Friday, January 1, 2010

MITCH THROWER'S PROJECTACTIVE & being stuck in the mud in Gobi Desert China

Here's a quick note from a wonderful friend, Mitch Thrower.
Mitch is an 18xIronman, founder of Triathlete magazine and many other media entities.


My Photo


ironmitch.blogspot.com/2006/10/chrissie-evans-story.html
It gives an idea of simple initiatives, like Projectactive, that relate to sport & physical activity,
and have a great impact on the people around us.

There's also a fun pic of what it looks like to be stuck in desert quicksand,
then attempt to run barefoot with heavy sneakers in hand on the first day of a race
(your pack is still 16+lbs !).

When you're relaxed & having fun -- at the top of your game, thinking you'll easily come close to first place -- & everything is pulled out from under you ...
miraculous things may just happen...

The next day of the race, there was not a lot of hope.
I'd slept all night in a headstand, a complete headstand
rather than simply putting feet up the tent wall -- usually I do this at least once in a race.
How do you drain legs after they lose their mind in waist-deep sand, then run+walk for 6.5 hours instead of 4, while being sucked dry and cast into an armour of mud?

There was also no fear.  Body just unleashed -- bringing in a 3.30 time, one of my fastest marathons in a 6-day race in desert terrain+heat+carrying a pack. It was beautiful.

There's always a great moment.
CHECK out the post "ARE you a MultiStage racer or Enthusiast?" nxt page.
Moments before, I'd come upon fellow racer Ben sprawled across an oasis (2 trees that suddenly appear)
looking at the sky, considering quitting (many had - it was a severe heat wave warning in the Sahara)
and then we zoom along (just embue that into the photo) until the finish. The landscape - like the moon.
Chrissie Evans Race Photo.jpg