The 1st Half of Comrades 2013 UP RUN

NERVOUS ANXIOUS MOMENTS!!!!

So Finally the D- DAY that we all had been training like Maniacs arrives. 2^ND JUNE 2013 finally comes. For me it started at around 3 am where I woke up without any Alarm.

Luckily I woke up fresh…..I got going with my usual activities and just when I got ready with all my Running Gear, I had this strange feeling in my Stomach…Maybe it was Stress, pressure and many other mixed feelings which I assumed would be better once the Run starts.

I also was having a Lower Back Spasm from the moment we Landed and thanks to the EXPO Massages I took, that morning it was a bit better than the remaining days…I also took a Pain Killer at night to ensure that there is no pain in the morning when I get up as I was prepared for all types of Pain once the Run starts.

So we are all set to leave our Respective Hotels and are in the Taxi to reach the Venue. It is around 450 AM that we arrive at the Venue. We then somehow made our way to our seeding Area by literally penetrating ourselves through the Crowd. 

We then waited anxiously for the race to start and were just wondering when will it eventually start. Just then the DJ who was playing various Re-mix tracks played the South African Song “SHOSHOLOZA.”

I did not understand a single word of it, but it was slow and catchy.. While this Song was played we happen to spot in front of us a person who has waving an Indian and a South African Flag together. HE was basically a Indian Settled in South Africa since a long time.

It felt great looking at the Tri-Colour and the emotions were at an all time high.....just then the music changed and the SHOSHOLAZA song was followed by my All time favourite instrumental music – “THE CHARIOTS OF FIRE.”

Vow….what a feeling it was listening to this song and while this song was going on I closed my eyes and thanked GOD for making me Reach here. I simply thanked him for giving me all the possible resources to Reach

The start line FIT, HEALTHY & MOST IMPORTANTLY INJURY FREE and in the RIGHT FRAME OF MIND…

The pressure was mounting and the music piece was getting over…..

As soon as it got over…..there was a big rooster cuckoo sound followed by a GUN SHOT….. “BANG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

A BIG OCEAN…………………OF RUNNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

For 1^st time runner like me I could not believe that the Race start even though I heard the GUN SHOT. The reason being inspite of the GUN SHOT we couldn’t move an INCH for the next 20 – 30 seconds or so…

I was blank for sometime as what is happening and why isn’t any1 moving?? I quickly looked ahead and what do I see????

RUNNERS RUNNERS EVERYWHERE……… I mean I agree that in all Start events there are many Runners, but for a SCMM FULL MARATHONER, the maximum number of runners be seen on the

start line would be around 4000 max so when race starts all move together…

However;  Here we are talking about 19000 Runners…..Just Imagine how would the scenario be? I could not see the ROAD at all be it front or back. It was like watching an HOLLYWOOD EPIC WAR MOVIE where Thousands and thousands of soldiers are Marching Ahead to Fight a BATTLE.

That is when I also realised, YES….THIS IS A BATTLE and WE ARE SOLDIERS AS WELL.

This is a Battle with oneself to achieve the GOAL SET OVER THE MONTHS BY SACRIFICING SO MANY THINGS IN LIFE.

A Battle where one has to keep fighting for 12 hours to ensure that the people back home who are tracking you are praying for you, cheering you and LOOSING THE BATTLE IS NOT AN OPTION.

A Battle where No matter when or where the PAIN Surfaces in the Body, MOVING FORWARD IS THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE and SUCCEED.

I Said to myself, that if this is a Battle, SO BE IT…and BRING IT ON as I am a Trained SOLDIER who has done all the possible Training that is required to fight and Conquer it…

The crowd started Moving and so did I…..It was like a VIRAR LOCAL for the first few Metres and FINALLY after 3 Minutes, I CROSSED THE START LINE.....

IF SLOPES COULD KILL….

OK, so we start and pass from the City Hall towards Pietermaritzburg….Thanks to the BUS TOUR I realised 1 thing that throughout the ROUTES there are SLOPES and MORE SLOPES.

While training in Lonavala and our various discussion with COMRADES, all I could hear was the 5 Hills. FIELDS, COWIES, BOTHAS, INCHANGA AND POLLY….But let me tell you guys besides this also there are So many

Unnamed Hills which is like a SLOW POISON and the indeed KILL YOU SOFTLY. 

The first mini slope comes at around 2.5 km which is the TOLL GATE and from there we move on to the 45^th CUTTING which is yet another slope…. The weather also was acting Funny.

