It's not where you are today that counts. It's where you are headed. - Arthur F. Lenehan
A journey always has a story to tell. When running season closed for Kolkata, I had overwhelming desire to do a half marathon (HM). I checked the marathon calendar. As already told in my TCS racelogue http://samudrajeetghosh.blogspot.in/2017/05/racelogue-tcs-world-10k-bangalore-this.html , I had shortlisted few. The first HM I wanted to try was Cherrapunji and the next Airtel Hyderabad Marathon (AHM). The dates of both were not out, I was keenly waiting for the same. Expected date of Cherapunji was 16th July . March end I decided to go for 14 weeks MYASICS training plan for HM. I started following it.
In April beginning Sketchers Gorun club was launched in Kolkata. I enrolled for it, hoping this improves my running.
2nd week of April, AHM FB page gave update of registration to begin from 17th April .
I did the registration on the 1st day and got the early bird discounts. The registration got confirmed only after few days, got the BIB # 0036. I checked out the flights and timings which would be suitable and booked them. In meantime I check for Cherrapunji Marathon and learned it was cancelled this year.
Few days later, there was whatsapp group formed for the runners from Kolkata going for AHM. There were about 20 to begin with which swelled to 60 in the end. The group was aimed at sharing information, logistics, pre runs etc.
The USP for AHM is "India's toughest city marathon ". This was going to be my first HM as well. The only solace was for me I knew the route pretty well, it being my office route for 2 years.
I needed to modify MYASICS plan with Sketchers training being on saturday, making sunday my rest day in the summer. It was recommended to do hill training for getting prepared for the race. Kolkata didn't have any choices for hills, you need to do flyovers again which was little dicey where I stay.
Anyway, in May did TCSW10k in Bangalore. That story already told. coming back after that started training again. My knowledge of Banjara hills/ Jubilee hills, I decided to do more short hill training, practicing on Footover bridge at Sreebhumi.
June decided to do more long runs to do endurance. And summer is not kind to Runners in Kolkata. I took part in 15k in the Kolkata Road Runner hosted Collaboration run on 4th June. Next long run I included Ultadanga flyover for my long run of 16K on 18th June.
22nd June, as per MYASICS plan I need to do 10k at 7.3-7.5 pace. I did better than that and after my cool down, I was dismayed I had injured my achilles tendon. I gave it a rest for couple of days, it felt fine. Meanwhile, I need a new pair of running shoes. Last ones had run over 900kms. I checked out the shoes, read their reviews and understanding their specs. I ordered for Mizuno Wave Rider.
Then on 25th June , I was running for Anti Narcotics Run, I felt good and till 5k ran good, then the problem started. I managed to finish the race 10k somehow. It was not good, I decided to rest for the week.
Problem with tendinopathy of Achilles tendon is that it is tough band of tissues that connects calf muscle to heel. When you walk or run it gets used. About a week I rested, felt good pain subsided.
On 2nd July SaltLake Runners hosted Collaboration, I was taking photos of the the event. Pain started coming back and it worsened.
Other thing which came during period was Kolkata Runners t-shirt for AHM. Sandip Mojumder and I took up the job, getting interested peoples lust, costing , design with help of Satwik of KRR .
I was dejected with the return of pain, I was walking with a limp. After few days, there was no change. I decided to see an Orthopedic Surgeon nearby, he gave medicine and advised rest till it heals. Now it was July 1st week and I had race on Aug 20th. I started taking medicine and kept my fingers crossed.
25th July, I decided to start again, ran for 2km, next day 3km and 3.8 km. These runs were real slow and I was feeling okay. The tendon not being used for running was aching a bit. I iced after run to prevent any flaring ups. I needed to run in my new pair of shoes so I could wear it on the race day.
30th July- Collaboration run hosted by KRS I decided to do 5k to check how good the tendon is holding. This time ran slow as well and it was real slow that one of runners Irfan came up and asked why I was running so slow.
Week 1 of testing was fine, I was able to run 5k. But rested again for couple days, I picked up again for 3 days with max 6.9k. Finally week before the race did a slow run of 5k to see how it is holding.
I had again pain a week before the race, for AIRTEL RFE promo race, I ran slow and checked how the leg was holding.
