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Namib Race Blogs 2009
7
PostsNamib Race (2009) blog posts from Martijn Hoogerwerf
30 October 2009 08:43 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
wow, impressed by all the blog comments and messages! Do you guys really love me??
Here I am, its 2.30pm Sahara time on Friday, time for the last blog from the Sahara, ive got tears in my eyes..!
The long long looooooong day turned out to be truly long, not so much for me, but more so for lots of the other competitors. My luck is that I got in at 9.15pm after 12hrs and 15min, but most of the people out there would average 20hrs at least, if not longer. I believe the last competitor hasnt even come in yet, and i just cant imagine going for 36+ hours on blistered feet, legs that give way on the soft sand, under a sun that slowly boils your brain out of your skull.
Its not the top 15 who are the true endurance athletes, its the people out there that take longest but still make it. Loads of respect!
One of the guys in my tent came in this morning at 10am and after crashing for about 3 hrs (in his race gear) just now asked me how I did today. Clearly his day started 6am yesterday and hadnt ended yet, whereas I was in bed on yesterday evening at 10pm..
Having said all this about the slower people, I suffered like I have never suffered before. The strategy is that you need to get a good pace going, keep your food and liquids in, put sunblock on, and thats it. I know how to keep food and liquids in, i know how to put sunblock on, but how the hell you can keep a good pace going for 90km no one ever told me!
Once again it was the last section that turned out to be truly painful. It was dark, i was running with my headlight on, soft sand with a couple of high dunes and I had only eaten 3 powerbars the whole day. At one point, I couldnt for the love of my life figure out what I had on my head, kept on thinking that I should know and refused to touch the thing. In the end, I couldnt stand the thought of not being able of supplying enough oxygen to my brain to figure it out.....it turned out to be my headlight! At that stage, I knew i was getting slightly tired:-)
Yet, here I am, stinky smelly me and my 11 blisters still in the desert waiting for that last competitor to come in. I finished the whole race in just under 34hrs for an overall 9th place. I am more than surprised that i even finished in the top50 let alone in the top10!
Could not have done it with all your support, many many thanks!! Its just been great getting these messages from the real world!
Btw, a few weeks ago, I also signed up for the Racing The Planet - Australia 2010 race in April 2010, anyone wants to join??
Here I am, its 2.30pm Sahara time on Friday, time for the last blog from the Sahara, ive got tears in my eyes..!
The long long looooooong day turned out to be truly long, not so much for me, but more so for lots of the other competitors. My luck is that I got in at 9.15pm after 12hrs and 15min, but most of the people out there would average 20hrs at least, if not longer. I believe the last competitor hasnt even come in yet, and i just cant imagine going for 36+ hours on blistered feet, legs that give way on the soft sand, under a sun that slowly boils your brain out of your skull.
Its not the top 15 who are the true endurance athletes, its the people out there that take longest but still make it. Loads of respect!
One of the guys in my tent came in this morning at 10am and after crashing for about 3 hrs (in his race gear) just now asked me how I did today. Clearly his day started 6am yesterday and hadnt ended yet, whereas I was in bed on yesterday evening at 10pm..
Having said all this about the slower people, I suffered like I have never suffered before. The strategy is that you need to get a good pace going, keep your food and liquids in, put sunblock on, and thats it. I know how to keep food and liquids in, i know how to put sunblock on, but how the hell you can keep a good pace going for 90km no one ever told me!
Once again it was the last section that turned out to be truly painful. It was dark, i was running with my headlight on, soft sand with a couple of high dunes and I had only eaten 3 powerbars the whole day. At one point, I couldnt for the love of my life figure out what I had on my head, kept on thinking that I should know and refused to touch the thing. In the end, I couldnt stand the thought of not being able of supplying enough oxygen to my brain to figure it out.....it turned out to be my headlight! At that stage, I knew i was getting slightly tired:-)
Yet, here I am, stinky smelly me and my 11 blisters still in the desert waiting for that last competitor to come in. I finished the whole race in just under 34hrs for an overall 9th place. I am more than surprised that i even finished in the top50 let alone in the top10!
Could not have done it with all your support, many many thanks!! Its just been great getting these messages from the real world!
