Revisiting Thar 2010

Driving by the much familiar sand dunes I felt right at home. We went back to Rajasthan in April to review, and finalize route for Thar Run 2010 to be held in December 2010.  Familiar Cenotaphs, old Pokaran ruins, Salt flats, and old lake-beds kept us out in the early summer heat despite temperatures soaring over 40 C. Here are some pictures of the recce, and run route location. We share our experience in the desert talking to villagers, who walk over 5km to fetch water every day, women who carry major burden of household work fetching firewood, water, tending to cattle, and children, as seen in these pictures. Pokaran has a rich history of 14 generations of Thakurs, and a living fort. Pokaran Thakurs will host us first days of the race, and extend their unforgettable hospitality while race moves on to dunes, and camps the last two days.

GR Photofile: Fort Pokaran, with a 700 year history.

From the day I finalized my schedule for this recce, there was one member of my old team who for sure was going to accompany me on this trip, our very dependable jeep driver, Bhupal Singh. As runners fell behind on the last two days of the 5-day Thar Run 2009, he tailed them to ensure their safety, handed them water, and kept a safe distance so as to allow them their space. He was a perfect crew member, and having him on my team again was a no-brainer! He drove us around in the 42 degree heat while hot air blew sand in our faces! I was joined by Rebecca Byerly, and Khuram Mir on this trip, to learn the route, in addition to my favorite co-director or the race, Param Vijay Singh Pokaran.

GR Photofile: Bhupal, our trusted jeep driver, and a valuable member of the team. Seen here driking water from an air outlet system in the middle of the desert.

We observed, and learned from our interaction with villagers, the Thakur family, weavers, and potters. Rain water harvesting, as learnt from Thakur Nagendra Singh ‘was’ a prevalent practice. He showed us the water collection points around the fort, which channeled water to a moat, and a lake outside of the fort, which not only served as a private water source, but also provided water, and sustenance for the villagers living in and around the fort. That lake now stands dry, and the practice long forgotten. He says though, that, with guidance and education, this practice can be revived, and will highly benefit the areas where water is scarce. Globeracers intends to work with him in the area to educate and facilitate rain water harvesting in these remote desert areas.

GR Photofile: Men in That village giving us their take on water situation, and how they had to walk 5 miles each morning to fetch a bucket of water, and how wells changed over the years.

As we traveled from village to village marking our route, we were treated to some beautiful and colorful visions, both in the form of village belles, and wild animals, all living side-by-side in perfect harmony. Though we didn’t not get to visit any Bishnoi villages, we had the good fortune of witnessing fruits of their labor: richness of wildlife, and their close quarter existence with villagers. We were warned more than once not to trespass on their habitual routes lest they miss their morning feed schedule. We were glad for the warning for we were visited by beautiful wild peacocks just as we vacated the place as the sun barely broke through the horizon.

GR Photofile: Beautiful Rajasthan girls, all smiles, and happy - Thaat village.

GR Photofile: Blue Bulls caught under tree shade in the middle of Desert

GR Photofile: Air outlets like these can be put to better use by redirecting water that is released by these outlets. Water pipes carrying water to villages.

GR Photofile: Water supply air release system.

GR Photofile: Water supply pipes air release system.

GR Photofile: I didn't drink this water, but I sure did from the wells of Rajasthan!

We treated to stories of salt flat formation, old Pokaran history, and tour of the ruins while we were spoiled for choice of food, and recuperated in the cool confines of the fort after an exhausting in the desert.

GR Photofile: 400 year old temple, part of Thar 2010 race route

GR Photofile: Sunset on the salt fields.

GR Photofile: The recce team - Param, Kavitha, Rebecca, and Khuram.

Crewing for 24-hour run

Have you ever been chased by a bull during a run?  It can be quite hilarious if you weren’t in the woods in the middle of the night with two runners running single file and a cyclist for company, only to find a bull steadily charging at you from behind! This was the scene during the third of many laps of a 24-hour run. The first two laps went on smoothly while Manjula and I paced Santosh, our 24-hour runner. We did see a few cows, and bulls along the route but didn’t seem as though they minded us being there.  Darkness, and three headlamps bobbing, however, seemed to have changed their view.

Santosh had earlier set a record of 156km in 24 hours, and was aiming to break his PR. My endurance running journey had me crossing paths with Santosh 6 months before this event. I trained under him to better my pace, and though my own races kept me from regular training, our association continued in our pursuit to change the running culture in India, and delivering on our social responsibilities. Besides Arun Bharadwaj, whom I immensely respect, Santosh Padmanabhan is an ultra runner who inspires many to run ‘for’ their lives, figuratively speaking.

24Hour Run: Setting up aid-station

24Hour Run: Waiting for the clock. Manjula, Stevel, Santosh, and Kavitha.

24Hour Run: Crew had their own demons to conquer in the morning, each running a distance of atleast 25k during Bangalore Ultra. Seen here are Murthy, and Preeti, part of the crew, and showing of their Ultra bibs.

24Hour Run: Bala, water police 🙂

As the bull chased Santosh, Steve and Ajay scattered, and fled for their lives. They found their way back to the aid-station through different routes. We devised a rescue plan to distract the bull from charging runners on the next lap. A motorcycle headlight luring it away from the runners, worked like a charm. It was all excitement and fun but as the rain poured down on us for the next two hours a soaked was finding it difficult to sustain his pace.

24Hour Run: Bull chase victims 🙂

24Hour Run: Crewing is just as daunting!

As the day broke, it became apparent that his initial pace, bull chase, and rain wore him out considerably.  Starting at 5am, he had more runners on the route for company as this was the day of Bangalore Ultra Run, and runners were being let out in waves based on their distance. I had my own 25km to finish, and by the time we returned to the aid-station, Santosh looked beat and showing signs of fever. Our physio, and his med support Preeti, took a call to suspend his run. After 20 hours, and, Santosh, being the humble man that he is, felt the need to apologize to his support crew for a failed attempt at breaking his PR. We, on the other hand, felt the need to apologize in return for not monitoring his initial pace. As pacers, we felt we hadn’t done our job right. Being the strong runner he is, we knew he would bounce right back to conquer his demons another day and sure did with a 48-hour attempt!