Having been exposed to different south Indian terrain and having realised that nothing could beat the pleasure of being closely connected with the mountains and its mesmerising wonderfulness. The journey from trekking to ‘running on hills’ was challenging and at the same time highly rewarding to the inner self. We dreamt of bringing this delightful experience to the larger running community who have hitherto not experienced the pleasure and bliss of running inside beautiful and unexplored trails of south Indian mountains. Thus, the seed of organising a hill marathon was planted in our minds and we formed a core team among the core members of Chennai Trekking Club.

Uniqueness of the Jawadhu Hills Marathon:

Jawadhu hills marathon was first of its kind hill marathon in south India which brought to the runners an elite experience of running on the ‘unexplored trails’ of mountains rather than the regular road running on the hills. Jawadhu trail run is a challenge even to a seasoned runner as the trail keeps the runners on their toes by fully engaging them with its ever changing terrain and scenery. It would be an understatement to state that the trail was a marvel by creation, wonder by design and a beautiful poetry lying on the laps of Jawadhu hills. Above all, for us, it was always the “Runners who are bigger than the Event” and we always ensured that they are given the top most priority.

 

Planning and Permission:

I would confess that it is easy for me to run an ultra marathon every month rather than organising one ‘’trail marathon on the hills’ it required almost 4 months of a dedicated team to follow up with concerned forest and local officials to fix up meetings and to obtain necessary permissions. We had to visit the Jawadhu hills several times to identify the availability of hotels for runners, follow up with St. Josephs school for stay, workmen to cook, local vehicles for transporting the runners and to finalise the trail suitable for running. This exercise spanned over several weekdays and several weekends we had to visit Jawadhu hills. But to assure not even for a single moment I felt that it was a cumbersome exercise and every moment I spent with the planning and organising team were some of the most cherished moments of my life.

 

The broad agenda for the event was laid down; volunteers were invited to play their role in different areas; runners from different parts of south India were intimated about the flow of the event through mails and social networking site, t-shirts, bibs, refreshment items were purchased and kept ready for the event almost three days before the event. Like every runner who was curious to participate in the event – the volunteers were also extremely excited about the challenges and the new assignment.

Day before the Marathon on our Trail Marking Expedition:

This was the third time I was entrusted with the responsibility to head the trail marking team in CTC organised marathons and I was looking forward to the challenges recollecting the ones I faced heading the team in CTM 2013 and 2014. I always felt the best volunteering areas of CTC organised trail marathons are identifying the running trail and marking the same. It is one of most challenging tasks and we were slowly mastering the art of trail marking through our experiences. Every time we set our best foot to mark the trails in the past with white powder it had rained heavily that night washing away all our effort. The trail marking team started from Chennai on Friday night in two cars with our GPS loaded with trails, maps of the hills, detailed trail marking plan, mile marking boards and reached the base of the hills and camped near the forest check post.

Our past experience teaches that no driver is interested in driving is vehicle inside our trail which means either we have to walk the entire distance or go in our own vehicles carrying the trail marking items. This time, the Jawadhu drivers were also not an exception to this rule and they too swiftly refused to enter inside the trail as soon as I briefed them about the whole plan. Time slowly started rolling.

However, we swiftly marked the initial 4 kms which was on the tarmac and we were not able to get our car inside the trail and our local contact was exploring with all his driver friends on the hills to check if anyone is willing to take us inside the trail. Alas! To our relief, finally, a TATA 407 vehicle driver agreed to take us inside the trail but he said the diesel was not available anywhere on the hills but somehow he managed to start his vehicle with kerosene. Thus, our trail marking journey started in the afternoon couple of hours before the big day.

 

GPS – Maps – Mile Marking Boards – Paint and TATA 407:

The preparation for trail marking itself was equivalent to that of preparing for a deep jungle trekking mission. We were loaded with all the gadgets and equipments to navigate and survive inside the jungles. With no clue of whether we will be able to complete marking the entire 25 kms stretch we slowly and steadily kept progressing with our work. I should admit that it was absolute team work, while somewhere painting the directions, few were busy climbing to the trees and bushes to plant the markers, and others were busy with their own assigned jobs.

Except for few hick ups here and the entire operation went well as planned and we were well focused on our mission – I was wondering if it was a miracle or the worst thing is yet to come. It was around 6 p.m with the help of our biking team we successfully completed marking the entire 50 kms trail. What normally keeps going till the next day early morning until the start of the race was completed 10 hours before the race took us by surprise. With this sense of achievement we returned to the St. Joseph’s school were all the runners and volunteers were stationed for the night.