Btw, a few weeks ago, I also signed up for the Racing The Planet - Australia 2010 race in April 2010, anyone wants to join??
28 October 2009 03:17 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Short stage today, short blog today.
Nothing really new unfortunately, the sand is still here, the sun was out, couple of half naked guys running around the dunes, all the usual stuff really. Had a morning run of roughly 40km, basically trying to get through without losing too much energy. Believe i managed quite well, finished 7th again in 5hr and 15min!
Btw, official temperatures hit 49degrees Celcius yesterday. Not sure if anyone knows what that feels like?! Right guess will be rewarded with some Sahara sand.
All eyes are on the long stage tomorrow. Been asking people about the right strategy, etc but no one seems to have the answer. So im just going to do the same thing as today and do it twice. Quite simple actually. Good thing is that there will be a staged start, one at 6am for the turtles (ranked 25 or higher) and one 9am for the leopards....incl me! This means two things, one that i will pass loads of people which is great for morale and the other is that i will likely get in right before midnight for a good proper night of sleep.
And then this run will be DONE DONE DONE!
Aside from a short symbolic 1km run between the Pyramids of Giza on Saturday....
And yes, i could use a shower, steak, and a beer.
Hope everyone who is donating is feeling my run in their wallet!!
Nothing really new unfortunately, the sand is still here, the sun was out, couple of half naked guys running around the dunes, all the usual stuff really. Had a morning run of roughly 40km, basically trying to get through without losing too much energy. Believe i managed quite well, finished 7th again in 5hr and 15min!
Btw, official temperatures hit 49degrees Celcius yesterday. Not sure if anyone knows what that feels like?! Right guess will be rewarded with some Sahara sand.
All eyes are on the long stage tomorrow. Been asking people about the right strategy, etc but no one seems to have the answer. So im just going to do the same thing as today and do it twice. Quite simple actually. Good thing is that there will be a staged start, one at 6am for the turtles (ranked 25 or higher) and one 9am for the leopards....incl me! This means two things, one that i will pass loads of people which is great for morale and the other is that i will likely get in right before midnight for a good proper night of sleep.
And then this run will be DONE DONE DONE!
Aside from a short symbolic 1km run between the Pyramids of Giza on Saturday....
And yes, i could use a shower, steak, and a beer.
Hope everyone who is donating is feeling my run in their wallet!!
Comments: Total (15) comments
Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 02:23 pm
Yo Tijn! Bloody great job buddy! You've made it (apart from the 10 remaining klicks, basically 7 laps around the race course, easy). Enjoy tomorrow matey! The Van Beeks
ps how many mobile numbers did you manage to score from the Egyptian ladies? I suppose a 120km d-tour for getting a date wont be a problem for you now.....playa playa stylee!
Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 08:33 am
goed gedaan jochie!
succes met de rest
Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 08:24 am
A lot of respect!
But where are Frut and his Brokes in this?
Good luck with the monsterstage!
Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 07:04 am
Crazy Dutchman - very proud of you. Si senor! Just think about those nice beers that we'll do when you com back...and let' talk about the Antartica race ;) Btw, after all this effort I hav decided that I'll do my party when you are back. BBQ will be!
Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 02:11 am
Martijn - I work for The Nature Conservancy and my friend Damon is behind you a bit, an American. You guys are awesome. Thanks for doing this run/adventure for TNC. Good luck!
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 09:41 pm
Larry,
Heb je nog dat contact voor me van die
Ethiopische koffie exporteur?
Zet hem op morgen, die kerels voor je in de
Ranking moet je kunnen pakken, eentje is
Bijna 50!
Respect, Goswin
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 04:44 pm
Martijn,
remember me ? I gave you your first tennis lessons back in elementary school, in Wassenaar.
I am so proud that i was able to insire you so much with sports, that you are now running through Egypt. I hope you did not forget your tennis racket, to hit some balls in the evenings there in Egypt.
Come visit me in Wassenaar soon. Bye, Wil.
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 04:12 pm
Larry, always knew you were crazy...............good luck!!
WEUS
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 03:55 pm
Hoogie, I just wanted to let you know that i ran 10 kilometers in Het Vondel-park last weekend. Not bad i thought... :-) Until reading your blogs. You must have seen every piece of sand of Egypt this week. I always wanted to visit Egypt, but your experience make me re-consider. It's a country for sand lovers that are addicted to Ibuprofen (placebo or not).
