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Namib Race Blogs 2014

Michael Gilgen

6

Posts

Namib Race (2014) blog posts from Michael Gilgen

21 February 2014 03:22 am (GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Hi All

Was an awesome race yesterday. I’ve never had such a hard stage. Especially after a water hole just after checkpoint one. What counts  for me is that I then definitely get blisters. And so it was. However the fabulous scenery managed to compensate for everything. What a sight, once you have overcome the climb up the mountain.

Tomorrow will now be the final stage 6k into the ancient town of Petra. Gosh I’m longing for a shower and a cosy bed to sleep.

I’ll tell you more once I’m back.

Cheers & thanks for all your thoughts and inspiration. Michael G

Comments: Total (2) comments

Massimo Bertoldo

Posted On: 22 Feb 2014 03:45 pm

Hi Michael, in der Zwischenzeit bist du sicher erschöpft aber wohlauf im Ziel angekommen. Unglaublich was du da geleistet hast. Kurz gesagt: P E R L E!! Wünschen dir noch eine gute Heimreise. Gruss Massi und Ursi

Lilian Gilgen

Posted On: 22 Feb 2014 07:12 am

Bruderherz! Ich gratuliere dir von ganzem Herzen und bin so unglaublich stolz auf dich! Inzwischen bist du bestimmt in Petra und kann dort nach einer wohlverdienten Dusche diesen unbeschreiblich schönen Ort geniessen. Pflege dich, deine Blasen und verwöhne heute, so gut es dir bekommt, deinen Gaumen mit den exotischen Speisen und zelebriere deine ausserordentliche Leistung! Freue mich schon auf dich! xx Lilian

19 February 2014 02:36 am (GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Hey All

Today was stage 4 and I’m ever so happy that everything is going fine. My watch broke on the first day so I have no clue how I’m doing until I get to a Checkpoint. In my opinion I’m too fast, tomorrow I’ll definitely go slower on the long stage, which will be going over 86,4km. My feet are  looking quite good for the already done distance.

It’s great to hear from all of you by e-mail and comments on the blog. Unfortunately we’re  limited to one blog or e-mail a day, that’s why I can’t get back to you personally. But please consider a thank-you returning on your contacts.

Now I’m looking into this spectacular desert and wish I could share with you (the pictures will follow, even though I don’t get to take that many when running).

All the best for you and hear you after the long run. Sending you sunny regards, Michael G.

Comments: Total (5) comments

Entcho Ivanov

Posted On: 21 Feb 2014 03:53 pm

Hello Michael, it is great to see that you are doing well and courageously performing this “super-human” task. A Chinese proverb says “The man who moved a mountain was the one who began carrying away small stones”. I am proud of you and happy to have YOU as my boss. Keep going! The smiling faces of “the Kids” shall help you in the most difficult moments. Kind Regards, Entcho

Annie Gilgen

Posted On: 21 Feb 2014 12:20 pm

Hi Schatzi, in der Zwischenzeit dürftest du im Ziel nach Stage 5 eingelaufen sein. Wir warten alle ganz gespannt auf ein Lebenszeichen von dir... Vermissen dich! Viel viel Glück weiterhin. Love deine Annie mit Büebi

Werner_Margrit Frei

Posted On: 21 Feb 2014 09:30 am

Hallo Michael Super, wie du die Läufe absolvierst. Wir hoffen, du kannst diese Läufe auch geniessen bei dem Tempo, welches du vorlegst. Wir verfolgen alles. Weiterhin viel Glück. Liebe Grüsse aus der regnerischen Schweiz

Mirjam Meier

Posted On: 20 Feb 2014 07:24 pm

Hi Michael, ich denke an dich morgen bei deinem langen Run...! Sicher gut, wenn du etwas langsamer ran gehst...bei dieser Distanz! Oh Mann du bist echt crasy! Du packst das! I'm sure! Die vielen guten Gedanken werden dich tragen. Ich bin echt stolz auf dich! Bis bald mal Mirjam

Simon Eriksson

Posted On: 20 Feb 2014 01:03 pm

Hey Michael! :) Really well done so far. Keep taking care of those feet and I am sure you will have a great run for the remaining distance as well. I am sending you a lot of encouraging thoughts and energy during my own training sessions here up North:) Remember all the training and preparations you have done, and how strong they have made you - body as well as mind. Keep going and keep enjoying it, wishing you all the best!

17 February 2014 03:19 am (GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

How much fun can it be, first some rain, which makes the  sand packed and allows to run quite swiftly (Stage 1). Stage 2 was then definitely warmer even though not hot. The sand gets looser and harder to run. Beautiful landscapes accompany the whole route. Now I’m hoping for a warmer night and looking forward to stage 3 tomorrow.

Lots of people are standing in line for the cybertent, so I’ll keep this one short. Wish all of you all the best and till next time.

