I would like to send out a big thanks to the RTP family to include management, competitors, and volunteers. What a year. Here are the ten most important things I learned about the events: 1) You only really need a mattress for Atacama. 2) Contact someone who ran this year's Last desert before you buy all the kit. Especially the parka. 3) 2800 calories a day is worth the weight 4) Pack a a variety of foods so you don't eat the same thing more than 3 days.(including racing food) 5) Always carry your own prescription strength medicine against the runs. 6) Eat before you use the bathroom. 7) Clean Face, Balls, and then Ass with a wet wipe. Never deviate from this process. 8) Pretape your heels with compeed the night before so it has time to set. 9) Hydrate as much as possible. Even if it is hot water at night. take 2 salt pills before you go to bed. 10) Wash your feet after every race day. Use the water to clean your entire calf when Alina is not looking. I could not have completed the 4 deserts without an understanding and supportive wife and daughter. I am sure that you can relate to this. Ultra running is definitely a team sport. I can not count the number of times I dragged my poor family to the mountain, or a training race, or told the same race stories. well, you get the idea. Thank you, I love you. I am proud to have represented Hospice of Holland to promote awareness of this fantastic organization. Hats off to these truly amazing people and thanks for everything you did for our family. To my friends and team mates. I will treasure the time that we had together. Thanks for looking out for me, I know it was not always easy or convenient but it will always be appreciated. See you on the trails! Final Rant: What is up with point systems, essays, and giant fees to get into long races. I am tempted to just lace up my shoes and run the arizona trail. Anyone interested? Rob

Hi everyone.

I say everyone but by now it

WHALE SIGHTING and popped a nail off my toe. Could today get any better?

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the updates. Jack, thanks for telling me that L is for Leonardo.  I always thought L was for lima beans.  I am glad that we cleared that up!

We are making great progress across the Drake Passage.  It looks like we will get back to port tomorrow night.  Progress!  They have had some lectures on geology and penguins to break up the trip.  Did you know there are 18 types of extinct penguins.

Brianna, you should see the birds flying around the ship. Some are huge with giant wingspans as big as yours!

Honey- we are steaming back in good order.  All is well and I can’t wait to be home.

Love me

Boom done.  What a day!  We finished the long stage and had a great time doing it. Could not have had two better team mates than Inia and Brett.  Hats off to the misfits. My feet and sprits are in great shape. finally no blisters.  We did 27k today in freezing conditions which earned us a solid 2nd place.  I ran with the flag for the last lap and should have some good pictures for you.  The medal is awesome and now I can wear the new jacket. You will love it.

Brianna- thanks for your message honey.  I miss you so much and cant wait to see you soon and hear how you have been doing.  We had to run around a momma and baby weddel seal on our last course.  Sorry that I have not been blogging a lot but the weather has been crazy and I have not been able to type without getting sick. I love you.  Have mom search on google for deception island, then draw a line to Ushuaia.  That will be our course for the next three days.  Does Antarctica sound like fun for you?

We left Deception Island and are headed back to Ushuaia.  I will call when we get back into cell range but it will take a couple of days to get there.  Hey who won the big game?  I am wearing all of my Spartan gear but we have zero contact with the outside world. Atul turned 49 today and the 4 Deserts team put a sign on our door and he got a big birthday cake after dinner.  He is one happy dude.

What a journey.   Honey I love that you are watching the hallmark channel.  Watch a couple of Christmas ones for me!  Also both of our dads sent nice email so please thank them for me the next time you talk to them. Oh geez here comes the swell. 

I will blog again tomorrow.love to all.

rob

Hi everybody:

Your emails and comments have been over the top amazing.  I really appreciate it and apologize for not being to blog every day.  Lots of strong weather over here  and three great days of running.

The wind reached 50 knots and we could not find a safe place to land despite the captains best effort. So we havebeenfighting giant waves for the entire day.  We are on our way to king george’s island for hopefully a fitting a d final run tomorrow.  Knock on wood.

We were able to run on the actual continent of Antarctica and I opened a nice note from my brother in laws family to include jack and ben.  Thanks guys! It really helped me up and over the mountain trail yesterday.  Wow it is just plain crazy waves outsides!

I am glad to hear that everyones Halloween went well.  I cant wait to get home and catch up on all of the details.  There is a presentation on women in antartica going n right now.

Allis good hear.  You will be happy to hear that we have indirectly started our way back!  I am turning a little green so I will blog more tomorrow.  Can you believe that wear one run way from completing this epic journey?!

Love to all,

Rob

I think that penguins are amazing. There is something totally human about them as they go about their life. Did you know that experienced penguins nest at the very top of mountains to reduce exposure to predator birds?

We went up and down a mountain today with our cleats. Very cool and very difficult. I sweated through my clothes and ran a little ragged but the fellas took great care of me again.

A million thanks to all. I love you honey

Hi everyone-thanks for the great notes. We saw some baby seals today, a whale, and hoards of awesome penguins. Penguins have lots of personality and seemed to accept us as one of the gang.

We sailed 14 hours only to have the way blocked by giant icebergs. Cool right? Ram that baby! So they found an alternate route next to a giant penguin colony and Chilean research centre. We had to wear the metal spikes on our shoes. The snow was soft and deep. The fellows delivered a hell of a performance. There was a bit of a sour mood but we worked through it with a steady dose of Atul stories, Tylenol, and helpful suggestions for Inia to find a girl online. If you have any suggestions please feel free to email him directly. The snow was deep - good training for our move to Chicago.

Honey- the team has rated your cookies as kick ass and bloody awesome. Thank you for baking those for us.

I miss you so much. Your cookies were clutch and I cant wait to be home soon.

No up checks yet. Knock on wood. Tomorrow is going to be harder and longer than today so I am off to bed.

Antarctica is pretty amazing. Lots of giant icebergs. Totally awesome.

Love

Rob

Hello hello hello!

Day 1 is complete and what an adventure! We ran with penguins and a pair of weddel seals. We boarded the zodiacs and sped onto the shore like we were right out of the movies. We spent the day running on Deception Island. Brett says that its called that because it looks like an island but has a small connection to the continent. Used to be a whaling station and there are ghost town like buildings and decaying boats around. Very cool.

The weather as freezing with strong wind. I have to say thank you for the giant parka because it kept me warm and toasty on the zodiacs, even when it got completely soaked by a few waves. I think the guys are pretty jealous.

It was a lot of fun running with the guys. Everyone worked hard but you could see some of the injuries from the other races popping up. My hack tape job held up and my toes were warm throughout. Very happy with the new shoes. I think I broke my trekking pole.

So a solid day one. we hope to recover a bit and then push hard tomorrow. The guys have been troopers and I cant wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Honey, I am just glad that you made it through Halloween!:) this place is amazing. I love you deeply.

Rob

Hi everyone:

Thanks for your comments and notes. Sam, I am roomies with Atul and Brett and Inia are across the hall. So far so good.

The Placius is the name of our ship and it is run with precision. The trip is proving to be as exciting as advertised. I was feeling pretty confident and took a shower. Everyone is doing good with the waves. Atul is the first to get sick after breakfast but nothing can keep him down for long.

My buddy Inia and his father Tiki prepared and gifted the team ceremonial necklaces made from stone only found in New Zealand. Thank you Mr Ramauti. It is the added boost we were looking for and we are taking good care of each other.

Brett and I have already come up with a nice race plan for next year. Don

One of my favorites. Let's rock this Dead Poets Style...... Do not go gentle into that good night Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953 Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

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