Project Iceberg...Antarctica: The Last Marathon!

Training & Race Log

John and Karen will be sending updates as often as they can...so stay tuned

PhotoJournal Now On-Line
John and Karen are back from the end of the world. See their images here.

February 7, 200 1 - The Marathon, Take 3:
Those runners who chose not to run for 5 hours ran today with counters. The group was separated out by finishing time and about 2/3 ran on the 6th deck and the remainder on the 5th. It was quite a site to see 50 or so hard-core marathoners going head to head as we anchored in Neco Bay, in the shadow of giant glaciers and towering icebergs.

There may be marathon courses that are more interesting, but none more beautiful.

In all, nearly everyone got in their marathon one way or another. And we got to experience the most spectacular scenery imaginable.

Tonight, we start the 3-day journey back to Ushuaia.

February 6, 2001 - Marathon morning, Take 2:
We anchored just off King George Island, where Thom Gilligan and his crew were still waiting to be picked up. With the wind still blowing at a steady 25 MPH [with gusts up to 40 MPH] getting them off the island was a dangerous affair. Getting the runners from the ship to shore was impossible.

The conditions could not have been worse, with the wind, waves, and horizontal snow. We all knew that it didn't look promising that we would get the marathon off in the morning, if at all.

The Bridge filled quickly with worried onlookers, Thom and the Marine Expedition leader Shane. They looked at the weather reports, and began to assess our options.

We could sit tight and wait out the weather, and try to get in the marathon on February 7th. That would mean missing our only chance to actually step foot on continental Antarctica. We could also bag the marathon, pull up anchor, and head south. Neither alternative was perfect, and neither would please everyone.

Thom announced at lunch that we were pulling out, and that the marathon would be canceled. Above the hue and cry some voices were heard asking why we couldn't run the distance on the deck of the ship. Many of us had already been running on the deck and while not ideal, it was better than skipping the marathon altogether. So, the decision was made to hold the first shipboard marathon, on the 5th and 6th decks, where a mile was about 16 circuits.

I took the crowd that simply wanted to run for 5 hours, and call it a marathon. The idea of having to count laps well into the 400's was too much to contemplate. And so at precisely 3:10 on the afternoon of February 6th, on the 6th deck of the ship, somewhere in the Bransfield Straight, about 18 of us began our marathon. Shortly afterwards, participants started the half-marathon on the 5th deck.

With the ship cruising at about 12 knots, and us cruising at about an 11:30 pace, we ran in a circle for the next 5 hours, reversing direction every 30 minutes to avoid becoming VERY dizzy. We were treated to hundreds of icebergs passing by, whales and seals, and yes…an occasional penguin. And, at precisely 8:10PM we finished. A little sore, a little dazed, but very happy.

February 2: Land HO!
Good GRIEF!! Out on the horizon we began to see large and small "clumps" of something. As we got closer, we could see that it was land, and glaciers, and icepack. It was Antarctica. And it was breathtaking.

It's impossible for me to describe. It's just MASSIVE areas of snow and ice… Towering pinnacles.., dramatic sheer walls of ice. Truly unbelievable. Most of us stayed on the observation deck for as long as we could stand the cold and the wind.

Speaking of which [and I have the photo to prove it] Three of our OWN participated in a "MOONING" of the Icebergs. Yes…while the rest of us FROZE our butts off, they exposed theirs. I'll let you guess who was in on the stunt.

We will reach our first location by nightfall, and then tomorrow we will set foot on Antarctica. Amazing.

Feburary 01: Smooth Sailing
So far, it's been pretty calm, We're riding through swells that are probably 6-10 feet. Kitty, Mary D, Carol, and I seem to be doing pretty well. Karen and Cathy aren't quite their energetic selves just yet. But, we’re supposed to enter "the Convergence" later this evening, and we have AT LEAST 24 more hours in "the Drake".

We've heard lectures on Antarctica and the Penguins [NO, not REAL penguins. Those OTHER penguins. The ones that can run) I also managed a 30 minute walk around the deck.

