In the Sep.28 edition of Adyar Times, we had chronicled the milestone of a senior completing a 100-mile Hannur Bamboo Ultra Trail Run. Bulbuli Swain, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur, also participated in the event and made the neighbourhood proud. She shares with us her experience of the run…
Last year, I ran my longest distance, tackling 100 km at the Border Ultra. This year, I craved something outrageous—a challenge that would truly test both my endurance and my mental strength.
Under the expert guidance of my coach, Harishankar Ramakrishnan, and with a solid foundation in running and strength training, I started serious preparation for the 220 km Hennur Bamboo Ultra. For three months, Hari designed a plan that pushed me far outside my comfort zone, featuring punishing long runs, back-to-back sessions, and essential night runs to mimic the race conditions. As a working mother, balancing a full-time job and family with this intense training was the hardest part; my days often began at 3.45 am. At the peak, I hit a monthly mileage of 400 km, becoming accustomed to running 60–70 km in one session.
The race kicked off at 3 pm on a sunny Friday. The course was a tough series of 10 km loops through a rocky bamboo forest. Since Hari had prepared me for the physical and environmental stressors, my body adapted well, and by the first morning, I had already covered 110 km. I felt strong, taking short breaks for stretching and hydration.
But the real fight began later. The fatigue of running non-stop for over 24 hours started to show, and during the endless second night, sleep deprivation and mental fatigue hit hardest. Every loop felt longer than the last, and my mind started playing the devil, constantly telling me to give up. From that point on, it became a solitary battle: me against my mind and my fatigued body. By the final morning, I was a zombie, moving purely on sheer grit. Somehow, hitting the 200 km mark ignited a final surge of determination. I pushed through the last 20 km, finally completing 220 km in 43 hours. The feeling of perseverance was an achievement in itself.
I wanted to prove – to myself and to others – that limits exist only if we accept them. This journey is my message to all women: dream big, defy expectations, and believe that anything is possible. I am deeply grateful to my family, Coach Hari, my all-time partner-in-crime Aditi, who supported me at the venue, and my amazing running family—the Coastal Runners and Chennai Runners. Though far away, their constant calls, messages, and prayers cheered me on for the entire 43 hours, convincing me I was never alone. They truly believe in bringing out the best in every runner.
I have not seen anyone with as much grit and perseverance as you. Congratulations girl. You earned this big time. Keep inspiring!!!
AS WELL KNOWN PERSON BULBULI FOR PAST 4 YRS SHE ALWAYS PROVED THERE IS NO LIMIT TO ANYTHING UNTIL WE TRY. THE WAY SHE TRAINED WITH COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY LEAD HER TO NEXT LEVEL. WISH HER OTHER GOALS SHOULD BE ACHIEVED IN THE SAME WAY AND CREATE BENCHMARKS IN HER LIFE. AS A WELLWISHER ALWAYS THERE FOR HER IN ALL HER GOALS
What an inspiring piece. That the biggest limits are the ones we set for ourselves, is now my new favourite line. What a fantastic reminder of human skill, endurance and resolve.
Absolutely blown away by your achievement and this write-up does it justice. You rock!!