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Namib Race Blogs 2012

Keven Tate

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Namib Race (2012) blog posts from Keven Tate

02 November 2012 02:57 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Im a changed man.......

We were all discussing the emotions that come up through the race and after. The feeling in the tent was one of almost grief, we figure this is the feeling of shock coming over the body. So its recovery drinks and lots of fluids, and rest.
Talking with some serious runners that do this stuff all the time, they say this is the hardest endurance race over the first 5 days on the planet. Some argue the French run one in Morocco is harder. I asked some of these guys whats the difference, they said this is more demoralizing.....

The last runner came in at just before 11 am this morning. Japanese Spider Man, whom wore the whole suit including mask around the course.......

THe other thing to contend with is the lack of sleep. I got 4 hrs on the first night, and its been broken ever since. The body truely is amazing. Slept outside the tent a couple of times and will again tonight.

Officail race has finished, looks like the last day will be a 3km glory lap around the Pyramids, since they have so many doco's.

Has been horrifying and enjoyable at the same time. Glad Ive done it, not sure if Ill do another one real soon. Hope we have achieved a good sponsorship for the kids.
tat
I ranked 30th overall for 247.5km in 39:54 hrs. Thats it.... Thanks all for your support. Signing off.

Keven tate

Comments: Total (4) comments

Darren Clarke

Posted On: 06 Nov 2012 08:45 am

Well done Kev, sounds brutal but you must be chuffed to have got through it

Sam Fanshawe

Posted On: 05 Nov 2012 03:21 pm

Keven, it was great to see you out there and doing so well. It is a tough race but you did great!

Jamie Day

Posted On: 05 Nov 2012 02:58 pm

Kev, Your a bloody inspiration mate. I'm not sure how you do it but just amazing.

Linda Lehmil

Posted On: 05 Nov 2012 07:05 am

Bravo!! Congratulations Keven! You're a star! Pretty amazing! Rest well, you deserve it =) Linda

02 November 2012 02:50 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Thanks for all the feed back and support everyone, it helps a lot.

Only a 3 km run tomorrow around the Pyrymids, should be great.

Last night I finished in 13hrs and 57 mins, 86km, crossed the line No 30, after about the first 40km, I felt like a well oiled machine. Just had to feed in Electrolicts, Water, Heat Management and Body Management. My phylosophy was "Be content, but no satisfied"' it worked very well, considering the right knee. Ran past 40 million yr old whale bones, amazing, 42 degrees, was a bit dry occassionally as it was a stretch btwn chk points. One blister, I cant believe how well the feet have held up, everyone is jealouse.

Sprinted the last two check points. After about 3:30, the sun went behind some overcast cloud, and I slowly got faster keeping just off heat stroke. Really happy with the run.

Ill post again later, people waiting in a que.... Again , thanks for the support. Keven

Comments: Total (0) comments

01 November 2012 12:33 pm (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Dropped back a bit due to the ligament in the knee playing up, even through the Panadol. Had to do a high speed walk in the last two stages, still came in 43, so not bad.
Managed to beat the heat, it was overcast and breezy until about an hour before I finished. Sand , Sand, Sand......dont think Ill ever jog on a beach again.......
Toes have held up really well, I might even get the prize for the best looking feet at the end....
Tomorrow is another race in the mind. Its the heat, that we have to chew through, after about 4pm , can crank it up again. Im expecting the knee to slow me down to about 6km/hr, so that would be about a 14hr race tomorrow, 86km.

Plenty of things go through the mind, and the strangest today, was all the different ways I could have a T-Bone steak.......
Spirits are high tonight at the camp with a few people preped for Holloween.

Drop out rate is a bit over 10 percent so far.

stratergy is just to finish, nurse the knee through, not get overheated.

Cheers.

Comments: Total (6) comments

Andy Jepps

Posted On: 03 Nov 2012 07:08 am

Awesome effort Tatey! Keep it up and look forward to hearing all about it back in the 'Kong.

bernie eales

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 08:46 am

pump the grease into the knee grease nipple and keep going as we are finding it hard work reading your blog as we jog up and down to keep up with you

Sophie Tate

Posted On: 02 Nov 2012 06:17 am

To my dearest Husband(Keven Tate) Very very well done Miya's Dad. Congratulations to crossed the finish line.I cant imagine how tough guy you are!!Nursing well of yourself please!And im seeding a beer for you from home. Thank you very much for the person to fwd this message to my hero husband for us.Thank you...

Sophie Tate

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 01:23 pm

How is knee now???How you feeling...?? Counting another one more day that will finish..Please dont too hard on this..Whatever it is,You are ours hero!! Just let you know if you have the chance to readin this.Today Alexandra can roll all over the floor,Trying moving her up.Happy,And Im very happy whole day for this.But We have to keep eyes on her,she just move so fast. keeping safe please!and you really good become no.30. Thanks for the person to fwd this mesge to Keven.