Land is nowhere to be found. An eerie feeling. You can see the boat moving over the water, but, is doesn't seem like you're going anywhere, The "seas" have been very calm. VERY. All the worry about crossing the Drake Passage was wasted energy... on this trip anyway. There may be some dues to pay coming back.

January 31: Ushuaia, Argentina - Getting On Board
Arrived by plane mid-morning. Bussed from airport and dropped in 'Downtown' Ushuaia, which is only about 4 blocks long, and is a collection of restaurants, souvenir shops, and places to get on the Web.

In this little town at the edge of the planet, there was AT LEAST 5 different places in that 4-block area where you could sign on and check your email. The point is that I never did figure out how to use a public phone, but I was able to go online for 45 minutes for $3.00. What a world.

Several of us walked down to see the "ship" first thing. It is NOT the love boat! It’s relatively small, but looks VERY substantial. Later, we got on and into our rooms. It ain't the Hilton either. Most of the rooms are set up for 4 persons, with two narrow beds on either side of the room and fold-down bunk beds above.

Once on board we did what little unpacking as we could before the Welcome Reception and Orientation. It was about then that people started to get worried looks on their faces, I guess it was when the guy said that EVERYONE should go back to his or her cabins and take their seasickness medication. IMMEDIATELY I began to wonder what this was all about.

After a very late dinner, we went to our rooms to try to tie down anything that might start flying when we hit the Drake Passage. "The Drake" as they call it, is the roughest body of water on earth and we were steaming our way into it and expected to arrive in The Drake at about 1 1:OOPM.

January 31, 2001
Ushuaia, Argentina
They call this the end of the world, and it is. It's beautiful in it's own way, but very harsh. This is summer, where the HIGH temperatures sometimes get into the 50's.

Short night last night. We were in the lobby ready to go at 3.30 AM. Most of us are spending time seeing the city, or the surronding sites. I, am, of course, writing YOU.

We've seen the ship. It isn't exactly the Love Boat. No shuffle board on deck, and the staff speaks Russian. Where's Gopher?

I think we're as ready as we can be. If we're not, it's too late. The boat leaves in about an hour.

We will be completely cut off until February 10th, so watch for the update from Miami on the way back.

And to us....In boca al lupo... Italian for good luck.

~John

It's not exactly the Love Boat. Below: John in front of the boat that will be home for the next nine days. Right: Birds of a Feather. John standing at the gateway to the end of the world!

January 30 - Buenos Aires
This is our last full day on land, and we're trying to take advantage of it. After a 2 plus hour bus tour of Buenos Aires, several of us took to the streets in search of FOOD. No one seems quite sure what trying to eat during the crossing will be like, so we're stocking up.

Karen and I took our last “land” run before the marathon. It was mostly an interval workout. Not on purpose, but the traffic turned it into an interval workout.

After the run, I treated myself to TWO pieces of flourless chocolate cake. That's right. TWO. That and a cup of coffee should keep my sugar and caffeine count up for a while.

Tonight it's repacking, and getting ready. We have to be in the lobby at 3:30 AM. THREE THIRTY !!

Tomorrow we board our “home” for the next nine days.

It's starting to seem real. ~JB

Penguin's old and new on their first run in Buenos Aires

Mary D trying to get us in trouble by picking buds off a rubber tree

Tuesday, January 30th - 12:00pm
John, Karen and the group are all doing well. The run Monday night was interesting from what John said. Thom Gilligan indicated the run would be "slow and easy". A run to "loosen" up the legs before setting sail. Well, when the gun went off, most of the runners took off at a 7-minute pace. It must have been an "Argentinean" slow and easy pace. It sounds as if there are some real "hammerheads" on board. The reception dinner was fun. Like the Olympics, there were people there from all over the world. To put things in perspective...there were more people in the stadium at the Superbowl Sunday then have ever set foot on Antarctica. They will be in a very special group of people when they return. True adventurers...

I won't hear from John and Karen until they arrive back to Argentina on February 10th. The marathon is on Monday, February 5th. Keep them in your thoughts...

January 29
John called from Buenos Aires this morning. Everyone and their luggage got there fine. It is very warm with temperatures in the high 90s. Not exactly the Antarctic but they are getting closer every day! They will do a light training run this afternoon and sit down for the reception dinner tonight. It sounds like they are having a great adventure already!

