A Scottish Man with a heart of gold , Scott Thompson runs for charity
Scott Thompson
Welcome Home, Scott , We are proud of you
25 , April 1st. 2012
All over folks, my RB2J project is complete. 1239km in total and the most amazing day to finish. Thank YOU for making it so special. I promise to follow up with a final report and photos in the next day so. Take care and stay safe. It's good to be home:-)!
Yours in Berlariterus....
24, March 31st 2011
Day 23 , March 30
Day 23 over, 53kms and 1187km in total. Today you'll will be delighted to hear was ALL downhill, not literally but it came so easy... knew it would happen eventually, haha.
All over folks, my RB2J project is complete. 1239km in total and the most amazing day to finish. Thank YOU for making it so special. I promise to follow up with a final report and photos in the next day so. Take care and stay safe. It's good to be home:-)!
Yours in Berlariterus....
24, March 31st 2011
If I thought yesterday was quick then today was over in the blink of an eye. After averaging almost 52kms per day for 23 consecutive days I only had to work my way through 27kms today. It was all over in no time with the help of 7 friends from Senayan Runners (thanks to Riena, Park, Richard, Timo, Yuda, Heru and Ira). Once again I had the support out on the road of Peter and Vera (YCAB) both running and cycling from start to finish, thanks guys. Early on in the run we had a 5 minute stop at Achilles Radial's factory (one of my Gold Sponsors) to meet up with staff and employees. Managed a few photographs before heading back onto the road with our running group now expanded to over 100!
I also have my Mum and Dad out from Scotland!! They"ve been with me the past 2 days which has been very special indeed - just lovely to be able to share the final few days with you both, thanks Mum and Dad for coming out for an early summer:-). A great day then which leaves me the final 25kms to take my overall RB2J run total to 1239kms. I can now say that it has been a very loonnnggggg run!
This project has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I believe the most demanding physically and mentally. I feel very fortunate to have met so many kind people along the way and seen so many memorable sights. At the moment my memory is a little muddled but over time will unravel to leave an indelible warm and remarkable experience on my conscience. You have been too kind to Berlariterus. Thank you so much for looking out for me on the road and supporting me the whole way.
As I've mentioned before, running home from Bali was only ever about raising money, and with the help and generosity of many the current fund raising total sits at an unbelievable Rp3.8billion (which equates to almost US$420,000)! Thank YOU all for believing in my project.
So that's it folks, 1 more run to get me into the centre of Jakarta. This final run tomorrow will see me close out at Senayan (next to the driving range on Jl. Sudirman) at around 8.30am. I believe there will be a few of the YCAB kids joining the run and also at the finish a few of the MCK kids will be present. I can't wait to see you all.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 23 , March 30
Day 23 over, 53kms and 1187km in total. Today you'll will be delighted to hear was ALL downhill, not literally but it came so easy... knew it would happen eventually, haha.
It would also appear that I'm a day ahead of schedule(!) with only around 50kms or so to go to the finish at Senayan. The decision to push on and finish through the night or tomorrow sometime was taken out of my hands with YCAB kindly arranging a run in on Sunday morning. Thanks again guys. Been told 600 people have already signed up to run with Berlariterus, unreal, I'm honestly humbled and honoured by all the fuss, thank you.
So tomorrow will be a short run of 25kms or so, to leave me with the same again on Sunday morning. I simply can't comprehend that I've ran my last 50kms and will hang up the old running shoes;-) For a while anyway!
It will be in for an even bigger shock to the system to get into the office on Monday and back to reality. I actually can't wait. It has been an amazing 23 days on the road but it's time now to return to a bit of normality.
My end of the agreement of running from Bali to Jakarta with the many sponsors and supporters is just about done, with a short day tomorrow I'll try to give a brief update on the fund raising appeal.
2 sleeps and 2 short runs to go.
Yours in berlariterus...
Posted by Scott Thompson.
Day 22, March 29th. 2012
Well after yesterday's shocker today proved to be 'it never always gets worse'. The body truly is amazing, not sure how you can go from my state of body (and mind) yesterday to running with ease today and probably closing out one of the quickest days over the past 3 weeks. Got no idea how that works but glad to have kept my chin to chest an muddled on through a particularly bad patch.
My big mate Krzys must take some of the credit for my rapid rebound with his surprise trip out last night. He did an awesome job of supporting me with his chat for the entire day, cheers mate. A great day it was (in the sun, aye) with the best pint of hot builders tea every produced (thanks Krzys) and all washed down with a packet of Hobnobs!
