2 MARATHONS IN 2 MONTHS & A NEW PERSONAL BEST!!!

Hi Friends!!!!!

By this time, all my muscle soreness, cramps, pains have gone but the excitement of finishing yet another 42.195km FINISH LINE is still there.

The excitement of achieving a new personal Best of 4 hours and 29 minutes.

My Garmin run details: http://connect.garmin.com/player/68366803

It is rightly said, that irrespective of the conditions, timings, physical fitness and any other factor affecting a person, crossing the finish line always is Special…..

I can call myself a full time Marathoner now as I just proved that finishing the Mumbai Marathon exactly a month ago was NO FLUKE attempt.

I can say today that my legs are ready and if possible, would not mind running another Marathon in next month as well…

Not many know that I went to a place called “AUROVILLE” that is close to Pondicherry. This place is famous for the AUROBINDO ashram and the MATRIMANDIR and is a FRENCH COLONY.. The founders of Auroville believe in no particular religion and neither do they preach any.

As per them any new religion introduced would only further lead to more chaos…..

The place has a typical GOA Like feeling near the beaches and the Ashram and the Auroville Visitors Centre is a place 1 must visit……

The founders of Auroville started with this unique MARATHON @ Auroville in their TRAIL 4 years ago. In the 1^st year the event only had localites and had not more than 200 people.

However in the 4^th Edition which was on 13^th Feb 2011, It had 240 Full Marathoners, 980 Half Marathoners and 260 10K Runners and around 30 5k runners…totaling close to 1500 people…

It is gaining popularity every year which is remarkable…..

From our Group (TOP GEAR GROUP) 9 members went to Auroville for a Marathon. 6 FM and 3 HM.

I had decided to go last year as soon as I had read a mail of a runner who ran there….

There are hardly any Trail Runs in India and with this event it gave me a chance to do something different and see if I was ready for it.

The best thing about running is setting new targets and achieving them. This run was much tougher than the Mumbai Marathon and more the toughness of the track and the run, the sweeter the feeling of victory at the finish line.

My friends who do not know much on running often ask me….” PD…Did you win?? “ to which I simply answer a “NO”

A NO because technically I have not won, but deep inside every Half Marathoner or a Full Marathoner on completion of the distance will always be a WINNER; no matter what.

At the finish line I thought vow….I DID IT….I was actually not sure if this was possible when I was at 12k when there was a slight pain in my left knee.

There is 1 thing that I have learned in this 2 instances that finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement. It’s a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.

When we started the run, it was pitch dark…. So dark that we could not see our own hand without a torch or a headlamp. We were a group of 6 Full Marathoners from Bombay who bought Head Lamps for this very reason and it really did help us a lot…without the Headlamps it would have been very difficult to run.

For the 1^st Hour the concentration was only on the ground to see and find any stones, tree branches or any such elements which would make our feet land on it and possibly end the race there and then…luckily none of it happen to me and I ran the first 85 – 90 minutes with total concentration…

Once the sunlight was out, the Headlamp was back in my pouch and I picked up speed…I ran faster than most of the runners in my immediate reach and covered quite a lot of distance.

The best thing about this Trail run was the surface. It had everything to offer. Mud, wet sand, dry sand, gravel, soil, and even roads….

I did not know how I was managing to run in all different surfaces but realized 1 thing while running..that the moment I decided its too tough,  I felt like giving the race up.

That’s when I told to myself, that it is ALL IN THE MIND……and no matter what, I HAVE to FINISH STRONG!!!!

And it indeed happened.

I have no words to describe the beauty of the place, but it is a tremendous experience even to walk these Trails.

1 particular sight is still fresh in my mind where I can see Sun rays piercing within the tree and hitting the ground..

It was such a sight. Shall send pictures later for sure.

I do not want to write my run in detail as the experience of the pain is the same in every km..Every km you pass, the difficulty increases.

