Run 11 - Navi Mumbai Half Marathon (10 Km) - 16th Feb 2020

After Tata Mumbai Marathon, the event I was looking forward to was the Navi Mumbai Half Marathon.  Major reason was that the brand ambassador of this run was one of my childhood heroes, Kapil Dev.

Had lots of people in our organisation to sign off for this event - 27 of them between three events - 5 Km, 10 Km and 21.1 Km.   As I had focussed on getting a good time to qualify directly for Tata Marathon 2021, I decided to run 10 Kms.   Between TMM and this event, I had practiced runs aiming to finish 10 Kms in less than 69 minutes (the second qualification timing for my age for TMM).  While practicing, one day, I ran the distance at a timing of slightly above 65 minutes.  That pushed me to try 64 minutes, which is the first level qualification for TMM.

The race was supposed to be in Palm Beach Road, but the organisers changed it to Belapur.  On the day of the run, decided to travel along with my colleague, Prasad Munje.  Had to walk to JVLR where Prasad picked me up.  Our CEO Kavi as well as another colleague, Devika also accompanied us.   The journey was pretty long - it was 14 Kms from Rabale, our work place.  

Reached the venue at 5.45 am for the race at 6.30 am.   After stretching a bit, we decided to start the run.  I saw in their website that they had two pacers for 65 minutes for 10 Kms.    Both the pacers were walking ahead for the start line.  I told my colleagues that I want to finish in 65 minutes and would go and catch these pacers.  However, when the flag off happened, they were way ahead.  Also, the rule of pacers is that they would not go together so that people who start late can also catch them. However, these two guys were running next to each other.

The start was good - had a glimpse of Kapil paaji - took a snap of him and started my run.  The initial 500 kms was a slight incline - I had the 65 minute pacers to catch up and hence started running at a good speed of almost 10 kms per hour - after about a Km, I caught up with them - told one of the pacers that I shall run with him as I would like to finish in 65 minutes.   However, after running for about 500 mtrs, I felt that I could run a bit faster and had to control myself to be with these guys.   Decided to give it a go - if at all I run a bit slow, I can catch up with these guys who will come behind and finish at 65 minutes.

At the 4 Km mark, caught up with my colleague, Mahesh Kadu who was "walking" half marathon.  After a bye to him, I ran at the same speed and reached the point of turn - the 5Km mark.  The race organisers did not do a good job - they had kept the race in one half of the road - there was a divider at that mark - that half was further divided into two portions - one for onward runners and another for those who take a turn and come back.  While I was taking that turn, there was a BEST (local) bus that came in the same direction.  Half the road was divided into two portions and a bus coming while you are running !!!  Somehow managed the show.   At the 5 Km mark, I clocked 30:40 - a tad less than 10 Km / hour.  

I was in a good speed at the turn and decided to keep running till I could - always had the 65 minute runners at the back of my mind to catch up in case of any slippage.  At the 8 Km mark, I felt a bit tired and could see my slowing down.  Had to walk a while as I had ran out of steam and somehow pushed myself to the the last 2 Kms.   Moment I saw that there is only 500 mtrs left, I picked up pace and gave all that I had in me till the finish line.  Finished at a decent time of 62 minutes 37 seconds.   My personal best and much faster than my practice runs.   Faster than the first qualification time of 64 minutes for TMM.  Speed of 6:16 per Km (9.6 Km / hr).

Caught up with some colleagues who had completed 5 km mark.   Took some pictures - got the breakfast.  Slowly other colleagues who ran 10 Km started trickling in.   Had a cool down session with 20 odd colleagues and left for home.

On the way back, had a good cup of tea at Airoli and Prasad dropped me at JVLR.  Walked till home.   A wonderful run with my PB.   Cannot forget this one though the organizers couls have managed it better.  

   

Run 10 - Tata Mumbai Marathon (21.1 Km) - 19th Jan 2020

The much awaited run of my life, the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) was held on 19th January 2020.   All and sundry cannot run in half marathon / full marathon. There is cut-off timing agewise and only if you had run in any approved event within those specified time, you can run in this event.

