Explorers prepare for polar trek

Fiona was joined by her husband at the South Pole in 2004

A couple who have walked to both North and South poles will spend Christmas Day preparing for another adventure.

Fiona and Mike Thornewill, from Nottinghamshire, say they will run at least six miles before they sit down to a turkey dinner.

"I will be running a few miles before lunch," says Fiona, 38, who is preparing to cross the frozen Great Bear Lake in Canada in February.

The couple are being joined by six novices for the trek.

Mince pies

At Christmas last year I was half-way to the South Pole Fiona Thornewill

Fiona, who walked solo to the South Pole last year in a record time, said she will make up for last year's cold Christmas by filling up on mince pies and mulled wine.

Fiona says she often runs 12 miles to work to keep fit and uses a turbo-training stationary bike to build up her stamina.

"At Christmas last year I was half-way to the South Pole and all I had to celebrate was a few Christmas cards I had taken with me," the world-record setting employment consultant from Thurgarton said.

"This Christmas feels good - I won't take for granted quite so easily the central heating thermostat or the simple touch of a button which makes my cocoa.

POLAR PAIR Jan 2004 - Fiona sets record by walking to South Pole in 42 days May 2001 - Mike, Fiona and two others reach the North Pole after a 56-day trek Jan 2000 - Mike and Fiona reach the South Pole together where they renew their wedding vows

"Last year I was reaching outside into the blizzard for another block of ice to put over an ailing stove."

Her husband Mike, a Nottinghamshire policeman who has organised and walked on several polar expeditions, was monitoring his wife's progress last year by satellite tracking.

But when her satellite phone broke down early in the trek, he struggled to keep in touch.

Fiona set a record by walking alone to the South Pole in 2004 in 41 days - faster than any other man or woman.

Their latest expedition will involves walking in temperatures as low as -50C.

No-one has successfully crossed the lake on foot.