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Well, today is race day.  Nothing has changed in terms of Chinese cooperation, so the route is definitely out to the Uruguayan Artigas Base and back six times.  I put all of my race stuff in my dry pack:  trail shoes, Gu/Cliff shots in the Gu flask, three 32 ounce Nalgene water bottles (64 ounces Gatorade, 32 ounces water), NYC Marathon jacket, GoPro, sunglasses, Geelong Cats hat, and extra beanies.

I made my way to the mudroom to get changed.  I had already put on my snow pants but needed to change into the boots that were given to us for landings.  I got down there, assembled myself, put on my life jacket, and was whisked away to the zodiac.  There were 8 people per trip, and the trip took about 5-7 minutes to get to Bellingshausen Station.

I de-boarded the zodiac and walked up the “beach” to the staging area.  Tarps served as our “changing stations”.   As I got to the tarps, Jeff informed us that we were a little over 10 minutes to race start (12 to be exact).  I hurriedly took off my boots and put on my trail shoes and swapped my nice waterproof parka for my NYC marathon running jacket.  It was lightly raining and I decided that I had to go pee before we started.  We had makeshift “bathrooms” in two tents.  I was instructed that “pee” was on the right, and “poo” was on the left.  I went right and peed into a bucket.

Emerging from the small tent, I grabbed my water bottle and made my way to the start line.  There was absolutely NO support on the course, and if we wanted any fluids, we had to carry them to the water drop station, which was one mile out.  This water bottle had 32 ounces of orange Gatorade.  Wave one consisted of all of the half marathoners and the slower marathoners like myself.  The unofficial cutoff time to be in the first wave was 5 hours.  If you were faster than 5 hours, you were relegated to wave 2.  Jeff gave us one bit of advice and that was to take the first lap slowly to learn what you have to do to navigate the terrain.  Soon, we all joined in the counting down to the start from 15 seconds, and then we were off.  My plan was to GoPro the first lap, do a 4:1 minute walk/run interval, and walk any obnoxious hill (if there were any).  I wanted to finish before the cutoff of 6:30:00.

Lap 1:

So, the absolute FIRST thing that I notices was the mud.  LOTS of mud.  The temperature was about 36 degrees so water is a liquid at that temperature,  Oh. did I mention there was mud?  Check out the picture above.  LOTS of running water and did I mention how much mud there was?

The first half mile was muddy (I think I forgot to say how much mud there was) with a slight incline.  This was nothing too bad, as I had trained for these kinds of hills/inclines in Connecticut.  I was keeping up with the leaders of the slow-wave.  I passed a glacial runoff stream and several areas in the dirt road where large puddles had formed.  “This is not too bad,” I thought.

Apparently, I jinxed myself and upset the running gods because at about 1/2 mile in came one of the steepest hills I have ever had to run up.  I ran for a LITTLE bit, then, like everybody else, decided to walk to the top.  Several minutes later, I was STILL looking for the top.  WTF?  I have to do this hill FIVE more times?  FINALLY, I made it to the top.  My legs were BURNING after WALKING up this hill.  Oi!  What did I get myself into here?  Breathe Bob, breathe.  I took some extra walking time to recoup from that horrible experience.

After I caught my breath and the burning left my legs, it was back to running.  I thought to myself, “Alright, I read about that hill, and that has to be the hardest part.  It should be alright from here out to the turnaround.”  (HAHA!  Little did I know, the torture was JUST starting, and I had NO idea what I was in for).

The next part was more or less flat with mud and puddles to dodge.  Then came a glacial runoff stream that I had to jump over.  It was small, but I was worried about jumping on the last lap.  I walked up another small steep hill, then started running again.

About 0.8 miles in, I approached the lake pictured above.  The runners were all going to where the outlet stream was and jumping over that.  I mused to another runner that I did not realize that I signed up for a triathlon!  After hopping over the stream, I ran on quite a narrow and s;wanted path to get back to the main dirt road.

