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Namib Race Blogs 2009

Ken Shuart

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Namib Race (2009) blog posts from Ken Shuart

30 October 2009 08:30 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi,
I survived! What a long run/trek that was...54 miles We started at 6:00am and I finished around 12:45am.  Over 18 hours. I kept a pretty  good pace waiting for the later stages knowing it woud be cooler when the sun went  down.45 celcius yesterday. Plus I like travelling at night. At  CP 6 7:00pm I stopped and had oatmeal and coffee. Wow, that picked me up  and my next two stages had to be my fastest.
 
The last stage to the finish line was rediculusly hard. Steep dunes with loose sand . It was the hardest because of the difficuty and the  anticipation of being done.
 
My feet are so bad I don,t know how I am going to get shoes on again. I am going to loose 3 toenails. The sand and the miles have taken a toll.
 
Today we wait for everyone to finish then get bused to the pryamids tomorrow for the formal finish I am in great spirits and am anxious to come to all of you.
 
My tent mates are very fun and we have come to be very supportive of one another. They are a band of characters from around the globe and keep everyone laughing
 
Last nigtht  I was going over in my mind all the love and support  you have given me.  It is what keeps me moving toward the finish knowing that is the fastest way to get home.
 
Love,
Ken

Comments: Total (7) comments

Posted On: 31 Oct 2009 11:03 pm

I just hiked 10 miles in the mountains above Santa Barbara and am bushed. Can't image how you did it! It must be your Grandmothers genes that you inherited. Congratulations, Love Sandy

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 09:43 pm

Okay, I am so glad to hear from you. That is great. It looked sooooo hard, I can't believe you can actually do that! It will be fun to see the finish line and I bet the pyramids are going to knock your socks off! You inspire me. Looking forward to welcoming you home. And the pedicure is getting cheeper all the time, with so many fewer nails to do! Love you.

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 06:49 pm

WOW!! What a race and as expected you made it. I never had any doubts. Hurry home safely as we know you want to take a walk with us! Love Dad

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 05:35 pm

Great job. You are truly insane. You can always grow more toe nails. Just rememebr, The Gobi Desert in June of 2010. keep it up. Duke

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 05:01 pm

Yea Ken!!! We are all so proud of you. Wow, I can't believe you made it. You must be a machine. Well you're almost done, don't quit now. We want to see pics of you by the pyramids. Good job Ken. Sandi

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 04:11 pm

WAY TO GO BRO!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooo proud of you! I have been showing everyone in my office the pictures. They are in awe too! We can't wait to hear the stories. Hold off on putting on shoes for awhile. Have fun at the pyramids! Take loads of pictures. Travel safely and see you soon!

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 03:37 pm

Amazing Ken!!!!!! WOW, so glad to hear you made it through that grueling 50 mile stage. I'm telling everyone at work about your adventures. You are inspiring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!

28 October 2009 03:20 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hey,
Your emails have kept me going! Yesterday was brutal. 49 degrees celcius  is really f-ing hot.  My feet were toast and I slowed down, alot...
 
But today, stage 4 went great. I really felt good after a meal and a nights rest. There was a good breeze most of the day which made it feel less hot. Walked the last 1/2 mile with a `bobby` from london.
 
.Just got my blisters tended to in the med tent in preparation for tomorrow. 6:00am start so I am headed to bed now.
 
Miss you all. Trust me when I say your messages are a big boost. Ready to wrap this up.
 
Love K
 

Comments: Total (10) comments

Posted On: 30 Oct 2009 01:41 pm

Hope you have been getting our e-mails. We are so proud of you. Your are our Hero! Your are doing fantastic!!! Love Jody and Gavin

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 09:45 pm

Nice Job Ken!! Keep going strong...you got it!!! I can't even imagine that high of heat I just got out of the cold, snowy Montana mountains where we got a foot of fresh snow in 24 hrs, lots of wind and below freezing windchills. I shot an elk way in the backcountry and spent a day and half packing it out! Whenever you get too hot think of icy boots, snow plastering your face and wicked cold winds! You can do it!! Suerte, Jason

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 03:30 pm

Congratulations on finishing 4 races. We think it is a wonderful accomplishment. The pictures really tell the story along with updates on many competitors. We look for your messages daily. Love you, Mom and Dad

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 03:12 pm

Stay strong brotha.

