"If you fail to prepare, you're prepared to fail " Mark Spitz
End of September when I was in recovering from Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, I got a message if I was interested for pacing marathon in IDBI KFM 2020. I gave it a sec and decided lets go for it. I informed I am ready if 5 hrs bus is available. Nothing was promised.
This was going to be challenging as this was going to be my 2nd FM and I had not planned fo any FM in next 5-6 months time, the season was planned for easy runs. Anyway, I decided to use my trusted RunkeeperGo for a training plan. To ensure my body being ready for 5hr bus, I made the training plan for 4hrs so I dont fail the time.
Beginning of October was Durga Puja and I didnt start training according to plan. As I was yet to recieve any confirmation, I was tinkering around with the runs. I joined South Kolkata Runners on 5th Oct for the Pujo Run , hopping around in pandals in early morning and thanks to them I saw few of them at least.
First 2-3 weeks just went like that. After Puja, I was travelling to Guwahati for work. One day I ran with Samarjit Banik. I met him for first time, had spone to him earlier, a gem of person and runner. Next day, I ran with Ujjawal - he was there for work and he had ADHM before him.
In 3rd week, I got call from organisers asking if I am interested and confirmed the bus. So far due to work and personal commitments, the training was not upto mark. One thing about marathon, you can't cheat. You needed to have miles on your legs to bring smile on your face at end of race. As in month of Sep, my mileage was 98km and I need to push it up . 3rd-4th week I was pushing the milage and determined to touch 100 miles/160 km.
On 27th Oct, again joined with South Kolkata Runners for their Diwali run of 13kms. It was run, photo ops , walk, wait and run again. It was fun run and LSD with plenty of breaks.
The last week my legs were showing signs of stress and I decided to take it easy and closed at 150km.
3rd November was XAV run, I had decided to run 21k, which was more than my plan. I wanted to test my legs and fitness. The run started bit late 5:35am, it was 2.5kms loop on left and right. I had pace range to sun and wanted to run on the lower range. At end of race found myself wanting, out of practise and fitness. 3 weeks ahead I had RFE on the list and needed to be on my feet.
Three weeks went off with strength training, surges, LSD as usual. Aroudn 16th Nov, created pre pacer group of 5hrs, objective was for training - Surojit, Pankaj, Moumita and few others were part of this. All LSD, mileage plans were discussed in this forum. This was converted to official WAP group end of Dec'2019.
In the week of race, decided to taper a bit to keep the legs fresh. The race day, reached bit early as needed to handover gel to fellow runner. The race was early and it was dark as usual. Plan was to run in the lower range of pace in training plan and goal was to finish comfortably. The first 5 km was fast- 25.41 min, next 5k was 52.34 min, after reaching Viswa Banga Gate decided to take it a bit easy on the legs. Finished the race about 1:55:14. Bit ahead than last years timing , though this year was not gunning after a PB. The finish was perfect, I had plenty of juice left in my legs. After having breakfast and change of Tee, went to finish line to hep other runners to finish stronghly and thats another story.
Ended November with 170km, 20km more than October. I didnt wanted to push more and end up with stress related problems. Anyhow RFE was confirmation that I was on right track and fitness levels had improved.
Meanwhile, I was asked to do pacing for Ekal 2.0 for 21k 2:15 bus, I decided to accept that as I felt that it would be good practise run of pacing for IDBI KFM 2020.
Fast forward to Dec 15, 2019 it was TSK25K - one of best events in Eastern part of India. Good news was it was to be LSD at race pace. The weather was bit ok but not as cold it was supposed to be. I started off like RFE for 5km and 10km mark. The route was new and had flyover as well. There was timing mat at 21.1 km mark, and I bettered my 21.1 timing in this run as well. After 22Km, lost a bit of focus and last 1km got it back and ran it out finishing strongly with again juice left. Took few pics and breakfast at Marquee stall then rushed back to home.
1st Dec, I joined South Kolkata Runners for their practise run for TSK25k, my LSD planned was 23.5 km, and I decided to cut route bit short and do walk coold down for balance. And there was photoshoot of Ekal pacers as well . Closing everything, I reached back home 11.30am.
I was travelling for work and some runs had to be reshceduled as couldnt afford to loose mileage. I ran in Jamshepur during work again. It looked like running during travel has become part of ritual.
The next weekend to TSK25K was Ekal 2.0 and the week I was travelling. It had rained that week and weather was getting better. Ekal was scheduled quite early for winter -5:15am. The weather was quite chilly and after 5kms I could see the fog coming in. By the time we reached half way mark, the road was foggy and visibility had dropped off to 30 mteres. My bus had experienced Rajendra Patil who was running 21k after TMM 2019 and another runner with me from start. At 17-18km mark, I told him you push ahead as this is positive split and I would be slowing down and you will do better than 2:15. As proceeding towards end, got few other runners trying to finish by 2:15 hrs. Rajendra Patil was bit struggling, in end he was following me. Finished in exact 2:15hrs. The weather was pretty good for running, temperature dipping quite low.
