Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race & The Mount Everest Challenge Marathon
Delhi but no Belly (yet...)
Adam Rose / 15.10.2014
I’ve been watching TV for 5 minutes. I’ve seen the same 30 second advert played, repeatedly, that whole time, a mixture of Hindi and English. I think it’s for a car of some kind. OK, I haven’t been staring at the TV like an imbecile, open-mouthed, but it is curious. I could change channels, but part of me is keen to see when there’ll be a change, and I don’t want to miss it. It could be quite cathartic.
Yes, I live life on the edge. You can tell. What advertiser would pay for such time slots? Curious, indeed.
New Delhi. Greener than I expected, friendly, busy as heck, lots of cars hooting, a mellow 25 degrees after the chill of the UK.
A gaggle of runners has been assembling at the hotel throughout the afternoon. So far, Argentinians, Americans (the biggest contingent), South Africans, Brits, a Salvadorean. The field is smaller this year, totaling 29 according to reports, plus 2 walkers.
No-one seems ready for the altitude. I’m not going to be running the whole thing, so it’s no big deal for me, but for those who are racing, there is still a lack of altitude preparation. Not too surprising, since not many live at the requisite 11,500ft.
'Only 990 rupees for HD recording! 19 HD channels free for one month!'
Yes, the advert has mysteriously changed, for more repetition of the virtues of pictures ‘coming alive in HD plus boxes!’
We’ve been on high alert for stomach bugs. Quite comical really, since we’re in a pretty decent hotel, part of the package organised by the Omnipotent Mr CS Pandey, and so it’s unlikely there’s infectious disease lurking around every corner. Still, with a bug possibly wiping out the chance of a finish, some runners have been wiping hands more vigorously than Lady Macbeth, doling out the antiseptic gel, eyeing the buffet suspiciously, trying not to touch elevator buttons directly.
Hey, I’ve all been handling money, which is the filthiest surface around, and then tearing up the delicious naan bread, so I'm probably doomed already.
I took a clove of garlic after lunch. Chewed it down whole. Pretty nasty, but it has been used for centuries by rural Chinese when confronting street food of dubious quality. Not going to argue, and a jelly baby helps it go down. Watch this space.
'Laser detection for instant focus! How to enjoy 4x HD quality!!!'
A friend with much India experience gave the following advice: 1) drink local beer as soon as possible (done!) 2) eat some local yoghurt as soon as possible (done!) The idea is that these two foods have local cultures, so best to get them into one’s gut to start adaptation 3) eat the spiciest foods one can tolerate (not yet tackled) He’s never been sick in India, despite travelling in some pretty remote areas, so he must know something. I obey.
Tomorrow we fly from New Delhi to Bagdogra, where we’ll transfer by bus to Mirik, our race base at 5,500ft. Up in the hills, it will be cooler, rural, and rather pictureresque. After a short sortie to Darjeeling, the race will kick off on Saturday. Hopefully acclimatised, the runners should then be ready for the first 24 mile stage, up to 11,815ft. Delhi Belly notwithstanding.
The advert loop is officially 15 minutes on Channel 099. I timed it. Consumers, rejoice!See All Event Posts