I did not qualify within the cut-off timings and hence had to run through the charity bib.   Once our running club of office was formed and after our first run in July, quite a few of us picked up running as a hobby - but none of us had the time to register ourselves directly.  That is when our CEO Kavi decided that we will support a charity and a few employees will run in TMM.  The excitement began then and I coordinated with TRRAIN, a NGO that works for the benefit of retail employees and decided to sponsor them in exchange of 25 slots in TMM.

I had registered for the Half Marathon - my 3rd and was all set for the run.  Just couple of weeks before TMM, I had attended a couple of trial classes for running and shortlisted "Striders" as the one with whom I will train.  I attended only a handful of classes, but seeing the group and the energy levels, I was determined to do well in the run.  Also, running Powai Run just a fortnight before gave me a good experience as well as confidence boost to do well.

Coordinated with my neighbours, Rajesh Menon and Amit Paithankar.  Left home at 3:15 am in Amit's car.  We were stopped at the foot of Elphinstone bridge - got in a BEST bus which dropped us on Annie Besant Road - we walked to Worli Diary, the starting point of the race.

Met my colleagues, Kavi, Prameeta, Sriram and Pravin.   After a few stretchings, we were all set to start the race !!

The race started from Worli Seaface.   After the first kilometre, we were to hit the sealink.  Running of the sealink was something I was looking forward to.  The crowd that started the half marathon was close to 13,000.  Imagine such a crowd running on the wide sealink and finding their space and time to make themselves comfortable..  It was wonderful to run on the sea-link.  At the end of the sealink, we were to take a U-turn and come back to Worli Seaface.  What I saw at the end of sealink was something I feel bad - when the whole country is talking of "Swacch Bharat", we had runners lining up at the end of the sealink to pee.   This is inspite of the organisers arranging mobile toilets at frequent intervals.   Also, this place comes at close to 5 Km mark.   









Pc: Sriram Radhakrishnan

Came back from the sealink and hit the 10 Km mark.   The mistake I did was that I ran this stretch a bit faster than my usual time.  The moment I came out of sealink, I felt a bit tired and couldn't push myself.   However, I kept telling me that Peddar Road (an incline stretch) is another 3 Kms away and I had to anyway walk it.  Rather, I will run this stretch.  Pushed myself and reached Haji Ali & beginning of Peddar Road.

It was so nice to see Sandeep Naik, who is the Managing Director and Head of General Atlantic’s business in India & Southeast Asia standing by the side of the road and cheering the runners.  After a "hi" to him, I started my run again.  What I was about to hit was "Peddar Road".  One of the inclines in the entire stretch - but the way people lining up and cheering take you through.

There was a girl holding a placard that read "Usain Bolt ran only 100 mtrs. You are running much more".  There was another one that read "You inspire me".  There was a gentleman who was offering "free hugs".  Clicked his picture, hugged him and started my run.

Once the Peddar road and the Kemps corner bridge were crossed, I started my run (had walked the last one km).  Ran almost till we reached Chowpatty.  Started getting tired and walked and ran the entire marine drive.   Saw that we are just less than a Km from the end when we took a left turn at "Pizza by the Bay".  I started running the stretch and the moment we took left from Churchgate station, there were a sign mark of 500 Mtrs left.  Started increasing my speed and encouraged all the fellow runners to give their best in the end.   There were marks every 100 mtrs and finished the race at a good time of 2:36:54.  This was my personal best and I had improved from my Powai time by 3 minutes.  Wish I had run the first 10 kms a bit slow - would have had the energy to finish at a better time!!  Lessons learnt !

The biggest problem started after we finished the run.  The 10 Km runners also finish at the same spot.  There was a big queue to get out to the Azad Maidan.  Somehow got into it and the chaos started.  After running 21.097 Kms, one should not face this.  There was a big queue and chaos for collection of medals.  A lady standing next to me started fainting.  I and few others who were standing behind her caught hold of her and made to sit on the floor - gave her water.  After a few minutes, she said, she was fine and got up.  The chaos was anyway there.  We would have moved a couple of steps only, she again started to faint.   Along with another person, we shouted "medical emergency" and took her to the grounds without collecting our medals.  Made her sit, drink water and after she confirmed she was alright, I went to meet my colleagues.  Took a few photos and went to collect my medal.  The chaos was worse.  Somehow got a medal (even 10Km runners were given HM medals).  

