Every sunburn has a story, but this one is worth a lifetime! The tan lines and the glory of victory will soon fade, but the toil in the training – a beautiful journey of blood, sweat, and tears that will forever be remembered!

Can you believe that I, the winner of one of the toughest hill runs in the country, was the second-fastest woman (and the fastest Indian woman) on that route in six years since the event’s launch? I cannot express my gratitude in words to Coach Kay and his academy for making me worthy of this honor!

The night before the race, I negotiated a 10-hour target with the Coach, while he insisted on 9. Standing at the start point, my mind was already racing, contemplating which point in those steep climbs my heart would give up on me. What followed was not mere luck but a total experiment of putting all the training’s learning into action – form, cadence, hydration, fueling, strategy, and non-stop self-talk until the finish line was in the vicinity.

It was my home turf, with fellow Nomadic Nilgirain runners and volunteers cheering at the aid stations, from cops to common men on the road encouraging me, a local, to win, and family and friends sending prayers. Coach played race director and waited with that gold in hand. There was no way I was going to let anyone else cross that finish line before me! It felt like all the stars were aligned, and it had to be my day! This is not the end, but the beginning of a bigger endeavor. I am determined to make you proud again, Coach Kay. Miles to go…time to upgrade my training plan!