Namib Race Blogs 2007

Mark Bish

4

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Namib Race (2007) blog posts from Mark Bish

04 November 2007 02:14 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Wake up call at 2am, for buss journey back to cairo at 2:30. Very little sleep but exited at the prospect of the final stage.

After about an 6 hour journey, we were dropped off in some dingy side street to start the last stage of the race to the pyramids. It was hot and most of the run was to be on firm footing. The main field (21 and below) started and 10am, the balance at 11:30.

The first part was along a stinky canal on a tarred road and eventually we turned into part of the old town and down a soft sand alleyway that was used as a dump for donkey and camel detritis, anongst other things.

Evenually one came out on the Giza platteau only to have Pierre take the course back around the pyramids and up the hill overlooking the pyramid complex. The going was not easy in the final sector but finish we did, in a flurry with a Korean competitor - hand in hand.

The reward, a medal, a jacket, a huge amount of satisfaction, pizza and a beer, or two.

The has possibly been the hardest thing I've ever done, purely from a heat perspective. And I'm not sure whether I would entertain this pain again. Having said this the event was phenominal and proved to be testing and satisfying. I look forward to the Aticama in March 2008 and hope to keep in touch with all the amazing people that I had the pleasure of meeting and competing against.

Brian if off the hook tonight and we look forward to celebrating our success.

Thanks to all and hope to see you all soon.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 05 Nov 2007 01:07 pm

Congratulations and very well done. An absolutely amazing achievement! All the best for the next challenge. Regards, John and Helga

02 November 2007 11:38 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Sorry for the late blog, no comms the day before yesterday. But what can we say? Another very hot day in the sun. the last 4km on stage 4 were absolute hell and of course true to form, Mike had left me. along I truged throught this heated wilderness of sand, sand, sand, and more sand...

Without a breeze or wind, the heat is so unbelievably oppresive it almost pushes you into the sand. And without decent sunglasses you would never get throught a race like this.

Anyway, stage 4 ended

Comments: Total (6) comments

Posted On: 03 Nov 2007 05:05 pm

Hey Mark, well done. Thanks for hanging in there with my brother Mikey. Hope he didnt grill your head to badly! Again, well done and enjoy the bath and cold beers!

Posted On: 02 Nov 2007 02:44 pm

you go boy. GO SOUTH AFRICA!! you make us proud ta know you! x

Posted On: 02 Nov 2007 02:43 pm

shot you are doing so well man keep up the hard work!! see you soon and cant wait to hear all of your stories! x

Posted On: 02 Nov 2007 02:42 pm

WELL DONE!! you are doing so well. im so proud of you!! keep going and keep doing as well as you are now. x

Posted On: 02 Nov 2007 02:35 pm

woop woop!! yeah i must agree with Kim, u sound insane. I wish i was there!! ahh im envious! anyways hope all is well, say hi to mum for me, mix your drink on the morning of the 10km NOT BEFORE!! haha and run it my boy!! well done on 29th place - its FANTASTIC!! Well much love, miss you stax and send all my love to mum!! mwah love ya you crazy thing! ;) x

Posted On: 02 Nov 2007 12:50 pm

slightly looney? a little worse that that i would say - you sound insane!!!! sounds like your enjoying every second... well done on the long day - so proud! love you lots pops and cant wait to see you xxx

30 October 2007 03:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Started at 7am with a touch of apprehension. Teamed up with Michael and Fred with Craig in tow and we set of at a fair clip tothe first checkpoint. Through that and by 9am the temp was 40C with greater temps expected.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 30 Oct 2007 04:43 pm

Hey Hey Desert Racer 1. How is it going? Sounds like its hectic but lots of fun!! Wish I was there!! Hope your feet arent giving you any more problems! Miss you stax and chat soon! Good luck for tomorrow! Im sure you will do really well!! Love you stax! mwah xxx p.s: GO TEAM SOUTH AFRICA...You go boy(s). ;)

29 October 2007 04:02 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Start at 7 am today and teamed p with Fredrick and ray. Kobie was off right a rocket. It wasnt long before dissapreaded over the horizon, but fred and i were making really good time. We were even ahead of Michael.... The going was really tough - soft sand, plenty hills / dunes and the HEAT!!! All was going very well until check point 2... At check point 2 I discovered a blister under my second toe nail and the doc had to lance it and we had to do some repair on my foot. fred teamed up with Craig and pushed on. I spent 45 minutes with doc Jen nd eventually set off feeling well repaired. The goint was very tough with relatively flat with chalk sculputes all around. Eventually after a hard drive to catch up on some of the competitors I arrived at checkpoint three where Nick cred for me beautifilly and the doc retaped a couple of toes for the final THRUST of 10km to camp. The is possibly to hardest 10 km that I have ever had to endure. I met up with

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 29 Oct 2007 07:19 pm

My poor boy -sounds too ghastly for words!!! Must be hellishly painful!! Keep it clean my love! Missing you and watching every bit of info available. hang in their mylove - you can definately do it!! Love u more than u will ever know! S xxx