It was at times a very rough week for all three of us and we each will have a different view of the race so I can only speak for myself when I say that even with the really ugly times, looking back at it now, I enjoyed every single moment of it…
It’s day five, they are calling this Stage “The Long March” and I’ve covered just over 15km of the 80km I need to complete today. My stomach is starting to cramp up and I can feel the nausea starting to build in my chest, Checkpoint 19 is approximately 5km away. I tell myself that I need to keep moving forward, as my stomach begins to feel worse it is the second time on this journey that I am questioning what the fuck I am doing out here – this next 5km is going to suck ass!
We had arrived in Kashgar late in the night of June 15th, quickly checked in with Racing the Planet and then crashed in our rooms for the night figuring we could go over gear one last time the next day. Rob and I shared a room and Donna was right next door. The next morning we went down to the restaurant for our last ‘real’ breakfast for the week and then got our packs together, went through the gear check, medical check and final prep, then said our goodbyes to our families before boarding the bus that would take us out to our first camp site and the Start Line.
And what a bus ride it was, 9+ hours! We were driven along the Krakoram Highway, past Muztagh Ata (Father of ice mountains) to the city of Tashkurgan where we refueled and had a quick pit stop before heading out into the more wild back roads that would eventually take us to the first nights campsite. We didn’t actually reach the campsite though as it was too stormy for the organizers to get our tents up. We ended up spending our first night 2km short of the camp at a small village using their School dorms as our sleeping quarters. The highlight of the bus ride was Paul Johnston, this guy kept us in stitches!
The next morning the whole village was out, many of them in ceremonial dress to perform some dances before the start of the race.
Stage 1 :: Tajikistan in China
Stage Distance: 38km (was supposed to be 36km)
Stage Finish Time: 6:21:25
Stage Description: Run through the Tiznap Valley which is filled with apricot trees, crops and ancient settlements, following the River Yarkent.
CP1
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 12.2km
Beginning Altitude: 2399m
Ending Altitude: 2301m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -98m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
CP2
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 11.7km
Beginning Altitude: 2301m
Ending Altitude: 2209m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -92m
Description of Terrain: 10km Dirt Road, 1.7km Trail
CP3
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 2209m
Ending Altitude: 2043m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -146m
Description of Terrain: 3.7km Trail, 6.3km Dirt Road
CP4
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 4km
Beginning Altitude: 2043m
Ending Altitude: 2053m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +10m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
Stage 1 notes:
- felt slow, like a beaten dog at times
- finished together
- stage 2km extra because of School sleepover
- tons of kids in villages
- slot canyons
- first group into tent
- small blister on ball of left foot
- small blister under callous on one of my left toes
Feelings: frustration, camaraderie
***Stage One write up:
Everyone went out fast for the first km or so and then people started to relax and find their ‘ultra’ pace. We were cruising along maybe 4-5km out from the start when Donna took a nasty fall, banging her right knee up badly and bruising her hip as well. We had to slow up while she worked through the stiffness and then she pushed through to the end of the stage. The pace was slower than our normal training runs and I struggled with it but we crossed the Stage finish as a Team and that outweighed my frustration with the pacing.
Stage 2 :: Datong Fork
Stage Distance: 36.6
Stage Finish Time: 6:13:50
Stage Description: Down the Tiznap River and then up the Zerpxen River. River valleys filled with crops and apricot trees, lots of camels and donkeys.
CP5
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 11.5km
Beginning Altitude: 2053m
Ending Altitude: 1936m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -108m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
CP6
Difficulty Rating: Difficult
Distance: 7.5km
Beginning Altitude: 1936m
Ending Altitude: 1893m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -43m
Description of Terrain: All Trail
CP7
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 8km
Beginning Altitude: 1893m
Ending Altitude: 1929m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +35m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
CP8
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 9.6km
Beginning Altitude: 1929m
Ending Altitude: 1988m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +41m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
Stage 2 notes
- hot
- Tajik house sleepover
- tough stage for DC
- anticipation for tomorrow
- I’m stinky
- not sure how I am feeling
- feet are okay, pretaped this morning and blister’s not getting any worse
***Stage Two write up:
It got hot this day, not sure of the actual temp but it was ugly! It was another slower day for us, and again I struggled with the pace but once again crossing the Stage finish together put an end to all that frustration. We spent the night with a local family in their home (Looking back this may have been the cause of our stomach issues as they supplied us with our hot water that evening, it may not have been boiled long enough).
Stage 3 :: Stairway to Heaven
Stage Distance: 40.3km
Stage Finish Time: 11:50:16
Stage Description: Climb up over a pass of 3800m past ancient villages and through grass lands. There are lots of apricot trees, we are seeing butterflies and camels.
