My Antarctica Marathon Story

March-2019 Rajesh Bhartiya

This is a story of an
ordinary, non-athlete, IT
engineer who picked up
running at the age of 42.
It’s the story of my
struggles against my own
mental and physical
barriers. How I battled
injuries, juggled work
schedules - to eventually
triumph one of the
ultimate human races on
earth - A full marathon
on the Antarctic
Continent!!
1st Jan, 2019

It's the new year. Didn't think much when I

signed up for this marathon, but now people’s
reactions make me think again - really? Two very
contrasting visualizations happen -
I am kind of miserable at minus 10 deg C or
whatever and
2. it's walk in the park. My thoughts swing like
a pendulum between these two….

Ran 30 kms the other day in 3 hrs 10

mins....this is all okay, but add to that the
temperature, all those layers and 12 kms
more.....will need some serious efforts
9th Jan, 2019
I’ve got the shoes - Soleman brand - after a lot of
study. Now the question is when and how to
practice. It says on the box that these shoes are
NOT meant for running on hard surface.....so
where do I find long distance trail to run? The big
challenge right now is how to practice my runs in
all those layers and the gear.

17th Jan, 2019

It's coming. But the practice with layers and trail
problem is still lurking. The pendulum of thoughts
swing again - a total failure where I won't be able
to run a single kilometer OR crossing the finish
line with normalcy and joy. Only time will tell
which one is going to manifest.
 22nd Jan, 2019

It was Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) and the

skies came crashing upon me. I had to relieve
myself at the 1st station and that derailed me.
Though I had recovered in the middle span, but
the last and most painful 9 kms took 90 mins and
I was down to 5 hrs total. It's not the timing
that worries me, but the way I finished it. Near
the end, my feet didn't want any contact with
anything. All this in excellent weather condition
(compared to Antarctica) and awesomest support
any marathoner can expect. Should I change my
strategy? Do I need to work out more? Should I
have a different diet and nutrition plan? Is it all
in the head? Thoughts/doubts raining down like
cats/dogs.
29th Jan, 2019
Argentina visa done. Went to the
consulate in Mumbai for an interview
which lasted 30 secs. In the evening,
went to Decathlon with Pravin sir for
gear shopping. I felt quite lost and
clueless on what to buy.
1st Feb, 2019
I missed training & chose to run along the Sus-Baner hill
today to break-in my trail running shoes. I am so thankful
that I found this for my practice. This is exactly the
terrain (minus the cold of course). It's a 6 kms loop & if I
can do it for 6-7 times, I should have a decent practice.
3rd Feb, 2019
Tickets booked! One more step taken!! It's a long flight &
long time away from home. Often I have realized that when
I go out I come back only to find out how invaluable is the
comfort of home and being with loved ones
8th Feb, 2019
On training front, I do feel like I am peaking. The only
untested challenge is the climate and all the gear that I will
be running on with. Another trip to Decathlon. It's just
bloody too far. Got a few items but many remain :(
10th Feb, 2019
Ran 16 kms on Sus hill. The post run fatigue was
worst than a full marathon. Both the heels are
complaining (plantar fascia). Frankly, the challenge of
Antarctica seems quite stiff from here.
17th Feb, 2019
Did just one work out after the last hill run. The heel-
pain has struck and this time it,s the right heel.
Overall, right now the mood is blue :( I'm waiting to see
how this unfolds to be one of the steps in getting me to
the Antarctic finish line.
24th Feb, 2019
TataUltra 50Kms DNF'ed it. Missed the cut off at
40 kms. It's the heel pain that put me down. I
couldn't take any advantage of downhill. Where does
this put my confidence level - up or down? I would
say it's still hanging in there .Though from today, I say that I’m Antarctica Full Marathon Finisher!
3rd Mar, 2019

