I have returned from the Sahara Desert having complete the event.
First and foremost....Thankyou, for the support and encouragement I was given throughout my preperation for this event, and the encouraging e-mails I received whilst out there. Your kindness and contributions where what made the difficult times more bearable.
We have managed to raise in excess of £25,000.00. Originally an ambitious target, which was only reached thanks to you digging deep and making your contributions.
Contributions made after 22nd May will be detailed on my next event http://www.justgiving.com/Yukon-Ultra However all proceeds for both events are paid immediately to the NSE.
The Event
The event on this occasion did not go as I would have expected. Although my training and mental/physical approach was no no different from before, there where a few climate differences which had an extremely nasty consequence.
The temperature was a little cooler than before and reached approximately 115 to 125oF. However it was the humidity which I was unprepared for.
In 2005 humidity was around 4%. This year it was in the region of 18%, causing me to expire a great deal more than I had anticipated. Therefore causing my feet to sweat, after day one I had developed six blisters, evenly placed I might add, nature had been kind enough to give me three on each foot.
Although in 2005 I had blisters and was taken to my mental and physical limits, the blisters where in manageable places, which allowed my to work through the expected pain barriers with some ease.
This time they where in other areas which made running an impossible scenario. Day four the 55 mile stage left me with covering the first 7 miles in 3 hours. I had a mind to quit due to each step being so painful, a decission had to be made as continuation would mean stepping up to speed walking and covering the distance non stop.
Quit, not an option, I was running for £129.00 per mile which was increasing all the time, and all for charity. I continued on and only stopped to take care of my feet and eat when hungry. I completed this stage in 25 hours without sleep, still nine hours in front of the clock.
The rest of the event was pretty much the same, a painful and exhausting experience. However I am home now being pampered and making most of my remaining leave period.
Is it over:
No... I am already making plans to attempt
'The Yukon Ultra' Claimed to be: 'The Coldest Extreme Ultra Marathon on the Planet'
In February 2009 at the age of 52, I will be pitting my fitness and mental stamina against a more dangerous and hazardous foe.
A 300 mile non-stop, unsupported footrace across the Arctic. Covering the line of the Arctic Circle traversing the length of one of Canada’s northern most regions...in the dead of winter (see attached word document).
Competitors will be expected to complete the distance in under 8 days and are required to carry or pull on sleds all their provisions for the race including food, cooking items, clothing, sleeping kit and other safety gear (approx 120lbs). Tempreatures in 2007 dropped to between -40oC and -65oC.
Athletes always need to be prepared for surprises like overflow (water on the surface of the ice), breaking through thin ice, horrific snow storms and unexpected wildlife encounters.
A directors daily race report is detailed below. This will give you an insite on the extreme difficulties I can expect to encounter along the way.
Additionally, I am hoping to set up an independent website similar to one shown on the first link, which will detail company sponsorship support.
Course Directors Daily Review (2007)
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 23, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 20, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 20, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 18, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 16, 2007
Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 15, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 15, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 14, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 13, 2007
Yukon Arctic Ultra 2007 Feb 12, 2007
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So watch this space.
Thank you again for all your support
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