All this while we were training in Night hours at lonavala assuming we are simulating South African Conditions...and what we eventually get after reaching South Africa is a Mumbai Marathon Type Weather...Funny isnt it??????

Anyways, back to the run....

Upto the TOLL GATE I was with Dilip Patil and Sandesh. However after crossing TOLLGATE, I had to take a Pee Break which I did hoping I will catch them in few minutes.

But there were so many people it was impossible to spot them. I Crossed Amit and Neepa who were Running together. Waved them a Hi and moved forward searching for Dilip Patil and Sandesh.

They were running near the same Flag person having Indian Flag with him.

So I was chasing that guy assuming Patilsaab and Sandesh are around that person but I never found them and neither did I realise that I overtook them until I reach DRUMMOND.

My Strategy was Simple..... just take things easy in the 1^st HALF which was all the way to DRUMMOND. 

Before DRUMMOND what I had to encounter was the FIELDS, COWIES & BOTHAS which I had to take it slowly. So I decided to WALK all these Slopes Completely… and wherever Downslope or a FLAT Terrain comes I run at a pace of 6 mins per km.

The 1^st Down Slope came and I thought lets cover up. I increased my speed, but yet again there were so many runner on the route that it was increasingly difficult to run at a steady pace and this was irritating me. I had to constantly pass them by changing directions left and right and in the process i was also disturbing others as well....

I thought I cannot run this way and in a ways I was running at their Pace which was not my plan.

Just then I saw that on the Extreme LEFT there is a FOOTPATH….a FOOTPATH With a regular Route unlike in INDIA where you have Food stalls all over them.

I simply walked towards the Footpath and then all I had to do was run there without any disturbance. Nobody in Front of me. Looking at me running there, many people followed me, but I was glad they were behind me.

Then what, it was simple…wherever I spotted a Footpath, I used to separate myself from the Crowd and cover up on the distance.

Eventually I Arrived at FIELDS HILLS. 

The night before Comrades; Patilsaab set a simple Formula which we all followed. The formula was whenever OUR GARMIN indicated the KMS as 15, 22, 35 and 45, All we were supposed to do was WALK…No matter what…JUST WALK till that HILL Is over.

As a good student I am, I did the same….

 ALL these Months I was simply thinking that THE SLOPES ARE SURELY GOING TO KILL US WHILE RUNNING THE COMRADES!!!!

AND I did realise while Walking that These were not Normal SLOPES like in Lonavala, or PALI or Mount Merry….These are DEADLY SLOPES and IF I DO NOT RESPECT THEM, THEY COULD KILL and KILL ME EASILY MUCH BEFORE DRUMMOND ITSELF….

I started climbing COWIES and just when I started the incline I was getting bored as I was all Alone. I thought of Updating my RUN STATUS to my WIFE as I knew she was Very tensed about my RUN.

I sent her my status and she responded back to me telling me to take care and wished me all the best yet again….

I Clicked my photograph and sent it to her assuring her tht I am Fine…and I sent the same snap and status to my other Family (TOPGEAR FAMILY) who were anxiously waiting for all the TG RUNNERS to cross the 1^st Half as only after that they could track us.

As soon as I sent out a message, all the members got excited and started wishing me luck and sent various messages which I read only the Day After.

But I realised 1 thing while I was sending messages to my Wife and TG on WHATSAPP…… 

I DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHEN DID COWIES HILL CAME AND WENT AWAY AS THE MOMENT I KEPT THE PHONE IN MY POUCH I SAW THE FLATS APPROACHING AND I WAS BACK TO MY FOOTPATH RUNNING STRATEGY!!!!

I decided that THIS IS IT….let me Chit chat with my Wife and TG Gang and even if I update them once that will make them thrilled and I wont realise the Hills passing by as well  J. IN SHORT, THE FEAR OF SLOPES WAS SORTED OUT….ATLEAST FOR THE TIME BEING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SLOPES ARE MY FRIENDS….

FIELDS HILL arrives…and this time I greeted it with a Big Smile on the face….i said time for Gossiping  and catch up with my Friends….. J. IN SHORT SLOPES = FRIENDS J

My BB was out for some photographs and I gave my update as planned and continued walking and clicking few more pics…..and within a matter of time FIELDS was Behind me..i was like Vow..this is cool…. 

