Almost like astronauts, whose bones and muscles don’t have to resist against gravity once they are in space, being stranded indoors most of the time during the winter means we are at risk of “wasting” away. The various stress factors related to our isolation could also have negative effects. The DC12 crew are living testimony of the hardships of wintering-over; they have all lost weight, sometimes in significant amounts. The Bone Health team have warned me, and I am therefore intent on devising a special “program” to stay fit. Especially as, only 1 month into my yearlong mission, I have already had to draw into my reserves to fight a few nasty viruses! I know the TAAF doctors have had talks with sports medicine specialists to devise tailored fitness programs for winter-over crews (again a bit like what astronauts benefit from both in space and when they get back to earth), but currently there is nothing of the sort. Sports is also an excellent way of evacuating stress and built-up tensions, which I know will be almost unavoidable during the winter…
I start mildly, doing 1 hour-long stretching lessons led by the station leader, Nicolas, on Sunday mornings. Self-defense courses follow, given by the station’s summer military doctor. I also try out one of the indoor bikes, but look in wonder at one of the DC12 crewmembers running on the treadmill. Will I ever be able to do more than puff away after just a few meters? We are very few, brave enough to get up early. The station is eerily quiet on Sundays! For me though, there is nothing like the perspective of Panettone topped by chocolate spread and a big bowl of coffee to get me out of bed after a night out at the “Spacca ossa”!
After about a month, two other winter-overers and I decide to try a run outdoors. I had run a half-marathon a few years ago (though poorly I must admit…), and I would like to enter the special league of marathoners when I get back. Setting such a midterm goal should be good motivation! We go painstakingly slowly so as not to burn our lungs, and run to the summer camp and back, the equivalent of an Olympian full 1000 meters… I actually devour my lunch after this; running in the free snow by -30°C, and at 3800 meters of altitude, definitely burns a few calories! But after being warned by various people and reading a little about running in extreme cold temperatures, we agree the effort might not be worth the risk. Longs walks outside will have to do for now; as we carry about 10 kg extra, taking into account the snow suit, huge boots, double hats and triple mittens, leisurely strolls around the grounds are already an exercise in themselves!
75 Degrees South 