Last 2 years has been crazy and it is no different for me. I have been regularly running with Babu sir and the RunMachines of Sutra team from last 4 years and the pandemic hit hard when we were in the best form possible. We has just run our best Marathon at New Delhi Marathon in 3hrs 12min, and were about to prepare for TCS 10K challenge 2020.
I moved to my native in march 2020 and since then I have been running only slow paced short and medium distances in the humid coastal conditions. For someone who has practiced in Bangalore, the extreme coastal climate is like running in a hot oven.
When you are slow you feel like ultras are better then marathons so in April 2021 when it looked like situation would ease, I contacted la-ultra guys for 111KM and they asked me to provide timing of a 90km run which is completed in 12 hours. So I registered for Hennur Bamboo ultra 100k which was scheduled in April.
Unfortunately the 2nd wave of covid hit really bad and in the chaos, Hennur Bamboo Ultra was indefinitely postponed so I dropped the plan of la-ultra (which was eventually called off).
I moved out of Bangalore permanently in July and I got notification from Bhasin sports that Hennur Ultra is re-scheduled in October. Since I wasn't in Bangalore I requested organizers to cancel my registration.
In the meantime I was losing motivation to do the practice runs and needed something that keeps me motivated. That's when I heard about the Border Ultra organized by THE HELL RACE.
The race has 3 categories 50KM, 100Km & 100Miler. The 100Miler is unique because it is run between the golden city of Jaisalmer and Longewala, the place famous for 1971 Indo-Pak war which was fought between 120 Indian soldiers accompanied by 4 Hunter fighter aircraft and 2000–3000 Pakistani soldiers accompanied by 30–40 tanks.
100Miler is the most challenging category because the runner has to bear the direct sun in the afternoon, then go through the chilly desert at night and again has to run in the Sun next morning. Moreover 2021 edition of the border run was special because of the 50th anniversary of India's victory in 1971 war.
I did 2 things purely based on my gut feeling, I sent email to Bhasin Sports that I would run the 100k @ Hennur ultra and registered for 100 miler in the Border Ultra. Moreover I wanted to be more serious about this run so I asked my wife to sponsor me for the event, which she gladly did.
I still had 4 months so I was confident that I would practice and be prepared for the run. My plan was to test my body in Hennur 100k and see whether to go ahead or cancel the border ultra.
It's a critical mental dilemma to be in. I can't share this with anyone who doesn't understand running because they will go by my words and feel I am underprepared and underconfident, which will make them concerned and there by putting pressure on me indirectly. It so happened that, once my wife asked me out of genuine concern, "do you really think you can complete 100miler with this practice?". When you know the reality that you are under prepared and such things just increase the pressure.
Fortunately I can always talk about these things with Babu sir and will get some solutions. I spoke to Babu sir and he advised me to do a 50KM run before Hennur Ultra, but I had to drive on the weekend and could not do that. So we discussed a walk run strategy for Hennur Ultra.
On Oct 10th, Hennur bamboo forest, which generally is a dry trail had become a slippery and slushy trail because of heavy rains in Bangalore. As some part of the 5k stretch was slippery and not fit for running, I was forced to walk & run which perfectly suited me. I completed the run in just over 12 hours to take 2nd position.
This was a huge confidence booster as I thought I could easily complete the 100 miler in the 28 hours cut off time.
Majority of the 8 weekends I had between Hennur and Border ultra were again eaten up because of travel for medical reason and for my Kid sister's wedding.
I just had 1 weekend where I ran a self supported 50KM in Ankola. Given the humid conditions, I felt that was enough preparation. I was not in a mindset to let any negative self talk. For the same reason I chose to stay alone in Jaisalmer, I kind of self isolated myself to not let in any negative thoughts.
I met my close friends Babu sir, Aziz and Vinod before flying to Jaisalmer for the run.
I landed in Jaisalmer on 16th of December. The same day I met Yuvie and a group of few fantastic runners from Hyderabad led by the Subham(who was a 100miler here last year).
On 17th I collected bib and prepared drop bags for 50k & 100k points and slept post dinner.
On 18th I woke up early had breakfast a and left to Chandra's room which was near by. From there we took an auto to the Indira stadium which was the start point.
