Race Day: December 6, Saturday
Distance: 56KM
Weather Conditions: Not so cold as I thought it should be
Let’s start with the truth: I’ve had better race days…
There is nothing pretty about this one. No gentle introductions, no rolling warm-ups. This race gets straight to the point – steep climbs and equally steep downhills, over and over again. The kind that make you question your life choices somewhere around the second or third climb.
To add to the fun, the weather decided to throw a curveball. For days leading up to the race, we were in jackets. Suddenly, race day shows up hot and humid, just to keep things interesting. The heat crept up quietly but surely, turning every mile into a slow burn.
The route – interesting is one word for it
The route itself was… memorable. Unlike the Inthanon, there were not much great views… it felt like one climb after another… sometimes on trails full of tree branches and rocks and sometimes on regular pavements where you may come across some vehicles – the local commutes… Some sections, we came across many tourists who came for a hike or so and surprised to see people running around in fancy gear!
At one point, we climbed what felt like a million stairs just to reach an aid station… And then there was the final stretch. The last 14 km were all downhill, but don’t let that fool you. This wasn’t a runnable, flowy descent. It was a relentless trail – rocky sections, tree branches underfoot, constant focus required. I had a few trips along the way (thankfully no falls), but my concentration was maxed out.
To make matters tougher, there were no aid stations in those last 14 km, and I almost ran out of hydration. Those last kilometres felt long. Very long.
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the route throws in an overpass bridge crossing near the end to get to the finish line. Trail race logic at its finest.
What Worked (and what didn’t)
On the positive side my quads and knees stayed solid. All the strength training, incline intervals, and hours spent preparing paid off. They showed up when it mattered.
But my toenails… oh dear. They were absolutely done. That long downhill punished them badly, and the pain became a constant companion in the closing kilometres. If anyone knows of a toenail-strengthening workout, please let me know 🤪.
The Finish
Despite everything, the heat, the brutal descents, and the battered toes, I finished. And that, in itself, is something to be happy about.
Would I have liked a better timing? Absolutely.
But some races are about performance, and some are about grit, problem-solving, and getting it done. This one was firmly the latter.
What next?
I have enough stones for OCC and CCC already. Should I go for it 2026 itself or should I wait for 2027? Still confused… I might go for next year itself!
Why not!!??
Eat, Run, Live, Sleep, Repeat 
Leave a comment