Waiting for the taxi

Let the adventure begin.....

The second challenge (the packing being the first) is to make sure all this kit turns up at Whitehorse airport, fingers crossed if either bag doesn't arrive thats my race over before i even start.

And looking out the window the third challenge is to get all the kit there dry, it is absolutely tipping it down, when going to the Arctic packing a rain coat is not normally something you need to think about.

If i get a chance to post over the next few weeks i will otherwise look for updates in about 3 weeks time......

First challenge complete

Packing all that kit, i had put aside a couple of hours but it took most of the day in the end.

Think i may blow my baggage allowance, fortunately Air Canada are expecting a sled but i don't think they were expecting it to be pack full of kit!!, leaving an hour early for the airport just in case some repacking is required.

Hey Fatty.......

This is the best part of the training!!!.

I need to bulk up a little to compensate for the weight i will undoubtedly lose while in the arctic (During my run across the Sahara i lost 5kg's) also the extra weight helps to keep you warm, unfortunately this doesn't mean eating chocolate cake for breakfast/lunch/diner (oh heaven) but just eating reasonably healthily just loads of it, my current favorite is the Sainsbury pasta meals for a family of four which i quite comfortably eat by myself!!, oh and snacking on organic carrots.....

The result is a weight increase of 3kg, from 82kg to 85kg

If you use the common calulation for obeseity of weight (kg)/height2 (m) it means that i am officially overweight which should ring some alarms bells for some of my friends (you know who you are)
:-)

Testing Testing 123

It's no good getting to the Arctic and finding something doesn't work as expected, so i have tested all my clothing and footwear, i have run with my sled (admittedly quite early in the morning to avoid any abuse from the locals), i have cooked my freeze dried meals on my stove and the last couple of nights i have even slept on the floor in my front room in my bivi bag (hmm i wonder why I'm single)

The next time i 'test' these items it will be on the start line, the temps will be well below zero, the winds will be blowing and i will have the small issue of 350 non stop miles to complete - bring it on.....