Solang Sky Ultra 100k – BIB number 1013 earned 'The Famous DNQ' !

The plan was to graduate to a intermediate distance prior to hitting the 100k mark. But with no runs happening across India that would compliment a 70-80kms of trail run, my instincts signed up for yet another THE HELL RACE series – THE SOLANG SKY ULTRA 100KMS TRAIL RUN in Solang-Burwa Himachal Pradesh and the wait for the start line had begun.  

Having learnt from past runs and the prevailing condition of my back, some serious thinking had to be put in terms of training for mileage gains, strength and conditioning, elevation runs and offcourse back and core. With considerable amount of mountain runs and climbs I had built the confidence of mileage but a 100km trail with a elevation gain of 7408 meters started giving me race jitters. My job was then just to gulp in all the chatter that took place in whatsapp group where history was shared.

As usual the plan was to get to the event location early and get known to the terrain and weather conditions that you are very likely to come across on race days. With temperature variations from -4 degrees to 21 degrees, attention to detail becomes a key factor when it comes to not just race attire but also food and water intakes. A five day prior route reece could have been bettered considering the percentage of night trail that had to be covered. Nevertheless, stories were heard and some social engagement with fellow runners gave me a glimpse of what I had signed up for and there was no turning back now.

My immature virtual mind map had a different story to tell too and reality check had its own but wasn’t surprised with the end result. 

Electrolytes, Energy gels, bars and drinks, Chocolates, Sugar candies had been handy as it did at every run.

In addition we had to carry head torch with backup , knife and lighter or matches. I added walking poles to the package this time to help me climb the peaks and reduce the stress on my back. These were the means of your lone survival and I can reckon how important it is to be well equipped with all the essentials you need on such challenging terrains.

 

9th October 2021, the 10am start was a little odd but it helped me catch up with my sleep the previous night and one last formal meal before I could even think of reaching the finish line.

The first goal was to cover 42kms under 11 hours of cut-off time, the first climb from Kothi (2000 meters to Khobi (3400 meters) was doable owing to fresh legs and enough food in your system. The climbs had to be slow and steady as there were four more climbs to conquer during the entire journey. This gave you a realisation of what the Race Director meant by stating during the race orientation that happened a day ago – Keep your egos aside and be humble in your efforts.

The rocky and boulder filled descent had to be carefully managed as you did the inclines too because a single wrong foot landing can end your race in no time and immense pain. 

This is where your back and core workouts help you balance yourself when you are challenged my such evil routes. Coming back to Solang and heading towards another climb to Beas kund – Lady leg was yet another ripper before you could reach the 42kms mark back in Solang. It is advised to keep torch handy if you happen to loose day light at this hour. I was able to make it to the cutoff with 9 and half hours (around 7:30pm). A quick change of clothes to beat the chill and some food in my tummy and refills was all that i needed to proceed towards the next cuttoff at 66kms. I was glad to have tagged along a fellow runners during the second climb, but lost him behind on the downhill. We met at the first cuttoff again and waited for him to get going again and headed towards the Vasisht from Solang and this is where we got lost on the track for the first time. On the way to panchala bridge walking besides the gushing stream in the dark, my heart skipped a beat when my fellow runner slipped in an attempt to cross the boulders and feel flat back into the cold water. He was drenched and I was worried for his life. He got himself up and all seemed okay and we continued moving with caution. So the most important point learnt is keep following the arrow marks, if you dont find them, you need to hunt them in the dark and having a hand torch handy along with the head torch is must.

Upon reaching the Vashsist temple, the Death Climb had to be commenced. I wondered why this was called the death climb because as a matter of fact you owe to die a zillion times every rocky peak. I had left behind my fellow runner and managed to catch up with two other runners which became necessary to tag along as the route ahead was pitch dark through the narrow bushes that lead to the British Bridge and evidently my new found fellow runners were left behind too and I had to lead alone in the darkest of the hour.

This was indeed a nightmare coming to life that I had only imagined in movies. Cursing myself through out the route, I find myself lost for the second time on the route and the battle towards 66kms under 20 hours cuttoff started getting difficult. I met another lost runner ahead and we decided to head back to the last arrow mark. The horrific incident of approaching and avoiding a cliff here gave me a bone chiller and in no time the plans changed from finishing the race to getting out alive. 

We got ourselves together and started following the arrow marks that took us to the famous British Bridge. 

FYI – This bridge was well covered for runners to pass through. This picture was captured during the practice runs a week befor the event.

