South America Marathon- Fin Del Mundo (Ushuaia)- March 6th, 2007

Fin Del Mundo MarathonWP_20150127_15_41_45_Pro
South America Marathon- Fin Del Mundo- March 6th, 2007

Touring Company- http://marathontours.com/

One week after the Antarctica marathon we are challenged with another Marathon.  This is the first time either of us have done back to back Marathons a week apart.  We felt that we did have enough rest time as we traveled back to South America from Antarctica.

The day before the marathon we decided to visit El Tren which is the Prisoner train at the end of the world.  This is the train that they took the prisoners on to the National Forest to cut wood, etc. to build the prison.  We had a great day with our friends Monique and George.  At the end of the day we visited the gift shop at the train station.    The first thing we saw in the gift shop was the prisoner uniforms (the actual uniforms that the prisoners wore!)…we thought…..wow, you know we like to dress up in something related to the city that the marathon is held…wouldn’t this be great to wear these outfits :).   We thought about it for a while as they were pretty heavy and bulky.  Kind of like wearing big, thick pajamas!  We knew the weather was going to be nice so we were a bit concerned…but decided to go for it anyway, check out pictures!!

Yes, we did run the whole marathon in these outfits they are amazing, right!  It was awesome.  Running through the national forest was the coolest as this is where the actual prisoners worked, etc….we felt very much at home!  All of the passerby’s stopped cars, cabs, etc. to take pictures….not very often they actually see crazy people like us running a marathon like this!

At one point in the National Forest it became rather hot.  I was very concerned about being able to run the entire marathon with this outfit on.  However, as we started to exit the forest it actually was a little cool with a great breeze so the outfits actually helped keep us warm!

The toughest part of this marathon was the run by the airport.  I have never, ever, ever, ever, ever ran in such wind!  Actually, I did not run as I did not see any sense in running as the wind was so powerful it was as if you were walking…so that is exactly what we did!  In addition, it was at this point (approx 13 miles-half way there) that I started to get lactic acid build up…started in my knees and spread to my legs. It became very painful to run.  I basically ran a little and walked a lot until the pain went away and I could run a little again.

At one point in the city a police car pulled up to us and said “you better hurry up or I will catch you and take you back”…it was quite funny.  Many tourists also stopped us to take pictures.  One couple did not want to let us continue running as they wanted us to take pictures with every member of their family.  We told them we would love to stay but we had a marathon to complete 🙂

Memories

– Absolutely astonishing scenery!!!

– Not too difficult of course except for the wind!

– Wish the course would have been marked better in the city…we kind of were confused several times!

– Not much for cheering crowds as I don’t think that many of the locals knew about the marathon. Or they don’t celebrate/support like the U.S.

– Overall just a wonderful marathon and a beautiful day!!!!

   

Antarctica – Antarctica Marathon- February 26th, 2007- We Made It!

David and Cynthia Antarctica Marathon Finish Line PhotoWP_20150127_15_44_21_Pro
 Antarctica Marathon February 26th, 2007

Touring Company-http://marathontours.com/

I would have to say that this was one of the toughest marathons that we have ever run in our lives (check out videos and pictures).  Although it was the toughest, it was the most amazingly beautiful adventure that we will ever experience together.

Race Day

The captain of the ship made an announcement at approximately 5:30 am in the morning that we were at King George’s Island and that we had a perfect “Antarctica Day” for the marathon.  Overnight there was a snow storm so the entire course was covered with snow.  In addition the weather was definitely going to provide us with a challenge as the temperature was below zero with a windshield of 30 miles per hour.

At 6:30 we went to the dining room to have quick bite to eat.  The room was filled with excitement as everyone was ready/anxious and nervous to complete this marathon!

Due to the fact that there could only be 100 people at any one spot on the island at the same time it was decided that the women, half marathoners and over 60 would go to the island first and the men would follow to arrive at a separate location on the island.  There would be two starts, one for the first group and one for the men.  I did not like this as David and I always run these together and I knew I was going to need his support for this one.  However, given the fact that I run so slow, I knew he would catch up with me after their start.

As we landed on the Island we had about 20 minutes to change into our running gear (under the Russian Base-see pictures) Yes, that is outside in the negative degree, blistery weather.  I was freezing.  David only had 3 minutes once he arrived on the island.

Some of the other items that were different in this marathon from other marathons other then the obvious was that we had to carry our own liquids with us to replenish.  We had to place water bottles at certain points throughout the course to consume as we went by them several times.  Of course, David carried mine to the drop off point for me :).  I am so lucky!   Also, there were limited restroom facilities…really only one and if you decided to use it then it would take you a good 20 minutes.  Luckily we did not have to use these…but I did mark my spot as usual 🙂

The race started …the first 3/4 mile was complete mud!   After the mud we had about a mile of hills (I thought they were kidding me when they said the course was hilly…boy did I have a rude awakening!).   After the hills we ran on a very rocky beach until we reached the Glacier…yes, that’s right..the Glacier..1 Mile up!  By the time I got to the bottom I had in my head that I could not do the Glacier again (yes, we had to trek it twice).  My mental attitude started to decline….David continued to encourage me.

At about mile 8 I told David to go ahead and run ahead of me so that he could make the cut-off at mile 13 to finish the marathon.  I told him if I made it in time I would complete the marathon but if not I was ok with just doing the half….he told me he would not go ahead of me (we have this argument every race :)….he told me that we would just come back in 2009 to complete it.  Well, I was not coming back in 2009, so I just buckled down and kept going!

On the second trek up the Glacier I decided to go up it backwards.  I found this very helpful as it used different muscles and the wind was now at my back.  Of course, it took me longer but it was actually enjoyable!!

There were many great sights on the course as you can see in the pictures and video.  In addition to the sights we had some of our friends (the seals, skuas and penguins) on the course.  The seals actually tried attacking one of the runners!  We were very lucky to dodge this!

We completed the marathon in 7:54.  This obviously was our worst time but we were able to enjoy the scenery together and we are very happy to just have finished!  We now have Australia and China left to complete all 7 continents.

Memories 

  • Russian Research Ship
  • Drake Passage
  • The Bar on the ship
  • The soup
  • Bouncing out of Bed
  • Not being able to blog
  • The Zodiac rides
  • Dressing up in 20lbs of clothing
  • Freezing temperatures on Marathon Day
  • The Glacier
  • Supporting each other
  • The storm coming in
  • The finish Two-Gether
  • Almost leaving my mom in Antarctica
  • All the wonderful new friends we met along the way!