Tomorrow.  It’s gonna happen.  Really.

Another long hike adventure, returned to Camp & received word.  News of a ‘marathon’ buzzing around Camp.  No taper.  No pre-race pasta dinner.  One of the camp engineers (manages machines/generators) told, he & another marked 42K course today with orange flagging — 7 miles over frozen ocean.  Guides formally announced our event at dinner. Much of camp support staff would be gone participating in the race.  Those of us not carrying a rifle, assigned bear spray.  ATV & drones would be used to monitor & report results back to Camp.  Insta-excitement from the news made it difficult to sleep.  Clear sunny skies forecast.  July 5th.  Top of the World.  Canada’s Northwest Passage.

Woke early.  Sat quietly outside.  Waited for the sound of generators, announcing start of the day.  Backpack ready.  Layered.  Start banner positioned outside the Lodge.

Safety announcements, SHOT GUN start.  First 7-8 miles knew well; been running these hills EVERY day for a week.  Unfair advantage?  Excitement of the day, nip in the air, wind/gusts, hills — solid 2nd, distant behind the lead.  Maintained my position on the climbs, caught easy on the DOWN.  Steady strong near shore.  SUPER windy to the Half, where few folks dropped & transported back to Camp.  Handed a turkey/pesto sandwich.  Fancy food in the Arctic.  Nice!

Waited for folks, ate my lunch, toilet break.  Guide asked we’d enter the ice as a group together.  Assured surface was frozen.  Advised we were not alone.  And… since I didn’t feel comfortable running with a rifle, I waited 15-20 minutes & ran with the pack.

Running on ice! & not slippery.  Snow pellets frozen to its surface, create a grit/tread.  Lead guy [young Canadian kid] led us out.  We’d jump over cracks on the surface.  Water bright blue like glacier melt, reflection off ice.  Actual ocean water (in the distance) dark, foreboding. waves churning.  Where/when/how you gonna get this chance in life again?  HUGE SMILES.  Just WOW!

Lead guy stopped.  Pointed.  Polar bear!  Far but visible on the ice.

Back on land, regrouped by a whale carcass.  Eventually, reconnected with my morning run route (course would go long by 2+ miles).  Walked the HILLS but finished strong.  Helps it’s ALL DOWNHILL back into Camp.  LOL>  Experience well beyond expectation.

Unlike Antarctica… a quick lukewarm shower awaited.  And… ‘the American’ got to speak at dinner!  Less loud & proud, more thankful/life-grateful to hosts.  Congratulated our young marathon winner — & thanked him for carrying a rifle. 

Told our audience: it inspired me to RUN faster! ❤️

Polar Bear!