2019 circum gongga race memoir | never lose your kindness

Finally, I saw the arch, and my heart felt at ease. Last year, I came in third place, but this year, I finally won the championship. I did not let my family down, nor did I disappoint Zhuma's expectations.

Using all my strength, I sprinted. Exhausted, fatigued, it felt like a dream. Only at this moment did I wake up from the dream. With the congratulatory voices of the staff, I finally woke up. Yes, it's over, it's finally over! After cooperating with the staff for a mandatory check, I immediately called Zhuma. I knew she was worried about me at home. She also wanted to come and participate in the race, but due to budget constraints, she couldn't come to the Gongga 100. Even my registration for the race was funded by the prize money from my previous race.

The staff then arranged for me to wash up and then be interviewed!

At the checkpoint, the volunteer told me that the runner behind me was 20 minutes away. After 70km, my body felt numb. During the hottest part of the day, there was no shade along the way. The ultraviolet rays from the high-altitude sun were so strong that they caused a stinging sensation on my skin. My thoughts stopped. I forced myself not to drink too much water, fearing heatstroke and water intoxication, and I was also worried about the runner behind catching up. My body wasn't that heavy, but the mental pressure was immense. I told myself: I can do it. The terrain was a gentle slope, so I alternated between walking and running, not daring to rest, not stopping for a moment, not daring to slack off!

It took me about an hour to cover the 6km uphill. At the checkpoint, I knew the final stretch was downhill. I asked the volunteer, and they said it was 12km to the finish line. Finishing within 11 hours was impossible, so I aimed to finish within 12 hours. I put away my Leki trekking poles and prepared to focus on sprinting. Last year, I ran the Gongga 100 and knew about the race's supplies, so I brought a lot of food myself. Two days before the race, Zhuma kept reminding me to bring enough supplies and not to go hungry. Last year, we were starving!

A little girl ran over and asked, 'Brother, can I take a photo with you?' When I crossed the pass, I looked back and didn't see the runner behind. I thought I had enough time, so I wasn't too nervous. After the photo, I focused on sprinting to the finish line. At this moment, my pace was around 4:20 per kilometer, and I felt relaxed. Although I didn't have much time to enjoy the scenery, I didn't feel too pressured. With each step, the finish line got closer and closer!

To save money, I stayed at my great-aunt's house in Kangding this time.

After the race, I felt relaxed. The award ceremony was held at the Love Song Square in Kangding. Late last night, the staff drove us back to Kangding. During lunch, I suddenly received a call from the organizing committee: 'Mr. Dorje, hello, we are the organizing committee of the Gongga 100. We received a report from a participant saying that you took a shortcut on the CP4-CP5 section, on the mountain road. Our GPS track shows a deviation at a bend. We need to verify the situation with you. Unfortunately, we may have to cancel your championship prize.'

'I didn't take a shortcut. I followed the route markers all the way. I have the GPS track on my watch, and you can verify it.' At that moment, I thought: Thank goodness my GPS didn't deviate. If it had, I would have been wronged beyond belief!

Yes, although I am not the strongest, I would never do anything dishonest. We Tibetans believe in the sacred mountains, and at the foot of Mount Gongga, I would never do anything wrong. I believe in myself and in the fairness and justice of the organizing committee. Holding my watch, I went to the committee. After verification, they confirmed my innocence! Zhuma said: 'Dear, no matter how fast you run, never lose your kindness!'

The course wasn't too difficult, and personally, it didn't feel too exhausting. The elevation gain wasn't much either. I kept following them, and not having to lead was very comfortable. I didn't have extra shoes. The first pair Zhuma bought me wore out, and she saved up to buy me a new pair for the Gongga race. So at the gear change point, I didn't have any extra gear to change into, which saved a lot of time. At the CP4 gear change point, the staff asked if I needed to change gear. I said I didn't have any gear to change into. The two runners who entered the station with me went to change gear, while I quickly ate some porridge and left the station, wanting to maintain my lead. On the long mountain road, I kept running with all my might. When I was too tired, I walked quickly, forcing myself to extend my lead to the finish line!

My memory is only of running continuously, looking back at the runners behind me, and continuing to run, gritting my teeth. The further I could distance myself, the more confident I felt. I ran with all my heart. Yes, I wanted to win. I had to win. I didn't want to beat anyone in particular; I just knew I could do it. So I gritted my teeth and persisted. Slowly, the gap widened. When I entered CP6, I didn't see the runners behind me. I drank two bowls of porridge, filled my water bottle, and set off again. As I left the station, I saw the runners behind me approaching the aid station. At that moment, I forced myself to go faster, faster, as fast as I could. I kept looking back, and fortunately, I didn't see anyone. I felt slightly relieved. Then a car passed by, and inside were some Tibetans. I asked them how far the runners behind me were. They said about one or two kilometers. The mental pressure was still great, so I had to push harder. My legs were no longer my own, and my mind had only one word: 'Fast.' Faster, faster, faster. I stayed in this tense state until the end.

After the little interlude, I went to the award ceremony with my great-aunt and her husband (I don't know the term in Chinese), my brother Zhongyong, and some staff from the Yading Scenic Area. I was very happy and eager to return to Zhuma. So after the award ceremony, I lined up to collect my prize. At that moment, a participant gave me the middle finger. I was very angry, but I told myself to stay calm. If I got angry, I would lose. That's right!

Zhuma said:No matter how fast you run, never lose your kindness.Yes, that's right!

At that moment, I just wanted to return to Zhuma!

— End of the race report!

Silang Dorje's 2019 Gongga Race Report!