Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
may 26
We've settled into a daily routine. Bernie wakes me at 5 am, and we
determine the day's route. I get dressed, warm up, stretch, take my
vitamins with a cup of tea and start by walking briskly for a kilometre
or so. Bernie and Katie follow me in their van. Katie gives me cereal
and a fruit drink, which I have while walking. Throughout the day, I
have a drink every 5 or 10 kilometres, depending on how I'm feeling
and the weather conditions. I eat according to need. At lunchtime, by
which point I should have covered 45 to 50 kilometres, I don't stop but
eat sandwiches, pasta, fruit or nuts and have a drink on the go. I then
buckle down for another 30 to 40 kilometres.
The media boys film and photograph me along the way. I have to
it in with them but don't like stopping and starting: it jars my rhythm
and costs me precious time. But I do it, because we have to get the
message out via film, photos and interviews so people will donate.
By the time I have run the required 80 or 85 kilometres, it may be
dark. I have a massage, rubdown and snack, then a long, hot shower
to banish the aches and pains. Then dinner: pasta, steak, vegies,
pie or whatever is going. Often I fall asleep before I finish my meal.
Bernie or Katie shakes me awake, and I shuffle off to bed. Sometimes,
if it's not too late, I do some email correspondence, conduct inter-
views and catch up with the crew on what has happened while I've
been fixated on my running. Katie may read out Facebook messages
and emails.
I feel confident. I
know
at this moment I'm going to finish this
crazy run. Bernie has warned me not to be so relieved at surviving the
North Pole that I let my mind relax and become complacent. I mustn't
forget that my task is enormous and that I'm just starting. There are
many, many hurdles to overcome. For now, though, I'm pleased to be
here. It's all good.
may 27
The weather has been changeable today. One minute it was 30 degrees;
the next it had plummeted to 0 degrees and it started snowing. The
pain from my frostbitten hands returned with a vengeance. Now that
I'm running 85 kilometres daily, my body is shouting, 'Stop doing this
