Time out at the festival hall...

Another great evening at the Royal Festival Hall with the The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.... Stunning performance and a great way of relaxing. I think I need to start collecting some good tunes as 90 days on the ice will need a few of them 😀

Two days in Norway...

With my very long list of 'things to do', today I flew out to Norway to look at some sleds that may fit into my 'plan of action'.  

'Plan of action', I hear you say - but its just get on your skies and trundal along to the South Pole and back!! oh I wish!!  To me, a plan of action is a vital plan and one of the best parts of this journey; because unless you have a plan then it is guarenteed to go pearshaped, become an endless meandering task that will take up way too much thinking time. 

Part of this process, that will continue until I am happy, has been gathering advice that consists of 'you need to do....', you must do... and 'you have to....'  Everyone seems to have the definate answer that should be followed.  However, when going solo, when actually on the ice, with no one but yourself around for miles, no shops or internet ordering .... crossing that start line ..... The only person that has to be 100% sure, confident and commited is yourself.  I cant help but smile, calm the excited butterflies and feel a huge sense of freedom. What I know is that every decision that I make and commit to now will become a 'make or break' and life impacting decision - and it feels great! I really love and welcome everyones feedback, no matter what field (a diverse field makes it even more interesting) as feedback can be used (in part or wholley) but ultimately I know that I will make the ultimate decision. 

Practice sled!

Today I picked up my practice sleds that will help me test pulling and packing different weights/ loads. What I know, I need to be 100% sure that I can pull the weight.

Roger at Snowsled was extremely helpful and lovely. 

Running up the third tallest skyscraper..

Running up the stairs (Tower 42) again for a great charity - Shelter - a charity that helps folk to find a home in difficult times. This is extremely important as everyone needs and deserves a home thats safe. 

Time is not the focus for this run ..... although it did highlight my new wobbly bits that need to be replaced by muscle. 

....so today marks the start of the hard training, strict diet and regular sleep pattern.  

After a month and a half of near to nothing all in the name of *recovery* today I drew the line. 

5 days to go until....

..... I run up the stairs of tower 52 at 4.30pm. I loved it so much last year, (although it is for a very worthy cause- Shelter), that I am back again for 2016. 

Oh how easy it sounds when I say 'i am going to run up stairs' almost suggesting just one flight! Yes, thats definately in the comfort zone ..... so I will ignore the other 41 flights or 932 steps!!! 

Best I start running up the stairs!!

And home 😀

Stunning performance on Friday, even though I was still jet lagged. However, with another two lined up next week ..... I feel as though I am home again.... Finally.

Life after the South Pole....

I have to say, life after the South Pole has been very different and not real life at all. After a night at the South Pole and two or so weeks enjoying the very relaxed life at Union Glacier enjoying first class food, sleeping too much and having too little exercise; it was time to start making tracks back home.  Recovery is what it was officially called but utter laziness is another name, especially as I was fit and ready to go after the first nights sleep.  Nonetheless, spending two weeks on the ice with truly brilliant people wasn't a hardship at all.

But goodbyes had to happen (yep my weakness again!) ... Jeeez I still hate goodbyes and have spent years avoiding them... But they just keep coming! Often I want to say so much but words seem to fail and seemingly not good enough....leaving me unable to say what i think and want to say. Hey ho i guess i just don't do goodbyes and that's the way it is!

So, a few hours on the elusion (with the best seat ever on lift off!!!) I arrived back on the mainland in Punta; 3 months 2 days after I arrived there. Ho hum.

After a few days planning the solo, booking Royal Festival Hall performances ( first one is on Friday and I cant wait!!), tomorrow at 6.15am I will leave Punta and fly home. 

So, whats next? 

Practical stuff to start off with, getting ready for the solo and finding sponsors, completing either CDT or LEJOG and the GCD (all in the name of training) and matters of renovating my flat need to be completed by October... So a full agenda.... But what I know is that i will be focusing on the life balance after 20 odd years focusing on the work balance....it feels great as I do- never better in fact! 

.... So more lessons learnt .... 😀