Jungle Marathon 2008

IT´S FINALLY ALL OVER!!

2008-10-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

To the huge relief of all competitors the Jungle Marathon 2008 is now finally over!!

Stage 6 was only 32 km (a half marathon and a cheeky 10 km) along the beach. We again started at 6 am to enable us to cover as much distance as possible before we were devastated by the heat of the sun. Having been covered by the canopy of trees for the majority of the last week (which doesn´t feel oppressively hot - but as we found out from Stage 2 is horrific in its own way!), being out in the belting sun was a huge shock to the system. Neither was it helped by most runners having completely trashed feet and / or being utterly exhausted. The desire to get to the finish line was incredible. It would all be over; no more getting up at 4:30am, no more squatting over a hole in the ground, no more eating freeze dried food of which many had become utterly repulsed, no more drinking water - which had grown to taste more and more like plastic by the day, no more aching shoulders from carrying that damn backpack, no more having to wrap everything up in dry bags to protect it from water and ants, no more getting bitten by ants - which I kid you not get everywhere!! (with the lucky exception of things you´ve previously sprayed with DEET) , no more chaffing, no more sleeping in a hammock, and no more damn running! (well, for a couple of months anyway).

After three quarters of the distance on this final stage (having regularly dragged my sahara hat through the river and thrown water over my head to cool down) I was very dehydrated and had pins and needles in my hands. At the final checkpoint (with approx 8 km left to run) I dumped by backpack down, handed my bottles to the kind support guys to re-fill (The medical and support crew were an absolutely awesome bunch and worked really hard over the course of the week - for which all of the runners are extremely grateful - Thank you!!) and lay down almost completely submerged in the river for what seemed like 10 minutes.

In view of the vast majority of competitors who are now staggering very strangley and in immense pain, the Final Stage of this years JM was sponsored by the Annie Lennox song - Walking on Broken Glass.

I will endeavour to update the blog over the next few days / week with some final thoughts / pictures / videos - including a photo of the tarantula we found at the campsite one evening. Unfortunately I don´t have any photos of jaguars, although at least a couple of runners did encounter jaguars during the run (the lucky sods!)

Cheers, JQ

Stage 2 - Saturday 11th October

2008-10-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

(Apologies - this section of the blog slipped thorough the net...)

I won´t beat around the bush - Stage 2 was incredibly difficult!! We discovered afterwards that Stage 1 (in which as a group we had been considerably faster thn any previous jungle marathon posse) had evidently lulled us into a false sense of security. The terrain on Stage 2 was far more demanding than previously encountered, and the heat and humidity were simply immense! There were some awesome climbs, a rope river crossing (where several people managed to fall in and get soaked) and some mahousive swamps (which tended to remind one of Luke Skywalker´s raising of the X-Wing using the Force).

I discovered on this stage that I had become a total co-ord and fell over a ludicrous number of times. Some of these were due to trip wires (low vines) but other simply the result of a general loss of what the Spanish refer to as ´abilidad.´

My friend Mark once again suffered some foot damage (a photo of his manky feet following the MdS can be seen on that blog). Following Stage 2 he had blisters under both big toes which required him to have the toe nails drilled (burnt) through! Yes, this smells, although I´m told it´s not too painful. Fortunately the procedure was repeated a couple of days later and recorded by the Dave and Tony, the ITV crew. (Did I mention they have been with us all week and will be producing a documentary on the race...which I believe is due to be broadcast on December 3rd).

Unfortunately, one runner seemed to disturb a wasps nest which resulted in several people getting stung - one of whom had an alergic reaction resulting in temporary partial paralysis. (Fortunately he is fine now, although did drop out of the race as a result).

