Life @ Sea -- Rough seas, nothing to do, everyone is feeling a little antsy and restless. Seems the majority of the day consist of eating, sleeping and more sleeping.
 
Our trip in Antarctica was cut short due to a possible severe storm which seems to be heading towards the Drakes Passage.  So the captain  of the ship (Antarctic Dream) has decided the best option is to try and beat the storm across the passage.
 
We’re currently in the passage, l’ve got my headphones on Tiesto’s Magikal Journey is blurring in my ears, the boat is rocking quite hard, l’ve taken my sea sick tablet as preventive measure. Time to sit on a couch and chill.
 
Will keep you posted on our journey home.
 
Ciao’

Far OUT!!! The race is over and l had such an amazing day.
I’m so glad l finish the campaign in the form l was so desperately searching both in Sahara and the first 3 days in Antarctica. Much like the way l crossed the line in tears.. I’m feeling very emotional at this moment,I’m unsure if it’s the fact that such an amazing experience is coming to an end or for the fact that l can finally say I’ve just completed something that no one has ever done before. Either way the emotions are running wild and moments like this are extremely rare so l’m about to go and have some much did fun. OMG, did l just say FUN? Man! ever since committing to the 5 desert challenge 16 months ago, I’m finally able to have fun without thinking about tomorrow. But before l go l just wanted to tell everyone who helped made this possible.. Thank You and Happy Running..

Apologies for missing a day of blog, was shattered after a very tough day 1 of racing.
The race format was quite interesting, as the starting line was on mutual grounds – on one side the Uruguay research Centre and the other side was the Chinese research Centre. The course was a lap of 9km to one of the Uruguay Centre then back to the starting line which we were then required to  walk a section (300m) which was classified as a non-run zone and if anyone was caught running would face immediate disqualification. The objective for the day was to run as many laps as possible within a 9 hour timeframe.
 
I started quite comfortably after running 2 laps (29kms) before hunger kicked in, it was a hunger that l could not satisfy started with candy, followed by a family size tuna, to half a pack of noodles.. but while stopping to feed, the cold chills then quickly set in. After 6 hours l called it a day with 44km, while Ryan Sandes the running king completed 87kms, the second place contender had only completed 58km. By the way l got swooped twice by some local bird, this forced me to run one section of the course waving my hands frantically in a helicopter motion trying to scare off the birds, definitely not good when trying to reserve energy.
 
Today 22 Nov was a new day, we were troubled with an overcast weather, but managed to get out on land. After starting the race 10am it was soon called off an hour later fog set in.  Current while writing this blog l’m looking out the window from the comfort of this boat and it is raining, with snowflakes, looking very much like a blizzard, so it looks more than likely that we will not be racing again today.
 
Today l was ready for a long day, l had in fact started well keen to make up on lost km from yesterday.. but as it goes l will have to wait until tomorrow.
 
****Thanks Hully for all the gear, the sealskinz socks are working like a gem… I find myself stepping in puddles just cause l can J
 
Thanks
Peter
 
P.S: Antarctica is so amazing the views are stunning. Can’t wait to unload my pictures on facebook. Also had a close encounter with some penguins. Those little critters are so damn cute!

Leaving Ushuaia feat People of Influences
 
Its been nearing 12 months of constantant training, assessing and sacrificing never a moment of stillness. The choppy waves that rock our boat as we sail through the Drake Passage resembles my past. As i am nearing my final desert race for 2010 l claim this fortunate situation l am in with thanking all the people that have helped me in one way or another during my journey to to the end of the world.  So todays blog is dedicated to you..
 
First Mum and Dad thank you for final understanding the importance of my journey, this is something l had to do and without my commitment, and your support it would not have the outcome l am seeking. My family James, Ruth, Lara, Rob, Nelson for your patience, help and particular understanding of my traumatic mood swings. Gary from JuggernautPT your support was the first thing l needed before my commitment to this campaign, you've been there from day 1 Thank you so much for your train ing regime, mental guidance and time. 'Friends of Ermera' Jan Trezise, Merle Mitchell, and Joyce..you guys have been absolutely fantastic, you guys have been fantastic from the get go, people meet for various reasons and l met you because this campaign was inevitable and there is no better committee to partner with. This goal does not stop until l reach my target even if it flows into 2011. Just Car Insurance for allowing me the opportunity to take the time required to complete such a camapign. I know how tiresome it can be to have to display patience day in day out and l am vey greatful and have never in a day forgotten how fortunate l am. Racing the Planet, in particular Samantha has been wonderful to work with l would not be this far into my journey had it not been of help. Its fun how our communication this time last year was all about if and when l do all 5 deserts will l be the first, to more recently when will l have the money to pay for the next desert. It has been a very tough struggle but it is worth the hardship and here l am on the Antarctic Dream floating across the Drake Passage on my way to antarctica. Although l was $4k short another competitor who is also completing the 5 desert challenge has kindly offerred to lend me the money to pay the balance. Without the funding l would not have been allowed to race. So l owe this last race to Stan Lee. Other who have played a part along my journey are Diego for carrying me across the Sahara, Stan for the dried mango in Atacama, Ash for some food in Australia, Paul for dragging me through check point 6 to 7 in Australia, All the volunteers and medical team for all the help and words of encouragement. And finally to all the competitors that l have meet..thank you for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to have shared with you a wonderful moment in time.
 
 
 
Thank you
 
Peter Jong
 
To everyone else

What the hell!! Where am l? I look around and l can´t believe my reality. I pinch myself and realised what l had started 12 months ago... here l was on my way to Antarctica. What a crazy crazy..cool idea to race on foot some 250km through the coldest and windiest place on earth. Most people would think that anyone attempting it should have their sanity assessed but for a tight group of 55 runners this is what 2010 has all been about.

To put our lives on the line and to create awareness our own individual charity campaign. Each one of us will run for our own reasons and mine is to help support teachers in East Timor.

Currently East Timor faces an academic crisis with nearly 50% of all school teachers working unqualified. While Ermera the second most populated district behind Dili faces an even bigger gap with almost 70% of unqualified teachers.

By Donating you are not only contributing to improved education, you are essentially supporting a development program that supports higher learning thus encouraging intellectual growth amongst communities.

Working with the committee from Friends of Ermera and JuggernautPT, l aim to raise fund to allow 10 young people from Ermera to become fully qualified primary school teachers.

So l have been fighting strong to cross as many finish lines as possible to keep the spirit alive.

We started this year in Atacama, then Kimberley, Gobi followed by the deadly Sahara..having endured all 4 races and their summer months. Antarctica will quite the opposite with temperatures ranging well into their minus (average will be around -10 to -15)

Antarctica will definitely be the ultimate test of our abilities as endurance athletes.

As we board our boat for Antarctica Wednesday at 3pm, wish us all luck in our quest to achieve something special for ourselves and the people on our lives.