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The Last Desert Blogs 2010
8
PostsThe Last Desert (2010) blog posts from Diana Hogan Murphy
23 November 2010 06:29 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi all,
Thanks a mil for all the blog comments and emails!! The great news is that Dave and I maintained our position and came in 7th overall and I came in the leading lady!!! Absolutely thrilled!!!! The hard work was done on the first day as we went into the subsequent few days with a comfortable 40 minute lead. Yest was a tough 2.3km loop with very deep snow - after approx 5.40hrs Dave and I happily crossed the finish line with the other two ladies Sam and Mirjana. There was a few minute delay on our last loop as we had to give way to a penguin crossing our path - they have the right of way!!!! Heading back now entering the drake passage and its living up to its expectations of being very rough and rocky!!! Thanks again for all your support and so happy with the final results of 165km through sub zero snow blizzards with winds up to 40 knots/hr - YEAHHH!!!!!!!! Dave and I have now completed our dream of finishing an extreme ultra-marathon on each of the 7 continents. The perfect ending - Antarctica is full of whiteness and nothingness yet rich in wildlife with the many penguins, seals, orcas, hump back whales, cape petrels, snow petrels and albatrosses!!! Bye from the most beautiful place on earth xx
Thanks a mil for all the blog comments and emails!! The great news is that Dave and I maintained our position and came in 7th overall and I came in the leading lady!!! Absolutely thrilled!!!! The hard work was done on the first day as we went into the subsequent few days with a comfortable 40 minute lead. Yest was a tough 2.3km loop with very deep snow - after approx 5.40hrs Dave and I happily crossed the finish line with the other two ladies Sam and Mirjana. There was a few minute delay on our last loop as we had to give way to a penguin crossing our path - they have the right of way!!!! Heading back now entering the drake passage and its living up to its expectations of being very rough and rocky!!! Thanks again for all your support and so happy with the final results of 165km through sub zero snow blizzards with winds up to 40 knots/hr - YEAHHH!!!!!!!! Dave and I have now completed our dream of finishing an extreme ultra-marathon on each of the 7 continents. The perfect ending - Antarctica is full of whiteness and nothingness yet rich in wildlife with the many penguins, seals, orcas, hump back whales, cape petrels, snow petrels and albatrosses!!! Bye from the most beautiful place on earth xx
22 November 2010 06:29 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi all,
Threes a few agghhhs and wowws at the moment as a penguin is being chased by killer whales...we are heading towards Dorian Bay 14 hrs south of Deception island. We spent approx 11 hrs running a 2.5km loop on deception island yeast - had a great day and came in shortly after the Croatian lady. 3 of the leading ladies have all done similar distances but think I have approx 30 mins on the second lady. The day began with snow and very cold conditions then changed to sunny ski slope blue sky conditions and suddenly changed to snow storms and gale force winds. We have another day today of up to 5 hrs so it'll be the decider!!! We are really in Antarctica now and its like nowhere else in the world - beautiful!! Will blog later with final results!!! xx
Threes a few agghhhs and wowws at the moment as a penguin is being chased by killer whales...we are heading towards Dorian Bay 14 hrs south of Deception island. We spent approx 11 hrs running a 2.5km loop on deception island yeast - had a great day and came in shortly after the Croatian lady. 3 of the leading ladies have all done similar distances but think I have approx 30 mins on the second lady. The day began with snow and very cold conditions then changed to sunny ski slope blue sky conditions and suddenly changed to snow storms and gale force winds. We have another day today of up to 5 hrs so it'll be the decider!!! We are really in Antarctica now and its like nowhere else in the world - beautiful!! Will blog later with final results!!! xx
Comments: Total (5) comments
Posted On: 24 Nov 2010 12:16 pm
Hi Diana, Eamonn and I are following your progress with interest and admiration. Hope you survive the dreadful conditions, it sounds awful. You are an amazing girl no doubt, so the best of luck in the race and make sure to come home safe. I hope to be up in Galway to see your mother some time and look forward to meeting you on your return. Love Tessa
Posted On: 24 Nov 2010 08:45 am
Hi Diana,
The final results aren't posted on the website, but I read on the News Updates that you've all finished. CONGRATULATIONS! Well done and I hope that you enjoyed it!
Best wishes,
Nicky
Posted On: 24 Nov 2010 07:13 am
Hi Di
Well done. You are amazing. You are definitely finishing your dream of running on 7 continents with style. Proud of you. We have also freezing cold conditions here as well temperature is going below -4 to-5 c temperature. Enjoy your well deserve party. Chat soon. xxxx
Posted On: 24 Nov 2010 04:17 am
Diana, great to read your blog and follow you - sorry I didn't manage to write until race over - I thought there were a few more days! Sounds awesome - well done!