So all up 1134kms, 54kms for today and I'd say less than 116kms to the finish;-) I can't wait as you can imagine.
BTW for anyone that is interested and in Jakarta I will be finishing around 8.30am at the eastern car park at Seyanan (next to the golf driving range and the baseball arena) on Sunday morning. For those that would like to join me for the last 21, 10 or 5kms please do get in touch with YCAB (ira@ycab.org) they have done an amazing job of arranging a finish for me, a very lucky boy, thank you. Of course would love to see you all out there on Sunday.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 21 , March 28th. 2012
I thought today might happen but not so close to finishing line, what an absolute nightmare, apart from the first 15kms, up to passing under the sign for the Big Durian.
I think someone told me it was all downhill after Cirebon and I believed them. Something like 'you'll now be able to cruise into Jakarta'!? Hmmm, makes me wonder, certainly no easy finish but will try my best to seek it out.
Today has been nothing but sun, heat and traffic from start to finish. It has been relentless and so oppressive that it beats any single blistering day in the Sahara race.
There was no shade from the sun, nor cover from my suffering in public; absolute unmitigated grind that will be sure to stay with me for a very long time.
Here's hoping my memory serves me well in the future and to help give it a jolt, I asked P'Wawan to take a photo of me shivering in bed... A storming finish to the day, not! Perhaps I should frame the photo as a deterrent, but then again my misery doesn't quite show on the digital image. Haha, never again, shivering tired and sore but Day 21 is done, good for another 55kms that's 1080kms all up since I left Bali airport. Thank goodness we can now move on to Day 22.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 20 , March 27th. 2012
Hitting day 20 and the 1000km milestone was good, but nobody told me about the 'brickwall' standing just past it, lol. My knee decided it was not better after all and I pushed on for 53kms in the blistering heat (wonder how many times I've mentioned the HEAT), sorry broken record I know, but today was unbelievably hot and humid. I believe I probably felt the heat more today as I was on own for the first time in 5 days. On an a high though, I had the best steak sandwich ever in Cirebon (Enak Sekali).
Thanks to all you good people that have been donating during my run. I am hoping to post an update before I finish which I believe will put us over US$400,000. Overwhelmed by the support I have received for my run, thank YOU so-so much.
Yours in Berlariterus...
May 19, March 26th. 2012
Probably my best since pre Situbundo which seems a long way back now. I had David again for company, was super to have him again. Well done David and thank you pushing me along to day 20. Finished up on 50kms which leaves me just south of a major milestone at 972kms. Really not sure if i should air this but my right knee is feeling much better:-)
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 18 , March25th. 2012
Another cloudless scorcher in equatorial Java. The combination of the relentless heat and the humidity means I struggle to keep my fluid intake high enough to balance the loss and to ensure my electrolytes stay on an even keel. Not sure, think might have picked up a wee urinal tract infection, a very minor one mind and best keep that to ourselves;-) Otherwise today was all about counting the kms off on the way to Tegal. I made it and got a great surprise along the way when and old friend pitched up for a run at the 20km point. Brilliant timing David, thank you so much for coming all the way out from Jakarta, really appreciate you being around. So there you go, day 18 over with and another 50kms. Today's effort lifts my total to 922kms and brings the 1000km milestone a touch closer.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 17 March 24th. 2012
Day 17 over with and 100kms clocked up for the past 2 days. We're now sitting on 872kms and in 2.5 days I should have the province of West Java in my sights.
After the carnival atmosphere of yesterday's run, today was back to chin on chest and pushing forward on my own. However got a massive boost with John joining me mid run for +20kms and carrying me forward with his craic before rushing off back to Semarang airport. Thanks mate.
Ok, on to tomorrow. Target is Tegal and another 50kms.
Yours in berlariterus...
Day 16 , March 23rd. 2012
Today was a special day with 16 people flying to Semarang to offer their support, a lucky boy, thank you all.
Vera and Peter flew in with family and their bikes and did a great job in cycling along with us. Mr Farhan was also in town and I noticed he was in a pair of shorts and running shoes and think might have joined us for a few kms.
On the run it was amazing to have the support of Kyle, John, Mark, Daniel, Helen and Kath. Really thrilled you guys made the effort of flying down just to run most of the day!! I also had Steven running too, somehow he managed to fly from and to Jakarta today and still got in 20 or more kms.