Upto 20 – 25km, all seems well and in tune with regards to the body, but from 25 to 35km the body starts playing with the mind and unless the Mind wins, 1 can’t finish the marathon. Hence the Mind has to be as strong as it can get.

If I can do a 4.30 hours on a Trail marathon which is full of uneven surface and full of uncertainties then running on a flat track, my timings would certainly be better.

If all goes well, I might able to clock a Sub 4 hours finish in SCMM 2012…

Lets hope that happens.

The next target is THANE HALF MARATHON (21km). I plan to do it under 1hour 55 mins..

Lets see how it goes. It is on 27^th February 2011.

I would just like to end the mail with the below thought:

Running has been the great equalizer for me. It's given me some nice balance and perspective. You might assume I'm burning the candle at both ends by working fulltime in a 9 to 6 job and training for a marathon, but I would say it's quite the opposite.

Running lets me take a break and take a look at the scenery. It allows the problem-solving side of things to come into effect and gives me clarity when I'm out there on the road or the ground for a couple hours at a time.

Regards

Pratik

16th JANUARY 2011 - A DAY TO BE PROUD OF MYSELF.....A DAY TO BASK IN THE GLORY OF ULTIMATE SATISFACTION...

Just a small fact about me which most of you DO NOT KNOW when it comes to RUNNING…..

When did I have the Itch to run, how it started, etc…

OCT 2009 – Decided to run for the 1^st time in my life and that also a Half Marathon in Mumbai…this was after being sure that my knees were fully cured of the knee cap problem which I had for years…..

What made me run??? Mr. Shailesh Patel whom i came to know from our Gym and when i got to know he is running the Half Marathon at this age....why the heck Can't i? i asked him if i could join TOPGEAR and the rest is History...

15^th DEC 2009 – Started training for the first time to prepare for Jan 2010..i still remember that i joined and Dr. Kharat asked me to do the Mr. Merry slopes for 8 times and i did it...that was the last time slopes were done for the last season....

17^th JAN 2010 – 21.097 kms in 2 hours 23 mins…. On COMPLETING THE FINISH LINE I DECIDED THAT NEXT YEAR….I WANT TO RUN THE FULL MARATHON COME WHAT MAY…

2^ND FEB 2010 – Sprained my leg resulting in Grade 1 Ligament tear and out of running for 6 months…..

5^th SEPT my First LONG RUN OF 9KMs and then……………………

there has been NO LOOKING BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, running has been an addiction for me and I do not want to stop running whatsoever……it gives me a RUNNERS HIGH or a great ecstatic feeling which cannot be described in words…..

16^th JANUARY 2011……1 of the Happiest day of my life…….INFACT, I COULDN’T BE MORE HAPPIER THAN THIS AND HAVEN’T BEEN EITHER…

MY GARMIN RUNNING DETAILS ARE ON THIS LINK: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/63841473

I OWE THIS RUN TO MY WIFE CHANDANI AS WITHOUT HER SUPPORT THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE….SHE DID NOT MIND ME WAKING UP AT STRANGE HOURS IN THE MORNING DISTURBING HER SLEEP….SHE DIDN’T MIND ME RUINING SO MANY OF HER SATURDAY NIGHTS SINCE I WANTED TO SLEEP EARLY FOR RUNNING EARLY MORNINGS……INFACT SHE HELPED ME WITH COOKING MOST AMAZING MEALS ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AFTER MY LONG RUNS AND WOULD LET ME REST UNTIL THE EVENING TO RECOVER WELL!!!!!

SHE GIFTED ME WITH A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION WITH COMMENTS FROM ALL MY FRIENDS AND ALL MY LONG RUNS WHICH I HAD WRITTEN BEING DRAFTED INTO AN AMAZING PRESENTATION…….

READING THE SAME BEFORE RACE DAY JUST BEFORE SLEEPING WAS INDEED VERY HELPFUL….!!!!!

THANKS A LOT CHANDANI FOR BEING SO WONDERFUL TO LET ME FOLLOW MY PASSION!!!!!!!!!!