Missing and Broken Mile Marking Boards – A Shaken Dream:

It was around 10 p.m we were heading to the last aid station deep inside the forest to pitch our camp and open up our refreshment point early morning we received a call that the some miscreant has broken the mile markers and most of the sign and distance boards were missing until the 8th Kilometer. Immediately we visited the trail and realised someone has caused serious damage to the boards. In the middle of nowhere we could not have brought in new boards. I later realised that these kinds of challenges at difficult times bring out the best within us. Finally, we had to bank on the direction lines painted on the roads and our biking team to guide the runners.

Trail Marathons and Inseparable Rains:

Some of my best trekking missions were during the peak of monsoons may be that could be the reason that every time we set our self to mark the trails for a marathon it rains that night. We had pitched our tent on an open space next to a paddy field were the wind flow was heavy and the heavy down pour flooded the entire place and the water started gushing inside. Inside the tent it was wet and outside the tent is was cold and almost turned like our monsoon survival mission. Thanks to the car parked nearby we were able to catch some sleep inside. I should admit that the entire day was full of challenges and actions that I can never forget this day in my life. Some of the best days in life are not only the days when you cross the finishing line of an Ultra Marathon but also a day when you were put to these kind of challenges and still you manage to wake up the next day to stand up without complaining and do self-less volunteering.

Now, I started believing that rain is part of our marathon and it comes to bless the runners and entertain the volunteers.

The Joy of Volunteering – a new “High”:

The race day started with little showers and chill breeze and we could see the fast runners gazing through the trail, breaking the barriers and pouncing on to our refreshment points. Every time a runner passed our refreshment point the entire team rejoiced, cheered and celebrated that runner. We did not mind if they we fast, slow, walking or crawling all that mattered to us was the challenges he faced to reach the 24th kilometre refreshment point. The team was on its toes cheering and dancing till the last runner bid a good bye to the refreshment point.

I slowly started to realise that ‘joy’ of volunteering is equivalent to the ‘high’ enjoyed by the runners and it could be best enjoyed devoid of any commercial motives which was palpably visible on every volunteer I could turn around.

 

Roof top Bus Ride – Cherry on the Cake:

Whether it is our survival mission or other adventures the best part had always been the concluding story from carrying the injured trekkers outside the forest or travelling in some strange vehicle it had always been an adventurous memory for us. And this time it was the local bus fully loaded with the runners waiting at the starting point of the Ghat road which thoroughly entertained us. With no place to set our foot inside the bus we finally landed on top of the bus as it slowly started to roll breaking the silence inside the forests. It was almost a roller-coaster ride on top of the bus with some nerve-wrenching and breathtaking moments on top of the bus. The 1.5 hours ride on top of the bus was like sitting on top of a full grown tusker and enjoying the feeling of being the king of the jungle – a unique and a memorable way to end our 36 hours of volunteering.

Before we could dismantle the start/finish arch the last ultra runner slowly trotted inside the ground after fighting his battle on the trails for nearly 8 hours. He was greeted by the volunteers with high respect and all I was able to see for myself and in the eyes of my fellow volunteers was our dream and vision to have organised a marathon on the trails of Jawadhu successfully concluding in front of our eyes.

Happy Volunteering,

Durai Murugan

Born in modern civilization – am a runner by Passion;
Dwelling in concrete jungles – my heart’s desire to trot on nature’s trails;
Smoke and pollution are not my routine for forest is where I belong;
My legs stop nowhere and my heart submits only to Nature.

It was a cold early morning on the hills clothed in mist, I slowly stretched my muscles and got into running attire and I had intentionally decided not to sport a GPS watch and a carry smart phone. I started to trot syncing in the silence of the hills, in the calmness of the woods, in the chillness of the breeze, and in the melody of the birds. As my body started warming up I realised my body and mind was in perfect sync with the amusing atmosphere at Munnar. I had no distance in my mind all that I knew was I had to run the whole day till the dusk or may be till my body gives up.

 

It was Day 3 of my 4 days running saga and I was carrying with me previous day’s 45 + kms run – body pain, it was slightly aching throughout my body to start with but the pain vanished once my mind synced up with the surroundings, and as my body geared up. I know nature is my biggest motivation.

 

As the lonely road rolled into beautiful lake, into thick vegetation, on the ridges of the mountain, into the striking tea estates, alongside the streams my mind was dancing to the tunes of nature and surroundings, one of the best early morning peaceful run in my life hitherto. I should confess that it was not my legs, which was running, but it was the hills that made me run. Every sight was a beauty, and for every breath I felt I was more alive than before. For the first time I could feel the fresh and chill breeze getting smoothly inside me and creating a wonderful feeling. I only wish my last breath should be a similar one.

 

Until the sunrays quietly sneaked into dark clouds and made us realise that it was noon my legs were slowly and steadily running across the length and breadth of the hills, into the lush green tea estates, inside the thick woods and on the beautiful trails. Every step on the hills was interactive and sometimes I felt the forest was running along with me, the greenery kept growing whenever I crossed a ridge and the impeccable views of the mountains were piercing through my heart.