Post ekal, weather was quite chilly and I caught cold. I had lot of cough deposit which took time to get out. I was starting my runs late often at 6:30 am. My next LSD was on 29th Dec for 28.5km, this time I was joined by Pankaj, Surojit and Amit ( these two guys came running from Howrah to Salt Lake). We ran together from Sector V to Biswa Banga gate and back . During end of run, I was facing pain in my arch structure on right foot. I gave rest for a day or so. Pain subsided and ran again.
I started to monitor why I was facing the pain. I stopped doing skipping, assessing that it might be cause of the problem. I tried different shoes to check if its the root of problems. I didn't manage to find.
The last long run was on 12th Jan 2020 of 32kms. I started from home, went to lake town to salt lake to sector V to BB gate to New town bus stand nad back to sector V to Home. I was satisfied with the run, managed to finish with decent pace. Surojit joined in last 10km after he had finished TCS10k.
So, all the training runs were completed and tapering started for 02-02-2020. At end of 1st week of taper, I was doing core and strengthening excerise, I managed to get my glute bit hurt/inflamed/whatsoever. It was not a nagging pain, like a niggle but invisible. I stopped excersises.
A week before the race I was travelling for office meeting at Mahabalipuram. I dont like travelling before a big race, but couldn't help in this case. Somehow managed to not to gain weight and ran in morning.
Meanwhile, I faced biggest challenge and crisis - my Tomtom was not getting charges and it was less than 2 weeks. New one would take 4-5 weeks for delivery. I tried to patch up and find from some other user if I could get one. I finally remebered Sudip had same wtach, and he was more than happy to lend before the race. One word he said - Old timers
After the trip , back to Kolkata and final runs tapered off. I had tried R&D, found one of pin in my charger depressed, I tried to get it up and found the watch charging after this operation. Probelm solved temporarily.
All the pacers and ambassadors were invited to Run to Sachin - chat show on 1st Feb. Pacers were asked to be at expo from 11am to collect the kit and meet runners till 12.30pm. After finishing the expo, went to Lalit Great eastern to meet God of Cricket- a lifetime oppurtunity. At end of show all were given oppurtunity for a group photo. Got back to home, cooked food and had dinner as usual.
It would be crime if I didn't mentioned Govindrajan Sir, he was pacing 6hrs and came down from Chennai. His Alma mater was National high and had a bond with city. It was a pleasure meeting senior runner like him, lots to learn.
The start time for race was 4:30. Pacers were asked to reach bit early. I woke up 1:50 before the alarm went off which was to be 2:20. I got up at 2:17 and got ready for the race. Ujjawal, Vishal, Pankaj, and Sonal reached with me at same time.
Subrata and I got ready for the duty, he was responsible for 5:30. I asked his plan, he said he will finish half by 2:30 and rest 3 hrs for balance . I asked Sourav aka Sro his plan. he said he would be doing in 2:05 approx. I decided to adjust bit to being in middle.
FM had around 300 runners. We started off around 4:32. As I was running during 1st km, Pooja Jain of KRR joined me. Then another runner - he was with me in my Ekal Bus and German. Monring was chilly and I had wore full sleeves - wise decision. I crossed GPO to the 2km mark, grabbed a bottle there and kept telling other to sip. I asked Pooja her target- she told she wanted to finish in 4:40-45, and inform her when I decide to slow down till that point she will be with me. We all kept running and meeting other runners ahead and back as there were plenty of u- turns. I kept an eye on pace and km markers on road. We went past AIR and towards Netaij indoorstadium and back, then beside Eden Garden to babughat to prinsep ghat. Again back to starting point which was about 12-13kms. At 8km I took an Volini Spray ( this one was from Cipla) for the runners with me can take if required.
Weather was pretty good, hardly you could feel the sweat. Every km I would remind runners with me to sip water. Route having so many turns , we would bump into faster runners throught. And slowly we crossed 21.1 around 2:18 . We came bit fast in between there was mix up of Km markers and I try to stick according to Km markers.
Anywas , we were doing fine amd moving to 2nd loop with my bus full, no one had dropped out and all were comfortable. I kept talking and motivating the runners with me and around me up- down direction of route. Crossing Prinsep Ghat and towards Ordinance Factory Club, I had few biscuits and told others to refuel as well. Closed to 30km, Pooja went ahead, I kept the same speed for next 2-3 km, most runners with me had moved ahead. Tamali was sometimes ahead and sometimes behind I kept telling her to drink and eat.