CP9
Difficulty Rating: Difficult
Distance: 11.3km
Beginning Altitude: 1988m
Ending Altitude: 2718m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +730m
Description of Terrain: Up along the river trail and river bed
CP10
Difficulty Rating: Extreme
Distance: 9km
Beginning Altitude: 2718m
Ending Altitude: 3815m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +1097m
Description of Terrain: 4km Trail, 5km Steep
CP11
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 3815m
Ending Altitude: 2665m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -1150m
Description of Terrain: 7km Trail, 3km Dirt Road
CP12
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 2665m
Ending Altitude: 2354m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -311m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
Stage 3 notes:
- frustration
- depression
- TEAM!!!
- patience
- brutal climb
- brutally slow : (
- DC struggling
- be in the moment!
- miserable descent…
***Stage Three write up:
There was a heightened level of anticipation in the camp this morning, people not sure what to expect with the big climb today. We went out strong taking advantage of the cooler temps in the morning and pushed pretty good until we hit the steeper stuff. It was a slog going up the climb to the pass, the altitude really got to Donna, and she developed a nasty headache and was semi-delusional near the top. The beginning of the descent was okay, steady if somewhat slow going but once the weather rolled in it got ugly. There was a 30-45 minute span where I was incredibly miserable, wet, and numb. Other than an occasional vulgar scream at the wind or rain or some other innocent inanimate object it was a very quiet descent into the valley below – this was the first instance where I was questioning my participation in this race, thinking “What have I got myself into?”, although it didn’t last too long. Once down and into the valley we got into the river crossings, I lost count but we crossed that damn river dozens of time. We were picky though and found a dry way across each time which probably slowed us up quite a bit. This stage beat up a ton of people!
Stage 4 :: The River that Never Ends
Stage Distance: 46.7km
Stage Finish Time: 9:16:32
Stage Description: Down the Tigin Valley, through the village and Korghan Valley before heading up the Chopiniz Gorge. Ran past many ancient villages, lots of scrub and apricot trees.
CP13
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 2354m
Ending Altitude: 2088m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -264m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
CP14
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10.2km
Beginning Altitude: 2088m
Ending Altitude: 1884m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -204m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
CP15
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 9.6km
Beginning Altitude: 1884m
Ending Altitude: 1737m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -147m
Description of Terrain: 4.8km Dirt Road, 4.8 Trail/Riverbed
CP16
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 9.1km
Beginning Altitude: 1737m
Ending Altitude: 1754m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +63m / -49m
Description of Terrain: 1.5km Riverbed, 2.8km Trail, 4.8km Loose Rock
CP17
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 7.8km
Beginning Altitude: 1754m
Ending Altitude: 1884m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +130m
Description of Terrain: All Loose Rock
Stage 4 notes:
- started off strong
- DC power walk
- RM got sick, runs and barfy, 3-IV’s at the end of Stage
- rough at the last CP, stayed for a bit
- carried RM’s pack for 7-8km
- another tough one for us
- DC feeling ill, iffy for the long stage tomorrow
- so many people hurting
***Stage Four write up:
We started off really strong, with Donna pushing the pace nicely, and we cruised through the first few checkpoints of the stage. The river crossings seemed endless today and we gave up on trying to keep our feet dry just wading right through, it was hot enough that we could hang the wet socks off the back of our packs and they would dry very quickly. Rob started feeling off after CP16 and he put on his MP3 player, withdrawing some to see if he could work through the icky feeling but a couple km before CP17 he started getting worse, getting hit by stomach cramps and nausea. We were able to get into CP17 and then took a short break during which Rob got pretty sick, emptying his stomach and his bowels pretty much all in one go – it was not pretty. After taking some meds from the Doc and a little rest Rob got up and wanted to push through to the end of the stage. Donna was not too sure about it but Rob was determined so we headed out, I grabbed his pack and off we went, there was only about 8km to go and we did make it. Once we crossed the finish line Donna escorted Rob to the Medical staff while I took our stuff to the tent. In the Medical tent after a couple of failed attempts, Rob’s veins had collapsed from dehydration, the Doc’s had him hooked up to an IV for three different concoctions. I am craving a Chicken Taco Salad from Mo:Lé.
Stage 5 :: The Long March
Stage Distance: 79.7km
Stage Finish Time: Unranked
Stage Description: Final canyon pass before exiting on the Gobi Plateau. Running through dry scrub and flat lands.