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 12:54 pm

Whoa....that sounds brutal. I am so glad to hear that you had a nice cool day yesterday. Keep on truckin Ken. I know you will finish. You have the right amount of "crazy" to get the job done. Are you hallucinating yet? Keep us posted. Love hearing from you!!! Cindy

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 12:52 pm

Hi Ken, Ok, today is your big day. Just keep breaking it down into small increments. Make this half hour and then do another half hour. Don't let a little sand stop you. Think about the 3 feet of snow that Denver just had or think about the fact you could be at work, making more reports for me. That alone should keep you going. We're all so proud of you and amazed at what you're doing. Keep going, you're doing great. Sandi

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 02:14 am

Oooops!!! Just realized you have another day. Guess I was a little anxious for you to be done. Hang in there. Keep on truckin!!

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 02:09 am

Hey Ken! By the time you read this, you should be done! Hope the 50 miles weren't too bad. Can't wait to hear all of details. Travel safely home!

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 01:18 am

Hey Ken glad to hear that you are almost finished running through the sandbox. I imagine you won't be thinking about a beach vacation anytime soon. We finally got the new sails for lightfoot. I can wait until spring. Also, we had to reschedule the Fogo de Chao night to many conflicts. We will try after the first of the year. Well good luck finishing and have a good flight back.

Posted On: 29 Oct 2009 12:02 am

Way to go Ken!!! We are all pulling for you. Take care. See you soon.

27 October 2009 03:23 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hey All,
Thanks for all your postive vides! I really needed it today as suffured badly from blisters and the heat. Did the last leg today with my tent mate from Austrailia.  We really needed the companionship on the last 2 hours.
 
Hope for a good night sleep and quick recovery so I can do it again tomorrow. Chili for dinner and bed by 7:30pm
 
The desert is fantastic but unforgiving. Checkpoint 3 today was at areal oasis...
 
Miss you all!
Love K

Comments: Total (4) comments

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 03:22 pm

Hope you can deal with the blisters. Glad you hooked up with a campadre, maybe you guys can keep eahother pumped. Keep drinking, we miss ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 01:08 pm

Hey Ken, You're doing great. Keep it up, Don't let a little sand or blisters get you down. There will be a foot of snow coming down in Denver today, could be worse. Hang in there. Sandi

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 11:37 pm

We are so proud of you. You are a true dedicated sportsman with lots of spirit. COme home to us safe. We love you and pray for you daily. Love, Mom and Dad

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 11:19 pm

Good luck on Day 4!! You are an inspiration to all of us!

26 October 2009 11:11 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hey Everyone,
Just finished day 2. Eight and a half hours of sun and sand. Normally a good time at the beach but lotsof work in the Sahara. Check out the pics from today. We finished on top  of a huge dune. Feeling tired and not looking forward to the 50 mile day but overall I am in good shape except for a few blisters.Thanks for your messages. Love you all

Comments: Total (9) comments

Posted On: 28 Oct 2009 07:16 pm

Hey Ken, Looking good!

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 09:40 pm

GO Ken! Keep on pushing! It will all be over so soon and you'll get to look back at your acomplishment! Enjoy that desert sunshine while your there, winter is on it's way for N. America. I'll check out your pics!

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 09:40 pm

You will be ready to run at South Beach here in Florida in front of all the girls. Oh forgot Jodie will have to approve that.LOL Good luck the rest of the way

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 09:07 pm

Looks like challenging conditions from the photos I have seen. Can't wait to hear more. Keep at it, Ken!

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 08:50 pm

Hey Ken! Looks like you had another successful day and made it through Stage 3. The pictures on the internet are amazing!!! We are all so proud of you. Hang in there through Day 4. You're past the halfway mark- should be all downhill from here!!!! Don't worry about the 50 mile day. You'll be just fine! We'll check back again tomorrow. You Go Bro!!! Martha

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 08:16 pm

You are inspiring me. Keep going!!!

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 04:45 pm

Yo Ken! Bet you don't want a beach vacation after this. Maybe snow. Glad to know you are feeling strong. Ouch on the blisters! We are rooting for you and following the photos. Amazing! You go Shuart!

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 04:03 pm

Keep it up Ken!!!!!! You're amazing!!!!

Posted On: 27 Oct 2009 12:57 pm

Keep going Ken, we're all rooting for you. You're doing a great job, Sandi