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Kris Palmieri

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Namib Race (2009) blog posts from Kris Palmieri

28 October 2009 02:53 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

I just want to say how funny it is that I keep getting comments and e-mails about pictures that have been put up on the 4 deserts site since we can see none of them. I cant wait to get a peak at them since I haven't even had a mirror to look at myself in since we left Cairo however many days ago that was. I must say one of the things I like best about this race is that we are really out here doing this and nothing else. my professors should be glad to know that I haven't given my work there a second thought, Kant really ceases to make sense when your brain is being baked by the sun. and as for the soundscape of the desert... well aside from the sound of my feet and whimpers at my hip flexors cramp up (again) im not too sure of what else is out there. its ironic, the area is so beautiful but ive barely taken any pictures because I don't want to take the effort to walk all the way back to my tent.
 
but anyway, ive survived stage four and have only one more day left- the long day...50+ miles. fuck.... there is really no other way to express my thoughts at the moment. I have no idea how the hell im going to get through it... im just going to put one foot in front of the other again and again until I make it to the end.

Comments: Total (20) comments

Posted On: 01 Nov 2009 10:58 pm

We are proud of our Kris. "Good Show!" Waiting to hear that she's home safe & sound. God bless Miss Kris! Aunt Mary & Uncle Joe

Posted On: 01 Nov 2009 10:56 pm

Wow!! What an impressive achievement! Of course, I should not be surprised. Since I know two male members of the Palmieri clan, it makes perfect sense that a Palmieri daughter and niece would best them both. Kris -- I don't know you, but congratulations -- and all the best. After the Sahara, NYU must feel like a walk in the park. Jo Ann

Posted On: 01 Nov 2009 09:35 pm

Kristine has proven the power of her will and her desire to defeat the unknown. I am very proud of Kris and her accomplishment. Uncle Andrew

Posted On: 01 Nov 2009 09:29 pm

Many cheers for Kristina. It takes real perserverence and stamina to complete this journey. She is a good student too and I am very proud of her. Louis E Trapasso

Posted On: 01 Nov 2009 05:33 pm

Kris: Congrats on completing your race! We’re very proud of your accomplishment. Nancy

Posted On: 01 Nov 2009 05:08 pm

Grandpa and I watched your progress this week and are very proud of our little cookie, who proved to be a tough cookie. Grandma and Grandpa Palmieri

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 11:33 pm

That Kris went 54 miles in one day is a tribute to her determination. Congrats. Uncle Andrew

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 11:19 pm

I am so excited to hear Kristine's story of her experience. It sounds life-altering. Hope all is well, and happy halloween to you! Talk soon. Monica Pampell

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 04:09 pm

I love, love,love the latest pic of you (first one on the website too) of you with the big smile read "I did it! ". Big smile back to you....

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 01:21 pm

Hi Kris - Great job on Stage 5. Your Dad just sent out his client email with an update. Way to go girl!!! I can't even stay awake for 23 hours, let alone walk in the Sahara Desert. True determination! Stay safe...Jamie

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 12:14 pm

Great race Kris. 23 hours through the night and 56.26 hours for the week!! Good luck with your final steps. Love ya, Dad

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 11:21 am

Kris -- You did it!! I knew you would!! You deserve a great big rest. Enjoy the end of your trip, you must be elated. Are you already planning the next one?

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 09:49 am

OMG....what a day (and night); you did it! Looking forward for the update... Hugs :)

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 01:01 am

Ok Kris, We are waiting to learn that you made it to stage 5 and are safe for the night. 54 miles in the deset with glow stick in the dark!! Unbelievable!! Uncle Joe, Uncle Lou and the family are following my email updates!! Love ya, Dad

