Enduro3 2008: Another Siver

So, Enduro3 2008 brought me a second position, the second time in the OPEN MIX category. Mission Accomplished of 80 Cycling + 90 Trekking in 28 Hours...

I was undoubtedly with the National Defence Academy, which needs no introduction. The cadets are finest and the bravest young men. My Team Mates were ACA Yogesh Hirekar and CDT. Shravan Kumar.

We all reached the 'Go' around 7h. We came to know that the go is at 10h15. of course we were not going to spend our energy there waiting for 3 hours, we decided to sleep/rest in our buses/stallions. Around 9h45 we started getting our bikes ready.

The 'go' for the 40+ men was the first, followed by many small teams, and last was the professional people. I found this extremely irritating, we were the ones for the longest distance and we all would now have to wait last at every TC and PC. We entered NDA and at the 1st hill, there was a very long queue. But of course we got ahead, asking all the teams to excuse us and all of them co-operated so well, understanding that we have to cover a longer distance. What the organisers failed to understand, our competitors understood, Thank you All.

Now was our race, without food/water we traveled many kilometers. 'Every second counts,' was our mood. And there one could see, cadets pulling me, carrying my bag etc. Hirekar and Shravan continued to encourage me.

We reached TC's and PC's, beating many no proffesional category teams. Though they were not our competitors overtaking them gave us a boost in our confidence. We reached Tekpole. The route from Bhalawadi to Tekpole was the toughest as it was all upslopes, and my frustration for the route was born, and I was right, we inhaled atleast 250 gms of dust from Panshet to Tekpole. Our Trek from Tekpole started, and we were just crossing the meandering river. i mean it wasnt funny, we could see the lights of the PC, but it took us 2 hours to get there, it was insane. the meandering banks of the backwater dint seem to end, finally when they ended, and We reached the PC at 21h, I screamt and howled at the organisor the minute I saw him. I belived that this was the most 'inhumane' route'. I believed that I had the right to say this as this was my 3rd enduro in the Proffesional Category and I knew the past routes. I was almost in tears with Shravan and Hirekar consoling me.

So now we had a go at 2.45 in the morning. All the NDA teams went to gether, and we covered up most of our distance. Hirekar and Shravan continued to support, pull, encourage me!!!

After we reached the Panshet water sports center at 6.30ish, and then continued trekking till 16h till tekople, where we left our bikes the previous day. I was dead tired at the en d of the trekking route, had cramps from my knees to my foot, I could barely even pick up my foot. in This stage my partners took me on their shoulders and walked a distance of 5 kms...So our bags were with with one cadet and i was on the shoulders of another one. They walked faster after carrying me on their shoulders. Hats off to them may the strength and the courage last for ever. Then we took our bikes and whizzed past beacause what was upslope for us now was all downslope. .And cycling is my strong point, I can cover up all the time i lost in trekking.

There were many criticisms on me personally. Eg. I dint have to carry my bag, when I was tired, We did not carry our sleeping bags with us after the night and were helped by the boys in OPen all men Category by giving us food and water.

What I believe that this is one of the benefits of going out with NDA, we are an institution, wherever we go, we are together in competiting against the world. We are the responsibility of NDA even when we are in the race and not of NEF. The organisors get forms signed from us that They are NOT responsible for any any kind of injury, death or mishap, if any occurs. NDA gets no formed signed from anyone, they belive we are their responsibilty. For this they have a officer waiting at PAnshet water sports center, and they will manage the medical treatement for us. The bonding between NDA'ites is of course more than a team from software compnaies, we have the same values and same thinkings. Now if 20 teams of 3 people each of NDA are together, against everyone...arent we achieving greater Team work. I belive that this is team work and not 'Help' as put against us. Teams who have members giving up after sometime come together and form teams and complete the race. 2 teams, may be not be in the same category but are doing the race together, would that mean help/team work. The cadets are strong and help physically as well whats wrong in that. WE carry all the compulsory material as written in the rule book, and we do follow the rules, what wrong did my team do, I believe nothing.

I like to than thank my mother and brother for letting me live a non-restricted life, Lt. Cdr. Sridhar Tata, Sqn. Ldr. Vivek Singh, Lt. Venkat, Lt. Ashwani Trical and Lt. Kapil M Sati for giving me an opportunity to participate with NDA.

Hope to see you again!

Mansi

PS: This is my personal blog, and hence the comments are my personal comments, The NDA, the officers of NDA, NEF, Marshals, Organisors have no say in my blog.