Another two runners gave everyone at this years Jungle Marathon what should be the only lesson they ever require on the grave implications of having things go wrong when exercising in very humid conditions. The end result was similar for both guys. One I believe as the result of an electrolyte imbalance, and the other simply from pushing too hard in these extreme conditions. Due the extreme humidity, runners are unable to lose heat through sweating since the already damp atmosphere does not dry their skin. This quickly causes the body´s core temperature to increase - and an increase of only a degree or so can be potentially fatal. Pushing yourself too hard in normal conditions is not so serious because simply slowing down or stopping enables the runner to quickly start cooling down, however, in jungle conditions this simply isn´t the case. Both guys reached the position where they were no longer able to control their core body temperatures (Their bodies mistakenly thinking they were too cold were actually reacting in ways to warm them up further - for example by shivering). One of the guys needed IV drips, and both had to take many ice-cold showers and be admitted to hospital for this very serious condition. Fortunately both runners are now out of hospital; one totally recovered and the other making good progress.

The absence of some of the medical support crew while hepling these guys resulted in Stage 3 of the race being cancelled. The camp was in very somber mood and our thoughts with the guys in hospital in nearby Santarem. (Stages 3 and 4 were then combined and modified in order that we would still end up at the planned camp at the end of Stage 4, so that Stages 5 and 6 could proceed as normal and that the overall distance would still remain above 200 km).

Stage 5

2008-10-16T11:53:00.001-07:00

The longest Stage 5 started at 6am Tuesday and for myself ended 90km (suspected 100kn) later at 4:30am Wednesday. An enforced curfew on anyone not having left Checkpoint 4 before 16:45 Tuesday, preventing them from leaving CP4 until 06:15 Wednesday (50km still to go) resulting in the last competitor crossing the line several minutes ago (8pm Wednesday).

We had two full on river crossing (requiring putting rucksack inside a dry bag or having all your kit getting soaking wet) and monstrous hills! Surprisingly the temperature and humidity combo didn't drop to a comfortable level overnight as anticipated. As a result of river crossings and sheer distant, most people feet can safely be described as trashed, and the medical support crew have been run of their feet. Our time since arrival has been spent on a beautiful white sandy beach but the focus has defiantly been on rest and foot repair.

We finish tomorrow with stage 6. This is a 31km(?) run across a beach which will include three creek crossings just to give those feet a bit more damage. My back is chaffed with sores in a couple of places but hopefully the self botch tape job will do the trick.

Belated Happy Birthday to Olly, Wix, Ems, Gareth and little Dylan Jacob! – Hope I've not forgotten any.

Thanks again for the messages

Stage 4

2008-10-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

Stage 4 – Monday 13th October

Todays stage was 39km; not far off the combined distance of stages 1 & 2. Due to a large proportion of the run being on community trails rather than in the jungle, I was back at camp shortly after 1pm. (following a 6am start).

The stage also included a 200m swim across the river. Fortunately I don't believe anyone got deaded by piranhas, anacondas, caimans etc during this time.

My feet are still fairly immaculate but my shoulders (one in particular) were really aching from the weight of the pack today. This situation was helped, however, by a massage and a rekindled friendship with Mr I Buprofen, who I plan to stay on speaking terms with until the end of the race – where I will promptly reacquaint myself with Jack of Daniels and get ye sh** faced.

Tomorrow sees the start of the horrific Stage 5.

"Watch the piranhas and caimans on the water crossing, and the dense population of jaguars in the vicinity of CP4. Face the steepest of climbs and sharpest of descents, and if you make it out of the forest alive, you can enjoy 40km on community trails"

Over 90km of distance varying in altitude between sea level and 200m – often over a very short distance. Don't expect another update until Wednesday day time at the earliest.

Cheers,
JQ

Stage 1

2008-10-13T14:42:00.001-07:00

Well that's stage 1 done and dusted - apart from perhaps another swim in the river. It was tough with ridiculous inclines and declines (many of which were very slippy) , swamps and one roped-river crossing.. oh and a stomach deep crossing right at the start – where I lost my flip flops.

My feet are still in good shape but shoulders are pretty sore from the heavy pack which wont have been facilitated by my carrying an extra kg of spare food – hey ho. On the bright side I saw a couple of humming birds at very close quarters.

Tomorrow stage 2 is supposed to be one of the toughest and is described by the organizers as follows:

"Mud, mud and more mud, Your feet will be soaked. In addition to aching quads (JQ: they´re very achy already thanks!) your calves will begin to throb. Expect to be covered in ticks thanks to the swamp crossing!"