Neville Mathews

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 08:46 am

G'Day Kev, Doing well mate! Will be interested in how you visioned your steak. Look after your knee and the rest of yourself.

Linda Lehmil

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 03:51 am

HI Keven, keep up the amazing effort! Take care of yourself now and stay motivated. We are all cheering for you here at CWSHK office! YOU ARE THE BEST!! Linda

31 October 2012 03:43 am (GMT-12:00) International Date Line West

Survived!!!!! harder run today and longer, lots of dunes, but my body held up well and felt good all day.
3 down, two big days to go. 33 across the line 7hrs and 16 mins I think.

Ten people in each tent, 4 Japanese.....one of which is Japans most famous commedian. So he has a film crew chasing him around. 23 Japanese on course, so every night he has them all laughing a lot.
3 Mad Scottsman, funny as hell. One serbian special forces, and a student from england.....all really nice people.

Tomorrow easier day, shorter and harder surface. Each day is its own race. Carbs management OK, was a bit hungry this avo, holding off for dinner.

Blisters, only one under a nail, a blood blister on another, but that was from me kicking the tent peg....dohhhhh

Till tomorrow.

Comments: Total (3) comments

Tony Jordan

Posted On: 01 Nov 2012 12:10 am

Awesome effort fella! We are all very proud of your achievement Tatey. Keep up the spirits, and look forward to sharing a nice cold beer when it's all done! Best wishes and safe travels, TJ and Louise

Sophie Tate

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 01:01 pm

Been looking all...I found you here.All I wish that you were safely back home.The last run had so much hurts at 3years ago.Please just do your BEST,And Please update your situation as much as you can..God bless you.bless you all there. Baby and I are fine.She is put 360 in 10days.Which is really good.We looking forward to seeing you back home soon.LOVE,Wife&Daughter

Mark Tonta

Posted On: 31 Oct 2012 03:22 am

Well done mate keep going well Steph and I are cheering here in Singapore!

30 October 2012 12:42 pm (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Ran the first stage, and got heat stroke, so I backed off, and overall came in 36th.
Big drop out with the heat and the sand, so I just need to survive.

Tomorrow and the next day, are still rattling in my head as to how, but its just one step at a time.

The sand is the nemisis, but its also so very beautiful, a sea of sand with 100 foot high swells between mountain ranges, I ll never see anything like this again. The contrasts are just beautiful and no photo could possibly replicate, the shape lines that the dune have against a backdrop of mountains.

One blister under a toenail and I may loose that toenail, we shall see. Knee is still holding up, I really dont know how. Popping pain killer and anti inflam still.

Missing that extra muscle mass, legs gave up late in todays event.

Time to rest and eat my deliscious dehydrated meal.

Chow. Keven

Comments: Total (2) comments

Alison Kennedy

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 06:00 am

very impressed my friend!!!! Hong Kong summer will now feel like a cool summer breeze!!

Greg Haig

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 02:43 am

You've had blisters in worse places... Keep going bloke...

29 October 2012 01:13 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

My race No is 120, and came in 27th today, am happy with that. 38 degrees and a lot of sand, was a difficult day out, over the 5hrs and 11mins.
Knee is hanging in there and hte Medical tent put some nice strapping on it for me this evening, btwn that and the anti inflams and the panadol, bit of stretching and hopefully she"ll hold up.
A few modification on my hat, ditched some food to lighten up the pack . 

bit shaged so am off to bed. Cheers

Comments: Total (4) comments

sandra Tate

Posted On: 30 Oct 2012 08:08 am

Good luck Keven in the days to come. Enjoy ever minute, what an achievement.

Greg Haig

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 09:42 am

Keep running bloke... Hope ya don't get sand in ya jockstrap...

Nev Mathews

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 08:47 am

Hope your knee holds out, and pull up if it does'nt. We are following your progress here, Nana is doing well and having a beer for you, I'll have one too can't let the oldies get one over us. Run like the tax man is chasing you mate, good luck.

Avi Rai

Posted On: 29 Oct 2012 05:32 am

Hey Captain! Great achievement given your time to prep. We are all so happy for you and following you closely. I am sure you will do even better in today's leg... All the best man and keep us posted..Most importantly be safe :) Cheers, Avi

28 October 2012 12:37 pm (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hi, Well here we are at camp 1, on a hill over looking a huge inland lake. Temp is only around 35 degrees during the day, thats good news, and its temerate at night. Perfect wx, with a full moon, so makes moving around the camp easy.
All the logistics of my gear finally sorted.
Got an inflamed ligament on the right knee, that im concerned about, we shall see how it goes tomorrow.
However compared to one guy here, whom has broken a toe and still racing, Ive nothing to complain about.
Spirits are high with the 140 competitors, see you tomorrow. Keven

Comments: Total (1) comments

Simon Van wees

Posted On: 28 Oct 2012 10:24 pm

Mate Your an inspiration !!!!! Thanks for caring about these kids and keep going I believe in you brother Love from all of us here down under The vws :)