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Namib Race Blogs 2014
12
PostsNamib Race (2014) blog posts from Scott Waring
21 February 2014 02:51 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
The long march.. Ok so have run 160 kms over 4 days, what appears largely to be up hill. Yesterday we set out on what they call the long march.. 86kms (56 miles) through breathtaking scenery, however we have had the rain, now its hot.. hit 32 degrees yesterday.. the first 20 kms down through a canyon, and then literally 20 kms back up the next, followed by 20 further kms up a mountain. At stage 6 they had hot water, so stopped for some hot food, but to be honest could really eat it.. its starting to get dark now and cold so head torch on. Finally link up with a Scottish guy who I have been playing cat & mouse with all week and we march / stumble across 25 kms of mountain finally arriving on the outskirts of Petra, 14 hours later.. I can honestly say that I will loose at least 3 x toe nails, and after a poor nights rest rather than sleep I can barely stand, totally exhausted. Today is a rest day before a ceremonial stroll in Petra real where we understand that a breakfast of pizzas has been laid on. After 6 days of freeze dried food I can’t eat the stuff.. Its been amazing, the people, the place and the experience.. To top it all, to my surprise I’ve been vaguely competitive, started the day in 14th position overall, came in 24th on the final day. The final results have not been published but I might make the top 20 out of 190 lunatics out here..
20 February 2014 03:35 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Another tough day in the desert, hot sweaty and frankly every muscle in my legs are painful even to walk, never mind run with a rucksack that never seams to get lighter.. Oh and did I mention the blisters.. had both my big toe nails drilled today, a new experience. The other blisters they just tap up. So 160ms done and 86 kms to do tomorrow that’s more than two marathons so have no idea how that’s going to feel and with temperatures in excess of 30degrees. Managed to get through today, my tough south African tent mate Andy brought me home from stage 2 in 4.40 23rd position.. Fingers crossed for tomorrow, it could be a long day..
Comments: Total (0) comments
18 February 2014 07:10 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
They say it’s the hardest, your body getting used to the ides that despite aching all over you have to get up and do it again. To be honest I hope, found it hard to keep going, went through the mast incredible scenery today including running across a salt pan / lake that literally went on for ever today was also the hottest its been, don’t know what but must be 25degrees, never drunk so much water. I beginning to work out what this race is all about, its not just the racing, which perhaps foolishly I’m fully engaged wish but its about the people you meet and the shared experiences so corny I know but have made some great friends here all of us working out how to get ourselves through it. If you sre interested and still following I struggled in 20th today, but there is more to it than that, the top 7 people on the first day got a 30 minute time penalty and with my first 2 x places probably about 15th overall.. its getting tough no can hardly stand right now.. thanks for all the kind words, have no email access but can ready email or blog messages that you send through, so please keep them coming, they really help.. earlier today I was running through a canyon about 7th place at the half way mark and I came across about 20 british people all riding camels. They spotted my badges, realized I was a brit and was probably the biggest cheer I ever had! Probably made about 10 minutes difference to my time..
Comments: Total (6) comments
Amelia Short
Posted On: 23 Feb 2014 11:18 am
I was one of those camel riders, well done and good luck- we're all still cheering you Brits on!
Natasha Fanshawe
Posted On: 20 Feb 2014 09:08 pm
Go Scott Go, from us all at Octink. Everyone there knows you're in 14th place, whether they like it or not. And they're not even riding camels.
Jacqui Heasman
Posted On: 20 Feb 2014 10:48 am
So very proud of you Scott. Keep well and focused. Jacqui
Angela Barry
Posted On: 20 Feb 2014 08:31 am
Well Done you are doing brilliant, I can imagine the cheers from the British Camel Riders gave you an immense boost !! what perfect timing. The scenery sounds amazing ....... Best wishes from us all At Network Angela Barry
Hugo Tugman
Posted On: 19 Feb 2014 04:34 pm
Go Scott - you are doing amazingly. The whole thing sounds phenominal - very best wishes from all of us in the office next door!!
Claudio Gonzalez
Posted On: 19 Feb 2014 09:49 am
Great Scott! You are doing so well! Amazing scenery! Enjoy the experience!
17 February 2014 02:21 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
The most amazing place.. indian Jones here we come.. Camp 1 – rained all night, out tents leaked like a sieve and so had wet kit at the start of the race. My bag weighed in at 11.5 kilos really heavy to run with. Im going to live to regret it but I set off pretty quickly and after 4.30 hrs came in 15th ! so nice to get it to the camp early but then it rained again. Great tent mates though, makes it really worth while.. Day 2 – 22.5 miles after yesterdays exursions I set off quite steady but, found myself towards the front and in the end the competitive spirit took over and came in 11th. Not without damage though.. blisters on 3 x toes back paind from the ruck sack and oh.. absolutely still as a board..
All for now ScottComments: Total (5) comments
Debs Myatt
Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 11:09 am
Scott, totally awesome results.
