After 7 half marathon races, and two and half years, I was finally able to run a sub 2 hour half marathon. I managed to improve my last race (SCB Marathon 2007) timing of 02:03:32 by 6 minutes.
New Delhi, 28 Oct 2007, 5:00 am :- I woke up by a call from my friend, also doing the 21k. We were to work out our plan to meet at the holding area. He would help me set the pace. This time around, I somehow felt it will be a good run. My practice timings were good. Unlike last race in Jan 2007, where I started the 'assault' at 11k, the plan here was different and simple. I would start the 'assault' at the word go itself.
Nehru park, 07:45 am, 00:00:00 :- There were approximately 7000 participants in 21k. It surely was a bit late in the morning to start a long distance race. Sun was already up and shinning bright. Elite runners took of on the wave of the flag, while we amateurs started half a minute after they are flagged off. There is always a lot of excitement in the air. Everybody is pacing and pushing. Its one experience to feel the aura and energy around. I picked up the speed on which I planned to finish the race. I had no intention to run on the different speeds, like earlier times.
00:27:40, 5km :- I had completed the 5k mark at a almost 5mt 30sec per km speed. The first leg was as per the plan. Sun was already up and sapping the energy. I did not miss picking up a water bottle from any water point. Delhi roads, sans snarling traffic, are beautiful. Thankfully there is so much of greenery and it made a difference. I was very comfortable with the speed, but was praying that I don't end up with a cramp, very much possible in such conditions. My pace setter was already much ahead that I could not even see him.
00:55:21, 10km :- For the first time in any race, I felt that 10k finished in a jiffy. I had taken 27mts 30sec to do the next 5k, which was faster that first 5k. This leg was full of ironies. This stretch covered the most scenic view of Delhi, the Rajpath. On one way we had Rashtrapati Bhavan looming large in front, while on return we had the beautiful view of India Gate. It was around 8:30 am and sun was getting brighter. Last year I was extremely exhausted on this stretch and had to walk some portion of this leg, losing lot of time. This time I saw thru the part gracefully. Finally my pace setter was in sight, 400 meters ahead of me now.
01:21:20, 15km :- Once you complete 12k, there is a comfort which comes up since remaining distance left is in single digit. I completed the third 5k in 25 mts 29 sec. This meant 5mts 12 sec per km,the fastest pace of the race. Mentally I was going stronger by kilometer, but my calf were showing signs of fatigue. Sun was burning with temperature hovering around 30 degrees. It was slightly over 9 am and heat was getting to the runners. Pace setter, some 200mts away. By the way, our African friends were already thru with the race some twenty minutes back. It is always a treat to watch them pound their legs on the road. It is as graceful as watching a cheetah in running motion.
01:51:40, 20km :- I knew this was one good chance to do a sub 2 hour run. I had the target in my sight, even though due to fatigue, last 5 km were the slowest of the race, 30mts 20sec. I just had to maintain the pace. The crowd was also visible now. At the 18km, I was surprised and happy to see cheer girls jumping and shouting while I crossed them. It took me sometime to realise that Milind Soman was running behind me. On the 19k, I finally managed to over take my pace setter. God bless him to help me maintain my pace.
01:57:23, 21km :- I managed to cross the finishing line under 2 hours, for me an achievement no less than Roger Bannister's sub 4mts mile run. From the time I ran the first 21k in Jan 2005, when I took 2hr 45 mts, and had limped last 7km, I have shaved off 48 minutes.
New Delhi, 28 Oct 2007, 5:00 am :- I woke up by a call from my friend, also doing the 21k. We were to work out our plan to meet at the holding area. He would help me set the pace. This time around, I somehow felt it will be a good run. My practice timings were good. Unlike last race in Jan 2007, where I started the 'assault' at 11k, the plan here was different and simple. I would start the 'assault' at the word go itself.
Nehru park, 07:45 am, 00:00:00 :- There were approximately 7000 participants in 21k. It surely was a bit late in the morning to start a long distance race. Sun was already up and shinning bright. Elite runners took of on the wave of the flag, while we amateurs started half a minute after they are flagged off. There is always a lot of excitement in the air. Everybody is pacing and pushing. Its one experience to feel the aura and energy around. I picked up the speed on which I planned to finish the race. I had no intention to run on the different speeds, like earlier times.
00:27:40, 5km :- I had completed the 5k mark at a almost 5mt 30sec per km speed. The first leg was as per the plan. Sun was already up and sapping the energy. I did not miss picking up a water bottle from any water point. Delhi roads, sans snarling traffic, are beautiful. Thankfully there is so much of greenery and it made a difference. I was very comfortable with the speed, but was praying that I don't end up with a cramp, very much possible in such conditions. My pace setter was already much ahead that I could not even see him.
00:55:21, 10km :- For the first time in any race, I felt that 10k finished in a jiffy. I had taken 27mts 30sec to do the next 5k, which was faster that first 5k. This leg was full of ironies. This stretch covered the most scenic view of Delhi, the Rajpath. On one way we had Rashtrapati Bhavan looming large in front, while on return we had the beautiful view of India Gate. It was around 8:30 am and sun was getting brighter. Last year I was extremely exhausted on this stretch and had to walk some portion of this leg, losing lot of time. This time I saw thru the part gracefully. Finally my pace setter was in sight, 400 meters ahead of me now.
01:21:20, 15km :- Once you complete 12k, there is a comfort which comes up since remaining distance left is in single digit. I completed the third 5k in 25 mts 29 sec. This meant 5mts 12 sec per km,the fastest pace of the race. Mentally I was going stronger by kilometer, but my calf were showing signs of fatigue. Sun was burning with temperature hovering around 30 degrees. It was slightly over 9 am and heat was getting to the runners. Pace setter, some 200mts away. By the way, our African friends were already thru with the race some twenty minutes back. It is always a treat to watch them pound their legs on the road. It is as graceful as watching a cheetah in running motion.
01:51:40, 20km :- I knew this was one good chance to do a sub 2 hour run. I had the target in my sight, even though due to fatigue, last 5 km were the slowest of the race, 30mts 20sec. I just had to maintain the pace. The crowd was also visible now. At the 18km, I was surprised and happy to see cheer girls jumping and shouting while I crossed them. It took me sometime to realise that Milind Soman was running behind me. On the 19k, I finally managed to over take my pace setter. God bless him to help me maintain my pace.
01:57:23, 21km :- I managed to cross the finishing line under 2 hours, for me an achievement no less than Roger Bannister's sub 4mts mile run. From the time I ran the first 21k in Jan 2005, when I took 2hr 45 mts, and had limped last 7km, I have shaved off 48 minutes.
