Cathy Tibbetts

Hear Cathy's Call from Nepal
Click for  [RealAudio]  [Windows Media]

(Requires FREE RealPlayer or Windows Media

Hi, this is Cathy Tibbets calling from Namche. It's Sunday morning, and we'll all be heading up the Khumbu in just a few minutes.

Sergio Coderro, one of Brazil's most famous athletes, had a blank look on his face yesterday. It was our last day in Namche and he didn't understand where the race finished. Sergio only speaks Portuguese. My Spanish is so bad, it sounds like Portuguese anyway, so we got things sorted out.

Sergio is annoyed that his resting pulse has shot up to 61. Like everyone else he's used to something closer to 40. Runners are all horrified to be in the 60 to 80 range with mere mortals. 'I run stadium stairs for hours at home, and here going up three flights just leaves me completely winded.'

Sergio thinks it's time to start conserving energy, no more training runs for him. Most think the daily treks, generally the equivalent of crossing the Grand Canyon, are sufficient training as it is. Still everyone heads out for a run at the first opportunity. Now athletes say the daily runs will stop when we leave Namche and go up the Khumbu... we shall see.

— Cathy Tibbetts, Mountain Zone Correspondent

MARATHON DISPATCHES