I have been a bit quiet recently but that does not mean I have not been doing things. Managed to get three marathons in the other weekend; Beachy Head, Greensands and Dublin.

Now I am starting my training for the Addo 100 miler in South Africa at the beginning of May. I have posted two DNFs for this event. There will not be a third. Training is focussing on speedwork at the moment, 800 metre reps, hill reps and stuff like that.

Managed to get to the running club on Tuesday, Lordshill Road Runners. They are in Southampton and I live in Cornwall, it is a long story, but I am there on Tuesdays most weeks which is their speed training day.

Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon successfully completed. Results videos photos and reports on www.extrememarathons.com/augrabies.

Fly out to Johannesburg tonight, then an all day bus trip on Friday to the Kalahari. Kit inspection on the Saturday then the following day (4th) the race starts. Very nervous even though I have done it before, or perhaps because I have done it before. I know how hard and hot it is going to be. Follow my progress on www.extrememarathons.com/augrabies

Well the training has all been done. I hope it is enough. All the kit is line in the spare room. I have all the food I need; just need to weigh it out into individual portions and divide it up between the days. I think the Bombay Mix will be the secret weapon this year. Getting very, very excited now. Oh yes and a little bit nervous (for those not used to the subtleties of the English language that means I am virtually wetting myself).

Extreme hill reps today. There is a great section of track close to home where I can run up one side of the valley (rocky and steep) jog down and run up the other side (easier under foot and not so steep but a bit longer) and jog down. Repeat 4 times and you have a great hill session. Each hill takes about 5 minutes to get up so with a warm up and warm down it takes about 1hr 45 mins.

I thought this was a tough session until I met a Scottish guy training for the Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc. He was doing Ben reps - yes reps up Ben Nevis times 4 now that is what I call hardcore.

Now I have a shed load of work to do before leaving home tomorrow morning at 5am for two days in Southampton followed by an Ed & Phil sales trip to the North West and Scotland. As a well earned treat Phillip and I are running the Moray Marathon on the Sunday. This will be a very special event as it is Mel's 100 marathon and the first time I have see her since she got engaged to my good friend Dave Ross.

We will need a lot less kit in the Kalahari but will still be making use of grub and gear supplied by our supporters.

Phil will be using UK Gear Desert shoes and giving them a good testing. I will be using shoes kindly donated by Runaround Sports & Health.

We will both be using Wigwam socks and taking some Engo Blister prevention patches.

We are grateful to the following for suppling some of our food: Weetabix - ready brek, Munchy Seeds - snacks, Castus - fruit bars and Fabulous Bakin' Boys - Flapjacks.

Before we go I will post up a full list of the food we are taking. As he does not carry as much around his waist as I do Phillip will have to carry more in his rucksack.

I am back posting again as the date of the final challenge gets ever closer. Training is going well and I am getting used to running with a 12kg rucksack. In the back of my mind is the thought - 'I got frostbite in the cold of the Artic, will I succumb to heatstroke in the heast of the Kalahari?'

Mending nicely

Four weeks after getting frostbite in the leg it is mending nicely. All the dressings are off and I am slapping moisturiser

on to keep the skin supple. That will be the only part of me that is.

I have now decided to go back next year and try the event again. Isn't it amazing how quickly we forget pain and suffering. There is a piece about the race on youtube. Have a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=UchWuppNBJk

Warning: There is a picture of my face that could frighten little children and the sqeamish. The one of my leg is not a lot better.

Back running at last

Had a very slow run yesterday. My first since getting frostbite 27 days ago. I took the precaution of laoding up with a great lunch at the Duke of York, Iddesleigh and a few pints of beer so I could not go too fast. Please to say the tactic worked and I waddled around the route.

Went out again today..Photos of the route (very pretty) can be found by following the link.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104455&id=519138297&l=8dcd78b100

Thank you UK Gear and Wigwam

Now that the frostbite is healing nicely I can look back on the 6633ultra and remember the good times and there were loads.

For the whole event my feet were toasty warm, despite the severe conditions (minus 4o degrees), thanks to the combination of Wigwam socks and UK Gear shoes. I used Gobi liner socks from Wigwam together with their 40 below sock for the event and the PT-03 Winter shoe from UK Gear. Absolutely brilliant.

Thank you UK Gear

Thank you Wigwam

When I was recovering I used a combination of Wigwam socks both Marino wool ones and synthetic ones - these were great.

Safely home and mending

Arrived in the uk on the 24th March at about midday. Back at work on the 25th and eventually got home to Cornwall in the evening of Friday 25th. Sorted stuff out and slept a lot.
Sunday it was off to MOTI in Cardiff to give a talk on off-road running. Then Monday went to see the nurse at my doctor's surgery. She was please with how my leg is healing - it is still painful.

