Bangalore Ultra 50K

Bangalore Ultra 50K - Nov 13th, 2011
 
I ran the Bangalore Ultra Marathon on Nov 13^th, and . the 50 km distance in about 9 hours. A little more time than I had hoped for (I had thought I would be able to finish in under 8.5 hours), but then over time, I have grown to realize that every day is different, every run is different, in fact I am different each day as well! So no point in comparing anyone to anything, everything just is and must just be enjoyed.

In the week leading up to the race, I had been down with a bad cold and a throat infection, and was on antibiotics for 3-4 days. I evaluated the situation with my friend and coach Vinod, and decided I will go as much as I can, and pull out if I felt really tired. On Sat, I prepared for the race, packed my running gear, 2 handheld water bottles, waist pack, salt capsules, camelback with water for hydrating after the run, food/salt supplies, etc. My mom had made some delicious puliogre that I kept aside for eating after the run. I had already decided to wear my relatively new Brooks Cascadia trail shoe. It is a great shoe for off-the-road runs that served me well at Mt. Diablo. I did not sleep much on Sat night, maybe 3-4 hours. I woke up at 2:45 AM or so, got ready and left home by 3:45 AM, pick up Santhosh on the way at 4AM and then we drove to Hessarghatta, about 45 km outside Bangalore. After an uneventful drive, we were at the start line by 5:30 AM. The place was already abuzz with activity. At 5AM, the 75 km & 100 km runners had started off, and we could see little pin points of light in the far distance. The route brand new this year, and was an out-and-back trail, 6.25km in distance. So one loop was 12.5km. I had to do 4 such loops for my 50KM. Met quite a few good old running friends and after wishing each other good luck, we were off at 6AM sharp.

Lap 1: 0 – 12.5 KM

It was still a bit dark and quite chilly in the morning, there was a lovely moonlight a thick fog was all around, it was absolutely beautiful. Apart from the footsteps of the runners, everything was quiet all around. No one was talking much, I guess everyone was at peace. I started off with my old pals from Runners High & Team Asha – Santhosh, Chandra, Matthew, Arijit, Ramesh, Gopalan and Ram. Most of them were aiming for the 50K, and were planning to go slow. That suited me just fine, and we ran along at a good pace. I was pacing the gang, doing a 9 min run, 1 min walk, and we were steadily doing a km in about 7 mins or so. The route was beautiful, at least it seemed so then (it got brutal later J). Aid stations were a few km apart, and we breezed by them stopping once in a while for water or picking up some oranges. By now, it was very bright, and very quickly we were at the turn around point at 6.25 km, and headed right back. I started my usual schedule of salt tablets (1^st one after an hour, after that 1 capsule every 30-35 mins). Things seemed great, and we kept the same run-walk schedule, and except for some part that was hilly, we ran well and strong. Matthew and Arijit were cracking their usual bad jokes, Chandra admonishing them in her usual motherly tone (she is an amazing runner, and has almost always won the prize in the senior women’s category; she did the 75K at ultra last year), Santhosh running silently ahead (Santhosh is my one of my coaches, he has done some amazing ultra marathons, a couple of 100 milers, and more), and me at the back enjoying the trail wholeheartedly. We finished the first lap in 1 hour and 40 mins. By now, of course, a lot of the strong & fast runners had turned around. I met Bharath, a senior from college, after a very long time. He was also doing the 50K, he seemed to be going very strong.

Lap 2: 12.5 – 25 KM

After turning around, we headed right back without a break. I only stopped to pick up my cap, since it had already gotten sunny by 7:30 AM, and I felt we were in for a brutal day ahead. There was no second guessing there – the sun started hitting us right away, as we headed into the next lap. We kept the same pace, and I continued hydrating well, and sticking to my salt schedule. Around the 3^rd aid station, at the 4.5 km mark, one poor lady had stopped, injured due to a dog bite. That was terrible. We stopped, called for the ambulance, waited for the doc to show up. First aid happened, and she was sent off in the ambulance to the closest hospital, one of the runners went back with her. That was very sad indeed. Chandra, our super woman runner, is scared of dogs. From then on, we ensured someone was with her all the time (usually that was me, since I was the slowest of the pack, and was always at the rear of the line). Rest of the lap went by, and we were back at the starting point. A quick time check showed 3:40 had elapsed, that was quite decent, and better than what I had done in my practice runs. I stopped at this time, picked up a fresh bandanna since I was sweating profusely, replenished my water, salts, and food. My sister called to check how I was doing, I quickly gave her an update, and started the next lap.