Anyway, Good luck with the 1km tomorrow! Don't trip over the pyramids. Adios.
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 02:35 pm
Oh, and it's a good thing you don't hold down drinks very well, otherwise the Bikkel Dispuut would definitely have to consider welcoming you back to their ranks.
(sorry, couldn't stop myself)
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 02:08 pm
Can someone tell me why?, as the title above your weblog aptly reads. Why, indeed? I guess the answer is the same that Sir Edmund Hillary gave to a reporter asking why he felt the urge to climb the Everest.... Because it's there.
Larry, I've seen you pulling off some wild stuff, but this really takes the cake. I'd almost label this race "epic" if it weren't such a overhyped expression. No, sod that, it IS epic! Anyway, congrats on your outstanding perfomance so far. Don't give up and finish in style. Keeping my fingers crossed for today's monster stage and bowing my head in respect, Sir!
Rutger
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 11:51 am
All the best for the final stage Martijn. We are all proud of you here in hong kong...keep it up buddy...this is inspirational stuff...send me a text when ur done! cheers
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 07:51 am
It is great to have so many people being so proud of Martijn. For myself, as his sister, I'm especially proud of him, even without sun and sand. However, my strategy for the past 30 years has been to restrict Martijn's ego within the "normal range". This, I think I don't have to assure you, has been a tough goal. Now, with Martijn's results, good stories and your great comments, I see the whole castle collapsing... It must have been a sandcastle.
But hey, what the hack, if one sheep leaps over the ditch...:
Tijn, I am extremely proud of your perseverance in this race. I can't hardly imagine what impact the heat and sand must have. I don't even have to exagerrate the story to all my friends!
As for ibuprofen, >50% of the effect of painkillers has been shown to be placebo-effect. Luckily, you're reading this after the 90 k's...
Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 12:03 am
Yo Tijn, bloody good job buddy!!! Well, well impressed. Good luck for the next stage, it's just a Maclehose-easy 92something km run, easy peasy! I'll have a Heinie on you tonight. Cheers, The Van Beeks
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 11:36 pm
Hoogie,
I'm sooo impressed by your strength, stamina and competitve edge!
Please don't give up tomorrow, think of me: I will be waiting for you at the finish line with a juicy stake, an iced beer, a cold shower and a jacuzzi...I will make sure that you forget all the pain you have gone through!
Love,
Pam
27 October 2009 02:08 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Remember the story about not being likely that i would meet myself somewhere here in the desert?! Guess what, my bloody self showed himself all of a sudden out of the blue!
Today we did a lame 42km through soft sand, exactly the way i like it. Problem was that right before checkpoint 1 (after 10k) my upper right leg decided to give me a fair dose of pain with every step i took, and it just became worse and worse beyond checkpoint 1. I was suffering big time, and just had to drag my leg behind me...felt like a crippled camel in search of water.
Worse than feeling like a crippled camel was that other people started passing me, and even worse than that the thought of possibly having to give up passed through my camel brain.
No idea how i made it into checkpoint 2 (20k), must have been my true self presenting himself as a crippled camel, but the medical staff there gave me some ibuprofen (not sure how to spell this...im tired) and it just shot straight into my leg, great stuff! So by checkpoint 3 (30k) i had recovered and up to camp i passed about 20 people or so, for a completely unexpected 8th place finish!
Lots of people suffered miserably today, in total i believe about 30 people (out of the initial 130) dropped out so far. Lots of them just cant cope very well with the heat, and can subsequently not hold their food and liquids. This race really feels like whoever suffers least is the winner!
Mam, geen zorgen, voel me geweldig!
Tomorrow another 40km, which should be ok with a fair dose of ibuprofen, should be able to stay around 8th place. Most people will be preparing mentally for the long day of 90km on Thursday..
Hope all is well, keep the Jordi Canals comments coming and wish me luck!
Today we did a lame 42km through soft sand, exactly the way i like it. Problem was that right before checkpoint 1 (after 10k) my upper right leg decided to give me a fair dose of pain with every step i took, and it just became worse and worse beyond checkpoint 1. I was suffering big time, and just had to drag my leg behind me...felt like a crippled camel in search of water.
