Mumbai-2012

I have to agree this was not one of my best run. My training was not great and left by train to reach Mumbai by saturday evening.

I was not in good shape after reaching Mumbai and left for dinner with friends (AMLI,DODA & PAPPU). Pappu is also running with me.

Reached bandra kurla C Link for the run in morning, initial 4-5Km was on bridge and went very well. Tried to maintain my pace till 13 km.

I thought of resting there for some time and started walking, things were not easier and ended up walking for last 2 kms and total time of 2:39 mins....hope to improve next time.

Delhi - 2011

After few month of on and off running in the morning, finally the D day has arrived. Reached Delhi on 26th Nov and reached JLN stadium (although bag has been collected by Raman Bhai ..thanks to him).

At first instance the volunteer standing at gate will not let me go inside, as i am just going inside to see things around. Second time i told him, I am going to collect the bag and he was okay to let me go in (without checking for any confirmation letter).

Early Sunday morning , Little bit of fog and cool temperature. Reached stadium around 6:45, they have categories this time depending upon your previous timing and experience. I was in B Category.

Plan was to reach 5Km mark and then walk. During the run i realized , i can do little better and target reached 8Km and kept increasing till 15K when i decided to walk for some time. The timings and condition was perfect and i was not feeling any cramp or unbearable pain (little pain was always there after 8Km).

Here comes the change, Somebody near asked time and reply came 8:57 AM which means i have spent 1:45 mins for 15k and if i keep going at this pace (which is almost nearly impossible because body condition was not same).

Now i need to finish before 2:30 hours , so started running as soon as i heard the time. Next break (walk for 300m) came after crossing 17Km mark and next one was after 19. Managed to complete Half Marathon with chip timing of 2:22 mins approximately (time 8:57, may be his watch was running fast by 15 mins or so...anyway proved out to be beneficial for me).

Let see how things will go in Bambai :)

To Organizers- things could have been better please note down below

• when you know you have to make electrolyte solutions on the stop with powder, please make it 30 40 mins before the run (not in the run)
• Volunteers can be screened, hiring anybody at cheap rates can fatal, I have seen today numerous instances of their misbehavior with participants after the run.

Bangalore 10K

No preparation due to continuous late timing in the office, only time i prepared was on last week(practiced for some 3 km at one go in one week). I will say Delhi & Mumbai marathon helped a lot .

Pappu came down from Hyderabad and Amarnath joined from Chennai while Sonam was also running (Room-mate). On the whole, we were four guys to run.Collected all the goodies on saturday 4th June and went to MG Road &UB Mall (on Pappu request :P).
D-Day:

We left home 6:05AM. At bus stand, we found one more guy waiting for bus (in running dress). I asked him to share auto and reached Kantiveera stadium much before time. Met few of college mates there (these runs are good place to connect).

Run started at 8 AM. I thought of running at normal pace, first 2 Kms went well. Now i am running and looking for 3 km board and there is no board (directly i reached 4th). I was very tired, thought of taking break but before taking break i completed 5Km.

Now it was time to gather my energy, somehow reached 7Km and now we were near Karnataka High court, place is full green which provided me the required boost to run further. I continued with my running and completed in 70Mins.

Amarnath (Guru Ji) - 52 Mins (salam)
Sonam bhaiaya - 74 Mins (respect)
Gagan - 75 Mins ( i like his spirit and commitment, Delhi is waiting for us on 23rd Oct)

Mumbai Marathon- 2011

Registered for the event in August-2010. I had Airtel Delhi Half-Marathon in Nov-2010 which helped me to boost my confidence and acted as milestone while running up to Mumabi Marathon.

After Delhi i practiced but was not very happy with my practice. I reached Mumbai on 14 Jan , directly went to my friends house. Along with another friend, I went to Cuffe Parade to collect my goodie bag on 15th. Some time pass in RCT Mall Ghatkopar, I slept around 9 0'clock to ensure good sleep.

16Jan2011

Woke up around 3:30 AM and reached local station Bhandup. I reached Azad Nagar ground around 5:15AM, it is walkable distance from CST Local station. Run started around 6:15AM, My plan was to cover first 21Km by breaking into combination of (4+3) X 3.
First 4 Km was easy as radio mirchi and lot of people of cheering us. I had quite good energy left with me and was feeling irresistible to run but i managed to walk 3 Km. This combination went well till first 21 Km, There were people standing on the road, giving biscuits, choclates,fruits apart from water and glucozade counters from organizers, somewhere i saw little children standing with biscuits bought with their own money, it was really feel the spirit moment.

Next 21Km, Plan was (3+4) X 3. Completed 3 Km well and reached Bandra-Worli C Link, This time sun was direct above me and it was sucking whole energy. Covered C Link with combination of run and walk. After 29 Km to reach i tried to run till 30Km, Now came pain in Calf -muscle ( i experienced this pain in Delhi as well after running 16Km, this time also it came after 17Km of running and 12 Km of walk). I preferred to walk, At 30Km time was 10:15AM means four hours done and 12 Km to go. I Started walking fast and completed 33Km in10:41 AM. I did few runs whenever i get downward slope. It was getting tough now, completed 36Km in 11:16AM and 6km left with 1 hour to go.

Running was not possible so i started walking as fast as i can, next 3Km took 25Min. Now i was walking along marine drive. Managed to walk till end, I saw 500 meter left board. I felt rejuvenated and walked even faster, I ran for 70-80 meter as well and completed marathon with clock reading 5:58:03.

Marathon was well organized, One suggestion i will like to give to future runners is to take some cap(saves from direct sun light) and some chocolates , as it give required energy on the way.

Delhi-2010

After my run in 2009, I was motivated to improve my time in Airtel Delhi Half-Marathon 2010.I started preparing from august only, I am living in Bangalore now and I was preparing in park in front of my house. I use to run few Km to stay in shape and good spirits for D-DAy.

Registered in Sep for the run. Before reaching Delhi, I called Raman and he also showed interest in participating in the run.

Reached Delhi on 20th Nov'10, Directly we went to collect our goodie-bags. Running Day, this time ensured to tie up chip very well. Completed in 2:25 hours, because i had continuous practice but it was never long runs, i should have practiced more on long runs which would have brought good results. It is for next time to try.

First Marathon

I was always interested in running from my engineering times, after running in IMT with Amarnath, I started following it as my passion.

I focused my energy on Delhi Hal-Marathon form August onwards after returning from my VOF Trek. I and Sarat registered together for the run and we started preparing for it.

It was very disciplined approach from my end, I use to run of 30 mins initially and later increased to 40,50 and 60mins. My training helped me to cover my running on D-day in good spirits @ Airtel Delhi Half -Marathon-2009.

Running started on 1st Nov2009 7:30AM. In first Kilometer of my running i had lost my timing chip, Now it was clear even if i complete on time i won't be getting any timing certificate. I focused on running for myself and i was feeling more and more energetic.

I completed my running in 2:15 Hours. It was great pleasure to complete something which you desire from bottom of your heart. My marathon helped me in my interviews as well , where i can give them example of discipline and self motivation.