Just when the Flats arrived there was a Medical Camp there….I told to myself that it is been over 28kms now..and high time that I should do some ICING as what I had followed in Lonavala…

I took some ICE and applied on my Legs…but nothing happened…. NO COLD FEELING Because of the SKINS that I was wearing….i was like WTF….how do I do the ICING NOW….

 I decided to move forward and as better sense prevailed I Took the Water Sachets opened it and sprayed the water with a strong force on my Quadriceps…it felt so good… the Spray was doing like a Massage Effect on the Legs and the Cold Water was ICED WATER thus giving me an effective solution to my ICING PROBLEM…J

 Few more kms down and at 35kms it was the BOTHA’s Hill after which it was Downway and Flat terrain till DRUMMOND…..

After conquering BOTHA’s I was simply telling myself that now only 2 more Slopes left and the rest of the Terrain is flatter compared to the 1^st Half so things will be easy So no more Chatting on phone and concentrate on the Race till I reach INCHANGA.

I Crossed Drummond at around 5.18 hours and that is when I felt that HALF THE BATTLE IS WON, and another half to go…it was like…TOUCHWOOD I m still feeling Fresh and Raring to go….Which means I could complete the Race…..VOW….for the very First Time I could imagine the MEDAL AROUND THE NECK!!!! (Whether BRONZE or FINISHERS??? Tht is didn’t know yet).

 

MORE ON THE 2^nd HALF LATER ;-)

Regards

The Marathon Before the Comrades

Dear All,

 I am Back after what I would call the most defining moments of my Running Stint in the last 4 years.

Frankly speaking I do not know what to share to you as I am surprised that I could finish the Comrades Marathon 2013 with standing on both my feet… ( I was not on both my feet at the finishline infact as was airborne with a huge jump I made over the MAT).
If I have to Answer a question of what is more tough between RUNNING COMRADES and TRAINING TO RUNCOMRADES; then I would select the latter part as Running Comrades is a matter of 12 hours whereas TRAINING TO RUN THE COMRADES Is not JUST RUNNING but a lot of sacrifice, compromise, Frustrations, Depressions and what not over many months infact.....
For me the COMRADES Journey started on 2^nd September 2012.  It was a SUNDAY MORNING where I decided to Register for COMRADES without knowing who else is coming from TOPGEAR. Infact it was a Secret which I had not shared with any1 except my WIFE without which I Do not think this TRAINING And FINISHING was possible. She has been letting me do All my runs with maximum support possible and I owe this run and the medal to her and  my BUDDY (Rivaan).
My Wife was 1 of the reasons why I could be strong on a Mental level…in the MIND, I was always sure of Running and finishing the Comrades as I knew I had her Total Support….so that was taken care of…
The Next step was having the PHYSICAL ABILITY to do it….and that is where TOPGEAR NEVER FAILS!!!! ;-)

I have to share this that I had too many coaches for myself, or I bothered too many people to ensure whatever I was doing as far as the Training part was concerned was Right.
The Reason I was a Strong finisher and on both my legs is PRADEEP KADU…who made me do Legs In the way he does…The GIANT REPS Schedule that he follows was followed by me blindly in EVERY LEGS WORKOUT, and the result is in front of u. I may not have those Thunderous things as his, but they ain’t weaker either.;-)
Besides Pradeep, I used to take regular inputs from Samson Sir, Dr. Kharat, Vaijanath and Suchita for my Gym training, Running pace, Stride, Diet, etc and they all helped very eagerly for all those areas.
But the main reason why I could do this was the Disciplinarian DILIP PATIL.
His scheduled was followed by us totally. At times he altered it and increased the distance, but we never thought twice. PATILSAAB was like a bible for us to finish the Comrades and I ensured that I read every page of that Bible. When we met at the International Tent after Finish; I simply Hugged him and touched his feet as he really treated us like his Kids in the last few months…
Thanks  a TON PATILSAAB and keep us treating the same way!!!!!!!!!

 

Coming back to the COMRADES and my experience, I have to admit that It did not start with the right frame of mind.

As soon as I reached to the Hotel and thought of freshening up for a shower, I realise that my BAG’s Lock has been broken and the entire bag has been ransacked for picking up some valuables.
The bag had nothing valuable in it except the most valuable thing for Any runner which is his GARMIN.

