A journey of self discovery: A mountaineer and a runner , transformed in to a Mountain-runner!
Chapter One: Blouson Noir
“Sunny Boy, come let’s run together the next year!“
“Yes Sir!“
“Take care.“
“You too, Sir. See you!”
As I hung up the phone after talking to Panda Sir, I just scrolled the internet and inquired about the Khardung La Challenge (KC).
“What did I just do!” I freaked out as I went through the details about KC.
“I have not even run an official Full Marathon yet and I have just committed the blunder of saying YES to the KC of 72 km!”, my exact words after ending the phone call.
Read Chapter 2 : A Journey of Self-Discovery: Khardung La Challenge
Read Chapter 3: Crossing the Finish Line: My Khardung La Challenge Experience
Prologue
It was 10 September 2023, when my smartphone beeped a WhatsApp alert. It was a text from Panda Sir. Panda Sir is an accomplished mountaineer, including two summits of Mt. Everest.
Apart from that, he was the erstwhile Principal of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. I had the proud privilege of completing my Basic and Advance Mountaineering Courses under his guidance. That built a powerful base for my mountaineering journey in the ensuing seven odd years. No doubt, he is my friend, philosopher, and guide.
Sir had just finished the Ladakh Ultra Marathon, KC of 72 km, World’s Highest Ultra Marathon! Halfway through the chat, I just dialed his number to hear his fascinating experience. I was awestruck as he detailed his journey. The tipping point came when he said those golden words, “Sunny Boy, come let’s run together the next year!” There were no second thoughts, and the answer was “YES!”
Stocktaking
There was no turning back now. The entire route was in High Altitude and included running up to and crossing one of the Highest Motorable Passes in the world. The elevation gain up to 17,600 ft was daunting. The stringent cutoff timings added pressure. The amount of planning and preparation required for a runner was significant. It all made me run to the loo at once.
But then the words of a wise woman, echoed in my mind. “It’s still better to fall on your back, well prepared, than to fall flat on your face, unprepared.”
I was all practical now. I quickly took stock of my current preparedness.
I individually considered my history of high-altitude stays, running, and mountaineering. I’d had a physically active lifestyle and a respectable training load in the past year.
It included a seven thousand(er) mountaineering expedition, mountain biking, track, and road running. I was also consistently doing strenuous muscle conditioning.
My body had adequate exposure to high altitudes. It had adapted well to all the earlier stints at various high-altitude postings, including one in Siachen Glacier, as well as various mountaineering expeditions. I’ve had a few Half Marathons to my credit as well as an experience of long-distance running for a few years. This was reassuring, but what was not so reassuring was the fact that I was not a natural runner. I had started liking the sport for my own reasons. So, unless I trained well, I would fall flat on my face for sure! Most importantly, there is a difference between trekking/climbing in mountains viz-a-viz running an ultramarathon.
A marathon that involves crossing 17,000 ft and that too in the maiden attempt!
“But what is the ideal training required for such an event?” I questioned myself and answered in the same breath – “It has to be realistic!“
Deciding the baseline
As I put on my thinking hat, one thing was amply clear. Apart from a balanced training regimen, I needed a few validations during my preparation leading up to the KC.
So, I decided to try a hill running event followed by an expedition in high altitude during the preparation phase. This was necessary to vet my body’s response to both kind of exposures. If I fail in either of them, I will withdraw from the event.
It felt like a remarkably grand expectation from myself, but where is the fun if the aim is not the stars?
The Penance Begins
“Kehte Hain Na Jab Kisi Cheez Ko Shiddat Se Chaho,
To Puri Kaynaat Usay Tumse Milwane Me Lag Jati Hai“
The training journey began with a three-pronged approach:
Train the Muscles,
Use the Muscles,
Revive the Muscles.
(Repeat)
The training plan was painstakingly designed. It was a combination of focused running plans intertwined with cross-training. The running plan was customized for weekly
and monthly targets incorporating the variations for speed, distance, and elevation. The cross-training included full-body workouts, long-
distance cycling, swimming, mobility exercises, and a strict incorporation of Yoga. A balanced diet and hydration routine was certainly a breakthrough. The idea was to gradually build-up the training block instead of a sudden shift.
