The Last Desert Blogs 2022

Eyal Shimoni

4

Posts

The Last Desert (2022) blog posts from Eyal Shimoni

28 November 2022 09:00 am (GMT-03:00) Buenos Aires, Georgetown

WOW!
 
No other word to describe that moment when we got the green light to board the zodiacs and go for our first stage. A 1km loop, deep snow, and high winds - what do you need more???
 
Placed the gear bag on one mat, and the food bag on the dedicated place, changed boots to running shoes, took off some layers and here we go!
 
I did struggle t through the first couple with my goggles getting foggy, but once got going things improved. Had to quickly adjust my pace to what is more realistic for me, understanding that as long as I keep on pushing it is ok. Sight from the top of the 50 meters climb was as breathtaking as the climbing. 
 
After a few loops I felt like pushing some calories. It was an interesting exercise to take the food bag down and slide into the zodiac - the only place one can consume solid food - just to realize my snack are solid as ice… My comfort was that I could bite some, as well as a cup of tea from the thermos. Got back on the trail for a few more loops until after 3.5 hours the wind picked up fast and we had to pull out and head back to the ship. The view and landscape is unbelievable, can’t believe I am here.
 
Just realised I got 10 loops of “”run”” but still not too bad. And hei! Got my first tea cup in Antarctica!
 

Comments: Total (2) comments

Sam Fanshawe

Posted On: 02 Dec 2022 10:31 am

So funny that your big moment was a cup of tea! You'll remember that every time you boil the kettle at home. You have done so well. So many people are following you on Facebook that was being updated for you. Congratulations on completing such a tough race and always with a smile.

Tami Eshel

Posted On: 29 Nov 2022 03:44 pm

Here we are following every step you do, online on this site, watching the videos and the photos, unbelievable how organised this race is! Everybody looks so happy being there, especially you! Waiting for your next lecture…you know that I am the only candidate among your friends to even dream about such an experience….do you think you could you ever travel regularly from now on??? Unfuckinbelievable what you do….lol hakavod vehaaracha!

24 November 2022 06:00 pm (GMT-03:00) Buenos Aires, Georgetown

Wow! We are well on our way to Antarctica, the high sea actually got higher today as the winds pick up. Some first whales were spotted today, and the light rain switches on and off to light snow.
 
I got acclimated to the sea, and gave up the anti sickness pills - a true sailor :-)
 
The best activity that I find onboard is going out on the deck for fresh air, and I can actually circulate the whole ship - already done a few times today.
 
Due to a storm behind us, we will very likely run the first stage south of the original location - Port o Point. It will start around 4AM and end around 12:30AM. Truly - Can’t wait to get into the zodiac and set my foot on Antarctica!
 
If you follow me, take a moment of kindness and donate to either:
Perthes Israel: Tali Ben Dror 050-2340003
 
Will share more as we go!
 
Love
Eyal
 

Comments: Total (1) comments

Tami Eshel

Posted On: 25 Nov 2022 01:29 pm

Hey you crazy! We are waiting to hear the news, now that I find this site I can follow online and find out a bit of what’s going on with you :) Waiting for more info and pics

16 November 2022 12:16 pm (GMT+02:00) Jerusalem

Those of you that shared races with me know that I get a personalized poems collection from Lilach, that goes with me along the journey. For each race she prepares a new one.

This time, there is a haiku in it that says it all. Free translation in English (Hebrew original below):

The road is long.
I am going right up to its end,
And then continue

(Amir Sold)

 

????????? ????????.
??????? ??????? ??? ??????,
????? ??????????

(???? ????)

Comments: Total (1) comments

Sam Fanshawe

Posted On: 16 Nov 2022 10:20 am

This is a lovely poem. Simple, straight to the point and exactly what you will do!

14 November 2022 08:25 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

I believe this is a question that runs in any competitor's mind as they approach a target event. In my case it is The Last Desert Antarctica race by Racing The Planet. In a few days I will board the ship to sale across Drake Passage towards this multistage race. It would be my 3rd race in the "4 Deserts" series, so on the face of it I should know by now how "ready" I am.

Physically? Although my training period took place during an extremely stressful time of my life (see previous posts), I feel well prepared. In fact, this is the first time I realize that the saying "the feet remember" works. This brain-muscle memory works, and my longest weekend hours are the most enjoyable.

Psychologically I know I am. The miles in my legs and in my brain have taught me so much. Most importantly I learned flexibility, adjustment, resilience and determination. I learned how to stay calm and recalculate when and if needed, and that whenever I feel the "this is it", and I have nothing left - there is so much more if you dig deeper. Going through so many running psychology books in the months since the Namibrace, there is also anticipation to the change that this race will bring.

The next question is probably: Ready to what? Am I ready to win? be at my best? enjoy? cope with the challenge? stand on the start line? make my dream come true???... well... podium is an obvious "no" as I never aimed there. It has never been a goal for me - firstly because I am not a good athlete and does not have the basic ability to be there, but also simply because this was not my purpose as I started this journey. As for the other purposes -YES!!!. The more I read about psychology of running and psychological endurance I understand that these other goals are my true victory. One may think it is to prove my mental toughness, but really it is the journey inside that fascinates me.

This specific journey reminds me a very specific image from my early childhood.

On a tree behind our building, we, the kids, put plates of wood to build some kind of an improvised tree house. I remember placing carton cylinders at the side of it imagining they are cannons of a ship. From the top of the tree I was looking foreword across "the ocean" for Spanish fleet ships. Inspired by the stories about sir Francis Drake I could almost feel the sea water spray. And here I am, now, about to cross the Drake passage!

And as for the question - "am I ready" - hell yea! I am.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Mary Gadams

Posted On: 14 Nov 2022 02:12 pm

Hi Eyal, we are so ready too. After four years, we can't believe the day has almost arrived. It will be the expedition of a lifetime. Enjoy every second of it. See you soon. Mary