I had again pain a week before the race, for AIRTEL RFE promo race, I ran slow and checked how the leg was holding.
August 19th , I left with group of 60 runners for the AHM 2017. We landed at 8.30, collected the baggage.
I went to Secunderabad to finish off personal work and from there moved to Expo for the BIB collection. Collected the BIB and had lunch with our team of runners. Abhivas Kashyap brought us Yogabars from Bangalore which were given as Yogabars team as well wishes.
Moved back to hotel. Had dinner early and went back to room to get ready for the next day.
Sleep for 6 hrs, got up at 4.00 am to get ready. By 4.55am I was down at lobby to meet other runners from Kolkata to walk down to People's plaza- starting point. We reached the holding area at 5.13. I had already warmed up at hotel itself from my previous experiences.
Around 5.35, runners moved to the starting point. I could see the FM runners passing the start point, they had covered the necklace road already.
At 6.00 am the gun went off for the HM, all runners started to move, it was crowded. I and my fellow runners started moving slowly to cross the start line. Once I crossed the start line , moved the right lane where the FM runners were coming in and started running towards the Khairatabad flyover (1st on the course). Slowly moved up, the crowd was still thick. After coming down from the flyover, moved to Raj Bhavan road, and could see the amazing sea of runners before me.
Before 2 km rest of my fellow runners were moving up, crossing 2km mark, I received a thump in back and saw it was Yashovardhan Kanodia , FM runner from Kolkata and with him was Avinash Singh. Yasho moved up fast, Avinash and I started running together. We are old running partners.
Before the 4km mark, my left leg tendon started giving trouble, not a good sign. Avinash told ignore it and we started moving up on the Panjagutta Flyover (2nd one). This one is long and there are several ups, as we were coming down, Avinash remarked the down is so short. I explained to him that flyover is landing on Banjara hills which is high. We saw Ritesh and Arvind running in front of us, from Kolkata.
We check the pace it was just 7, we started moving forward with same pace, I had water at next hydration point. I would keep talking and and telling where to expect the next up and down. Slowly we crossed LVPEI and into the KBR park stretch. We could see Karthekiyan in Kolkata Runners t-shirt in front. He was maintaining the pace.
Crossing Jubliee Checkpost, we climbed the uphill one of bad ones on the course. Coming up and moving forward, we saw Subrata Mondal, another of FM Kolkata Runners, he was struggling, we cheered him and asked to be with us. He started again running with us. He was with us about a km till the next uphill bend. So far on the course, we found people, volunteers, bands all cheering. Hardly any gaps were there.
We crossed 10km here which is after Pedamma Temple. We checked out pace and till it was 7, we have managed to keep it constant so far. I told Avinash, we will get long down hill hereafter and try to make up the time.
Once we got into Madhapur, crossing the Dasapalla hotel , Avinash felt craps in his knee. I told ignore it as possible. Next aid station , he took volini spary to ease it. We started moving forward, so far so good. We were enjoying the run and spirit.
Coming 500m to Cyber towers, caught up with Ritesh and Arvind, they also started running along with us. At cyber towers , we met Howard. We cheered him, he asked us to go ahead. As we started moving towards Mindspace, we meet Nishant running. Again we cheered and crossed him. This was the merger point of 10k and HM/FM. The road was crowded beyond words.
After crossing Lemon Tree, we took right and here Arvind got lost. Avinash, Ritesh and I kept moving and before reaching Hitech Main Road, we are all together again.
Here it was diffcult for running as hardly any gaps were there, people were running , walking , talking, cheering.
We cam down the down hill of Hitech Main road, Ritesh and Arvind moved up. Once, we were on the old Bombay road, I told Avinash we have one last flyover left. We started moving towards the Flyover and before reaching 100/200m we again caught up with Ritest and Arvind. And we could see Sandip Mojumdar in up front.
I started moving up, Avinash told go ahead, I started pushing up fast on the flyover and had to keep shouting "Coming through, please give space". Before reaching top, I was with Sandip Mojumdar, I asked about rest of Kolkata runners. I moved up, leaving him behind. One of runner was walking, I told only 2km left, com'on run. Hearing that, another runner who looked he was to give asked "only 2 left " and I said yes. com'on don't give up. In reality it was more than 3km. He started running with hope.
