My second Half Marathon - SPBM 2016

Shriram Properties Bengaluru Marathon – Live to run - 16 October 2016

‘When you finish the cross line, no matter how slow or fast, it will change your life forever’

– Dick Beardsley.

I totally agree with the above quote, no matter how slow or fast, crossing the finish line is always memorable. It makes you to feel proud of yourself for the achievement at your best possible way. I want to share my experience of successfully completing my 2^nd Half Marathon with Shriram Properties Bengaluru Marathon which was scheduled on 16 Oct 2016. There were two major reasons I want to be part of it – First, I wanted to come back on run track which I lost due to my foot injury on 6^th May 2016 and second, my brother, Dev, his wife, Megha, and their 11 months old son my lovely Nephew Dakshu stays in Bengaluru.

After hurting my foot, this was big event I was looking forward to conquest my pain.  I gave enough time to my body to recover but mind was still restless as I was not able to dare to run or walk long distances. I was worried pain may come back or injury will trigger again if I am forcing my feet to work more hard.  Meanwhile, I started learning swimming and took part in cycling event in Hyderabad where I did 95 kms cycling. I took one day to recover the tiredness. But I was very sure that there is something else apart from foot injury & runner’s knee which is stopping my efforts to exercise. I thought of getting health checkup and was guided by Shiva Jijuvarapu garu from Hyderabad Runners group to consult Dr. Chandrasekhar Ramineni, an orthopediation who is also a runner.

He suggested me to get done Vitamin B12 and D test along with the overall health checkup. Reports made it clear that I had a severe deficiency of both the vitamins (B12 &D) in my body and immediately I started taking medicines suggested by Doctor in the month of September’16. Later I slowly started cross training myself with regular exercise daily for at least 30 min in different activities like abs, swimming, cycling and long walks along with proper medication and food. Plank is my favorite exercise of all and I can at least do 1:45 min for sure. Initially I wasn’t able to hold for at least 20 seconds.

During this training period, I didn’t practice to run long distances because I don’t want to exert myself before the event. I wasn’t sure how things will go but I prepared myself mentally that I have to finish this race. No matter what time I finish and mainly what my body says. I was still struggling with the decision to run or not run without practice. I have seen many runners in my colony who really practice very dedicatedly for every event so that they can achieve their personal Best (PB). I totally agree that without continuous effort, practice and dedication it is not an easy to finish any run and post recovery. But I build up all my energy and excitement and started my journey to Bangalore with my mom 2 nights before the event i.e., 14^th October.

Next day I went to Expo to collect my run kit and BIB with my brother’s brother-in- law (Abhishek Anat). Abhishek also registered for his first run and was very excited for the entire event to happen. After collecting, came back home and decided to sleep early and went to bed at 9:30 pm. All my accessories related to run were on place before I went to bed. I woke up at 3 am on the run day and got ready. We planned to leave at 4 am as it will take an hour from my brother’s place (Bannerghatta road) to run start point (Kanteerava Stadium).  I drank plenty of water and ate 2 bananas before starting from home and had few dry fruits with me to munch half an before the race. My brother left me at the start area around 4:45 am and went back home.

I entered the stadium as it was still dark but there were many focus lights and tried to identify people I know. I met Neeti, Braja, Himanshu, Abhishek and Niha (all from my community where I live in Hyd and we are all part of RTP runners) before the race begin. The warm up area was crowded with people who were stretching, jumping and I saw quite a few running on the track before the run. I don’t understand how can someone run before the Half Marathon J , whatever every person has his or her own strategy to finish the race and I respect it.

We all proceeded to the start line but there was no space to move as the stadium was packed and the lane which leads to start point was very narrow. It was crazy approx. 8000 people registered for Half Marathon (21km). I think most of them didn’t have any option left as they have Full Marathon, Half Marathon and fun 5k run only. 10k was not there at all. The race began at 5:45 am but by the time I stepped on the start mat it was 6:04 am because of huge crowd. I started jogging slowly and keep going until half a km and then decided to walk for a while.

I made my mind to run-walk-run strategy. I ran for 10 min and walked for 5 min throughout my race.  Until 5km I was on track and made it in 30 min so expecting that I made do 10km in 1:15 or closer. But in reality it was not possible as the km increased my energy started decreasing and I made to 10km at 1:30 min. I started was feeling exhausted and drained and what thinking how will I finish 11 more km. But I started keep going by drinking water and glucose offered at SAG points. Throughout the race we were cheered by traffic police and volunteers and it was good to see group of Hyderabad runners. I watched them running and they keep cheering me whenever they pass besides me. It kept my spirits high.

