Wow! What an amazing race and a beautiful journey.    Need to get some thoughts together for a descriptive blog over the next 2 days at sea en route to Ushuaia, but I'm very happy to have completed today with 40km+ and no real injuries over the week 😀.  

After a strong race yesterday, I was due for a tough day. Today was all about endurance: a 2.2km course carved into one side of a snow-filled mountain, zigzagging up and down. From every point, you could see the entire course and all the competitors. The views were, needless to say, stunning and helped pass the time. I was happy to hit marathon distance today, with a total climb of over 2,000 meters! Crazy!

My knee is getting a bit fed up with the deep snow and twisting on every step, but running poles helped me get through the long day.

It was a very early start today - 430am alarm, 5am brekkie and ready for the zodiacs at 6am.  Weather was very cold -3 with extra wind chill too.

I used my backup trainers today and I’m glad I took the risk ! I completed 39km in 6 hours which was top man, but 2nd overall.   The course was amazing and allowed some running, but I also clocked 1305m of climbs too over 2 hills that provided great views and of course many penguins ( I’m getting used to their smell ).  Need some rest tonight, but we have a BBQ to look forward to and I don’t want to miss out on!   Knee is aching today - lots of stretching happening.   

I also managed to post a letter from the most southern located postbox in the world !

We started the day with a tough morning run, planning to have a 2nd race in the evening. But in Antarctica, plans shift fast. After a hearty lunch on board, the captain spotted whales and turned the ship around for a closer look—but they vanished before we got there.

By 6 p.m., we were behind schedule, and an announcement confirmed the second stage was canceled. Cheers erupted across the ship like a goal being scored at a football match!

The morning’s 1.2km figure-eight course, with steep zigzag hills, left my body aching like crazy. More stunning views - you think they can't keep getting better, but they do 😃

Tomorrow we have a 5 a.m. breakfast and 6 a.m. zodiac ride to shore for the next race. 

Back on board and showered.   Today was a 5km loop on Half Moon Island running from 7am to 7pm.  I managed 11 laps.  The snow was deep the running very unstable.    Seals, Whales and Penguins littered the course - unbelievable views.  Loved it despite being very tricky !

Extremely exciting to see our 1st iceberg after 2.5 days of very turbulent seas.   We then started to see more before  the land came in to view at 6pm ! The best bit was the waves died down and the Drake Passage was over.   

We had safely demonstrations as to how to get on and off the zodiacs that take us to shore in the morning  and another race briefing.

Bags are packed and ready to depart at 615am.   We will run from 7am to 7pm ! A nice start ton day 1 !!

After departing Ushuaia and the having safety rehearsals we sailed down the Beagle Channel.   Dinner was great - kit inspection passed.  Soon after bed we hit the Drake Passage... this was the start of the roller coaster.  Huge waves and a strange sleep.    Waking up this morning I feel pretty sea sick and can't face breakfast... even the thought of the smell of an egg is getting me going !!! I'll try again at lunch 

Time for a morning 10km jog around town before last minute shopping.  Interesting place !

Made it to Ushuaia with everything (except a few bits of food, thank you Buenos Aires customs 😃). 
It's a great feeling knowing that I will now be able to catch the boat to Antarctica with all my race kit.  
Going to explore the town now and buy some food.   

Poolside at the HolidayInn waiting to catch an early flight tomorrow morning to Ushuaia.  

The customs team at the airport enjoyed removing all my meat based snacks, even the freeze dried food ! After a bit of annoying paperwork and a telling off I made my way to the hotel.    

Thankfully no other running gear went missing - will relax properly once I'm settled into tomorrows guest house in Ushuaia.   

❤

22:10 BA flight Friday night, all packed and hoping it all arrives in Ushuaia.  If not, I am told there are plenty of places for last minute shopping before boarding the boat, but... be prepared to get my eyes ripped out!  As I'm typing this I just realized I need to pack my spare running shoes and gore-tex coat - oops ! Too many things to be thinking about :)

All gear now purchased, not much to do now other than relax ! 

Here we go again – another race, another set of nerves! But this one’s different, and I’m definitely feeling it. Previous races I found a routine, but Antarctica is a whole new beast.

Training’s been an adventure in itself – the Gore-Tex ankle snow shoes with spikes are only being tested in the mud. They say to train in similar conditions, but in the UK, “cold” just hasn’t been a thing lately. Completing 250km in Jordan means the legs are ready... even if the rest of me is slightly questioning reality.

Then there’s the look – I’ve been out in waterproof socks, backup Gore-Tex shoes & Polar glasses (ski mask was left indoors). I’m sure it’s been a sight for the neighbors. Running in layers? Sweaty, awkward, and definitely a new experience.

The gear’s ready: drop bag, food bag, backup everything. Sea sickness meds - Check. Although I’d like to avoid turning into a zombie on the 2-day voyage across the Drake Passage - I really want to be taking in the sights, orca/seal fights for example.

Books for the journey are sorted too – I’ve finished Shackleton’s adventure, and started Scott, but leaving some for the boat ride. All I need is for every piece of equipment to stay with me all the way to Ushuaia, where the Antarctic magic starts on November 26th.

Snow spiked ankle boots. Definitely a break from the norm! But if I'm going to step into the unknown, might as well have the footwear to match. Let’s see what Antarctica has in store!

Polar glasses - hmmm !!!