Tuesday drove to Southampton.

Note to self must spend more time at home and get to know that very attractive woman I meet there, I think she is called Mrs Chapman.

Leaving

Just about to leave Whitehorse for the trip back to the UK. It has been a great adventure. I have seen some great sights, experienced some highs and some lows, met some great people, been freezing cold and been warmed by touching human kindness.

The 6633ultra and the Arctic are incredibly tough but at the same time beautiful and deeply rewarding.

Thank you Martin, Sue and Likeys for a great event. Thank you also to the crew and competitors for a great time.

Totally in awe of Chris Todd

Chris finished the 350 mile 6633ultra in 7 1/2 days, he was the only competitor to finish. Most people will have no idea of what he has achieved. I know that in the Arctic at 40 below every step is a struggle and that you can never relax or ease off. What Chris achieved is truely exceptional. That he did it with extremely good humour throughout is incredible. He is a very nice bloke and in my opinion a God. I am honoured to have met him and to have been in the same event as him.

Chris - well done.

Been to hospital to get frostbite treated. Now a bit more comfortable. Unfortunately Phillip had to withdraw after 130 miles. Great effort.

A little disappointment

Feeling pretty low at the moment. I have been pulled out of the event with frostbite. I have had some fantastic experiences including seeing the Northern Lights and experiencing 40 below. Very high winds added to the cold as I was going over Wrights Pass, everything froze up including my nose, under my eyes and part of my leg. I am not a pretty sight so nothing unusual there. Off to get some sleep.

Phillip is still going strong.

Will post again when I next get computer access.

Off to Dawson

All packed and ready for the drive to Dawson. Just bought the last few bits - strangely the Doc advises sunblock so had to get that. Apparrently if you have any skin exposed you either get frostbite or sunburn.

I just checked the weather forcast for the start, high of minus 31C low about minus 40C. With 40km per hour wind. So not too bad.

Might not be able to post over next few days.

Great practice session

We had a practice session on a frozen lake today. This was a chance to try out getting our gear out of the sled and setting up the sleeping bag and bivvi bag to sleep out on the ice. it was also a chance to try cooking etc in real conditions. Unfortunately the weather was against us it was too warm. The temperature was about minus 10C so it was not a very severe test, it was still flipping cold. On the way back, as night fell, the temperature did drop to about minus 15C but with all the kit on it felt quite warm.

Tomorrow we load the sleds up on the truck and start the trip to Dawson. I am now starting to get fed up with all the hanging around, I just want to get started. I am looking forward to the trip to Dawson (about a five hour drive) we should see some great scenery.

Just about ready

I have now sorted out all the food, organised drop bag contents and worked out what I am going to put where.

The official kit check is at 2.00pm today. Then there is a practice session at 6.00 pm. Apparrently we are heading out onto a frozen lake to practice bivving out under the watchful eye of the race director.

Just off to test out the cold again and buy one or two bits and pieces for the journey to Dawson tomorrow.

Sled arrived

The sled arrived on the afternoon plane which was a relief. Busy now sorting all the stuff out and arranging things in different bags, repacking it all, unpacking it again just to check, packing it again then repeating the whole process.

Took a short break for a walk around town - again still very cold. Had a Grizzly beer at lunchtime, brewed in the Yukon. Waitress said it is normally warmer at this time of year in Whitehorse, normally about minus 17C. They are tough people here.

In Whitehorse

Yep actually made it to Whitehorse, Yukon. Sled still in Vancouver but hopefully arriving today.

Snow everywhere. Very cold minus 25C. Went out for a short walk to the suprermarket. Flipping cold.

Met up with Chris, Keith and Kevin so Phillip and I have now met all the other competitors in the 350 mile race except Andrew North.

Others are waiting to use internet so that is it for now.

All the packing is done!

I have managed to get all the kit and food packed, I don't think I have forgotten anything and both bags are just under the weight allowance. I had a few last practices of getting into the sleeping bag - boy is that a struggle and that was in the comfort of my sitting room. I dread to think what it will be like in a howling gale in the freezing cold. Getting the bag back in its sack was a game. Those of you old enough to remember the Generation Game would not have seen anything as funny or pathetic as me trying to get that puffed-up sleeping bag back into its far to small sack.

Up at 4.00 am to get to Heathrow for my flight to Canada so no blog for a few days. Might be able to get a couple of entries while I am in Whitehorse before the race. When the race starts there will be no reports here. You might get something on http://www.minus2plus40.com/ but if there is nothing there do not worry, it just means no internet access and the guys with the sat phones are too busy defrosting people or digging their vehicles out of snow drifts.

