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Keir Oxley

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Namib Race (2009) blog posts from Keir Oxley

30 October 2009 08:34 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

Well I only have a few moments for an update.  I really enjoyed yesterday's 23 hour race.  So hard, but fun.
 
I have at least a dozen blisters and have had to have a toenail drilled to hit a blister underneath (echh).   Otherwise just fine though.  I even went for another three hour walk today.
 
I've seen a lot of athletes push through all the aolments that can be caused by the sun (throwing up, disorientation, cramps).   One true athlete Erica Treblanbc from South Africa finished the last five miles hopping as one leg was injured and still won the women's category.
 
A`last two mile cereminial untimed run through the pyramiids tomorrow and then pictures, pizza and beer.
 
Keir

Comments: Total (10) comments

Posted On: 02 Nov 2009 03:40 am

So fantastic Keir! Congratulations and we are so (relieved) and happy and proud of you. Very impressed as well. Now get the heck back home and tell us all about it!

Posted On: 01 Nov 2009 10:50 pm

Keir - Congrats! We were confident you were going to do it. Now that this is done, what are you going to do with all free time? We're very proud to know you. Mike and Shelley

Posted On: 31 Oct 2009 08:21 am

WOW !!! You did it big brother - got through the Big one !!! Had us worried we were checking your blog every 30 minutes or so . We are all so proud . Can not imagine how great , exhausted and exhilarated you must feel and how much pain you must be in . Well done !!! Wish we were there to cheer at the finish line . All our love Patrick, Harry , Mark and Carey

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 10:37 pm

"Imagine being asked to walk almost 57 miles after you’d already done four marathons." Just wanted to make sure you saw this quote from the racing the planet website - I thought it summed it up well.

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 07:07 pm

Keir - Amazing accomplishment! I know that those of us who didn't try will never fully appreciate how hard it was...

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 06:29 pm

Brilliant job Keir, many congratulations! It sounds like such an incredible experience and is so great to hear that you have come through it healthy and strong. Many congratulations again and I look forward to hearing about it when you are back and recovered fully. Cheers, Tim

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 04:56 pm

Congratulations Keir! I wanted to say it was OK if you did not finish because I was getting so anxious for your health. But at the same time I was cheering you on and impressed. What a feat.

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 04:51 pm

WOW! AMAZING! Way to go Keir. Did you ever think of stopping yesterday? What would you like for your victory meal when you get home? The kids and I will fix it while Kathy tends to your battle wounds. Your very proud mother-in-law!

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 04:46 pm

I am trying to imagine what you must be feeling at this point. Pizza and beer will probably be enjoyed and appreciated as never before. Congratulations! Anne

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 04:41 pm

Whoa -- congratulations, Keir! Un-effing-believable, man! I'm glad you're not only alive, but apparently in good spirits. Can't wait to hear the stories; safe travels! -- Milo

30 October 2009 03:36 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

Well I made it!  23 hours and 54 miles of rock and sand dunes after starting I crossed the finish line at 5:00 a.m.
 
I am being shooed from the cybertent.  I will give more details later.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 01:19 pm

You did it! The stage was 57.6 miles but who is counting... Looking forward to your return after the final 10 mile stage tomorrow. We will let you sleep for a few days when you get home. Congratulations, we are so proud of you. - Kathy

28 October 2009 03:09 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

Hello all,
 
This shoul be my second last upate.  I finished the fourth stage, exhausted but okay.  Found out that yesteray it ws 120 degrees.
 
The final stage tomorrow is 54 miles.  That means 20-24 hours on my feet.  I will have to try an catch a few hours sleep at a checkpoint.  We start at 6:00 am.
 
The desert is beautiful but no life other than the occasional  butterfly.
 
I hope everyone is well.
 
Keir

Comments: Total (14) comments

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 10:55 pm

Keir!!!!! I am in awe of you. Can I have your autograph! Sooooo envious! Finish in sight. I can't imagine the elation! Way to go.

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 10:07 pm

GO! GO! GO! How truly amazing what you are doing is!! I took Kate and my Ryan to In-N-Out burger today with the class fieldrip, she didn't tell me her dad was desert hiking in Egypt! We are routing for you Keir! What an accomplishment!!!

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 06:11 pm

Keir, this is not an adventure, this is a Tour de Force. I am majorly impressed (and also a bit envious ;o) "Chapeau bas!" (excuse my French ;o) best wishes for the rest of it but please stay safe! philippe

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 06:10 pm

Hey Keir, You're a stud. Congrats on making it to this point and good luck the rest of the way. We're routing you on! Rick

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 05:36 pm

Way to go Keir. Your kids here at home are very excited and are talking about your adventure. They really miss you. I'm very proud of you too, but not surprised. I wish we could all be at the finish line.

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 05:06 pm

Wow, Keir!! Very impressive. Pain is temporary, Pride is forever (from the words of our swimteam). What an awesome accomplishment. We're all cheering for you.

