Lessons in Resilience: Corina “Cocky” Van Dam and the Silk Route Ultra 2024
Having finished third in the women’s category at the Khardung La Challenge 2022, I wanted to take on an even bigger challenge – the Silk Route Ultra (SRU) 2024 at the Ladakh Marathon. At 122 kilometers, it’s one of the most demanding ultramarathons in the Himalayas, taking runners from Nubra Valley across the mighty Khardung La Pass (5,359m) to Leh.
I didn’t finish this time – yes, a DNF. But I walked away happy, proud, and with no regrets. Here’s my story.
Training for the Silk Route Ultra
When I finally returned from the Netherlands after visa delays, the first thing I did was sign up for SRU. From then on, everything revolved around preparing for this ultramarathon.
May: Mileage went up again after my disrupted time in Europe.
June: Back-to-back long runs, with midweek half marathons.
July: Six-hour runs, ultras, and weekend night runs in my Mumbai neighborhood.
August: Tapering, enjoying local races as an ambassador, and a “mid-term test” at the Mumbai Ultra, a 12-hour race that gave me confidence.
I even did a 12-hour swim shortly before the final exam. Since swimming is low-impact, I assumed it wouldn’t hurt my legs.
Arriving in Leh
I reached Leh on the first day of bib collection — the bare minimum for acclimatization. Truthfully, I struggled and only felt comfortable at altitude after the race was over.
Still, the Ladakh Marathon atmosphere made up for it. I joined acclimatization runs, met ultrarunners from all over India, visited Khardung Top and Umang La, and led Athlos’ shake-out sessions with 70 runners joining in.
In Leh Market, strangers shouted “Hey champ!” and told me they followed me on Instagram and Strava. Expectations were high, and the buzz was real.
Race Day: Into the Night from Nubra
The Silk Route Ultra 2024 began at 7 pm in Tiggur village. Locals lined the roads with cheers, apple juice, and high-fives. The first 27.6 km to Khalsar were flat, and I made the cutoff comfortably.
Next came the 22.4 km climb to Khardung village. Road construction made the start rough, but aid stations, volunteers, and a starry sky carried me through. My headlamp failed, but the white road markings guided me.
I reached Khardung just as the Khardung La Challenge was flagged off. Staying ahead of them for a while, I pushed toward Khardung La Top via North Pullu, power-walking most of it. Making the summit with time to spare felt like a victory. From there, it was “just downhill” to Leh. Or so I thought.
The Leans: Why I DNF-ed
Descending toward South Pullu, I noticed something strange. A fellow runner pointed out that I was leaning to the right. I couldn’t feel it myself, but when I stopped to pee, I couldn’t balance or squat properly. That shook me.
Army doctors checked my vitals: slightly high blood pressure, lower oxygen — nothing critical. But running downhill without control over my body didn’t feel safe. I remembered footage of a marathoner staggering at the 1984 Olympics and knew I didn’t want to finish like that. So, I chose to step out. I DNF-ed.
Lessons from Silk Route Ultra 2024
Afterwards, I learned that many runners also experienced “the leans.” Possible causes include: fatigue, oxygen deprivation, sodium imbalance, or hydration issues. No one — not even the army doctors — had a clear explanation.
But I don’t regret withdrawing. For me, safety mattered more than finishing. And despite the DNF, I had unforgettable moments, especially that magical night climb under the stars to Khardung La.
Do I Have Unfinished Business in Ladakh?
People asked if I feel like I have unfinished business in Ladakh. My answer: no.
Training for SRU demanded months of focus, discipline, and respect for the mountains. Finishing would have been wonderful, but the journey itself was the reward.
Running the ultras of Ladakh Marathon – whether it’s the Khardung La Challenge or the Silk Route Ultra – is about more than medals. It’s about humility, resilience, and experiencing the Himalayas at their most raw and beautiful.
And for me, that’s enough.
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