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Namib Race Blogs 2011

Andrew Fedrigo

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Namib Race (2011) blog posts from Andrew Fedrigo

04 October 2011 02:31 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Alive. Shhort emaik' All i cn muste5r  righ now

Comments: Total (20) comments

Posted On: 12 Oct 2011 08:20 am

All, For those that are unaware, Andrew was taken to hospital in Cairo after stage 3 of the event. Andrew has since been transferred to a hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. If you wish to receive updates on how he is progressing, please email me at [email protected].

Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 11:16 am

Well done Francis on your efforts. Don't worry mate, will get back to egypt for the Gallipoli 100th Aniversary and you can play in the sand once again. Proud of what u have achieved. Lets have a beer at the London when u get back!

Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 10:02 am

Be proud of yourself Andy, giving it your best makes you an absolute winner. What a legend!

Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 07:41 am

Chin up pal, what an amazing achievement. Can't wait for the drinks and stories.

Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 07:19 am

Well done mate, you have done more than all of us, keep your head up

Posted On: 06 Oct 2011 05:36 am

You are still a remarkable person.You gave all you could give and that is what champions are made of.

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 10:53 pm

Hi Andrew I know you are disappointed that you are not continuing the race, but now you can stoop and smell the roses or camel dung. Enjoy the scenery and come home safe and well. Love Mum & Dad

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 05:41 pm

Andrew, Good to see you are in good shape and lots of energy:) Keep strong and best of luck with the long stage... I know you can do it!! When the pain gets to much, just think of the taste of that lovely licorice i gave you and your pain will dissapear for a while... you might vomit, but the pain will be gone, ha ha Cheers, Martin

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 09:15 am

You've sure got guts! Hope you're ok. Hang in there! Brooke

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 09:01 am

Freddy, after your little run you should go back down to luxor and replace the two plastic chairs that Michelle broke in 2001! all the best!!!

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 08:51 am

Hi Andrew, forgot to se good luck for Stage 4. I have just read the updates and this is wht you can expect: Stage 4, which begins once again at 7am, is named Gardens of the Palace, and takes competitors through lots of rock formations, plateaus and open spaces, with ‘moderate’ ratings for much of the course. Hope it is an easier day Love Mum & Dad

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 08:43 am

Hi Anrew, What!!Stage 3 all finished and only One Toenail down. Oh well,one down and nine to go. Enjoy the final stages & don'e lose your head, legs, feet, fingers or toes. All the best, Ken & Denise.

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 08:26 am

Hi Andrew Drink more water! Great, Stage 3 down. You are doing well! Brad is doing a little better, you have to keep up with the old man. Stay alive physically and race wise. Love Mum & Dad

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 07:50 am

Freddy, you're half way there mate. It is a huge achievement finishing each stage - one massive achievement when you cross the finish line in a few days. Couldn't see you in any photos from stage 3 - don't get camera shy. The photos do show some female ultra marathon enthusiasts that i would consider as potentials for long and blossoming relationships with you, although could be an awkward 250km in the desert if it was not meant to be. Keep it up pal.

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 07:27 am

Keep it up Freddy! Considering being an Aussie.. truly inspirational. Should you need an inspiration just think of Don. That should do it. Let us know if you've slayed any desert dragons. Hope the electrolytes are helping with the constipation. Thinking of you heaps. Huge hugs Don

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 06:11 am

Awesome effort on day 3. All the best for day 4. keep on shufflin... lv lil sis

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 04:51 am

Champion, Champion, and Champion is all i can think of for now.

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 02:35 am

Andrew, another mammoth effort! I thought Elle was a tough cookie going through 3 days of prelabour contractions; but thats nothing compared to what you are doing. Good luck for the future stages

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 01:31 am

Hi Freddy Keep going mate you will get there. I can't imagine what your going through. Good Luck with the rest of the race.

Posted On: 05 Oct 2011 12:50 am

Hay Sandy Andy!!! Sounds like your exhausted mate...keep going, one step at a time, you will make it and you know it will be worth it!! Its shitty weather here back home, feels like winter :( hope your toes are doing ok and keep your chin up bud. Thinking of you back home at the Leedham crib XX

03 October 2011 02:25 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

I’d like to write more right now. Been a tough day at the office. Going to need to shut it down early. 

All good just really tired

Comments: Total (13) comments

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 10:35 am

Francis, maybe you can keep going back to Jordan and have that long awaited dip in the Dead Sea. Make sure you improve your Arabic and start telling everyone that Mubarek is "Kalaboosh"! Ma salama!!!