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 05:03 pm

Good Luck Uncle Keir you are doing an amazing job. Our Daddy is so proud of his big brother and so are we. Love Your nephews in Australia xxx P.S is the Nullabor next?

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 03:55 pm

hey keir, didn't know you were the athletic type! best to you on you venture.. steve

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 01:59 pm

Good luck today. 54 miles is a long way!

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 06:05 am

Keir, we're both thrilled to learn of your exploits. Best of luck for for the finale!

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 04:03 am

54 miles? As Wally Shawn's character says frequently in "Princess Bride," in-con-ceiv-able! Lawrence of Arabia has nothing on you now. Keep on truckin', Milo

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 12:53 am

Keir....I walked a mere 6 miles today and it was 38 degrees! A far cry from what you're doing......I am majorly impressed by you....Wow!...Tom

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 11:56 pm

Keir - Shelley and I continue each day to watch your progress. I am actually anxious to see your blogs so I check in a few times a day. Last leg it is and I know you'll do it! When you get back, we'll all raise a glass to you; and you can go get your four shots of espresso! Cheers, Mike and Shelley

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 10:50 pm

Keep on Keir! By my precise calculations less than 40% of the distance remains. You've done amazingly well to make it this far - I'm more impressed than I can say. Best of luck tomorrow. You're in the home stretch - you can nearly see the finish from here!

27 October 2009 02:48 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

So... Another tough day.  Finished just before nightfall.  A 26 mile stage.  Lost a tent  mate.  The doc had to remove two of his tonails and he is not alllowed to continue.  In terms of grisly tales another competitor  was observed walking in circles and picked up the medical staff. 
 
Tomorrow is the last short day (27 miles).  I hope I can finish but the last part of today was very hard.
 
It is a beautiful desert and all the people are very cool.  The medical  staff are great.
 
I hope everyone is well.

Comments: Total (11) comments

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 05:59 pm

Hi Keir, It sounds like pretty tough sledding at this point. Thanks for sharing the details. What a personal growth experience. We are all thinking of you. Hang in there! Mark Atherton

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 01:57 pm

Keir, I have enjoyed keeping up with your progress and proud to share your great success with friends and family. I wish you the best on your final stretch.

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 11:31 am

And I thought Bikram yoga sounded like a test of endurance. I get woozy just reading your blog. Way to go Kier. Very impressive.

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 10:52 am

As I said big brother I am proud of you Inspiring to say the least. Stay Strong & enjoy Love Mark

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 05:51 am

a great accomplishment! I'm in awe of the physical and mental endurance necessary to do this. Home comes soon! Steve

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 05:35 am

Keir, I will take care of the prayers for you- you just keep healthy and sane. If Nathan were up this late, he would have a funny joke to tell you, but you'll have to do with what I'm working on- my first Tiger cub outing- reminding them about character...let's see: Why is a promise important? what does it mean to keep your word? what does it mean to do your best? You are doing it all Keir! Very inspiring, go man go!

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 05:19 am

Great job Keir. Keep it up. Here is a link to some blog articles on our site which will show you the path you've taken so far, etc.: http://blog.gpsinsight.com/category/regions/egypt Rob.

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 03:23 am

Whoa, Keir -- you've already won in my book! What an amazing trek you're on. May you stay as blister-free as possible and keep putting one foot in front of the other. You're on your way, you're on you're way, you're on your way! All the best, Milo

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 02:59 am

I wanted to also say how proud we are. I don't know anyone who does what you do. Sets out for such an amazing thing and actually then goes for it. So many people are talkers; you're a doer, and you're part of a small percentage of people on the planet who can say they did something like this. This is such a lifetime achievement! Keep it up and do your best on that final stretch!

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 02:53 am

Keep it up Keir! You can do it! We believe in you! Mike and Shelley

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 12:31 am

Keep going. You are doing GREAT!! I admire your determination. We are rooting for you . i will talk about youat the Parent Cub Scout meeting Gary

26 October 2009 01:31 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

Well, first ket me say that I miss my wife Kathy and Jessica, Nicholas, Kate and Julia - I hope you are all well.
 
Just finished Stage 2. 27 miles with two harder sections with soft sand and sand dunes.  I have some foot blisters and may have bad enough sunburn on the back of my legs that they may blister despite using sun-screen.  Apparantly the Sahara can do that to you and that is why people wear full length outfits.
 
Hot, hot, hot today.  I would guess 110 or more.
 
So far a few people have had IVs for dehydration, few heat strokes and one guy who had heart problems and had to leave the camp.
 
Today I finished half way through the group.  Cool, but as long as I finish...
 
I, like many here have no appetite and I am a little naseous.  Par for the course. 
 
It is night now and half 30 people are still on the course - my hat goes off to them.  I know that some will spend 12-14 hours to finish today.
 
Tired now.  Force down some food and then sleep.
 