I have to admit that I wasn’t this happy when I graduated or when I Post Graduated or when I got my first job, first Salary or even when I got married…….

When I got married it was more anxiety and fear of the unknown(unknown being the marriage and not Chandani) then being immensely happy!!!!

I MEAN, I WAS HAPPY IN ALL OF THE ABOVE….BUT THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS WAS LITTLE LESS THEN WHAT WAS EXPERIENCED YESTERDAY ;-)

 But what I meant to say is all of the above things are the things that 1 HAS TO DO in a NORMAL LIFE…..if you are not extraordinary and living a simple lifestyle where 1 has to study then pass and graduate, further study to get a good job and further compete in the corporate world, get married and get settled in life…..this is what a normal life cycle for any human being is…atleast 90% of the population…

TODAY I FEEL I AM NOT A PART OF THAT 90% AS BESIDES ALL OF THE ABOVE THINGS WHICH I HAVE DONE…..I MANAGED TO DO AN EXTRAORDINARY THING WHICH IS TAMING THE MIND TO CONVINCE THE BODY TO CONQUER THE DISTANCE OF A FULL MARATHON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I am boasting a lot about myself, but I deserve this….and still basking in the glory…..so can’t help it…..

THE MARATHON PREPARATION DAY!!!!

The week before the Marathon was entire week for rest and recovery. I was running maximum of 2 -3  kms except 9kms that I ran on Wednesday to set my speed and Rhythm right for the race day.

Thanks to the cold weather, I was feeling Feverish and a little weak on Thursday evening and entire of Friday……however looking back I think it was more of a mental pressure of the RACE DAY then anything else….

I took a few Paracetamols and B-complex medicines and was back on track on Saturday feeling fit and fine…..except a nudging back pain which when I got it checked with my Doctor turned out to be a BACK SPASM……..

This was not going to stop me run, but the running would not be PAINFREE with the Spasm….

However taking an off from work on Saturday and resting the whole date at home really help me….my back was much better the next day and I could run without any pain in the back for most of the race……

Good amount of Carbohydrate Loading is required before the race day and that is what I did on Saturday. My meals consisted only of RICE and SWEET POTATOES on Saturday. I slept by 930pm to be fresh on the D-Day….

I was not getting sleep that night...so i did what we did in the morning....VISUALISATION...

you wont belive, by the time i reached the MARINE LINES FLYOVER, I was FAST ASLEEP.....Thanks to Sucheta Ma'm for this....

My Sunday morning started at 345 hours… I got up…..prepared myself mentally by a little mediation for 15 mins where I was visualizing that I am a few metres away from the FINISH LINE and people are cheering me to complete the same.

Between 4.00am and 4.25am I ate 2 small bowls of Shira, 2 bananas, a litre of Water for Hyrdation and got ready to head to MIG CLUB where all the Full Marathoners were to meet and then head to VT for the event.

We left at 5.00 am and reached the venue by 545am.

Did a few stretches and then at 6.00 am we were In the holding area waiting for the gates to open and at the Gun shot we would start running….

There was too much pressure initially on me…..which generally happens when u run your 1^stFull Marathon….however, with a lot of people around and a few jokes I calmed down…

I started my run with Samson sir and as soon as we crossed the start line; he disappeared like a bullet...…..I held my nerve to remain in my limits and run as per my pace strategy.

My pace strategy was simple…keep running at a pace of 6.10 to 6.45 kms/ per hour and I would be able to finish the race under 5 hours comfortably….and that is what I stuck on to….as I knew after 25kms the pace could go down…and I was not competing with anybody…I was competing with MYSELF….

You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you but especially at those who don't run and never will... those who run but don't race...those who started training for a race but didn't carry through...those who got to the starting line but didn't in the finish line...those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You're still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you've outlasted.

When I begun the race and crossed the starting line…the atmosphere was amazing…it was very motivating as all the organizers were cheering us, music around us with the main music being played was the SCMM Anthem which is indeed very inspiring….i was just talking to myself and realized what a great thing I am going to do today….just the thought of it gave me goosebumps all over and I almost had tears in my eyes….