 

It was GONE!!!!!!!!!! Just imagine; we land on Wednesday with COMRADES on SUNDAY, And I Did not have my GARMIN. Although there are people who run without a watch at all but I Am used to GARMIN and my mind was totally screwed up….I was telling to myself, that if this is the beginning that How tough the Race would be???
I somehow got a good assurance from my MENTAL CONDITIONING COACH – My Wife who asked me to Calm down and just buy a New 1 if needed…!!! HELL IT WAS NEEDED, and I simply bought 1 the next day in EXPO….

 On Thursday, we visited the EXPO….which is 1 of its Kind….it’s like a shopping Paradise for runners and for once I was behaving like any of the Ladies would behave if they were left  in a HUGE SHOPPING MALL with a NO LIMIT CREDIT CARD TO SHOP WITH!!!

You get things for running which you have never seen before and you feel like buying each and every 1 of them..
 I somehow abstained myself on going on a shopping spree as I had a big purchase of my watch coming up. Firstly what I did was got my BIB. I went to the International Runners’ Tent and loved the way it was organised. I was wearing an INDIA- T-shirt which most of us were wearing in the EXPO and a reporter of “THE DAILY” – local newspaper interviewed us and asked for a  photograph. I immediately called the rest of the Indians and we got ourselves clicked in STYLE and CONFIDENCE only to be featured the coming day…….
We also had the privilege to Meet Mrs. PAT FREEMAN, a lady who was going to run her 25th COMRADESMARATHON.....she simply said to lookout for the weather as this is going to be the HOTTEST COMRADES EVER.....
It made me think, that we did all the Lonavala runs at Night so that we can simulate the South African Conditions and what do we have here? Weather similar to Mumbai Marathon....Vow..Thts a Great Beginning!!!! ;-)
We came back from Expo, had a late lunch and were so tired and Jet Lagged, that slept the Entire Evening to Recover from the Long Flight.
 On Thursday we had a  nice 5k warm up run followed by Stretching. The same schedule was followed on Friday and Saturday as well.

Saturday was a Rest Day so we didn’t do much but FRIDAY was the BUS TOUR to give us an idea of what is coming to us…Many advised to Avoid it as it will mentally pull us down…however I like to see what’s coming to me and therefore we happily took the BUS TOUR which took our entire day…

During the Tour we noticed how steep the Hills are and How long they are…Although they look completely different when you actually RUN..but we got familiarized with COWIES, FIELDS, BOTHAS, INCHANGA & POLLY SHORTS, followed by a MUSEUM TOUR….

 

SATURDAY was the REST DAY for all of us, where we took adequate rest and ensured that our GEAR is ready so the afternoon went in stiching our Flags, getting our Gear Ready and by 4pm, we were done with those Formalities….
The rest of the evening went in Resting, watching TV and discussing on where we should be taking the WALK BREAKS, Water Breaks, ICE BREAKS, and where the HELL ARE WE GOING TO BREAK ;-)

 

MORE ON THE RUN, SOON ENOUGH!!!!!!

 

Regards
Pratik Desai

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

My LAST LONGEST RUN B4 THE MARATHON....and THE BEST RUN SO FAR!!!!!!!!

Hi to All!!!

Below are my details for this Sundays Run..

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60087220

When you have the enthusiasm and the passion, you end up figuring how to excel. 

I guess today i can say this for myself....

Today, when i am writing this mail to you, i am feeling extremely proud of myself.....

Proud for what i managed to do yesterday....i personally did not think that i would finish so strong...

IT WAS A NEW PERSONAL BEST FOR ME..

I managed to pull off 38 kms in 4 hours and 12 minutes...

If you compare this 38km run to 38km run in LONAVALA, then you would come to know the difference..i guess since there were no slopes, the timings have bettered....

if things go this way, I am surely on my way to cross the Finish line under 5 hours on 16th Jan 2011..

This Sunday was our last longest Run....as from now on, every sunday, we would taper and do lesser distances so that our legs are fresh on the D-Day.....

I had made up my mind since last week that i wanted to finish strong when i finish the desired distance....and hence, was taking care of all that was required to maintain the same..

I was treating this Sunday as a MARATHON day and was preparing myself accordingly....

i had very bad cough and cold on Saturday morning and hence i came back from Office by Noon and took medicines and slept the entire afternoon to recover..

In the evening i started with my Carbo Loading plan...as the more carbohydrates the Body has before the long run, chances to Cramp gets lesser....

so in the evening, I had a Double Burst Cheese Pizza, with 2 bananas and while sleeping, i had 200 Gms of Flavoured Yoghurt followed by milk and slept by 1030pm...

i somehow got up at 3am and then had 1 more banana and slept to get up at 5am....

