It took two to tango to begin the year 2025 - Trail and Roads make you hybrid, just attain the balance!
Travel and Run is always on the mind and what better way to put it when your adventure rush takes you places in your favourite mode of transport and to begin with year on a high is just the nectar you are looking for.
Had no reason to rush for a ultra this early, hence chose the #humblecategory to deal with i.e 25kms at BURJ Mountain Ultra Running Championship and as always, it's a treat to friendzone the mountains again that put you back in the place where you belong. Indeed it's alway plays the critic role in letting on know the limitations and how much more work needs to be in progress to plan your yearly running schedule.
A series of runs manifested for 2025, most importantly the event we have been waiting for and be a part of history was shortlived as I was yet to get lucky with the lottery results of UTMB. This came in early January and caused some dent in the plans.
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Being habitual at the Jumping Gorilla events hosted at the western ghats are the prelims of the math you need to forsee for your future races. The event is at its best and this time it being a semi or rather self supported run, its a good learning school for the trail runners who intend to graduate in to trail running as a sport. Covering the target mileage is always going to be the outcome of how much work you have put in to reach the goal. So, what did this 25km look like:-
Now that Strava intelligence hints at the lack of elevation gains in your past endeavours. Well, the last 30 days being a complete recovery, rest and recuperative month, I wouldn't blame it but yes, a mental fatigue could have been a value add to this intelligence and is also one important factor to be considered for ones readiness for a physically challenging event.
You elevation maps tells you the climbs and downhills of the run. This is indeed one of the toughest terrains you could train at to prepare yourself for trails. The heat is an added hindrane in addition to the complete exposure of one self to harsh suns. There is close to zero tree coverage that could help you take a break under the shade. The most mind boggling aspect is the visible peaks and path that stand right in your face and you already get jittery strategizing what it's going to take to bell this cat down.
Also, people wondering how much sense and relevance the size of the hydration bag make on trail runs like these. Now, your goals define the kind of training rituals you choose for runs. In addition to the mandatory gear for races, other necessary factors involve is your nutrition, water and electrolyte intake schedule and knowing the format of international runs, especially UTMB, every aid station is 10kms apart and with the added elevation, your survival instincts are highly based on how well you are packed and mobile with additional weight on your back. The weight could easily vary between 1.5 to 2kgs depend on the race mileage and weather conditions. The job is well done when you are able to cut down the dependency and be self sufficient in races that demand a lot of your physical and mental endurance. Highly appreciate the guidelines being inculcated in to Jumping Gorilla events to prepare yourself for your future endeavours.
The volunteers are the real deal at this event, from having to cater to the needs of a runners in terms of hydration and nutrition to encouraging and tracking the progress technically over the routes and burning that midnight oil to stay awake for the ultra categories, the support crew and the sport they are is commendable.
By now, I have happened to run all the season at Jumping Gorilla events and can vouch for these being one of the finest trail events you don't want to miss at the western ghats. I may have developed a comfort zone with these trails by only knowing what I am up against and take all the advantage I can to pose the best side of me when I see the cameras following me 😉. Guess, you live for these moments to cherish and the photos are the only muscle memory you will retain as your age gracefully.
So my fellow runners who plan to explore some treacherous terrains on the mountains or want to befreind your mountains for a healthy trek and let your passion lead your goals, the idea is to get in to a long term relationship with the peaks you admire. Let there be no reason for you to challenge the calibre a mountain has to offer. Chase harmony to co-exist in this process of self development as a trail runner and use the vast diversities of nature to adapt yourself to the ever-changing terrains across the globe. And soon enough you will start liking my favourite word - longevity! Yes, plan to trust the process without a pinch of haste and embrace the failures as learnings to make this bond that you want to create stronger. Mind you, all this needs to be medidated over the years to be the one that pushes you always look the better self and not cease in that process. You draw the line whenever necessary and yes, this relationship is not going to be a 50-50, it could be a 60-40 or 80-20, whatever be it, embrace it and never give up.
Regarding the event, it's a phenomenal creation by Adinath and Govind backed by Infrabeats Technologies and together they have been curating avid runners from India. The 25km category started at 7am which is a good respite as you can catch on some good sleep the night before without having to rush in the wee hours. The location is Karjat and is an hour away from Pune. You could drive down or cab the journey along with other fellow runners. The run started after the bib collection and briefing and yes, the bibs are to be collected on the race day and not have the hassle of collecting it in advance. The first couple of kms is a good warm up with no elevation post which, the first climb gradually begins.
The trails are narrow at certain locations and ofcourse technical where you have wait till the other runners passes by. The weather was on the cooler side till the clock hit 8am, hence a wind cheater comes in handy if you are not a fan of cold. The views on either side of the ridge and peaks are amazing but if you blink,you fall. Well, that wasnt the case when I fell on the return journey to the start point. I just toppled over a small rock hidden in the dry grass and in an act of letting the runner in opposite direction pass, I fell and bruised my knee and thigh. The knee bled while the thigh went numb. I got myself together and continued running but at a reduced pace that allowed me to bear the pain from the fall. This indeed made me worry about the event lined up the next weekend Tata Mumbai Marathon - HM.