I need a team.............

Hey,

I am looking for a team. I would want to go with a Deffence forces team.. in pro category, can anyone help me?
mail me ASAP on mansi2004@gmail.com
Thanks..

River Crossing Another do'

So, I just forgot this very important do's in the previous blog:

Carry a pair of extra PT shoes: So these are the thin soles pt shoes which we usually wore for PT lessons in school. they cost around Rs. 100. These shoes are to be worn during river crossing. In river crossing there are many stones/gravel which could hurt our feet. And we have a big trek after that, and if we wear our shoes for trekking and cycling they are likely to give blisters.

Hence just use these PT shoes and of course an extra pair of socks just for river crossing and later give them to the villagers...as wet shoes are heavy to carry all the way!

Enduro3 2008

So now my practice for Enduro3 2008 is in full swing.

The first day, I went I completed 21 kms. The second day 40kms. the third was 11 km cycling+climb Sinhagad+come down+ 11 kms.

I love these practice sessions. All, the Officers in-charge are friendly and the cadets too.

I am looking forward for another win, but this time as 'gold medalist' and not silver!

I would be a fool to loose after such good practice sessions and support from the Academy!

Do's and Dont's for Enduro3

So here I go giving away some gyan some do's and dont's for Enduro3.

Do's:

1. Bike: Use a bike which you use regularly. So that you are used to the obstacles it creates. Try not to rent a bike, In case you have no option but to rent a bike, get the serviced 100%, there you will realise that renting+servicing+some cash will give you a new bike. Next year, you can rent/give this bike, but putting a notice on the notice board of our company, asking NEF, there will be a great demand for this.
2. Bike: get the tyres and tubes changed before the D-day. This is to ensure trouble-free race.
   
3. Bike: Carry extra tyres tubes. in case of a puncture just remove the old tyre tube and put in the new one, this saves time and energy. However carry the puncture mending kit with you as the organisers are strict with the compulsory equipment.
4. One day before the D-Day: Take rest, but just stretching, a half an hour bike session in the morning would be good but don't over do.
5. One day before the D-Day: Drink alot of water, you should just leave the count of liters and drink infinite amount of water and 'neembu sharbat' ie. sweet and salted lime water. This is to ensure the correct level of salts and water content and that you do not get dehydrated.
   
6. Food: I know every one would know this. But still..Lots of dryfruits but saltless, the salt ones would make you thirsty, peanuts and jaggery (mixed to gether), chocolates, sweets, lime, sugar and salt, etc so that you can make sweet and salted lime water. drinking water during the race is very crucial in order to ensure that one doesn't dehydrate. Methi parathas are ideal for this race as they dont get spoilt
   
7. Before the Race: Try and see the route. Try and trek especially the Bhalawadi-Thangaon patch.
8. Tentative route: This is the 6th year and all the 6 years the route has been on the same lines with some variations. Start(somewhere in Pune city)- Paud road- NDA- A loop inside NDA (either cycling/trekking)-Peacock Bay- Splendor Country- Trio Farms- Crossing that bridge which comes after taking a left(dont remember that sign)- Panshet Water sport center- Bhalawadi. Till here it was cycling. At Bhalawadi one keeps their bike, Then either they are transported by motor boat to Thangaon or they trek to Thangaon and then they transported by motor boat to their bikes. Then some cycling/ trekking and thats the End. Then the Amateurs, corporates, IT, and non-professional Category end the race here, Pro people continue.
9. On the D-day: There are certain deadlines to reach a particular TC/ PC...make sure you follow the deadlines. Ask the organisers and make sure you are aware of them.
10. Team Mates: Try and know your team mates strengths-weaknesses. Working under pressure-heat- less amenities, would be one of the greatest experiences.
    Worst of worst case one team mates decides to quit, It is recommended that the other must continue.
    
11. Rule book-Last but not the least..Read the Rule book. You must know all rules by heart.

All the best! Enjoy the Race, May the best team Win.

Enduro3

Here goes another story about Enduro3, an Adventure race in Pune, India.

We always practiced in the NDA campus. We saw deer, peacoks and alot of wildlife. During the race, when participants see deer running besides them they just want to stop the competition and enjoy Mother Nature.

The best part about the Adventure race is the well designed route. We are just so close to Nature. Trees whistling, the wind blowing, it all looks like a dream. Yes the day's are a little hot, but that’s only when we have to go upslope, down slope on our bike is another experience. Imagine yourself whizzing down at an amazing speed.