Jo
Posted On: 24 Nov 2010 03:48 am
Wonderful to get the update and to see that you are still enjoying it so much and are so strong; and that the race is going so well for you, despite the unpredictability of absolutely everything. Good luck. Pam
21 November 2010 04:55 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi all,
Day 2 and we were pulled after around 9km - thank god as there's a full blown blizzard outside with very poor visibility!!! The plan when we started this morning at 10.45am was to run the same course as yest till 9pm but after around 50 mins the weather changed dramatically and we were all quickly evacuated off the island on the awaiting zodiacs (running time: 1.01). The plan is to head to deception island and run in the morn - lets hope we can!!! Think we were 6th in - yeah!!! Bye for now xx
Day 2 and we were pulled after around 9km - thank god as there's a full blown blizzard outside with very poor visibility!!! The plan when we started this morning at 10.45am was to run the same course as yest till 9pm but after around 50 mins the weather changed dramatically and we were all quickly evacuated off the island on the awaiting zodiacs (running time: 1.01). The plan is to head to deception island and run in the morn - lets hope we can!!! Think we were 6th in - yeah!!! Bye for now xx
Comments: Total (7) comments
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 05:19 pm
Hi Diana,
Good work! You are doing amazingly!!! Just competing is impressive enough but you seem to be the leading woman too.
Wishing you and David all the best (please say hi) and sending you both warm hugs,
Keep up the fab work,
Jo (RTP Oz)
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 06:15 am
Hi Diana,
I've been following you on the website and you're doing amazingly well; keep it up! Good luck for the rest of the race! Slightly different conditions to Australia ....
Best wishes
Nicky
(we met on RTP Oz)
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 03:48 am
hi Di and Dave-glad ur getting some running in at least.Must be very disappointing but hopefully tomorrow will be better.You will be sorry to hear we has 10 drops of rain here today so needless to say we are envying you and ur more hospitable clime!!Well done so far and keep to the masterplan!!!
Posted On: 22 Nov 2010 10:59 pm
Solid Effort Di!!! Sounds like your having an absolute ball! Keep at it!
Posted On: 22 Nov 2010 09:20 pm
Hey Di... Delighted this one is going so well for you.... Couldn't find you on the blog list yesterday... Hope it's as great as the arctic... Take care and best of luck..
Conall
Posted On: 22 Nov 2010 08:38 pm
Hey Lady Di
You're doing fantastic, Quel Surprise!! It sounds amazing. What a contrast to the blistering heat and sun you're used to. Your body thermostat mustn't know what hit it. Having a bit of empathy for you back here..... it's brrrrr cold here too...... got out those Silk Market Ugg Boots.... ya remember..... best price, what's ur best price!! You're not missing much here - only the country falling apart politically, financially and several killing sprees. Will keep watching with envy. Keep up the amazing work. Hi to Saint David!! Keep safe you too xxx
Posted On: 22 Nov 2010 03:32 pm
Hi Di,greetings from sunny Florida.We're thrilled ur doing so well-in front again!we'll bottle some of the sunshine and u can pour a little of it over the feet when the going gets tough.Micky Minnie Shamu etc send their best.Tried a message last night but it vanished in the ether. Twins and Viv
20 November 2010 04:42 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi all,
Day 1 over and so enjoyable - running alongside penguins and seals was alot of fun!!! The route was a figure of 8 loop of approx 12km with a water station in the centre so def no chance of dehydration for long. No idea what the temp was like but felt like sub zero with a definite wind chill - perfect!!! Loved every second of it - a huge thanks to Dave for keeping me entertained for 7.15 hrs god love him!!! We put in a good effort and saw the results - we're in the top 10 yippee!!! The leading male Ryan Sandes is unbelievable - a real natural talent and in another league all together!! A few people are waiting to blog so better go - no idea what is in store for us as the weather is so unpredictable e.g. we were suppose to start at 6am and the wake up call at 4am announced the wind was too strong so we started at 12pm!!!! We'll wait and see!!! Thanks again for all your support xx
Day 1 over and so enjoyable - running alongside penguins and seals was alot of fun!!! The route was a figure of 8 loop of approx 12km with a water station in the centre so def no chance of dehydration for long. No idea what the temp was like but felt like sub zero with a definite wind chill - perfect!!! Loved every second of it - a huge thanks to Dave for keeping me entertained for 7.15 hrs god love him!!! We put in a good effort and saw the results - we're in the top 10 yippee!!! The leading male Ryan Sandes is unbelievable - a real natural talent and in another league all together!! A few people are waiting to blog so better go - no idea what is in store for us as the weather is so unpredictable e.g. we were suppose to start at 6am and the wake up call at 4am announced the wind was too strong so we started at 12pm!!!! We'll wait and see!!! Thanks again for all your support xx
Comments: Total (2) comments
Posted On: 21 Nov 2010 10:30 pm
Heh Diana, goood job on day 1. I'm rooting for yous both. Am just checking up the site now and the updates, great to see you are doing well. Its very cold here at the mo with a forecast of snow ..wel better now than over christmas, don't want another holiday of cautious driving!!!
