I decided, I'd do it barefoot like last time. Barefoot running has been good for me, I get the right balance and a feel of the ground beneath really well.
I went to Mysore the previous evening, reached there by 8.15, met my friend. After having pasta and Egg chilly at a really cool place, my friend and I crashed at his place.
I failed to sleep early the previous night and yet, somehow managed to wakeup by 5.00 AM. Got ready, had two slices of Brown bread and a glass of water. Changed into the race gear and put the bib onto my T-shirt. Put Rangantittu as my destination on my phone and drived straight through. Upon reaching there, I was delighted and energised to see other runners. Left my slippers in the car and headed to the starting point. Hydrating myself throughout, I felt confident about a strong finish.
Kaveri trail is an annual 10k/21k/42k event hosted by runnersforlife. Usually happens in September, but this time, it got pushed to November because of the Kaveri protests. The trail runs along the Kaveri river with paddyfields, sugarcane fields and coconut trees situated in-between. It's a point A to point B race which starts at Rangantittu the bird sanctuary and ends at the Balmuri falls.
Having run last year, I knew the good and bad stretches of the course.
Clock showed 7 and the race waas flagged off.
The first 4kms were easy and I was running along well with little pain in the foot (the pebbles constantly pricking the foot). At the 5KM mark, I realised the organisers had pulled a rabbit out of the hat. The organisers had changed the course making it an Origin to Origin kind (Looped Run). After the 5 KM turn, we moved to a return path that made my feet literally scream. The return path had stones of all sizes embedded in the track. I had to focus and dodge each and every stone. But, there were stretches where I had to give up running and stick to walking if I didn't want my foot to suffer further. There were continuous shots of pain, thorns stuck me quite often and I had to limp and remove those thorns and run again, I stopped at each aid station and rubbed my feet with water-soaked cotton. I dropped pace and focused entirely on keeping my foot safe. I even felt for a second, if I had done a foolish mistake by deciding to run barefoot.
Luckily though, the course got better and I found one of the organisers who came by and motivated me to pick up pace. We started running together. I grumbled on the course change to which courteously explained the reason for change. I found the explanation convincing. We finished the run together. Pain in my feet and joy in mind. On reaching the finish, I was welcomed by handshakes and fist pumps by fellow runners. I took my finisher's medal. I was glad the assault ended, I was even more glad, the feet survived. With a sense of satisfaction, I headed to the river. Put my foot in the water for a couple of minutes. Got out and quietly headed to the car.
KTR, for the second time.
Will I do it again, Yes, will I run barefoot, yes I will, after all what's life without a touch of madness!
Clock showed 7 and the race waas flagged off.
The first 4kms were easy and I was running along well with little pain in the foot (the pebbles constantly pricking the foot). At the 5KM mark, I realised the organisers had pulled a rabbit out of the hat. The organisers had changed the course making it an Origin to Origin kind (Looped Run). After the 5 KM turn, we moved to a return path that made my feet literally scream. The return path had stones of all sizes embedded in the track. I had to focus and dodge each and every stone. But, there were stretches where I had to give up running and stick to walking if I didn't want my foot to suffer further. There were continuous shots of pain, thorns stuck me quite often and I had to limp and remove those thorns and run again, I stopped at each aid station and rubbed my feet with water-soaked cotton. I dropped pace and focused entirely on keeping my foot safe. I even felt for a second, if I had done a foolish mistake by deciding to run barefoot.
Luckily though, the course got better and I found one of the organisers who came by and motivated me to pick up pace. We started running together. I grumbled on the course change to which courteously explained the reason for change. I found the explanation convincing. We finished the run together. Pain in my feet and joy in mind. On reaching the finish, I was welcomed by handshakes and fist pumps by fellow runners. I took my finisher's medal. I was glad the assault ended, I was even more glad, the feet survived. With a sense of satisfaction, I headed to the river. Put my foot in the water for a couple of minutes. Got out and quietly headed to the car.
KTR, for the second time.
Will I do it again, Yes, will I run barefoot, yes I will, after all what's life without a touch of madness!
