Greetings from the high ridge lines of Hong Kong, and welcome to a newsletter about running in Bhutan!
And a long downhill ride.
And a divine madman.
And the black-necked cranes of Bhutan and Tibet!
And seasons greetings to you all!
Temperatures are gloriously cool here in Hong Kong and I am dictating notes for this newsletter into my phone as I slow-jog along Stage 4 of the Maclehose, a trail that overlooks Hebe Haven and out to the islands beyond, known as the Nine Pins.
Im in joint-toughening, ligament-limbering preparation for Bike Aways’ first running trip – the Bhutan International Marathon, coming up quick on
March 7th 2020.
This newsletter is an invitation to you to join us.
Are you Ready?
18 weeks is the recommended prep time for a marathon,… a little less if you’re already a runner, or doing the half.
At 14 weeks I am doing one 20 km hike per week, one ten km run and then another session of intervals (sprints) where I push the heart rate up into the gasp zone.
At least thats the plan.
You don’t have to run to join this trip.
No training is required if you just wanna come and cheer from the sidelines, or go off on a bicycle with one of our non-running guides, or do the marathon at a slow Eddie Izzard style stroll. He claims to be the slowest people in the world, but has actually done 127 marathons back to back, chatting to people as he goes. Enjoying the journey!
It’s all about enjoying the journey.
The bikes are coming too.
They will be taking their turn to transport us on the Gangtey Valley Extension Ride, and the massive 60 km downhill from Lawa Pass down to Wangdu-Phodrang, as well as entertaining the cheer squad and the non-runners who might want to ride whilst us runners are running,
Whilst the headliner of this trip is The Bhutan International Marathon, the cycling is definitely a support act that could be the star!
Bikes turn Bhutan into into something sublime. Its almost spiritual.
Bhutan’s policy of emphasising happiness above economics includes preserving vast tracts of alpine forest which means stunning, oxygen rich rides in a thousand shades of green .
Forest bathing (thats a Japanese thing) in this pure land as you joyfully roll down the hillsides is blissful. Taking it easy as instructed by Bhuddist road signs is enlightening, and the pace at which we roll
The journey is the destination, as I am already appreciating here in Hong Kong on the stunning mountain trails.
Beauty is in the in-between places.
And when its no longer beautiful we get in to the support van.
Run, ride, dance!
In June this year we ran our first Bhutan Bike Ride, captivated by culture and its progressive policies, all the while basking in the warmth and charm of our fit and friendly crew.
I’ve intentionally highlighted the fit aspect of the crew.
Our team not only run active trips for us throughout the season, but race bikes, run marathons, dance (this might have been unique to our first trip which had a Peru versus Bhutan dance-off), cook, prepare picnics – whilst also being great fun company.
The real value of this trip is in the support team!
They understand that we are running a marathon three days after landing in Paro.
They will monitor us, pace us, encourage us, cheers us and give us tips on the course. They will be with us on our Tigers Nest acclimatisation hike on day 2; reccy the course with us in Punakha on day 3; get us ready for the run on day 4 and makes sure our tables are well stocked with booze at the awards ceremony in the evening.
We get to focus on being limber, getting in to the zone, and then relaxing once the run is done.
Punakha’s Palace of Great Happiness
Punakha – the stage for our run. is temperate, moderate in altitude and something of a Shangrila.
Both the half and full marathons follow the Mo Chu (Mother River) to its confluence with the Po Chu (father river), a junction upon which The Palace of Great Happiness was built more than 400 years ago. It was the Royal abode until 1958 and is still home to Bhutan’s Central monk body during the winter months.
It’s a spectacular location to run – which you’ll get to see twice as we reccy the route on a site seeing tour, the day before.
Punakha was also home to Drukpa Kunle, more famously known as the Divine Madman.
The Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom (that’s Bhutanese for Drukpa’s penis) is a common decoration on the walls of many a Punakha farmhouse.
He is celebrated for his irreverence, anti-establishmentarianism, his love of wine and marathon running.
The Gangtey Valley Extension Ride
Post marathon we relax in the Phobjikha Valley, famous for the Gangtey monastery and the rare Black necked cranes that coexist with the yak herders in the valley.
Its very relaxed riding – and the local artemisia herb hot stone baths will help your muscle recover for our trundle through this stunning landscape.
It’s very relaxed riding!
The Phobjikha Valley is also famous for brolga-like black neck cranes, who will be getting ready to migrate back up to Tibet at this time of year. You may see them circle the Gangtey monastery in a little nod to Buddha – before they go on up to the plateau.
Then its yaks and herders and a mellow ride through this idyllic valley.
Returning to Paro – we ride the 60 km down the hill that we drove up on day 5.
Sixty kilometres of down hill.
Sixty kilometres of traffic free downhill riding delight!!!
Four things to note
Flights for March are selling out quick. We can hold flights for a few weeks without payment, so book now and commit later.
This marathon is now just 14 weeks away – which means you should be a little running fit already. If not commit now, and get out on the trails.
Or be like Eddie Izzard.
If you’ve not run a marathon or half marathon before but think you can – do please feel free to join us, and we can brief you on what you need to be doing to train.
Links:
Bike Aways Bhutan International Marathon and Gangtey Valley Extension Ride
Bhutan International Marathon Official website
Eddie Izzard. “I’m one of the slowest people in the world”
Looking forward to your enthusiastic responses to this call to run, ride and be merry.
Places are limited, flights are filling fast, and your training window is shrinking, so if you’re interested please contact me as soon as possible.
Happy December Bruce Foreman
www.bikeaways.com