The ultimate goal has been LAULTRA 111kms which is due August 2021 and since I qualified, my aim is to hit the mountains as much as I can and get the much needed miles under my belt. The Hell Race looked appealing, though a different terrain but the 65km Buddha Trail Run ( an equivalent to 100km road run) is something that could help me in altitude trainings. So without further due, I signed up and got a confirmation email that made think if i had dug my own grave 🙂 , The email was quite amusing:-
Travelled to Bagdogra to Darjelling to Rimbick in covid times with utmost care and waited for the D day. Did a few runs in Darjelling in my new Columbia montetrail shoe to keep the shoe bites in check but none happened.
Rimbick homestays were welcoming and felt the warmth of hospitality in every bit. The post race article described it all , Read here :- https://www.thehellrace.com/the-buddha-trails-2021-press-release/
and yes, I got lucky with my pic to be chosen to feature in the article. Yaay!
The 4am start gave jitters due to chilly weather and pitch dark trails to conquer. Sun rises here soon and by 5:30am, we had the day light show us the arrows marked on the route. The 6km route from Rimbick Bazaar to Shrikola bridge was a paradise but the Organisers planned it smartly as the Silence before the Storm. Crossed the bridge and a left turn started the ascent towards Sandakhpu. Covering 12kms towards a elevation to Sandakhpu can sort the majority of the running distance is a false assumption because this was just a glimpse of how much more brutal it will get till you reach the finish line.
The Bamboo stick in my hand has its story to tell too.
Looking back and enjoying the great views of kanchanjangha took a back seat as I planned to refill my nourishments and proceed ahead at Sandakhpu aid station. Was definitely relieved from the steep climb that had me take short breaks as my heart was pounding heavy and leg muscles acting out otherwise and this was just 20 percent of the distance completed so far.
Then began the 21kms easy descents and ascents to Phalut after Sandakhpu. These weren’t easy either as the road was filled with boulders and had to be careful when you land on your foot. The sun and chilly wind hit you left right center and at times, it was the wind that pushed you in odd directions effortlessly. You reach Phalut at 39th km and you now have another 26kms to go. You can grab your drop bags here. You also get overjoyed here since the next 10kms is a rundown and you plan on capturing the much needed pace if you intend to finish the run well within the cutoff time. This 10km stretch had to be carefully evaluated as the narrow path is covered with leaves and gives a absolute jungle like feeling with trees all over the range. However, this felt like never ending route, it could be the fatigueness that you suffering from and wanted to hit the finish line as soon as possible and get over this nightmare.
When I crossed the 49th km mark at Samanden, the refills were done as usual and headed to the next stop at Ramam , the 54 kms mark, and we had another gruelling downhill of 5kms to go. The route to Srikhola bridge was dusty and offcourse filled with boulders. When you hear the dogs barking, admit that you are getting closer to the brigde, post which you just have another 6km to the finish line. Crossing the bridge indeed gives you a sense of accomplishment and all that was left is to crawl on the tar road to the finish line. All the efforts put so far ensured you still have the day light else running in the dark again will make you reinvent the wheel. Now, there was no time to waste and had to be headstrong to cross the finish line and so did i with fist pumps in the air and felt like absolute bliss.
Tears did not roll out on the cheeks, instead they got gulped down the throat when I halted and breath my first with a sense of relief at the 13th hour. All you want to do is bow down to all the runners who were submissive to failure, humiliation and psychological scarring for life by mere signing up for this HELL run.
It always seems impossible until it’s done – Nelson Mandela