A once in a life time experience............

Stage 4........38.0km.....Ascent  +1528m.......Descend -2867m

Phajoding Monastery  at 3605m


It's not always just about the running. These adventure runs take you off the beaten track and to extraordinary places that you would never of dreamed of going to....honestly, I had never heard of Bhutan until I stumbled across this race.

Everything about this adventure in Bhutan has been extraordinary and unique but one of my fondest memories is being given the opportunity to visit the Phajoding Monastery, headed by the Dr. Naygam, a remarkable monk who is the leader of the Monastery.

In Bhutan, the Buddha's parinirvana is observed on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, which happened to fall on this day of the race, June 2nd.
So as we trotted along the trails and up the hills passing monasteries, we were privileged to be pilgrimaging along with the locals. Them dressed in traditional and colorful gowns known as 'ghos' for the men and 'kira' for the women, hand woven fabrics rich with traditional pattern and intense colours. Us runners with our sporting attire, a sight to be hold I am sure. They giggled at our sweating and laboring personas, we respected their journey and were grateful to walk along side them.

Staying at the monastery on the night of the full moon was a very special experience too.

This monastery was unique in that it exhibited a special kind of vibrant energy and joy. Dr. Namgay grew up as a monk himself and when he was older he had a calling. Four years ago the Phajoding Monastery was run down and forgotten because it's location was so remote, it only had a handful of monks reside there.

Four years later there are over 60 monks here and Dr. Namgay has created a Monastery that is filled with love, joy, respect and cultural and worldly awareness. Namgay respects the tradition of how Monks should be trained but he is also open minded to the modern ways of the world. In this Monastery affection and emotion is encouraged, education is promoted, cultural connections with foreign people is recommended and so he hopes to create a Monastery filled with monks that will go forward into the world with a more modern wisdom and a balanced outlook on life and therefore their mission to create a more harmonious life for monks in monasteries will lead to more active involvement in local communities in the future.

The monastery receives monks mainly from very poor families. When families can not afford to feed or house their child any longer they are given up to the local monastery. For a child as young as 5, you can only imagine the hardship he endures and the commitments to ritual he has to diligently abide to each day. It was different here and the love could be definitely felt in the monks, within their smiles, their greetings and their interactions with eacother and with us.

It's a little less rigid here and the expectations more realistic, Dr. Namgay's vision, a revolutionary one but one that seems to be working especially in a country where happiness is so valued.

We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the monks, to get to know them, to eat with them and to share their home with them.

We enjoyed a rowdy game of soccer with them. yes even the ladies were permitted to play. Of course the monks, whom have been practicing all year, won and  loads of fun was had by all.

As for the sleeping arrangements, we shared the rooms with the monks and slept in their bunks. Of course where in the world would this happen, especially females allowed to enter the rooms. It was wonderful that the young monks (6 years old) found pleasure in sharing their rooms with these special guests from around the world.

Spending a full night evening, on top of a mountain, in a monastery with monks and celebrating not only our run but also Buddha's parinirvana was a unique and special experience to say the least.

The following morning we were given a handshake and a blessing of good luck by many of the monks.......again emotion stirred within me and I was brought to tears.........I am grateful for such an opportunity.....a once in a lifetime experience....for having been able to touch the lives of these monks in some way and for them in contributing to mine.

For the past few days it's been hard to not get swept up in the tradition of Buddhism, when every corner you turn there are colourful prayer flags being hung, monasteries dotted across the mountain ranges, artistically and ingeniously built Dzongs sprouting like mushrooms, ancient stupas popping up randomly and seeing red robed monks scurry through towns and in the mountains on their daily rituals....it's hard to not feel the 'zen' engulf you....especially in a country whose landscape is so stunning, whose people are so friendly and tranquil and where a constant calmness is always present.

Stage 3............Thimphu Valley........27.8km....Ascent +1968...........descent -824km

"Taking a step back to accommodate others refines our character and nurtures spiritual growth"

These adventure runs are more than just about running.........they are a pilgrimage, a journey of self discovery and most of all they are adventures where like minded people unite and where friendship and camaraderie blossom and where the strength of all is shared and respected amongst eachother.

During this stage I had the fortunate privilege to run/hike every km with the most amazing group of people.....we proceeded to run the remaining stages together and I am blessed that we did. My experience of this adventure was made all the more richer because I got to share every step with this remarkable group of exceptional people and extraordinary athletes

A very special heart felt thanks goes to Patrick, Kristi and Tracey.

I am grateful for your companionship....

For your strength and inspiration...

For not faltering when I did.....

For keeping an eye on the orange markers...

For not getting us lost!!

For your honesty......

For opening your hearts to me...

For your mental agility....