After 15 kms my legs were not listening to me and it started pain badly. I thought I cannot go further and it’s time to drop. Also I saw couple of runners dropped as they have bad cramps and ambulance was running here and there. It made me scared for a moment, but fellow runners and volunteers keep shouting keep going and going. I again pushed my limits and started walking and running and keep saying to mind you can do it and just finish the race no matter what the time is. I thought of finishing the race at least at 3:00 hours to my best but couldn’t make it and ended at 3:20 hours. No regrets because I know that I didn’t prepare well for the run. Next time I will definitely train myself much in advance and will finish strong.

After finishing event, I booked a cab and went home and try to catch up some sleep but couldn’t get as I was feeling very tired. My legs became sour and painful but somehow keep moving inside home. My brother ordered some yummy chicken salad and grilled fish to pamper me J. It was ordered from freshmenu.com and it was just awesome and I highly recommend it. After spending afternoon with my family I reached Banaglore city station at 7 pm to catch up Rajdhani at 8 pm. I boarded train and occupied my seat, was surprised and happy to meet Shailender Singh ji from Hyderabad. I met him AHM’16 as he was pacer and I was volunteer for pacers so got a chance to interact with him again. Glad to know that he was an academician in ICFAI and how passionate he was about his teaching profession and run.

We were talking about the run and the entire event and meanwhile 3 other men came to their respective berths. They listened to us and started interacting with us that they also came to run Bangalore Marathon and they later told us they came second and third in Full Marathon. I was amazed to see their energy levels, they don’t look tired at all. Satyabhan ji who finished FM in 2:32 min and stood second and his friend Hayat ram ji finished FM in 2:34 min were happy to share their victory. I was curious to know how they do it and learned that they both were Sports persons from Army Hyderabad. And their duty is to just run, they run every day to achieve weekly targets and their coach help them too. They are served different food to maintain their health. Now they will take three months brak to take part in other event but will keep practicing. The moment they started telling about their training I imagined the movie “Bhaag Milka Bhaag”.  Very happy to meet such amazing people who have lot of passion for run and their dedication to what they do.

But I enjoyed each and every moment of the entire trip and event !!

All set to go !!

                                                   Happy to pose wih my medal after finishing the race

Met Sushmita at finish line

                                   From left – Himanshu, Braja, me and Neeti before the race start

From left – Me, Hayat ram ji , Shailender ji and Satya Bhan ji

                                   

Me in action J

Long Bicycle ride - 6th Aug'16

Long Bicycle ride - 6th August 2016

 Cycling is a not a very new affair for me but I haven't gone on a long distance rides. It was my only way of transport to commute to my classes during my education at University of Hyderabad for almost 8 years. I stopped cycling in 2008, after I bought my scooty and I hardly use to ride my bicycle. I wanted to start again as part of cross training for strengthen my legs so gave a try by registering in cycling event in 2015. 13^th Dec 2015 I took part in Hyderabad cyclothon for 25kms bicycle ride and was able to finish successfully in 1: 30 min.

                                        

Later, I never got a chance to go for such an event. This year I saw an invite on FB for chak de India 2 ride for 10km ride on 7^th August 2016 and I registered for it but couldn’t take part because another big affair was on my list as a coincidence. Got an Invite from one of our RTP runner’s group member  Raushan ji (Raushan is an avid brevet and runner) to take part in The Pearl Ride on 06/Aug/2016. This was organised by Hyderabad Randonneurs who announced its first Club Ride in a whole new route called “The PEARL” on the 6th of August 2016. This was a 109kms ride organized as a stepping stone to brevet.

I was unable to decide whether to go for it or not as I recently recovered from foot injury. I took this brave step after struggling for hours with myself. Couple of friends supported and couple of them discouraged saying I shouldn’t do it without practice and I might have an accident or injury. I appreciate their concern for my safety at one end but at the other end I was mentally prepared enough to push myself hard and decided to go for it.

Even after registering I was warned by couple of people that I should not do it as it will be a risky affair, but I contacted Kiranmayee garu from Hyderabad runners group who guided me very nicely and boosted my energy. She gave me some tips and motivated me to go for it and do it at my own pace. Shiva Jujjavarapu garu and Raushan ji encouraged and helped me throughout the event. Finally I made my mind strong that I am going for it. I was confident that my body is flexible and ready for the task and this was only possible with my swimming practice for couple of weeks and with the help of our lovey abs trainer Mrs. Poonam Shravage, who is taekwondo black belt and an awesome women with full passion to teach her skills to others for free of cost. I have attend her few sessions and keep practicing at home almost daily at least for 20 mins.

