Running with Penguins | Antarctica 2012 Marathon | Dean Schuster

To the Frozen Continent…

Dean — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:41:20 +0000

We’ll I’m off!

On March first, I’ll begin my trek to Antarctica by flying to Buenos Aires, then on to Tierra del Fuego. I can’t begin to thank everyone enough for your support, encouragement, help, and donations.

Our Accomplishment
Together, we have made a huge difference for Antarctic preservation and penguin conservation. So far, we’ve given over $28,000 for Antarctic penguin research and $2,500 for Humboldt penguin conservation in Peru. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s well over $30,000 and counting. I’m completely blown away by the response.

My site will continue to receive donations while I’m away. Please continue to encourage others to support conservation!

Follow the Adventure
I’ll be posting regularly on facebook and twitter during my journey. I may be able to update this site as well. I’ll do my best, but at some point, I’ll be decidedly off the grid.

When I return, I’ll have a cavalcade of images, video and thoughts to share with you and some special items from the trip to auction at a gathering.

The penguins and I love you!

Public Service Announcement

Dean — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:15:12 +0000

Support Penguin Conservation! »

The Science of Penguin Conservation

Dean — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:57:41 +0000

Give Today »

Surreal Destination

Dean — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:46:56 +0000

(photo by Sergei Kokinski)

Donate to Penguin Conservation »

Das Boot

Dean — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:37:34 +0000

The Akademik Ioffe will take us from Tierra del Fuego to Antarctica.

For the Penguins! »

Live Long and Prosper, Penguinkind.

Dean — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:16:12 +0000

Do the logical thing, donate to penguin conservation »

Crazy Things I’ve Done for Conservation

Dean — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:03:48 +0000

Over the course of the last several months, I’ve done some strange things to support penguin conservation…

I ran a half marathon in a head-to-toe penguin suit.
I started the race in last place and passed over 500 runners. Let me tell you, that suit was swelteringly hot. Ironic, yes.

Endured 50 Miles on a Treadmill at the Zoo
Back in December, I ran 50 miles on a treadmill at Riverbanks’s Zoo penguin exhibit. Even the penguins wondered if I’d lost my marbles.

Sacrificed a Prized Comic
I auctioned off my mint copy of The Amazing Spider an #252. Someone else now owns this little piece of nerd history. I told the buyer that I fully expected them to sing it to sleep every night.

Discovered ThermaJock
I ran into a fine company that has developed a cold-weather product for that special part of the male anatomy. Apparently, they also specialize in euphemisms. And they have an odd mascot.

Secured an Original and Rare Earnest Lee
Renowned painter of El Greco style chickens, Earnest Lee didn’t think painting penguins was the least bit necessary. After several rounds of abject begging, Lee agreed to make the switch. Ten minutes later, he produced a plywood masterwork.

Geeked-out with the Waddlers
The folks at Case-Mate gave me a batch lovely penguin-themed iPhone cases to give away. I photographed them with my favorite friends first.

Got My Warholian 15 Minutes
How many penguins does it take to secure the front page of The State, coverage on all four local networks (repeatedly), two magazine spreads, a series of electronic billboards and a wide array of online blog stories? Apparently just one.

Received a Pointed Letter from the SC Secretary of State
I am now monumentally aware of the various laws and statues governing the proper non-profit solicitation of funds in our fine state. I also have decidedly stark opinions of said laws and statutes.

Roasted Oysters at an Antebellum Plantation
Vying to win an award for oddly juxtaposed party themes, we held an oyster roast supporting penguins that funded an off-continent environmental cause amidst Halloween decor at an Southern antebellum mansion while listening to live music offering critique of Southern culture. The evening was brought to a close by local police enforcing noise ordinances. Fabulous in every way.

Acquired Copious Amounts of Chocolate
While the fine people at Endangered Species Chocolate did not elect to fund Oceanites (they already do great deal for conservation), they did send me something like a metric ton of chocolate.

That’s not all…
Only the people at flo know what’s in store on February 28th, two days before I leave. And wait until you hear what I plan to do when I get to Antarctica….

I want you to do something crazy as well… DONATE! »

Give and Ye Shall Receive

Dean — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:35:57 +0000

I believe in reciprocity. Fear not, I won’t give you krill. Though if you were a penguin, you’d find that delectable. Alas, you are human. Donate to penguin conservation and I’ll give you more palatable rewards:

Video Thank You from the Frozen Continent
I’ll film a video shout-out to you direct from Antarctica. You’ll feel like you’ve been there, except you won’t get the slightest bit cold. Bonus: Your social network will flip.

Fine Art
Three amazing posters have been created for the occasion by graphic designers of enviable talent. Your poster will be signed and ready to adorn your home of office. Far better than an NPR coffee mug, these will instantly raise your coolness quotient.

What’s your favorite?

True Satisfaction
You’ll experience the joy of knowing you’ve contributed to real-world conservation, a beautiful thing to do with your hard-earned resources.

Tax Deduction
Foil the tax man! Oceanites is a 501(C)(3) organization. Your gift is delightfully tax deductible. Cha-ching!

Go for it! Donate Today! »

p.s.
Missed The Top Ten Reasons to Donate for Penguins? Check it out. Reason number 4 is clearly the best.

Bringing it Home

Dean — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:21:59 +0000

Together, we’ve already raised close to $23,000 for Oceanites (Antarctic and penguin conservation) and another $2,500 for the Riverbanks Society Conservation Support Fund (Humboldt penguin protection in Peru).

This is a BIG deal. I’m so thankful to be surrounded by such generous people!

The final fundraising push is underway. Let’s raise $2,300 more by the time I leave for Antarctica on March 1st! That will put us over the 25k mark with Oceanites; a serious haul for real-world conservation.

$2,300 breaks down to about $110 a day between now and when I depart for the frozen South.

Totally doable!

Heck yeah! I want to donate »

p.s.
Remember, donors get a wonderful original poster (signed by the artist) and a video shout out direct from Antarctica! Don’t forget, your gift is tax deductible as well…

Watch facebook and twitter for other donor giveaways!

Look Too Much and You’ll Never leap

Dean — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:05:31 +0000

When the opportunity to run the 2012 Antarctica Marathon tweeted across my iPhone, I jumped at the chance. When I found out that I would have to be chosen for the privilege of fundraising, I wrote a letter virtually demanding that Marathon Tours & Travel pick me immediately. When it became clear that I’d have to raise a huge amount of money, I never hesitated. When fundraising proved more difficult than I’d imagined, I refused to give up.

I don’t mean to toot my own horn. Honestly.

I want to encourage you.

The paralysis of anxiety, fear and doubt stops us from doing a great many things. Our reasons for inaction may seem completely logical and prudent. But I assure you, when our number is about up, we won’t fuss much about what we’ve done in life. Rather, we’ll lament the things we didn’t do.

Success is not certain. Life is not fair. Somewhere, somehow a bureaucracy will interminably frustrate you. The unknown is scary. Heisenberg was right; You can’t predict everything.

So go for it.

Help me finish the job! Donate to Antarctic & penguin conservation! »