A couple of days out and the leg wasn't recovering from the pain and hence the uncertainty of making it to yet another HM at TMM. Keeping it warm and stretched was one option I looked forward too and kept at it till I felt some strength in the leg. The last two days prior to the event was absolute rest and keeping myself hydrated and ensured the electrolytes were consumed too.
A quick bib pickup and a lot of catching up with runners across the country. It was amazing to see folks that I haven't met for ages and had the opportunity to discuss more trails and runs that could be scheduled in 2025. It got overwhelming knowing the number of new events that have come up in distant and unexplored locations and the format that was still a niche. 
The shake out run event was becoming a trend too and could have not missed this opportunity to run with Run Machines of Sutra who made their present felt the Marine drive.
We flashed the new tees sponsored by Swasthya fitness and had every opportunity to show off our skills 😉.
The shake out followed by a rendezvous at the Earth Cafe was one of its kind. This vegan cafe hosted a yummy buffet breakfast hosted by Dharma who has been a known faces in the running fraternity.
Meeting Anurag after ages too, we caught up with some life events and future endeavours and look forward to catching up on trails some day
Signing up for short stints on the Road is often inclined towards meeting your run buddies and socialize to a great extent. Not to forget, the social battery can go for a toss at times :). A varied categories of runners setting their goals and being the best self in their own ways. A mixed conversations of folks targeting pace on the road to wanting to have a debut marathon under the belt, the temptations and nervousness is all time high. Meeting just not the runners but also the one organising events to coaching the athletes gives you a good insight on how running as a sport is growing among the population. The exploitation seems mutual in a healthy way. In this process, met Vikas who has been conducting events across the country and are unique in the terrains and formats. So looking forward to attend the backyard ultra someday. It's a unknown beast yet to be manifested.
So TMM HM, with a event a week ago, running a HM does make more sense knowing the time span my body would need to recover. Ending up in category A line-up does give you that lead and not have the hassle to dodge through the swarm of runners. Knowing the roads to the start line going to be diverted and restricted, it's a good decision to show up atleast an hour early and rest your self before the entry gates get a little too crowded. Ended up with some chitty chatty with the media team who didn't mind clicking a few for the record.
With the prevailing blow to my thigh muscles at jumping Gorilla, the event was at stake too, hence a complete rest and stretching is all that took for it to be game ready. Mumbai streets are the favorite for large scale event like this where general public are on the streets too in the wee hours to cheer, cure, feed and hydrate the runners. Help is at your disposal everywhere. Knowing the pricking stages due to the injury, job at hand was to get done with the run as soon as possible before it lead to some adversity. Not the wisest decision made but a calculated risk owing to past experience does come in handy and the climax was a feat at its best
I held by ground from the word go and pushed as much as I could not wanting the heart rate go haywire. The first 5 kms were indeed tougher in terms of physical stress compared to rest of the run. The sea link is one beast knowing that you could foresee the length of the route makess you small in no time. I rather enjoyed the twist and turns that allowed me set to mini goals of covering the distances in sight and were a short sprint.
I must say, the delight to not have many runners running in front or by side does help in just concentrating your strategies widely. And ofcourse the show off to the cameras to capture the best of your strides. The humidity levels this time did not bother much either and could enjoy some cool breeze during the run and wanting to finish the run before sunrise was another achievement thats leads to another high of its kind. The new shoe Asics Novablast 4 may not have been the best for ultra running, but for shorter stints like these, it does give you a handsome grip on the tar and no issues at all. A more cushioned shoe for the sole is my choice if I happen to run for longer hours. It reduces impact on your leg, knee and body to a greater extend. Again, I have indulged in this practice for quite sometime now to ensure the back hampered ahead. It did feel like cruise mode post 13th km mark.
By now, it was the after party that took precedence from whatever had to be achieved during the run. I did keep a tap on the pace and the heart rate, guess age is catching up or just wanted to act like it's catching up 😛. Better not to be sorry in later stages of the run not knowing how much I have , I must and can push in the due course of time.
Another feat of #beenthererunthat at TMM 2025 with the only wish to keep the consistent performance after a year old again. The longevity in the quality of the runs counts in the hourly strength training you do every now and then. It's a game changer in all sense.
Phew phew phew!!! The end line seeked right from the second we throttled and here we go, all that steam had to be released just to know that you have done the job well and kudos to yourself for yet another victory in its own kind.
Met Ram who has been a inspiration to me and making me believe the miles and smiles have a long way to go.
What next? A well sought after party. Guess will allow the picture do the talking
And a shout out to all the Run Machines known to do their best at runs that demand a lot of discipline and planning to make the passionate dreams come true.
With much help and guidance from Babu, the bunch has been keeping well with goals of drinking down miles like no one's business
And to tip it up with my old my running bud, Subham was round the corner too with a marvelous finish at TMM Marathon.
Until next time, keep up your game and wish you all a happy and healthy New year 🎊.
Food for thought:-
"Nourish your body, mind, and soul." "Health is not just about what you're eating. It's also about what you're thinking and saying." "Your body hears everything your mind says.
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