Comments: Total (9) comments

Martin Schreier

Posted On: 21 Feb 2014 08:44 am

Hi Michi, du bist ja super dran. Momentan Platz 29, Gratuliere!. Ich bin echt stolz auf Dich. Definitiv hab ich nun keine Chance mehr gegen Dich bei unseren Jogging runden um Laax... Wünsch Dir weiterhin einen guten und erfolgreichen run. Freu mich Dich bald wieder zu sehen, Martin

Andre Hoffmann

Posted On: 19 Feb 2014 08:54 pm

Hey Michael. Auch volle Unterstützung aus Deutschland, wünsche Dir alles Gute.You are a Crazy guy ;-))

Adrian Smiles

Posted On: 19 Feb 2014 05:47 pm

Yupeee! Super unterwägs. Bin Megastolz uf min Götti. Alles Liebi Adrian

Stephan Stäheli

Posted On: 19 Feb 2014 07:50 am

Awesome Michael! Wish you all strength and endurance for the upcoming stages! Cheers, Stephan

Massimo Bertoldo

Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 07:16 pm

Hi Michael, grossartige Leistung, weiter so. Weiterhin viel Kraft und Ausdauer. Gruss Massi und Ursi

Annie Gilgen

Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 01:45 pm

Hi Lovy... Du bist ja super dran!!!! Gratulation... Endlich sind auch die Fotos von Stage2 aufgeschaltet... Liebe Dich!

Markus Laesser

Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 01:08 pm

great achievement so far Michael. Happy to see/read you in good mood - and Distrelec in the desert (-: take care - we're with you! Markus

Ove Opseth

Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 11:41 am

Great results. Seen some very nice pictures of you... All of us in Stockholm will be with you all the way. Go Go GO You are a star.

Annie Gilgen

Posted On: 18 Feb 2014 09:26 am

Hi Love! Keep you on my radar... hope to see more pictures of you... How are your feet? Love you very much... Büebi and I are missing you! Kiss Annie

14 February 2014 07:22 am (GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Got all my gear checked in a Priority Check-in due to the Grand Slam participation. All ok and my bagpack weighs 9.6 kg. Finally I get to know how much I'm going to carry through the desert. So more to come after stage one!

Comments: Total (3) comments

Fabian Söhner

Posted On: 17 Feb 2014 09:26 pm

Hoi Michael, I keep my fingers crossed for you and wish you all the best! Runners greetings from Frauenfeld Fabian

Esthi Buerge

Posted On: 17 Feb 2014 12:31 pm

Salaam aleikum, Michael! Keif al-hal? Bin mehr als nur ein bisschen neidisch, dass du im Wadi Rum bist. So ein wunderschoenes Fleckchen Erde... Ich kriege wieder das Reissen, wenn ich nur schon 1-2 Bilder davon sehe. Hoffe, du kannst die grandiose Landschaft waehrend dem Rennen auch ein bisschen geniessen und auf dich wirken lassen. Sie verleiht dir hoffentlich Fluegel! ;-) Gruessli, Esthi

Marcus Österberg

Posted On: 15 Feb 2014 05:28 pm

Be Care ful and Think positive all Runners on Elfa Distrelec Sweden thinking about you! BR Marcus Ö

13 February 2014 06:27 am (GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

So finally I'm here in Petra after a smooth trip from Switzerland. All is dark and quite and It's hard to believe that the race is so close now. Tommorow some sightseeing and check-in. I already meet some runners, some with great running backgrounds. Always exciting to share experiences of past races :-)

Comments: Total (0) comments

12 February 2014 07:38 am (GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

So finally the night has come, the night before I leave for Jordan. It's been a tremendous time now, shortly before the race. Doing many presentations makes it even harder to bridge the time before the start, as memories pop up from former races in the Sahara. The desert is calling and I'm longing and happy to come back. I'm looking forward to meet many fellow colleagues in Jordan and towards a great race in a superb environment.

Comments: Total (4) comments

Caroline Bamert

Posted On: 17 Feb 2014 04:08 pm

Hallo Michael Alles Gute in der Wüste....wenn man eine so schöne Frau hat wie Du, muss man die Wüste halt suchen:-) Ganz liebe Grüsse von Caro

Adrian Smiles

Posted On: 17 Feb 2014 12:29 pm

Bravo Götti! Mir drücked fescht dr Duume! Witerhin alles Gueti Adrian

Heinrich Störi

Posted On: 16 Feb 2014 08:04 pm

Hi Michael, alles Gute wünschen wir dir zu diesem sicher einmaligen Erlebnis. Wir Drücken die Daumen und verfolgen deinen Lauf. Herzliche Grüsse Hanni und Heini

Annie Gilgen

Posted On: 16 Feb 2014 07:19 pm

Hi Love Gratulation zum ersten Lauf!!! Büebi und ich verfolgen alles ganz gespannt :-) Love and Kiss from Cheetha und mir