The race is over now and we are back on the ship heading back into the Drake Passage.

The weather eased yesterday and we were able to start out from the ship just after 8am. The temperature was about -2C but the wind-chill drove it down to -12C making for very fresh conditions. The course was just under 3km and was a loop with a stunning backdrop of mountains and ice snow fields. Penguins dotted the beach and there was a Weddel seal and an albino baby pup lying idle in the sun.

The wind was blowing down from the mountains towards the sea which made for a really strong headwind for the first half of the loop. The wind also caused the snow to ‘crisp’ so the surface we were running on was like the top of a crème brulee.

I started off ok, but after 3 loops the right shin was just too painful when running downhill. It was like a dagger being poked into my leg and my muscle felt like it might explode!

I came in for a pit stop and the medics wrapped my leg in an elastic compression bandage and kinesiology tape and gave me some Tylenol….it was enough to take the edge off the pain but not enough to allow me to run at any kind of pace so I missed out on a couple of laps.

Nevermind though as I still managed 8 in just under 5 hours.

The last lap was brilliant. I got out my phone and took some pictures and videos with friends and of the scenery. It was the perfect time to take it all in and absorb the whole amazing place.

I took out Blizzard from the top of my pack and gave him a front row seat across the finish line. I was given my medal and cracked open the Snow Leopard Vodka and shared with a few fellow competitors. 25^th place is good enough for me.

I wandered around taking a few more pics and enjoying the moment with friends. My fingers instantly got cold and was struggling to handle my camera. This part of the day was very emotional and I was also kind of sad that it was over and we were heading back. But also excited to be heading back to my family and friends and to be able to recount everything about the trip and raise awareness for the Snow Leopard Trust.

The sea is behaving at present. It’s relatively calm and the sun is shining. I’ve been sitting outside for a couple hours taking in the air, sun and birds circling the boat.

Looking forward to getting home now.

Cheers

We left beautiful Danco Island idyll to sail North overnight towards South Shetlands for the last 2 stages and also to start the journey back.

We awoke to rough seas and in spite of several contingency plans to run Half Moon island and Yankee harbour on Greenwich Island, we had to call it a day despite all being ready to board the zodiacs and kitted up.

We are now heading towards King George Island bouncing up and down into a 50 knot headwind and waves smashing into the bow and sea spray flying all over the outer decks and observation deck.

No  land is visible and the sky is very grey; the only thing we can see is a constant conveyor belt of waves. It makes you feel very small and exposed. Thankfully, even though I’ve stopped taking my sea sick pills, I feel champion. Of course, that could all go pear-shaped.

Quite a few fellow racers are not in good shape, mainly due to sea sickness (including David my cabin mate) so the break may be a blessing in disguise, of sorts, had it not been for the big swells.

For me, I’m in good shape apart from a throbbing front right shin. During a steep downhill section yesterday I jarred my foot into a snow pocket and immediately felt a dull pull or tension, which I thought was bizarre and it wasn’t until I had stopped a few hours later that it started to hurt. I’ve been icing it and taking painkillers today to try and numb the ache but it’s not going away so will have to run with it tomorrow.

There is only one race day left so it will have to be the long day, assuming the weather holds out, but one thing you can be certain of with the Antarctic is uncertainty.

Thanks again for all the messages and words of support. All brilliantly entertaining… I’ve got loads of pictures and videos so will be available for fundraisers, christenings, bar mitzvahs and kids parties J

Love to all you and my uniquely fab family xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi everyone

Hello all!

Wow again. Today

We were on the course over 7 hours today battling ice cold wind, meringue like snow and black sand and mud which looked like tiramisu.

I stayed at a steady pace all day. Happy that my sore groin and hip flexor held together despite the tough test especially on the soft snow. The course was 4.5km long from a beach rising up an escarpment and back down to the opposite end of the beach on Deception Island. It is an old whaling station and the geography of the inlet is an active volcano so smoke packed with sulphur was pouring out of the beach sand all day.

Running in such cold weather is bizarre. You sweat a lot still but you have to remind yourself to drink constantly as it is easy to forget because you don

The constant rolling and rocking and rolling and rocking is very tiring and monotonous.

The sky is beautiful though and so blue. I sat on the bridge level for about an hour after breakfast and was lucky to spot a whale in the distance breaking water and blowing water spray.

It

SUNDAY 2nd Nov

WOW. We