Summary
- Attempt: solo
- Total time: 03:09:24
- Moving time: 02:47:40
- Style: unsupported
- Distance: 14.76km
- Elevation gained: 1304m
- Route type: mountain loop
Report
As the last run leading up to Saturday's race (Summit Run Indrahar), I decided to give this loop a shot. The plan was to keep a steady hike up and then move down swiftly - not race my way by any stretch of imagination (leaving that for Saturday)! I knew I'd beat 3:31:xx and get the crown, but I wanted to finish this in under 3 hours, with as little pushing as possible.
The climb from Bhagsu felt tougher than the last time I did this route - throughout the route my brain kept reminding me of how bad an idea this was to attempt this route just 4 days before race. I had to really tame my mind at every temptation of going into push mode.
With a customary bow to the Dhauladhars (this is one of the mandatory requirements of FKT attempts on this route), I made my way through the crowd that was descending by the dozens - overnight campers, all of them. Despite the battle, it took me only 8 minutes or so extra to hike up Triund from the steeper side, as compared to the more gradual side. Took a 6-7 minutes' fuel break at Triund and started my descent at 1:57:xx on the clock.
Slight ankle scares on the way down. My strength programming is battling hard as I type this. I kept a swift pace down through the (extremely) rocky trail - exited the trail head at 2:52:xx on the clock, making this a fast 55:xx segment. However, Strava/GPS gave me an extra 5 minutes and recorded 1:01:xx for this bit.
Anyhow, the final descent was surprising as I finished the last 2.5km in under 17 minutes and got the FKT with over 21 minutes to spare. Surprisingly, my moving time is 6 minutes over my last attempt. It would've been a win of epic proportions to get it under 3, but I'll take this as a win of not-so-super-but-still-pretty-awesome proportions!