 

It was a perfect afternoon and we landed inside the beautiful but less known Chundavurrai tea estate. An amazing place with full of greenery, wildlife and striking tea estates, it was sheer bliss to run here. While running, my mind silently remembered the wonderful camping experience I had in the past in this place and few unforgettable encounters. From here we took the less known scenic trails to reach Top Station watching the plantation workers picking the tea leafs and admiring the beautiful highland villages along the way. The trail straight landed into the heart of Top Station a popular tourist destination in Munnar.

 

The Sun was slowly settling down and I had eight more kms to reach the destination a small village called Yellapatty though at one end my heart was happy that it was all downhill but for first time in three days my body started reacting differently. Whatever, I was drinking or eating started creating pain in my food pipe while going inside. But that could not stop my running legs, which was enjoying the cold raindrops and bone-chilling breeze.

 

An entertaining night with ‘Chitti Kombu’ Elephant:

 As we were having our dinner at the Yellapatty tea estate canteen one of the localite who was helping in cooking cautioned us against the notorious ‘Chitti Kombu’ elephant believed to be the most dangerous and cleverest of all the elephants in the region. The full-grown tusker gets the name ‘Chitti Kombu’ because of the unusual small tusk it has got compared to the other tuskers in the region. The localite cautioned us not to camp in the open as the news leaked out that ‘Chitti Kombu ’strayed into the British bungalow that is just 500 mts from our camp and it may stray inside. The canteen owner immediately went inside the room and pulled out a newspaper report, which has featured the exploits of ‘Chitti Kombu’.

However, we were convinced that as along as we are not harming the jumbo it will not attack us and we choose to camp outside. Within 15 minutes few guys rushed with sticks, diesel cans, powerful torches, crackers and a tractor that could explode with noise and small lorry. One guy said Chitti Kombu is going to drop its tusk inside our tent and take the shit out of us and another guy warned us that the Jumbo is just in that corner of the street and they cautioned us to vacate the camp immediately. Myself and two of my friends decided to sneak out to see what is actually happening outside. We went near the lorry and was looking at the preparations going on in full swing to chase ‘Chitti Kombu’ and luck came in our favour the driver offered us to stand on the lorry so that we will witness their heroic skills in chasing ‘Chitti Kombu’.

The tractor started exploding into the darkness, thus, our journey towards chasing ‘Chitti Kombu’ started. It was a very cold and silent night with the moon shying behind clouds, the noisy tractor stopped in front of the beautiful bungalow. 10 men armed with crackers, torches, fireballs tied to sticks and two vehicles thundered around the bungalow but we could not find ‘Chitti Kombu’ anywhere. The ‘Chitti Kombu’ combing operation continued for 1 hour but the whereabouts of the Jumbo could not be found.

Standing on the lorry and watching this entire operation we were surprised how come except for us everyone saw ‘Chitti Kombu’. The drunken guy holding the fireball saw it behind the bungalow, the guy holding the torch saw it disappearing into the bushes, the driver saw it getting into the tea estate and the workers in the bungalow saw the Jumbo wherever they turned around, damn the guests in the bungalow saw it entering their room. I was cursing my eyes, for missing the sight!

Finally, we got down the lorry and ventured to the backside of the bungalow just to observe that ‘Chitti Kombu’ has paid a visit to eat the leaves of guava and plantain trees. It silently proved the point that it is definitely the cleverest elephant in the region by appearing everywhere for these 10 men but still not have been identified by any. Needless to tell that he knew his land better than humans.

As the ‘Chitti Kombu’ episode came to an end it was mid-night a tiresome and rewarding day came to a peaceful end and I decided to rest my body enjoying the cold night inside the tent with only sky as the roof. But my mind was still engulfed with the brilliant encounters of the day.

Happy Running,

Durai Murugan

Standing 1710 mts high the Kumara Paravatha peak is one the tallest peaks in Karnataka attracting trekking enthusiasts from different parts of the country. The hike to this peak is unique in many ways – the initial trek into the Shola forests from the Kuke temple, green grasslands carpeting the entire mountains, huge trees, dense vegetation, the sky-piercing peaks and supreme of all inimitability is the mystical clouds which comes to visit the peak – these are not only a nature enthusiasts delight but touches the very purpose of living creatures existence.

 

Our trek was meant to welcome the arrival of southwest monsoon to the southern peninsula that marks the beginning of series of treks to the Western Ghats. We reached the Kuke Subramaniya temple early Saturday morning and quietly disappeared into the thick and wet woods completely drenched with rainfall. Slippery terrain and little leeches greeted us inside the forest but nothing could beat the brilliant experience of walking inside the thick and wet woods.

