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Trail Running in the Dhauladhars

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  “The cave you fear the most holds the treasure you seek.” Joseph Campbell In the first week of October, I participated in the Summit Run Indrahar. A 20 km race through the rugged terrain of Mcleodgunj. It was a test of both physical and mental endurance, and an opportunity to experience the kind of beauty that only the mountains can offer. The Pre-Race Experience: Preparing for the Challenge With a course that’s classified as a hard technical trail, the preparation had to be just as demanding. In the weeks leading up to the race, I focused heavily on training that would mimic the race’s terrain as much as I could living in a city. This included steep hill climbs, trail running, and descents, which were all critical for preparing my body for the diverse and unpredictable trail conditions. Gear was equally important. I made sure my trail shoes were a perfect fit and enough grip to handle the tricky, rocky sections. I also opted for a hydration vest, as I knew the race ...
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Running in the Land of the Thunder Dragon

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Bhutan “Every hundred feet the world changes” -  Roberto Bolano, Chilean novelist and short story writer Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, is a Himalayan Kingdom of natural beauty and landscapes located between India and China. A Buddhist country with a unique culture, Bhutan is a country of tranquillity in a competitive world.  It is known for its concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than GDP, an idea that was first introduced in the 1970's by the fourth King of Bhutan, to measure of the country's progress and development. Bhutan's emphasis on happiness is real and it has led to policies and practices that prioritise the well-being of its people, such as free healthcare and education, sustainable tourism and the conservation of its environment and culture.  That focus on the environment is particularly important and has helped the country to be covered by trees. As it is a mountainous country it produces all its electricity through hydro-electric power ...
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Running under the moon in the Sahyadri’s

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  “Small and consistent steps taken regularly over time lead to big gains. You spend a minute on top of the mountain but hundreds of hours on its sides.” Brad Stulberg Everyone has their Everest. Something that, relative to their capabilities, requires them to push their boundaries, both physically and mentally, to the max. Something they are not sure if they can achieve. I signed up for “my Everest” 4 months ago – to run 50 kms in the Sahyadri’s. Any task that seems daunting initially is something that excites me. I enjoy the process because the process or the journey is what makes you stronger both physically and mentally. If there is no challenge, there is no fun. I traveled to Lonavala for the Tata Ultra Marathon late Feb 2024. By this time, I had downgraded my distance to 35 kms because of a lot of other factors (which were non run related). I was unhappy yet relieved at the same time. This race that is so well organized in terms of just about everything. The new elements adde...
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