Conquering the Toughest Marathon in the World: My Unforgettable Experience in Leh, Ladakh

Running a full marathon in Leh, Ladakh, was a daunting task, but I was determined to push my limits. The course, ranging from 11,500 to 17,618 feet above sea level, was intimidating, but I was ready for the challenge.

The night before the marathon, I challenged my Coach (Dharma) Dharmendra Kumar saying I would finish my 1st full marathon in 5 hours, but he suggested to take it easy, reminding me that it was my first full marathon. I decided to pace myself, but the competitive spirit within me refused to die.

On race day, I was excited to look at the crowd and nervous on the other side wondering how I would perform.

The initial 21 kilometers were a breeze, I ran at a steady pace of 6.5 minutes per kilometer, fighting the cold, enjoying the scenic beauty, interacting with the locals, capturing photos, and even dancing in their authentic style.

It was all fun, talking to strangers, and asking for tips at the aid stations, but somewhere in the corner of my mind, that challenge was hitting like an alarm.

At the 28th kilometer, disaster struck. I twisted my knee, and cramps set in, making it difficult to continue. Despite the pain, I persevered, stretching, using pain relief sprays, and running backward, repeating the same process again & again and nearing the goal. Meanwhile, I met fellow runners Praful and Prosit who asked me to run for 2 more KM then I could walk 12 KM and finish the run., but my legs refused to cooperate??

At 36th KM, I was exhausted and stuck, my condition was very bad, I was feeling stressed, I was suffering from pain and almost decided to quit ?? That's when I found Anurag, an elite ultra-runner who was badly hurt, and was standing near one of the corners of the Indus river holding the barricade. I shared some tips to relax and recharge then asked him to walk with me till the finish line. On the way, we shared funny stories but the finish line was asking us to increase the pace.

One thing I realized- any pro runner has to walk the last 3-4 KM stretch to reach the finish line because the elevation is very difficult. The last few kilometers were a blur for me, but the sight of my coach gave me the final push I needed. So, I had to give him a big smile showing all was well & I'd finish the marathon in another 10-15 minutes but the case was very different, I tried to run and finish this thing off in one go but it was too late to decide what's happening with my legs, my mind was blank and I was trembling to walk again.

I was badly in need of a spray or a treatment for muscle recovery. I didn't feel thirsty or I wanted something. All I needed was a cooling element that could provide me temporary relief for sore muscles. With a mix of emotions, it was very hard for me to regain that power hence I kept my head down and started to walk.

The experience of running a marathon can be exhilarating and overwhelming because it includes moments of surprise and encouragement from spectators and fellow runners. But for me, it was my wife Pavithra Godekere a motivation tank, my 1st coach, guide, and the kit which included everything required to complete a full marathon in Ladakh.

Upon hearing cheers and seeing familiar faces of elite runner Anant Kansal I felt I could do it and the presence of unexpected supportive friends, like Mohan Devegowda(part of RunAddicts runners group, Bangalore), who cheered in the local language, added to the emotional boost. I couldn't stop now because I got that magic touch that woke my legs again and I ran like hell and finished the 42 mark but couldn't give a killing pose.

Conclusion

This experience taught me that mental toughness and determination can overcome even the most daunting challenges. I may not have finished in 5 hours, but I conquered the toughest marathon in the world, and that's a story I'll cherish forever.