Prathima's Miles & Milestones

The goal of the year was to run in new locations, new cities, new races, explore new running group, meet new runners, and run in new terrain. So here I am running you through my experiences so that you choose your battles worth your practice runs & efforts 🙂

After running several 5k, 10k, 21kms, I took the plunge of stepping into ultra & trail runs. I have heard that its tougher but the scenic beauty is so dynamic at every mile that its lovely to witness & legs run in its auto-pilot mode as the brain in engaged in admiring the nature. I wanted to taste how tougher can it get or rather how much can I tolerate or put myself into test. And, I tell you it was totally worth it 🙂

First things first — I have been wiser & opted numbers of 25 kms & 30 kms in all of these attempts. Technically, ultra implies any distance beyond a Full Marathon of 42.195 kms. However, keeping my threshold in mind, I stepped outside my comfort zone. However, all of the ultra has participants aiming for 50 kms, 100 kms, 161 kms, and 220 kms. It was just intimidating to watch them running consistently since early morning to late noon & overnight with head torch lights, resting at the tents. It is still hard for me to digest these numbers mentally. I literally have goosebumps watching them & even hard to put into words as both my mind & body goes out of sync with the truth witnessed in front of my eyes! Kudos to their spirit.

Kipchoge’s lines — “No human is limited” is so damn true when you witness any ultra runs.

1. Bengaluru Ultra – 2023 @ GKVK, Bengaluru

It started in the wee-hours as early at 5:00 am at the start line. People running around already to ensure their body is warmed up. Honestly, people clock more than their ultra numbers as their warm up distance prior the race is not counted. Crazy, yet so inspirational.

GKVK, Bengaluru is an insanely beautiful campus with mostly roads & only certain patches <2kms is a muddy trail. You will witness a lot of experiements on fruits, vegetables on farms with title of the experiement, in production of xyz research, etc which is so new to us. The mind gets to thinking that you’d unknowigly traverse certain distance in the awe of reading all the boards.

As the sunrises, its a pleasant blue sky & greenery just like a painting. The birds chirping during these times is such a therapy. The scientists walking by themselves, & some beside their family explaining the experiments they are carrying-out at work is enthralling. Some even offer their prayers to the farmlands which almost made me thinking. Being a techie, we can always roll-back but these experiements are time-taking, affects people’s health & has to be so carefully conducted.

The local crowd cheers you up as you step outside the campus too for certain distance & it feels like a new world 🙂 Overall, I enjoyed the Bengaluru Ultra. I’d definitely attempt it again with better strategies.

2. Kodagu Monsoon Half Marathon 2023 at KALS

It was a treat to the eyes at the outstation runs, especially at a scenic locations like Kodagu or Coorg.

KALS is an inspiring school made specially for athletes. Never knew such things even existed when I was studying. It offers swimming, archery, long jump hurdles, rack & field, hockey to compete at the international level. It is a residential school where your nutrition is taken care of as well as your training. Mesmerising campus & was lovely to read the courses offerred. It is run by Ashwini’s Sports Foundation (ASF) was founded in 2010 by Ashwini Nachappa, one of India’s best-known sprinters. 
What a lovely concept! Life skills are given preference here. 
During the bib-collection we were in the awe of the campus, courses, & were mind-blown.

The race as usual started at 6:00 am in the start line flagged off by none other than Ashwini herself. It was pretty dark & drizzling already. We prayed it would not be slippery. It infact was raining until the race lasted!

First race in complete rain. But the scenic beauty exceeded our expectations. The uphills was crazy! Even walking was a struggle. However, it was a breeze downhill & helped us make up for the timing we spent walking slower. It was so picturisque like a house, a pond with the relection of the sky, farm lands, surrounded by pepper plantations. The breeze was so cold that it made us super vigilant. The volunteer support was really good. They stood in the heavy rain serving us water, jaggery, electrolytes. Runcations are the best in my opinion.

3. Hennur Bamboo Forests Ultra — 2023

This was an epic run to recall. We as usual started very early & in no time it was a bright day & yet we had not reached the location. It felt like a trip as the route was surrounded by the tall eucalytpus tress on both sides & it was lovely. We almost had forgotten that we were supposed to reach the run location & the body felt vacation vibes & not the Half Marathon vibes.

We reached a spot where there were many cars parked & then reality striked chords. Everybody were warming up, so many tents laid across, people sipping their pre-race drinks, fruits, etc. We quickly de-boarded & picked out gels & filled our pockets. Warmed up in no time & it was the start time. This was my official first trail run & eyes on the path way as its uneven & not roads any more. This was also the first race where I witnessed so many aged runners in their 50s. It had goosebumps! Trail runs are definitely not easy.

Some paths were so narrow, covered by thick grass & people on both directions had to move. The force at which runners came in the opposite direction that I had to stop & let them pass. But it never ending so I have to make a move. It was a 5 kms loop which needed to be completed 4 times to cover a distance of 20 kms. But the 5 kms felt a 10 due to uneven surfaces, gravel, uphill, & downhills. Some path ways were so green that it felt so new to the eyes. It was lush greenery, blue skies & the breeze was so fresh that it felt detoxing the organs in my body. Living a life inside a painting 🙂

The scenery changes every 5 minutes & it felt like I’m inside a video game running like Mario is a new theme 🙂 Life is all about living your childhood dreams, after all. It felt like a 10 years old living a dream. There was quotes saying “Run like there’s a cute guy ahead of you & a creepy guy behind you”, “Runners don’t die. They just sweat like death”, & many more. Loved reading it along the way. I did slip once, & glad people observe & I heard atleast 3 guys advising “Careful”, “Watch your step”, etc. Runners are kind people.

The learning in trails was to know that smaller steps but strong ones matters. A high cadence is a must. This also helps us save ourselves in an uneven surface. Most importantly, if tired, its better to walk for a couple of mins. It is very risky to run trails in tired legs. It can lead to falls. So this was a learning. Every turn felt like its must be another universe after I pass & in fact it was. Entire race was full of “wow” moments for a newbie like me. Towards the end, I was super happy of having accomplished within 3 hours & I was all smiles like someone is waiting in open arms to hug me in the finish line 🙂

The hydration was well taken care of. I met some amazing runners here towards the end of the event. A lady in her late 50’s spoke to me about her Ice Marathons running in her snow gear, in Antartica! It was over the moon hearing her experiences. This is life I want to lead is what I told my older self.

There’s another bunch of races yet to witness & wait for the Part 2 of this series if you enjoyed reading this far 🙂

P.S. If we share similar vibes & enjoy endurance sports, we can connect on Strava 🙂