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 08:48 pm

Here's an email from Ron's friend Dave in Vancouver Island . Very funny : Hey R: Holy freakin' smoke! Run across the freaking Sahara Desert why don't you! Incredible. Having lived here on Van Isle for two decades in our moist, moderate climate, I start feeling dizzy and my tongue begins to swell when I see the dew evaporating on the driveway. I wouldn't be fit to DRIVE across the goddamned place (hell, the air conditioning system in a 500 hp Hummer would crap out half way across) much less hold my breakfast down jogging past all those beady-eyed vultures standing on the desiccated ribcages of the old French Foreign Legion and last-year's "almost-rans". Let the descendants of Lawrence of Arabia and Beaugeste have it all. Wish Kristine best luck and a hearty "Go Girl!" from here on the Isle. She can come out here and run the Westcoast Trail to relax and wind-down after the Sahara. (FYI: The current record for running the WCT (78 km) is a day-and-a-half; the record for running the Juan de Fuca Trail (47 km) is six hours. Personally I think the best way to enjoy either trail is from a chartered cruise.) Take care there. D. PS Kristine has inspired me. Today I'm going to push the envelope and walk up to the mailbox -- taking care to eat properly and load with fluids before setting out. Preparation is key.

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 08:30 pm

Hi Kris. I am one of your Dad's clients. Wow, what an impressive young lady you are! Your Dad is bragging about you to all of his favorite clients. We have signed up for the updates as they become available. Keep up the good work! You are truly an inspiration to everyone. As we say in the south, "you are in the short rows now"!

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 05:17 am

Kristine We are all proud of your accomplishments to date. Good luck tomorrow! Andrew F. Palmieri Vorys Law Firm

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 04:08 am

Ok. I will confess I asked the Sahara team to take more pitures of Kris Palmieri. We needed to know if you are doing ok. You look great!! No need for the mirror or lip stick. LOL Just be safe and know evryone loves you. FYI, everyone is rooting for you and I will send a separate email with the details. Love ya and good luck, Dad Dad

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 03:39 am

Kris, you are such a brave girl. Saw your picture. You are so cute. I couldn’t image how tough the situation you went through for past days. Keep your spirit. Hope everything goes well with you and get home safely.

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 10:15 pm

Good luck tomorrow. Just read your blog-cute!! You were also quoted in one of the "breaking news" emails. Don't know if we can download the pics online; hope so. Well your pic from Bolivia with the saber is a good reflection of your determination. Lata...........

27 October 2009 03:45 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

to be quite honest I had to drag myself to the cyber-tent today, but I was nagged by fellow competitors until I finally made it over here. so now comes the problem of what to write, I had a bunch of great and witty ideas as I traveled between checkpoints (and the sun addled my brain) but I cant remember a single one of them at the moment. so instead I am going to subject all of you readers to the lovely little exercise that is known as stream of consciousness writing.... be warned... this is whatever happens to pop into my mind at the moment (or at least what is left of it)
 
so.... I had a great dinner tonight, lasagna with meat sauce, I think its hard for the freeze dried process to mess up pasta and sauce (god knows it happens with some of the other dishes) my pack is finally starting to lighten up. my toes are shot as are my hip flexors but I discovered the magic that is aspirin cream at checkpoint three so im kinda being held together by that now. thank god for tom who helped me keep my shit together at the end of stage four today since I was seriously hurting. and thank god for aspirin cream, did I mention that yet? it is amazing, why it is not on the list of mandatory gear I have no idea. tomorrow is the last of our short days and I'm not letting myself think further ahead than that (because after is the long stage- the abbreviation fml comes to mind) and I think that's about it for now, im going to head to bed soon because I have reawakened my forgotten love affair with sleep.
 
apparently it was 51C today, which is about 123 F, it might just be camp rumor though, I had a nice breeze with me for a couple of stages and didn't think that it was too bad

Comments: Total (5) comments

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 09:17 pm

Kris, I am Jamie's Mom, a friend of your Dad's. I think you are incredible. What about calling you "Wonder Woman" from now on. I am keeping up with you and your progress too. You and your determination are unsurpassed by anyone.. You are in my prayers SO " Go Girl". I'll keep you in my prayers. Hugs, Allen

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 09:36 pm

Your rank is finally up - WOW - moved up to 58- Fantastic!!!

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 07:09 pm

Over the "hump" (so to speak)! Hope the night trek is relatively cooler. Hope all went well today. Enjoying your blogging. What's the first real food you want to eat?!?! See you soon!!! Hugs....

