Here’s a little game. I’ve taken a picture of my gear, ie: what will go in my backpack. Have a look at it, and let me know what’s missing. Careful, some of the items in the picture are not on the list, so it’s tricky.

Equipment List:

- Backpack: it’s a pack to put on your back
- Sleeping bag
- 7 days supply of food
- Headlamp and pen lamp
- Compass
- Safety pins
- Knife
- Whistle
- Survival blanket (aluminium)
- Cap
- Windproof jacket
- Sunglasses
- Long nylon tights
- Running / trail shoes
- Fleece cap
- Gloves
- Blister aid kit
- Electrolytes
- T-shirts, socks, buff, poles, flip flops, lip sunscreen, sunscreen, tissues, wet wipes, wrist watch, toothbrush (nah, won’t need that), mp3, camera.

Not that I’m slow or anything. But I’ve recently decided to carry my fully-loaded back-pack everywhere I go, even at work. I have 7 days of food supplies, a sleeping bag, knife, blister aid kit, etc. Basically my whole house on my back…

It’s tiring…

I can’t wait to try my wonderful backpack, which comes in 3 sizes and  2 colours. The frame is titanium and weighs less then feathers. Its external pockets allow me to carry a little bit more than 25L, and I can add a bladder right against my back to cool it down. Not only is it hi tech, it’s also really really good-looking. http://www.ospreypacks.com/packs/13/Atmos25/. I hope to find time to take pics of it and post them.

Heeheee. Heheeeeeeheheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Kekekekeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.  But Lu, your bag is really cool too. Good colours. 

I never wanted to join the Gobi March…

Jocelyn was the one who came up with that idea to me, and I thought, well, yeah, if we have 2 years ahead to prepare, and if I go through a major life crisis at that time, why not. Then again, I’m not sure where I’ll be in two years time. And why would I visit the Gobi desert in the worst conditions on purpose? And I’ve got no experience in long distance runs anyway. And I’m getting old. And I need to work. You know, the usual excuses. The next thing I know, Jocelyn calls me and tells me she’s applied!!!!!!

Being the male that I am, I felt under pressure and I just had to go for it. Hands shaking and blurred eyes, I filled up the application and that was it.

I don’t regret though. As the deadline approaches, I’ve become a gear expert (or freak) - will post pictures later, and I’ve met loads of interesting people with similar diseases (what makes us run?). I’m having lots of fun training, even though I think I’ve lost all social skills, having no more time to go out.

To sum it up, I whish to everyone to live the same experience: the pre-race phase. I don’t know how I’ll feel on the spot, but so far so good!