My first Ultra

Late post! A really late post!

So, I am finally an ultra runner now! Graduation ceremony was at the beautiful coffee estate in Belawara, located at the South Karnataka end of the beautiful Western Ghats!

Date: October 13, 2018!

I was running 50k… Thought would take baby steps towards ultra running! I had no target in mind other than finishing the race without much walking. Was thinking sub-7 hrs would be a decent finish time considering the course! Finished in 6:57:48… 6th among women and 41st overall!!

When I first started running long, it was all for doing half marathons. Then running a full marathon seemed impossible with my Arthritis and joint pains and all related stuff. Slowly running and strength training helped me getting stronger and over one arthritis; at least keep it away!

Then I started full marathons and that’s when I realized, it’s helping me gaining confidence in half marathons! It occurred to me then that I needed to run longer and not focussed much on the ‘faster’ part! PBs are good. But, gaining more control in your runs enabling you to run longer is something else. I decided I am doing an ultra in 2018.

With more people ditching roads and embracing nature, I thought trail running would be an experience in itself. I have done few trail runs before.. all shorter like 28k or 30k. To be an ultra runner, it should be at least a 50k; hence Malnad because they had a 50k category!

It was the 3rd edition of the run and there were around 1200 participants in all with 750 alone for 50k. Sounds like a crowded participation… But, out if them, only 305 managed to finish within the cut-off time of 9hrs…

The run was not easy… But, I had fun clicking few pics and taking few videos and most importantly, enjoying the view! Because, that was the best part of the whole race!