The chase for the 66kms continued and was well in time at the checkpoint at Chauda (14) Mod (turns) and I seemed to have left yet other runner behind after British Bridge but got myself together with some sense of relief past the checkpoint and had another 33kms to cover to the finish line. This was yet another climb towards an altitude of 4250 meters and was quite a difficult task as I was withstanding a severe fatigue level at the end of 19 hours. As I approached Bhrigu Lake, the temperature began to deplete. The numbness in my feet, the rashes between the legs and hallucinations did frequent rounds making me realise the amount of pain I have gone through and how much more I had to expect ahead to complete my run. 

I reached the start point of the last climb. I sat and had a chatter with the volunteer at the hydration point asking the obvios question, how much more of this pain and received a less technical response. I had a banana and then started the climb. With all the layers of clothing, it started getting hot sooner than I expected and i so wanted to shed some clothes on the way up. I stopped for a while and removed the excess clothing and let hit hang on my hydration bag. It had gotten heavier now and I continued marching towards the peak. This was a partial climb and another climb was in sight. 

The feeling of giving up the run did hit me but I had no plans of giving up against the courage I was building inside me. The struggle was indeed real and with one track mind of completing the run without worrying about the timelines became a hungry goal because guess what, i lost my route again for the 3rd time at the last climb at Khoti Top to Khobi. My consciousness played a cruel game with no strength left in putting my thoughts forward and follow the arrow marks. I couldn’t recollect what happened and I ventured in an unexplored territory and lost site of the marked arrows that were going to take me home. The tiredness within me made me felt that the arrows were unnecessarily taking me to patalsu but the assumption was incorrect. Your very job is to follow the arrow marks blindly and you get to where you need to be. Without wasting anytime time ahead, i called the Race Director and shared my location to guide me ahead on the route. The obvious answer was to get back to the last arrow and follow the rest at close intervals. I had regain my focus again but the amount of effort despite bogged down with tiredness in your body, I wasnt yet prepared to give up and all I could dream of is to crash into the finish line. 

Picture that I sent to RD to help me figure the way.

Note that carrying a power bank was a mandatory essential you had to carry. This was to ensure you send your live location to the organizer and they can track you through during the night climbs since the risk levels of anything uncertain happening was high. These rules had to be strictly followed not just because they were laid by the organising team but more importantly is to keep yourself safe. I remember my phone battery lost charge twice and i had to rely on the power bank for backup. 

At last Khoti Top happened and the descent was a no brainer for me as I had to rush rand complete the run within the cutoff. This was undoubtedly a race against time, i ran my guts out on the grassland , passed the last ever check point. They were wrapping up the tents for the day. I shouted asking for how much more, 5kms more is what i heard. This was no good news for me. With no further due, i continued the downhill, this was no vengeany but a controlled desire and aggression to finish 100kms unharmed. I continued running and was soon struck by the twist and turns that were thumping on my knees like never before. The pain had gone numb again and waited glimpse of the village on the river bank. The last bridge was in sight that needed to be crossed and was 200 meters away from the finish line. I saw a few 60km category runners towards the end allowing me and cheering me to pass by. I asked passer by, how much was on her clock, she said 6pm and cheered me,  I was heart broken and still continued to rush, crossed the bridge and headed towards the finish.

Unfortunately, I was late by 3 mins and it costed me a DNF or should I call it what the Race Director said, THE FAMOUS DNQ!

The 32 hours 3 mins mayhem had ended. A total of 36 runners participated in 100k category and I was the 9th runner to cross the finish line and none after me. 

Rescue teams and choppers were in action to bring the lost runners to base. I crossed the finish line timing mat but I did not deserve the medal nor a qualifying certificate. All I gained was immense respect from bystanders , organizers and fellow runners, my running group and well wishers for having to complete or rather survive the 100kms trail run without any injuries. 

Days later, was glad to have been interviewed where I could share my experience and feedback of the run with the race organizers. I literally spoke my heart out on how I felt running the terrain and what made me take my such a task that could have left permanent scars in my life. 

-A complete route reece on the other hand especially during the night could have made wonders. This will reduce your discovery mode time. The rest of the survival techniques will hugely depend on the kind of training you put, in terms of mileage and elevation gains. 

Garmin Solar instinct did not survive this time and had shutdown at 71kms when I needed the most. I learnt that garmin can be charged on the go while you are still running. This is something to try out on my next ultra.

 

“Dont stop until you are INSANELY proud of yourself!” – Anonymous