 

Kumara Paravatha and the adjoining Shesha Paravatha peaks attract huge number of trekkers throughout the year and it’s hard to be left out alone without encountering a trekker during the weekends. But only few crazy souls will make an attempt to climb this beautiful peak during the monsoon season and we happened to be at the right time when the clouds were getting darker. I was just cherishing the weather and the wonderful climate that I was longing for all through the summer after being struck with the heat waves in Chennai.

 

Into the scenic grasslands:

One of the major attractions of monsoon trek to Kumara Paravatha is the grassland carpeting the entire mountains. The gentle drizzles; dewdrops, chill breeze, chirping of the birds and pounding heart are unique feelings which cant be described in words and I strongly believe that these feelings binds a trekker with nature. The cleanest source of water, the purest form of air, the freshest form of forest, and the coldest of breeze all unfolded in front of my eyes to take me to new high. A high above the clouds; a flow with the breeze.

 

Caught inside the leech territory:

Straying from the regular trail leading to the peak we purposefully ventured inside the Shola forests only to be bitten by the leeches that came along with our footsteps. With no place to take solace walking turned into running and soon we were nowhere inside the forests. With dark clouds and mist engulfing us – the trail ended on a stream and from where we had to hike through thick vegetation to reach the peak. This further firmed my belief that the pleasure in trail less trek is more exciting and interesting rather than walking on the beaten trails.

 

Mystical Clouds, Freezing wind and trembling body:

Kumara Paravatha peak is a wind blown paradise, covered by mystical clouds making the peak very divine. The mere presence on the peak brings in calmness to mind and happiness to heart. Every steep gradient we hiked, every drop we sweated, every drop of blood we donated to the leeches, and every time our heart pounded fast – it was well rewarded by nature at the peak. The hike to peak itself was a heart-warming experience – while we were almost blown away by the chill breeze, we were still holding on to the rocks and trekking inside dark clouds just for the mere sight of the peak – like a true devotee who pilgrimages on the mountains to feel the divine we trekked to the peak to camp in the paradise.

 

Camping on the base of the peak on a pouring night:

It was for this rainy night we travelled 600+ kms, it was for this pouring night we braved the leeches, it was for this showery night that we trekked on a treacherous terrain and it was for these drizzles my mind and body was taking all the sun and heat in Chennai. We decided to camp inside the Shola’s and pitched our tarps and before we could settle the dark clouds opened up and started pouring relentlessly. Not even couple of minutes after we had caught some sleep inside our self-made tents, the whole night we got drenched – like the trees, like the rocks, like the grass and like every small living creature on that mountain. It was my good fortune being soaked in the monsoon rains along with other creatures on this divine peak.

 

May be it is for these lifetime and memorable experiences which are close to my soul – my heart keeps moving towards the mountains.

Happy Trekking,

Durai Murugan

Innumerable times, many of my knowledgeable friends had advised me that there is nothing in Kodai hills except for the pleasant weather. I heard them expressing boredom going to the same touristy spots like the famed and crowded “Kodai lake, bryant park, coaker’s walk, pillar rock, bear shola falls, pine forests, guna caves, dolphin nose etc., places”. We too planned a Kodai-spree scaling the enchanting Kodaikanal and Palani hills through foot (running) and pedal (cycle) across this mighty mountains crowning the Western Ghats for three days to beat the Chennai heat.

Marking our Trails on the Mountains:

Our legs ran and rode on the trails, which hitherto remain untouched by tourist crowd visiting the famous Kodai hills. I realized the best way to connect to the mountains is when you reach her on foot, when you navigate her through pedals, when you shun the hotels and camp on her laps. We ran and pedaled nearly about 200 kms spanning across various beautiful and remote villages and camped at exotic locations on her laps.

Sometime I ran along with the clouds, sometime I pedaled with the breeze, sometime I ran in the company of the sky-high trees, sometime it was the mountains which gave me the camaraderie, but at no moment I felt – I was alone. I ran and rode till my knees cried, till my thighs were hurt – listening to the pounding heart and relishing the sweat from my body. The peace found on the ghat roads mesmerized me, the dazzling views of the herculean mountains kept me booming, the chillness of water and in the breeze gave me the strength to run and pedal. In brief the beautiful mountains deceived and attracted my heart.

 

Friendly villagers and heart-warming hospitality:

The villagers of Palani hills are not only friendly but their helping tendency and hospitality marks an indelible impression in our minds. The free treatment offered for my bruises by the local medical shops, the garden fresh carrots offered free of cost, the delicious water, food, shelter offered without asking, are not only uncommon for a city dweller like me but also significantly conflicting from the touristy Kodai town where everything is tagged for a hefty price.

