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January 6, 2023 By KriShna KuMar Leave a Comment

GOQii Trail Challenge Season 3 – A Reflection

GOQii Trail Challenge - A Reflection

“Pain is inevitable, Suffering is Optional”

This quote, attributed to Buddhist teachings, was first introduced to me by author Haruki Murakami. It has stayed with me since, and has been particularly relevant to the planning of the GOQii Trail Challenge Season 3.

In 2015, I decided to graduate from running half marathons to attempting a full marathon. I thought that since I was able to do a half marathon with ease, slowly building up to a full marathon should be a manageable feat. However, at the 32km mark, my legs failed me and I was forced to walk the remaining distance, limping to the finish line. I realized that the line between healthy confidence and unhealthy pride is thin, and in this case, my pride had gotten the best of me. The lesson I learned was that there is no substitute for proper training, and it requires time and dedication.

Preparing The Trail

When planning GTC Season 3, we had to take into consideration the limited training opportunities that COVID-19 had created for participants, and therefore, the trail needed to have a balance of “highs and lows”. We also developed a training calendar to help participants prepare. In March 2022, when the Omicron wave had subsided and local authorities relaxed some public gathering restrictions, we began the process of plotting the new trail on a map. We worked with local villages who had expressed interest in being a part of GTC, and considered factors such as checkpoint accessibility and infrastructure.

In May 2022, our team set out on an adventure through the mountainous region of Mandangad, armed with maps, compasses, and machetes. The dense vegetation and varied topography of the area presented a challenge, but we were determined to find a trail that was suitable for first-time hikers. Our team included both experienced hikers and beginners, including one woman, to ensure a balanced experience.

GTC Team 1

As we hiked, we kept in mind the needs and capabilities of first-time hikers. The ability to see the trail ahead can make a big difference in terms of perceived difficulty, and we made sure to choose routes that offered good visibility. We also avoided dense sections of foliage that could be disorienting and exhausting. While some of these sections were picturesque, we determined that they were not suitable for the GTC trail.

After scouting various routes and making our final selection, we marked it on our map and waited for the monsoon season to pass. The monsoon season in the Ratnagiri region is known for its heavy rains and tall grass growth. In 2022, the monsoon season was particularly long, resulting in even taller grass. 

As part of GOQii’s Karma initiative, the decision was made to involve the local community in the trail-making process. Not only does this contribute to the local economy, but it also allows the community to be a part of the event and utilize their knowledge of the region’s old trails and how to navigate the tall grass without disrupting the ecosystem.

From October to mid-November, work was done to prepare the trail for Season 3. When the time came, the group of both first-timers and experienced walkers walked the full trail and determined it was ready for the season.

Dec 10th 2022: D-Day

The motto of #DiscoverYourTrail has a purpose: to inspire people to become the best versions of themselves. At GOQii, we encourage our players to constantly strive for improvement and growth. This motto has a deeper meaning that is meant to be experienced through personal journey and reflection. It embodies the positive qualities of someone who is willing to take risks, embrace change, and move forward with determination, even when faced with uncertainty.

GOQii Trail Challenge

After completing a challenging trail like the GOQii Trail Challenge, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. But after a good night’s rest and some time to reflect, you may find that you are able to view the experience in a different light. You may begin to analyze your performance, piece by piece, and gain a deeper understanding of your own strengths and areas for improvement.

Like my Full Marathon experience, you too would then get the meaning of the Murakami quote.

Pain is inevitable, Suffering is Optional.

P.S: I would like to express my gratitude to all the participants who joined in the GTC Season 3.

A special thank you goes out to the Altitude Quest team and the local villagers for their assistance in designing and developing the trail.

I also want to thank Vasanthi, Rylan, Anand, and Parwage for joining me in exploring the trail, as well as the team of volunteers who worked tirelessly at each checkpoint with a smile.

Thank you to Sunny, Puneet, Yasser, and Dinesh for their help with the infrastructure setup, and to the Blue Green Exotica team for being wonderful hosts once again.

#BeTheForce

November 18, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

Dos and Dont’s of Trail walker

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When I was told to be a part of the 100 km Oxfam-Goqii trail walker team, I agreed. My initial reaction was there is nothing new about long distance walking. I do it all the time and do it in the Himalayan and the Shayadri hills. But, yet there is a new challenge in doing the 100 km trail walker. Have done it once and I would say it is still a challenge for myself- a challenge to test my own endurance.

Honestly, I will reiterate this point again that there is nothing tough about walking long distance. Walking 15-20 miles (24-32 km) daily is what human bodies are built for. But, sadly none of us do walk that much even in a week in our normal course of routine. So for many when they end up taking up such a challenge of 100 km they get a bit perturbed.

I would say first and foremost think and figure out why are you doing this? Are you doing this for yourself and to build your own endurance? Are you doing it because you are being forced -because you think you will be judged based on doing this challenge? Are you doing this to prove a point to others? Once you have the answer for why you are doing it you will be at ease in deciding your next step. I would say do it for yourself.

While this is an Endurance Challenge it is also largely about team work and a strategy game. It’s about patience and temperament.

All rookies to the 100 km challenge remember one thing –be mentally prepared and don’t thinking too much about it. Even when I did it for the first time, I was not sure what to expect but, after two practice session of 25 km each at Garudmachi also known as the Eagles Plateau, I was clear of what to expect.

With exactly 20 days left for the D -Day, here are a couple of dos and don’ts for the trail walker that might help. This is based on a few learning from my own experience and practice sessions.

Dos: Get your footing right during your practice session especially if you are doing treks. Do not injure yourself during the practice. Do enough strength training for neck, shoulders and legs.

Dos: Ideally, it would be good to practice in a mixed terrain (both tar and hillocks) so you are comfortable on the day of the walk.

Dos: Be positive and happy all along the trail. Sing to yourself, laugh and motivate yourself.These ease the pressure on you and your team mates.

Dos: On the day of the trailwalk try and rest a bit at checkpoints and then move forward. Target to cover 60% on the first day. Believe me the remaining 40% will be easy on you.

Dos: learn to walk in the heat no matter how grim, awful and humid you feel.

Dos: Remember to thank your support crew after the event is over. Because they are going to be the ones who are going to be there for you waiting to make you feel comfortable with whatever you might need after long hours of walk. They will motivate you and make sure you do not have to think about anything else and just concentrate on your walk. So thank them.

DON’T talk much on the trail. Conserve energy. But, do not be afraid to communicate uneasiness.

DON’T over load the backpack you are carrying with you on the trail. 1 to 2 liters of Water is essential and your personal medication if you need anything on the trail. You really don’t need so many eats and energy bars on you at all times. Let your support crew carry the extras.

DON’T argue with your teammates. Always try and come to a consensus on any issues that may arise. Remember this is a team effort.

DON’T get overexcited early on in the walk. Walk at your pace lest you end up getting tired very soon.

Don’t: Walk with earphones on it could prove dangerous.

Don’t: Lastly do not litter. We are all educated people. However, tired you may be and might just want to throw away that bottle down..do not do it. Keep it with you in your bag and dispose it off later.

Follow these dos and don’ts and you will be good to go for the 100 km trail walk.

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