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!!

Run 5 - Swami Vivekananda Run (5 Km) - 22 Sep 2019

After my Thane 15K run, had registered for a 10 Km run the next week at Kalwa.  However, did not feel good - was feeling a bit tired and hence decided to give it a miss.

For 22nd September 2019, I had registered for a duathlon - 5 Km run followed by 20Km cycling to be held at Palm Beach, Navi Mumbai.  However, the organisers couldn't get necessary permissions and had to cancel the event.   While I was browsing what to do, came across an advert for a 5Km run called Swami Vivekananda Run in Powai, As it is in my backyard, decided to give it a go.

In the lead up to the run, my preparation was not that great.  Due to some urgent work in office, had to put late hours working and couldn't get up in the morning and run.  After a brief gap, started running the week before and started getting into the rhythm.

The Bib collection was on Saturday and had to collect it in front of Heritage Garden, Hiranandani, Powai.  The garden is about 2 Kms from my home.  The collection was from 7 am to 9 am on saturday morning or 5-7 pm the same evening.   Planned to get up early, go for a run and then collect.  However, I overslept and got up bit late.   At 8 am, decided to still give it a go and collect the bib.  Started from home, did a longer run and after I hit 5 Kms, decided to go and collect the bib.  Did a jog while coming back clocking 7 Kms while collecting the bib.

The run on the D-day was at 6.55 am and the reporting was at 6.30 am.  Was awake early and left home at 6 am. Compared to my earlier runs, didn't feel like I was going for a run.   Walked and jogged all the way and reached the venue at 6.25 am.

Met my colleagues there and after a bit of warm up, was all set for the run.  There were lots of kids and the crowd was decent (about 762 runners) for such a small event.   As I have practiced to run 5 Km continuously (without walking), decided to give it a go.   Knowing the locality also helped us and I knew where there would be elevations in the route. 

The run started at 7 am - as the elevation starts after the first 100 metres, there were people who started walking.  It was difficult to navigate through them.   Also, a few stray dogs started barking at the runners and it was a scary feeling.  Had to reduce my speed a bit and walked fast for about 30 metres before running again.

Ran almost the entire distance except walking where the gradient was steep, I was happy with myself when I finished the run.   Got a message that I had completed in 32.08 minutes, but later the timing certificate was received for 31.23 minutes, which in terms of speed the fastest (though this is a 5 Km run).  It was my Personal Best (PB) including the practice runs.  I had done 32 minutes earlier in one of my practice runs.

Felt very happy and satisfied.  When I started running in June, I used to run 5 Kms in 42 minutes.  Shaving off 10 minutes in the time also proves that "Practice makes a man perfect". 

The next stop is a 21 Km run on 6th October.  Need to practice in the next few weeks to make it a lifetime experience.

Run 4 - Thane15K Challenge (15 Km) - 1st Sep 2019

While I was thinking of upgrading my distance and moving to Half Marathon, came across a run which was for 15 Km.  Thought this would be a good platform that can cover almost 75% of the distance to half marathon (21 Km).  However, lots of surprises were there waiting for me.

My first blunder was thanks to "chrome auto fill", I ran as "Lake Primrose", the name of my building.  Somehow, it got wrongly selected and I didn't realise this mistake when I got the confirmation as well.  Will come to my second blunder later...

Went on Saturday to collect the bib and the T-Shirt.  Got up at 4.15 am on Sunday morning (1st Sept).  Left home at around 4.50 am and reached Korum Mall, which was the starting point and the venue for the race at around 5.15 am.  As it was in the mall, drove down as no issues on parking etc.  The organisers had warm up session - after warming up, was ready for the run.  

The run is a different one.  It was not a flat out 15 Km run.  It was broken into two runs - 5 Kms and 10 Km later.  5 Kms started at 5.50 am and 10 Kms at 6.35 am.  If one is able to finish 5 Kms before 45 minutes, there will be a breather before starting the 10 Km run.

The run started at 5.50 am and I made the second mistake.  I started running faster.   Half of the distance was on a slightly steep gradient.   After about a Km or so, I started feeling tired and some pull.   So, had to go slow and wanted to finish the 5 Km.  Kept bit slow and finally finished the 5 Km run at 37 Minutes - slower than what I would have desired.

After going to the loo and stretching a bit, was ready for the 10Km run.  The 10 Km run was to go through the same route as was 5 Km and then further go to Yeoor Hills and come back.

With the faster start of 5 Km at the back of my mind, had started slowly and as the gradient was slightly on a steeper side, was keeping slow and was focussing on finishing the race than any timing.    Can have a fair bit of idea of the elevation from this picture.  This is even before the hills started.