And finally a special thank you to P'Budi and Andry for all your help leading up to this point, it was great to see you along the route the past 2 days. Thank you too for all the Pisang Raja.
Safe to say I went to bed tired as usual but happy and content, thank you for your support, it really meant a lot to see you all in Semarang.
Yours in berlariterus...
Posted by Scott Thompson.
Day 15 , March 22nd. 2012
Hope you've all had a good week and now set for your long weekend (public holiday tomorrow for those in Indonesia). On my side I can't complain, still on track and achieved my target today of 50kms which lifts the total to 772kms. A little disappointed we got routed north around Semarang today and missed out on seeing the city. Not to worry, we still finished up west of Semarang with focus for the next 4 or 5 days pushing on towards Cirebon:-)
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 14 , March 2st. 2012
Today I saw my first road sign for Jakarta! It was totally unexpected with so many kms still to cover, but it gave me a nice jolt and a sent a shiver down my spine as I passed under it.
The sun was out all day yet I felt significantly stronger than the day before finishing up with my longest run to date of 62kms - I can't believe only 29kms to Semarang and total to date of 722kms
A short post today, got a few things to attend to tonight. For one thing yesterday and today's run has created a number of new hot spots and blisters on the feet and I'll need to 'tread' carefully over the coming day.
Yours in berlariterus...
Day 13 , March the 20. 2012
Deary me, today should have been relatively easy judging by the weather when I started off this morning, the scenery was stunning on the left and right; a truly beautiful part of the world.
Indeed lovely and cool for most of the morning (probably still 30C) but as the breeze died away so did my second wind. Wonder where they went? I can now vouch for the well known kids song 'the hip bone is connected to the knee bone'..... and for the first time since starting out 13 days ago I was forced into a walk before a scheduled pit stop. My right quad muscle was misbehaving massively. Anyhow I still got in 51kms today, the first and last km as always were the longest but the most pleasant. 661kms. Day 14 now beckons.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 12 - 610kms covered. March 19th. 2012
The result of that effort is a blistered left foot, left achilles not great but we waddle on, left knee sore, right knee a mess, shin splints on the right calf, right hip sakit sekali. So pretty much everything south of the belly button malfunctioning. But worst of all are my love handles! I worked pretty hard on gaining weight beforehand (thinking I'd lose it in the first week) but after almost 2 weeks I'm still carrying those chunky side stores, what is that all about?!!
Closing out today puts me at the halfway point, feel that it's far from all downhill though. My thoughts are becoming clearer for I realised today it has been 2 weeks since I consumed some chillies and drank some of that gold coloured stuff that comes in green bottles and small cans;-) That in itself must be a PB for me!!
Today I crossed the provincial border into Central Java. Leaving behind East Java which was emotional considering all that had passed. I've struggled for most of it but have received truly amazing support which heartened and hardened my resolve - Jawa Timur, terima kasih banyak.
Now for a week or so in Central Java, can't wait.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 11 , March 18th. 2012
It was a late start today and a corresponding late finish, nonetheless 54kms and that bit closer to home. Although with the one way road system in Tuban I'm sure I did a few extra kms than I had to by going inland to work my way through the centre of Town and then back out to the main coastal road. Not to worry, I'm in the hands of the police so happy to be guided along by what they deem to be the most appropriate route.
Running in the tropics as you can imagine requires constant management of the heat and humidity, particularly if lumbering on through midday and into the afternoon. Today was another day where I consumed upwards of 12 litres of fluid yet only had one tree/pee/wee stop all day (best not tell my mother lol).
Getting my fluids and fuel on board plus attending to my knees is made all the easier with a fantastic support crew overseen by P'Wawan, an absolute star and I can't thank him enough for all his help. Equally so, I must thank the G4S (P'Bayu and P'Warindi) and Medic One guys (Christian from Bali Airport to Surabaya and now Vani) for their efforts. They are so professional in looking out for my well being but don't hold back when it comes to helping out at every pit stop. The final member of my support crew is a young physiotherapist called Hendri from Surabaya Sport Physiotherapy. You're all doing a grand job, many thanks indeed.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 10, March 17th. 2012
Mrs Berlariterus arrived today and some tough-loving was the order of the day as I was sent to the bathroom mirror and told not to leave 'til head, face, nose and ears were shaved/trimmed. Her no nonsense approach continued with instructions on where to self-apply nappy rash powders and creams! It was great to see Lau and my bababear; love you both to the moon and back. I finished today with 46kms, my earliest finish to date which was nice especially as I got to walk and run with my two favourite girls who came so well prepared in their FitFlops!! My total kms covered now at 503:-) On to day 11.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 9, March 16th. 2012
I had my best run in 4 or 5 days today and although the body hasn't healed I feel it's starting to adapt to the daily slog. I wonder if this is my second wind blowing through, certainly hope so.
