my life my creation: My second Half Marathon

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 !!