Ready, set, go! Am off to the final desert of the Four Desert Series, Antarctica. Finally, after five years of trudging across deserts, the coldest deserts beckons. Under Ali’s watchful eye, I have been hiking, running, carrying packs, weight training, biking, swimming, and generally fiddling with equipment. Different from the other deserts, this one requires a whole new suite of gear for cold weather. Lots of layers and blizzard proof clothing await packing into waterproof bags for the ship that will take us to the Antarctic continent.
Today we leave. Yes, we. Bob is joining me for the first time as a spectator. Today we fly to the lower tip of Argentina and depart on the ship on Nov. 17th, headed across the Weddell Sea to the Antarctic peninsula. Almost 24 hours of sunlight will make our days long and nights short. Starting on Nov. 19th, we will run six stages in six days across snow, ice, and frozen ground in what I imagine will be an incredible landscape filled with penguins and more.
There are some amazing athletes in this race, including several who are trying to cross the four deserts in one year. Ryan Sandes, an amazing ultramarathoner, wants to come if first in all four and has been training in an ice chamber for several months. One of the coolest aspects of these races is to be able to hang out with these amazing athletes.
My race plan is to finish, to take in the scenery, to hang out with the penguins, and to celebrate completing all four deserts. Whereas the other deserts required me to take much more gear on my back, precluding any real running for most of the race, this race might allow me to run or at least jog some, depending on the weight of my pace in relation to the terrain. If it’s icy, blizzardy, or on snow, traction will be limited and so may resort to shoeshoes and/or crampons. I have my hiking poles for stability. I have my nutrition plan ready and it includes powdered drinks, Clif bars and other snacks. Since I’m a food snob, I am bringing my own breakfast cereal, peanut butter, coffee, and chocolate in case any meal on the ship is below par.
So here’s my equipment, ready for packing into a huge waterproof bag for the zodiacs that will transport us to and from the ship. Each day, the boats will deliver us to a new location on and around the Antarctic Peninsula. We might do a longer stage and stay overnight on the peninsula….who knows. These races are full of unknowns and last minute changes. You never know what to expect, which is why these races are mostly a mental game. Keep smiling……is that order of the day.
You can follow the race on the website, www.racingtheplanet.com. You can even send me email if you go to the tab under “Race Coverage.”
See you all after the race at Ali’s end-of-the-year party on December 10th. I promise pictures and some good food and warmth.
Robyn
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