Did a cx race today - tough as hell - everybody kept shouting "dig deep" so thats my line for you dig deep and keep on running. Am looking forward to seeing all your photos. Take Care you two, xx Grainne
Posted On: 21 Nov 2010 03:50 pm
Way to go Diana!! Thinking of you and David all the way. I don't know if I should mention this, but Hallie and I are starting a cruise in the Bahamas today. We won't have much internet access, so this will be my only message. Be careful you two, especially not to fall!
19 November 2010 06:35 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi all,
Found out earlier that we must rise at 3.30am in the morn and head on the zodiacs to the shore of King George Island for a 6am start and 9pm finish - basically cover as much distance as u can in a 14.5km loop in 15hrs!!! Just went onto deck - snowing, very windy and substantially colder. Took off the motion sickness patch that last for 72 hrs as have double-vision and a headache - common side effects but all good!!! Will tune in asap.....!!!!!xxx
Found out earlier that we must rise at 3.30am in the morn and head on the zodiacs to the shore of King George Island for a 6am start and 9pm finish - basically cover as much distance as u can in a 14.5km loop in 15hrs!!! Just went onto deck - snowing, very windy and substantially colder. Took off the motion sickness patch that last for 72 hrs as have double-vision and a headache - common side effects but all good!!! Will tune in asap.....!!!!!xxx
Comments: Total (5) comments
Posted On: 21 Nov 2010 04:30 pm
Hi Di Greetings from sunny Florida>We are delighted with ur progress -AMAZING.Give us a foewarding address so we can bottle some sunshine for ur cold feet>Love to Dave -constant as always Love from Viv and THE TWINS(off to the Shopping Mall now !!!
Posted On: 20 Nov 2010 06:22 pm
Hiya lady, just saw the latest news that you're the leading lady of the field!! Way to go girl! Hope it's going great for you an d the weather not too cold for you! Enjoy!!!
Posted On: 20 Nov 2010 04:40 pm
Hi Di. I see you had delayed start today due to bad wather. Best of luck hopefully weather will improve for you. will be keeping close eye on the results. Have nice day and keep the spirit up. I agree with Paula you are 'BIONIC WOMAN'. Stay in touch.
Posted On: 20 Nov 2010 02:22 pm
Hey Di
good luck in the race. Hope you're back to single vision for it! We are all keeping a close eye on your progress
Posted On: 20 Nov 2010 01:44 pm
Hi Diana.
By now , you must be mid flow of day 1. Hope it is going well , but Im sure you are taking it all in your stride.
You are BIONIC WOMAN afterall. It sounds like an amazing challenge. All the best and enjoy.
