Great Wall Marathon by John Brust

A look back...

2008-06-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

It all seems like a wonderful, long ago dream... It's been a privilege to have met all of you from our marathon tour group. I consider you friends now and hope our paths can cross again. Please check out our Facebook group, so we can keep in touch. If you're not on Facebook, it's dead simple to sign-up...then, just click or search for "Great Wall Marathon 2008". You'll be able to see the 'marathon start' video that Steve Gilboy posted, links to his/others photos, the CNN.com article by Rebecca Byerly, etc.

Goodbye China

2008-05-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

After the Yangtze, we squeezed in a couple of days in Shanghai, before finishing our trip in Hong Kong. My dad had visited HK in the '60s, so it was quite fun to hear his commentary on how things changed. Most disappointing was the near extinction of the junks (with mast and sail) and sampans. The photo above is from the late '50s - showing this 'floating world' where it is said that many spent their entire lives afloat in their junks and sampans.

The Gorges

2008-05-23T23:15:00.000-07:00

"When the river is deepest it makes least noise."
- Proverb

And deeper it will go. Markers like this lined the Yangtze indicating the final resting point of the river at the 175 meter mark...75 feet to go.

My brother Chris in the gorges

Underwater Cities & Three Gorges Dam Project

2008-05-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

I won't make an argument for or against the dam, but will say that amount of people displaced and the number/size of underwater cities that will result from this project are staggering. Every building under the red/white line in the photo of the city of Fengdu (we visited earlier) will be under water after the river has risen to 175 meters above sea level. But this is just one small town...13 cities, 140 towns, 1352 villages, 657 factories along the upper Yangtze will have the same submerged fate. The Chinese Government have said that 1.4 million people will need to be resettled, but other estimates put that number at four million.

But yes, there are reasons 'for' the dam as well...most importantly, the energy produced, which will be equivalent to 15 nuclear power plants. Late this evening we finally entered the fabled Three Gorges Dam area (world's largest hydroelectric dam) and navigated through the 5-step lock system with a dragon boat and 4 other 'cruise ships'. It was a
surreal experience...something like being in a little toy boat in a bathtub. The size of the project was palpable.

Stats on Three Gorges Dam
Size of dam: 600 feet high, 1.5 miles long
Date of completion: late 2008
Length of project: 17 years
Cost: $28 billion US

Chongqing: City of 33 Million & Start of Yangtze 'Cruise'

2008-05-21T02:56:00.000-07:00

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest." - Confucius

Today we flew to Chongqing (pronounced: “chong-ching”), a beautiful, but foggy mountain city. This is where we embark on a three-day trip down the Yangtze (world’s third longest river). I'll be out of communication, but will update when back on terra firma. **Katie & Jim Shanahan...thoughts and prayers are raining down on you from China. Wish I could celebrate with you at your wedding on Friday. Congrats...have a wonderful time!

Yangtze Follow-Up: Our ‘cruise’ was an interested one, as we were suppose to be on the Victoria Anna, but it had left a day early after filling up and we were sequestered to the oldest boat in the Victoria fleet (rumored to be on her final year…after close to 25 years of operation). I spent the first night sleeping in a cabin that smelled of noxious petroleum (from the ship's engine). Then on the first full day on the water, we visited the 'Ghost City' of Fengdu...a little disappointing, but we could chalk some of it up to our lack of sleep and rain that day. By the end of the trip, I had found a new cabin and the beauty of the three gorges made most of the bad ship smells tolerable.

Some of the marathon runners in Fengdu - Photo from Steve Gilboy

City Wall of Xian and Aftershocks

2008-05-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

"Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends."
- Chinese Proverb

Riding the Wall - Jerry, Bernie, Jersey, Therese, Audry, Dom, Steve, Rose, Mike

On the way back to Xian after seeing the terracotta warriors, we stopped to check out one of the largest ancient military defensive walls in the world. And since the wall was 9 miles square, we figured that renting 'Chinese' bikes would make a post-race loop a bit more fun. Later in the evening, the people of Xian were warned about potential earthquake aftershocks. We learned this the next morning from 'sleep-deprived' Linda and others who were telling stories about how the streets were jam-packed with tens of thousands people, blankets, and loudspeakers that keep them up much of the night.

Hotel Recommendation: If you go to Xian, the Sofitel on Renmin Square is excellent (well priced, wonderful rooms/breakfast, new) and has to be the best hotel in the city - you would not be disappointed.

Terracotta Warriors

2008-05-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

"A person who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the man doing it."
- Chineese Proverb

Today we visited the site of the terracotta warriors and horses of Shi Huang Di, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The story goes that Shi Huang Di built a Mausoleum protected by 8000 life-sized soldiers and horses to give him supremacy in the afterlife. It took an estimated 700,000 workers to build the tomb, but then shortly after Shi Huang Di died, peasant revolutionists looted the tomb, then started a fire that is believed to have lasted for three months. The site was buried since and re-discovered in 1974 when a local farmer pulled up a terracotta warrior head while digging a well. The resulting archaeological find is extremely impressive.

Note: One thing they don't tell you is that terracotta figures were not cleanly dug-up as you see them. The figures were smashed into pieces during the looting. Archaeologists have spent the past 30+ years restoring/piecing together to what you see now.