Once the 2.5 Km mark was crossed (where we took a U-turn to complete the 5 Km mark), came the ascent to Yeoor Hills.  The ascent was so steep that after a few metres, I decided to walk the entire stretch - so were the co-runners.  While climbing the hill, saw Mr. Sunder, who was CFO of Raymond in his morning walk.  After exchanging pleasantries for a few seconds, started my climb back.  While walking in the Yeoor Hills, I kept wondering if I made a mistake of selecting this as a 15Km run - it was a strenuous run that I felt it was equivalent to 20 Km.   

After the climb, there was a bit of plain, started running and took the turn at the 5 Km mark.  After the plains on the way back, the steep descent approached.  It was difficult to negotiate than what I thought.  With slight drizzle, the road was wet and the gradient was very steep.   Did not want to damage my ankle or any part of the body.  So, did not push very hard.  

At the 8 Km mark, I started feeling tired and walked / ran the balance distance to finish off the race at 1 hour 25 minutes.

As one can see the split, the first 5 Kms was difficult and the second half was much better.

Was very happy to have completed the race.  Thanks to my colleague, Avadhoot Khot, who ran only 5 Kms but waited for me and took my snap while I finished (I called him when I was 250 mtrs away).

Have registered for a 10 Km run for the next week.  Need to prepare myself before my first 21 Km run on 6th October !!

Run 3 - IDBI Federal Half Marathon (10 Km) - 25th Aug 2019

As explained in my earlier blog, was waiting for this day, the 25th August, which also happens to be my parents' anniversary.  As they celebrated their 44th Anniversary, I was on my way for my 3rd run - the 10 Km in IDBI Federal Half Marathon.

Day began at 4.15 when I woke up - got ready by 4.45 and was off in a cab - reached the venue at 5.15 am.  The run was to begin at 6.10 am.  After warming up, got ready to run..  My colleagues who were to run with me joined and here, we start the race.

It was hot and humid in Mumbai - at the 3 Km mark, I was sweating profusely and was worse than the practice I used to have at Lake Homes Garden.  No breeze at all and was very humid.  At the 4 Km mark, there was a heavy downpour and it helped bigtime.  The rain lasted for about 7-8 minutes, but was a blessing in disguise as it cooled down the temperature.

There were too many runners.  As I could see from the results, there were 4700 runners and at times it was difficult to navigate with people who were walking.  As one could see from the timings, there is almost a 7 minute gap from the gun time and the chip time.  Due to heavy crowd, it took me 7 minutes to start the race from the first participant.  Sachin flagging off also slowed down the momentum a bit - after the start line, people lining up to catch a glimpse of SRT and a photo-op with him.  

I pushed myself in the last couple of kilometers - need to see if I could join any pacer (Pacers were clearly identifiable - they carried a flag with their timing) and keep myself going.  Finished at a time of 1:15:29 - my personal best from the last 3 runs..  However, was only 15 seconds off my earlier best run (my second one).  I feel the crowd and the humidity at the beginning were the reasons.

Have registered myself for various runs in the month of September.   Hope to keep myself fit and continue the momentum!!

Run 2 - Mumbai Monsoon Half Marathon (10 Km) - 4th Aug 2019

After the successful run in the previous week, the "running fever" caught me and wanted to participate in every run..

While browsing the runs available, came across Mumbai Monsoon Half Marathon which started from Bandra Fort.  Checked with my colleague, Pravin Kumar.  As he was also game for it, we decided to register.   After having registered ourselves, the biggest headache is to get the bibs.  We had to collect it from Bandra on Friday evening.   Pravin volunteered to collect it as a family friend was working very near to the collection point.   Had asked Pravin to bring the bib to the venue and decided to wear it there.

Got up at 4.30 in the morning and was ready to leave by 5 am.  It was pouring cats and dogs and was worried as to how the run would be.   Reached the venue by 5.30 am (run was to begin at 6 am).  Pravin came around 5.40 am and handed over the bib.  It was raining heavily.

Run started at 6 am and it was pouring heavily.   It was a run through Bandra - unlike the previous run which was in BKC, the traffic was not regulated and there were even BEST buses that was plying in the road where we were running.   As the name would have it, it was a pure monsoon run - it poured throughout the run - though I was bit circumspect as to how one would run in rains, it cooled the body temperature and I did not have any trouble running the distance of 10 Km.  The only problem was water getting into the shoes and socks becoming heavy !!

I had improved the timing - shaved off almost 2 minutes from my earlier run.  Would give credit to the rains.  Overall, had a good run and took some photos in the fort (with sealink in the background) and left for home.

The hunger for running has gone up and you always need a partner-in-crime.  Found Pravin, who had by then booked himself for another 5 runs including Kaveri Marathon in Mysore !!

With an outbound over the next week and nothing exciting the week after, the next run would be the IDBI Mumbai Half Marathon, which I hope would be flagged off by Sachin Tendulkar, who is the brand ambassador.