As I came down and running with faster pace I saw 2.30 hrs bus Poonam Metta, I reached her and started running with her. Then it was last uphill but small, I asked her is this last and she confirmed.
I kept running and she stopped for photo. I said she is better runner, she will make up and I can't.
I crossed the ISB road corssing and could see the Gachibowli Stadium, I kept shouting "Coming through, please give space" and ran as fast as possible. Before entering the stadium, I got bit slow, probably running last 3 km at fast paces with negative splits.
I entered the stadium , I pushed myself and crossed the line. I was out of breath, and feeling of satisfaction came. The Runners high is what we call it.
After taking 5 minutes to regain my breath, I did stretching first before moving to collect the medal and bottle of water.
As I came into resting area, I saw Avinash, Ritesh and Arvind have also reached. Avinash asked my time, looking into Strava I said its 2.28 min, he said it cant be, his is 2.28 and I must have reached before him.
We saw the other runners and had breakfast. Got energy recharged, before moving up to take pics.
Lessons from last TCS10k. Route recce- This helped, even though it was familiar, I came from Secunderabad to Hitex on the route,. It helps specially if you are not 100% fit. Hydration - I took electrolyte solution i.e Electral for hydration for 4 days before the race, sipping 1 litre through the day. I didn't felt any cramps at any point in and after the race. Also, endurance gels helped. Have a plan in mind, I planned to take it in halves - first 10k and then next 11k.
Lesson learned - Run with someone you know rather than with a pacer, it helps better. Keep gels while bringing in plastic packet otherwise they can spoil your running clothes. There is always odd chance leakage may happen. I did negative splits 1:15/1:10 which means I had juice left. Run to enjoy, don't be bothered how others are running.Overall, a training plan helps if implemented properly even there is a break in between. Thanks to all who were there.
When I reached Hyderabad, I was just hoping to finish the race within 3.30 hrs - race cut off time. I was not sure how my left would hold. In fact , Saturday afternoon it was paining and I had to take medication. Finishing in 2:25 in my first HM, that too in tough condition, leaves a smile on my face. Adieu till the next story.
#AHM2017 #KOLKATARUNNERS #YOGABARS #SALTLAKERUNNERS #
I went to Secunderabad to finish off personal work and from there moved to Expo for the BIB collection. Collected the BIB and had lunch with our team of runners. Abhivas Kashyap brought us Yogabars from Bangalore which were given as Yogabars team as well wishes.
Moved back to hotel. Had dinner early and went back to room to get ready for the next day.
Sleep for 6 hrs, got up at 4.00 am to get ready. By 4.55am I was down at lobby to meet other runners from Kolkata to walk down to People's plaza- starting point. We reached the holding area at 5.13. I had already warmed up at hotel itself from my previous experiences.
Around 5.35, runners moved to the starting point. I could see the FM runners passing the start point, they had covered the necklace road already.
At 6.00 am the gun went off for the HM, all runners started to move, it was crowded. I and my fellow runners started moving slowly to cross the start line. Once I crossed the start line , moved the right lane where the FM runners were coming in and started running towards the Khairatabad flyover (1st on the course). Slowly moved up, the crowd was still thick. After coming down from the flyover, moved to Raj Bhavan road, and could see the amazing sea of runners before me.
Before 2 km rest of my fellow runners were moving up, crossing 2km mark, I received a thump in back and saw it was Yashovardhan Kanodia , FM runner from Kolkata and with him was Avinash Singh. Yasho moved up fast, Avinash and I started running together. We are old running partners.
Before the 4km mark, my left leg tendon started giving trouble, not a good sign. Avinash told ignore it and we started moving up on the Panjagutta Flyover (2nd one). This one is long and there are several ups, as we were coming down, Avinash remarked the down is so short. I explained to him that flyover is landing on Banjara hills which is high. We saw Ritesh and Arvind running in front of us, from Kolkata.
