Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Gobi March Day 4

Today was a tough day in Gobi, the stage was 41.2k and it's called Starway to Heaven, We climb a total of 1,175 feet of elevation. At the top we where treated to Heavens gate in a canyon with ladders, It felt more like the ultimate challenge.

I definitely feel better after antibiotics so I guess is great to know that Namibia didn't leave me trashed, it was a virus that it's going around camp. I am glad that the antibiotics are working, today's stage was very tough, as usual there where several river crossings and We also had to run along the mountain ridge, the path was narrow, single track and the wind was very strong, at one point It picked me up and threw me about a foot over.

I kept thinking about the people behind me, like my tent mates that are by now struggling severely because of blisters, as I write this at almost 7pm some haven't crossed the finish line. It took me also longer than I expected but I surprise myself to find out I was second female across the line and top 40 overall.

I had a chance to chat with some of the other Canadians on the race, there are a total of 8, since everybody retreats to their tent to rest after the race I haven't talk to everybody. when I got to camp Blain Davis a personal trainer who live in Edmonton was chatting with Louie Santaguida of Toronto, they both had a great race considering that Louie is suffering from a sprain ankle he still managed to run both enjoying a great dehydrated meal, since the race is self supported We have to bring our own meals with us for the entire race, We are only provided with hot water for our meals.

Blain has a story similar to mine, He is here to fundraise for cystic fibrosis, his 6 years old son suffers from the disease, It sure put things into perspective for me when He told me the prognosis is death eventually.

When I started my seven races I have met amazing people that are refusing to sit down and ask the question that first comes to mind when you here a life changing diagnosis,"why us" instead they are creating a small army of people that are determined to do whatever It takes to change things for the better.

Here I am in Gobi, China with one long hard day ahead of me then I am done, I am feeling blessed for the wonderful experiences i am adquiring, when I started I wanted to do something for the cnib, Foundation Fighting Blindness and Operation Eyesight because I truly believe that the work they do is amazing but in return I am receiving so many blessings.

3 comments:

Lililime said...

Norma am in awe~an unknown poet said"Life is like a wild tiger, you can either lie down
and let it
Lay its paw on your head~
or sit on its back and ride it.
I am inspired to have met someone with the courage to ride the wild tiger!!!

Lisa Kauffmann said...

You never cease to amaze me. Even feeling ill, you continue and fight your way to the finish!!! You are truly inspiring. i can't wait to see the pictures of your race and hear all of the stories!!!
besos

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!