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Namib Race Blogs 2011
3
PostsNamib Race (2011) blog posts from James Watkins
07 October 2011 02:47 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Finally finished last night around 10:30 pm, i was out for 15hrs 28min i think, it was a very tough day, we had several long very hot stretches of very open ground into a strong head wind that wouldnt give in, then we'd have to climb a massive sand dune or something, it really seemed never ending. I did have to have a word with myself a few times as it would have been so easy to give up but decided its best to finish and get the medal so i never have to do it again:-) . So only a few km to the line tomo and thats it, i'm so hungry can' wait to get some real food and a cold drink(6 days of nothing but warm water that tastes of plastic is not good)
Anyway i seem to have moaned allot again ( as i have most of the week ), its been a fantastic adventure, a one that i'll remember forever, wouldn't like to say i totally reached my limits but as near as i need to get for a while i think!!
Thanks everyone for following, should see most of you in the next week or so when i can show off my battered and fill you in with all the details!!!!
James
Anyway i seem to have moaned allot again ( as i have most of the week ), its been a fantastic adventure, a one that i'll remember forever, wouldn't like to say i totally reached my limits but as near as i need to get for a while i think!!
Thanks everyone for following, should see most of you in the next week or so when i can show off my battered and fill you in with all the details!!!!
James
05 October 2011 02:17 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Hi folks,
It's been a tough few days here in the desert and a very steep learning curve, this race really is so bloody hard, but going well, i pushed way to hard day 1 and 2 and ended up very dehydrated so had to back off alot yesterday, so have had a good day today apart from my blisters, my feet are totally trashed, my little toe is virtually degloved!!! Food is just not going down well, i'll need a week on chips and beer when i get back! Only got to get through 85k tomo and thats it, think it'll be more of a route march than a run and no idea how long it will take but i'll keep pushing on!
Thanks for all the messages, its good to know youre taking an interest!
Maybe fri when i mail again but i'll keep you posted
James
It's been a tough few days here in the desert and a very steep learning curve, this race really is so bloody hard, but going well, i pushed way to hard day 1 and 2 and ended up very dehydrated so had to back off alot yesterday, so have had a good day today apart from my blisters, my feet are totally trashed, my little toe is virtually degloved!!! Food is just not going down well, i'll need a week on chips and beer when i get back! Only got to get through 85k tomo and thats it, think it'll be more of a route march than a run and no idea how long it will take but i'll keep pushing on!
Thanks for all the messages, its good to know youre taking an interest!
Maybe fri when i mail again but i'll keep you posted
James
Comments: Total (28) comments
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 07:33 pm
I am totally speechless James (which takes alot !!) You are amazing ! Hope you have booked a few days holiday when you get back. Love Anna and the gang xxxxxxx
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 06:53 pm
Another day of awesome running, keep it up!
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 04:29 pm
Well done James awesome effort. Don't worry about your feet they'll be fine after a week of putting your feet up:-)
Look forward to hearing about it when you get back...
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 10:23 am
Nearly done it. A fantastic achievement. Well done James.
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 08:28 am
Wooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 07:12 am
Running over Iveshead to the monastery and back will never be quite the same again - well done
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 06:24 am
Stage 5 down! Super human effort mate forward to hearing all about it.Not much further to go keep the focus.
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 05:48 am
Well done,welldone,well done!!!!! You have done absolutely brill,and it may have been a long day for you but it was not much fun waiting this end either!!!!!Now thats over try and have a well earned rest in the desert today with horrible food no toilets ect.........well do your best!!! Love you Emxxxxx
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 04:49 am
All we can say James is that your dedication, tenacity and hours of training has paid off. Congratulations you have completed a fantastic journey through what appears from the pics to be a beautiful but alien environment. Enjoy the rest of your trip and the wind-down phase, we look forward to hearing some of your stories when you get back. Love D & J
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 04:35 am
Absolutley amazing performance James!!! totally inspirational. Keep up the great work! x
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 04:23 am
Brilliant! You are doing so well! One final push and you've done it son!! Hope the feet are bearing up ok - I have to say your 'de-gloved'comment made me feel sick! Looking forward to your next installment. All the best xxxx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 09:50 pm
BACK OF THE NET!!! Stage 5 done and dusted. Well done James, fantastic effort. If you set yourself another challenge can it be something less taxing on our nerves, how about a spelling bee competition? love you lots Lucy. xxxxx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 06:44 pm
Just keep thinking cold beer well done mate nearly there!!