Now having a perfect bicycle for the event was an issue for me, as I don’t have my own gear bicycle for the event so I borrowed my cousin’s geared cycle which he wasn’t using for 2 years. My brother in law got it repaired for me and practiced for 2 days for half an hour just to be in touch with pedalling. But I realised that this bike might not be sufficient for long distance ride. I contacted Raushan again and he kindly manged to get me a good bicycle for rent from The Bike affair Kondapur.

My anxiety started a day before the event as I was occupied entire day with Varalakshmi Pooja and its preparation, collecting my BIB kit, visiting one of my stakeholder who was hospitalised and later I went to collect my cycle from the shop and kept it at my faculty’s home with the help of Sampath, The Bike affair guy who was very kind to ride cycle to my faculty’s home. I decided to stay at my madam (Dr. Rajyarama’s )home that night as it is comparatively closer to the start point ISB.

Friday night after finishing Pooja I slept at 11 pm but couldn’t get a sound sleep due to anxiety. Every one hour I checked the time and finally woke up at 4 am to get ready for the event. I got fresh up and tried calling ola and uber cabs to carry bicycle to the event place but I was not successful as they refused to carry such a big cycle. Autos were also not available nearby, so I decided to bike to some point where I can find an auto and I ended up cycling till to the start point ISB. I was cheered at the gate entrance by Raushan and another organiser and went inside the event place. Already many cyclists were ready with their cycles and were doing some stretching and warm ups before the event. I met many known and unknown faces and was geared up for the event.

The race started at 5.36 am with lot of excitement and fun, I started cycling at my own pace and ease enjoying the pleasant morning. There were 3 check points (31kms, 59kms, 85 kms) and end point with a defined time frame. I thought of making possible to meet the time frame at least to one point and was enjoying my ride, which came to a pause when my cotton thin backpack got ripped off after tangling with my cycle’s seat and my water bottle and small lip guard fell down in middle of main road, I didn’t care for them and tied the bag with the strings and kept moving forward as I have no option left. Again after 25 kms my bag gave me hard time by ripping off completely and all my valuables fell down on the ground. Four other cyclists stopped and helped me collecting my wallet and energy bars. I gave them my couple of energy bars to have as I have limited space to carry them. I was happy to share with them rather than to throw them here and there. One cyclist Karthik understood that I was little nervous because of this pause and was riding beside me until I made to the first check point Vardhaman college at 7:31 am and got my sheet stamped. I thanked him and his friends and had my breakfast and started to my second point route. Route map was handed over to all of us and was explained very well before the event.

I start pedalling again enjoying the beauty of the green nature in the entire stretch of the narrow roads leading to Mamu Dhaba. But I started feeling tired at ups on the roads and heavy breeze and lots of cars and trucks were making their way in such a narrow lane. Also this is the first time I have ever used a 7 gear cycle and I literally learned to use it while riding. Finally made to second point at 10.10 am where we were supposed to reach by 9.30 am. I understood that I cannot match with time speed for now but I can try to finish as much as possible. I was unlucky again to lose my route and took wrong route to chevella and pedalled 5 kms and after a while I realised that I haven’t seen a single cycle, I stopped at a point where two security persons were sitting, I asked them if they have seen any cycles they said NO. I My doubt was correct that I got lost my route. I took back route again and started to reach my third point Tea stall with a little disappointment of going in wrong direction. But I was happy to get cheered by the school children and villagers on our route. Their smiles and enthusiasm was making me keep going and I finally reached 3^rd point at 12:30 pm.

I was knock off by then and was thinking to give up, but was boosted by fellow cyclists and volunteers. Volunteers were super awesome at all points with full support. I again pushed myself and made it to Aziz nagar cross roads near Himayat sagar which made my 95 kms at 1: 30 pm, where my body told me to stop J

I called volunteers saying that I have decided to give up and want to go back, George came to help me book a cab and made back to my home. I can say this was one of my wonderful experiences in my life where you feel and know your confidence level, strength and energy to push yourself to achieve your target. Believe in yourself and keep going.