Worse than feeling like a crippled camel was that other people started passing me, and even worse than that the thought of possibly having to give up passed through my camel brain.
No idea how i made it into checkpoint 2 (20k), must have been my true self presenting himself as a crippled camel, but the medical staff there gave me some ibuprofen (not sure how to spell this...im tired) and it just shot straight into my leg, great stuff! So by checkpoint 3 (30k) i had recovered and up to camp i passed about 20 people or so, for a completely unexpected 8th place finish!
Lots of people suffered miserably today, in total i believe about 30 people (out of the initial 130) dropped out so far. Lots of them just cant cope very well with the heat, and can subsequently not hold their food and liquids. This race really feels like whoever suffers least is the winner!
Mam, geen zorgen, voel me geweldig!
Tomorrow another 40km, which should be ok with a fair dose of ibuprofen, should be able to stay around 8th place. Most people will be preparing mentally for the long day of 90km on Thursday..
Hope all is well, keep the Jordi Canals comments coming and wish me luck!
Comments: Total (14) comments
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 09:02 pm
Did it again, super!
Get a good rest for the day of doom! When i look outside i see some persons jogging around, swetting, dying, giving up and all that in A'dam. If they only knew! Whatever happens, don't give up tomorrow, keep pushing/walking, crawling, do whatever but keep going. 90 km's is just a mental trick, your legs are wasted after ten so your brain has to do the work, now that's a challenge. I did 14 1/2 hours, lets see if you can top that, GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 05:35 pm
ik denk dat mijn berichten niet doorkomen, doe iets niet goed waarsch. probeer het nog eens! lees je verhalen en constateer dat ik enorme bewondering voor jullie heb!! morgen 90 km ? lijkt mij onmogelijk, maar wens je sterkte met deze zware dag! is het daarna wat rustiger?
ben je sponsor... gr. marianne,robert
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 04:19 pm
Dude, keep going it reads like a novel. Remember the story about the Belgian guy who went swimming to England and who heads back 10 miles of the shore of England as he thinks it is just too far.
Dont stop now you need to walk all the way back.
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 02:29 pm
dank voor je persoonlijke noot aan mij en denk eraan, je krijgt van mij een bonus als je opgeeft...kus mam
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 02:18 pm
goed bezig!!!!
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 01:09 pm
Hey, mister, pills uhhh. So my EPO comment wasn't as far off as i thought. Just kidding, if i was out there i would take anything to keep me going. Well done!
Just for your motivation, average age place 1 till 7 is 40+. They are old, dude! Wheel them in, start cameling!
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 11:49 am
BON COURAGE!!
You are just AMAZING, can not believe you've made it so far with so much energy and positivity!
Keep going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 10:50 am
kudos for making it thus far. impressed is truly an understatement. keep the dialogue with your camel half going and it will see you through!
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 10:01 am
continuing to impress my man!! just keep following that world-champion kid and your on the right track..
btw: i'm marketing your race/cause among my buddies - so you have a large group of Germans following your results.. should be more than enough motivation for you Dutchie!!
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 09:03 am
Finally got your mail to my gmail account re equipment list...obviously far too late but sounds like you've managed to fill your backpack anyway. (Would have told you though that you need Ibuprofen (or some other "Wundermittel") to get through later stages - sorry for that).
Great to see how fantasticly well you are doing!! You're right up there with the Ironmans and Endurance-Freaks, amazing! Keep it up, you can do this! And after today, there is only the long stage really, and the rest is all smiles - you'll see! We're thinking of you, Stefan + Caroline
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 04:39 am
Hi Iam Navin's colleague in Noble chartering hkg, keep it up mate...I will match Navin's offer on your charity - US $0.20 for every KM you run from today...cheers
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 04:35 am
Come on buddy keep it up! I know you can do it..as u said its all in the mind... All the best...from hong kong...btw here is my charity offer - for every km you walk from today onwards, i will contribute US $0.20 towards your charity!
Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 03:51 am
Maestro, het gaat spectaculair. Ibuprofen is inderdaad wondermiddel, dit hoort onderdeel te zijn van de pillen die je bij je draagt (plus de zout tabletten). We komen steeds dichter bij de 249km, leve het goede doel!
Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 10:13 pm
Man, you really scared me! After reading the first paragraph I thought you had given up already!
May the force be with you!
26 October 2009 02:42 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
What a b(*&tch of a stage!
I need to speak to the course director and explain to him to split these stages in two. Or have a cover along the whole 44km stage so we can run in the shade!
Temperatures hit 42degrees, not as bad as the 44degrees of yesterday actually, but the dunes during the last 5km broke my back...bloody hell, i was on my hands and knees crawling up! Not exactly my favorite position to be in. One step forward, two steps back principle fully applied..
Good thing about these tough stages is that they tend to be tough for the rest of the competitors as well....ie, came into camp 2 before lunchtime at around 1.45pm, which is great as i hate to eat my noodle lunch with cold water. And it gives me plenty of time to recover and attend to my blisters (6 so far..).
Placed 7th place today, not sure how im doing it. Spoke to the guy who came in 2nd today and he has done about 7-8 ironmen, including the worldchampionship IronMan in Kona, Hawai. Will try to finish in front of him tomorrow (after putting 5kgs of sand in his backpack and stealing his food)!
Once again, many thanks for all the support messages (yes, Luca, there is an 'email a competitor' link!). Commenting on my blog or sending me a message is basically the same for me. Unfortunately, i cant respond directly to these messages, can only update my blog.
Over and out for now, speak tomorrow!
I need to speak to the course director and explain to him to split these stages in two. Or have a cover along the whole 44km stage so we can run in the shade!
Temperatures hit 42degrees, not as bad as the 44degrees of yesterday actually, but the dunes during the last 5km broke my back...bloody hell, i was on my hands and knees crawling up! Not exactly my favorite position to be in. One step forward, two steps back principle fully applied..
Good thing about these tough stages is that they tend to be tough for the rest of the competitors as well....ie, came into camp 2 before lunchtime at around 1.45pm, which is great as i hate to eat my noodle lunch with cold water. And it gives me plenty of time to recover and attend to my blisters (6 so far..).
Placed 7th place today, not sure how im doing it. Spoke to the guy who came in 2nd today and he has done about 7-8 ironmen, including the worldchampionship IronMan in Kona, Hawai. Will try to finish in front of him tomorrow (after putting 5kgs of sand in his backpack and stealing his food)!
Once again, many thanks for all the support messages (yes, Luca, there is an 'email a competitor' link!). Commenting on my blog or sending me a message is basically the same for me. Unfortunately, i cant respond directly to these messages, can only update my blog.
Over and out for now, speak tomorrow!
Comments: Total (4) comments
Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 08:48 pm
Under six hours, well done!
The guy in front is running on vapour so you'd better pass him in the next stage. Save some energy tomorrow, day after, the long run, your stage to get in line for a top 5 position. Remember to dispose you bodyfluids, with your ranking they will be suspecting EPO, at least that would be my guess! Unreal!
Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 06:06 pm
Good stuff! Don't forget that your blisters carry valuable water in case you get thirsty! the more, the better. Keep it up!
Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 05:48 pm
Crazy dutchman! Happy to see that you keep alive in the desert...and stop complaining. You have always been such a girl! Keep it up!
Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 10:24 pm
Finally spotted your first picture! #92
Next time try to smile into the camera please
25 October 2009 01:45 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Stage 1 in the desert is done, time for blog 1 to be done!
Just to let you guys know, im typing on the smallest laptop ever, so dont harras me for spelling errors....ive also got sand between/in/through every single part of my fingers, which doesnt help the typing process!
To keep a long story short, this place is one of the most incredible places on earth i have ever been. Its bloody beautiful out here and a privilege to run here! Check out the photos on the website....White Desert is where we are now (camp 1). Came in 11th today in a time of 4.33hr, over a distance of 35km.
No complaints, especially since i was pacing myself....then again, half of the guys supporting The Nature Conservancy made me commit not only to finish it, but promised to donate more if i get a higher ranking....thanks guys, i can always use a bit of extra motivation on top of my own competitiveness!
