“Yeh Dil Maange more” – this were the lines of Martyr Capt Vikram Batra , Param vir Chakra during Kargil war when he conquered a particular hill from Pakistan . He was two years senior to me in the Armed Forces and we mourned the death of this brave heart . Similar feelings erupted when I conquered Khargar Hills (rhyming words aka kargil) during the 1st Navi Mumbai Group Run – a total distance of 22 K , but I managed to do 18.23 KM in 2hrs 41 Mins .

A very meticulous and well organized run by the NMR fraternity . The idea was mooted on the lines of now famous NCPA – Bandra run (Brain child of Ram, Milton and Giles) . During one of our runs Srivatsan proposed for the same . Anand and I being from Thane/Mulund jumped upon the idea and commited to run in the first edition whenever it happens. That saw the beginning of the preparation of now successful Khargar Hill clover run . Kudos to Vatsan , Vignesh , Sandy , Jitendra , Venkat Krishnan , VenkatRaman P and many more to make this happen .

Two days prior I had returned from holy and a very demanding trip of Sabarimala , where I had walked / trekked 23 Km Barefoot , with very little sleep . Blisters were the order of the day as we had to walk on the Dosa Pan like Tar road . Next two days saw celebration of Vishu and celebration of coming out of the penance. I was contemplating whether to join for the run or not ( a very honest confession ). Infact when Venkatkrishnan called me the previous night , I was guzzling beer ( celebrating the euphoria of breaking my resolve of abstinence from liquor ). But , the commitment and the passion of the NMR guys gave me in and I decided I am gonna Run this . I tied up with Chetan and decided to pick him up at Mulund station at 0430 hrs . Slept at 0030 hrs and the alarm hooted at 0345 hrs . Gaining my composure I got up , listerined my mouth of stinking Beer and started to my destination at around 0425hrs.

Caught up with Chetan , realized that Car was out of fuel and searched for Petrol Pump , full tank and we zoomed past to reach Khargar at around 0525 hrs . Thanks to Venkatkrishnan for guiding till the base of the Hill.

Wow – what a Positive and Vibrant energy around the hills , by sheer presence of the the runners ( Many known and some unknown faces) . Vignesh, instructed about the dos and do nots. Route, explained and ready to go . Couple of runners started earlier , I started the run and in the first 5 mins of run realized , “Galti kiya” – why the heck I am running . Remember “when the going gets tough , the tough gets going” seeing the trail - to me it was like “when the going get tough , just turn back and runaway”. Every inch of that 5.60 Km climb was a climb of pain and glory and I was not aware that I will have to do repeat of this pain and glory . The moment I saw a flat , it was there for only for 50 odd Mtrs and the killer hill started again . In the melee , saw all the accomplished runners zooming past , saw srivatsan , Qureshi , Ram etc doing a cake walk of the hills. A bullet passed by me; he started late but was running like a 20 yr old – guess who “Giles”. Enroute people were cheering us and motivating us (for a runner it acts like a elixir of life) . Thanks to one good Samaritan who was standing at the turn of clover and guiding us to run on the correct route . Vignesh , was there at the clover acting as a mirage to the weary desert traveller (thanks Vignesh) . Vivek – was catching every moment of the runners (thanks man). At 5.50 Km , the waterpoint was set , filled in the bottle for the next assault on self and rushed to get back to 11Km . Throughout the return leg , I just wanted to reach somehow and end my 11K . I had decided for the rest of the run , I will volunteer to cheer and be the hyrdroman for the group . But destiny had something in store , Giles, Ram and Qureshi, Venkatraman and sandy motivated me to do a second leg. It was the toughest of the run I had in the second phase , I walked from 11 to 13 Km and then thanks to Ram I did a 5K form 13 to 18 K . The terrain was practically deserted , with occasional vehicle plying by , few health freaks doing yoga and many couples trying to find a place to park away from the bustle of the city .

Was amazed to see Mani and Giles flying past for Possibly Giles 3rd loop (later came to know that he was accompanying Mani for 3K) . As the last 200 mts was on , I was feeling aka Haile or may be Mutai , friends waiting with open arms to welcome me . At 100 mtr felt all the pain vanishing and only glory to accompany, at last 10mtrs – runners high achieved and within moment I was the conqueror of the treacherous 18K of Khargar Hills. A bliss was when , Surinder and his family gave that Limbu Pani (I realized it was a God send Somras (A drink patented by Lord Brahma to take away the tiredness and rejuvenate the body). (thanks Surinder and ur better half) . Venkat sir a million thanks for the arrangement . I was cooling myself by the Ice towel and that’s when vivek clicked a profile pic of me.

Moved around and met all the likeminded and passionate runners . Missed on the Carboloading – A two serving due on you guys (sri, vignesh ) – the next time we meet .

Thanks all you angels for taking time out and making a day for all us runners, thanks for motivating me to write a Blog on the event .