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Greetings from the ultimate procrastinator! I wanted to share some news about a “little” 620 mile horse race I’ve signed up for: the Mongol Derby beginning August 4th! With less than a month to go, it’s all becoming real, and I could use your help to get me across the finish line. Thank you for taking the time to read my long-winded story!
What is it?
The Mongol Derby claims to be the ultimate horse race–although, it’s more a test of vigor, mental aptitude, and just pure luck. Covering the same terrain that Genghis Khan’s mighty horse messenger system covered, the race is 620 miles on 25 different horses, over 7-9 days–that’s roughly 77 miles a day! (That’s IF you don't get lost as you're navigating with simple coordinates and a GPS!)
Why do this?
Good question. There are many times, especially in this last month I've asked myself the same thing (I keep asking). Some quotes come to mind: "You rest, you rust..." "Do things that scare you to remind yourself you're alive.”
I have been reluctant (and procrastinating) about sharing this, as I'm not doing it for admiration or sport. I've always been fascinated with Mongolia. I love adding the horse element into travel–it immediately shares a common interest with another culture–you make fast friends this way. Being able to participate in this reminds myself of how fortunate I am, firstly, and secondly, it will be a reminder that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to. And of course, it is adrenaline, the "ultimate ride.”
This ultimate ride may not be the most enjoyable though – 50% of the time it will be painful. Riding 70+ miles a day IS NOT normal riding (and after doing a couple races at distance, I have no idea why endurance riders do this–and I LOVE riding). Past competitors say that after the first three days of pain your body gives up–so I'm sticking with that and gnashing my teeth and toughening up. I have learned in training that you can push through pain and come out on the other side. And I'll channel our ancestors’ grit–let’s face it, we are soft this day and age! Honestly, I think the real adventure will be in navigating no showers, goat and mare's milk, and a vodka diet. Yum? Indigestion on horseback= more fun!
Despite the initial pain, it will be a ride of a lifetime! The journey leading up to this has already introduced me to so many characters that are cut from the same cloth! It's been an adventure and the race hasn't even started. (And as if the race would not challenge me enough, while training for this race, I also moved to Boston in March and started a new job!)
The Ask
For the race, we are required to raise at least $500, but my company matches up to $2000 so I'd love to raise at least that. I’m raising money for Cool Earth (https://www.coolearth.org ).
Others have mentioned that they wanted to help me out with the race costs, as it's been a pricey endeavor. I’m so grateful for your support! Simply note how you’d like your monies dispersed when you make a donation if you have a preference.
Races costs:
$15k to enter
$1700 flight
$2000 gear
$4000 training, fitness, race entries, accommodations, insurance
Sponsorship
If you are interested in a sponsorship, I can have a logo or something of that nature embroidered on my saddle bag - I prefer not to do it on my clothes. Please let me know!
Thank you all so much for helping me achieve this lifelong dream, and raising money for the rainforests along the way!
You can follow along here:
Links for Live Feed Starts Aug.4
This is the link to the website - https://www.theadventurists.com/adventures/mongol-derby/#2
It will be updated with the live map once we have set off.
The live Twitter feed is also a very good way of following - https://twitter.com/mongolderbylive?lang=en
Here are the social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/MongolDerby/
https://www.instagram.com/mongolderby/
https://twitter.com/mongolderbylive
More information about the Derby
https://www.theadventurists.com/guides/mongol-derby/
Movie about the Derby
All The Wild Horses (about the derby in 2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2636480/
Past News Coverage - Lynne Gilbert, mentor, saddle loaner from Virginia.
https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/mongol-derby-worlds-longest-toughest-horse-race-20513269
Must see Mongolian movies
The Eagle Huntress
https://www.imdb.com/find?ref_=nv_sr_fn&q=the+eagle+huntress&s=all
The Horse Boy
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1333668/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1
What is it?
The Mongol Derby claims to be the ultimate horse race–although, it’s more a test of vigor, mental aptitude, and just pure luck. Covering the same terrain that Genghis Khan’s mighty horse messenger system covered, the race is 620 miles on 25 different horses, over 7-9 days–that’s roughly 77 miles a day! (That’s IF you don't get lost as you're navigating with simple coordinates and a GPS!)
Why do this?
Good question. There are many times, especially in this last month I've asked myself the same thing (I keep asking). Some quotes come to mind: "You rest, you rust..." "Do things that scare you to remind yourself you're alive.”
I have been reluctant (and procrastinating) about sharing this, as I'm not doing it for admiration or sport. I've always been fascinated with Mongolia. I love adding the horse element into travel–it immediately shares a common interest with another culture–you make fast friends this way. Being able to participate in this reminds myself of how fortunate I am, firstly, and secondly, it will be a reminder that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to. And of course, it is adrenaline, the "ultimate ride.”
This ultimate ride may not be the most enjoyable though – 50% of the time it will be painful. Riding 70+ miles a day IS NOT normal riding (and after doing a couple races at distance, I have no idea why endurance riders do this–and I LOVE riding). Past competitors say that after the first three days of pain your body gives up–so I'm sticking with that and gnashing my teeth and toughening up. I have learned in training that you can push through pain and come out on the other side. And I'll channel our ancestors’ grit–let’s face it, we are soft this day and age! Honestly, I think the real adventure will be in navigating no showers, goat and mare's milk, and a vodka diet. Yum? Indigestion on horseback= more fun!
Despite the initial pain, it will be a ride of a lifetime! The journey leading up to this has already introduced me to so many characters that are cut from the same cloth! It's been an adventure and the race hasn't even started. (And as if the race would not challenge me enough, while training for this race, I also moved to Boston in March and started a new job!)
The Ask
For the race, we are required to raise at least $500, but my company matches up to $2000 so I'd love to raise at least that. I’m raising money for Cool Earth (https://www.coolearth.org ).
Others have mentioned that they wanted to help me out with the race costs, as it's been a pricey endeavor. I’m so grateful for your support! Simply note how you’d like your monies dispersed when you make a donation if you have a preference.
Races costs:
$15k to enter
$1700 flight
$2000 gear
$4000 training, fitness, race entries, accommodations, insurance
Sponsorship
If you are interested in a sponsorship, I can have a logo or something of that nature embroidered on my saddle bag - I prefer not to do it on my clothes. Please let me know!
Thank you all so much for helping me achieve this lifelong dream, and raising money for the rainforests along the way!
You can follow along here:
Links for Live Feed Starts Aug.4
This is the link to the website - https://www.theadventurists.com/adventures/mongol-derby/#2
It will be updated with the live map once we have set off.
The live Twitter feed is also a very good way of following - https://twitter.com/mongolderbylive?lang=en
Here are the social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/MongolDerby/
https://www.instagram.com/mongolderby/
https://twitter.com/mongolderbylive
More information about the Derby
https://www.theadventurists.com/guides/mongol-derby/
Movie about the Derby
All The Wild Horses (about the derby in 2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2636480/
Past News Coverage - Lynne Gilbert, mentor, saddle loaner from Virginia.
https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/mongol-derby-worlds-longest-toughest-horse-race-20513269
Must see Mongolian movies
The Eagle Huntress
https://www.imdb.com/find?ref_=nv_sr_fn&q=the+eagle+huntress&s=all
The Horse Boy
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1333668/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1