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 !!