I immediately controlled myself and concentrated on the race….

I was running very carefully and conservatively for the entire Marine Drive Stretch as I wanted to finish strong and did not want any pain in the beginning….i could feel my left Hamstring was a little stiff…but I was not thinking about it at all…..

The order of the day was TO FINISH and TO FINISH STRONG!!!!

So started my journey…..

I was enjoying every moment of the race…every single step I took forward was making me more and more happy…..

There were a lot of live music arrangements on every 200 metres at Marine line and I was waving to each of them and even doing hand movements in dance to show my appreciation towards them…

There were live Bhajans, Bhangda, stomping music by Drums and Cams, Guitarists, Folk music, RJs of Various Radio channels all cheering us to the maximum….

I guess that’s the best way to reciprocate them and they were liking it as well….

As soon as I reached Babulnath, I bowed my head and prayed to GOD to give me all the strength he can to let me finish strong at the end of the day…..

I had drank lots of water in the morning and as a result of that wanted to take a pitstop for a leak….however was not getting a decent place and hence kept on running until I get a place…

As a reason of holding up and running, my eyesight went a bit hazy….

I could not see my In-laws and my wife that clearly from the pedder road flyover but I knew they were there…so when they came near, I greeted them and went forward…….still in the search of the much needed Pitstop…..

At the Haji Ali Petrol pump I saw a small door which indicated that it’s the Loo….and I just went there..but the door was closed and I banged on hard to ask the person inside how much time…as I was loosing my time waiting….he said he will take time…and I requested him to please let me finish as I wont take much time and it’s an emergency….

To my surprise he came outside immediately….

He was a Senior Police inspector and I am so glad he understood my plight of holding so many things including my emotions under my body ;-)

Anyways, as soon as I came out……I happened to meet my GOOD LUCK CHARM of injury free running….Dr.Ajay Kharat….

Why he is a good luck for me???? As I figured out that whenever I have run with him even for a few minutes, I have finished without any issues…

Be it lonavala or any other long runs of mine…..

So I ran with him from Haji Ali to Copper Chimney stretch where we spoke about other runners and were waiting to meet the Half Marathoners who started appearing from the opposite direction…

After Copper Chimney I overtook Dr. Kharat and started on my journey…

I got my rhythm back and after the leak my body started responding even better….so the entire Worli sea face stretch was as smooth as Silk….with all our Half Marathoners greeting me from the other side it added to my motivation……I met all of them as they got off the Sea Link and I was supposed to take a U-turn from the INS Trata circle and then hit the SV Road at Poddar College junction….

I knew I was ahead of Dr. Kharat and Ajay Pimpley and especially the 5 hours BUS which was headed by Mr. AMIT SETH…..who was a PACER for the Full Marathoners to run under 5 hours.

So as long as I had Mr. SETH behind me, I was comfortable and knowing that I am on target. Also I was constantly looking at my watch to see what times I was clocking so that was helping my confidence as well…as everything was going as per plan….

At the stretch of PODDAR College to Bandra Reclamation, Ajay Pimpley ran like a wild bull and overtook me …I was surprised by his speed and wanted to know the reason for the same…

I was sure he would slow down later and when I catch up with him, will ask the same..

Just at the MAHIM Causeway, we had our own waterstop where our non running group members (Sucheta, Mrs. Pimpley and Rekha.... The chilled Gatorade was awesome) were standing with refreshments…they asked me If I needed a spray or Icing somewhere….to which I instantly replied “ NOT YET!!!!”

They were surprised at my answer and the confidence and smile on the face…they said I am the only 1 who is still smiling at 30 kms whereas the others are panting and having tired face( I AM SURE THEY MEANT THAT THE HORSES WHO WENT AHEAD DID NOT HAVE ANY EXPRESSION TO SHOW AS THEY WERE CONCENTRATING TO FINISH AT THEIR NEW PERSONAL BESTS')…..to which I simply said I m just ENJOYING AND LOVING WHAT I AM DOING currently…..