Keir

Comments: Total (3) comments

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 02:48 am

Keep going Keir! We think, pray, and cheer for you every day! Mike & Shelley

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 06:01 pm

What a fabulous thing to do Keir. I know how hot and forbidding and beautiful and inspirational the Sahara can be. But a race? Wow! Good luck! Anne

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 09:38 am

Just reading about what you are doing makes me feel exhausted! Huge congratulations for tackling such a challenge and I hope heaps of positive thoughts are heading your way as you cope with heat, blisters and sunburn. Go, Kier!

25 October 2009 01:27 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

Well folks it has been a tough 24 hrs. One of the buses from Cairo to our start spot broke down-the bus company was called One Way Tours - really.
 
Got in at 1 am and up at 6:00 am for the first stage.  21 miles only but MUCH harder than I expected.  The desert is amazing but very hot (who would have thought?). A few people are out from injury and heat  exhaustin.
 
Tomorrow  is like 28 miles over much more difficult terrain so I will take it onecheckpoint at a time.
 
Wish me luck, I will update you tomorrow.
 
Keir

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 25 Oct 2009 11:09 pm

Keir - way to go! Shelley and I are cheering and praying for you. You lunatic. Mike and Shelley

Posted On: 25 Oct 2009 10:09 pm

Keir - I put a track of your first day on our blog here: http://blog.gpsinsight.com/2009/10/sat-tracking-in-egypt-keir-has-left-the-base-camp Glad to hear you're through day 1. Good luck for the rest of it. Rob.

23 October 2009 10:29 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

Came in at 2:00 a.m.  I test packed my pack this morning.  Got pretty much everything in, to my surprise, but it weighs around 26 lbs.  I'll probably need to ditch some stuff before I start.

It's overcast in Cairo and cool but I got the cheery news that the area we will be going to was 50 degrees Celsius of 122 degrees Fahrenheit today... A myth to scare us off I hope.

Speaking of scary, I got a taxi to the mall to buy some stuff.  Taxi drivers here consider lane markers mere suggestions and apparently it is a sign of weakness to use your indicator.  Th mall in the part of town we are staying is very Western, Burger King, McDonalds even a Fuddruckers.

Most everyone can speak a little English and I am trying to avoid my tendency to speak very loudly and very slowly to aid comprehension.

Met a few people and they all seem (1) Younger, (2) Fitter and (3) Better prepared than I am.

We meet for breakfast tomorrow, medical check, gear check and then a seven hour drive south to the town where we start the race from on Sunday.  

I'm not sure if my GPS has updated yet as it needs a clear view of the sky.

Starting tomorrow I am on satellite updates only.

Talk to everyone then.

Keir

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 03:35 pm

Good luck......awesome wishes from Den 11

Posted On: 25 Oct 2009 02:15 am

if anyone wants to see where Keir is within an hour or so, navigate to http://www.gpsinsight.com/egypt

Posted On: 25 Oct 2009 02:13 am

Keir, the GPS has updated 3 times and seems fine, provided you keep it with reasonable line of sight to the sky. The last 3 fixes were at 16:14, 17:14, and 18:14 and are all within a 30 foot radius circle so you are good. They are 190 miles SouthWest of the first point we picked up at 9:18 AM. Times are all PST. Good luck!

Posted On: 23 Oct 2009 06:48 pm

Good luck on your brave adventure, you old codger. Don't forget to blow the sand out of your navel before you crawl into your sleeping bag each night. Cheers.

05 October 2009 02:24 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

I have wanted to do this darn thing for a while.  Tried two years ago and strained a muscle getting ready.

I have never done anything like this and I'm not a runner (love it but always get hurt).  Thus far in my life probably the hardest single day I've had physically was an 18 hour hike up and down Mt. Ranier.

I have been hiking and semi running on downhill parts for the last few months.  Doing an average of 60-70 miles a week with my longest week being about 90 miles.  I have carried a 20 lb pack for the last month or so.  My longest single day was 25 miles with a 4,000 foot total height gain.  I'm in Northern California so I have been lucky enough (seriously) to do a lot of the hikes in 90-100 degree weather.  I can average about 3.5 miles an hour on the flat when fully loaded and about 3 miles an hour over uneven terrain.

I've been learning all about blisters and what damage fricton can do to the more delicate parts of your body.

I'm not sure what else can be done to get physically ready for the race.  Time to start tapering down.  This last week, which is half over, will be a 90 mile week.  Following week I'll cut by 30% and the last week another 30%.

Thanks to my understanding wife Kathy.  Also to Nancy Fudacz for her advice.

Any and all suggestions and comments are welcome.

See you all in the Sahara.

Keir

 

Comments: Total (2) comments

Posted On: 23 Oct 2009 06:04 am

Hi Keir, nice talking to on Heathrow yesterday. I wish you the best of luck and hope that the blisters you will get not will stop you. I will follow the race with a big interest. Good luck! Jonas

Posted On: 09 Oct 2009 02:17 pm

Sounds like your key objective now should be to avoid injury before the race so I would be careful about training with weight for the last 2 weeks. The feet are the first thing to hit the Sahara so make sure they're in good shape and keep the toenails really short ! See you there!