CP18
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 1889m
Ending Altitude: 2000m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +460m / -390m
Description of Terrain: All Dirt Road
CP19
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 2000m
Ending Altitude: 1891m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -100m
Description of Terrain: All River Bed and Trail
CP20
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 1891m
Ending Altitude: 1738m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -153m
Description of Terrain: Dirt Road and Riverbed
CP21
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 9km
Beginning Altitude: 1738m
Ending Altitude: 1600m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -138m
Description of Terrain: 6.5km Dirt Road, 2.5km Trail/ Riverbed
CP22
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10.7km
Beginning Altitude: 1600m
Ending Altitude: 1516m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -84m
Description of Terrain: 8km Riverbed, 2.7 Road in Village
CP23
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 1516m
Ending Altitude: 1637m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +111m
Description of Terrain: 0.7km Dirt Road, 9.3 Rocks and Sand
CP24
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 1637m
Ending Altitude: 1774m
Elevation Gain/Loss: +187m / -50m
Description of Terrain: 3.9km Rock and Sand, 2km Riverbed, 1km Sandy Hill, 3km Rock and Sand
CP25
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude: 1774m
Ending Altitude: 1220m
Elevation Gain/Loss: -559m
Description of Terrain: 4.5 Gobi, 2.5 Side of Road, 2.5 Down Canyon, 0.5 Loose Rock
Stage 5 notes:
- feeling strong in the AM
- RM left with the early group
- thoughts of catching him in the afternoon
- running well heading past CP18
- got hit by the FLU about 15km in – longest 8km ever to get to CP19
- stomach hurting, runs, nausea
- pulled out at CP19
- long depressing car ride to camp
- feel like shit!
***Stage Five write up:
I woke up thinking that I would be running this Stage solo. Both Rob and Donna had pulled themselves out of the Stage the night before. Donna was getting the same virus Rob had and Rob went to bed still quite weak from his bout with the stomach bug and didn’t think he would start Stage Five. I was quite depressed with losing our Team but at the same time was excited to go out and hammer the Stage and see what I could run. In the morning Rob decided to give it a go and left with the early start getting about a two hour head start. I was hoping to go hard and catch him by mid day and then finish the stage together.
The Stage started off really good, I went hard up the little pass we had to get over and cruised down the back side into the valley. I made it into CP18 feeling great, filled up the bottles quickly and snacked on a Myoplex Bar while heading out of the check point. I got about 5km toward CP19 when my stomach started feeling off. The cramps rolled in quickly and I could feel the nausea building. The day was suddenly taking a turn and I was not looking forward to the next 5km. 5km turned into 8km as CP19 was not where it was supposed to be and it was the longest, cruelest, most depressing 8km I have ever traveled. When I finally got to CP19 all I could do was fall down, rest my head in my hands and try not to vomit. The doctor gave me some medication to battle the diarrhea and nausea and I sat at the checkpoint for close to two hours waiting for it to take effect but I wasn’t feeling any better and the thought of attempting close to 60 more km feeling like this, after seeing what just 8km did to Rob the day before, was not an option so pulled myself out at that point. It was a long depressing ride to the campsite and once there all I could do was lay down and sleep. Donna made a few attempts to get me to eat but my appetite was non existent and even water was running right through me, it was not a pretty night. Thankfully the next day was a rest day and I pretty much spent the day either laying in the tent or near the bathroom. I was finally able to eat something that night, getting in a Clif Bar and half of a Chicken with Rice meal.
Stage 6 :: In the Shadow of Chairman Mao
Stage Distance: 10km
Stage Finish Time: 1:28:53
Stage Description: Final Stage run through the streets and back alleys of Kashgar, China
CP26 / Finish Line
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Distance: 10km
Beginning Altitude:
Ending Altitude:
Elevation Gain/Loss:
Description of Terrain: Roads and Back Alleys
Stage 6 notes:
- bus ride back to Kashi (5-6hrs)
- ran hard!
- RM and I in front
- pulled off to the side near the finish to wait for DC
- DC rocked this stage!
- hot!
- incredible cheering from the locals, kids were amazing
- Kashgar International 10km
***Stage Six write up:
We had to get up really early 3am to board the busses that would be taking us to the start of Stage 6. It was another long bus ride 5+ hours but this time mainly on paved roads which made for a much nicer ride. The Stage started at the tomb of Abakh Khoja and finished at the huge Id Kah Mosque (the largest mosque in China) and was run through the streets, alleyways and “Old Town” of Kashgar with the locals lining the way on both sides – it was incredible! Rob and I hammered the Stage and were in front but pulled off to the side about 100m before the finish line to wait for Donna. We all crossed the line together carrying a big Canada Flag that our support family had brought.
After taking a 45 minute shower and just relaxing in the room for awhile we all went to a huge banquet. We ate tons of food and consumed impressive amounts of beer. During the awards ceremony we were caught off guard and totally surprised when Team Gobi Canada was given the “Humanitarian Award”.
It was an amazing last night in Kashgar
[...] Please check out some of my thoughts of the race here: Gobi March 2007 [...]