I AM LIVING A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes I feel that LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO DO A LOT MANY THINGS….BUT RUNNING…….IT MAKES LIFE SEEM LONGER !!!!!!!! ;-)

I was a bit tired as we were like 30kms down and 12 more to go….vow…what a feeling….12km only…….

The marathon's about being in contention over the last 10K.  That's when it's about what you have in your core.  You have run all the strength, all the superficial fitness out of yourself, and it really comes down to what's left inside you.  To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon."

When I saw my watch, it clocked 3 hrs and 9 mins at 30 kms……and I said If I can manage to run the same way, I cud finish under 4 hrs and 30 mins..so I thought lets give it a try…

But to do that I had to recover first….

So I did a WALK-RUN-WALK strategy at kms 31 and 32 where I clocked those 2 kms @ 8.03kmph and 6.59kmph and then I ran a lil fast just before the Sealink as the sun was hitting too hard and I wanted to finish the sealink stretch ASAP…

33 km and 34 km were run with a good pace and I felt a little breathless and the sun was also slowing me down….

However in that slow pace I was off the sea link which was a great breather…..as I knew 1 thing that once the sea link is over then finishing the distance is a surety…irrespective of the timings!!!!

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing.  You have to make the mind run the body.  Never let the body tell the mind what to do.  The body will always give up.  It is always tired morning, noon, and night.  But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.  When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired...You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going."

At the sea link I overtook Mr. Ramdas.... I was a bit upset to see him cramping..i offered help but he was kind enough to tell me to move ahead and concentrate to finish under 5 hours instead of helping him..

As I hit the worli sea face stretch again, my Back which was down with a Spasm on Saturday now started hurting badly as I was carrying 2 litres of water with a pouch tied on my belt and it started hurting a lot….

So I had to wait and stretch my back a bit….and started my running…… however by this time I crossed Haji Ali and was about to reach Pedder Road…just before Pedder Road, I caught up with Ajay Pimpley and asked him the reason for his sudden increase in the speed….to which he told me the reason which was justified…

They have a person called SAUMIL who runs many Marathons sponsored by HDFC and his timings are always 4 hrs and 45 mins..and never improved inspite of running so much….

Ajay Pimpley saw him overtaking and he could not stand it…..

His motto was to finish ahead of him and that the reason……..

I said vow…enough motivation for speed ;-)

The thing about distance runners is at one point or another they will always catch someone who is ahead of them

This discussion was at Haji Ali stretch at a slow pace for recovery and hence 35^th km was at 7.26kmph ….We both decided to walk to pedder Road Flyover so that we can recover well and as a reason of which 36^th km was at 10.01kmph…

When we were walking on the Pedder Road Slopes, Ajay Pimpley put his hands on my shoulder and said a thanks to me for all the long runs.....At that time we both knew that we will complete the Full Marathon irrespective of the timings....

It was a very nice moment and i was immensely touched by that gesture from him....however, it was shortlived as i immediately took his hand off me as after running almost 31km, i could not want any more weight on me as i was struggling to balance myself...let alone the hand....

BUT IT IS A MOMENT THAT I WILL CHERISH.....AT THAT MOMENT BOTH OF US MISSED DR. AJAY KHARAT THE MOST!!!!

We walked ahead and then I met my niece waiting for me near her building with her mom to whom I handed over the pouch as by now I knew there is going to be sufficient water till the end….and just kept a bottle of lucozade with me…..

As I headed forward my lovely wife was waiting for me along with my in-laws….could not meet them for long…but took a wet napkin and headed forward on my decided pace…and yet again Ajay Pimpley saw SAUMIL crossing us and he ran like hell.......

From the down slope of Pedder Road he ran fast non stop upto Tarapore Aquarium, i guess..

He just disappeared…..