Ran FSAI half marathon. Pacing fellow ZRAites

at an easy 2:15 finish. But it turned out to be a
test for me.....felt stiff and at the last km got
cramped on the left side abductor. In all these
years of running, this is as low as I have been
with my body. Though I have been discovering how
my mind works. Realized that I need to have a
buddy - either someone who is committed to put
me through the finish line or someone who is
looking up to me to make him/her cross the line. I
can't let anyone down and this will keep me up. At
Kili, it was Susie whom I led and she eventually
become my savior. In Machu Picchu, it was
Manish. Let's see who it will be in Antarctica....
5th Mar, 2019 9th Mar, 2019
In a long while woke up in the morning without any It's one day to the D day and I’m down with
stiffness in the heel. It was Mahashivaratri cold & feeling feverish. Can't even tell this to
yesterday and I sought the blessings of the supreme anyone right now - I’m going to Antarctica &
force while meditating in the night. I’m having cold here in Pune - sounds crazy,
right? I’m boxed from all sides but I’m going to
10th Mar, 2019
roar & breakthrough like the cornered kitten
A first physical step towards the Antarctica! Thank
who turns into a lion when cornered.
you, God!! All the ZRAites gave me their wishes at the
breakfast at Wadeshwar. It was a touching moment.
I won't let the confidence of my fellow runners in me
down. I will cross that finish line. I will complete the
full marathon in Antarctica with awesome timings!
Here am I - in a flight that’s about to take off. Don’t
really have words. All I can say is the right now I’m
experiencing a cocktail of every conceivable emotion -
happiness excitement anxiety fear sadness
11th Mar, 2019
Pune-Delhi-Doha-Sao Paulo & finally Buenos Aires - Over 17,000 kms of back breaking flight
journey. It's almost a marathon of being confined in a small seat for almost 42 hours - or should I
call it an anti-marathon! Reached late, almost at midnight. Missed the welcome reception & dinner,
but didn't care. All I want at this point is lie down flat on any damn surface available. Bed must be
God’s creation!!
 14th Mar, 2019
First time in many days, I woke up without setting any alarm. Had a good sleep and rest. Flight
to Ushuaia got postponed from 4 am to 2:30 pm, courtesy of Boeing 737 Max crash saga.
Boarded the ship at about 7 pm. Nice! Quite comfortable cabins. Satish is my roommate onboard

15th Mar, 2019

This ship is like a floating hotel. There are cabins, dining room, gym, library etc. We are settling in.
Apart from safety briefings, we had two lectures - one on history of Antarctica and another on
types of ice. It's actually quite warm on the ship.
16th Mar, 2019
The meals are great by
the way. Started with
breakfast. And then
briefing on kayaking. We
ventured to Halfmoon
Island & ambled with
Chinstrap penguins,
Gentoo penguins & Fur
seals. Perfect Evening!
17th Mar, 2019
We decorated our water
bottles, bags etc. so that
we can identify them
quickly during the run.
This is pretty much a self
supported run. Everybody
is anxious & wants this to
be done. The other ship
faced a tough weather but
forecast for us looks good.
18th Mar, 2019 - 6 am to 8:45 am
Race day! We had an early 6:30 am breakfast. Right from the
socks to the headgear, everything was discussed & debated, a
hundred times over & over. I had two layers of socks & my gel heel
socks, Salomon shoes on top. Three layers on lower & upper body, a
balaclava, a neck bandanna and goggles. And yes, the gloves!
18th Mar, 2019 about 10 mins to 9 am
We were ferried to King George's
Island which has bases of many
countries. Best weather in 20 years
that’s what they’re saying! The start
itself was uphill & we were greeted by
extremely slippery ice which looked
like water but was damn slippery
(black ice!). My goal was simple -
finish the first three loops (7 kms
each) in less than 3:00 hours - the
cut off! Thomas, the race director
had mentioned yesterday that we
should take the first loop slow. But
when I saw the elevation in first 500
mtrs. I decided I’ll take nothing slow.
I’ll just go for it - full steam.
18th Mar, 2019 - 9 am to 12 noon
At end of the first loop, I was very happy. The weather was so
perfect - couldn't have asked for anything better. No winds,
nice sunshine, about 0 degrees Celsius. I drank lots of water.
I had 2 one liter bottles at the start point. I decided to carry
one to the midpoint & that turned out to be a life saving
decision. It was heavy 1 liter bottle, but I was fresh & could
haul it up easily. By the second loop the wet patches which
were hard set overnight got stomped & kneaded by the
runners & turned into a gooey muck. Despite of gators, some I finished 3rd loop in 2:45 hours &
icy water, a bit of mucky mud & a teeny weeny pebble got into knew that I can make it now. I ‘d
my shoe. The ice cold water in the shoe got me worried. Will I 3:30 hours for rest of 3 loops now. By
get hypothermia or frostbite now? What should I do? And fourth loop, I had started to walk
this is just the second loop out of six. I carried on & I think quite a bit. All the ship mates were
eventually the cold water actually helped in numbing the pain seeing each other pass & greeting,
& fatigue. I decided to leave the little pebble in the shoe as my cheering each other. This was the
companion for the challenge. best part.
18th Mar, 2019 after 12 noon
It would feel hot sometimes and quickly
cold other times. Luckily my gear was all
perfect & I was able to manage the
body temperature quite well. By 5th loop,
the walking uphill & running downhill
became extremely painful. I now knew
that if I completed fifth one, it would be
impossible to not make it. The last loop
seemed like infinity. I remembered my
dear wife Shilpa, my kids Pranav and
Purnima, my coach Pravin sir, my fellow
Zele Runners, Vidya Valley school - all of
them who in some or other way
contributed to my being here, whom I couldn't let down. I had to do it for them. As I remembered all of
them one after another, I felt an invisible hand pushing me. Oh! The sight of the finish line - I ran to
it, there was no body, no sensations - just emotions. I finished it. I DID IT!!
18th Mar, 2019 evening
Over six & half hours of running in chilly conditions -
temperature in which I wouldn't have stayed for a few
minutes. I didn't conquer Antarctica rather I was humbled
by the fact that this mighty creation of nature embraced
me with it's divine grace. Thinking back again, a million
things had to align perfectly right - a Yog had to happen
for me to get to this. Thank God for all that grace!

