway!
Cheryl says hi, and that you are the living Hidalgo, and she knows you'll cross the finish line!
Posted On: 06 Oct 2010 03:41 pm
Hey Brett - What a gret day you had today - more time to rest up for your the last legs of the race. You are such an inspiration - setting such a challenging goal and doing everything you can to achieve it. We've found a few picutres of you in the race photo's - blew one up and gave it to Baba - she kissed it right away and said she continues to pray for your well being during the race.
Take care.
Bob and Nadia
Posted On: 06 Oct 2010 03:20 pm
Hi Brett,
I'm so proud to know you and admire the challenge you have set for yourself. I know you are up to it. What a fantastic life experience to tell your grandkids about one day. Very inspiring.......
Posted On: 06 Oct 2010 02:43 pm
Hi Brett,
It is so amazing to read your postings. Glad to hear that you are getting stronger every day. Sorry to hear that others have had to drop out.
Keep well. Know that we are all thinking about you and sending you positive energy.
Robin & John
Posted On: 06 Oct 2010 02:45 am
Awesome job Brett!! Mike says he wouldn't trade you places & to think snow! :) Glad you are doing well & keep smiling!
Posted On: 06 Oct 2010 02:32 am
We're back from our desert trip & the longest trek we had was at an outlet mall. We're following your results & blogs and happy to see you are adapting. All your family & friends on this side of the dateline are very proud of you and cheering you on with every step you take. Go Brett!
Posted On: 06 Oct 2010 02:03 am
Hi Brett,
Have you seen a camel spider yet?
Winston
Are you okay?
Oliver
Posted On: 05 Oct 2010 10:39 pm
Awesome to hear that you're hanging in there! the desert sounds like the ocean, amazing to look at, changes every ten minutes and wants to kill you all the time! Hang in bud.
Posted On: 05 Oct 2010 10:35 pm
Way to go Brett. In my best days I never could have done that.
Looking at the photos, some remind me of the Barren Lands in the Central Arctic.
03 October 2010 01:39 am (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time(US & Canada)
Hi freinds, day 1 was incredibly hard! I made a rookie and was far tocautious out of the gate. I paced slow and by the time I tried to pick up speed it was scorching and too
hard for running. I ended up walking the last 18K to save strength for tomorrow dunes. My gators are letting all the sand in and really punishing my feet. I'm having to stop alot to empty my shoes. I wouldnt trade this expience in though. It is far larger then I could have imagined. I pray I can get through tomorrow. Yahoo! I'm still smiling.
hard for running. I ended up walking the last 18K to save strength for tomorrow dunes. My gators are letting all the sand in and really punishing my feet. I'm having to stop alot to empty my shoes. I wouldnt trade this expience in though. It is far larger then I could have imagined. I pray I can get through tomorrow. Yahoo! I'm still smiling.
Comments: Total (7) comments
Posted On: 07 Oct 2010 12:48 am
Way to go Brett. Hang in there man, we're proud of what you have done.
Posted On: 05 Oct 2010 12:58 am
Good going Brett, keep it up.
Oskar is really enjoying playing with the Sphinx.
Posted On: 04 Oct 2010 10:21 pm
Hey Brett...good going !! Hope you got the e-mails I've sent you to encourage you!!! If not hopefully you will read this and know we are following your progress!! Looks like you are ranking 82 so far which is great as I see some have actually pulled out!!! Looks and sounds groolong but YOU CAN DO IT!!! Just think of lives of the children who you are doing this for and the difference you will make!!! I will be praying for your feet....that you will feel as tho you are being "carried" !!! So proud of you..Keep up the good work!!
xoxo A Sue and U Jerry
Posted On: 04 Oct 2010 09:06 pm
so motivated by your drive and determination.
Posted On: 04 Oct 2010 04:16 am
Hey Berton. I can't even begin to imagine what it is like out there. I have no doubt that you are smiling through this experiance and will everyday. I am proud and honored to know you and believe that nothing will stop you from acheiving your goals. Remember "there is no try, only do"
Posted On: 04 Oct 2010 01:11 am
Hey Brett- - 7 1/2 hrs is good!! We're proud of you!
One foot at a time - one day at a time. Keep going.
Baba's praying for you.
Bob and Nadia
Posted On: 04 Oct 2010 01:06 am
Good going Brett. Interesting about the shoes.