Lap 3: 25 – 37.5 KM

It was around 9:45 AM now, and it was very hot already. Things started getting interesting now. To start with, I dropped off the pack, since I had to slow down; this had been faster than my usual pace, and I knew I could not keep it up for another 25km. I asked the others to continue, and prepared myself for a long and solitary run for the remaining 25km. I also started feeling some stress in my Achilles tendons (during training, I had some problems with the Achilles heel, the bane of every runner), so I started slowing down a bit. I didn’t want to injure myself. The trail now started becoming more and more visibly hard. I had not noticed earlier how hard the route was – a dirt track for the most part, dusty, dry grass all around, rolling hills that were long and gradual..absolutely no tree cover, no rain Gods to bring on a cloud cover, and not a breeze that would give some breathing respite. And getting hotter by the minute. By now, most of the 12.5 KM and 25 KM runners had finished; that also made the trail more desolate, it was mostly the longer distance runners, and the gaps between runners had also increased. This also made me more watchful of my footsteps and my surroundings since I needed to watch out for any wild dogs, or snakes. I was glad for my cap which was covering my neck and shoulders, at least some respite from the sun. I trudged along, and got to the 32.25 KM turn around point in about 5 hours. Not bad, I told myself, stopped for some delicious salted oranges, chatted with the guys at the aid station, and started heading back. By now I had increased my salt intake considerably, taking a salt cap every 20 – 25 mins, since it was really really hot, and also increased my water intake, much more than my usual 1 liter every 5 miles. I am glad I did that, since I saw a lot of runners cramping up by now, and stopping in between, and starting to pull out of the race. I continued to run-walk, although it was more slow-run-fast-walk by now. Also my leg had started bothering me more now, the ITB on my right leg had flared up considerably (ITB, or Ilio-Tilial-Band is a band of muscles that connect the hip joint down to the side of the knee and continues down. It is a kind of support for the knee). I was hurting, but not real bad. And I was familiar with this pain, and knew what I needed to do after the run to take care of it. I figured I will push along.

By the 35 Km mark, I could see the gang ahead of me – Santhosh, Chandra, and the others. I was surprised – either someone was not doing well, or I had caught up with them (which definitely could not be given my speedJ). I met them at the end of the lap, Chandra was visibly tired, mentally and physically fatigued. She had terrible cramps and had decided to pull out. So did most of the others – Ramesh, Ram, and Santhosh as well, who wanted to be with Chandra and help her. Except Matthew, who had already started his last lap, and he said he would wait for me. I was in two minds, if I should pull out and stop as well. After all it was really a brutal day, unforgiving weather and terrain, and also one should know when to stop, as much as when to push oneself. As I headed around the turnaround point, I did a slow and careful evaluation. Other than the ITB problem, I was really fine. I was eating well, drinking lots of water, and taking salt caps very regularly, with hardly any signs of cramps or headaches. So I decided to go around and head back for another loop, even if I walked more. Time check: 6 hours 10 mins.

Lap 4: 37.5 – 50KM

I took a short break, washed my face, poured a few glasses of water on myself, felt the deliciously cold water freshen me, picked up a fresh bandanna, a packet of dry fruits and date bars, refilled my water bottles, and started off. I told Matt to go ahead, since he was going strong, and I would only slow him down with my ITB problem. I knew this was going to be a long and lonely lap. Far along the trail, until the eyes could see, I could see no one. I was walking most of this lap, and decided to try to keep to 11-12 min per km as much as I could. I knew my ITB would slow me down considerably later, but I was not going to slow down unless I needed to. I had forgotten to put on sun screen, that was not so good.

I met some lonely runners, fighting their own demons, each of us cheering the other along the way, urging each other to keep it going. I saw some amazing people out there. Jagdish is perhaps in his early 60s, and he was doing a 75Km. There was another runner doing a 75km, I saw him from behind and wondered why he was struggling to get his tshirt off; then I saw he had only one arm. I met Honda-san so many times I lost count – he is an amazing runner from Japan who regularly does the 100km here, in the time I do a 50K. I was truly humbled - by such people, by the weather and nature’s might, by the mental strength that is there in all of us, if only we can dig in..and believe in ourselves. Clearly it was a lap of retrospection. I never got bored, I never put on my music, although I had it for backup, just in case. I was lost in my thoughts, as I trudged along the meandering path. Thinking back, I frankly don’t know what I was thinking…I guess I just felt alive. I was aware of every step I was taking, every pain in my leg, every bit of sun heating up the body continuously. I realized a lot of people perhaps pulled out because the loneliness of such runs makes it mentally very, very, hard - when you don’t have anyone with you to run along, when you are trying to push yourself, and feel why in the world am I doing this to myself. I made it to the turnaround point at ~42.5km,and felt good that I had finished a full marathon in about 7 hrs 20 mins or so. Not a great timing, but given the conditions, I will take itJ. Soon after, my GPS watch battery drained up. It had been a good companion helping me keep check on my pace.

It was now the last leg back home. I wish I could have done it faster, but the ITB was now really screaming for attention. I slowed down even more, limping, perhaps doing 15 mins a km or so. Anyway I couldn’t care less. I was going to finish the 50KM, and that thought elated me. I was happy. I wished every runner I came across, thanked the folks at the aid stations I stopped at; without the selfless attitude of such volunteers, and smiling faces, none of us could have done this. I met Jagdish again, we briefly spoke about our next event – a 48 hour run in Jan, and decided to catch up in a few days to plan for that. I met a few more whose names I forgot, but such happy smiles I cannot forget. Some were still running strong, aiming to finish the 75k & 100k before 6pm, wow!

The last 2.5km uphill was quite painful, but I knew I was there. I soon saw the last aid station, swung around and headed towards the finish. Limping leg and all, I decided to sprint for it, and I eagerly ran the last 100m into the finish line, a happy and contended soul! I think I eventually completed in a little over 9 hours, I need to wait for the official time from my timing chip.

All in all a good run, no major injuries except for the ITB, some torn skin and a couple of broken toe nails. I was back at work on Monday, although with a slight, but proud limpJ. I need to work on some areas for a better run at my next event.