The farmer who offered us his garnered carrots for us to energize; the women who offered us water to quench our thirst; the man who offered his house veranda for us to take a nap; the para-medic who cleaned my bruise without expecting anything in return; and the cute little kids who welcomed us, ran with us whenever we crossed their villages made me realize that there is a beautiful living beyond the crowded Kodai town where men care and give respect to humanity, and where even helping a stranger is a way of life. Let these kinfolk of men and mountains remain unchanged and live in harmony forever here.

Harmony in the lonely ghat roads:

There is pleasure running and trotting on the lonely ghat roads surrounded with thick forests, the chirping of the birds, the aroma from the plants, running on the shade of the majestic trees, immersed in the beauty of magical mountains, it is for these reasons and for more much reasons for which I don’t have expressions to record, I keep visiting the mountains and enjoy trotting in the pathless woods.

Cold Nights and Camping in Tents – Finest Evenings of my Life:

The climax of every day would be the pleasing pain running through my body after arduous physical activity – pitching the tents, collecting woods for cooking and sharing the experiences of the adventurous we encountered sitting around the fire sipping the hot soup, underneath the bright moon relishing the cold weather will always remain green in my memory. After a nightlong peaceful slumber, my body and mind wake up to observe the amusing views of due drops perched on the grass and the misty clouds disappearing from the valley into the sky.

Beyond the crowded tourist spots at Kodai there are villages in Palani hills were the clouds come to caress the peaks, were the mists come to settle down on its valleys, and were people greet and value human relations beyond monetary rewards. These are the villages concealed in the Palani hills were the mighty natural beauty meets the tiny humanity and were I would like to grow old watching the sun gaze behind the misty mountains on a cold day.

Life is best lived in the outdoors,

Durai Murugan

Pleasure in the lonely trail excites me,

Peace in the thick green cover amuses my heart,

Melody of the birds refreshes my mind,

Freezing water from the streams quenches my thirst,

Cold and fresh mountain breeze destroys my exhaustion,

Pain in my body flies away dipping in the cold-water well,

Trail running on the hills makes me humble and bonds me with nature.

 For an amateur runner like me running on the hills has always been a dream until I broke my mindset to pull up my socks to take on to the mountains to understand where I stand in terms of hill running. It was in Jawadhu hills a few months’ back I started slowly trotting on the trails and I realized that running on the hills is something very unique and different from the regular city runs. I discovered that my body and mind perfectly blends with the mountains, the trees, the cold streams, and the chillness in the breeze. The satisfaction of completing a hill run is unparalleled.

I self-propelled my body and mind to take on to the hills through running. I slowly shattered my negative thinking that running on the hills is impossible. I now realize that hill running brings out the best from my body and mind. I feel very light, flexible, toned and more than anything very humble and grounded. Mountains teach you everything it’s a treasure trove.

Submitting to the Mighty Mountains:

Long distance running as a healthy sport has deeply touched my soul these days. Every time I go on a long run, I love the sweat from my body; I treasure the feeling of being completely exhausted at the end of the run; I love the pain in my legs. All these feelings does not stop me rather they inspire me to take on to the roads and hit that lonely trail on that remote hill to run more and relish the freedom emanating from within.

After completing the 90 kms Yercaud hill run touching almost every nook and cranny of the hills through running. What initially started as a feat of accomplishment very soon vanished into thin air when I realized that I had to survive on its water and fruits for refreshment, every breath I intake is from this mountains, the beautiful birds, the lovely trees, the gorgeous peaks and all that I admired and hold in awe are from this mountain. After traversing almost the entire hills through running it has only increased my respect for nature and made me humble.

 

It’s Not Just Running – Camping at Exotic locations is Exciting:

Our itinerary was not just restricted towards running. We camped inside the tents and slept inside sleeping bags experiencing the freezing night chillness, rode MTB downhill at high speed, had food at remote hill lock villages, played with village kids, enjoyed the fresh oranges from the orchards. If I were to only run for the sake of running, I would have miserably failed to enjoy beautiful nature and wonderful villagers of Yercaud.

Our refreshment points were remote villages on the hills; whatever they offered us were our refreshments. The villagers were very friendly and they offered us water without even asking for it. The small shops in the village appeased our hunger and their caring nature made us feel warm. 

Solitary Running on Peaceful Ghat Roads:

At times I ran with the group and at times I ran alone. What I most cherished were the time when I was all alone on the ghat roads, I took time to enjoy the imposing views of the peaks, stood to listen to the melody of the bird songs, I cherished the chill breeze touching me gently, I relished the cold water bathe at the farm well. Running on the ridges observing the spectacular neighboring hills, valleys, peaks, streams, beautiful estates, curvy roads made me sated with delight and wonder.

 Although I was delighted during my solitary runs, my heart was blissful when it was with the camaraderie of the wonderful cyclists, and coupled with the highly energetic fellow runners all this made these two days running more special to me and without them I would have not completed this 90 kms ultra hill running.