Good thing about coming in early is that you get extra tan time, aside from extra recovery time. But havent found the massage tent just yet...
Tomorrow is going to be rough, 45km over soft sand, should be great for blisters. Lets hope for a sandstorm so we dont have to go!
Many many thanks for all the support messages! Its great to get these, didnt expect you guys to be thinking of me....Keep it coming!
Just to let you guys know, im typing on the smallest laptop ever, so dont harras me for spelling errors....ive also got sand between/in/through every single part of my fingers, which doesnt help the typing process!
To keep a long story short, this place is one of the most incredible places on earth i have ever been. Its bloody beautiful out here and a privilege to run here! Check out the photos on the website....White Desert is where we are now (camp 1). Came in 11th today in a time of 4.33hr, over a distance of 35km.
No complaints, especially since i was pacing myself....then again, half of the guys supporting The Nature Conservancy made me commit not only to finish it, but promised to donate more if i get a higher ranking....thanks guys, i can always use a bit of extra motivation on top of my own competitiveness!
Good thing about coming in early is that you get extra tan time, aside from extra recovery time. But havent found the massage tent just yet...
Tomorrow is going to be rough, 45km over soft sand, should be great for blisters. Lets hope for a sandstorm so we dont have to go!
Many many thanks for all the support messages! Its great to get these, didnt expect you guys to be thinking of me....Keep it coming!
Comments: Total (8) comments
Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 08:50 pm
America is with you borther, YES YOU CAN!!!
Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 08:12 pm
Well done dude! 8th overall after second stage, wow! Impressed. Your either running with woossies or you have been living in the wrong place all this time. Any jobs in the dessert? You'd better apply, fitting worksurroundings for you. Ruudje, start saving for me, i'll be the good cause, donations excepted! Hoogie and i will be running in teams, if you can make it rain next year out of the helicopter (no, fresh water please), perfect! Hoogie, you can win this thing, go for it! Forget about making it, just win it !!!!! Kick ass!
Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 06:58 pm
Frut,
when are you going to run this marathon in Egypt ? I'll join......(by helicopter).
Ruudje
Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 06:56 pm
Hooger-dwarf,
Great that you came in 11th yesterday ! Not bad for someone who has never seen sand before.
Don't forget to take the picture of yourself with a camel, for extra $$$ for the good cause.
Run Hoogie Run !!
Ciao,
Rudi.
Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 06:54 pm
Dear Martijn, we in Barcelona are very proud of you.
Whatever the challenge you'll face, remember, we s(t)and behind you !
Posted On: 26 Oct 2009 10:21 am
One down, way to go! Hope today went as well. I saw some awesome photo's(without your face one it so i am still wondering if you are typing this scam from your roofterrace in HK). Enjoy the free time building sandcastles and looking forward for yet another day!
Posted On: 25 Oct 2009 09:10 pm
Hoogie,
where can we see pictures of you? Will you post some or do we have to look for you in the huge galery on this website? What's your number?
Cheerio
Luca
Posted On: 25 Oct 2009 09:00 pm
Hoogie, we are so proud of you, you crazy Dutchman!
I only see 3 comments after each of your blog posts so far....so I'm a bit confused when you say that you are so happy about all the messages you received: either you became very humble (impossible!) or there must be another place to send you messages (more likely...I will continue searching).
Anyway, good luck for tomorrow!
Abrazo,
Luca
PS: Btw, what's the nightlife like in the desert?
23 October 2009 01:12 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
...hahaha..no worries, all my equipment got safely into Cairo. Just wanted to see if more people would read my blog if i'd come up with a catchy title.
Aside from my equipment, I touched down in chilly Cairo as well, its actually a lot colder here than i expected. Good ol' Hong Kong temperatures have really gotten to me, or it might be all the body fat I have lost over the last few months training up to this event.
I had a long 10 hour stop-over in Dubai, and after having been driven around most of the famous sites (Burj this, Burj that, the Palm, etc), I decided to treat myself to a few runs in Dubai Ski! Obviously also trying to stay in the spirit of my profile pic. What an experience! Had done indoor skiing before, but the Dubai sheiks just had to outdo everyone again!
Got into Cairo last night, and met up with a few of the other competitors here in the hotel, its a pretty good crowd so far. I guess we havent gotten into the competitive spirits just yet..!