The next challenge was a fairly wide glacial melt stream.  It was divided into two parts.  The first one was fairly small and easy to jump over.  The main part of the stream was quite wide.  There was no jumping over this one unless you are an Olympic long jumper.  Everybody stopped and surveyed the puzzle at hand.  Some people went upstream.  As for me, there were some rocks sticking up about one hop out.  I jumped there and then planned my next move.  There were no more “dry” spots to be stepped on, so I had to do the next best thing – pick the rocks that were submerged the least!  Two hops and I was through with only minimal water in my shoes – back to the familiar dirt, mud, and puddles.  Up ahead, I spied the water drop.

As I arrived at the drop spot, there was yet another lake to navigate.  I made around it, stopped, and took a big drink.  Right after the water drop was a rather steep hill, but it was pretty short-lived (see picture to the left).  I was getting pretty hot at this point in time and unzipped my outer jacket.  The next section was a small but long uphill.  At this point, I decided that my 4:1 was going out the window.  I had no idea what I was going to do, but the hill placement was NOT cooperating.

The next obstacle was literally a 50-yard mud field with puddles scattered all through it.  Did I actually mistakenly sign up for a Tough Mudder?  I watched the runners in front of me and planned my route from their weaving and bobbing. As I exited the mud field, there was one last thing to navigate in this obstacle-of-the-minute – another glacial melt stream.  I hopped over a small part, then literally had to turn 90 degrees to the left, walk several steps, turn 90 degrees to the right, then navigate some more mud.

Have I mentioned how much mud there is out here?  I think I have forgotten and feel the need to mention it.

The next part of the course was absolutely beautiful.  It was flat with a slight downgrade, so it made for quite an easy run.  It felt like I ran for a good 2 miles, but since the turnaround was one 2.18 miles out, I knew this was a fallacy.  In the distance, I could see the open sea.  The temperature was about 36 degrees and there was little wind.  These conditions were perfect.  With 4 layers on (2 shirts and two jackets), I was getting pretty hot.  As I ran around another glacial lake, it started to rain (just a little bit).  Next up was another uphill with plenty of mud and puddles.  Have I mentioned all of the mud out here?  As I crested THIS hill, the Uruguayan base, Artigas, came into view.  I passed the two-mile marker and knew the turnaround was not too far out.  At this point, the route was pretty exposed and the wind started blowing pretty hard at 40 mph.  I went from being HOT to being chilly in about a minute.

Soon, I was at the turnaround where Paul was directing us over the timing wires and sending us back.

Going back was just doing what I did in reverse.  The wind was still howling and I decided that I should keep my outer NYC marathon jacket on instead of taking it off back at the starting line.  I made my way back to the start and completed the first lap of 4.36 miles in about 57 minutes.  At about 13:05 pace, this was not earth-shattering, but it would get me done in under 6 hours.  However, I knew that my pace would slow down as the race went on.

Lap 2:

Since I have described the course, I will just go over my thoughts from each lap from here onward.

When I got back to the starting line, I put the GoPro in my dry pack and drank some water.  After a 3-4 minute rest, I was back out for the second lap.  My 4:1 walk/run was definitely out.  My strategy was to walk the hills and run the flats and downhills.

As I made my way to Hill From Hell at 1/2 mile, the wind REALLY started to pick up and was sustained at 40 mph.  Luckily though, it was at my back, so it kind of helped push me up the hill.  My legs burnt at the top and I was starting to doubt whether I would be able to finish a half marathon, let alone a full.  I made it out to the Artigas station and made the turnaround.  Now, I had to contend with a 40 mph HEADWIND.  I was not overly cold, but I could feel myself exerting a lot of extra energy.

One neat thing about this race is that you can decide to change distances mid-way through the race.  If you are not feeling like you can finish the full, you are permitted to drop down to the half MID-RACE!  Marathon Tours realizes that this is not an easy course and if you are not prepared for all 26.2, they at least want you to get something for your efforts.  You just have to tell them before you finish the 3rd lap.  Just pull Jeff aside, tell him, and you will be recorded as a half finisher.  Note that you CAN NOT upgrade from the half to full (although I doubt anybody would want to do that).  With that in mind, as I neared the halfway point of the return (mile 7 total, mile 3 on this lap), I seriously contemplated dropping to the half.  I was not feeling a full 26.2.  This was too difficult.