Today was a memorable day and I had a chuckle to myself at what I've created as we paraded through Indonesia's second largest city - Surabaya. I felt extremely honoured for the 9th day in a row to have the support of the police.
To anyone out there who was held up by our passage through the city centre, I apologise for any congestion or frustration caused on the roads of Surabaya. All day it was simply a case of plain sailing across road intersections allowing safe passage for a convoy that must have stretched for as far as the eye could see. Ok a slight exaggeration but we must have stretched out for 100 metres at times - definitely an experience not to be forgotten nor repeated - by me at least;-).
I was thrilled my friend Nigel took the time to fly down from Jakarta and join me for the day, a great run mate! I had the pleasure of Mr Sapta joining me for the day, thanks for biking/running the entire 50kms. We also had Pak Didi and team TBT joining us, of course Pak Eddy and for part of the way team Honda was well represented! Thank you all for a great day in Surabaya.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 8 , March 15th. 2012
100kms achieved the past 2 days. It's all about moving forward and I can be happy with that fact. My knee is not great, but believe getting through today was a milestone in that I'm now a third of the way into my project with 407kms clocked. I hope the next couple of days will pass in a blink or 2 and when I surface I'll be that bit closer to the half way point and still moving forward. Fingers and knees crossed.
My run involved 50kms of flat running as I moved my way along the north coast. However does seem odd to be heading directly north for the next 70kms in order to go via Surabaya when my destination is due west!
Finishing point today was downtown Sidorajo which was achieved around 4pm after a forced 2km detour off the planned route. No probs and all set for tomorrow.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 7 Mark kennedy, March 14th. 2012
Oh dear, today has been one of the saddest. The transient world that expatriates live, friends can take the form of family. In the past 2 years Mark has been one of my closest friends and the first to get behind my RB2J project with sponsorship as well offering advice and encouragement. Our families are close and we have a special connection through his lovely wife Sarah to Mary's Cancer Kiddies. A true friend, husband to Sarah and a loving Dad to Daniel and Rebecca. Will miss you. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you Sarah, love scott
Day 6 , March 13th. 2012
Day 6 over with and another 50kms closer to Jakarta. Happy with that thought. My total kms now sitting at 307.
Today was a lot quieter out on the road and spent most of the day passing paddy field after paddy field.
It was however a nice change to look down to the coal stockpile at the Paiton power plant complex. Must be over 11 years from when I paid the plant a visit, would never thought the next time I would be passing it on foot.
Look down on all that coal made me think of off the team as missing out on the monthly management meetings. Goodness me, I'll be glad to get back to the office and normality of life. Seems like an appropriate time to thank Lawrence and the Harum Energy team for their support and for allowing to disappear out of the office for 17 days. Managing to use up all but 3 days of this year's annual leave but what a return!! The fund raising appeal total is now over 3.5 billion Rupiah and closing in on the US$400,000 mark. Thank you all, and again on behalf of YCAB and MCK thank you for contributing so generously towards my charity run.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 5, March 12th. 2012
As it turned out my longest day yesterday, was followed today by my toughest. Now I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
So today I managed quite successfully to endure 52kms of misery down my right side and no doubt my left side will follow suit tomorrow or the day after. Serves you right I hear you cry. But how can it be? All the training these past months with no major issues to speak of and then a day or so into my run and my right knee and now hip are more than a touch unwell. Sure I expected muscular/joint issues but not as early as this, goodness me!!! My issues stems from my right IT band, tendonitis firmly lodged in my knee which is putting stress on the rest of my body. Got no choice but to adapt and hope my body does too.
Today was tough going and early on I wondered what I'd created for myself. I had no where to hide and fully exposed with an entourage of 2 police cars, 4 motorcycle out-riders plus my 2 support cars and me sandwiched in the middle of a cavalcade a head of state would be happy with. But got no one to blame but myself hey.
