Better late than never... TCS 10K... 5th June'11

Been a really long time and a much overdue post. But as they say... Better Late than never.

I hoped to be consistent with my running when I started training for the TCS 10K in May'11. 4-weeks prior to TCS 10K, I dusted my running shoes and clothes. Started with a few short runs of 2-2.5 Km and took it up to 6Km in the week preceding the event. Overall I put in about 10 short runs in preparation for the event.

I could not sleep the night before. Just too many conversations in my mind about whether I would be able to complete the 10Km. I was so sure that I would fade out around the 7.5-8Km mark. Do remember that my last serious run was on 13th July'10 in Mumbai (8.5Km in about 45 mins) along the Marine Drive. After that maybe 2-3 short 2.5Km runs. Yup that was it. So I was under no false pretense that I was capable of running the 10Km non-stop. Run for about 7Km, walk a couple n try n run the last Km. Well that was the plan.

I was just not in the right frame of mind to run. I almost decided to pull out of the event in the morning. But I dug real deep and reached the venue. It was such joy meeting my running buddies from Nike Run Club and RunnersforLife, after a year. And all of them were wondering where I had disappeared to. Well, actually I was lost in my head. That was it!

Did a bit of pre-run warm-up with the Nike Run Club. Took it nice n easy. Didn't want to unnecessarily expend my energy even before the race began. Shortly thereafter, we were asked to proceed to the stadium. I called it the 'cage', because it felt like one. A couple of thousand of us were literally caged like animals, peeping through the fence to catch the main event, cheering the professional athletes on. And when the women athletes came out, the catcalls began. What's with these Indian men?!

Anyway. We were then asked to proceed to the starting line. And then my shivering began. I was nervous as hell. My heart beating faster. Bumped into a few more guys and they wished me luck and said that I would definitely finish. That made me feel a bit better.

Took a few deep breaths to focus, and took the long walk to the start, thoughts racing through my head. Will I make it to the end? Or will I disappoint myself by quitting midway. But a few minutes later I let go of it all. Just took in the electrifying energy. Everyone was pumped up. Whipped out my iPhone and decided that I would take pics and tweet live from the race.

I really dug deep and surprised myself. The run to the half-way mark (5Km) was a breeze. And then, on the return leg I almost gave up. From 5 to 8Km it was an uphill climb on the course. Feeling breathless, muscles in my thighs were burning. How I so wanted to stop and walk. But no. I was determined, come what may, I would not walk. Enroute I bumped into a running buddy. Slowed my already slow pace and ran with her. It was great catching up with her after so long and amused her with my live tweets and pic updates. And then to my surprise I saw my daughter, wife and mother standing on the footpath, cheering me on. Made a quick stop, kissed my daughter and was off again. We talked and ran all the way to the 9Km mark. And that really helped me get my mind of all the aches and pains and all the conversations going on in my head.

I was amazed that I got so far without a stop, barring the quick sips at the water posts. Suddenly I was filled with a new burst of energy. 1Km to go. And I felt like I had sprouted wings. I took leave of my buddy and made a quick dash to the finish line. I sprinted the last 100 metres. And threw both my hands up in the air as I crossed the line. I felt on top of the world. I felt like a winner. I had overcome my hurdles and conquered my mind. I was ecstatic! I was on a high!

Well it was no where close to my personal best of 54:30. I ran the same timing as my first ever 10Km run - 1:08:05. That was an achievement in itself. Before the race I was so sure that I would walk the last 2-3 Km and complete with a disappointing time of 1:20:00. But I did it... I beat the voice in my head that I call THE BITCH!

Some pics from the event

Pre-run relaxation at the Nike hall

My super fast buddy - Nitin

Warming-up

Nitin and Pani. That's the last I saw of them till I completed.

Caged Animals at Kanteerva Stadium

Jostling for space to run at the start

Half-way mark. Ulsoor Road

Not a sweat :-)

And the climb begins

Some entertainment

Entering Cubbon Park. Weather held up. No sun n no rain :-)

1Km to go :-)

I did it!!!

Passed out while getting a massage

A little bit of history and my first run of 2011

Yes! Finally after 6 months and 3 days I ran today. I'm not getting into why I didn't run. Didn't run a lot, just 2km in 12mins 56 secs.  My last run was on 13th July in Mumbai where I ran 8km in 45 mins on Marine Drive. Didn't plan to run today as I had gone to sleep at 2am but woke up at 630am and said, what the heck. So I dragged myself out of bed and left for the lake. Walked about 2km to warmup. Then stretched for 10 mins. I always do. It's important but I know many runners who do not stretch. I do active stretching. (more on that in another post)

I could have run another km more but didn't really want to push it. It was fun. I felt free, the wind- in- my- hair- feeling. During the first couple of hundred metres I was a bit creaky, but then got into my stride. Felt exhilarated. Need to get our more often and hopefully all through this week. Just short runs before I build up my mileage. Ended it by doing some passive stretching for 10 mins. Oh and I lost my car keys. 2nd time. Walked another 4km just looking for them, but couldn't find them. So had to call my wife to come with the spare and then had to treat her to breakfast.

At the end of the day, my thighs, calves and ankles are a bit sore. But it's worth it.

So now a little bit of history. In Jan'08, I touched an all time high of 96kgs and actually contemplated going to 100. Then in Feb, I took up a bet with friends that I would get up every morning for the next 5 weeks and go for a walk. I did win the bet, but my friends never kept their end of the bargain and I will not get the winnings, at least not in the foreseeable future. Started out by doing a combination of run/walk. More walk than run. Started by running 400 metres at a time and then built it upto 5km by May. Struggled at 5km bec I was running too fast. Doing the distance in about 24 mins. In July, I joined the Nike Run Club and Runnersforlife in Bangalore and met many interesting people. Within 5 weeks I was at the 20km mark. Unbelievable right! In my entire life I had not run more than 3km ever.

By the end of 2008, I was down to 78kgs. Yes! 18 kgs in 9 months. And no dieting. Just running. Reached many milestones that year; 50 km run/walk; 27km non-stop running. I never felt better. Don't know why I didn't run all those years and all you people reading this, just get out n hit the streets.

Till I stopped running in July'10, I got faster over the years. Cut my 10km time from 1hr 6 mins down to 52mins. My 20km down to 1hr 59mins and my half marathon distance (21.1km) to 2hrs 3 mins.

Well now I have an uphill task. I want to better my 10km time in May but over the past 6-7 months have been smoking a lot. But am confident. Yes! I know I have to stop and have reduced it dramatically over the past couple of days. When I run, I have no urge to smoke. I'd smoke the odd cigarette in the day and a couple on sundays with beer over lunch and maybe a couple if I'd go out in the week for a drink.

Well now I'm back with a vengeance and this time there will be no breaks. Running is a part of my life, just like eating, drinking and breathing.

So here's to more boring posts about my runs.. :-)

Cheers!