Talk about running the world over. I came across this article while reading the Boston Metro today. It is definitely an inspiring story to get out there and get going...no matter what time of year it is!
Running on thick
Marathoner Mike Pierce takes on Antarctica — again
PROFILE.
How’s this for crazy: Imagine running 100 kilometers, or a little over two marathons, in a row. Now, imagine doing it through the set of “March of the Penguins.” San Diego, Calif., extreme athlete Mike Pierce is doing just that this Friday when he attempts the Antarctica 100K. The Antarctic Ice Marathon at Patriot Hills — the only privately held base camp on the continent — has been held only once before, last January, when
Pierce ran the regular marathon. He and the race director, Irish ultra marathoner Richard Donovan, are the only ones
returning for a second go-round. “It was ... exhilarating, everything I expected and more,” Pierce says of the first run. Now, he’s ready to more than double the length and do it again. “I am a bit of an anomaly,” Pierce says. “I am not running there because it’s the next great ultra-marathon. I am going because I am, first and foremost, a fan of the Antarctic.” As an Antarctic history enthusiast, Pierce was looking for an experience that would mirror that of the pioneers he read about. “So the more of a struggle it is, the more I get closer to what I came for.”
THE TRIP, which embarks from Punta Arenas, Chile, will take this year’s dozen runners to the camp of tents near the Ellsworth Mountains, in a plane that lands on a blue ice runway. “It’s in the middle of nowhere,” Pierce says happily.
That’s not hyperbole — the site is 600 miles from the South Pole and too far south for even penguins (so no flippered cheering section after all). Daylight certainly isn’t in short supply — the sun never sets this far south, which is convenient for the ultra-marathon’s 24-hour time limit. Pierce completed the previous run in a little over seven hours and expects to do the 100K in about 20.
TO PREPARE for the endeavor, Pierce took a page from “Rocky” and sought out a freezer where he could recreate arctic conditions. The only problem was convincing people he was serious. “I just called people out of the phone book, but I
had to call 30 or 40 of them,” Pierce says. “Most of them thought I was insane. They thought it was a prank call.”
When he finally found an agreeable commercial freezer owner, Pierce put on his layers (two base, one fleece and one GorTex) and did tiny 60-foot laps to prepare. He has few doubts about his ability to finish the run, despite snow, isolation and winds that whip up to 50 knots. Pierce, who works as a professional speaker when he’s not traipsing across snowfields, is already making plans for his next adventure. “I’d like to be involved in an expedition across the entire Antarctic in the next few years.” After this week, he’ll have 60-odd miles down and only the rest of the continent to go.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Running for the week of 12/3
Date - Scheduled - Actual
12/9/06 - 3.00mi - 3.00mi
12/8/06 - 0.00mi - 0.00mi
12/7/06 - 4.00mi - 5.00mi sprints
12/6/06 - 3.00mi - 3.00mi
12/5/06 - 4.00mi - 5.00mi
12/4/06 - 0.00mi - 0.00mi
12/3/06 - 6.00mi - 5.50mi
Week Totals - 20.0mi - 21.5mi
Year Total (since Nov 1) - 72.25mi
This coming week I'm staying with 20mpw but got off on the wrong foot as I tried to do a 7 miler on Sunday but came up short with 5 - not because I was tired (even though it was 95 and smoky) but because I misjudged the distance. Not easy not having internet at home.
Also I need to do my year plan with major or development races. That should be my next post.
12/9/06 - 3.00mi - 3.00mi
12/8/06 - 0.00mi - 0.00mi
12/7/06 - 4.00mi - 5.00mi sprints
12/6/06 - 3.00mi - 3.00mi
12/5/06 - 4.00mi - 5.00mi
12/4/06 - 0.00mi - 0.00mi
12/3/06 - 6.00mi - 5.50mi
Week Totals - 20.0mi - 21.5mi
Year Total (since Nov 1) - 72.25mi
This coming week I'm staying with 20mpw but got off on the wrong foot as I tried to do a 7 miler on Sunday but came up short with 5 - not because I was tired (even though it was 95 and smoky) but because I misjudged the distance. Not easy not having internet at home.
Also I need to do my year plan with major or development races. That should be my next post.
Just when you think....
Seriously I do want to get back into running and have a goal to get me there...my mom is running her first 100 next year and this little cheeka is going to upgrading her status from 'Handler' to 'Pacer'.
Let me answer a few of the questions that I know are running through your head right now. Yes, 100 represents miles and no you don't necessarily run every step of that 100 miles, but you do have to run a good majority of them. That is why they are called 'Endurance Runs'. They challenge you personally. They make you ask yourself 'do you have what it takes? Are you mentally prepared to push yourself to go the distance no matter if it's raining, shining or day, night?" This is what it takes to be "one of the lucky ones".
A "Handler" is someone who takes care of their designated runner every step of the way. Well, the steps where you are allowed to see your runner. There are various 'aid stations' along the run, but there are times where they are marathons apart and other where they are a mere two miles apart. So not only does the handler get to do all the fun stuff like handling their runner's clothes that are drenched with sweat, but they get to handle the feet of the runner by changing their shoes and socks and applying the vaseline/baby powder between their toes too! By nature i hate feet, but for some reason this is the only event where they don't phase me. One additional (gross) note about this part is that most of the endurance runners are missing many, if not all, their toenails (ick!). You also have to be mentally prepared yourself.