The entire race was marred with the controversy post the race !!

Took a train to Vikhroli and then a rick and came home by 11 am...

Mission accomplished !!  Ran on the sea-link !! Qualified for the next TMM on my own !!

Run 9 - Hiranandani Powai Run (21.1 Kms) - 5th Jan 2020

As mentioned in my earlier blogs, had signed up for two half marathons in the month of January.  The first one was today, the Hiranandani Powai Run, my home run.  I have seen Powai Run grow year on year.  This apparently is the 9th edition.  My first "home run" was the Half Marathon.   

Battling some injuries in the previous year, I had apprehensions as to how my half marathon would turn out to be.  Also, at the back of my mind, there were fears of the injury that I had while I ran the navy run.  However, in the run up to this event, I had made adequate preparations.   My sister, Surekha had gifted me an Apple 5 watch - it helped me a lot in analysing my runs - the splits as well as heart rate explaining as to how I performed.

Coming to this specific run, they changed the course from the earlier years - it used to be Powai to Powai, but this time, the start of the run was from opposite to Godrej One on the Eastern Express Highway.  The route was from Godrej all the way to Bhandup Pumping (the turn to Airoli) and a U Turn from there to JVLR.  In JVLR, we run on the wrong side all the way upto L&T Gate 1 (aarey road) and a U Turn from there back to JVLR.  Cross the road below the Powai police station bridge and enter Hiranandani in the Heera Panna road and reach the finish line.  I loved this route - it avoided loops which we used to have in BKC generally and it gets bored.  Also, the first 12 - 13 Kms was flat track on the service road of EEH.   Couple of steep gradients - Gandhi nagar all the way to IIT 
and then L&T Gate 1 till Powai Lake.  

On this run, I did not have a good sleep.  Indira and kids were coming back from their vacation and I went to airport to pick them - the flight landed at midnight and we were back home by 12.45 am.  I went to bed at 1 am with an alarm at 3.45 am.  Kept rolling on the bed before sleeping at 1.45 am.  The alarm rang at 3.45 - got up and left home at 4 am.  The reporting time was 4.30 am and I was there on that time.  Met my colleague, Pravin Kumar - did some streches and was all set to go for the run.

As mentioned earlier, the first 12 Kms were more on a flat surface.  I started well and was going at a constant speed for the first 6 Kms - later slowed down a bit, but still was very consistent.  When I crossed 10 Kms, I checked the timings in my watch - 72 minutes - it was my personal best - If I was running only 10 Km, I would have pushed a bit in the end, but the focus here was conserving energy as another 11 Kms need to be completed.

Then came the Gandhi Nagar bridge - ran for some distance and walked the balance till IIT Market.  Again ran a bit - kept maintaining the same timing.  While taking a U Turn at L&T gate 1, I realised that I have covered 18 Kms at approx 2:15 hrs. .  Another 3 Kms left and the cut-off time for qualifying for TMM was 2:43 hrs.  I decided that I need to finished before the cut off time.   Was very tired, but kept pushing.  For the last one km, I pushed - my watch mentioned I covered the last Km at 7:16 mins.  Finished at 2:39.51...  Chopped off 27 minutes from my earlier half marathon, which was a disaster..

Very happy to have completed the race without any injury and also in a decent time.

Looking forward to Tata Mumbai Marathon on 19th January 2020 !!

2019 - A reflection

When I look back and reflect on 2019, running was a new addition to my life.  If someone had told me on 1^st Jan 2019 that I would be running 500 Kms in the year, I would have scoffed.  With hours and hours of practice runs and 8 official runs comprising of one half marathon, one 15 Km run, four 10 Kms and two 5 Km runs, I have ran close to 500 Kms in the second half of the year (all started somewhere in mid June 2019).  It has helped me achieve the main aim – weight and waist reduction!!