In 24.9km we will have 16 ascents of note, 12 descents, one zip wire across a creak and 3 swamps. (one totally hideous). I was a little worried to have a very 'upset stomach' last night but fortunately there is no further news on that front. Hope you are all well – Im off to check for ticks

Thurs 9th October

2008-10-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

Thursday 9^th October

After an arduous flight (5 films watched) and a relaxing few days on the beach, with a dash of Kayaking thrown in I met up with the other runners and support crew for more of the same followed by an overnight boat trip to into the jungle. (Life's tough out here!)

We became acquainted with each other and sleeping in hammocks. The distance for each stage was confirmed.

Stage 1 – 20.5km
Stage 2 – 24.9km
Stage 3 – 43.8km
Stage 4 – 18.2km
Stage 5 – 90.4km ( aka 'a tiddler')
Stage 6 – 32.0km
Total – 230km

We had our welcome talk during which Jungle Jim introduced us to all the snakes, spiders, scorpions, ants, stingrays, electric eels and razor sharp regetation. I would summarise as follows. DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING

The actual race starts 6:30am local time ( 5 hours behind GMT) but since we're talking Brazil time it could be anytime after noon.

The graphical representation of stage 1 looks rather like a sectional bed of nails as in described by the organizers as follows

"A Short sharp shock to the system. The orientation of the elevation is insane. This stage could wipe you out totally if you don't take it east. Expect dehydration, pain in your quads and beginnings of trashed feet"

Remember you can send me messages via the organizers website www.junglemarathon,.com and my race number is 19, which are handed out each afternoon.

I will be thinking of you all while I have my early evening swim in the river.

Cheers
John

Barry Test 24.09.08

2008-09-24T05:50:00.002-07:00

Good Luck John on another mad run

Abuse Book Now On-line

2008-09-23T13:08:00.001-07:00

John's Jungle Website now contains an Abuse Book for you to post what
you really think about his jungle exploits. I know his siblings, like
everyone else will probably appreciate the opportunity to distance
themselves from him and point out that John must have emerged from a
slightly different gene pool to everyone else.

So why not take a look. Go on - treat yourself!

John Quinn's Jungle Marathon 2008 website now up and running

2008-09-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

My Jungle Marathon 2008 website (http://johnnyquinn.co.uk) is now up and running. This can be accessed via 'View my complete profile' and 'My Web Page.'

2008-09-11T22:36:00.001-07:00

Welcome to John Quinn's Jungle Marathon 2008 blog.

The Jungle Marathon (JM) is a 200 km (125 mile), six stage, self
sufficient endurance event (involving river crossings, steep muddy banks
and 'rope elements') taking place in the Amazon jungle, Brazil. Further
details available at www.junglemarathon.com

If this is the only message you can read then unfortunately you are
slightly premature for the event itself, however, fear not and remain
excited do - for the event will take place Tuesday 7th - Thursday 16th
October 2008.

Myself, my friend Mark and a bunch of randoms (who I'm sure will be
lovely folk) will convene on a riverbank in a somewhat remote part of
Brazil - where we will board a boat, set up our hammocks (in which we
will be sleeping for the duration of the event,) and make our way
down-river for abseiling lessons, jungle training (provided by our
'military support team',) and a briefing on the 'rules of the
rainforest' - for the beginning of our jungle adventure.

I will endeavour to update this blog in the build-up to the event (on an
as often as the mood takes me basis), and then daily once the event is
underway. (Please note the race begins at 6am sharp on Saturday 10th
October 2008 (local time) and it may take some time for these postings
to occur. Unfortunately phone calls will not be possible whilst we are
in the jungle (as although the there will be a satelite phone I'm too
tight to pay for it).

There should be regular updates including photos on the JM website (link
above). Please don't assume I'm dead unless and until this is confirmed
by the JM team. As a famous man once said:

"Whether you
THINK YOU CAN
or think you can't,
YOU'RE RIGHT"

...so with a bit of luck (in avoiding piranhas, snakes, spiders, large
caymans, stingrays, jaguars, razor sharp vegetation and the foul stench
of B.O. which will no doubt engulf our hammock area each evening) I
should be okay.