While my body was sweating out more than ever and my heart pounding faster than it would do normally, all that my mind and soul was relishing could not be just limited to the term “Runners high”, it’s a sensation of ecstasy at ease, its a feeling of freedom for free, it’s a holy communion with nature. In simple, it’s running at its purest form. You listen to your body; you listen to your heart, and see for yourself how your body, mind and heart syncs up with nature. That’s trail running in short for me.

Happy Running

Durai Murugan

I label myself as a solitary runner, who enjoys the late evening running bliss to complete a good day. It was in the year 2012 at the Chennai Marathon I lost my virginity to become a full marathoner and I exclaimed that completing my first full marathon is the ‘Supreme Feeling’ I have ever felt in my life. Hard to realise that one-year ran off like a Kenyan marathoner and I had also run in different cities, hills, trails and around temples. I feel indebted to Chennai Marathon for sowing the seeds of running in my heart. I pledge to run more, trek blissfully, live strong and healthy and listen to the music of this wonderful life.

I trained my legs and prepared my mind for the largest running Kumbha mela Chennai city was ever to witness – The Wipro Chennai Marathon. The city was not only drenched with showers of rain but also from the sweat of running souls – not a few drops but with mighty waves. The simple presence at the starting line with a few of the most energetic souls heightened my senses and all I was able to feel and realise were high levels of positive energy bursting from my fellow runners. Thus, I sprang like a fawn from the starting line forgetting the lengthy course ahead of me.

Downpour or Drizzles – Legs don’t stop:

At around 5.30 a.m the murky clouds opened up and what started as a gentle drizzle soon turned out to be a heavy down pour. But nothing could stop the running legs and with the continued blessings of rain, thousands of legs ran, splashing the water. My wrongful apprehension that this would be a rain lashed marathon got shattered with the rains stopping in 15 minutes after a quick downpour.

As I slowly trotted on the course I took some time to gaze at the murky clouds engulfing the cityscape, the huge sea waves ready to swallow the runners. I thoroughly enjoyed the warm greetings of the bystanders, melted in the cheer and affection of the volunteers, and I sailed along as delightful as I can ever run, in my city, and in front of my friends.

Pleasure to Start and Pain to End – My Body Talks:

The initial 20 kms I ran strong, it was a pleasure shouting out names of my friends and cheering fellow runners, beach roads were easily sailed across, flyovers were delightfully trotted over. As I started covering distances my novice legs started slowing down with pain and my body started seeming heavy for me to carry. For an amateur like me, I realised that only after 30 kms, the real marathon begins with all the challenging physical conditions beginning to crop up, with my body begging for rest and my mind pushing me to forge ahead until I reach the finishing line. This mixed feeling of pleasure and pain has made me self realise that for this indomitable spirit that originates within me after 30 kms of being on the toes, I would want to continue with running marathons.

Gigantic Banyan Trees, Grazing Black Bucks – Mesmerizing IIT:

Drenched with early morning rains, grown with ancient banyan trees, filled with fresh greenery and hosting beautiful rare deers, IIT campus was teeming with enormous energy and freshness, perfect for the last 18 kms of the marathon.

When I now realise that deers were my running partners, melody of the birds gave me the necessary charm, gentle drizzles cooled the surging heat of my running body and I was completely drenched with the love and care of the volunteers, my emotions are uncontrollable.

Last 5 minutes towards a sub 5 hours Marathon Finish:

I am definitely not a person who would want to race against time and all I would run for is to enjoy the sheer pleasure of being on my legs for the entire course. A volunteer standing at 41 kms mark told me that if I can run a little fast I could finish within 5 hours time. I wanted to give it a try and I increased my pace, with my legs straining in protest and my body crying out in pain. Nevertheless, I pushed myself for almost 500 mts and my legs co-operated very well. I realised that after 30 kms I have all along been mentally cheating myself, walking and running when I can push myself beyond the edge and comfortably run. It was my mind that was blocking me from the endless possibilities all the while.

“My Body was drenched in a pool of sweat,

Mind was drenched with unbound happiness,

Heart was drenched in a wave of bliss,

I self-realised that it’s ‘Runners High’ @ 42.2kms”

Running for a Cause – “Isha Vidhya:

While running gives me absolute pleasure and every time I hit the road or cross the 42.2 kms mark I feel that I have achieved something significant in life, there is another high, a far nobler and meaningful purpose to my running. Right from my first marathon I have made a mental ‘sankalp’ to run for “Isha Vidhya”, expressing my gratitude for their noble cause, “Educating rural India”. I feel there is no greater thing one can do in Indian society rather than educating the masses of rural India, since real empowerment of the poor and the neglected lies in education.