As mentioned in the first post of this blog, when our new (then new!) CEO, Kavi formed a running group within the organisation, I did not join as I had failed multiple times trying to run.   I could not run beyond 1.5 Kms.  Hence, bought a cycle and tried to get into cycling.  However, I tried to run in parallel and see if I can achieve.  While I was determined (it was early June and the humidity was high), somehow I ran 4.5 Kms one day and then messaged Kavi that this is what I have achieved in parallel. Within seconds he added me to the group and asked me not to quit.  I decided to register myself for 10 Kms in Kanakia run, which was the first marathon / event the group of office was to run.    To  my surprise, out of 30 odd people who had registered for it, only 6 ran 10 Kms and I was one among them !

Have signed up for two half marathons in the month of January - Powai run on 5th Jan and Tata Mumbai Marathon on 19th January.   What made this formation?  Even before the Kanakia run which was in end July, on 18th July after I posted a run of 5.5 Kms, Kavi mentioned “Arun we are running 21k in Nov”.  My response was “Am in primary.  You are asking to complete post graduation in Nov”.  Thanks to motivation from Kavi, I completed the post graduation (Navy Marathon) with Kavi honouring his words – “I will hold your hand and ensure you finish”.  We finished together!!

Running these 500 Kms made me also understand human anatomy better.   Got all sorts of injuries – runners knee, runners toe, runners heel.  However, determined I am to finish better in 2020.  My new year resolution is to run atleast 1500 Kms in the year.  Even if I run for 25 days in a month for about 5 Kms, I will achieve this target.

Special thanks to Kavi for encouraging me to run and also to my ex-colleague Davis John who runs almost half marathons every week and is an inspiration for me.

Run 8 - Kisna Diamond Marathon (10 Kms) - 22nd Dec 2019

After running the Navy marathon in the third week of November, I had to tend to my IT Band issue.  Did not want to stretch myself and hence did not go for any run.  Got the foam roller as advised by Dr. Bhoomi Gala, my physio and worked on it.  Also, had a black toe due to "runners toe" and the toe pained for a couple of weeks.   I had signed for this run long back and as it was a month after Navy run, was fine.

The run was to start at 6 am - I was awake early and left home at 4.45 am.  Around 5 am, I was at the venue.   21Km run was to start at 5.30 am and the runners were warming up.  As I had registered for a 10 km run, I had some more time and did the warm up with them.  Did lots of warm up and was ready to run.  As I was coming back from injury, was a bit worried.

Met my colleague Pravin Kumar, who was to run 21Km - after wishing him well, I again stretched myself.  The run started and it was smooth.  I could see that I was getting into a nice rhythm.  However, the worry of injury was at the back of my mind and hence I did not push myself.  

Ran the distance of 10 Kms (2 loops in flat BKC) in 1:18:06, the slowest of my four 10Km runs.  But, the satisfaction was that I did it and finished without any threat of injury.  

One of the highlights was that I was able to maintain consistency in my timings since the 4th Km.  This was the consistency I was hoping and was glad to achieve the same.  I felt confident that I can shave off atleast 3-4 minutes of the total time if I could give my best.

Icing on the cake was having foot massage from visually challenged men at the end of the race.  Felt good that I was doing something for them and also the massage was good.

Having signed up two 21 Kms runs in January (Powai run and the Tata Mumbai Marathon), decided to focus on training for the same and not register for any other run.

Hope to complete more runs in 2020.

Run 7 - WNC Navy Marathon (21.1 Km) - 18th Nov 2019

I had registered for a half marathon earlier, but due to work commitments, did not run.  Hence, my first marathon was the Indian Oil WNC Navy Marathon.

A week before the run, ie., on 9^th November 2019 (Saturday), I was going for a practice run determined to clock atleast 17-18 Kms as it was the last day to prepare for the D-day. Once I crossed the 10 Km mark, I started getting some pain in my knee.   I ran for a couple of more Kilometers and stopped.  That evening, had unbearable pain in the knee and was very difficult to climb up / down stairs.  Sensed that there is some issue.  Also, had not run for long as I was out on Diwali vacation and hence thought had stretched myself and hence the pain.