This sunday, we decided to run as per Marathon Times, and so i started my run at 556am....15 minutes prior the actual time as i could not wait any longer to start my run...( I WAS THT MUCH EXCITED TO RUN!!!!)

I started from home instead of MIG Club as did not have a car with me and did a very slow run for the 1st 2 kms as a warm- up...

then i got to my rhythm and within an hour or so, i was already at Siddhivinayak and then hit the Worli Sea Face...where i took my speed training practise to test...

i increased my speed with proper breathing ...i was not at all thinking about the time but only thing i was bothered about that i should not start cramping.....

so i ran a little fast and then got back to my original speed...when checked on my watch, i saw i was clocking almost every Km under 7mins per KM, which itself was a great achievement..

I said to myself, if i can continue this speed for the full distance, do not see a problem in completing under 5 hours...

i met the entire gang at the Haji Ali stretch, where i took a break for water, a bit of stretching, a few dates and oranges and then headed to the Pedder Road, where i knew my Wifey was waiting for me to click pictures...

when i met her, i really enjoyed that moment...felt like hugging her there and then, but i was too sweaty to do that.....i waved my In-laws when i was on the Flyover, who i guess were enjoying their cup of tea....

I took the next Mini Break at Babulnath and then started to get back to my speed at Marine Drive...

As soon as i crossed Babulnath, i started getting a pain in my left feet, which also happened at Lonavala and during my 1st 30km run...

but this pain was always happening after 25km...but when it started after 15km, i was slightly worried....

i was wondering what will happen, how am i going to finish the remaining stretch, etc...

People ask why I run.
I say "If you have to ask, you will never understand".
It is something only those select few know.
Those who put themselves through pain, but deep down know how good it feels

i just halted there and then, did some ankle and feet stretches, stopped thinking about the pain and started running.....i decided that I will do the feet stretches every 10-15 mins so that it does not aggravate....

It worked....i ran in a similar manner upto NCPA..half way target achieved and no sign of cramps or knee pain whatsoever....now the main aim was to get back in similar manner....

Dr. Ajay kharat and Ajay Pimpley were slower than usual this time.

Ajay Pimpley was nursing an Hamstring injury so was taking slow on purpose...

Dr. Kharat was at his normal speed, but i guess i have had a tremendous improvement in my speed due to the speed runs on Tuesday, which is showing in my performance...( Thanks to Dr. Kharat for this).......

I was continuously sipping water for the entire distance every 15 - 20 minutes, which helped me to be Hydrated enough...and again not cramping...

The last 3 -4 kms did slow me down, but that will happen when we Run so much...

I must say, that when i reached MIG, i was not tired at all..infact, i could have done 4 kms more and finished the Marathon distance..as i had recovered well enough....but the additional 4 kms are left so that the excitement on the MARATHON DAY, remains intact...

The rest of the day was a recipe for Disaster..... As soon as i reached home, i had to get ready for a wedding function and hence, did not get rest even for a minute....

i just had a quick shower and got ready for the wedding and then had to search for an auto to reach the highway, where a car pick up was waiting for me...luckily, i did not have to drive......

i got back home at around 4pm and since then had only slept...when i got up at 630, the entire body was paining & Started getting cramps , in fact, its still paining Now, when i am writing to you this mail....

hoping to recover fully before tomorrows speed run...:-)

its less than a month now to finish the Full Marathon....the Dream that i had since the Marathon started in Mumbai ..

I could not run until last year due to my knee problem as had both my Patela's a bit dislocated due to excessive dance and table tennis...

I somehow managed to pull last years HALF MARATHON...and then, sprained my leg after the marathon and was hit by a Ligament tear, where at times i thought i might not be able to run forever....

Luckily, the mind won over the Body, and today, i have run more that 500 KMs already after my Ankle injury in February 2010....

I Have lost 8 kgs and have started fitting in my college clothes back again..however, need to put on some weight back as soon as i finish the marathon...

Need to add more strength to my legs, so the next years marathon is even better and Stronger...

The Next 2- 3 Sundays, i might run or not run at all, as i am in Lonavala for those weekends, however, shall update you on the same if i run......

or else my next update will be straight on 17th Jan....

till then.....

Adios....

Regards

Pratik