My first Run (10 Km) - 28th July 2019

The D-day finally arrived - My first marathon, a 10 Km run (Kanakia Monsoon Challenge Run) which I had registered myself for was scheduled on 28th July 2019.  As mentioned by Kavi, our CEO, couldn't properly sleep.  There was a fear of over sleeping.  Got at around 2 am (had to leave house at 5 am) and somehow pushed myself to sleep again.  Kept multiple alarms and got up at the first alarm.

Booked an Uber and was at the venue at 5.35 am.  The race was to start at 6.15 am, however, we had decided that we will warm up together before we start the race.   The environment was electric.  Lots of people warming up and getting ready for the race.   I had run only once the distance of 10 Kms and was circumspect on running the entire distance (was confident of finishing), but doubts on running throughout (with intermittent walks) !!!

The race started at 6.15 am sharp.   Brief showers blessed us before we started the race.   I started off well and was going at a good pace when we had the first turn at 2.4 km mark.   Somewhere when we hit the 3 Km mark, I started feeling a bit tired.  However, kept pushing myself with some walk inbetween.

When I was about 2 Kms from finish, told myself to go the full hog and not walk inbetween.  Will power pushed me through the final kilometer and I finished with a time of 1 hour 17 minutes and 43 seconds - a pace of 7.47 minutes per KM.  Not a bad start for someone who was never athletic in his life and couldn't run for more than 2 Kms couple of months back.

Can't wait for my next run which would be IDBI Half Marathon on 25th August 2019, a race generally flagged off by Sachin Tendulkar.

Official timings 

Split timings

10Km Runners from House of Anita Dongre

Yessss... I Did It !!!

Group Picture of the entire team !!

Me and Running - prelude

When you run the marathon, you race against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time - Haile Gebrselassie

For years I used to wonder how people run these marathons.  For someone who grew up on watching Olympics, cheering one of the greatest runners, Haile Gebrselassie (looks like I'm a generation older as it was not Mo Farah to me) on his Olympic Gold runs, running was not my piece of cake.

My first tryst with running started when I was 15 years old.  Used to go for morning jogs in the ground near my house - couldn't run beyond a Kilometer.  After a couple of months, gave it up.

Next try came couple of years back when my Facebook used to get flooded with lots of friends posting on running various marathons. Used to go to the garden near my place and tried my hand on running - as it was 25 years back, again, couldn't run beyond a Kilometer.   When I pushed myself for a month or so, I could run about 2 Kms and used to wonder whether will I be able to run the 4 Km dream run in Powai Run, conducted every year near my residence.  Somewhere it fizzled out (the initial euphoria could not be sustained) and was back to square one.

Come to 2019 - Over a period of time, my weight started going up and I had to do something to reduce / arrest the same.  As running was not my piece of cake, started cycling.  Used to have an hour bi-cycle rides covering about 20 Kms every Saturday and Sunday.   Fell in love with this as I was comfortable with my breathing compared to running.

Our CEO started a running club within the company to promote bonding to inculcate the habit of running as well as bonding amongst employees.  With the couple of failures at the back of my mind, I was not sure of "joining" this group and hence didn't join.  However, wanted to give it another try as I used to hear about what other colleagues who were part of the group were doing.

Took inspiration from Muhammad of Ghazini invaded India 16 times and failed - he was successful the 17th time.  With monsoon setting in Mumbai, it was difficult to take my bi-cycle out.   Condition of roads worsened as well as riding in the rains was difficult.  Running was the obvious choice.  Wanted to give it a final chance.

Started running from 17th June 2019 - was determined to run 5 Km with breaks in between and walk.  Never realised that Marathon runners (other than professionals) walk inbetween their run.  Completed my 5K in 42 minutes with a break.   Ran for 2 Kms, took a break of 5-7 minutes.  Ran again a kilometer.  Walked in between and ran for the last kilometer.  Made it a point to run almost daily.  Slowly started improving my pace as well as distance covered.

Came to know that the colleagues who were part of the group were to run the Kanakia Monsoon Challenge run.  By then, I could somehow run 4 Kms at a stretch (without a break or walk).  Though majority of them had registered for 5 Km run, I decided to register myself for a 10 Km run.  Got tips that you walk for a while and again run and this is the norm followed by majority of runners.  That gave me the impetus to further push.

The race was scheduled for 28th July 2019.   On 20th July 2019 (Saturday), I decided to try 10 Km come what may.  That is the first time I would be running 10 Kms - the earliest best was close to 8 Kms.   Gave my full effort and finished in less than 76 minutes.

Having completed my first 10 Km run on 28th July 2019, am planning to write a series of blogs on my various runs.   Hopefully would be able to pen each and every one of them (God willing, if they continue).