RACE INFO

RACE INFO
Namib Race Blogs 2012
13
PostsNamib Race (2012) blog posts from Deyl Kearin
05 November 2012 07:59 am (GMT+02:00) Cairo
(Photo: Blasted. Moments after crossing the finish line of the 50 mile day. Crazy weird Sahara dust all over me. Asleep on the sand minutes later.)
The experience that sticks out most to me was when I experienced a 12 mile, extreme runner's high while running through the night by headlamp after running 40 painful, slow miles. Funny enough, I couldn't for the life of me remember the song that ignited the fire inside. I must have listened to it a half-dozen times too. It wasn't until 36 hours later, while laying under the desert stars at 2am, that I woke up to the tune. It took me another 15 minutes to recall the lyrics. I felt the fire again while laying there in my sleeping bag (fortunately not THAT kind of fire).
The song is Times Like These by Foo Fighters. It's not like it's that profound of a song, but for some reason it was the catalyst between me shuffling in full-body pain and running beyond what I thought was possible. Here's a few of the lyrics:
I am a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
To hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?
It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again
What is profound is that this whole experience made me re-learn how to live, give and love. I'm pretty sure these things are to be done with more passion, risk, exertion, and reckless abandon.
I learned more about God's reverse economy. If you want to receive, give. If you want to be filled up, pour yourself out. You only really live for certain things if you are willing to die to them. I felt like I was the one receiving and being filled up all week.
Even though I had some basic longings throughout the week (i.e. cold beer and bodywork), all of my deeper longings were met. My soul felt filled. It felt like a week-long camping trip with God. One where we hung out, talked a lot, I complained but then we laughed together, I complimented Him on the scenery a lot, I asked him for lots of practical things, and he really took care of me and gave me a profound experience. Like a really good friend would. Or like a really good Dad would.
I know i wouldn't have had the same experience in my routine at home, or if the experience was easy or risk-free. It cost me a lot. It cost YOU a lot. Over 100 people gave over 30,000 of their hard-earned dollars. And I rest in the thought that God will take the bit we all sacrificed and multiply it for great things.
I just read through my blog posts for the first time since I wrote them and they're a bit rough, sappy and vulnerable. The exclamation point must have been stuck because every post is littered with them. I didn't edit them at the time. Just hobbled over after my run and poured out whatever was left. And that's what you got.
I was humbled more than a few times this week, and you guys were a big part of keeping me going. Thank you all for going on this journey with me. I hope you're not left with a picture of my strength. That would be inaccurate. I just signed up, trained and showed up. It was a much bigger strength and support that kept me going and allowed me to accomplish this goal. God orchestrated it and you were a part of it.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - Jesus
My next endurance event will be having a second child in February. Here's to another round of living, giving and loving beyond what I think is possible!
03 November 2012 02:02 am (GMT-06:00) Central America
Comments: Total (27) comments
Byron Beck
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 07:02 pm
Christian Lowe
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 05:34 pm
Mike Walker
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 02:51 pm
Laura Wooster
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Seth Colby
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Jon Yasuda
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 01:37 pm
Kara Scott
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brenda Cornwell
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 11:05 am
Pablo Martínez
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 10:36 am
Liz Mayer
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 10:05 am
Brad Conley
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 07:40 am
Michele Kearin
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 05:26 am
Linda Colby
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 05:17 am
Dominique Hernandez
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 05:08 am
Paige Kearin
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 04:37 am
Erin Vernon
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 04:14 am
Sarah Bardo
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 03:58 am
Alex Vanscoy
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 03:39 am
Kasey Sander
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 03:21 am
J and S Vincent
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Leah Hendrickson
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 01:48 am
Chris Kates
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 01:34 am
David Jay
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 01:34 am
Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 01:17 am
sharon kearin
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 12:55 am
Jon Schoff
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 12:24 am
Tim Kearin
Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 12:23 am
01 November 2012 12:25 pm (GMT-06:00) Central America
Comments: Total (55) comments
Amelia Gingold
Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 09:36 pm
Jenny Deakyne
Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 07:43 pm
Megan Stichter
Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 04:44 pm
Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 04:28 pm
Kasey Sander
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Lee Neuenschwander
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Lauren Hawley
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Jon Yasuda
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Tim Kearin
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sharon kearin
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Beenda Cornwell
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Chris Shane
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Ann Marie Stuart
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sharon kearin
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Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 02:26 am
Ken Colby
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Bill Cornwell
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Paige Torres
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Kristin Andress
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Jon Yasuda
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Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 06:09 pm
Matt Rumford
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Brandon Friggione
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Megan Stichter
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Megan Stichter
Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 05:20 pm
Colleen Kearin Reynolds
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sharon kearin
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pablo martinez
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Lynne Tahmisian
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Scott MacRae
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Ty Vernon
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Michele Kearin
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Faith Jensen-Ismay
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Tonia Longobardy
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Paige Kearin
Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 05:05 am
Your Nemesis
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Manasvi Vora
Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 04:56 am
Tim Kearin
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Joe Ismay
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sarah bardo
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Matthew Hess
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Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
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cliff lundberg
Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 01:08 am
31 October 2012 01:46 am (GMT-06:00) Central America
Comments: Total (89) comments
greg roth
Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 01:03 am
RYAN WARNER
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 11:06 pm
Rob Crawford
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tina turner
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sharon kearin
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Jon Schoff
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Tim Probasco
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 09:57 pm
Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
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Allison Kooser
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 09:41 pm
Luke Bjoin
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Henri Haber
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Adele Nandan
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Shirley Madkins
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Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 08:50 pm
Paige Kearin
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 08:46 pm
Opportunity International
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Reed Hartley
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Leah Hendrickson
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Kara Scott
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Stone Ranch Fifth Grade
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John Kamperschroer
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THe Wanberg Family GO DEYL
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Mike Walker
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Chris Kates
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Margaret Learmonth
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Sarah Bardo
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Miranda Gerstel
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Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 04:16 am
Erin Vernon
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ashley fisher
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Ginger Murray
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Brian McGuckin
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sharon kearin
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Lizq Mayer
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Anna Stump
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:26 am
Anna Stump
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:26 am
Michelle Aselstine (Wiese)
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:24 am
Tim Kearin
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:23 am
Tyler Jorgenson
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:19 am
Donna O'Hara-Jaquith
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:19 am
Jennifer Reger
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Jason Finch
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Yvonne Curtis
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:08 am
Sophie Spier
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David Jay
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:00 am
Paige Kearin
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 02:46 am
Vanessa Felts
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 02:21 am
Dan Flanigan
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 01:57 am
31 October 2012 01:26 am (GMT-06:00) Central America
Comments: Total (3) comments
Sukantika Donovan
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 08:53 pm
Josh Stichter
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 01:51 am
Megan Stichter
Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 01:32 am
29 October 2012 01:44 am (GMT-06:00) Central America
The first song I heard when I turned on my ipod around mile 8 was tom petty’s ‘runnin down a dream’. It felt appropriate as today was a dream day.
I didn’t sleep too well, partially because I haven’t been working out as much so my body wasn’t tired. That was about to change big time. The biggest surprise was that one of my best friends in the world sent his wife tammy and her friend to see me off at the starting line. They flew 4 hours from dubai and drove 3 hours into the desert just to cheer me on. How amazing is that? It pumped me up beyond belief and kept me going strong all day. Seriously, how amazing are they?? They are incredible friends and I am overwhelmed with gratitude, once again.
The first hour of running I spent praising God for the beauty of His creation and for the ability to run and in prayer. I went out pretty slow and steady and the first hour or two wasn’t too hot and the terrain was easy. The last thing I wanted to do was blow it out in the first hour of a 7 day event. After checkpoint 2, it started getting very hot and the terrain got more difficult. I was able to keep up my pace, and even increase it some. I was still feeling great at hour 3 and was able to keep running in over 100 degree weather on some steady, sandy inclines. I wish I had more words to describe the beauty.
I ended up with a top 20 finish with a time around 4:41. That’s the longest time ive ever run in my life. I crossed the finish line with a big smile and in disbelief at my good placing. I'm not going to let it go to my head, as it’s a long race and the days are just going to get harder. Thank you for all your prayers! I felt lifted up all day. Im super grateful for no blisters, chafes or injuries. The food is tasting good and the pack is getting a little lighter.
Thank you all for your comments and emails. They are so encouraging! I feel the love all the way in the sahara!
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Comments: Total (4) comments
Steve Nelson
Posted On: 09 Nov 2012 07:52 pm
patricia drew
Posted On: 06 Nov 2012 06:37 pm
Julie McEliece
Posted On: 06 Nov 2012 12:58 pm
Sarah Bardo
Posted On: 06 Nov 2012 02:20 am