2,200km on foot...

[solutions4finance]

Nobody's ever walked from the ice edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back - so I'm going to do it; and, to make it even more interesting, and in the true spirit of the original polar explorers, I'm going to do it without support or re-supply.

So, in a nutshell, I'll be walking around 20 miles a day, every day, for nearly three months, towing behind me a sled weighing just short of 200kg, in temperatures averaging minus sixty degress and wind speeds of up to 200 mph.

As well as being able to cope with the psychological torture of waking up every day knowing that I’m going to endure the same physical punishment for hour after endless hour, my body has got to be at it’s physical peak. The extreme physical effort of hauling a near 200kg sled across the ice and snow desert, much of it up-hill, is akin to running a marathon. My body will be drained of somewhere in the region of 10,000 to 12,000 calories per day.

Just because nobody's done it before doesn't mean that it hasn't been tried. Many have tried and failed, and a few have tried and died; either way, failure is not an option for us, so training hard and training properly is important.

To fail on this expedition because of improper or inadequate training would be irresponsible and a waste of resources, so every effort is being put in to making sure that I'm properly prepared.

To give you an idea of just how tough our training is, we've entered into the Marthon des Sables as a training exercise!

For details of the challenge visit the website at www.lastgreatchallenge.com If anyone wants to get involved in any way, from training to, well, to whatever then drop me a line at justin-miles@hotmail.com . This adventure isn't just about me doing it, the more people I can get involved in whatever we do before I get to the ice edge the more I'll enjoy it!

Catch you soon!

Just

PS. We're looking for sponsors in all sorts of ways. If you or your business could help, please do drop me a line. Thanks!

[Indizine]

wow, what an adventure that will be and I wish you loads of luck!

Just a quick FAQ - in the post you swing from 'I' and 'me' to 'we' and 'our'

is it you walking alone or are you with other people?

[ParentsforPlay]

Good luck to you!




Sarah

[solutions4finance]

Ha ha! Well spotted on the "I, we, our" thing. I must admit to have cheated a little on the old"cut and paste" thing - saves finger tip pressure but doesn't always work.

As I researched polar expeditions trying to work out exactly what I wanted to achieve, I came in to contact with John Wilton-Davies, a chap with an Antarctic expedition under his belt. We met up, and as we talked I realised that he was planning to go again, only this time to attack a much harder task. Over time our friendship developed and it became apparent that we were of a similar mindset, so we decided to undertake the expedition as a two man team.

So... anyone interested in training with us?!

[Indizine]

I wish I could take a few months out of work!

Do you plan to raise money for charity by doing this?

[Fuzzy]

Wow, that's some adventure

[Global Assistant]

Hi

Just had a look at the website and read about yourself and the guy you are going to be doing this with. I greatly admire what you are doing especially having read about your past. Do you have a planned set off date?

I wish you all the best, it may be tough whilst you are doing it but my what a story to tell afterwards. Superb.

[solutions4finance]

Hey!

Yep, taking the time off is going to be difficult to say the least, but in the bigger picture, the plan is to make this sort of thing my "work".

As well as completing the expeditions (I've got more than this one in the pipeline - North Pole and Everest to mention a couple), I'll be using them in several ways. Firstly, to re-launch my career as a motivational speaker, secondly to get involved with national fitness campaigns aimed at the general population, and thirdly, to help education... and if I can, to get on TV!

I've been speaking with the education authorities about finding ways to link the expeditions in to the national curriculm. It looks like we've cracked it with learning exercises for Geography students, and activity based learning for PE and Human Sciences students. We're also involved with degree level education in a more minor way, using our bodies as guinea pigs for students to learn about the effects of extreme and continuos exercise on the body, and nutritional science.

On top of this, we're working on a book deal with a publisher as we speak. The book will follow the expedition from start to finish covering all aspects of training and the event itself. It won't be a "bible" and it won't be one of the "rough gruff explorer" type books which seem to be on the shelves. It'll be a humerous look at two average guys achieving something extraordinary.

Yes, we are getting involved with charities. We can't yet announce which one until they've confirmed how they'd like to get involved (eg, how they're going to earn from us!), but we will be able to post details very soon. Once the charity is announced, we'll tie it up with everything else that we're doing in the preperation phase (adventure races, runs, walks etc).

As for the planned set off, it's next year - 2010. Before that we have the Marathon des Sables and, a few other runs and endurance events. The following year (dependent on ow it fits in with my marriage plans!), I'll be attempting the North Pole, and then Everest (again!).

Thanks for your support and interest

Just

[solutions4finance]

Help?!

As well as lots of media attention (local and national press, magazine coverage from the Future Publishing Group, other magazines, radio interviews, interest and slot promises from TV news and a book deal in the offing), between us we're giving talks and seminars to schools, scout groups, sports clubs, business clubs, invitations to various trade and business shows and one-off talks to clients in the corporate sector.

With the schools, we've taken the idea of our talks one stage further. We're talking with the education authority about using our expedition to bolster the national curriculm. Geography departments can use the expedition itself as a learning exercise, and our training and physical performance will be used by PE and Human Sciences students in an activity based learning programme.

I'm also getting involved with a couple of national campaigns to use our expedition to help to encourage participation in fitness activities across the UK, and to back the "athletes of tomorrow" programme.

What we need now is sponsorship to keep the project going, and make it as useful as we can to as many people as possible, and this is where I'm asking you for help.

Of course, if you wanted to sponsor us in any way yourselves, from supplying equipment or resources to putting funding to the expedition, I'd be very interested in talking with you, however, as a very active bunch of networkers, you're well placed to help us in other ways.

Firstly, I'd appreciate any introductions to your retailers and suppliers, the people who make or sell the things that you produce, or supply you with services. As you're all aware, there is no better way to start a relationship than through an introduction!

Secondly, although we're very busy building awareness of the expedition through as many different media as possible, there's no such thing as "too much coverage". I was hoping that you would be so kind as to find some way of "spreading the word" about our expedition. If that necessitates working together to create a press opportunity, or an entry for your newsletters or website about us using one of your products or services, then we would be happy to discuss the possibilities.

As I think I've mentioned before, this project isn't just about us fulfilling a dream. We want to take as many people along for the ride as we can (not in Antarctica!) in as many ways as we can, from helping kids with learning, to promoting businesses, to just giving people the "feel good factor".

If there is anything at all that you can do to help out, I really would appreciate your time

Please do feel free to contact me at any time.

Just

[dkcrooby]

Wow! I love hearing about people doing such extraordinary things. I'd be terrified of getting lost ... and I hate the cold.

Good luck!!