thanks to the organisers of the racing the planet organisation, i was given a chance to update my blog daily on the official website. here is the collection for your reading pleasure.

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GOBI MARCH 2008 Stage 01: Of Holes in the Ground and Maggie Mee

The jingle of that advertisement was what went on and on in my head. It actually kept me going. The toilets were quite an experience.

After 3 days of eating and eating, we finally stood at the start line for the start at 915am. My strategy? Run when I could and walk when I need to.

The first 10k went quite well as we crossed the same d*** river countless times. Thank goodness the dry and hot weather dried the shoes out in no time. Checkpoints 1 and 2 went by pretty quickly but enroute checkpoint 3, the same weather turned on us. The mercilesss sun beamed relentlessly on us and only the passing clouds bought temporary respite.

I started walking more and running less. I simply wanted to finish. The final 8km was brutal, the never ending stretch was demoralizing but I knew I had to go on. To reduce weight, I gave away some of my mamee to the local kids.

After 6hr 29min, I crossed the finish line and soaked in the stream that flowed through the village we are staying with tonight. Heavens.

I am basically fine except for a heat induced headache. NO BLISTERS! Some kickass celebrex got the swelling on the ankle down. The knee feels ok. Everyone from the Singapore contingent managed to complete today safely.

Time to sleep and fight another day tomorrow. One down, 6 more to go (!!!).

*thanks to all for your motivating lines, keep them coming J
**happy anniversary nik!

GOBI MARCH 2008 Stage 02: Of Ups & Downs and Jellied Quads

The earlier start today gave everyone a cool chance at completing what they call the “toughest” day. Isn’t the effect going to be cumulative over the days?

Taking advantage of the nicer morning temperatures, I hit checkpoint 1 in exactly an hour. The sight of the checkpoint set me crazy and I ran all the way towards it. The time saved here permitted me to take my time the last 3 checkpoints. It was all up and down after checkpoint 1, the tough segment of the course, which I strangely enjoyed the most. Although the quads were all jellied after.

Tough for me apparently started after checkpoints 2 and 3. Flat flat and more flat, it was so boring but a gal had to keep going in order not to be roasted. Checkpoint 3 started us on a never ending climb towards… nowhere. Them legs slowed to a shameful crawl and the tummy does not seem interested to keep anything in. The last 2km brought us into a windless narrow canyon where I almost threw up with its twist and turns. Then up a steep hill I went and imagine my devastation when I saw more rolling knolls at the top. ARE WE THERE YET?

Then almost answering my ponder, I heard the drum of the finish line!

It is hot here at the campsite, so hot I perspire sitting in the tent. Thank goodness, NO BLISTERS! The knee is beginning to act up but still alright. The tummy is not feeling too good but I am stuffing myself with food for tomorrow.

Good luck everyone!

GOBI MARCH 2008 Stages 03 & 04: Its All About the Company

Great company keeps you going, at least in my case.

The Spanish had some intestinal issues on Day 1 and that was the only time I passed him (it turned out to be dehyration more than anything else, he had to take 2hr to be on the drip + an hr of penalty!). On Day 2, he pulled me through the long ups and downs and advised me to take it easier on the ups. I was probably panting too hard trying to keep up with him. Then guess what? His tummy got better and I lost him ever since.

The Norwegian cramped when he tried running. Hence he turned to walking and man, did he walk. No one, and I say no one, could keep up. Unbelievable. He actually slowed down so he could chat with me for a while. It does get better with age.

The Italian pulled me through the village portion of Day 3 and I had to jog at times to keep up. He says he walks 1000k in July every year somewhere by a river in Germany. No wonder he walks like I jog.

The Englishmen and tent mates, without them, I might never have finished Day 4. I gladly accepted Richard and Simon’s offer to walk with them on the long march tomorrow since they were both from the army and know lots about long marches. Sweet.

A Brit (or is it Aussie???), who had lots of issues with his legs. This guy is amazing. Ridden with leg injuries, he simply kept going on and on. After passing me on Day 3, he conveniently reminded me that he had passed me both on Days 1 & 2, and he had just done it again. On the last leg on Day 3, I simply spaced out and watched his feet from behind.