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 05:22 pm
Well done James you are doing awesome!
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 03:20 pm
WOW james sounds tough now!! You can do it, think of the feeling at the end. Will bake you a great big cake to fatten you up! Good luck on your last push. :o)
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 03:00 pm
Hi James, you are doing fantastic, i really should be doing some work but find myself tracking your progress instead!! Far more interesting! You are doing amazing! Not long to go now!
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 01:10 pm
Rosina, I know asked you to write to James to keep his spirits up but there is no need to hog the whole blog!! James you know I would be doing high kicks, backflips AND cartwheels if I didn't have a dodgy back. xx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 12:35 pm
I Cant belive the things you will go to just to loose that last toe nail. Amazing
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 11:40 am
Right seeing as I've managed to send the same message twice - I must officially be your No.1 Fan, no?? Soz about that - it just shows how much I meant it though - not happy saying it once, I had to repeat it. Continued luck & strength Rx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 11:18 am
Ay up James! News of your epic run has reached Manchester... I know; you\'ve hit the big time now eh!? Anyway, thought I\'d join your fan base - so here we go: \"Give us a J... J! Give us an A... A! Give us an M...M! Give us an E... E! Give us an S... S! - What have we got? JAMES! Okay, so it might not translate so well in the written form - but please bear in mind, I am doing high kicks and a backflip whilst typing. It does look really good - rest assured.
Anyway, keep going chuck - the North West are well impressed with your efforts, and at the end of the day, if worst comes to worst - you do have 9 more toes!
A lorra lorra love Rx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 11:18 am
Ay up James! News of your epic run has reached Manchester... I know; you've hit the big time now eh!? Anyway, thought I'd join your fan base - so here we go: "Give us a J... J! Give us an A... A! Give us an M...M! Give us an E... E! Give us an S... S! - What have we got? JAMES! Okay, so it might not translate so well in the written form - but please bear in mind, I am doing high kicks and a backflip whilst typing. It does look really good - rest assured.
Anyway, keep going chuck - the North West are well impressed with your efforts, and at the end of the day, if worst comes to worst - you do have 9 more toes!
A lorra lorra love Rx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 08:42 am
Hey Jimbo,
very inmpressed with your progress and how well you have done.
lots of good luck for todays long march hoping toes stay on!! yuck! can't wait to here your stories when you return.
safe journey mate see you soon.
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 07:54 am
Great to hear from you James. We are both pleased you are still really confident dispite the injuries. We wish you all the very best for the final push today and hope it goes well. We are very impressed with the support that your friends & family have given you it is bound to make a difference to you. We will keep an eye on the website for any scraps info. Go for it son !! Luv D & J
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 07:29 am
Hi Mate,
Gald to see your enjoying it!! i might come with you next time, looking fowrad to a beer with you next Friday (whos got trench foot now!!) keep going.
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 06:08 am
Alleluia! You are still alive! So glad to hear you still have that woko determination. You will do it because you have set your mind to it. Well done James. So proud I could almost burst. xxxx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 05:46 am
Hi Hon,
Thank Goodness your ok!!!!(well apart from your feet that is!!!) You are doing absolutly fantastic and we are all so proud of you!!!! I know that tody is going to be tough for you but just keep on going i know you can do it!!! Never mind you, i have to get through another day of compulsive following!!! Can not wait to see you to hear all about it , but with the amount of time i have looked at the pictures,videos ect.... i may as well have been there!!
Love you Emxxxxxxxx
Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 05:27 am
Your poor feet!! Keep on going - you are doing fantastically well. If you ever decide to do anything like this again I think you may have your little sister trotting behind you and Lucy on a megaphone giving top tips and words of encouragement! They are your biggest fans and, as we all are, willing you on. Keep up the good work and keep up the blog - it's great to hear from you xx
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 09:47 pm
Stage 4 Down! Looking forward to basking in your reflective 'Awesomeness' and helping you drink those beers. Keep going Woko your toes will grow back.
