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
2nd 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 6th 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., 14th 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
