Gobi Desert: Wind, Beauty and Disappointment

Day 4: Our long day (sort of) started with a wave start. The last 75 percent of the field went off at 8:30 and the top 25 at 10:30. Our 57Ks brought us through rolling green hills, riverbeds, cropland, dusty roads and many villages before heading toward the sand dunes and mountains. The wind and dust was unprecedented and many were close to getting blown over, but the scenery on our journey made up for the cold and discomfort. As we approached the mountains we could see enormous sand dunes in the distance - up to 200 feet high in places. The backdrop was the snowcapped peaks of the Tian Shan mountain range. It was a spectacular and odd juxtaposition. In the midst of the sand dunes we came across small oasis areas with green grass and trees. Among one of these we witnessed a calf being born. Ah. It was a difficult, windswept, magical journey shortened from its original 73K due to windy conditions.



The windswept desert...
Photo Courtesy of Racing the Planet


The location for our original camp was howling and they couldn't put up the tents so they had to go with a different plan and we are staying today (our rest day) in a yurt encampment. The inside of the yurts look like the inside of the I Dream Of Jeannie bottle and include blankets and a wood stove. We are in Gobi nirvana here. Its very cold, so though a walk to check out the area further is on our minds the cold wind keeps us inside.



Trekking through sand dunes..
Photo Courtesy of Racing the Planet


I started Day 4 feeling quite good. Despite our still being at 7,000 feet to start; my legs were solid with no structural issues. I settled into a nice pace and was cruising along well when at about 15K my intestines decided to interrupt my otherwise pleasant experience. It started with basic nausea, cramping and diarrhea and continued until I was peeing and shitting blood and then until I was just dry heaving from all orifices and completely empty. Once my intestines were cleaned out I was running on empty and had to pretty much death march to the end - tried to do some jogging in between walking breaks just to stroke my ego a bit.



The snowcapped peaks of the Tian Shan...
Photo Courtesy of Racing the Planet


I am hugely disappointed and am still unsure as to why this happened but and trying to get it sorted with the docs here before another 50K day tomorrow.

Thanks for all your well wishes! It was been an incredible journey in a remote and unique location on the earth. I am pleased to having experienced it and there's more to come.

Back at you,

Terri