A Running Festival of never-before-seen magnitude in Chennai and I am blessed to have participated in it and successfully finished my 4^th official Full Marathon with the support of my ‘running’ friends. Early morning drizzles, ocean of Runners, energetic volunteers, mesmerizing IIT campus all came together in a confluence to leave an indelible mark in my life and to make this day deep rooted in my heart. As long as my legs could move I would want to run in Chennai Marathons to come, for this event has kindled my unabated passion for Running.

Happy Running,

Durai Murugan

 

Lengthy and scenic trails have been buried along with our ancestors underneath the modern and urban cities. Running as one the best ways to stay healthy and fit has been picking up like wildfire in recent times and every city has started hosting marathons to meet the never ending adrenaline rush of the runners. However, the longing to connect to the nature and beautiful trails through running has created a vacuum in the minds of the runners.

“The craving to reunite to the Nature;

The hunt to trot along scenic trails;

The desire to enjoy refreshing aroma from the flora;

The demand for a challenging trail to test endurance;

Chennai Trail Marathon stood as an Answer to the Runners”

There was no police personnel deployed on the running trails, there was no external photography professionals hired, there was no external cycling or biking group looped in, and there was no cheer leaders called in for. The run was bleeding with absolute sense of volunteerism. I would call it as an event from the trekking community to the running community although there is nothing dividing these communities.

 

Delightful Pre-Run Recce’s and Last minute Down Pour:

Meticulous planning went on to bring the best trail running experience to the runners. We ran miles and miles at this place, spent weekends to connect the scenic trails and make it one of the challenging ones. At the end of every successful time we ran on this trail we felt delighted with its beauty and were appeased with the challenging course. It was around 1.30 a.m on the race day we almost fixed our miles markers, route pointers, and marked the entire trail with white powder giving directions. It was just 3 ½ half hours left for the full marathon to begin. We heard loud thunders and saw lighting in the sky above the nearby Nagalapuram and the dark clouds slowly engulfed the full moon and dark clouds opened up and it started raining incessantly all the powder markings was washed away right in front of our eyes.

 

Drenched in rains our mind was not worried about the trembling body but afraid about the trail being slowly flooded with water, which started disappearing. Hardly we had 2 ½ half hours to kick-start the event and we even received a call from the transportation lead that runners have started pooling at different start points in large numbers. We almost thought that unless some miracle happens its impossible for us to run on this trail. Each step we kept on the trail our legs went almost 2 inches deep into soil and our shoes and sandals got struck into the slush.

Discovering the Connecting Trail:

The monsoon treks and survival missions came to our rescue since it had taught us, how to survive in heavy down pour and how to create trails even on a heavy monsoon inside very thick forest. Quickly, Peter said lets get into the Fortuner to explore the north side of the lake to find a trail clear off water and by now the time was 4 a.m and it was raining with calls even on the mobile. Everyone wanted to know if the run was on – to buy sometime we informed the race starting point organizers that the run will start 1 hour delayed. Peter was driving the car inside the village roads and looking for a trail that would connect the Choolavaram dam. Almost 30 minutes passed by and we were not able to locate any trail either on road or on the google maps. We almost lost the confidence of finding a connecting trail and were about to give up. It was then the master of all explorers rambled his Fortuner into a lonely trail and we got back the lost confidence and in no moment we were back on our toes with full zeal and energy. We exclaimed with unbound joy for discovering a scenic trail with which we can manage the run. My mind almost forgot that it did not sleep now for the past 36 hours nor was my body tired to sense the tiredness. I was as eager and enthused as the runner who was waiting for the run at the starting line.

 

Chased by the Lead Runner – Marking the Trail and Refreshment Points:

We reached the starting point at 5.45 a.m and witnessed that the entire college was beaming with great energy, high enthusiasm of runners and the starting point was rejoicing with drumbeats. Peter assigned me with another challenging task of marking the entire trail and refreshment points afresh. Switching my GPS I started with our strong team of bike marshals and for every left/right turns, deviations and at refreshment points I kept dropping one bike after another bike and finally at the 8^th kilometer when I turned back the lead runner was just 200 mts away from me. He was pouncing like a tiger at 15 kms per hour. We entered a village and the road divided into two parts and I had absolutely no clue which side of the village road I should take to mark the 10.5 kms U-turn point. Confused to take a decision I quickly took the guidance of an elderly man sitting underneath a tree who guided me inside a village trail. We blazed inside the trail and finally were forced to end our ride in front of a flooded pond, which was almost a dead end. By now the lead runner reached me and asked where is the way, I politely said this is the U-turn point with 500 mts short of the actual distance. Finally, ended my non-stop run searching for trails, being chased and stood cheering and serving the full and half marathoners for another 6 hours till the last full marathoner Mr. Arul came limping at around 11.30 to the refreshment point were I was volunteering and walked alongside him till he successfully finished is run at around 1 p.m.

