Set for Delhi Half Marathon 2007

On the 11th of Feb, I am participating in Delhi Marathon (Half) 2007. Yet to recieve the bib number. Though the site http://www.delhimarathon.com/ gives all details, but entire route is not charted on the site. Neither the race timings mentioned. I am all set to do a sub 2 hour run now.

Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2007

21st Jan, 6:30 am: It was a usual Sunday morning. I was warming up to do my usual long distance run. As usual I had planned to do 21 km. But the unusual thing about today was that I would be doing 21km with 7000 odd runners. After all it was the day for Stanchart Mumbai Marathon. The atmosphere was amazing. Like so many of other runners, I also had a point to prove to myself.

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0 km; 0:00 ; Near CST: Half marathon (21 km) started at 6:45 am. This was my 6th half marathon but I could still feel the goose bumps all over my body. ‘This is what I want to do for the rest of my life’, I said to myself. There was excitement and cheering. I knew I had to be careful not to be carried away by this infectious enthusiasm. I would be running continuously for next 2 hours.

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5km; 28 mts; Crossing the scenic Marine Drive: I turned around to see the sun rise. It was beautiful. Already half an hour into run, I could feel the fatigue and panting. I knew this is early excitement and body will get into rhythm by 8-9 km. I continued to sip some water while running.

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10km; 58mts; Near Haji Ali: We were done halfway. The first tough part of running over Kemps corner flyover was done. At 12k, I could feel the body getting tired. It was time to consume a bar of Mars. That gave me good boost to pick up the pace. On the way back, I was game for another climb over the Kemps Corner flyover. Some of the best races were run with slow first half and fast second half.

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15km; 1hr:28mts; Marine Drive crossing: I knew I was doing a good time and could look at sub 2 hours time. This thought pushed me further. I was pouring water over me, to keep myself cool. I could feel the pain in my legs. It took me another bar of Mars to give some fillip. There is always a unique bonding amongst the running community which help see thru the tough times. A chat or two on the way, with other runners helps you get back to focus.

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17km; 1hr:42mts; Marine drive: Now with just 4 km left, I went on to push my body further. It was then that I had this wonderful experience, which also inspired me to write this article. I had it in my heart to do a sub 2 hour run and I knew I was near it. I started having goose bumps and sudden rush of adrenalin. At the last stage I was doing 5 mts per km. This was my fastest pace in entire race. I was full of energy, clenching my teeth. The pain had disappeared and I was breathing hard.

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Finally I could see the finish line. The pace kept on increasing and pain kept on decreasing. I could hardly hear the noise around. Unfortunately I missed the mark by 3 mts, completing in 2:03. But the last 4 km gave me a real booster, since I knew I could have continued running, if required. In other words, I am mentally ready to aim for a 42 km, the dream of all runners…. So excuse me, while I kiss the sky.

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Till date performances in SCMM :

SCMM 2005, 21k : 02hrs 42mts

SCMM 2006, 21k : 02hrs 09mts

SCMM 2007, 21k : 02hrs 03mts

Pune International Marathon 26th Nov 2006

On the 26th of Nov I participated in the Hutch Pune International Marathon. This Marathon is the oldest in India. This was the 21st run conducted in the beautiful city of Pune. BTW, this marathon is used as the selection point for India's olympic team for marathon.

The 42k run started @ 7.30 am, with some 7000 participants, which included 50 professional athletes. Well starting point is the only time I get to see them... after which they all take off like a bullet. Evertime, the gun is fired to start a race, I always have goose pimples, and I say to myself, that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. The excitement is always such that I am panting by 5k, but slowly the body and thoughts stabilise by 8-10k. Its only around 10k I am able to get into the rhythm, where strides and breath get into sync.

There was good traffic management and water points were enuf. But not sure why small kids in school uniform were made to stand in the sun, waving small flags. I could manage only 20k in this run since there was a time barrier of below 1:30 for completing 20k else you are stopped...... and I took 2:02. Actually 1:30 is really fast timing by any standards. Will have to leave my job, hire a coach to achieve it. I did a fast 10k (my standards) in about 00:54 mts and was looking upbeat to do 20k below 1:50, but slight elevations and unevenness in roads got better of me and my calf and left knee were really hurting by the time I did 20k. I think I overstressed .

Over all it ways a good experience. This was the second time I participated in Pune marathon. Last year (04rth Dec 2005) I had clocked 2:11.

Marathon a passion

I have always been active in sports, mainly Tennis and athletics. But never got into long distance running. It is only some 4 years back that I started stretching myself to limits. This was courtsey the Hasher group runs (http://www.bombayhash.com/) which I used to attend in Mumbai. Drinkers with a running problem. Thats how you describe a hasher.

Now I have done 4 half marathon in last 3 years and I am on the brink of moving on to the Full marathon. Probably in Mumbai marathon Jan 2007 or Delhi International Marathon, Feb 2007.

I normally follow a schedule which works around 30k-40k per week, 1 hour of swimming and some bit of Yoga. Yoga helps in strengthening limbs and back.

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The Hutch Delhi Half Marathon experience :

Reached del on 14th Oct mid-night, same flight as that of one Mr Dhoni. Early morning @ 6.45 am I was in JN stadium. The place was brimming with action. Weather was good for the run. I did not require any water till 12k. The most beautiful part of the run was when we turned from Raj Bhavan to India Gate road..... It was FAB... felt so proud of the architecture and aura around. I shall live to cherish that moment. But then this was also the toughest part of the run. There are no trees near the road and sun was direct on the face. Thats where I lost my time. But over all I managed my personal best of 2:05:07.

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In Nov 2006, I plan to do the Pune International Marathon 2006. They have this criterion where the runnner has to do 20k within 1:30, else they will not let you proceed beyond 20 k. There is no way I can do 20 k in 1:30 since my personal best is 2:05:07 in Delhi Hutch Half Marathon 2006. But thats fine with me. I atleast get to do 20k.