Since my school days, I have keenly followed the achievements of Indian Space Research Organisation. I congratulate ISRO on its successful Mars mission in search of another home planet, on pushing the limits of human imagination, something that has always thrilled me.
One way of pushing my limits has always been running for me. It is also an effort at self discovery. My running story started when I joined the Indian senior national football team in 2007 as its physiotherapist. I have continued my profession with the Delhi Ranji cricket squad. Over the years, I have realised that ultra runners treat pain and suffering alike. It is all about effort than just crossing the finish line. With this idea in mind, I decided to take part in one of the most arduous running expeditions, the Ladakh Marathon. It is said to be the world’s highest marathon at 17,700 feet. Let me take you on the journey of transforming myself from a sports physio to an athlete — from my training onwards, in Delhi and later at Leh, filled with moments of excitement, also of doubt.
For me, the Ladakh Marathon was an expensive, professional, adventurous mission. I approached it with the mindset of an athlete, staying away from my three-year-old son (Nidheesh), changing sleep patterns for night runs, rescheduling my Australia study program to conquer oneself. The highly demanding challenges, including the possibility of death, caused in me excitement rather than fear, a reason why I decided to sign up for the marathon. But I was disappointed in coming across words that have legal overtones, like ‘action, inaction, negligence’ in the event’s waiver form. Being a professional sports physiotherapist, not thinking about personal safety or for my family, I, stayed back for my runner John Sharp and also for the organisers.
PreparationFor months, I trained daily for 15-17 kms, two-hour runs, a maximum of 6:25 hours at the Ferozeshah Kotla cricket stadium. It saw me complete my first 18 km trail run on August 13 wearing my Salomon shoes, North Face and Quechua technical gear crossing four passes at 4,000 mts (1,313 ft) on course with the minimum altitude of 11,371 ft and the maximum of 14,484 ft and a total gain of 3,920 ft ; daily 9-12 miles of acclimatisation runs in Leh and at high passes every day. And completion of the maiden Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, 42.095km on August 24, all in one flow!
High Altitude Physiology and NutritionBesides training volumes of more than 100 miles a week, specific 2-3 months of gradient high altitude training to condition stroke volume to load i.e. heart rate and especially for every 100 mts change in altitude (ascent /descent) continuous hydration (3.5ml/kg/15-20min ), energy supply, from 15 per cent short chain carbohydrates, electrolytes, 2 per cent protein from non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks and food is critical in maintaining thermoregulation and cell fluid balance, preventing dehydration, vasoconstriction, hypoxia, hypothermia mechanism, convulsions, shock or pressure changes leading to edema. Don’t run, but, stop and eat. Respecting medics’ final call is life saving in altered level of consciousness and decision making. During the marathon, the Indian Army Siachen Field Unit saved a crew member’s life at Khardung La top and South Pullu during our acclimatisation days. I felt, participants always need to take good care of themselves first and exhibit expedition behaviour and self leadership.
The Start Line and RaceEveryone broke silence of two days of anxiety at the start line with positivity. The first leg of race seen at 8 degrees. The only female competitor, Brigid, a 51-year-old German working for a Gurgaon-based IT company, said she had to quit the race at 59km in 10:57 hrs with a digestion problem as she couldn't eat at Khardung La pass after crossing the first cut off by just 01min to spare. My runner John was leading the race till 13km before Karu (149km) on the second day, 6 p.m. where another participant, Kim, gained the lead. Because of heat exhaustion, he lost 08 hours before he restarted an amazing running at 3 a.m. He had to stop because of breathing difficulty and dropping SP O2 levels during the ascent at 187 km in 41hrs, just 3 km short of Wary La, the second pass. The Indian participants’ timings were: Ankush Dixit, an IIT Guwahati alumnus — 44.5km in 7:35hrs; Sarvadarshi Shukla from the Indian Army — 45kms in 7:35hrs; Kieren D’Souza, in his 20s who does Half Marathons — 48km in 7:07hrs.
Among all the participants, only Kim managed to triumph and complete the 333km in 71:23:3hrs. It concluded my Leh Himalayan August expedition. But the journey is on, for I am transforming from being a sports physio to an athlete. I would appreciate if the organisers ensure lesser drop outs by creating awareness and giving incentives to those who make it to the finish.
(The Ladakh Marathon 2015 is set for coming September 13 and registration will open in March.)
