Prep For the Gobi Desert March

Racing the Planet, Gobi Desert, China

I was recently asked at a speaking engagement what I enjoy doing for vacation. Noting that I'm not much for umbrella drinks poolside, except if used for a short respite between adventures, I shared my upcoming event of choice—a 150-mile, self-supported, running stage race across the Gobi Desert. When my inquisitor's jaw dropped in the ever familiar "why would you do something like that" sort of way, I stated, "I like to do cool things, in cool places, with cool people and this event fits the bill."



"Hami is a unique blend of Uygur, Kazak and Han Chinese cultures."
Photo Courtesy of Racing The Planet


Starting May 27th, I'll run anywhere from 15-50 miles each day for six of seven days, through the remote villages, sand, rivers, mountains, heat, cold and sand storms of the Hami region in far north China near the border of Mongolia. Each night the event organization will provide a base camp and tents for the 100 international athletes.

We are required to be self-supported except that the event will provide water for our journey. In addition, we've been given a small list of "mandatory gear," which includes a minimum of 2,000 calories per day. The strategy involved in choosing ultra-light gear, clothing, and food for this event is intriguing and its prep time consuming. Given that I'll be required to live with my choices for seven days and nights, I take on this process with some focus.


A Gobi Desert Campsite
Photo Courtesy of Racing The Planet


The dramatic landscape of the Gobi consists of some of the harshest terrain in the world and was once feared by Silk Road traders as the most dangerous section of their cross-Asia journey. There is a pure essence to engaging in an environment that is indifferent to human life. Opportunities like this allow me to ponder my authentic self sans outside stimulus. I feel privileged to experience this pristine spot on the earth.

I'll be posting daily on my blog. You can also get race updates and send me emails at www.racingtheplanet.com.

Stay tuned this week for more race prep info and a detailed food and gear list for my event.

Terri

The Civilized Prep of the Female Warrior

Preparing for a notable upcoming race is an arduous and time consuming process and for most athletes tends to involve personal rituals of sorts. The longer, more difficult and more remote the event, the further heightened my of sense impending battle. Heading into the trenches of my most recent project—a 150 mile, self-supported, running stage race across the Gobi Desert in China, my ritual meter has been on high speed.


Terri crossing the finish line last year in the Sahara Desert.


Thoughts are of upcoming endless sand dunes, mountain ranges, severe heat and sand storms, while running on pummeled feet, and, resting in chilly uncomfortable nights on the floor of a tent shared with 10 fellow unbathed runners. In between running bouts we’ll ingest pounds of dehydrated meals. Though I thrive in this primitive means of life, visions of my chosen form of "vacation" are enough to drive a female warrior into optimal prep mode. I execute my prep with the following rituals:

Get pedicure. It's highly doubtful that I'll be called for a foot model job anytime in the near future. Many years of ultra running, adventure racing and triathlons have claimed many a pink painted toenail, yet I remain undaunted. Despite the odds that I'll lose a solid $10-$15 of my nail polish by the finish line, I continue to execute this pre-race ritual. It’s a last ditch effort to find "someone" to be nice to my soon to be well-beaten feet.

Go to hairdresser. Seven days in the desert sans shower leaves one's head a mass of sand, grime and grease. Nevertheless, I'll wash, blow-dry and style my new do immediately preceding our bus ride to the start line. Initiating my adventure with a shiny clean scalp gives a sense of hope. For what, I'm not sure exactly.

Wax legs. I have thrived on various forms of physical suffering in my lifetime, but I'm not interested in ripping the hair out of my own legs. So, off to the aesthetician to diminish the horrors of dark growth during the race.

Pluck eyebrows, give myself a facial (because I'm a cheapskate), and get a massage (that one is self explanatory).

Buy new books. I recently did my ritual pre-trip book buying session and walked away $150 lighter in my bank account. Placing my stack of books on the checkout counter at Book Shop Santa Cruz, I declared, "My name is Terri and I’m a book junkie." The young man behind the counter responded, "Dude, that's cool." Though I won't choose to carry any reading material into the desert, I enjoy that they are waiting for my arrival at the finish line.

Drink several lattes; eat chocolate ice cream and a big steak. Impending life restrictions will cause humans to indulge. I am no exception and enjoy the ritual of "stocking up" on my favorites before exile into battle.

Check gear list again, and again and again.

Give my dog, Gryphon, a few more hugs than usual.

Despite the detailed civility of my pre race prep, once we don packs and head out into the desert, I am in endurance athlete’s nirvana. I will be fully responsible for my own well being in one of the harshest environments on earth, and with the "other" world well behind me I can just go out and test myself in a way that nurtures me. This type of living always helps keep my civil existence in perspective. Nothing like a good battle to learn to not take oneself too seriously.

I'm looking forward to sharing this adventure with you all as I send daily dispatches to MountainZone.com – I'll be back at you from the desert…

Terri