For the humor and for the stories......

For waiting for me when I needed to squat behind a tree

For never giving up..........

For making the big steps seem effortless......

For your faith and belief....

For pushing the limits....

For carrying me during the lows..

For letting me carry you through your lows....

For understanding...

For your patience......

For the laughter and the tears.....

For the chatter and the silence.....

For believing.......

For the gift of YOU........

I am grateful for every second spent with you, for every km completed with you, most of all I am grateful for your camaraderie and for your strength..........walking along side you has left me with special memories and friendship and respect for you all in my heart.

'By improving our character, we help others.y inspiring others, we help others....' 

Stage 2.......28.7km...........Ascent +2428m.....Descent -729.....Thimphu Valley and Farmhouse Stay

After the ritual 4am wake up and preparations, it was time to mentally prepare one's mind for today's trails and prepared to get the muscles in motion once again as the watches were started at 7am. The fact that very little sleep was had was soon forgotten and the body remembered quickly what it had to do and the mind was soon focused on the challenge ahead.

It was going to be tough and the altitude gain a challenge.

Today's trails threw us into the wet lush forests of Bhutan, filled with aging trees, lingering moss, moist air and foliage of every shade of green possible. It was like wandering through an enchanted forest and waiting to witness a group of fairies appear from behind the moss.

We trudged through trails where we were at times ankle deep in mud and keeping shoes clean was no longer an objective.

We climbed narrow gullies, wedged tightly by the rich earth with fern and foliage brushing against you as you dared passed. I appreciated the coolness, the shade and the caress of every tree, fern and raindrop.

There was the possibility of leeches but when one is so deep on setting one's foot in front of the other, it no longer became an issue and leeches could be left to worry about later once the finish had been reached.

I continued to scramble along vague trails, dodge rocks and jump puddles but I could no longer enjoy the nature as much as I wish I could. The camera rarely made it out today. As I continued to climb further up I began to feel more and more the affects of altitude.

My pace became slower, my breath faster and the nausea was over powering. I lost sight of runners in front of me and behind me and I was alone and for the first time concerned for my safety. I was dizzy, delirious and couldn't walk in a straight line.  If you have ever suffered altitude sickness than you would know it's worse than being drunk...almost to the brink of unconsciousness and you have no control of your body and it's functions.
I paced myself, I stopped, I breathed and a stayed focused...one step in front of the other....up up up up...one foot in front of the other......

I was soon thankful that a companion runner had caught up to me. Howard was an angel and after taking one look at my condition, decided to give up his position and pace and walk with me to ensure I was safe, especially as we wound ourselves around narrow trails that hugged the side of the mountains.

The trees along the route were often large, towering and ancient and were often confronted with the blazing colour and splendor of wild orchids. I wished I was in a better frame of mind to be able to take in the wonderful beauty around us......it was a struggle.....I cried........I called out for my mum.....I cried some more but emotions aside I remained focused at the goal at hand.....

Eventually we reached Check point 2 where Howard left me in the hands of the medics....After a rest, a couple of nausea tablets and the knowledge that we were heading for a descend, I collected myself and began to head on forward.

This was the first time I doubted myself in this race not because of my physical and mental inability but because I was fighting the demon of altitude sickness. But the warrior within was determined and I wasn't going to pull out. I had too much riding on this experience..........I didn't want to let myself down, my family, my friends and of course all those who had supported the KICK Cambodian Children's Fund project. It may have been a debilitating challenge but it wasn't going to let my spirit of determination detour me from completing my journey.

As soon as we reached the summit, I ran like the wind down the mountain trying to leave the elevation behind me and with every step I felt better.
Quickly dodging rocks, tree roots and pot holes, it wasn't long before I wasn't struggling for breath and I could run in a straight line.

It's the challenges like these within these adventures that I embrace the most......it's what determines you as a person.........it's what lifts you above from ordinary and pushes you past your limits...it's where you discover a new inner layer of yourself and where you become reacquainted with the Warrior within ...........we all have a warrior within......some lay dormant more than others but the power of evoking the warrior within is living life and truly discovering one's capabilities and true identity.

It was with great relief that I finally reached the final destination, tears of joy and gratitude.

I didn't want to feel this way for stage 3 so after seeing the medics I took some altitude sickness tablets on the hope that I would feel better running tomorrow.

Today was a different challenge..............a challenge to fight from within the obstacles that are out of our control but can affect the outcome....and I won!!!!!

We are all on an adventure...running the same trails and race but we are all on our own inner pilgrimage, each one of us drawing from the experience in different ways..............fighting our our demons and fighting for our own accomplishments.....regardless we are all extraordinary!!!


'The greatest achievement is to stand up to failure'