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 09:13 am

Freddy, Mate good luck didn't get a chance to wish it before you left but all the best on your second big marathon adventure.

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 08:59 am

You truely are an amazing person.I wish you could bottle what you are made of,you could make a fortune.

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 08:27 am

Freddy, I am sure there is a local who is prepared to help you for a little "bakseesh", maybe a shower! I bet the tent is ripe. Keep going to the pyramids and maybe you'll get that camel ride you missed out on 10 years ago. Keep going

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 07:59 am

Freddy, after battling in 42 degree heat and running through sand, sand and sand, I figured you might be getting a bit herbal at this stage and would appreciate some words of wisdom from the great Oprah Winfrey "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." Either these words, or the thought of Oprah, will no doubt keep you going.

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 07:30 am

I think this time you should do Star Jumps at the finish line Or do a roly poly across the finish line. all the best for stage 3 lv lil sis

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 02:10 am

Mate, just read the bloody email about your BBQ and just realised your over there busting your guts out. So sorry i didn't make an effort to call you prior to leaving. Anyway mat good to hear your still alive and finshed stage 2. Keep it up champ. PS - Don't you tell me about tough days at the office. There is nothing tougher then sitting here sipping and nice warm Latte with skim milk so i don't want to hear that kinda talk again from you......

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 12:29 am

Hang in there mate. Just think of those cans waiting for you at the finish line.

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 11:55 pm

Well done Andrew. Just remember, there is only one way to eat an elephant, one bite at a time.

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 11:26 pm

Freddy, Keep going mate, you are doing really well. Enjoy your kips and tucker and keep the good news coming. Cheers, Broady

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 11:13 pm

Great going Freddie, Andy, Andrew - - - whats is your Name ??? :) Hope the blister are staying away. Keep the sand outta your shoes and keep the wind at your heels Easy Does it

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 10:11 pm

Congratulations! You have completed stage 2. Rest now and enjoy a sumptuous freeze dried meal. Imagine it is a delicious meal back at that fabulous hotel that you stayed in in Cairo. How's the pinky toe? Ths job is almost one third done, run, run, run. Love Mum & Dad

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 09:53 pm

Run Andy run... What you're attempting is nothing short of AMAZING and besides it's gotta beat working on maps :) see ya. Chook :)

02 October 2011 03:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Whoah, what a day. My quiet confidence has quickly been shot down. Started at 7am  this morning to an absolutely amazing sun rise. The beauty soon turned into one huge slog. Strategy for today was to start well, I ran for the first odd 15km to try and potentially beat the heat that really kicks in at 1pm. Managed to tee up with a new tent mate and another guy for the majority of stage 1 - 3. Hit the wall much earlier than expected and found it really tough going. Questioned it all for about 3 hours until I got some form of a second wind. Took a photo of myself with a smile and that seemed to work for the next 2 hours.
 
It's hot. Got to 42degrees today and felt it all the way. It was unfortunate to see a few people drop t9o the floor with only a few km to go. Heartbraking stuff but they got help and some rest and made it through. Amazing. It's hard to compare to Atacama as it's different. Don't remember being so hard so early on though. There's a team here wearing a huge mascot, I mean huge. They take turns carrying it., Out of this world. Nut cases basically.
 
So sleeping on the soft sand last night was not nearly as nice as expected. It turned to hard packed sand within 10mins, everyone in the tent fell for it. Rookie mistake. Will definitely be bringing out the air mattress tonight. How much am I looking forward to blowing that up shortly. Sound like we were part of a camel stampede last night. We have some snorers in the tent.
 
Nice comradery developing amongst the tent mates. Is these guys that get you through. Today was 38km, tomorrow is 40 odd. I finished in 7 hours 18 mins. The winner today did it in 3hrs 10mins. Truly amazing. See how I'm feeling tomorrow. Today was a huge wake up call to the intensity of this event. Gotta jam down the food, right now it would seem easier to do today again right now than stomach a freeze dried meal. Tomorrow will be slow, terrain is going to have longer soft sections. Blister update is as expected. Little toe nail on right is soon to go.
 
Fellow cybertent blogger has just put this day as beyond description. On that sad note, I'm off to face the reality right now of what's been signed up for here. Finishing this will be truly a blessing I'll never take for granted. One day at a time.
 
Thank you for your blogs, please keep them coming. I'm going to need them.

Comments: Total (11) comments

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 12:56 am

hey freddy you haven't done the dishes..........