19th Mar, 2019

The day started easy. We went to Portal point which is
continental Antarctica. It’s a beautiful white world.
Here the ice is the king. Had a barbecue party in the
afternoon where the folks from Vavilov (the other ship)
came over. It was snowing all the time.
Spent rest of the day relaxing and recovering.
20th Mar, 2019
Went out to Nick Harbor. It was snowing, but surreal, beautiful. Climbed up to a hill & saw penguins,
caving glaciers. Did kayaking in the evening - so close to the ocean surface. Felt like a little ant
surrounded by the vast ocean & white mountains. This place is aptly called Paradise Bay.
21st Mar, 2019
Today's excursion was at Banco. This is a mountain with sumit at 250 meters above the sea level.
Breathtaking views! Went cruising - chasing whales in the evening. Such a mighty creature, yet so
gentle, so graceful, so shy! Started the return journey.
22nd Mar, 2019
The Drake's passage is
tossing our ship like a
kite in a storm. For
me, this rocking has a
lullaby effect & makes
me sleep more. Day
went by eating,
chitchatting.

Satish organised a
Toastmaster's meeting
- a public speaking
event. I spoke about
Lakdakh marathon
and why I did my first
marathon.
23rd Mar, 2019
Land ahoy! We’re back. I went to Antarctica to satisfy
unrelenting curiosity of a child in me. In the end, came back
with more questions than answers. Was that a dream? Or
was that a trip to a different planet? Or was it a movie with
super special imagery? Was it a real, tangible creation or a
figment of imagination?
Forever!
Will be in gratitude to my heros!! My wife as my
support!! Pravin Sir as my coach!!
Forever!
Will be in gratitude of my heros!
My family who sacrificed my presence & party time for my training.

My ZRA mates who ran, trained and motivated everyday, every moment!
Rajesh Bhartiya, CEO of
ProtoTech Solutions, has been in
the engineering software industry
for over 22 years now. During this
period he has developed numerous
software applications in the field
of CAD/CAM and engineering
graphics. At IIT, Mumbai, where
he completed his Masters in
Aerospace, he developed an
aircraft cockpit simulator, which
fueled his interests in 3D modeling
and graphics.

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