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