18 November 2010 06:08 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi all,
Aboard the ‘Antarctica Dream’ and what a dream! There’s approx 90 on the ship inclusive of 55 competitors, 4 volunteers, 2 medics and the rest crew, organisers, media and family. My impression of the ship before embarking on this journey was one of an old navy vessel with bunk beds, communal bathrooms/showers and ice cold conditions. Turns out there’s en suites in all the very reasonable bedrooms and most are wearing t-shirts! Better than the usual no showers, self-sufficiency, heat stroke and starvation! We are going through the Drake Passage at the moment as I write this blog – just spotted a hump back whale whilst a guy fell off his chair due to the swaying of the boat. The Drake Passage is well known for having the roughest seas in the world so not too surprised!! As the weather is so very unpredictable, it is unknown what distances/when we will commence the 250km distance but most likely on Sat with a long stage. The food is good, the fellow runners superb and we’re having a great time!!! Can’t wait to see the millions of penguins and thousands of seals!! Will keep ye posted and thanks for all the support xx
Aboard the ‘Antarctica Dream’ and what a dream! There’s approx 90 on the ship inclusive of 55 competitors, 4 volunteers, 2 medics and the rest crew, organisers, media and family. My impression of the ship before embarking on this journey was one of an old navy vessel with bunk beds, communal bathrooms/showers and ice cold conditions. Turns out there’s en suites in all the very reasonable bedrooms and most are wearing t-shirts! Better than the usual no showers, self-sufficiency, heat stroke and starvation! We are going through the Drake Passage at the moment as I write this blog – just spotted a hump back whale whilst a guy fell off his chair due to the swaying of the boat. The Drake Passage is well known for having the roughest seas in the world so not too surprised!! As the weather is so very unpredictable, it is unknown what distances/when we will commence the 250km distance but most likely on Sat with a long stage. The food is good, the fellow runners superb and we’re having a great time!!! Can’t wait to see the millions of penguins and thousands of seals!! Will keep ye posted and thanks for all the support xx
Comments: Total (5) comments
Posted On: 19 Nov 2010 11:27 pm
Hi Lady
Thinking of you. it looks amazing place. I hope patch is working well and you had easy selling through the Drake Passage;wish you best of luck tomorrow in Stage 1 / 100k. will be following your progress very closely. Good Iuck!!!!!!!!!!. Enjoy.
Posted On: 19 Nov 2010 04:26 pm
You make it sound wonderful - am quite envious ...although I would choose to stay on the boat and just watch the albatross, whale and penguins! Good luck wtih the 15 hour stage tomorrow. Will be thinking of you. Love Pam
Posted On: 19 Nov 2010 04:13 pm
Heh Diana. Sounds like an amazing adventure - do you guys stay on the ship after each stage? I went out for a run at lunch and it was gloriously sunny, with an hour left in work its now decided to rain ;-( . I'm doing a really tough run on Sunday ... 4k cross country race !nothing in comparison to you really. Anyway best of luck tomorrow enjoy. x Gra
Posted On: 19 Nov 2010 01:39 pm
Hi Diana,
I am extremely envious! It sounds like a great adventure - I hope you brought a camera... Hope you didn't suffer too much from sea sickness - I've heard it doesn't come any rougher than the Drake Passage. Best of luck,
Michael
Posted On: 19 Nov 2010 04:44 am
Hi Diana, Thinking of you and Dave. I’m so jealous. Have a wonderful time.
Warren (RATS) Muldoon P.S. Tell Dave I said hi, and good luck!!
17 November 2010 06:47 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Ushuaia is a truely beautiful port town surrounded by huge snow capped mountains and crisp thin air. We leave in 2 hrs for a 3 day expedition before starting the race on saturday. 2 yrs ago it got to -38 degrees with gale force winds so in case of bad weather the rumour is that the 100 miler stage will be on the first day - fun fun fun!!! Will keep in touch and thanks for support xx
Comments: Total (0) comments
15 November 2010 02:10 am (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Hi All,
Just after a lovely run in sunny BA after spending time in Uruguay. Went through the equipmemt list earlier - all set and looking forward to heading to Ushuaia in the morn. Early start - up at 6.30am. Will post soon xx
Just after a lovely run in sunny BA after spending time in Uruguay. Went through the equipmemt list earlier - all set and looking forward to heading to Ushuaia in the morn. Early start - up at 6.30am. Will post soon xx
Comments: Total (6) comments
Posted On: 18 Nov 2010 10:23 pm
Hi Di! Aidan & I will be following every night sitting by the fire! Best of luck. Gotta go & put another log on. lots of love xx
Posted On: 17 Nov 2010 01:10 pm
Best of Luck Diana! I hope you enjoy every minute of it despite the aching limbs.
Posted On: 16 Nov 2010 08:30 pm
Hi Diana.
Great to see another competitor from Ireland taking part in this race. I have a very close friend running this race also. His name is Dave O'Brien from Cork. This will be the 4th of these races he will have done this past 12 months, so perhaps you'd pass on a big hello to him on my behalf and, of course, the very best of luck to you with your endeavour.
Posted On: 16 Nov 2010 03:32 pm
Hi Di - hope these new type of conditions suit you well and that you have a wonderful run. Will be following your progress, all the way. Love Pam
Posted On: 16 Nov 2010 04:05 am
You Go Girl! Good luck.
Posted On: 16 Nov 2010 01:58 am
I can't wait to follow you on this race Diana. Best of luck. Hugs from Clancy
Comments: Total (7) comments
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