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Namib Race Blogs 2018

Marisa Holman

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Namib Race (2018) blog posts from Marisa Holman

04 May 2018 10:07 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Today was a 38km stage known as

Comments: Total (4) comments

Ren KufiHeal

Posted On: 26 Jul 2018 10:04 am

My favourite thing about this is how I keep thinking you "only" have 10km to go and then remember for the rest of us that's a pretty big run!! Going to be so good watching you knock this one off... enjoy the sweet, sweet satisfaction of it. Now you will have many Namibia love stories <3

Charles Holman

Posted On: 26 Jul 2018 05:35 am

Marisa, Adversity......Meet it.......Greet it...........Defeat it...... you did all with CLASS......As a most proud father I can only guesstimate the amount of satisfaction and redemption this means to you as well as Dusty.............take time to celebrate a little, rest a little , savor the wonders of Namibia a little, then travel safely back to the Netherlands. In closing as tears continue to flow from dad with the joy of his eldest daughters monumental success , again the Broadway Show’s The Impossible Dream, by Richard Kiley, pounds loudly in my soul...................The Possible Dream has come true........all my love dad, with mom and DARLA....

Carlos Kumeroa

Posted On: 04 May 2018 10:37 pm

You legend Marisa. Like you said...the ceremonial march to the end to tick off this elusive race. Savour and enjoy the finish.

Danielle Miller

Posted On: 04 May 2018 10:33 pm

Yay for warm showers! I’m so impressed by your perserverence to tackle this race, and now look at you - almost there! Can’t wait to hear about that sweet finish feeling! Xxx

03 May 2018 10:27 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

There is something so special about watching someone finish a marathon in all their passion, happiness and physical exertion. Multiply those feels times 100 when you see your fellow competitors cross the finish line of the long stage in a stage race. Only those that are there in that remote desert know the immense challenge and when there are others grinding this out longer than you, there is nothing but respect and happiness.

Comments: Total (10) comments

Ren KH

Posted On: 04 May 2018 08:35 pm

Here I am getting all tearful again. Know how much this means to you, and it's a genuine honour watching you chase down your dream. Couldn't be more proud (and your Dad'd comment made me cry... so true) xxx

Jennifer Quinn

Posted On: 04 May 2018 06:41 pm

Way to Go, Marisa! You are amazing! Rooting & Praying for you from New Jersey - you got this! Thank you to Dusty for sharing this blog on facebook!

JDE Raws & Pack

Posted On: 04 May 2018 01:46 pm

Wow, simply amazing! We are all rooting for you back in NL!

Marlena Holman

Posted On: 04 May 2018 12:51 pm

23 hours???!! DAYUM SIS!!!! It’s in the palm of your hands, sis!! Keep enjoying the journey boo. I love you and I’m proud of you!!

Danny Verdam

Posted On: 04 May 2018 08:09 am

just wow Marisa, well done!!!

Sophia Eribo

Posted On: 04 May 2018 07:48 am

Well done Marisa! Bon courage for the last stage. Sending hugs and best wishes from London. You are fierce my dear xx

Dusty Saunders

Posted On: 04 May 2018 07:10 am

Yes!!! You are amazing! I so wish I could be there to see you cross that finish line on Saturday, but just know that I will be with you in spirit every step of those last 48kms. So close now. Good luck with Dune Day! Love you!!!

Athol Saunders

Posted On: 04 May 2018 04:54 am

Well done girl, we all proud of u. The last 48km will be a breeze to the finish line. Can’t waite to see you knock this one off the list. “Vasbyt”. All in Naboomspruit send love and kisses.

Charles Holman

Posted On: 04 May 2018 02:03 am

Thinking of you Marisa as you get ready to begin stage 5 and am so glad that stage 4 has been completed and conquered. So very appreciative of all Dusty’s support to get information out to us. When I received note that you had completed stage 4, the result made me think of a singer and one of my favorite all time Broadway Shows...Man of La Mancha was the play. The featured song The Impossible Dream is one of my favorite songs. The singer is Richard Kiley.....looking forward to successful completion of stage 5 and then stage 6 at which time you will reach The Possible Dream......your will, perseverance, and won’t be denied attitude are exemplary......enjoy the ride...Luv, your dad, mom, and Darla

Sherry Holman

Posted On: 04 May 2018 12:14 am

You are amazing! Such a strong will to succeed and I know you will. We have been checking your progress constantly and know you will complete this challenge with glory!!!