Before the race I met 2 amazing souls from Bangalore (Manmohan sir & Shamala ma'am). I always cherish their company because of the cheerfulness and positivity they carry with them.
I race was flagged off at 12.10 PM. As the race started, for the first time in a few months my mind was very clear. I was not thinking anymore about the 100 miles. All I was thinking about was to reach the next hydration station(which is at every 10th KM). I was mentally prepared to run all alone so I just sticked to my pace.
I had kept the strategy very simple. I was only carrying 5 gels & 4 salt tablets with me for the initial 50KM. Every hydration point I was filling electrolyte in my hydration bag.
I met Yuvie at around 37KM. He was struggling with Back pain, I made sure I did not speak anything to demotivate him and carried with my run. After 45km, I met Pankaj from Indore. He was running around same pace and chose to stick with me. We reached 50KM check point in 5 & half hours.
Since we are running in the middle of Thar desert, we get to experience extreme weathers. While for the initial 50KM Sun was directly hitting us, post evening the temperature drops sharply. So I put on my running tights (both upper and lower) and I also put on windcheater. Since I can tolerate cold better I chose not to put on gloves and head cover, instead I just had Bandana.
After having some tea and a good break for changing, we started our journey towards 60Km where hot food was waiting. Just after crossing 50KM I saw one of the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.
Just before reaching 60KM, we hit few patches where the road was completely covered by sand. That was the first indication of what was about to come.
We reached 60 KM and had a nice plate of hot rice, daal and potatoes. Post food we started towards our next checkpoint.
The speciality of Border ultra is that it is held on the weekend in December that is closest to full moon day. So the moon was out in full glory in the clear sky. The moon light was so bright that I hardly opened my head torch. But since it was night time the temperature had dropped to single digit and the mild but constant wind was making it much cooler.
We started running on the moon lit path chasing the next hydration point. After 70KM we take a detour form highway and take a village road to Ramgarh. This route was challenging because the roads were broken and there were a lot of dogs that were chasing us, this delayed us a bit. Close to 80Km I saw a beautiful shooting star that was very close to us. As a mountaineer I have seen 100's of shooting stars but never saw one where the colour change was clearly visible.
As we approached 100KM, the road at Ramghar was completely dug up for 3KMS. We finally reached 100KM point after 13 hours.
A 100KM we took a long rest, ate Maggie and omelette, got a good stretch from physio and started again after having a nice cup of tea.
Pankaj started playing some nice Bollywood songs to kill the boredom. We were using a walk run technique and our plan was the same, to reach next check point.
After 120KM I was feeling drowsy while running. Close to 16 hours of running definitely takes a toll on your body but was able to somehow manage.
When we were closing 130Km twilight started appearing. Over the next hour till sun was out, I saw one of the best orange sky in my life. To add to the beauty was the moon who was still in full glory towards the west. When we reached 140KM, sun was completely up. I removed my top tight and kept in Pankaj's bag. We continued our 350m Walk and 650m run.
With less than 15KM to go, Pankaj started getting severe IT Band pain. I showed him some stretches and motivated him to continue. With 10KM remaining my right foot started swelling and every step was painful. I was dealing with 2 issues, my pain and motivating Pankaj who was struggling. We continued the same walk run strategy. With just 3KM remaining Pankaj give-up and asked me to run forward, but I asked him not to give up and we completed the run together in close to 22:40 hours.
At the finish point we were awarded the finishers medal by Race director Vishwas
Well, I cannot end without thanking the near and dear ones who supported me throughout the journey, first and foremost its my guru Babu sir. He knew I was underprepared but there was no time he spoke anything negative about finishing the run. Aziz & Vinod anna for taking time out and meeting me before the event.
My wife Nada, for all the support during the long training runs and ORDERING me to not comeback without finishing :-D
Vishnu for following up on the progress and for all the good wishes. My kid sister Suman for all the positivity, she is one person who has little doubt on me;-)
Last but not the least, the entire Run Machines of Sutra and Vibrant Velachery family. A big thank you for all the support.
The foot pain remained for a couple of days till I travelled back to Bangalore. But that was one of the sweetest running pain I ever had because I was a 100 miler.
Proud of u
ReplyDeleteTruly inspiring story . congratulations and kudos for your finish
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