02 October 2011 01:55 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Well knees hurt, feet hurt, back hurts, other than that pretty good! Ran all the first 33k but ran walked the last 5k, needed to back off as was getting a touch of cramp. Its so hot its untrue(42). and they reckon its cool at the mo!! Just going to try and get a few miles in early tomo before it gets too hot.Too hot to type at the moment, I’ll try harder tomo!! Have I mentioned it’s hot!!!!????
Comments: Total (48) comments
Posted On: 07 Oct 2011 06:05 am
well done james, how you managed to cover that distance i'll never know. perhaps after the weekend my wife will stop waking me up in the middle of the night to discuss your race. very well done, a massive achievement and well deserving of a good few beers.
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 09:06 pm
Wehey!!! You've got a beard!! Big day tomorrow Woko...know you'll take it all in your stride :o)
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 09:02 pm
James,
When you do what seems impossible, the right words to say how well you are doing are hard to find, we are all in awe !!!!
We look forward to hearing all about it when you return.
Take care mate.
Paul, Anna and crew
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 08:14 pm
Well done mate. Keep focused. Dont worry about the blisters, We can run you through the footbath on Monday.
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 08:10 pm
I hear camel milk is good for dehydration, but beware they sometimes get the humb. You are now a Running Legend. Keep it going. Every mile is getting you closer.
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 07:35 pm
Well done, great result today. Are you actually reading these messages? Give us a sign, give us a sign. All the best for the big one tomorrow. lots of love xxxxxx
p.s Dad, I cracked your code easily, not sure you are going to be signed up for spy school but it did make me laugh.
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 06:37 pm
Go Woko Go!!! Your doing amazing, keep going, this will put pushing the Glasto trolley in mud look like a doddle!!! Looking forward to a beer with you when your recovered, lots of love xxx
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 06:35 pm
Fantastic results so far!!! Hope your doing ok and having fun :)
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 02:01 pm
Hi Mate,
Well done finished satge 4 only 2 left keep going. I see you may have made friends with someone from Zimbabwe!! lets us know how you are feeling
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 12:36 pm
Hey James! You are doing so well. Please update us on your mental/physical state!! All thinking of you here at the barley mow - even the children are hooked on the running in the sand race...Will thinks it sounds dead easy! Keep up the good work xxx
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 12:02 pm
Good 'un James. You are doing brilliant.
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 11:44 am
You're doing great James we hope all goes well on Stage 4. Your sisters are not getting too much sleep always on "computer watch" waiting for the latest news and results. The whole wider family are rooting for you James, including John, Michael, Mark,Lynda, Deacon J, Woody, Sue & Nibby. All send their regards and best wishes.Secret message - bin for the bin OK. Keep going lad J & D
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 09:14 am
Another fantastic effort keep going, hope you had a nice dip in the pool.(but didn't do you usual trick while you were in it)
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 06:25 am
Keep this up and you'll be getting more than just a few xxx's from me. xx
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 05:46 am
Sorry, I forgot to say Well done for completing stage 3, you are doing so well James. Have you had a Lourdes moment yet?
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 05:30 am
Good luck today for stage 4, and double good luck for the long one tomorrow and I know you dont like writing but WRITE ANOTHER FLIPPIN BLOG because it is doing my head in now!!!!! We need to know how you and your manky feet are doing my friend. xxxx
Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 05:12 am
Hi James you are still doing amazingly well we are all routing for you ..at least the weather has cooled down here so something to look forward to !! Jen maybe if you put a couple of xx's at the end of your blog it may spur him on !!!!
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 10:01 pm
You're halfway you superstar! Absolutley tremendous tremendous going!!!!! :o)
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 08:01 pm
hi james keep up the brilliant work you are doing fantastic mate very well done you will be my inspiration for sundaywhen the going gets tough ill think just how hard its been for you. is it still hot ha ha!!
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 08:01 pm
Hey Hon
Hope you ok, seems you are still doing fab!!!!!! Please send us a blog to let us know your ok!!!! Keeep on running as the song goes. Love you Emxxxxxx
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 11:40 am
Bloody hell James your doing fantastic!!!
Keep it going and think of the great tan you will have.LOL
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 09:25 am
"If you going to go through hell keep going" Winston Churchill
Another fantastic effort Woko,don't Thai to push yourself too early on, leave something in the tank for the later stages.