01 May 2018 11:40 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi friends,

Another stage completed. It was just as I remembered it, but this time I was super on top of eating and hydration and I never lost mental alertness.

We saw seals, there was lots of sand, nothing massively exciting to share about my time out there today.

Feet are a bit of a mess but I have been getting lots of tlc from the doctors. Other than that the body is becoming a machine now and does what it is supposed to.

Tomorrow is the 84km long stage. The day after is

Comments: Total (8) comments

Jamie D!

Posted On: 03 May 2018 05:39 pm

Wow! Keep doing what you're doing girl, you're amazing!! Hope the rest day treated your body and mind well. Onward & upward! :) xo

Ren & PK Kufner-Heal

Posted On: 03 May 2018 09:44 am

Girl, we have just heard you completed the long march... couldn't be more proud of you!! Rest well, enjoy the satisfaction, and stay strong for your last stage. You have SO GOT THIS. By the way, remind PK sometime to tell you about that time he ran a marathon... :) :) :) xxxx

Joanna Matkovich

Posted On: 03 May 2018 07:56 am

Cheering on you girl as you make it through the long stage. Just keep those podcasts and tunes pumping and you will be fine!! Good to hear that you are on top of your nutrition as that can always be a bit of a battle. Feet are always a hit and miss but make sure the Drs sort you out. By the time you read this you will be chilling out after the Long Stage! So much respect for you :)

Penelope Boettiger

Posted On: 03 May 2018 03:39 am

Cheering you through the night from here! I remember doing the last few miles of the long march in Gobi with you and Andy, each of us a bit spread out from the other, mentally toughing it out on our own but also drawing from each other just knowing we were near each other and moving slowly slowly toward the end of that stage (felt like it went on forever!). You were super tough that night as you always are, you've got this!!

Marietjie Saunders

Posted On: 02 May 2018 04:33 pm

Hallooooo bokkie. Hopefully by now u will be done or almost finished. We are praying that u r okay....hope there’s another tick in your box after tiday......may u have a well deserved rest tonight....we r all thinking of u...lots of luv and big hugs

Lena Holman

Posted On: 02 May 2018 09:53 am

So happy to hear that you’re going strong, rissy!! Sending you all my love and support. You’ve got this! I love you!

Dusty Saunders

Posted On: 02 May 2018 07:37 am

YES!!! You are such a rockstar and I am so proud to call you my fiance! You know you can do this! We are cheering, willing and praying you on every km of this adventure. All the best for the Long March. Love you!

Sherry Holman

Posted On: 02 May 2018 12:36 am

Keep that body fueled and know we are pulling for you. Hang in there

30 April 2018 11:44 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Comments: Total (7) comments

Danielle Miller

Posted On: 01 May 2018 07:58 pm

Keep fighting those mental battles! So many rewards yet to come... one checkpoint, one stage at a time. Glad you’re finding solace in podcasts. So many good ones out there. Can’t wait to hear how you crushed the next round! #rockstar

Sherry Holman

Posted On: 01 May 2018 12:39 pm

So proud of you. Hang in there!

Athol Saunders

Posted On: 01 May 2018 09:20 am

In Afrikaans we have saying ....“Vasbyt”. It literally means bite the bullet, bite down and grind it out, but most of all never ever give up. So Marisa Holman, Vasbyt, the end is only as far as the next dune. Lots of love from us all in Naboomspruit. Forever proud of u.

Dusty Saunders

Posted On: 01 May 2018 08:24 am

I don't think I could have said it any better than Ren. You have never failed! What you are doing is probably one of the most difficult challenges anyone can put themselves through, both mentally and physically. You are as brave as you are strong and I will always be in awe of your tenacity and determination to finish this race. I know you will do this! Thinking of you every step of the way.

Ren Kufner-Heal

Posted On: 01 May 2018 07:58 am

Three things: 1) no talk of "failure" in the past. You are doing something so far beyond comprehension of most of us, every step is an epic achievement. You have never failed. 2) reading everyone else's comments even makes me a bit tearful. You have SO MANY people behind you. 3) GF podcast freaking rules!!!? Listen to the bossy episode and think of me ;) Oh and a 4th thing: imagine how bloody good it is going to feel to knock that next stage off.... Love you xx

Carlos Kumeroa

Posted On: 01 May 2018 01:21 am

Awesome work Marisa. One day at a time, one step at a time. You're a legend buddy. Remember, tough times don't last...tough people do.