I thought to myself with only 5-6 kms left, I cant run at this pace..i have to be ahead of Ajay pimpley come what may…

So In a ways we were playing a cat and mouse game which eventually improved our timings....and a big thanks to SAUMIL for that as well.... ;-)

I increased my speed from Babulnath and caught up with him at Catholic gymkhana….from there….i slowed a bit for recovery and he went ahead…

Sometimes he was ahead and sometimes I was ahead…

Last 4 kms, I thought of putting my speed runs to test….

I ran 800 metres with a speed of 5.30kmph and then recovered for 200 metres…

I did this 3 times and I reached Churchgate station…where I was greeted by our other Half Marathon members(Dr. Shirish, Atul, Manish) who were cheering us for completing the distance..

Only 1.5 kms stood in between of me but I was tired….my legs were paining..however, I did not stop at all….

I was walking for 100 metres and running fast for 200 metres…but doing this 3 times, I reached 500 metres from where I could see the finish line…

I got emotional and very much excited…I felt like jumping, dancing, doing what not there and then…in this excitement I became breathless..

My heart rate got so high that I could not breathe normally and hence I controlled myself and stopped for a few seconds and then for the next 400 metres I ran looking downwards so that I can control myself….then came the last 100 metres..

I ran and reached the finish line…..raised my hands and yelled like a maniac!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was crying…..but because I had worn sunglasses, no 1 could see my crying…………I entered inside and few fellow members who reached ahead of me hugged me, congratulated me…I didn’t hear a thing what they were saying…

I just raised my hands and looked above, thanked GOD and for a moment, felt like I was not on my feet but flying in the air!!!!!!!!!

Believe me…………….

FINISHING THE MARATHON IS AN EXPERIENCE WHICH CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BUT ONLY EXPERIENCED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS EXPERIENCE WAS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN ALL OF MY PREVIOUS LONG RUNS…..AT THE END OF ALL THE SUNDAY RUNS, I WAS LIMPING, CRAMPING, TIRED, FATIGUED AND SLEEPY….
HOWEVER, THIS EXPEREINCE WAS DIFFERENT. THERE WERE NO CRAMPS, NO PAINS, NO SLEEPYINESS, NO TIREDNESS EXCEPT A LITTLE PAIN IN MY LEFT FOOT FOR THE LAST 20 KMS….INFACT I PARTIED UPTO 12 IN THE NIGHT WITH QUITE A FEW BEERS DOWN ;-)

I GOT UP AT 8 IN THE MORNING WITHOUT AN ALARM AND STILL WALKING STRONG IN THE OFFICE…… AND I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF DOING THE SAME…..

Dream barriers look very high until someone climbs them.  They are not barriers anymore

I have to find my next barrier soon ;-)

The next thing on my mind is going to be the AUROVILLE MARATHON where i hope i can keep up the pace with the horses!!! Or the better way of putting it is i hope they aim for mileage  and not for speed and give me company instead of running at their usual best....

I aint leaving running and my next years target would be on a tougher side which I aim to achieve..

I want to complete the SCMM 2012  4 hours….and if that happens it is going to be great…however I am sure it will between 4.00 and 4.30 hours..

A special thanks to Dr. Ajay Kharat for all the motivation and the PEP talk given when i was down with a hamstring pain or even a mild fever...

A special thanks to Ajay Pimpley with whom i have ran most of the long runs in the similar manner to SCMM 2011....

A special thanks to Mr. Venkatraman with whom i have had various discussions of how to pace myself, how to train initially with Garmin keeping heart rate under control, and the motivation i got from him the way the overcome his injury and set a standard for others....

IT IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF TOPGEAR THAT RUNNING HAS BECOME A PLEASURE TO ME....ITS MY NEW FOUND HOBBY AND PASSION AND TOPGEAR HAS NOW BECOME MY EXTENDED FAMILY......

THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THIS GROUP!!!!!!!!!!

Lets see how it goes as I am going to be stronger mentally, physically and emotionally for the coming year!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Pratik