So safe to say I wasn't in great place for most of the day but what helped me immeasurably (and in ways I struggle to describe) were the families and schools coming out along the road to search out for 'berlariterus' as I passed by. Little did they know that I was searching them out too, drawing my own bit of inspiration from their big smiles and looking to their eyes for some comfort. And as its 2012, I suppose it's ok to briefly highlight my low point of today. It was compounded by the fact my bababear had recorded a couple of songs and then uploaded onto my ipod shuffles. So here I was feeling alone and sorry for myself in the tropical heat of the day, 30kms still to go, my body jarring on every step, listening to my ipod and then hearing my bababear sing a couple of covers (very well I might add).
Now the police escort front and back, and support cars can see I'm running, listening to music, trying to eat a banana and drink some watered down chocolate milk but oblivious to the fact I'm crying my eyes out. Haha, again a right auld mess Berlariterus. Does make me laugh though typing this out:-)
So what now. Well the strategy is very simple as auld Nick put it: km by km, day by day. I do find once I get over the first 2 hours the body and mind appear to work in tandem to be more excepting. I've also been waking up nauseous and thinking about what lies ahead!! Soft lad and happy days ahead!
Anyhow, will finish off now with a clear mantra for the next 3 weeks... 'IT NEVER ALWAYS GETS WORSE'. That's good enough for me.
Yours in berlariterus...
Another day over and my longest day to date at 55kms. My route today saw me start just north of Ketapang on the east coast of Java and work my way over a small ridge between Mount Raing range and Mount Bauran. It was nice to look down on the Java sea as I made my way the north coast towards. Situbondo. I can safely confirm it was a lot easier talking about it than actually doing it, lol. Anyhow, just taking each day as it comes - wise advice I received from an old friend today.
Yours in Berlariterus...
Day 3, March 10th. 2012
Today saw me leave Bali around midday on the Ferry to Ketapang arriving half an hour before we left, cool hey!! No supersonic ferry, just Bali is 1 hour head of Java and the beauty of this time change is that I'll get an extra hour in bed to rest, lovely! Total kms today was 43, 35' to Gilmanuk and another 8k along the road towards Situbondo. Gives me 150kms for the 3 days of running and my body knows it. My right knee in particular not good but we push on. I certainly forgot all about my aches and pains when we dropped in on Sanatana Dharm Orphanage. The kids were lined up along the main road and waved and cheered us in. What an unbelievable welcome... I can't imagine another welcome by complete strangers ever having the same affect, a time and place and a state of mind combined for my most memourable part of the run so far. After the welcome the kids walked us up to their home where I was presented with Rp23Million kindly raised by the management and staff of Ayana Resort. Thank you very much for Ayana and Mr Jerome for this wonderful support. I should say that receiving this support in front of the kids was very touching indeed and something that I will recall with fondness for many-many years to come. I was made to feel very special indeed, thank you to all the kids and staff at Sanatana Dharm - I promise to repay your unforgettable welcome;-)
Yours in berlariterus...
Day 2 , March 9th. 2012
Day 1, March 8th. 2012
Started at 7am this morning at Denpassar Airport Bali, it was great to see some friends there to see me off. Unfortunately the GPS tracker not working will try and get it fixed in the next day or so. That aside everything else ran very smoothly, made our way out of the airport and worked our way up past Legian managing to pick up a couple of Surfers that hadn't slept all night along the way, which made for an interesting conversation! I wasn't running alone on my 1st day I had some great company in the form of Gerome and Muara who are joining me for my first couple of days in Bali. After Legian it was up through Seminyak on our way to Gili Manuk. Managed to finish up about 1:30pm with 50 km's under our belts! Glad to have the first day out the way, feeling a bit stiff, fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Yours in Berlariterus....
Yours in Berlariterus....
The lights will guide you home
I 'm running home in the morning and look forward to the lights of Jakarta and my beautiful family - 25 sleeps and a few kms to go:-)
Will leave you with this tune as I head for bed, good night, sleep tight and sweet dreams.
Scottish man with a heart of gold, Scott Thompson, will run for 25 consecutive days for charity
Berlariterus...
Will leave you with this tune as I head for bed, good night, sleep tight and sweet dreams.
Scottish man with a heart of gold, Scott Thompson, will run for 25 consecutive days for charity
Berlariterus...
Posted by Scott Thompson
Source : http://www.runningbalitojakarta.com/blog/
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