Well done! Smash the pain barrier! : )
Debs x
Jacqueline Sharp
Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 09:44 am
Well done Scott or should we say Indie!! Didn't think you would be having to deal with the rain though. Pace yourself and enjoy from all of us in the office.
Angela Barry
Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 08:45 am
Sounds amazing, and well done on 11th place. Very best wishes to you from all of us at Network. Regards Angela
Angela Barry
Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 08:45 am
Sounds amazing, and well done on 11th place. Very best wishes to you from all of us at Network. Regards Angela
Angela Barry
Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 08:45 am
Sounds amazing, and well done on 11th place. Very best wishes to you from all of us at Network. Regards Angela
14 February 2014 08:05 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
As they say in the film Aliens 'We're in the pipe 5x5' no going back now, just arrived in Petra, with some seriously fit looking characters from across the globe all around me. Most are already in their full kit, with their nationality flags emblazoned on their arms, Janine and I look as if we are about to go out to a wine bar. The talk over dinner is all about the scrutinizing of the kit by the authorities. What you can get away with, how many grams is your titanium mug etc.. Me, I'm just please that I've got my stuff squeezed into my rucksack. Race briefing at 9am tomorrow, followed by kit check and then off to camp 1. Forecast is rain for the start, would you believe it.. It all starts on Sunday morning 8am.
Comments: Total (0) comments
07 February 2014 09:00 am (GMT-12:00) International Date Line West
Well much of the training is now done, a couple of medium length runs at the weekend and some good gym sessions to stretch everything is just about it.. Quite stressed in the office now, trying to tidy things up before I go, so actually looking forward to really being there and not having to check email all the time, can focus on some running ! All of the kit now arrived and weighs a ton..
Comments: Total (1) comments
Hugo Tugman
Posted On: 14 Feb 2014 09:33 am
Good Luck Scott from everyone at Architect Your Home - go well
27 January 2014 10:55 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Well progress being made on the fitness and beginning to now how I might feel after day 1.. generally a little stiff I feel, but managed to get a 14 mile and a 21 mile run in at the weekend. Met a chap yesterday doing a 230k run in the Artic about the same time as our run, however they have to contend with down to minus 30 in their tents.. must be a good sleeping bag ! so may be ours is not so bad.
Comments: Total (0) comments
24 January 2014 06:03 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
So 3 weeks to go, some more big runs planned this weekend and overall feeling pretty good.. just need to get all my kit ordered and play with it. Had a fantastic response to my charity request for UNICEF, already at 113% of my target (clearly set to low) but gives you a huge lift with all the support.. no going back now !
Comments: Total (0) comments
22 January 2014 01:41 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
So managed to get a run in at 5am this morning, running along the river is actually really nice, especially when no one else is there. Gym session tomorrow to try and improve flexibility with an emphasis on the trying !
Comments: Total (0) comments
20 January 2014 04:13 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Managed to get in 2 x good runs at the weekend, 13.5 miles on Saturday & 15.5 miles on Sunday, now feeling like another one. Also, the first couple of runs with the new rucksack that went better than I though..
Comments: Total (3) comments
paul mcc
Posted On: 22 Jan 2014 08:50 am
And even if the camels do look appealing, they've probably got bad breath.
Sally Leonard
Posted On: 21 Jan 2014 01:37 pm
God speed. No stopping, no matter how appealing the camels look!!
Sally Leonard
Posted On: 21 Jan 2014 01:37 pm
God speed. No stopping, no matter how appealing the camels look!!
17 January 2014 01:11 am (GMT-12:00) International Date Line West
Rucksack arrived today, so a bags of sugar in it for my runs this weekend..
Comments: Total (4) comments
scott Waring
Posted On: 24 Jan 2014 05:57 pm
That's the one! OMN 32 Litre, how is your training going?
Amjid Khan
Posted On: 23 Jan 2014 10:00 pm
Think I may have the same one - OMM 32 litre. Very comfortable. Only been on a couple of runs but , agree, feels very comfortable. Let's hope that's the same in the desert!!
Scott Waring
Posted On: 22 Jan 2014 10:25 am
Hi Amjid,
Yes, went with the 32 litre rucksack as listed on the kit list, nice snug fit, only had about 5 kgs in it but felt fine. To be honest forgot about it after a while..
Amjid Khan
Posted On: 20 Jan 2014 08:53 pm
Hi Scott - just out of interest, what bag are you going with and did you do your long runs with the bag?
14 January 2014 07:27 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Well if I've got my dates correct, I have exactly 1 month to go before the flight, so thought I better start getting all my kit sorted. Ordered my ruck sack today, so that's 1 item at least off the list. Just read some else's blog to say that they had got theirs all sorted.
Better go for a run I think..
Scott
Comments: Total (4) comments
Gary Hearns
Posted On: 26 Feb 2014 06:06 am
nick fletcher
Posted On: 24 Feb 2014 11:04 pm
Debs Myatt
Posted On: 22 Feb 2014 08:51 pm
Claudio Gonzalez
Posted On: 22 Feb 2014 07:42 am