Day 4 started with us racing to Heaven’s Gate (the gate keeper turned us all away as we stank…). It looked like an arch in Moab, except much taller. This was when I thanked myself for the hikes up the BCMC, it was so much like it! Expecting to walk down it to prevent any twists of the ankles, I ended up in a pack of 3 ladies hopping gleefully down the hill. It was actually fun! The best? We finally got to see the fore runners as it was an in and out route. Awesome!

Thanking my lucky stars, I still have NO BLISTERS! The ankle and itb are subdued by the celebrex. The tummy did act up in camp after Day 3. I stuffed food and ended up throwing everything up then hid in my -9degC sleeping bag when it was scorching hot outside. Someone alerted the medical tent and I was given some pills and was able to refuel eventually. The nausea hit again after checkpoint 2 on Day 4 and I zombied on after downing some pills. All seems fine now at camp.

Day 4 was tough, took me 8h 20min. I really wonder how long the rest are going to take. Please think of them.

Thanks for all your emails!

GOBI MARCH 2008 Stage 05 & Rest Day: WOHOOOO!

All Singaporeans have now completed the long march with the exception of one. He was simply too ridden with blisters and could not go on. It was a great effort comrade!

It is now morning at camp on rest day with everyone sitting around awaiting for the remaining finishers. Some of these have already been walking for 24hrs… simply inspiring. When Adeline, Weiyong and Nicholas came in exactly 24hrs since we’ve departed yesterday, the 4 of us burst out in tears. It was THE moment, mucus, dust and sweat all inclusive.

80km is long, very long, too long. My companions and I took it easy Leg 1 but I was asked to proceed ahead as the painkillers for one of them have not kicked in. By the end of the second leg, Simon had caught up with me and we kept each other company on what was to be the longest journey of our live.

The top 25 runners started 2hr after us and it was inspiring watching them blaze past us! They made it look so effortless. How do they do it?

Alternating between running and walking, we completed Leg 3 on a high. We were more than a third through! What goes up must come down. Leg 4 finished with me on a low, a whole new place I have never been to. I was flat and beginning to lose the pace we were holding. Simon was setting a blistering pace and I simply leeched on. Thank goodness for his Mojo bar which put me temporarily back in the game. Then it hit again and his other Cliff bar saved me. Didn’t want to hold him back, I had urged him to move on without me. Let’s stick together for at least half of the way, Phyllis, then we shall see.

I found myself and Simon was still there. Then came his low, in the final 3 legs. In popped his nano and we moved on in silence. That guy is awesome, he was not only walking for himself, he was pulling me along. Great determination given he suspected a stress fracture on his shin. I would probably have given up!

There it was, the village! It was a 2km in and he ushered me to run. Dig deep, I screamed. On a normal day, we would have taken 2km for granted but after 78km… everything in the legs were falling apart.

We ran like we never would run, ever.

13hr 37min.

I sat around cheering the incomers till 2am and crashed till 730am. Not much sleep but I feel more than great. Secretly glad I am not hobbling like most people were. The little blister* from Day 04 seems to have miraculously disappeared so technically I have NO BLISTERS. There might be some overuse on the left ankle but hey, who cares now??? I think I am hungry again. Better go grab some munch.

See you guys soon!

*yes, i found a blister before bedtime on day 04, the rest of the gang was almost relieved that i was still after all human.

GOBI MARCH 2008 Stage 06: Shower Time!

I will run today even if it meant i died running. I didnt die but run I did.

The pack was broken up into 3 groups and after sending off the first set of participants, i waited for my turn. taking my time from the back, i began passing people as i warmed up. then a few of us had to go get lost, costing me probably 10min. not one to give up without a fight, i willed the legs to catch up. hence began the chase which i actually think i thrived on.

It was a spectacular finish and to top that, a couple of us walked the 200m out to cheer the incomers on. amazing spirit these people have and my annoying screams paid off when i watched them dig deep inside to run the remaining stretch. the smiles on their faces, priceless.

the smell came when we boarded the bus. how did i know? the bus assistant came up and sprayed air refreshener all around. right in our faces. thanks for the compliment pal.

time for the best shower of my life!

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