Chiemgauer100: Quest of Trying

It’s May 1st 2022.  Last day of Holy Ramadan. Counting a few more hours to get myself training for the 100km Ultra Trail Running Marathon. I have planned for next 85 days to make myself  ready for Chiemgauer100.

To be honest, I do not have any satisfying answer why I want to do this. This ultra marathon is not like every other marathon. This is going to take place in Chiemgauer Alps. I have to gain a total elevation of 5000 m in the Alps to finish this 100 kilometers ultra marathon. I will have only 19 hours to reach the finish line.

Right now, I am in the last phase of my preparation before the race day. It took 3 months for me to do the research on what I need, and what I have to go through to prepare myself both mentally and physically. I had to trade all the pros and cons since I am not a professional runner. To highlight more, not a trail runner. 2 years ago, I got my first impression of what sky running is. Then it has been just digging more into deep. Watched a lot of videos, read a lot of blogs, followed the stars of trail runners around the world over these 2 years. In the beginning of this year, I became sure about my financial situation because it is going to cost a heavy financial toll on me. Found a thousands of reasons why I should not do this. But everytime I lost to my intituttion that I will regret if I do not try it. Maybe I will fall after 20 kilometers or after 50 kilometers. Maybe it will be a miserable experience for me. But I just want to know whether I can finish it in time or not! Those thousands of reasons why I should not do this have been lost before the quest of trying.

It’s not only about preparing myself mentally, physically or financially. There are a lot of logistics challenges. I had a lot of discussions with Swarna Apu and Asif bhai who are currently living in Munich. About accommodation, race day logistics, transportation and many more. But we could not fix the way we wanted. Because it is quite far from Munich and nearer to Salzburg.

I have taken an Airbnb for July29-July30 in Siegsdorf. It is 8km away from the race starting point. Race will start at 5 AM on July 30 2022. Reporting time is at 4 AM. There will be no public transport at 4 AM. And so I have asked race manager Dirk  if he can help me out managing a shuttle for that time. He is a very nice and helpful guy. Dirk assured me that he will manage a shuttle. He told me that he would do every possible things that he could so that I could participate in this race.

In the next 85 days, I have planned some rigorous hiking tour because hiking is a big part of this ultra trail running. I have already set my weekly running practice. I am lucky that I am living around a hilly forest in Niedersachsen. That’s going to be my place for weekly training. And I also have to follow strict nutrition plans. I think the hardest part will be preparing my core by myself.

Anyways, I have ordered a Garmin watch, 945 Forerunner and a trail running shoe from Salomon. SENSE RIDE 4 GORE-TEX INVISIBLE FIT. I am really excited for both of these products. I just have to buy a hydration vest or a Trail running backpack before the race. Mentioning these because this is where financial challenges are coming through and I have just nailed this first phase with all those planning and moral won over financial toll!

For now, I am all set for training. Tomorrow will be Eid day. Then, I will be on my feet. I’ll update.