Lap 3:

When I finished lap two, I had to use the “honeypot” as they termed it, except this time, I had to go to the left (see explanation above).  After that, I walked to the start line and took a big drink of water.  I looked outward and thought to myself, “Well, I have to do at least one more lap, let’s do it.”

With 2 laps under my belt, I now had a good feel for the course, what was easy, what was average running, and what made me rethink every decision I have made in my life.  As I was approaching Hill From Hell, I noticed that the wind had gone away.  There was no wind at all and it was relatively mild at about 37 degrees.  My legs still burnt after Hill From Hell, but I noticed that for some reason, I was feeling stronger.  Maybe all those hills that Natalie tortured us with at the Fleet Feet speed/hill workouts were starting to kick in.  In a normal marathon, it takes me about 6 miles to get into a rhythm.  Perhaps I was starting to get into one after about nine miles.

I approached the water drop station and stopped for a drink.  I noticed that I was severely short on Gatorade.  With all of these hills, I was burning through liquid VERY fast.  I dropped my bottle and continued toward the Artigas turnaround.  I made the turn and back toward the start I went.  As I approached the water stop, the decision to do drop to the half or continue with the full started to press down on me.  I drank the rest of my Gatorade.  Either way,  I would have to take this 32-ounce bottle back to the start.  If I continued on with the full, I would grab my second (of three) bottles and bring it back.  Approaching the top of Hill From Hell, I decided that it would be a lot safer to walk down rather than try to do a slow run, so I did that.  I got to the bottom and started running again through all of the mud.  Speaking of mud, have I mentioned that this whole course is covered in mud?  I did not think so. 

At the bottom of the Hill From Hell, the start line was in view.  I had to make a decision and had to make it fast.  The marathon time limit was technically 6:30:00 with a half cutoff time of 3:10:00.  I was pacing for 3:10:00 almost on the nose.

(300 yards from the turnaround) They kept time up to 7:00:00 for marathoners.  If you finished over 7 hours, you got an “FNT”, which stands for Finished, No Time.  I thought I would be able to finish in 6:30, but with a half time of 3:10, I knew that my second half would be slower.  I absolutely DID NOT want an FNT by my name – I wanted a time.

(200 yards from the turnaround) The big question then became, if I continue, can I finish the second half in 3:50 or less.  Now, 3:50 for a half sounds like an insanely easy task, but this is no normal course.

(100 yards from the turnaround) If I continue and do not finish the full, I get a DNF and NO credit for even the half.  PRESSURE PRESSURE.

(50 yards from the turnaround) Looking at my watch, I was at 3:12:00.

(25 yards from the turnaround) The turnaround and start/finish lines were in different places (albeit 10-20 yards apart).  Both had timing wires that we had to run over – the turnarounds were to get your splits, while the start/finish lines were to get just that – the start and finish times. Since I was carrying my empty water bottle, the volunteers assumed that I was running the half.  They were all pointing and yelling at me to go to the finish line NOT the turnaround.

(10 yards from the turnaround) Jeff Adams looked at me and said, “You are right on the nut.  Are you good to go?”

DECISION TIME

. . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

I rounded the wires at the turnaround, dropped my empty water bottle, picked up my full bottle of Gatorade, looked at Jeff, and said, “My hill training is kicking in.  I am going to do this!” (Thanks Natalie!!!)

Lap 4:

Lap 4 was a blur.  I literally do not remember anything about it.

Lap 5:

As I started lap five, I felt uplifted.  I was over seventeen miles in – 2/3 of the way done.  I only had two more laps to do.  I hesitate to say I was getting stronger, but I definitely was not getting any weaker.  My hill training was carrying me.  The main concern was completing the final two laps and finishing in less than seven hours.

About halfway to the Artigas station, several of us slower runners grouped together.  There John from Indiana, Cat from Seattle, Katrina from St. Louis, and myself from Connecticut.  John greeted every runner he saw running in the opposite direction with, “Looking good!  Keep it up!”  We all bonded instantly and were good friends in this misery that we were experiencing.  I figured we would all run together from this point, but I stuck to my plan, and soon I was in front of all of them.  I kept building up a lead, but John kept catching me (not that I was trying to outdo him).  Since I did not have my camera, I asked John if he would take my picture in front of the 20-mile marker sign that I sponsored.  He said that we would when we got there.