Drinking the pure water from Panshet Dam, sleeping at night in star lit skies is a dream come true for an adventurer. After cycling for 100kms, the sleep at night in a sleeping bag is even more comforting than on a soft mattress in an air conditioned room. We even dream of all the tough times we faced, the way we pulled ourselves, cheering our team mates. A sense of achievement grips us for a long time even after the race.

I love Enduro3 for bringing close to Nature, strengthening my determination and giving me life long friends. So do you feel like experiencing all this?

Write to me on Mansi@sportzvillage.com for further information on 2008 Enduro3 organized on 8 and 9th of February 2008.

Enduro3 - love those days

ENDURO3.A team sport, an Adventure Race tests the competitors' physical and mental endurance। The thrill and challenge is such that, even completing a race is often considered a victory. NECC NEF Enduro3, the adventure race is not about strength , but about strategy. It's about planning and proceeding. Physical Fitness is only one aspect. The race tests the participating team's Endurance, Team Spirit, Crisis Management and Decision making.

This year the race is scheduled on 8-9th February 2008

Enduro3- A Race divided into two broad categories: Professionals and Amateurs with many more sub categories. The category difference defines the distance. Professional Category covers a larger distance than the Amatuers. In the year 2006 when I participated Amateurs was 120 kms and the Professional was 175 kms.

I was lucky to participate with NDA, which is an experience in itself. The cadets have the best level of fitness. The officers in charge plan every practice session in acutely. To participate with the prestigious National Defence Adademy, Khadakwasala, popularly known as The NDA is a great experience. The practice sessions were tough, well planned by the Academy. Yes, the cadets do face a problem in slowing down, but they all do it happily. Officers regularly in contact with us were Sqn Ldr Kutty, Lt. Tushantant and Lt. Ashok. My team mates were Cdt Archit Goswami and Cdt Rohit Bhat. Goswami and me never got along during the practice sessions, we fought, I cried, he was scolded by his senior officers and I really liked when he was scolded . I promised my self, never ever will I see Goswami after Enduro3. Bhatt was a little more understanding and a man of patience, I promised to be in touch with him. He knew that I could make it and continued to encourage me. Other Cadets like Dhamija, Gunde, Kane, Swayee, A Jain, Khursheed, Anand, Das, D Pandey, A Pandey, Arun VP, Dalai and P K Singh cheered, appreciated and encouraged. P K Singh, was the cadet whose team had to quit because of an injury to a team mate but he continued to complete the Race with my team. He is a strong chap and a very good orator. He kept my mind busy all the race day and dint give me an opportunity to think that I was tired. He told me one thing that I even follow today 'Tiredness in Mental.' He gave me many examples to prove this point.

The Race day were the 2 memorable days. Goswami did not even fight once, and Bhatt was as good as always. Together we made it from ghats, mountains, plains, fields and rivers. We went at an amazing speed. And even reached the Bhalavadi Time Control exactly at 11h45. We had even reached before some teams from Bombay Sappers and the people who saw us reach applauded us for our timing [:)]. Being the first Mix team gave us confidence.

Th race day continued and we knew that we were ahead and leading, but because of some tactics, the opposite team of Bombay Sappers which was trailing by 45 mins now had a lead of 1 hour. We knew we had to get this down but it was difficult. The patch from Bhalawadi to Panshet water sports cente at night at 23h-2h were the toughest and the best.

Finally the race was over, and we won. Silver medalist made me feel so confident. I received accolades for this performance. An article on me was printed in a famous Marathi daily newspaper.

Enduro3 gave me many things. Self confidence, that I survived through a toughest race. Fame, I was known and appreciated everywhere. Friends, Life long friends. I am still in touch with Goswami and continues to be my favourite team mate and P K Singh is my very good friend. Words are not sufficient to say what I achieved. All I know is that If I can survive in Enduro3 I can achieve anything.

I owe this success to My family, who supported me in every step. My mother, Madhuri Pingle and brother Gauarv Pingle were always there and encouraged and supported me the most at every point. Gauarv Sultania, he himself had completed this race and stood fourth in the Pro Category in 2005, he had the exact advice to give me. The NDA, who gave me an opportunity to participate, see the beautiful academy. My Team mates and the entire Enduro party from NDA.

This year Enduro3 is scheduled on the 8th and 9th of February 2008. I would love you to be part of this, and I want to help you in everyway I can.

I am waiting for Enduro 2008! What about you?