The Sweet Discipline: Power of saying NO
“After I won, I sat in the locker room in Melbourne. I wanted one thing: to taste chocolate. I had not tasted it since the summer of 2010!“
– Novak Djokovic, 2012: After winning the Aus Open
The most crucial decision I made during the training year was SHUTTING DOWN the doors of distractions. I would convey NO to all the clutter that would deviate me from the designated plan. Certainly, the work and family obligations could not be given a miss, but the PRIORITISATION of tasks had set in. The insignificant social gatherings were cut short at the first moment. The meaningless screen time and useless snacking were curtailed. Early morning alarms and timely lights out were perfected. An efficient working mechanism with no wastage of time on unwanted issues was incorporated during the office hours. In short, whiling away even a minute out of the 24-hour cycle was thrown in the trash bin. I must say, the process was TOUGH but a HEALTHY one, both at the physical and mental level (Yes, I had my cheat days too, but the frequency was much more limited now!).
A significant and thoughtful choice involved a ‘Natural Adjustment Exposure’ to the body. This was in preparation for the seasonal changes in Punjab. The transition from Winters to Summers was managed without heaters and air conditioners and the shift from Summers to Monsoon followed the same approach. Similarly, moving from Dryness to Killing Humidity and then reeling back to Winters maintained the NO HEATERS and NO AC policy. It sounds tough, but my body adapted to each change extremely well. Even leading up to the event, it was a natural transition through all the climatic shifts over a full year.
But the training block was a tumultuous ride. I would often end up questioning the reason for going through it at times. The food and mood swings with adequate mental work pressure would often drive me crazy. Down the line in a few months, a monotony had set in.
“Shall I continue or quit?” the dilemma was not far away from banging my conscience.
Inspired, not Envious
“The Greatest Education in the World is Watching the Masters at Work“
I remembered Dolly Wadalkar from my advanced mountaineering course days. A self-made entrepreneur, she was a really fragile and weak trainee during that time. However, she completely transformed herself into a strong ultra-runner with multiple podium finishes. She had a strong KC finish in 11 hours and 48 minutes last year. Dolly runs on roads and trails, standing strong and ever improving even in her mid-forties. I was certainly in awe of her inspiring journey.
The only way to deal with someone better than you is to learn from them. So instead of feeling jealous or insecure, I decided to ring her up.
“You’re so good at it; please, can you teach me too?” I asked Dolly.
She was kind and gave me a detailed account of her KC experience. I actually ended up making notes for training (still an old school guy!).
She not only discussed the KC but also about “The Hill Run”. I was not only motivated after the talk, but also equally ecstatic and excited! I saw my first validation run materializing.
How a simple phone call to someone better than me had put me back on track, I wondered!
The game was still on!
Validation #1: Hill Race: 19 May 2024
Dolly had taken part in the Bir Running Festival (BRF) and attempted the Half Marathon called ‘The Hell Race.’ It is one of its own kind of an experience. The first 10 km are steep downslopes. Then there is a whopping elevation gain of 700 meters in the remaining 12 km. The total distance is just more than a conventional half marathon. But make no mistake, the race meant a proper taxing of all running muscles. It ensures that your knees and calves are tested to their limits. If that is not enough, the organizers will provide minimum enroute assistance and just enough hydration points. With the cut-off timings being stringent, DNFs are the USP of the organizers. The race is aptly called “The Hell Race.” Dolly gave a full insight in to the event, despite her busy schedule. This happened to
be the same time when the entries for the KC were being scrutinized. I received a call from Surajit Roy Sir. He was the main coordinator for a group of us planning the event in unison. Surajit Roy Sir, as they say, ‘The Name Is Enough,’ is a legendary runner.
He has many accolades in the field of running prestigious marathons and ultras. He is a regular at KC and a strong finisher of the Silk Route Ultra (SRU-122km), last year and repeater this year.
My entry was not meeting the quintessential requirements of an official FM. The unofficial ones done without certification were not taken into consideration, for obvious reasons. Surajit Sir spoke to me at length. He took my entire history of running and mountaineering into account for consideration of my entry. Anyways, I paid the registration fees for KC and left for the Bir HM.
It was even more important now to finish the Bir HM. It will be a litmus test of my extensive hard training of the last seven months. The successful finish will also strengthen my bid for KC participation.
Finally, I finished strong with an overall 18th rank. The first validation was successful. Undoubtedly it boosted my self-confidence.
I also met an amazing set of fellow runners and friends from all walks of life who enriched me with their experiences. Little did I know that a few of them would be joining me in Leh as well! What a beautiful experience!
