After 4 days in Antarctica, I’m back.
I spent 2 of those days basically running through the night and while it was light 24 hours (so it didn’t seem like night), it’s weird coming into the main camp tent to change clothes 10 hours in a race and seeing people sit down to eat breakfast when it feels like you’ve been up for a day.
This trip was really special to me – partly because in the back of my mind, I sort of thought I’d never actually make it to Antarctica. I signed up for this race almost 4 years ago and obstacle after obstacle kept popping up. Injuries, business issues and up until the moment we stepped off the plane in Union Glacier, I thought something would pop up last minute that would keep me from going.
Every time I got closer, I just kept saying “this is real, this is real, this is real” – like it was my first time traveling.
But it happened!
And wow. Antarctica is beyond words.
I’m going to spend some time putting together a proper recap, but in the meantime, here are some of my favorite photos from the trip to the bottom of the earth.
Repping Pencils of Promise at the bottom of the earth.
Welcome To Union Glacier
First Time Seeing The Course
Taken at 5am or Noon or 11pm. One of the benefits of 24 hour sunlight
High-tech Recovery Post-Race
Gilbert brought champagne to celebrate
2002 Dom. Gilbert does play around.
Olympian Ryan Hall coming in after his 1st Loop
One of the many badass custom vehicles on a rough windy day.
Another camp selfie
Hanging out in my Vollebak relaxation hoodie in -15º wind storm
Welcome To Union Glacier
At The Start/Finish Line
Playing Settlers of Catan at the bottom of the earth to stay busy.
Before our final takeoff. Our badass plane – The Ilyushin
Some of the photos here were taken by Mike. Thanks dude.
Grow Stronger, Do The Impossible
Get weekly emails on how to build a stronger mind, a stronger body and stronger life and do the impossible.
I envy you!! 🙁
I did some runs in snowy weathers and some marathons but not in Antarctica! That sounds fun.
Now your next challenge is to do it with boxers and t-shirt like Wim Hoff 😉
Joel, I have been reading on the Net about a glacier approximately 100 in length that has cut off from the mainland of Antartica have you seen it as yet? I believe that it is slowly moving in the Southern Ocean (Pacific Ocean) Australia calls it the Southern Ocean?
That was a hell of a ‘Badass’ Challenge!! Congratulation on your courage and willpower! Wow!! I enjoyed every single one of your pictures.
Awesome!
The beard suits you. . 🙂
What an awesome achievement! Inspirational!
Congratulations Joel, it is really inspiring!
Looks amazing! Not a place I’d want to live, but definitely a place I would love to visit.