On Tuesday, decided to visit my physio, Dr. Bhoomi Gala.  She immediately said it is runners’ knee and is a common injury among runners.  The IT Band (Iliotibial band syndrome is the issue) is a thick band of fascia that runs from hip to knee.  If this gets tighter, it pains a lot.   She did some ultrasound and after couple of visits, said that I’m fine now.  Never did I tell her that am going to run a half marathon !!

Cribbing complete – over to the D-day.  Had kept an alarm at 3.25 am and another at 3.30 am.  However, got up immediately and was ready by 4 am to leave.  Reached the venue at 4.45 am.  After some warm up, was ready to hit and run.

All set for the run - 21Km runners

The run started well – weather was quite humid even at 05.30 am.  However, I did not have much discomfort and was running smoothly and at a decent pace.  At around 13 Km mark, felt a bit of pain in the knee.  However, it was a slight issue and though I reduced the speed, my run was on.  When I reached the 16km mark, I felt that the calf of my right leg (the IT Band issue was in left leg) not cooperating and started experiencing pain.  Decided that I would start walking for a distance and then start running.  When I started to run again, felt the pain.  Was stretching myself a bit but felt a huge pain in my calf.  Decide to walk the balance distance.

While I was reaching the 18 Km mark, had somebody tap my shoulder.  Saw my CEO, Kavi walking and catching me.  This was his 26^th half marathon but the humidity and lack of sleep made him feel tired and he also decided to walk the balance distance.  Both of us chatted the entire distance and I completed my first half marathon at 03:07:07.  Though it doesn’t look a good timing, I was happy that atleast I finished the run rather than quitting inbetween.

We are tired and walking

Overall a great experience and also a learning that 21 Km is not a joke and need some practice before trying it out.  As the maximum distance I had run before this was 15 Km, I suffered cramps in my calf.

Determined to work on my IT Band (foam roller is helping me) and get myself fit to run India’s best marathon, the Tata Mumbai Marathon in Jan 2020.

Run 6 - IIT Bombay Half Marathon (5 Km) - 13th October 2019

I was to run a half marathon on 6th October 2019.  However, due to some work commitments, had to give it a miss.

This is a special run.  Had planned this run this along with my kids and hence registered only for 5 Km.  Harshita had registered along with me and Pranav registered sometime later.

Collected the bibs on Saturday from Jack & Jones store at R City Mall.  Harshita accompanied me for collection.

On the day, got up at 4.45 am.  Got ready and woke up the kids.  By around 5.30 am, almost all of them were ready.  My colleague, Pravin Kumar's bib was with me.  He was running 10 Km and his reporting time was early.  He came home, collected the bibs and left.

Around 5.35 am, we left home - fortunate to get a rick and reached IIT by 5.45 am.  The holding area was about a Km from the main gate.  There were buses and buggies to take us to the holding area.  Went in a buggy and reached the place at around 6.20 am.   After zumba for warmup, we were set to start the run at 7 am.

We left after couple of minutes of gun.  For the first 600 mtrs, we ran together.  Harshita picked up pace and started running ahead.  I tried to keep pace with her, but was always 50 mtrs behind her for the first Km.  She was running at good pace. Pranav was running this distance for the first time and hence, he was behind us.

At the 4 Km mark, I was telling myself that it is just another Km and I can run without walking.  However, when my airpod told me it is 5 Km, we were nowhere near the finish line.  When I finished, Runkeeper indicated that I had run a distance of 5.95 Kms.  Can't understand how they can be off by 20%.  Was wondering about people who had trouble running 5 Kms !!   This was obvious in my timing as well as my pace was slowest amongst all my 5 Km and 10 Km runs (it was almost 8 mins / Km).

Harshita had finished almost 2 minutes before me - surprisingly, she came 10th amongst 207 women runners, which is an achievement considering she just turned 8 and this was her first run.  

Pranav ran for almost half the distance and walked the balance as he did not have the experience.  

It was a memorable one as we ran as a family.  Indira was also around to see us finish.  Though it would have been boring for her to stand and wait for us, seeing her kids cross the finish line would have given her great happiness (she captured video of their finish, but not mine).

My next run is a 21 Km run in Navy Marathon.   Hope to have good practice and finish in a decent time!!