There are times where your runner is going to be down on themselves and it may even bring you to tears (I am living proof of this), but words can be powerful things and they rely on you for this. Those words need to get them to the next aid station, which at times may be a stint where they have to run by themselves.
A "Pacer" is a running mate (enter me for my mom). There are rules for pacers though. Any runner under the age of 60 are only allowed a pacer for the last 30 miles of the race. Any runner 60 and older are allowed a pacer any step of the race. It may sound silly, but having that pacer those last 30 miles is crucial unless you are an experienced endurance runner. The last 30 miles are done in the dark for most and well 30 miles is a long way to run by yourself in the dark! Since the pacer is on fresh legs and is of sound mind it is their goal to take their runner the extra mile to the end. I will have to tell you what that is like July 2007! Depending on how this goes who knows I may be the runner with my mom as the pacer in 2008!
Every time I mention a race like this, and it tends to be often b/c this is what my parents do, I always hear "why would you be that insane to want to do something like that?". Well, I don't think they are insane I think they are "one of the lucky ones". That have a burning flame inside that pushes them beyond the norm. I keep saying that I hope I end up like them. You see they started running later in life and have this self motivating intensity about it. I don't understand why I don't. I mean yes, I like/love to run when I am doing it, but sometimes I need a good swift kick in the @ss and just when I think I am going to get started something happens. A trip for work, my stinkin' car has to go back in the shop or a night on the town the night before leaves you with a strong desire to lounge on the couch the next day. I know not great excuses, but if not packed properly well then the running doesn't happen.
Anyway, I am going to be one of those people...I am going to leisurely enjoy the rest of the year and start fresh a few weeks from now when the New Year begins. I leave for Florida on Saturday and will hopefully be returning to some snow to take a my second week off to hit the slopes! Yes, snowboarding season has (sort of) arrived! Then with the new year, I will be hitting a black belt that goes round and round!! From there on out I plan on entering more numbers in this blog rather than words ;)
Let me answer a few of the questions that I know are running through your head right now. Yes, 100 represents miles and no you don't necessarily run every step of that 100 miles, but you do have to run a good majority of them. That is why they are called 'Endurance Runs'. They challenge you personally. They make you ask yourself 'do you have what it takes? Are you mentally prepared to push yourself to go the distance no matter if it's raining, shining or day, night?" This is what it takes to be "one of the lucky ones".
A "Handler" is someone who takes care of their designated runner every step of the way. Well, the steps where you are allowed to see your runner. There are various 'aid stations' along the run, but there are times where they are marathons apart and other where they are a mere two miles apart. So not only does the handler get to do all the fun stuff like handling their runner's clothes that are drenched with sweat, but they get to handle the feet of the runner by changing their shoes and socks and applying the vaseline/baby powder between their toes too! By nature i hate feet, but for some reason this is the only event where they don't phase me. One additional (gross) note about this part is that most of the endurance runners are missing many, if not all, their toenails (ick!). You also have to be mentally prepared yourself.
There are times where your runner is going to be down on themselves and it may even bring you to tears (I am living proof of this), but words can be powerful things and they rely on you for this. Those words need to get them to the next aid station, which at times may be a stint where they have to run by themselves.
A "Pacer" is a running mate (enter me for my mom). There are rules for pacers though. Any runner under the age of 60 are only allowed a pacer for the last 30 miles of the race. Any runner 60 and older are allowed a pacer any step of the race. It may sound silly, but having that pacer those last 30 miles is crucial unless you are an experienced endurance runner. The last 30 miles are done in the dark for most and well 30 miles is a long way to run by yourself in the dark! Since the pacer is on fresh legs and is of sound mind it is their goal to take their runner the extra mile to the end. I will have to tell you what that is like July 2007! Depending on how this goes who knows I may be the runner with my mom as the pacer in 2008!
Every time I mention a race like this, and it tends to be often b/c this is what my parents do, I always hear "why would you be that insane to want to do something like that?". Well, I don't think they are insane I think they are "one of the lucky ones". That have a burning flame inside that pushes them beyond the norm. I keep saying that I hope I end up like them. You see they started running later in life and have this self motivating intensity about it. I don't understand why I don't. I mean yes, I like/love to run when I am doing it, but sometimes I need a good swift kick in the @ss and just when I think I am going to get started something happens. A trip for work, my stinkin' car has to go back in the shop or a night on the town the night before leaves you with a strong desire to lounge on the couch the next day. I know not great excuses, but if not packed properly well then the running doesn't happen.
Anyway, I am going to be one of those people...I am going to leisurely enjoy the rest of the year and start fresh a few weeks from now when the New Year begins. I leave for Florida on Saturday and will hopefully be returning to some snow to take a my second week off to hit the slopes! Yes, snowboarding season has (sort of) arrived! Then with the new year, I will be hitting a black belt that goes round and round!! From there on out I plan on entering more numbers in this blog rather than words ;)
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