As I approached the Artigas station, I was pulling away from John.  I made the turnaround and was on my way back to the start.  Soon, I was at the 20-mile mark.  I stopped and looked over my shoulder.  John was nowhere to be found – and I did not want to wait for him.  Oh well, the picture could be forgone.  I REALLY wanted to keep pushing with the goal of not getting an FNT.

Soon, I approached the water station, stopped, and rationed the rest of my Gatorade.  One more mile to the start line, and I would be on the last lap.  As I continued my journey back to the start line, I passed my cabin-mate, Tom.  He warned me that the second wave started and we would be running into those runners shortly.  Almost on queue, I started passing runners from the second wave.  I heard one guy complain that he was only running an 8:29 pace at the moment (poor baby 🙂 )  One comical moment came when I got to the top of Hill from Hell.  As I walked down the hill, one lady, who was in the second wave and going UP the hill for the first time, lamented, “What is this hill and why is it so steep?”  I pointed to her and half-jokingly said, “And you have to go up this thing FIVE more times!”  I do not think she was amused.

Lap 6:

I rounded the checkpoint and looked at my watch.  The elapsed time was 5:45 (give or take a few minutes because I did not start my watch on time).  I had about 75 minutes to complete 4.36 miles and avoid an FNT, which is about a 17-minute mile.  Normally, I would laugh at having to complete a distance with a 17 minute per mile pace, but this course was no joke!  This was going to be close.

John had caught back up to me and we were pushing each other.  I ran through all of the mud to the base of Hill from Hell.  I walked up it for the very last time.  My legs burnt so bad as I got to the top. I was sticking to my plan of walking up any hill, running down any hill, and run/walk any relatively flat spot.

John had tracked me down and we were running together once again.  I passed the water stop and drank exactly half of the Gatorade that I had left.  1.18 miles to the turnaround.  I trudged on.  As I approached the 20-mile marker, I asked John to take that picture of me that he promised to get on the last lap.  He objected and said that we were not on mile 20.  I said that I did not care WHEN it was taken, but I wanted a picture of me with the mile marker that I sponsored.  He gave in and took my picture.  We walked/ran to the Artigas turnaround.  Paul congratulated me for a well-run marathon and said to enjoy the last 2.18 miles.  I glanced down at my watch and saw that I had 35-40 minutes to make it to the finish line, which was a 16-minute mile. I was unsure of the exact time because again, I had forgotten to start my watch on time.  I figured it was about 7 minutes.  1.18 miles later, we were at the final water stop and had about 20 minutes to do it!  I was feeling more confident.  I could theoretically walk and make it, but I was not taking any chances.  I continued to walk/run and soon I was at the top of Hill from Hell for the final descent.  I was scared that I might actually fall on the way down because my legs were so tired.  I carefully walked down and then started running again.  John decided to walk a little longer and soon I was in front of him by a good 15-20 seconds.  As I approached the finish line, I could see everybody (all 7) cheering!  I crossed the finish line, and a volunteer put a medal around my neck.  12 seconds later, John finished behind me.

Immediately, I asked Gillian, the official timekeeper, what my finish time was.  She said “six-fifty-two-flat”.  6:52:00!  I have never been so excited to have such a slow marathon in my life!  🙂  I successfully finished without getting an FNT!  Mission accomplished.

Appropriately, there were some penguins on the beach when I finished.  I sat down and a volunteer (who had run the half) helped me get my shoes off and boots on.  He was so helpful, and I appreciated it.  I washed the mud off my shoes in the ocean, boarded the zodiac, and went back to the ship.  I showered, went to dinner, then zonked out – content with my finish and my SIXTH continent completed!

Official race results for both the full and half marathons have been posted on the Marathon Tours website.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 6th, 2022 at 10:41 pm and is filed under Marathons, Running. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.