After running so many road running events, I have decided to signup for a trail running event (Probably one of the toughest trail events in India). I have signed up for Solang Sky Ultra 2021 (Organised by Hell Race) in the 30 km category back in August. I am writing this blog to share my experience and journey to my first trail run.
Back in July, I was a little skeptical about my trip to Berlin (For Berlin Marathon) in September 2021, So just as a backup, we have signed up for Solang Sky Ultra 2021, and By Mid August it was confirmed that I am not going to Berlin (Postponed for next year). So I have started training for the Solang.
We have decided to reach Manali 10 days prior to the race day (That was indeed a good idea) to acclimatize and do route recce before the actual race. We booked our stay at Manali in Idylic Inn. Great place to stay and provides Yummy homemade food at a reasonable price. It was a perfect stay for us.
Route Recce
A week before we have gone for the route recce for the last 22 km including most of all trail routes of the race. We have started from Dundhi (which comes at the 10th km mark of the actual race route). Initial 1-2km were rough since a lot of construction is going on around Dundhi bridge. After that, it's a lot greener and you start to see amazing views of mountains. We started hiking towards Bakarthach base camp, Initial 1-2 km. totally uphill once you get to a point when you can see Bakarthach base camp. then it is a complete rolling route consisting of boulders, small water streams. And you can clearly see the next big climb towards the boulder section.
The climb really steep and tough, Once you reach the top you see the boulder section, You need to use your full body to cruise through this boulder section.
Once you cross the boulder section you will be able to see Beas khund and lady leg peak.
Once you reach Beas khund, on the right you can see a lady leg climb (Around 600m)
Once you reached the lady leg top you can literally fly down throughout the remaining route if you have some fuel left after climbing these death climbs. So it is very important to don't push too much and save some energy for the downhill route. Some rolling hills in 19-20km of the race. Once you reach Dundhi then it all road. Some part of the trail in last 1-2 km of the race, before the finish line.
Also, the first 1-3km race is also the trail that leads to the Anjani Mahadev temple. And you will get down from the same route before hitting the roads which lead to Dundhi. Here is the Strava activity for the same. which we have 2-3 days after the main route recce.
The whole week was amazing we have done route recce in parts, also went to Jispa (A small place which 90 - 100 km from Manali) Spent 2 days there before heading back for race day. Here are some glimpses of a short trip to Jispa.
PS.: Met a dog named "Covid" (pic in above collage)
Race Day 🏃🏻♂️
Since we have already done proper route recce before the race day, and everything went as per plan. The atmosphere was amazing on the start line so did the weather. Everyone was very excited, Everyone was clicking pictures to forget before race anxiety and nervousness. Met new amazing people right from the start line and throughout the route, chitchatting and sharing stories with them was fun. Amazing mountain views are worth the pain you are feeling while climbing steep routes of the races. and once you reach lady leg top, from there is all about how fast you fly down. Not many people are there on the routes for cheering but whoever I met on the route I have tried to cheer them up and got some from the fellow runners and Hell race volunteers. Once you are across the finish line, it's all worth it with all the amazing experiences.
Race review
Solang sky ultra is an amazing event, everything was well organized and enough aid stations throughout the route, Kudos to the Hell race team. The route was amazing for 30km. Had a glimpse of the 60 km and 100 km route through event photos, it was more amazing. You can go through the Hell Race website for their coming event. Surely I will be coming back next year, with more practice 💪
Learnings
There is always some learning from experiences, So here are some of the learning from my first trail running event:
Train more on the actual trail before going for these trail events.
Should have pushed more on roads on which I have trained more. Because you cannot run too fast on trails.
Do not chitchat too much with fellow runners.🤭
Currently training for next event. The next event will be my first ultra-marathon which will be in December and it is literally going to be Hell for sure 😱😱
Cheers 🍻, Keep running and keep dreaming 😊
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