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 08:57 pm

Good luck Andrew. Enjoy the freeze dried grub. Just remember, one eaten is one less to carry (I just had a packet of M&M's with my morning coffee).

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 08:00 pm

Just heard that stage 2 has finished Great work, Hows the little toe holding up. Can you bring me back a scorpion they are apparently good luck so if you find one you can just carry it in your pocket for the rest of the race. xox Katie

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 11:37 am

Freddo, well done so far mate. You'll do well pal and it will be an amazing achievement. If you're looking for small talk with your tent buddies, you can tell them Shane Warne and Liz Hurley are getting hitched. Not sure if we will get a run at their wedding though. All well here, I'm sitting back on a lazy Monday night watching a bit of TV1. I went for a run around Leichhardt this morning and the conditions were tough. Varied terrain from road to leaping gutters on to grassy nature strips and sidestepping the occasional parked vehicle. The weather was angry too with a mild cool breeze.. Mate when things get tough, know I've got it tougher. Hang in there pal, go well, and looking forward to your next update.

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 06:56 am

Hi Andrew, Sounds like you are having "fun"... Good to hear you made it through the first tough day and are ready for another which i look forward to read about. During the Atacama race Anders gave me a hint towards running in the soft sand, of course not until no more soft sand to be run... Guess he was afraid I would conquer his leader bib, hahaha... When you hit the soft sand, turn your feet outwards and run like Charlie Chaplin! Best of luck for the remaining days and when things get tough just remember there are no salt flats to cross and soon you can enjoy a cold beer with your tent mates:) Cheers, Martin

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 12:31 am

Great stuff mate. No need to rush home as Manly have won the GF and probably best to steer clear until they finish gloating.

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 11:58 pm

Hi Andrew, thanks for all your fan mail and telling me about this amazing event you are competing in. Truly inspirational. Twitter me when you're home. FN. Ricki

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 11:17 pm

Finally, some news! I have been checking minute by minute. Snow shoes might help right about now. Glad you made it home. All competitors are still in the race, no-one has dropped out yet. It was that hotel stay that lulled you into thinking it will be easier than the Atacama. It seems it is not easier, just different. Good luck, we are proud of you. Stay safe! Love Mum & Dad

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 11:07 pm

Hey Andy I read a philosophy yesterday that was, 'never give misery an even break, or bad wine a second sip'. You're probably not in a state to appreciate the wine part of that but I'm sure the misery part could ring true. Hang in there, Brooke

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 10:40 pm

Freddy, u should trek in a galabiya. You should find a handmade one for 150 pound! safe walking. The romans lost an army out there, let me know if you find em!

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 10:19 pm

Freddy you lunatic. Glad you got home on the first day, only six to go? Beware rabid camels. Good luck tomorrow, looking forward to hearing about your attempts to save that toe nail.

01 October 2011 02:43 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Made it to the pre race camp. Surreal yet again. 3 hrs on a bus with a whole buch of things to say and now sitting here I struggle to think of a thing. Great part so far is there is no altitude, rocks or freezing temperatures. Sleeping on the snad tonight will be a custom relief. The hotel in Cairo was out of this world, best I have ever been in. Lured us in to a false sense of security before 7 days in the heat. It looks hot out here. Avergae temps will be 35-40 degrees. Long stage on day 5 is said to be 86km, with a nice little section up something called hell mountain.
 
First freeze dried meal has gone down relatively well. Famous last words. Looking forward to a good nights rest. Race begins at 7am in the morning. 2 camels just walked past, not kidding. Bizarre being here. Turn down service is yet to kick in, no chocolate on my pillow yet.
 
Very relaxed and stress free. Scarily so but cannot wait to get the show on the road. Time to rip in.
 
Blog you tomorrow night from the other side of day 1. 36km of fun in the sand.
 
Cheers

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 12:28 pm

Freddo, we hope day one went well. We found a photo of the back of you obviously taken at the hotel pre-race - didn't know your running shorts had additional rear padding. Manly beat Warriors. Your eels will do well next year pal. The Irish beat the Azurri so Wallabies will play Sth Africa in the quarters next Sat. Read comments from your first blog - who the hell is Igor? Enjoy night two of your freeze dried delights. Good luck tomorrow.