 

When I now recall those 36 hours of fun-filled, exciting and non-stop activity of marking the course, fixing the trail and taking one of the most challenging tasks of being the trail lead. The encounters with drunken patrons of the village late in the evening, the so-called President of some village who created havoc late in the mid-night, the panic created by the Engineer of the Dam and the timely help from a senior officer, the unending conversations with a kind-hearted policemen, all these things just fade away from my mind and now all I am able to witness for myself are the encouraging feedback, wonderful photographs of the runners and the smiling faces of my fellow volunteers.

 

While normally my legs run across the country participating in various running festivals I dedicate my heart and self to the running community through Chennai Trail Marathon.

Happy Volunteering,

Durai Murugan

If it has to happen it will happen; if it is destined it will transpire; if it has to occur it will unfold; if it should emerge it will rise tremendously. Not even in the wildest of my dreams did I cover the Navagraha temples by legs. For an amateur like me, running a full marathon calls for celebration; running 175+ kms in 3 and ½ days back to back covering around 45 kms every day was inconceivable. The bright belief in me, the longing for Adi Guru and his grace are those that went hand in hand to make me accomplish this run successfully. This journey has been an incredible experience and has made mystical impressions in my heart and mind. SHIVA

Blisters became bliss, pain became pleasure, and the scorching sun was like a soothing drizzle –the unique feeling I had developed for the Adi Guru was quite palpable. I could feel the hovering Omnipresence of the Adi Guru – He was in the birds flying above me; He was flowing in the river alongside me; He was present in every living creature and every kind hearted man I met. They were all manifestations of Him. SHIVA

Kaveri and the Running Trails:

Majority of the running trails were alongside river Kaveri connecting various villages and the Navagraha temples. The picturesque farmlands, the sky-piercing coconut trees, tamarind vegetation providing shelter on the roads, the mind boggling sight of dawn and dusk – They were all a delight to my eyes and mind. I would need more than a life time to admire them. A very different experience I should say because Kaveri was my run mate. I was completely lost in Her remarkable beauty. Whenever I felt it was too hot I dived into Her not only to cool down my body but to also appease my soul which was craving for grace. Like Kaveri my soul was also bursting out of happiness and unbound joy for the Lord. SHIVA

Bliss with Blisters and Pleasure in Pain:

My novice and untrained legs had to encounter numerous challenges although nothing could stop them from moving it physically. The Physio declared that my ITB muscle was over stressed and it started aching every time I continuously ran 5 + kms. Additionally, I was also blessed with big blisters on both my legs; pain in both my knees started swallowing me; every night I used to crash like a log motionless – but my longing for grace and my love for Shiva was growing every time pain engulfed me and every time my body was put to challenge. At times I walked, at times I limped, at times I wanted to even crawl but my heart was content with happiness and the mere sight of the Adi Guru helped me write off all my difficulties. SHIVA

Compassionate Village People and Innocent Questions:

We ran across hundreds of villages and bumped into thousands of villagers – they were all so eager to know why we were running? Disappointed were the kids who raced with us and the villagers who rode their bikes at a canter because I was not in a position give them an appropriate answer. I assume I had convinced the onlookers telling them that we were running to visit all the Navagraha temples – but to be honest with myself there was a little Jyothi burning brightly within me to express which words were too insufficient. I ran past most of them with a grin and waved good bye. SHIVA

I could not ignore the presence of the Adi Guru in each of them who quenched my thirst, walked with me to direct me, gave me space on their verandas. His radiant spirit was glowing in each one of their eyes. SHIVA

Running by the Drums of the Heart:

We were welcomed in each village by stray canines which let us enter after a lot of persuasion. On a lighter note, they chased us till we exited the village! So, every time we crossed a village my GPS watch would show increase in pace and my heart beat would also increase tremendously. No yelp bet my yearning for the Adi Guru. SHIVA

12 Elite Souls with one mission:

It was my highest honour and privilege to run with 12 great souls who have made their presence felt in the running arena. If not for their camaraderie, matured advice, motivation, infinite love, care and affection, I could not have completed this course. Miles appeared like meters and Kilometres were traversed with ease; heat could not hinder my progress and pain disappeared; lonely roads were not even close to intimidation – the credit should undoubtedly go to the wonderful companionship of these twelve dedicated souls. The little Jyothi within glowed with greater strength because of the company of these elite men – I felt the presence of the Adi Guru with these men around. SHIVA

My heart craves to wind up this post with the verse from Nirvana Shatakam composed by Adi Shankara which goes as follows:

“No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain,

I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals,

I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself,

I am the form of consciousness and bliss,

I am the eternal Shiva”

http://blog.ishafoundation.org/lifestyle/music/mystic-chants-nirvana-shatakam/

Happy Running,

Durai Murugan