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.
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.
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