January 28

Miami Airport
We're nearly on our way. Penguins John, Karen, Mary, Kitty, Cathy, and Carol [plus Glenn]
So far, so good. ~JB

January 27
Today was the last run before take off. I don't want to say that Karen was distracted, but, when she went to put her ear-muffs in her pocket she realized that she had her running tights on BACKWARDS. Not an easy thing to miss.

It's hard to know what being ready means for this race. More than physically, I think it's a matter of being emotionally ready. The latest weather from the Palmer station calls for relatively warm temperatures [in the 30's or even low 40's] and rain. So... we've got that to look forward to.

But, I think I'm ready. Or, at least as ready as I'm going to be. I'd like to be a bit lighter, and a little stronger, and maybe have a few longer runs, and maybe some more hill work, and maybe more off road running, and some practice on ice... but... yeah... I'm as ready as I'm going to be. ~JB

January 27
Last run on U.S. soil before we depart tomorrow a.m. for Miami and onward. 45 minutes in chilly but sunny and gorgeous TN, from our apartment to campus and back.

I thought I was calm. Guess not. Halfway into the run, I reached into my running pants pocket, but the pocket wasn't there! I had them on backwards. Hadn't even noticed til then. Laugh if you like--I did, outloud. About as bad as wearing your dress inside out to work, which I did during the taper before my first marathon.

We've packed, unpacked and repacked at least three times to distill all the stuff into one big duffle apiece, plus our carryon. I'm carrying on a lot!

Think about us please. I will think about all of you during this marathon and I'll probably cry doing it. You will all be there with me. I will run this race for all of you, who have made this possible...and with a special salute to Nancy D and her fighting spirit. ~KB

January 26
I've spent the last day and a half shopping for last minute supplies and putting everything in bottles and bags and baggies. Now it won't fit in my duffle, there's no room for my boots! Or the crackers and gatorade. Some of these clothes will have to go.

After seeing Dr. Jerri Nielsen, the female physician who discovered she had breast cancer in the middle of the winter at the South Pole, on Prime Time last night, and reading about the two women who are trekking across the entire Antarctic continent alone as I write...well, I'm thinkin' we should be able to survive a stinkin' boat ride and a marathon in 30mph winds!! ~KB, who's feeling amazingly calm...hope it's not the lull before the storm

January 25
The tapering isn't driving me crazy this time. Too much shopping and packing to get ready for the trip. Did my 40 minute run, over the frozen tundra (i.e. in the grass around our apartment complex grounds) in middle Tennessee in 23F temps today. It's the best I can do here to simulate running on a glacier! ~KB

January 23
I'm trying to squeeze the last few training runs in before we leave, and get the most out of them. Running along the path today I found myself going OUT of my WAY to run on the most uneven, icy, slippery patches. This, from a guy who never even ran on DIRT until a couple of years ago.

At this point, the inevitable is becoming inescapable. In less than a week, I'll be on a plane, getting ready to get on the boat, getting ready to run the marathon. As the truth of that sets in, I am in some small way comforted.

There comes a point in EVERY race preparation where you have to give up your plan and confront the reality. I am as ready as I'm going to be. But...I'll sneak in a couple more runs, just to be sure. ~JB

January 23
Yesterday was a travel day. The morning frazzles and mild panic about Antarctica preparations attacked early. By 9am I realized I needed a run, and decided to kill two birds with one stone by RUNNING to the pharmacy to drop off my prescriptions for motion sickness on the boat and to buy a whistle and the sports store . Why a whistle, you're wondering?? John's one of those people who likes to be prepared. I've always joked that when the end comes, I want to be by him. Well, in the event of howling winds and a white-out during the race in Antarctica, we'll be prepared with referee whistles to keep track of each other.