19 April 2010 10:54 am (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time(US & Canada)
On Sunday I completed my first marathon distance of the year (42.4km to be exact). Running with my pack I left the back door of my house in Mckenzie Towne and ran through Fish Creek to the furthest west point and back. Along the way I faced strong winds and approx 18C heat. I ran on concrete, ashfault, deep grass, packed dirt, loose dirt, shale, gravel, loose rocks and more. Just about everything but sand. My body held up great until the 25k mark when my inner left knee gave out. I finally figured out my outer knee problems but now my inner knees are acting up. I was unable to run another step so I walked at a fast pace until my pain killers kicked in (2 motrin's). I've never been one to take pain killers but seeing how they are a part of our manditory race items I thought I'd try them out. Within 30 minutes I was able to run again at a slow pace which was encouraging. I was pretty exhausted when I finished but over all pleased with my results. My next major challenge will be to follow that up with another 42km run the next day. As for now, I may just attempt a 10km today if I have time.
Cheers, Brett.
Cheers, Brett.
Comments: Total (6) comments
Posted On: 02 Oct 2010 07:21 am
By the time you get this, you're already in the race..I'm excited for you & can't wait to hear any updates, even if it's just you saying you've made another day... I'll update it with the boys as well. 加油, (Go for it!) As Deuce Bigalow said in Water Boy, "You can doooooiiiit!"
Posted On: 02 Oct 2010 01:02 am
Brett - what an incredible goal you set for yourself and your charity -Ronald McDonald House.
We'll be following the race and cheering you on. Stay healthy.
We'll have an extra large turkey waiting for you on your return.
Posted On: 01 Oct 2010 08:55 pm
Bert, good luck my friend! remember, left foot right foot repeat! i'm looking forward to following your adventure!
Posted On: 01 Oct 2010 02:44 pm
Wow! You are amazing, bro! Run like the wind, even if it is inly a gentle, soft breeze by the last day!
Posted On: 29 Sep 2010 03:43 am
Brett,
Just want to say how proud I am to know you. You are an inspiration! We'll be thinking of you every day during this journey.
Can't wait to hear about your adventure when you return home.
Keep well.
Robin
Posted On: 08 Jun 2010 12:58 am
Good work on your first Marathon mate! I have been having knee problems as well. Did the Northface 100 (100K race) 3 weeks ago and outer knee pain as well. I suggest that you consider physio to ensure that you condition properly. I have ITB tightness that leads to this pain. Rolling the ITBs and heat/ice therapy is as serious as getting the distances in for me. Good luck in the training!
13 April 2010 07:17 am (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time(US & Canada)
My training has suffered a bit lately with my work schedule picking up. I've been putting in regular work weeks followed by crazy work weekends. I'm not complaining though. An 18 hour shift offloading semi-trailers full of heavy furniture makes for a great workout. Also, I really believe it helps my physical and mental stamina. I've cut back on my runs, but added some leg strengthening exersizes to my routine. I'm hoping this will help my chronic knee problems. If anything holds me up (other than the insane heat ), it will be my knees. I desperately need to get another long run in soon as the longest run I've done this year has been a 38km. NOT ENOUGH!
Brett.
Comments: Total (0) comments
17 March 2010 09:55 am (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time(US & Canada)
Hello all,
With my first blog entry I wanted to give a special thanks to everyone who has supported my cause through your generous pledges and support. Having experienced the Ronald MacDonald House (Edmonton, Alberta) first hand (during Oskar's heart surgery), my family and I can't tell you enough just how important the facility is. The support they offer families in need goes far beyond the building itself (which was incredible in itself). Lori, Oskar, and I will always be greatful. With your per/km pledges I will be that much more inspired to complete the incredible task. Thankyou, Brett.
With my first blog entry I wanted to give a special thanks to everyone who has supported my cause through your generous pledges and support. Having experienced the Ronald MacDonald House (Edmonton, Alberta) first hand (during Oskar's heart surgery), my family and I can't tell you enough just how important the facility is. The support they offer families in need goes far beyond the building itself (which was incredible in itself). Lori, Oskar, and I will always be greatful. With your per/km pledges I will be that much more inspired to complete the incredible task. Thankyou, Brett.
Comments: Total (2) comments
Posted On: 18 Oct 2010 01:07 pm
Posted On: 17 Oct 2010 06:45 pm