I had decided to run Border 100 (a 160 kms ultra-marathon) to be conducted in December 2022 in Jaisalmer. As part of preparation process for this event, it was necessary that I test myself in similar kind of race situation. Because for many months, I had not participated in any ultra-races and going to a big race without preparation was not advisable. So, I decided to run the Pune Ultra Marathon (50 kms) in November 2022, which was to be conducted in Loni-Kalbhor, Pune.
This is a trail race (consisting of broken tar roads and dirt roads) conducted in vicinity of villages and consisted of 25 kms loop, as I was doing 50 kms, I had to do two loops.
I reached Pune on 4 Nov’22 a day prior to the race day, collected my bib from Innovera School (start point of the race) and rested that day in a nearby hotel, so that I have to travel less in the morning for the race start point. In the evening, I prepared my hydration bag as I didnt wanted to stop at aid stations for water. The aid-stations were placed at a distance of 3.5-5 kms and in hydration bag I was carrying water, endurance gels and phone as it was a shorter race. But carrying the hydration pack served another purpose, that was it created a race environment wherein I would be required to carry this, when the aid stations are placed at longer intervals (like 10 kms).
RACE-DAY
Mentally I had decided to complete the race within 4:45 hrs-5 hrs, and if everything was going good then to stretch towards the end for bringing the time below 4:45 hrs.
The race started at 6 AM and after around 100-200 mtrs I observed that everyone was running at a slower pace and as I continued with my natural pace, I moved ahead from the pack. At this point of time, my only target was to concentrate, maintain my pace and not to be bothered by any runners moving ahead of me. At around 3.5-4 kms, we were running at a long stretch of dirt road, which was adjacent to a canal and with the rising sun, it was looking very beautiful. At that instance, two runners crossed me as they were going at an extremely good pace.
8 Kms
At around 8 kms, I came abreast with one of the runners, who had overtaken me earlier. As we were going at a same pace, we started talking about our previous race experiences and other things. In course of the conversation, I came to know that he, the runner ahead of us and some of the fellow runners were from the police department. He shared his experience of getting cramps during later stages of the race in previous occasions. I guided him to take electrolytes, fruits in the aid stations and also promised to share my endurance gel as he was not carrying any hydration bag.
12 Kms
The turn-around point of the course was at 12.5 kms, so at 12 kms, we saw the lead runner i.e., he had a lead of approx. 1 kms on us. I knew, if I could maintain my pace, then in last few kms, an attempt to catch him can be launched. However, at that point of time, it was important that, I maintain the pace without any lapse in concentration. We were doing a good pace whilst keeping our hydration in mind. While coming back after the turnaround point, I could observe, that we had opened up a huge lead on the runners behind us.
25 Kms
The 25 kms point was the start as well completion point of loop 1 and it was situated inside the playground of the school, and we had to cross the entire playfield to reach to that point. While entering the school ground, I could see the lead runner there, refueling himself and I told my fellow runner that, finally we caught him. Seeing us, he immediately started running to maintain the lead, he had generated. We utilized very less time in having fruits, electrolytes and started towards our final loop.
27-28 Kms
At this point, my fellow runner was slowing a bit as compared to my pace, so I moved ahead and the lead runner was now visible to me some 200-300 mtrs ahead. I crossed him, without increasing my pace and decided to hold my pace without reducing it any point of time.
30 Kms
The volunteers at this aid-station were shocked to see the race leader change, maybe they believed that the lead couldn’t be reduced. Because this was the same aid-station as that of 20 kms mark and at that point the lead was about 1-2 kms. I refueled myself and at this point my only strategy was to concentrate on reaching the next aid station (ie breaking down the targets into smaller targets).
38.5 kms
The 37.5 kms was the turnaround point and at 38.5 kms I saw that my fellow runner was running alongwith the earlier lead runner. I gave 1 gel to the fellow runner, instructing him to have it and to keep going strong. At this point, I knew that the gap between us were of 3 kms and it was paramount that I don’t reduce the pace. However, it was 10 AM in the morning and the sun was at its extreme. After 40 kms, I started getting cramps in my right leg (calf muscle) and I reduced my pace. I knew that going at that pace might aggravate the cramp, so I switched to run-walk strategy. I was walking for 100-200 mtrs and then running, again on cramping, I was walking. Although the pace was reduced, I was still averaging 6-6.5 mins/ km.
45 kms
This was the last aid station before the finish line and I decided to take an extra minute to have electrolytes and salt, so that I don’t cramp before the finish. The aid-station volunteers were congratulating me for being the podium finisher, I told them ‘It is too early to celebrate as 5 important kms of race was pending’. I pushed myself through this section, as I had to finish the race before 5 hrs of self-decided target and if I slow down, this target will be missed.
The FINISH
It was altogether a different feeling, when I re-entered the school ground as it was completely empty except the organizers. I completed the race in 4 hrs 55 mins, thanking the almighty and my parents, thus achieving my first 1st place finish in any race. The 2nd runner came 31 mins behind me at 5 hrs 26 mins, thus culminating a cat and mouse race like the reel movie ‘Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar’.
Running Tales by Sudipto 
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