Run Madhuri Run

'Run Madhuri Run'  This is the comment of appreciation I hear from my family and friends when I complete my run for either 5k or 10k, which kept me motivated to run more and more. I never thought running can be so much fun and challenging too. I was a athlete in my school days and later ran one or two times in my degree college after that I stopped sports because of my busy schedule and lifestyle.But I use to jog or walk regularly. 

I started my run journey in August 2014 as novice which has changed my life style, social life and my identity. My neighbors (Ashish Maheshwari and Vandana Maheshwari) are my inspiration and mentors for my achievement today. They encouraged me and supported by all means along with my family from the day one which gives me more strength and energy to keep going.

I started my first run with Airtel Hyderabad Marathon happened 24th August 2014, that was my first 5km which I finished in 56 minutes and after that I couldn't stop participating in run events. After AHM 2014, I ran with SBI Pinkathon on 15th March 2015 (5km in 60 min), Womanathon on 8th March 2015  (10Km in 1 hr 20 min), Fitathon on 27th June 2015 (8k in 1 hr 30 min ) This run took long time for me as I had knee injury and doctor advised me not to run for some time. But I did strengthening exercises and keep it going. All the above mentioned run events happened in Hyderabad.

Fortunately, I stay in a huge community in Hyderabad called “Malaysian township” near Kukatpally and luckily have Ashish Maheswari as our trainer for couple of months. He started training us who are interested in running, he continued training under the program organised by Hyderabad runners called Coach to 5k for 2 months. It started in the Month of April 2015 till June 2015. I missed few sessions as I went to South Africa (Cape Town) for 10 days on official trip. There I climbed Table Mountain in 2 hrs and 15 minutes. This is was the first climb of my life to a mountain, which was an amazing experience. I was satisfied that my zeal to run was fulfilled by climbing that mountain:)

I am able to balance my run with my busy lifestyle, it’s a part of life and had become a regular habit now. This passion makes me to sign up for the run out of Hyderabad 2nd August 2015 at Durshet Forest run for 10k which I finished in 2 hours(my first out of Hyderabad run, which is near Pune Maharashtra). This was too hard for me as it was not on flat surface and knee was still hurting. Later I pushed hard for half marathon in Hyderabad AHM 2015 on 30th August 2015 which I finished in 3 hours 45 min.

Now my knee pain was on its peak so I have decided to train myself properly and recover completely. I took chance again and ran 10k in Hyderabad club run on 7th Feb 2016 in 1 hour 45 min. Two of my CIEE students from Spring 2016 semester (Michaela and Enrique) also ran 10k with me. Now I have decided to take a break for couple of months so I started volunteering instead of running to keep my spirits up. I volunteered for Pinkathon Hyderabad for visually challenged kids happened on 5th March 2016 . It was a different kind of experience in my life where I learned that visually challenged people are more strong, dedicated, determine than normal people. I was amazed to see their enthusiasm to take part in such events. Later I started walking and avoid running but couldn't stop to register for Hyderabad Desi Warriors (8th May 2016) which was 5km run with 20 obstacles. This was very challenging and fun until I slipped in one of the obstacles and got severe injury in my leg. I was forced to take 20 days off from office and rest. This was the worst experience in my life to sit idle and do nothing. Still today the pain comes and go which has stopped me to run or walk for a while. My inner voice couldn't let me stop from doing exercise so I have decided to learn swimming (btw I use be very scared of water) and started swimming coaching classes.Now I can say I can survive if thrown or slipped in water ha ha.

I also volunteered for RTP run in my township with a gang of enthusiastic people who initially I thought they know just to run crazily, but their excellent execution had made this event a grand success. I learned a lot from each and every person behind this. Kudos to RTP volunteers - Ashish Maheshwari, Abhishek, Vandana Maheshwari, Poonam, Vasudha, Anil, Harjinder, Saurab, Sayoon, Sushmita, Himanshu, Sandeep, Suchita, Neelima, Shiva, Vaishali and many other people who are directly and indirectly involved in this event. I am proud to announce that my mom (Kusuma Venkat), my sister (Mamatha Kannan) and my 6 years old niece (Anjana) also took part in this event and finished their first 3k run.

Now my next mission is to be part of as a Volunteer for Hyderabad runners biggest event Airtel Hyderabad Marathon 2016. Last but not the least I want to thank Hyderabad runners group who are encouraging people to run and stay healthy. Hyderabad runners group is a ocean of runners who are novice runners to comrades tough marathoners.

I am proud to be part of RUN :) and wants to keep this passion alive. My dad always use to say - Try and Try until you get it and never give up !!