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 05:31 pm

Hi Kris, We admire your spirit. Mary & I wish you God speed on your journey through the Sahara. It's the one spot on earth Im haven't visited. Always wanted to. No need to tell you to keep up with the group. Eat well (even if freeze dried) & get home safely. We love you. Aunt Mary & Uncle Joe

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 11:24 pm

Thanks for writing Kris. We know it is hard but really appreciate hearing from you. Take one day at a time and be safe. I will send a separate email, now that I figured that out. LOL May the wind be behind you and we will get you extra aspirin cream for the next race, although you might not want the extra weight to carry. Love ya, Dad

26 October 2009 02:31 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

so yesterday I was exhausted....now im just in pain. this is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. yes I knew that it was going to be damn hard, and yes I expected it to be damn hard, but its a completely different thing to actually do it. I mean... this is ridiculous in the best possible way. for example I now know that it is in fact possible to walk over half a kilometer when your hip flexors decide to crap on you at the end of the dune segment. and while tomorrow is dune day we did get a taste of them today, it was ridiculous. I feel that should be the word of the race, because everything here is ridiculous. im walking across a plateau of semi-packed sand with nothing as far as the eye can see- ridiculous. im trudging through softer sand with scrub brush poking up around me- ridiculous. I'm climbing up a sand dune in the middle of the Sahara- ridiculous... and thats all just a small part of the days sights.
 
but seriously, there are so many more things that I want to be doing right now rather than being on the internet (sleeping and eating come to mind) so that's going to be all for today. im at camp two, alive and doing well, the people are great, the food is freeze dried, and my sleeping bag is calling to me from a few tents away.

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 08:32 pm

Wow, as Whitney says, you are doing amazing. How are your feet? And the rest of you? You can come home to a well deserved soak in the jacuzzi (for hours)and a gourmet meal of comfort food (not freeze-dried). I can't tell if the sand is like Wadi Rum or Petra, it sometimes looks like it. Looking forward to the stories....

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 05:27 pm

Great!! You made it to stage 3. I can't imagine how tough it is out there in the heat, wind and sand. Must have been a rough day from all the reports.. Get some rest and food. Love ya, Dad

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 12:53 pm

Kris you are doing amazing. I can't believe how fast you are finishing these brutal legs. Hang in there. You are a role model to so many young women out there and we are all looking up to you. Just think...once this is over you can convince some more of us to do them with you!!!! You're AWESOME! Hang in there!

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 12:32 am

Yeah!! I found your picture. You looks great, for a tired young 19 year old. Are you keeping pace with anyone for company?? Sleep well and get some rest. You are doing great. Love ya, Dad

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 12:11 am

OK, You GO GIRL!! Sweet dreams....

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 12:11 am

Congratulations on stage 2!! Everyone is behind you and I may have sponsors for your next race!! :-) Be strong, be brave , be smart. Love ya, Dad

25 October 2009 01:11 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

its been a while since i bothered to get on the internet, sorry parents who are probably checking this every hour to make sure i've survived. The short explination...i've survived and i'm exhausted. The long explination is..well long and did i mentinon that im exhausted? and not just in body but mind as well, you spend the whole time thinking about how you're going to somehow make it to the next check point and how very far away that seems....and the great thing is....today was the short and easy day.
 
i don't know if it was harder or easier than i expected but it was certainly longer. this is the sort of thing where you have to just grab on by the tips of your fingers and hold on as hard as you can. well i've grabbed on and i plan on holding on so we'll just have to see if i can hold on for the next four stages....
 
but right now all i can think about is a nice camp meal and my sleeping bag, and its not even 6pm yet... man i feel old. the sad thing is that as one of the youngest competitors i have no excuse to be sleepy and tired. oh well.
 
the sun is almost down and i cant really see the keyboard well anymore so thats it for now...im keeping my fingers crossed that i make it through day two.

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 08:29 pm

Another amazing day!! I was reading some of the other blogs (hope you weren't on the bus that broke down on the way out). I'm checking out the site a million times a day hoping for more pics. Very "cool". I'm posting pictures in my office . Good one of you at check-in. So, have you ever felt more exhausted? Catch ya tomorrow. Good luck on Day 3.... ;)

Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 03:26 pm

How was day 2 buddy?? The early finishers said is was a rough day with moving sand!! Dad

21 October 2009 01:38 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

      
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