Aside from my equipment, I touched down in chilly Cairo as well, its actually a lot colder here than i expected. Good ol' Hong Kong temperatures have really gotten to me, or it might be all the body fat I have lost over the last few months training up to this event.
I had a long 10 hour stop-over in Dubai, and after having been driven around most of the famous sites (Burj this, Burj that, the Palm, etc), I decided to treat myself to a few runs in Dubai Ski! Obviously also trying to stay in the spirit of my profile pic. What an experience! Had done indoor skiing before, but the Dubai sheiks just had to outdo everyone again!
Got into Cairo last night, and met up with a few of the other competitors here in the hotel, its a pretty good crowd so far. I guess we havent gotten into the competitive spirits just yet..!
Comments: Total (4) comments
Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 02:21 pm
Yo Tijn! Bloody great job buddy! You've made it (apart from the 10 remaining klicks, basically 7 laps around the race course, easy). Enjoy tomorrow matey! The Van Beeks
ps how many mobile numbers did you manage to score from the Egyptian ladies? I suppose a 120km d-tour wont be a problem for you now.....playa playa stylee!
Posted On: 25 Oct 2009 08:40 am
And, I assume you picked up a new sponsor delegation on the ski slopes! First miles coming up, ready to start i guess. Lets get it over with. Remember, first bar you see is a fata-morgana, pass it, keep going, second one which looks like a tent in the middle of the dessert is the real one!
Untill then, don't get on a bus, forget about taxis, refuse the camel-trip, don't even think about flying, just keep on running, and running, and running! Enjoy!
Posted On: 23 Oct 2009 04:54 pm
You are the most competitive person here martin
Posted On: 23 Oct 2009 02:53 pm
wow indoor skiing...maybe i should try, since i really can't fall and die right?
enjoy the Sahara!
19 October 2009 11:59 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
I thought this moment would never come...my first blog ever!
After harassing so many people about keeping up-to-the-minute updates about their whereabouts, what they eat and other trivial stuff, I thought I would never ever start a blog, Twitter and/or write on Facebook's 'what's on my mind'.
Times change i guess. It must be the transformative nature of these type of endurance events!
Its Tuesday October 19, tomorrow night my plane departs for Cairo (hope to be on it), where the other competitors will also start arriving as of Thursday. Its been amazing training up to this event, my first 4deserts event, and my first multi-day endurance race. Been packing and repacking my backpack over the past few weeks, done it about 10 times....every time I take things out, every time its more bulky and every time its heavier. As an engineer by education, I should understand how this is possible...maybe its good I became a banker.
Hope to post daily updates on this blog, but i think that largely depends on my ability to drag my sand-washed body from the daily finish line to the cybertent. Then again, if i can finish the daily stages, making it to the cybertent shouldnt be the biggest challenge out there. Dont expect excellent prose though, it will be more like 'yeah, it was tough today, lots of sun and sand, just like yesterday actually'!
The reason why my profile photo is me skiing in the Niseko powder must be obvious....I will be craving for -30C next week. Hopefully just looking at that photo will give me a mental boost!
I also wanted to thank many of my friends and family for committing to donate an amount (depending on the km's I complete) to The Nature Conservancy. Its great to see the amount of support people have given!
Comments: Total (3) comments
Posted On: 21 Oct 2009 04:59 pm
Ha, already wasting energy on a keyboard i see. You better watch it, sweat pours threw those shivering fingers, save it, you'll be needing it! As you have been packing your bag over and over it was me picking my brain over and over trying to find a reason why i would not compete in the next event with you. Haven't found anything yet, lets hope you can find the reason for me.Enjoy a sandy start of the day and try to find the summer Yeti for me!
Posted On: 21 Oct 2009 07:12 am
Very Dutch...
Thanks for the support! Already signed up for Australia 2010, thought it be wiser to do so before the hardships of the Sahara..
Posted On: 20 Oct 2009 12:37 pm
Wow, you shouldnt have become a engineer or a banker but a writer! Fun to read. Good luck with your race! I have done the Atacama race this year and am following other races with envy, love to do it again! Your name sounds Dutch, are you? Enjoy! Not that hard :)
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