Chiltern Way Ultra: 100k Distance

This year, for the first time, I ran my very tough 100k ultra challenge. There were only 11 competitors. 7 completed, 2 DNF and 2 ran out of time. In 16 hours and 40 minutes time I was the 4th finisher.

I was really looking forward to running this race and I was very happy that I was able to spend my Sunday taking part in this adventure. Only concern was I didn't really do tapering and my mileage was the highest ever in the week before the race. That's a very bad idea and I suffered for it. Lesson learned.

The route followed the National Trail known as the Chiltern Way. The scenery was stunning, rolling fields, farms, woodland and villages. The 100km race started in Little Hamden winding clockwise back to Hemel Hempstead finishing at HQ (Feldon Lodge in Hemel Hempstead) where we stayed overnight. Sunday early morning, we were driven to the start location for a quick briefing and race started exactly at 7am.

It was a pure test of the determination and focus of all the runners, in such an unforgiving weather conditions. It was windy and rained all day. (Not complaining about the weather but just mentioning how it was). The route was very challenging and full of rural technical. At many places, there were no obvious paths to follow and I ran on a lot of nettle strewn paths 😂. There were plenty of freshly ploughed fields where it was even impossible to walk.

Although the trail is signed, some way-marks aren't obvious or are overgrown. Running here also required constant navigation, which is ok if you're walking. There wasn't anybody who didn't get lost (frequently). Even following gpx route on my watch wasn't easy. But using my watch did save me from making any major navigational errors. Overall, I ran 106.2 km.

Considering battery life, I started charging my watch halfway through the race to make sure I've the route to follow in the night. We were also given 'trackers' to attach to our race packs so we could be followed online.

There were 3 checkpoints approximately every 25km. Amazing volunteers helped us with water, tea, coke, fruits and plenty of food from the back of the car. At the finish, organisers were ready with more hot food, fruits and drinks. I didn't have any refulling issues.

First 10 miles I ran with a couple of runners but than slowed down due to sharp pain in my left knee. I ran the rest of the route on my own. Running in night time with the head torch was a bit stressful at first but then I quickly got used to it. I can confirm I didn't see any ghosts 👻 (भुत) and lucky not to meet any scary cattle🐮.

This race was by far the hardest thing I’ve done. Regardless of all the challenges, yesterday I felt mentally very strong all the way through. It has not always been the same experience before. Nowadays I find the quality in my runs not due to how far or how fast I could run but how much I could learn. Learning is, in fact, life long ambition.

So running isn't just about races and PBs. It is a journey full of ups and downs, just like in our real life and being strong and having faith and not giving up is the only option.

In every race we run, we learn so much not just about running or running silly distances, but about ourselves as a person. We learn to be mindful, appreciate what we have and make the most of it. With the love and support from our family and amazing friends, we can achieve beyond our imagination. It's true.

This race was an epic challenge and it has to be by far, the biggest medal that I've ever received so far.

Continue training and I'll hopefully be able to run the biggest ultra challenge centurion 100 miles race next year. Through NNAUK, supporting their project to build a birthing centre in a remote village, it has also helped me find a worthy reason to get through all the long miles and hard training. Thanks to all who supported me and already donated for this cause I'm running for. If you'd like to support: please use this Link:https://goo.gl/CT7ScL

Once again, if you're interested I'm always happy to share my challenges, training, the routines, struggles, attempts, endurance, the life changing experiences and reflections with you. We can always learn so much from each other. Once again, thank you very much for your support. नमस्ते।

50k Sussex Weald ultra Challenge

50k Sussex Weald ultra Challenge - a very well organised, well marked trail race. It was a beautiful day today but tough conditions to run. A challenging course and there were plenty of hills too. However, I thoroughly enjoyed and love to go back again. Now, I just need to keep training and be ready for my biggest challenge so far, 100km race in August 26th.

Thanks to all who supported me and also donated for the worthy cause I'm running for. If you'd like to support: please use this Link: https://goo.gl/CT7ScL

Finished 85th out of 201 runners in 05:53:20. The race followed the long distance paths of the Weald Way and the Vanguard Way, encompassing the surrounding beauty of the Sussex countryside en route. The course was approximately 85% off-road along the picturesque and undulating routes with a great variety of landscapes containing rolling hills, ancient woodlands and irregular shaped fields (hence twisted my left ankle twice and it's still sore). Time for a speedy recovery and continue training...

 

Crainleigh Trail Marathon 2018

Crainleigh Trail Marathon 2018. A really nice trail, lovely weather, well organised, a local and low key race.

London Marathon 2018

I ran my first ever London Marathon on Sunday (22nd April). It was truly a running festival and I've had an unforgettable experience 🤔.

There were tens of thousands of people lined the streets from the start to the end to cheer on friends, family – and everybody else. All the way, you could see people enjoying the sunny day with the loud music, drums, singing, dancing and having fun while more than 42,000 runners tried to complete the challenge in the hottest London Marathon ever. But, forget about the heat, at one point, I got tired of smiling, saying thank you to all the strangers shouting my name and hi5ing 100s of kids. I felt like I was celebrating 'running'.

26.2 miles (42.2kms) is of course a long way to run on the punishing hard surface (road). Your body does suffer a lot as you try to push your limit. It's mentally even more challenging to keep going when you know you've already done enough around 20 miles.

That's when I almost pulled my left hamstring twice and started feeling a sharp pain in my left-side glute. Not that I was running fast, however I had to slow down and lost my pace that I was trying to maintain (around 5:30 mins/km). Except that, I think I managed well in the heat as I kept drinking some water and pour the rest on my head and the rest of my body. I also enjoyed running through the showers. In fact, I paused for a bit every time as it reminded me of my childhood days back home when we use to run around in the long awaited monsoon rain in a very hot day. I probably enjoyed the water a bit too much that even my shocks were wet and felt my shoes heavy. But I can't complain. I was there to enjoy the race and so I did.

Running is meaningful and it's good to run for a reason. Some people run marathons to step out of their Comfort Zone and for the sense of accomplishment as running a marathon is one of the largest physical challenges you can set for yourself. Those addicted to running will run any races, anyhow. Some get inspired by others and some manage to inspire others to do something they thought was too tough or impossible. Some run for a PB (time) and some to use the run as a means to raise money and awareness. This year, for the first time, I also combined my running ambition with the goal of helping NNAUK by raising money to build a birthing centre in a remote district of Nepal. I'll also be running very challenging ultra 50k and 100k races this year. So I've no time to rest but carry on training. The inspiration and motivation that I am helping others will help me get through all the long miles and hard training. Thanks to all who supported me and also donated for the worthy cause I'm running for. If you'd like to support: please use this Link: https://goo.gl/CT7ScL

Now, when I go back to trails, I'll probably get disappointed not to hear my name called almost every few meters that I run 😁. But, I love trail running. I totally enjoy the sounds of nature and the sights, the excitement and adventure that I can experience. You will exercise all your muscles but it will also give you the time and space to think, the peace and opportunity to reset your mind. It's defintely more interesting than running on roads, as you feel so engaged and aware on the trails. Lucky if you live near the mountains but you can just go and explore your local parks and hills and enjoy trail running. I can't wait to go to the top of a Box hill, stop and watch the sun rise again...

London Marathon 2018:
(Finish Time: 04:08:29)
Total number of finishers recorded: 40,273.
My place overall: 11240.
Place gender: 8470.
The hottest Race Day on record. 24°C

Thank you everyone for your support, encouragement and donations 🙏.#SpiritofLondon #SpiritofNepal