As I was saying...about that training run. Ran the two miles to the pharmacy and sports store, then two back—in the grass, hopping curbs and detouring up and down the slight hills on the way. Good for the legs and ankles, I hope. But they're tired. Tomorrow will be a rest day for sure! ~KB

January 21
Carlsbad, San Diego Marathon. John and I were to lead the five-hour pace group for the marathon, so we split it, as our last big run before Antarctica. He started and led the group through the first half in 2:29:21, then I picked the group up at the 13.1 mile mark. We nailed it! Brought the group in on target at 4:59:34. We did 5/1s (run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute) and shouted out our "augie, augie, augie" cheer at each walk break. Makes for a good time with the group.

The conditions were hardly Antarctica in nature--sunny with temps starting in the 40s and ending in the 60s. No layering here...I wore shorts and singlet obviously. But otherwise it was a great training run at a quality event. It's not an easy course...a lot of rolling hills...so I felt good about the training effect for Antarctica and my consistent pace. The second half of the course was along the water with spectacular views of the ocean, a warm and beautiful prelude to where we'll be next week at this time. ~KB

January 19
Carlsbad, CA. John and I are here for the San Diego Marathon on Sunday. It doesn't even come CLOSE to approximating Antarctica weather, but running along the shore enjoying the Pacific coastline view is really spectacular! Enjoyed an early morning fun run with friend Tom and his dog Sally, from our hotel overlooking the beach. I had a moment of sheer panic when the contrast to what awaits us in Antarctica hit me. Here we're running along a sun-splashed beach with hundreds of like-minded runners, bikers and bladers. Soon will be on a glacier with 140 other runners, likely running in high winds and with a bunch of skua birds dive-bombing us! ~KB

I picked the group up at the 13.1 mile mark. We nailed it! Brought the group in on target at 4:59:something. We both did 5/1s (run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute) with the group, doing our "augie, augie, augie" cheers at the walk breaks.

The conditions were hardly Antarctica in nature--sunny with temps starting in the 40s and ending in the 60s. No layering here...I wore shorts and singlet obviously. But otherwise it was a great training run at a quality event. It's not an easy course...a lot of rolling hills...so I felt good about the training effect for Antarctica and my consistent pace. The second half of the course was along the water with spectacular views of the ocean, a warm and beautiful prelude to where we'll be next week at this time. ~KB

January 19
John and I are in Carlsbad, CA for the San Diego Marathon on Sunday. This doesn't even come CLOSE to approximating Antarctica weather, but running along the shore enjoying the Pacific coastline view is really spectacular! Enjoyed an early morning fun run with friend Tom and his dog Sally, from our hotel overlooking the beach. I had a moment of sheer panic when the contrast to what awaits us in Antarctica hit me. Here we're running along a sun-splashed beach with hundreds of like-minded runners, bikers and bladers. Soon will be on a glacier with 140 other runners, likely running in high winds and with a bunch of skua birds dive-bombing us! ~KB

January 15
Hour long fun run on a local trail.  I've been doing much more trail running in an effort to strengthen ankles, feet, hips, etc. The terrain for the Last Marathon is something of an unknown.  Some of it will be up and down a glacier, much of it on a dirt road.  The unknown part depends on the temperature on race day.  We've been told to hope for sub-freezing temperatures; otherwise, we may be running in ankle-deep muck and mud. ~KB

January 14
Let the taper begin!  Day off.  More obsessing, laying out of gear, packing and repacking. ~KB

January 13
Our last long run and our last chance to test race day paraphernalia. The temps in Tennessee didn't cooperate, though.  When we started it was in the 30s, but rose to an overcast mid-50s. Over three hours in tights and long sleeves, but it wasn't that bad.  Today's technical fabrics are amazing!

We felt better at the end of the run than at the beginning.  A good sign, and probably due to the run 4 minutes/walk 1 minute intervals we're practicing for Antarctica.  We plan to approach this as an adventure, as much as a race.  I don't want to miss ANYthing!  This will be a race to soak up surroundings, not focus on a PR.  ~KB  

The apartment is strewn with hats, gloves, backpacks, water bottles, boots, sunscreen, shades, and every imaginable form of running apparel—shorts, tights, jackets, vests, hats, gloves, shoes, balaclavas, singlets, long and short sleeve shirts, turtles and mock turtles, polartec and dryline and coolmax and….  We may be packed in time for departure two weeks from now, if we can find our way out from under all the gear!  ~KB

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