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The Last Desert Blogs 2022
4
PostsThe Last Desert (2022) blog posts from Ed Sadler
26 December 2022 06:00 pm (GMT-03:00) Brasilia
OK, só Day 2 is in the bag. I’m pretty sure most people who do these endurance running events are early morning people so not starting out until 4pm is definitely a little different!
The weather was really suspect at the beginning and we were told if the snowstorm hits, look for the next race marker pole and stay there and they’’ll come get us. Fortunately, it cleared out and it was a pretty steady day weather wise with temps right around freezing and constant wind. This area was a penguin colony and there were literally thousands of them around although most of them were at least a couple of hundred yards from our course. We finished at about 9:30pm and sat down for dinner at 10:30… still in the sunshine!
I always like to start a little slowly but felt better and better as the day went along and felt pretty good the whole way. I’m in 21st overall and looking good in the veterans group, hip hip hooray!
Day 3 (today) is another afternoon run but at some point, we’re figuring we’ll have an afternoon run followed by a morning run which’ll be a new challenge!
30 November 2022 10:00 am (GMT-03:00) Buenos Aires, Georgetown
We’ve now run for 5 days in a row but today is a day off. A rarity, it’s actually a beautiful sunny day but there’s no territory available to set a running course. So, tomorrow, is the 6th and final day of running and it’ll be the longest, probably around 8 hours with a target start of around 4am (yay…).
Day 4 was harsh. Hernan, the course setter, must’ve been like the proverbial greenskeeper who wakes up in an ugly mood and puts the flagsticks in impossible positions for the day. After hearing one too many groans about days 1-3 he must’ve said to himself, “this’ll teach ém!!!”. A good solid uphill start in soft snow that never really firmed up, steady winds, and non-stop snow, it was a tough day for everyone.
Yesterday, day 5, was, overall, the most varied course and it was runnable but my legs faded a bit so I didn’t push it particularly hard.
Every day, the run has lasted about 5 hours which is very tolerable and it’ll be good to push ourselves a little further tomorrow.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with my performance. I’m 18th overall out of a group of 44 runners and tops amongst the over 60’s. So, it’s one more day and then it’s the 2.5 day trip back to Ushuaia across the Drake Passage!
Comments: Total (4) comments
Eddie Johnson
Posted On: 03 Dec 2022 04:14 am
ED!!! You're a beast! Nice job ?? Hopefully they serve good wine on the trip back...
Sam Fanshawe
Posted On: 02 Dec 2022 10:28 am
A late entry but an impressive result - even if you were taking it easy. Congratulations on completing this tough race!!! Redemption in so many ways!
Megan Stewart
Posted On: 30 Nov 2022 05:19 pm
Ed, thanks for sharing your mission, you are doing great, one last leg to go mate. Deception Island, my favourite , you are in for a treat!. Enjoy your last day, soak up the powerful rawness and embed the memories firmly in your head, bit different to Atacama ah!. Send my regards to Hernan and Mary!. Hug for the rest of your mission and good luck
Kim N
Posted On: 30 Nov 2022 02:00 pm
Hi Ed,
Although I think just qualifying and doing this race is impressive, your standing is really spectacular. So a rest day and then more running, we are cheering you on sending good vibes.
Have fun!
28 November 2022 09:39 pm (GMT-03:00) Buenos Aires, Georgetown
It was another leisurely start at 4pm! We we’re sent to a penguin-dominated island and there were several penguin crossings across our little 1.1km loop. In Antarctica, all wildlife has the “right of way” so when they waddle across our trail, we have to wait; pretty funny when you think about it!
I felt pretty good the whole day and always ran the downhills. Temperatures were constant for the 5+ hours, right around the freezing mark. Antarctica is the windiest place on the planet and it’s unlikely we’ll have a day without any but we had just a little bit of snow.
I think I’m now in the top 20. In terms of number of days, we’re halfway there but its impossible to say where we are in terms of distance: each of the next 3 days could be cancelled or we could be sent out for three 10-hour days… it’s all about the weather!
Comments: Total (7) comments
Ed Worcester
Posted On: 01 Dec 2022 10:05 pm
Ed, you are amazing!!! Very proud of you! That was an amazing feat and the scenery must have been amazing. Let's talk soon.
The Other Ed
Michael M
Posted On: 29 Nov 2022 03:51 pm
That's got to the one of the most unique race courses out there! Looks like you're making some killer times too; keep it up! Maybe going out on a limb here, but I'd be willing to bet that you're not sleeping with the windows open down there.
Ed Worcester
Posted On: 29 Nov 2022 01:02 pm
Dang, nice job Ed! I hope the second half of your race is as good as the first.
The Other Ed
Kim N
Posted On: 29 Nov 2022 09:58 am
Hi Ed,
You are already a legend in my book so whatever you do here is …ice-ing on the burg!? Bad joke, weather looks challenging but penguins still cute even if an obstacle.
One more day, hang in there!
Tom Foley
Posted On: 29 Nov 2022 03:40 am
Who knew you were an animal rights PETA guy. Wind would seem to be the challenge- hopefully at your back. Keep moving all about positive yards. Enjoy the moment- very cool TF
Scott Curry
Posted On: 29 Nov 2022 02:17 am
Ed
Doing great for a man of your advanced age. Best of luck and get home safe.
Scott
Dave Merrill
Posted On: 29 Nov 2022 01:22 am
See you've moved up a bunch! Great job! Ranked 18 from 43, really good!
Top 10 maybe on the horizon?!!
26 November 2022 07:32 pm (GMT-03:00) Buenos Aires, Georgetown
After the 2.5 day joy ride down through the Drake Passage, we we’re ready to start the race Friday morning.
The mantra has always been “be prepared for things to change!” And we had plenty of that on Day 1. We were told we were going out in the Zodiac’s at 5am which became 6am, which became 3pm, and finally at 1pm we got on the Zodiacs and started ‘running’ at 2pm.
It started as knee deep snow but as it was just a 1KM loop, it was a pretty solid trail after 2 laps. It was supposed to be a 6 hour run and it snowed the entire time we out there, a total of 15cm / 5”. After 4 hours, the winds came and thus the 6 hour race became a 4 hour race. All in all, while not everyone seemed to think conditions were perfect but I loved it!
I finished 22nd out of 43 so, I’ll take it. Main objectives are to finish everyday without any problems and I did. We’re supposed to be heading at 1pm today for 6 hours and time will tell if that holds!
Comments: Total (1) comments
Dave Merrill
Posted On: 28 Nov 2022 02:40 am
Middle of the pack at day one!
Not too shabby, actually, impressive.
Keep up the good work Ed!
Comments: Total (0) comments