Validation #2: Auden’s Col Expedition: 21 June 2024
“Mountains are not Stadiums where I Satisfy my Ambitions,They’re the Temples where I Practice my Religion!“
Barely anytime had passed since the Bir marathon and the mountain expedition knocked at the door. I packed my rucksack and started off for Auden’s Col Expedition in June 2024. Called the Gateway to Kedarnath, the expedition involved covering around 100 km from Gangotri Dham to Kedarnath Dham. It was certainly a pilgrimage, completing which I would have sought the blessings for the final goal.
This expedition in Garhwal Himalayas was spread over 10 days. It was a rigorous effort involving 7-9 hours of trek and climb each day. It involved the trails, moraines, glacier, streams and especially the gruesome boulders with the load on the back. Needless to mention that the entire expedition was in High Altitude region, thus, strengthened me well for the final goal.
I successfully completed the expedition. My body has adapted extremely well to varying kinds of terrain, temperatures, and high-altitude conditions. This was accomplished with limited resources, correct hydration, and good nutrition. The icing on the cake was the beautiful time spent in the lap of nature with surreal views and divinity. There was also time for introspection. I made deep etched memories with an amazing set of climbers who were a family now.
I had crossed the penultimate checkpoint after which there was no turning back.
The Last Dance
The return from mountains came with real blessings. My entry for KC was confirmed. It was time to Bash on Regardless, with just two months to the event. A Whatsapp group had been created by Surajit Sir and the experiences and inputs from all participants had started to flow in it. Previous year participants, first timers and the qualified participants of Silk Route Ultra (122km) were all part of the group. Apart from Surajit Roy Sir, the group had some really inspirational names. Sitharam Sir, a runner almost in his middle years who would give a run for money to runners even half his age. Dr Arashdeep Singh, a medical specialist, an avid runner and a strong finisher of KC last year, who was attempting SRU this time.
A call to Sitharam Sir motivated me to the core. The ensuing full-length conversation of race strategy to include pacing, nutrition, fueling and drop off bag preparation was like an enlightenment in the run up to the event. Surajit Roy Sir would often share his pearls of wisdom on many aspects on real time practices that needed incorporation. Arashdeep’s narration of his previous years’ experience was equally motivating. The flow of information in the group was akin to the Wizards guiding you in your preparation.
The runs now were to be longer, odd timed and to included pre, mid and post activity fueling as well. It was the beginning of July, and the Punjab’s weather was torturous with soaring temperatures and killing humidity. There was no respite expected in the coming two months. I had gradually built up my endurance and adaptability.
Because of this, I spiked up the weekly mileage to around 70 km. This increase was complemented by strength training, swimming, cycling and Yoga. The whole work out was spread over in morning and evening sessions.
Sidhu Sir, a kind senior and a preventive health care nutritionist was my 4 AM friend. The demanding schedules left my body needing necessary relaxation. This led me to Soumit, a person with golden heart. He is a physiotherapist par excellence with a ton of experience, and a fitness enthusiast himself. He literally became my personal physio in this process.My days were fully committed to official work.
Soumit spared his own time in the evening to tend to my physio sessions. Devanshu, the gym in-charge came as a messiah when the onset of monsoons spoilt my long-distance running plans. I had to finish at least two 35-50 Km runs requiring long hours with adequate fueling. Initially, this was not possible amid the incessant rains. Devanshu taught me to handle the electrical setup of the gym. This enabled me to start at 2 AM and hop on to four treadmills (each treadmill would cutoff at 100 minutes).
By default, or by design, but destiny had crafted a beautiful ecosystem to support my journey. I started spilling over a few runs in daylight as well, keeping the actual conditions in mind. The guards were often surprised. They wondered if someone was punishing me for some reason in the soaring temperatures as high humidity added to their suspicions. Kindly, they would act as my hydration stations!
Once I asked them for the reasons for their generosity and affection. They all told me a common thing, “Sir, aap bahut mehnat karte ho, hume bahut motivation milti hai (Sir, you work so hard that even we get motivated).” That was the day which added an additional responsibility on my shoulders to achieve my aim well.
July passed in a moment. Suddenly, it was mid-August. It was time to pack up the stuff and move to Leh!
Just one step away from the ultimate redemption.
Read Next Chapter: A Journey of Self-Discovery: Khardung La Challenge
Read Final Chapter: Crossing the Finish Line: My Khardung La Challenge Experience
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NIKOMEN! 
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