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 06:54 am

Interesting fact a glitch on the front page had a pic of some american with the caption underneath " Race leader andrew fedrigo pushing through the middle of Stage 1" and the race had not started yet. Awesome Work Bro your are ahead of the pack...... Dont worry i kept proof.. Katie

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 06:20 am

Checked the pre-race photos, couldn't find you! Smile for the cameras, video

Posted On: 02 Oct 2011 06:07 am

Hey Bro, All the best for the race, I know you have trained hard. It will be pretty cold so I hope you packed a jacket. Lv Lil sis .

22 September 2011 05:09 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

What to say?

Just under a week before the big departure. Feeling pretty calm at this point in time. Not sure why. Doing Atacama earlier in the year has put my mind at ease about what gear works best and how the body is going to cope.

It's been a very different preparation. Training through winter has been a different ball game. Hardest thing so far was a boys weekend trip to Mudgee. Talk about a test of endurance. Can't seem to get the sand in my shoes out after training at Cronulla. Looks as though I'll be adding to the stock pile in Egypt.

It goes without saying that I'll really look forward to hearing from you all on the blog when I'm knee deep in sand, attending to blisters and wishing I had taste tested my freeze dried meals before I left. I can safely say that I have moved on from the thai chicken curry version. That stuff still gives me nightmares.

Cheers

Comments: Total (16) comments

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 07:20 am

Hi Bandy Andy, After another day of 42 degree heat, you will start to imagine Gaddaffi hiding in every pile of camel dung you see.If you get overtaken by any slow moving camels, just don't forget why thet're called the SHIPS of the DESERT. Just dig your toes in tomorrow & press on ,mate. Good Luck Andrew P.S.I don't envy you one little bit!!

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 04:10 am

Freddy, the Coley's wish you well. It's cold here in Canada so enjoy that heat for me. Just think of all that "dessert" on offer after the race!!!!! Good luck mate and watch out for sand people. Coley's

Posted On: 04 Oct 2011 04:03 am

Hellow Andrew (sorry for my english is poor) Please get safe to your home location. It was great meet you final after internet chat going for months. Your promise to me of better life in Australia is exciting and me is ready to move with you for love. Will wait for you at finish. It will be me some family Bestreli, Monilo and my cousin "the Sphinx". Run peaceful and you in my mind. Love Nephthys

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 03:59 am

Hi Andrew, I am sure your little toe nail will grow back again when you finally finish. Just kep looking forward to your soft bed when you get home. Look after the dehydration. Good luck and keep us updated on the blog Take care Aunty Betty

Posted On: 03 Oct 2011 12:19 am

HI Andrew, Best of luck with the first stage- Don't forget to look out for Gaddaffi.His favourite hiding place is in a pile of camel dung.He believes we westerners can't tell one piece of camel dung from another.Go Andy Go!!!

Posted On: 01 Oct 2011 11:15 pm

We wish you all the best luck,but we know you are made of the right stuff and your mental toughness has been proven before.

Posted On: 01 Oct 2011 05:10 am

Freddy, jól fut akkor leopárd. Gondolj erős magyar szellem. Fuss, mint a szél.

Posted On: 29 Sep 2011 03:18 am

Best of luck Andrew. What a great challenge to undertake. God speed to the finish line!

Posted On: 28 Sep 2011 11:41 am

Hey Andy, a special note to say good luck with the race and I hope you get everything out of it you wanted too plus more. What a challenge but how amazing it must feel when you get to the finish. Brooke

Posted On: 28 Sep 2011 05:29 am

Andrew Amazing, absolutely amazing that your doing this, I am, at least between you and all your bloggers BLOODY jealous I didn't do something like this. Be Safe, but enjoy your pain - it is the recovery from the feat that is so much the enjoyment

Posted On: 27 Sep 2011 01:31 am

Good Luck Andrew I know you will do well. I look forward to your reports. What we will call you now "Our Lawerence of Arabria"

Posted On: 26 Sep 2011 09:24 am

Hi Andrew, P.S. how far to the nearest porta loo??? Good luck- Ken the B and Denise

Posted On: 26 Sep 2011 09:21 am

Hi Andrew, Watch out that the Thai chicken curry don't give you Delhi Belly or Cleo Cramps in the desert.

Posted On: 26 Sep 2011 08:29 am

All the best Andrew! Looking forward to seeing you conquer this challenge. Cheers Trev & Shell

Posted On: 25 Sep 2011 10:23 am

Swinger, Best of luck pal. Don't eat yellow sand. Looking forward to the updates.

Posted On: 25 Sep 2011 01:30 am

Good Luck Andrew! Please stay safe! Please find the energy to blog so that we know you are safe. All our love Mum & Dad