We check the pace it was just 7, we started moving forward with same pace, I had water at next hydration point. I would keep talking and and telling where to expect the next up and down. Slowly we crossed LVPEI and into the KBR park stretch. We could see Karthekiyan in Kolkata Runners t-shirt in front. He was maintaining the pace.
Crossing Jubliee Checkpost, we climbed the uphill one of bad ones on the course. Coming up and moving forward, we saw Subrata Mondal, another of FM Kolkata Runners, he was struggling, we cheered him and asked to be with us. He started again running with us. He was with us about a km till the next uphill bend. So far on the course, we found people, volunteers, bands all cheering. Hardly any gaps were there.
We crossed 10km here which is after Pedamma Temple. We checked out pace and till it was 7, we have managed to keep it constant so far. I told Avinash, we will get long down hill hereafter and try to make up the time.
Once we got into Madhapur, crossing the Dasapalla hotel , Avinash felt craps in his knee. I told ignore it as possible. Next aid station , he took volini spary to ease it. We started moving forward, so far so good. We were enjoying the run and spirit.
Coming 500m to Cyber towers, caught up with Ritesh and Arvind, they also started running along with us. At cyber towers , we met Howard. We cheered him, he asked us to go ahead. As we started moving towards Mindspace, we meet Nishant running. Again we cheered and crossed him. This was the merger point of 10k and HM/FM. The road was crowded beyond words.
After crossing Lemon Tree, we took right and here Arvind got lost. Avinash, Ritesh and I kept moving and before reaching Hitech Main Road, we are all together again.
Here it was diffcult for running as hardly any gaps were there, people were running , walking , talking, cheering.
We cam down the down hill of Hitech Main road, Ritesh and Arvind moved up. Once, we were on the old Bombay road, I told Avinash we have one last flyover left. We started moving towards the Flyover and before reaching 100/200m we again caught up with Ritest and Arvind. And we could see Sandip Mojumdar in up front.
I started moving up, Avinash told go ahead, I started pushing up fast on the flyover and had to keep shouting "Coming through, please give space". Before reaching top, I was with Sandip Mojumdar, I asked about rest of Kolkata runners. I moved up, leaving him behind. One of runner was walking, I told only 2km left, com'on run. Hearing that, another runner who looked he was to give asked "only 2 left " and I said yes. com'on don't give up. In reality it was more than 3km. He started running with hope.
As I came down and running with faster pace I saw 2.30 hrs bus Poonam Metta, I reached her and started running with her. Then it was last uphill but small, I asked her is this last and she confirmed.
I kept running and she stopped for photo. I said she is better runner, she will make up and I can't.
I crossed the ISB road corssing and could see the Gachibowli Stadium, I kept shouting "Coming through, please give space" and ran as fast as possible. Before entering the stadium, I got bit slow, probably running last 3 km at fast paces with negative splits.
I entered the stadium , I pushed myself and crossed the line. I was out of breath, and feeling of satisfaction came. The Runners high is what we call it.
We saw the other runners and had breakfast. Got energy recharged, before moving up to take pics.
Lessons from last TCS10k. Route recce- This helped, even though it was familiar, I came from Secunderabad to Hitex on the route,. It helps specially if you are not 100% fit. Hydration - I took electrolyte solution i.e Electral for hydration for 4 days before the race, sipping 1 litre through the day. I didn't felt any cramps at any point in and after the race. Also, endurance gels helped. Have a plan in mind, I planned to take it in halves - first 10k and then next 11k.
Lesson learned - Run with someone you know rather than with a pacer, it helps better. Keep gels while bringing in plastic packet otherwise they can spoil your running clothes. There is always odd chance leakage may happen. I did negative splits 1:15/1:10 which means I had juice left. Run to enjoy, don't be bothered how others are running.Overall, a training plan helps if implemented properly even there is a break in between. Thanks to all who were there.
When I reached Hyderabad, I was just hoping to finish the race within 3.30 hrs - race cut off time. I was not sure how my left would hold. In fact , Saturday afternoon it was paining and I had to take medication. Finishing in 2:25 in my first HM, that too in tough condition, leaves a smile on my face. Adieu till the next story.
#AHM2017 #KOLKATARUNNERS #YOGABARS #SALTLAKERUNNERS #
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