Hope you are enjoying the experience look after yourself,have you made any new friends?
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 07:45 am
Keep going Woko just think its only 6 weeks until you will be lying in some cold wet ditch pouring down with rain, cold in Scotland, wishing you had a bit of sun on your back!!!
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 07:03 am
We can see it was a very tough day yesterday James even so you did really well; we are all thinking of you. All runners had a harder day so 10th overall at the moment is brilliant, make sure you get plenty of rest between stages. J & D
Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 05:14 am
Well done!! Just seen stage update....10th!! That's fantastic James. Keep on running. Looking forward to your next update xx
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 09:41 pm
Where is stage 2 McWoko and are your pants on fire yet from the heat????
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 08:53 pm
Well done mate. I hope you haven't got too many blisters after another hot (did you say hot) days running. How are you managing to dodge the camera? I think we are all wanting some action shots.......
PS. Is there a sand storm on the horizon?
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 07:59 pm
Hey....what an amazing start to an amazing adventure :) Keep it up pal. Will be thinking of youx
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 07:35 pm
keep going james think of that cold january wind in blackpool that my keep you cool:) good luck mate
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 07:07 pm
Well done m'lad - fantastic start, looking forward to following your progress - so glad its not me!!
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 06:54 pm
Hello hello.... your doing amazing... just keep running :) You really need to try harder with the blog tomorrow.. can I have some news on the weather as I am not too sure if it's hot there or not! I told you that you needed to sit in the cabin of your tractor longer last week! Anyway.. you keep running and think of those fish and chips when you get back. How's the beef casserols coming along? Well hope you feel less sore tomorrow.. good luck. I will pray for rain in the sahara! x
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 05:35 pm
Hi James you are doing brilliantly! Keep us posted on your progress. All thinking of you and keeping our fingers crossed that you manage to keep the pace. Fantastic! xxx
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 05:30 pm
Hi Hon
Hope today has been ok we have seen a picture of you!!!!!
!
No results have come through today though so we are all anxious to know how you have done.
We are really proud!!!!! love em and lucxxxxxxxxx
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 04:09 pm
Brilliant James. Keep up the good work.
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 03:21 pm
Well done James...you are doing brilliantly!
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 03:11 pm
Hi James keep up the good work doing great so far, keep drinking the water.Your gran and me have been looking for todays results but not in yet, mark just told us yesterdays winner took longer today hope u not a lot longer than yesterday. I think your mum and dad running with u extatic at yesterdays results. keep strong mind, know u will, bi
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 12:40 pm
Good luck with the rest of the race...Ems called me as soon as your result was in yesterday! It's hard enough running one marathon in the english heat, Mike and I are definately in awe of you!!
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 12:37 pm
Brilliant going James. Hope that day 2 is going as well as yesterday did. Awesome stuff!
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 11:06 am
Hi Jimbo
Well done on your first race hope all goes as well today!!
Don't let the heat get you down you are awesome!!
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 09:07 am
Well done James unbelievable 1st race,
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 08:10 am
Andrew!! Trust you to say that!
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 07:55 am
Great start fella,did you get stitch?
Any fit birds?
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 07:46 am
Really well done James we are delighted you are OK.
Keep to your plan and and take it steady. Here at Charley we all had a bad day; being a computer spectator is murder.
We hope you get going as planned and have a really good day on Stage 2 J & D
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 07:33 am
Hi Mate,keep it going try and pace yourself and do not push it too hard early on as there is still a long way to go yet, but i know how determined you are!! Dad says he keeps thinking of you speak later in the week.
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 07:26 am
p.s. just seen you're currently 7th!!! Sooper trooper!
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 06:50 am
Well done James, you have done brilliant so far, hope you have a good run today as well. Main topic of conversation at Charley at the moment is you! Still not seen a picture of you.
Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 04:27 am
Hi James well done mate keep going I am sure it's bloody hard work in that heat.It's hot here too but I have the luxury of deciding whether to have Pedigree or Stella!! :-)
Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 10:31 pm
Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.
Looking forward to reading the next episode :o) - sounds like an absolutely cracking start!
Comments: Total (13) comments
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