When I get back I am sure I will have lots to say. Once again thanks to all the people that have helped so far (see panel on right) and a huge thank you goes to Likeys (http://www.likeys.com/) for lots of advice and supplying lots of gear (some of it at a huge discount). If you want stuff for a desert race, an arctic race or something in between Likeys are the people to get it from.

Doing something I do well

I spent most of today doing something I do well; making a mess.

First off I got everything I would be taking to the Artcic and spread it out all over the sitting-room. It looked like a jumble-sale after it had been hit by a tornado. However, it gradually all came to order as I sorted things into various piles. Stuff for the start line, sled contents, drop bag 1, drop bag 2, finish bag and the final pile: Where do these go?

After that it was off to the kitchen to bag up the required quanities of food. My mess making in the kitchen is legendary. My children still remember with awe the great Ketchup tidal wave of 2007 and the Mayonnaise avalanche in 2008.

Weetabix have very kindly supplied us with lots of goodies. Ready brek (original, chocolate and honey) for breakfasts and Weetabix Minis (Fruit & Nut Crisp, Honey & Nut Crisp and Chocolate Crisp) which are great for snacking on.

I didn't make too much mess with the Weetabix Minis, but measuring out Ready brek meant that soon the kitchen surfaces, the floor and the dogs were covered in a fine dust. Unfortunately it had been raining and the dogs were wet. I will leave the rest to your imagination.

Fortunately 'she who puts up with me', Goddess Vanessa, was out getting one or two bits I had forgotten so most of the mess was sort of cleared up (well smeared up) by the time she got back.

I think she looks forward to my trips away.

Not a lot happening

Not a lot has happened over the last few days. I have been working to ensure that I earn some money in March. One of the disadvantages of being self-employed is that you do not get paid holidays.



I now have two days to sort out the last few bits and pieces, clear up stuff that cannot wait until I get back, pay bills, pack, do a bit more work, send out emails and lots more stuff.


Today I just want to say thanks to one or two of the companies that are supported Ed & Phil on this great adventure.




EDZ Clothing have supplied us with lots of layered clothing. Base layers, mid-layers, neck warmers, balaclavas, gloves and windproofs.

Wigwam Mills have supplied loads of socks, which is a very good thing as we will be wearing several, if not three pairs, at a time. Wicking liner socks, 40 degree below socks and some lovely soft and warm merino wool socks as well as balaclavas and hats.

We tried out our sleds again today along the country lanes of Herefordshire. It was a sunny and relativly warm day; not what you want when practising for the Arctic. It did mean that a lot of people were out walking or in their gardens. Most asked us what we were training for, but some tried to pretend we did not exist. I think that maybe they thought we were crazy.

Our eating strategy includes munching on seeds as we go along. These are a great source of energy, being high in fat (the good sort) they contain about 600 calories in a 100 grams. We have been very fortunate to have been supplied these by Munchy Seeds. Check out their website for some great graphics. http://www.munchyseeds.co.uk/. My only concern was being able to get into the packets (my views on stuggling to get into packaging are legendary). Well, you can get into their packets very easily even wearing two pairs of gloves. Well done Munchy Seeds.

The seeds taste great and come in a couple of flavours - I love the chilli ones.

What a lot to wear

I worked out today exactly what kit I would be wearing on the start line.

Usually when I go for a run I pop my head out of the door to test the weather; if it is cold I choose leggings over shorts and put on a long-sleeved top and if it is raining I add a shower proof top. In very bad weather I might add a light fleece.

So, as you can imagine,I was flabbergasted by my list of start-line kit. Starting from the bottom.

Trainers

Liner socks

40 Below socks

Under armour pants

Merino wool base layer

Power stretch leggings

Wind proof trousers

Merino Wool base layer top

Thermal mid-layer (times 2)

Lightweight shell top

Windproof top

Rucksack

Platapus bladder

Down Jacket (inside rucksack, but might wear it if very cold)

Liner gloves

Powerstretch gloves

Face mask

Neck warmer

Thermal Balaclava

Windproof hat

Goggles

Bumbag (with down mits in just incase it gets very cold)

Walking poles

and a sled with lots of gear in.

I need a little lie down now to recover from typing that lot.

Strange people in Ledbury, Herefordshire

You see some very strange sights on the streets of Ledbury or so the locals thought when we stepped outside for a photo-shoot with the local papers.

It was a bit warm in all that kit - let's hope it feels that way when we get to the arctic.

For those that do not recognise him Phillip is the one on the left.

Why oh why oh why?