Prayer for China

2008-05-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the individuals and families in China that have been affected by the devastating earthquake in the Sichuan Province. There is great sadness here, and many moments of silence have been observed...exactly seven days after the quake there was three minutes of silence observed by the entire county, which began three days of national mourning for the victims. During this mourning period all entertainment stopped. TV channels were restricted to news channels. And all music, shows, and many Internet sites were also restricted. This is why I not been able to post any blogs until now.

#1 Beautiful Course, #2 Difficult Course

2008-05-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

"Dig the well before you are thirsty." - Chinese Proverb

Click photo to view in full-size...it gives a good perspective.
We learned today why some call the Great Wall the most difficult marathon in the world, but the first reaction of most who finished on Saturday was about the beauty of the race and the people who made it possible. Without a doubt, the race was better because of the generosity of the Chinese people. They transported bottled water to multiple key locations on the wall, motivated us in the small villages, and so much more. My brother and I both finished the marathon and crossed the finish line together. Our clock time was a little over 6 hours, but as you can imagine, the most valuable time was simply enjoying the experience. Like many others, we ran the 26.2 miles with small cameras and stopped often to snap photos on the wall and in the villages where the children were cheering us all on. To the right is our friend Denis Fitzgerald from St. Paul, Minnesota at ~ 10 miles...that's the last we saw of him until we finished.

Ready, Set, Go

2008-05-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Our dad ran the 5k race, so was able snap this of the start of the marathon.

Tomorrow Morning

2008-05-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

"Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still."
- Chinese Proverb

Another photo from the course inspection on Thursday.

Tomorrow morning at 4am our bus leaves for China's Tianjin Province where the Great Wall Marathon takes place. While my younger brother is in good shape, I can't say the same. So, our goal is simple - to 'enjoy' the experience and finish. Again, I'm exhausted...and need some race sleep.

Marathon Inspiration

2008-05-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

"Seeing it once is better than being told 100 times."
- Zhou Chongguo, Han Dynasty

Today was an easy but inspiring day that went like this: (1) a bus trip through the Olympic area, (2) a visit to the Lama Temple (called one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world) and a chance to see an 85 foot tall standing Buddha, and (3) a visit to the Temple of Heaven. Only complaint, can be seen in the photo above (and no those aren't clouds in front of the Bird's Nest).

Visit to the Marathon Course

2008-05-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

"If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you aren't a real man."
- Chairman Mao

Hello friends...today was our 2nd day in China and the day for our mandatory walk of the Great Wall sections of the marathon. We took a three hour bus trip (one way) to an isolated section of the wall and the place where the race starts. The long trip meant a 4:30am departure from our hotel in Beijing. We were greeted with absolutely breathtaking views. Above is the view from the race staging area.

Our parents joined us for the course inspection, with the initial idea that they would run/walk the 5k event on Saturday. You can see them waving and smiling after about 1/2 mile.

More to come tomorrow. We just finished a Peking Duck dinner and I'm exhausted.

Our first day in China

2008-05-13T03:25:00.000-07:00

"To meet an old friend in a distant country is like the delight of rain after a long drought."
- Chinese Proverb

Today was our first full day in China, and Juliet, our wonderful singing tour guide, led us on an exhausting walk through Tienanmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. We also reconnected with our Antarctica friend Lee Lightfoot (who on May 17th completed a marathon on all seven continents). We made friends with Linda Quirk (who is part way through her goal to run seven marathons on seven continents in one year in hopes of raising national awareness and one million dollars for chemical dependency treatment centers - visit http://www.run7on7.com/), Linda's daughter-in-law Sara, Sherrie from Portland, and many others those first few days.

46 hours in San Francisco

2008-05-12T00:51:00.000-07:00

"If you can dream it, you can do it."
- Walt Disney

Thank you Chris, my younger brother and Disney cast member, for always encouraging us to dream big and making this one come true.

Thank you friends (who met my mom and dad) for being so gracious with them this weekend. I am humbled by your support and generosity.

And thank you Kimberly for all the good fortune that you help bring my way...for this I am forever grateful.

Last Physical Therapy Session

2008-05-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

I just finished my last PT session, at Presidio Sport and Medicine, before leaving for China. Thank you Erica Moody - my amazing physical therapist - for getting me and my hip and knee ready to run! And thank you Rachael, Jen, and Larissa for making my exercises bearable...and with lots of good laughs along the way!

Missing The Brust Family Reunion

2008-04-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

Brust Family Reunion - 1978 (that's grandpa in the green, flag pointing to Bishop Leo, and Dad, Mom, Chris, and me in the left column)

Bummer...I just learned that we'll be missing the family stories, venison sausage, brats, swimming, and the wonderful early summer weather of southern Wisconsin. Aunt Patsy we will be hosting this year's reunion on May 17th (our marathon day). Aunt Ruth will be in from Nevada, Aunt Mary from Minnesota and Aunt Catherine from Maryland. Have a wonderful time...we wish we could join you all!

Coming Soon

2007-07-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

In our attempt to run a marathon on all seven continents, my brother Chris and I are going to attempt to run the 2008 Great Wall Marathon on May 17, 2008. Our parents are going to join us this time and we look forward to reconnecting with some of the runners from the 2005 Antarctica Marathon.

The race winds through China's Tianjin province and includes two secions on the Great Wall totaling 6K with 3,700+ steps, some apparently knee-high. When not on the wall, the course makes it way through the small villages and farmland surrounding the Great Wall.