I'm writing this from Tokyo airport, what could be described as half way there. I've had two flights to get here and two more to get into mongolia. I should pick up owen and his parents at the next stop in beijing. For the last couple of days I've just been nervous about whether i've got all the kit, whether I've made all the Right plans etc.
Now I can't do anything about it, I'm just focussed on getting to the start line and getting going. From my 7 day cycle I remember what was mentally toughest. The first half of the first day is tough - the sheer feat ahead is daunting and that first moment of fatigue so early in the race is a killer. Then the middle is tough. Hurting but no end anywhere near sight. Finally, the last day is physically the worst but mentally you know you'll make it by then.
I just really Want to finish this! I know I'm prepared but you never know what will happen out there.
Next stop Mongolia
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Final prep
I'm leaving to go to the Gobi tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about it all, mostly the journey at this point to be honest. I've got 5 flights just to get there so by the time I'm there I'm going to be absolutely knackered. I'll be very relieved if I can make it through all that without missing any flights, losing baggage etc.
I think I'm prepared physically. I've put in more miles than I ever have before. Probably around 50 to 60 a week including plenty of runs in the desert heat, plenty of long runs on back to back days, plenty of runs on mountain trails with a backpack. I just hope my body holds out fine with 6 days of continuous abuse.
I went for an ECG last week. That was an interesting process. I was hooked up to around 10 electrodes and the nurse pressed the big ON button and then ... we were done. I didn't know what I was expecting but somehow thought either I'd feel a bit of a shock, or it would at least take a while or something. 5 seconds to do it, even less to interpret the data. You're normal. Thanks and goodbye. At least that means I can race.
Saying goodbye to my lady wife is going to be the hardest thing. I'm gone for over 2 weeks. I'll have no email access for over a week of that. I can't honestly say I'm not nervous about it myself. It'll be alright though, when I get home.
I think I'm prepared physically. I've put in more miles than I ever have before. Probably around 50 to 60 a week including plenty of runs in the desert heat, plenty of long runs on back to back days, plenty of runs on mountain trails with a backpack. I just hope my body holds out fine with 6 days of continuous abuse.
I went for an ECG last week. That was an interesting process. I was hooked up to around 10 electrodes and the nurse pressed the big ON button and then ... we were done. I didn't know what I was expecting but somehow thought either I'd feel a bit of a shock, or it would at least take a while or something. 5 seconds to do it, even less to interpret the data. You're normal. Thanks and goodbye. At least that means I can race.
Saying goodbye to my lady wife is going to be the hardest thing. I'm gone for over 2 weeks. I'll have no email access for over a week of that. I can't honestly say I'm not nervous about it myself. It'll be alright though, when I get home.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Backpacks
So, this week I had my first couple of runs with my new backpack and frontpack combo. I've not really run much with a pack on before but I've done plenty of hiking with heavy packs so I'm sure I'll be okay. One thing I'll say is having a pack on both the front and the back in the desert heat does absolutely nothing to keep a man cool.
The packs are actually even better than I thought they would be. Fantastically light, comfortable straps, they fit together well. I've not quite worked out the best way to carry my water yet, but that's the only major thing to worry about at this point. Camelback in the front definitely doesn't work. The weight, and water, was sloshing around all over the place. I tried the camelback in the back and it works ok but doesn't exactly lend itself to quick turnarounds. That might leave a regular water bottle in the front. I'll be trying that at the weekend.
Running this week was tough when every day peaked at 105 or more - that's about 42 C or something like that. Sunday I started running at 5:30am and even then it was baking hot by the end. This has to be over and above anything I'll face in the Gobi. Doesn't it?
The packs are actually even better than I thought they would be. Fantastically light, comfortable straps, they fit together well. I've not quite worked out the best way to carry my water yet, but that's the only major thing to worry about at this point. Camelback in the front definitely doesn't work. The weight, and water, was sloshing around all over the place. I tried the camelback in the back and it works ok but doesn't exactly lend itself to quick turnarounds. That might leave a regular water bottle in the front. I'll be trying that at the weekend.
Running this week was tough when every day peaked at 105 or more - that's about 42 C or something like that. Sunday I started running at 5:30am and even then it was baking hot by the end. This has to be over and above anything I'll face in the Gobi. Doesn't it?
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