As it gets closer and closer the nerves are starting to jangle. In those dark periods between the excitement I am regretting entering the race. I keep trying to look for the positives (I am a management consultant afterall and speak in upbeat language - opportunites to find solutions rather than problems and all that stuff).

Fortunately I got an email today that pointed out a huge plus about being away in temperatures of minus 40 battling against high winds and an unforgiving environment for 350 miles. The email was a bulk one from Runners World listing the events in my region in March. Joy of joys I am going to miss the Duchy Marathon. I run the Duchy every year because it is on my doorstep- well an hour and a half's drive away, but that counts for close down here. It is a marathon that I hate. It is well organised, has good facilities and is well marshalled by nice people; I just hate the course and I always struggle on it. Also Redruth is not the nicest part of Cornwall.

So I am feeling pretty pleased to have got out of running the Duchy marathon this year.

Note to self: just remember that when you are exhausted, suffering from a lack of sleep, extremely cold and still have miles and miles to go.

Briefing day

We had a great day at Likeys getting the low down on the race from Martin the 6633ultra race director.

In the picture from left to right Ed, Martin, Phil, Sue, Kevin and Chris.

Likeys are great suppliers of kit and biscuits but on this occassion they were out done by Kevin who brought some great chocolate biscuits for us all to share.

As I expected I am now more confident and at the same time less confident after the briefing. More confident because I now have a better idea of what I should do, less confident because I now have a better idea of what I have let myself in for.

After this event I will probably give up ultra running and take up knitting. Only joking Nadia, I would not miss the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon in October for anything. http://www.extrememarathons.com/.

I think I have got my strategy worked out (miss the plane to Canada) all I need to do now is practice using all the gear, learn where all the zips are and that Marmot zips are the other way round. On top of that I need to pack, buy one or two more pieces of kit, sort out how I am getting to the airport, buy some currency and go to work to earn some money. If anyone has got some time they can lend me or knows how to get more hours in a day please let me know.

Equipment - two nice surprises

I was due to get to Phillip's early today, but set off late due to having an extremely upset stomach over night.

When I arrived we went straight off to Run Around Sports & Health. Oli had very kindly agreed to measure our feet in the three pairs of socks we would be wearing so we knew what size shoes to get. These socks have been given to us by Wigwam; liners socks, merino wool socks and some called 40 below. Thanks Wigwam. http://www.wigwam.com/

We very much appreciated Oli spending the time to make sure we were getting properly fitting shoes. Just imagine our surprise when he gave us the shoes completely free of charge. Just for the record we had both selected Mizuno Wave Ascend shoes. These are relatively wide fitting and for a trail shoe have good cushioning. I wore this particular type of shoe in the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon last year so it will be great to also wear them in the Arctic.

Thanks very, very much Run Around Sports & Health; Oli also included a free pair of stretch laces. http://www.runaroundsports.co.uk/

The other surprise was the box of kit that EDZ Clothing sent for our trip. Marino base layers, (tops and bottom) fleecy mid-layers, gloves, neck warmers, balaclavas and windproof shell jackets. This stuff was originally designed for motorcylists, but a lot of it is great for running. Thanks James. http://www.edz.com/

Off to bed now. A briefing tomorrow from the race organiser tomorrow, so I will probably be very worried by tomorrow evening.

Watched Ice Road Truckers - Big Mistake

I watched Ice Road Truckers on TV last night because part of the 6633ultra is along the Ice Road. I was feeling pretty relaxed until the bit where they spotted a Polar Bear in the area. I met a Brown Bear when I was in Transylvania last year and at 250kg that was scary enough; Polar Bears are much bigger about 450kg and eat people.

The race organisers have told me that Polar Bears are not a problem and that if they are spotted in the area then the locals will move them out of the area. Not sure about that as I did not see a lot of locals wandering along the Ice Road.

Phillip might be okay as I am sure the bears will think he is too old, too tough and there is no meat on him. I, on the other hand, am a little younger, well covered and probably look quite tasty to a Polar Bear.

At least any fears of falling through the ice have receded. If the Ice Road can carry a huge truck with an oil rig on it, my 14st is not going to give the ice any problems.

It is all starting to come together

19th February and it is starting to get very real. A crazy idea that was hatched six months ago is about to be come a reality and it is getting a bit scary.

The idea is simple run three very challenging multi-day events in a year going from extreme cold to extreme heat. From temperatures of minus 40 C to plus 40 C (hence minus2plus40).

It is not long now until the start of the first event on 13th March. Being a soft southerner, who has only experienced UK winters the thought of running in minus 40C temperatures is frightening, but I am somewhat comforted by the price of the sleeping bag and downy jacket. They cost so, so much that they must be good.

More about this Ed & Phil 'Extraordinary ordinary runners' challenge later