Jamie Dietrich

Posted On: 01 May 2018 12:28 am

Would love to hear some of the songs you’ve been making up! :D Been thinking of you girl! So much so you appeared in a dessert race in my dream last night! Ha! But in this race you were coming down a sand dune and then handed a baton off to someone else! Now if only this were a relay race! ;) Hang in there, sounds like you’re doing an amazing job!! Keep that hydration in check & just imagine that soft sand is actually just another luxurious “room” in that fancy-pants spa we went to. You got this! <BIG HUGGG>

29 April 2018 10:11 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

It feels so so good to say that. 43km done today that I can put completely behind me.

I slept super well last night. Maybe camp-life has grown on me?

Today was not easy but also not hard. I think it was a bit of a shock to my system at first but then I found my groove and remembered how I handle and manage the adversity

Comments: Total (8) comments

Linda Wilson

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 01:05 pm

Sending best wishes from Canada! For the short time I met you (in a desert race of all things) I could see what a strong woman your are! You got this one! Enjoy your experience!

Andy Ott

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 12:46 pm

Doing great Marisa! One foot in front of the other, eyes on the prize. Its almost all completely mental!

Marietjie Saunders

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 10:31 am

Halloooo bokkie...we are already proud of you ...just 4 being so brave to do it again...go 4 gold...show the desert who's the boss...look up and He will show u the way...tons of happy thoughts...hugs and kisses

Justine Herbstreit

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 08:24 am

Dude, way to embody “living your personal legend”! I’m picturing you as the Shepard boy, venturing though the desert living your personal legend. Imagine the stories you’ll have to tell until the end of time!

Dusty Saunders

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 07:44 am

YASSSS!!! You are rocking it. What your mom said is very true. Don't think anyone else has supporters in so many different countries cheering them on. We are all with you. You got this! ps - Live K'pop in the desert sounds just as absurd as running 257km through it. Gotta love it!

Ren & PK Kufner-Heal

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 07:42 am

Way to go M! Your Namibian love story is enough to inspire anyone. We have been thinking of you tho having tech troubles leaving a message till now. I love your attitude of doing it because you can... you're an inspiration. Love you, and sending all our best vibes!!

Joanna Matkovich

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 04:04 am

Go girl! I know that this is your race! I love that you had your own Korean popstar for the last few kms. But hopefully you have some different music or podcasts to keep you entertained later in the week :) Especially in the soft sand day! Hopefully the good nights' rest continues throughout the entire week. What are you tentmates like this time around? Looking forward to seeing some photos of you powering through!!

Sherry Holman

Posted On: 30 Apr 2018 01:45 am

Well, of course you are going to finish this time! We are all cheering you on from different continents but we know you are going to do this. All our love!

28 April 2018 08:58 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hey everyone. I am posting this from the hotel in Swakop and we leave in 2 hours to drive out to Camp 1.

It has been a flurry of activity since arriving yesterday evening full of last minute preparations, pack optimizations and catching up with old and new friends.

At the race briefing this morning we learned that the course length is actually 257km-7km longer than expected. Just means I am paying less per km!

I am feeling relaxed and jusy ready to go. I am excited abouy enjoying this one and getting this albatross off my shoulders. Some serious unfinished business for me at this race as this will be my third attempt to finish!

Comments: Total (6) comments

Lynn De Proft

Posted On: 01 May 2018 07:35 pm

Hey Marisa, it is that time of the year again, following your breathtaking experience in the Namibian desert. Braking boundaries, finding your true self and creating memories. You go girl!

Charles Holman

Posted On: 29 Apr 2018 09:59 pm

Hi Marisa, congrats on completion of stage 1, we are with you in thought and spirit all the way, Love, mom and dad, and Darla

Danielle Miller

Posted On: 29 Apr 2018 07:51 am

So excited to see you crush it this time!! Sending hugs and positive vibes your way throughout the race ahead. Xx

Charles Holman

Posted On: 29 Apr 2018 03:42 am

Marisa, will be thinking of you all throughout the race. Darla and Mom will be right with me.....Love, dad

Dusty Saunders

Posted On: 28 Apr 2018 04:30 pm

Go baby go! You have a million of people sending you all their love and support. This is the one. Do it for the puppies! Love you!!!

Sherry Holman

Posted On: 28 Apr 2018 02:56 pm

Get it done! We will be following you with love and anticipation!