Reaching 35km, I decided to go ahead with walk run plan and started walking. By this time we had merged with 10km late bloomers. 21k most had finished or towards finish . I was walking and finding few Fm runners who were trying for 4:30 had slowed down, I spoke with them, some had cramps - sprayed on legs, imploring them to have something and drink. I met Rahul here who was walking slowly, inquire what happened. Cramps was the reply. Asked him to take it easy.
Close to 38 km, where the km marker was wrong, KRS members were handing over organges with salt. I took one, and bottle of water from iad station, my spray had finished and took another one. Now the wrong Km marker created a doubt and I decided to run the next km till km marker came. On my way asked KRS members to give oranges to few FM runners.
As guessed it was 38km intead of 39. I started walking again, on the Victoria memorial I again found few FM runners. Crossing Victoria, next aid station I searched for bottle of water or water - none was available. I had empty bottle, I filled it with Fast & Up , moving 20 metres. I saw Gaurav with Bijal ( both of KRS, Gaurav was supporting her for last 12 kms), she was not looking good, I asked her to take the bottle. She was in two minds and thne Gaurav told her take it, and she did.
Moving towards the finish line, I was doing a slow jog, the wind was quite strong, I could hear thr fluttering of my pacer flag. I found some FM runners walking, pushed them saying you can do it less than 5 hrs, go go. And I finally crossed the finish line at 4:59:45 as my watch and 4:59:35 chip time.
And with that I did my second FM, my body felt quite good and having plenty of gels/water had helped. All the runners who started with me finished ahead of the bus. Few who gate crashed in between finished before as well. I missed many names - few I forgot, few I don't know. I skipped all events in Jan to avoid any injuries and execute the training plan properly. I had niggle before the race day, I had stretched a lot but was not 100%. I was worried that it would spring up at any point of time. Finishing off the season with FM, one season when I didnt care about the time except the last one where time mattered. Recollecting all the incidents to this event was bit difficult, Oct-Nov-Dec had been quite hectic in professional life but had managed to put in requisite kms. Writing has never been my forte and that also recollecting and writing. Few people who coordianted behind the scenes for pacing indebted to them for the trust. It has been quite a journey for last few months. Marriages to attend, reunion with friends were most difficult as needed keep control on the food. It would be easy to say skip but then I am a recreational runner, fitness is part of life not only thing in life. With this triad of pacing - 10km, 21km and 42km done, not taking up any more responsibility. There are many runner's who are better and deserving candidates.
Subrata and I got ready for the duty, he was responsible for 5:30. I asked his plan, he said he will finish half by 2:30 and rest 3 hrs for balance . I asked Sourav aka Sro his plan. he said he would be doing in 2:05 approx. I decided to adjust bit to being in middle.
FM had around 300 runners. We started off around 4:32. As I was running during 1st km, Pooja Jain of KRR joined me. Then another runner - he was with me in my Ekal Bus and German. Monring was chilly and I had wore full sleeves - wise decision. I crossed GPO to the 2km mark, grabbed a bottle there and kept telling other to sip. I asked Pooja her target- she told she wanted to finish in 4:40-45, and inform her when I decide to slow down till that point she will be with me. We all kept running and meeting other runners ahead and back as there were plenty of u- turns. I kept an eye on pace and km markers on road. We went past AIR and towards Netaij indoorstadium and back, then beside Eden Garden to babughat to prinsep ghat. Again back to starting point which was about 12-13kms. At 8km I took an Volini Spray ( this one was from Cipla) for the runners with me can take if required.
Weather was pretty good, hardly you could feel the sweat. Every km I would remind runners with me to sip water. Route having so many turns , we would bump into faster runners throught. And slowly we crossed 21.1 around 2:18 . We came bit fast in between there was mix up of Km markers and I try to stick according to Km markers.
Anywas , we were doing fine amd moving to 2nd loop with my bus full, no one had dropped out and all were comfortable. I kept talking and motivating the runners with me and around me up- down direction of route. Crossing Prinsep Ghat and towards Ordinance Factory Club, I had few biscuits and told others to refuel as well. Closed to 30km, Pooja went ahead, I kept the same speed for next 2-3 km, most runners with me had moved ahead. Tamali was sometimes ahead and sometimes behind I kept telling her to drink and eat.
Reaching 35km, I decided to go ahead with walk run plan and started walking. By this time we had merged with 10km late bloomers. 21k most had finished or towards finish . I was walking and finding few Fm runners who were trying for 4:30 had slowed down, I spoke with them, some had cramps - sprayed on legs, imploring them to have something and drink. I met Rahul here who was walking slowly, inquire what happened. Cramps was the reply. Asked him to take it easy.
Close to 38 km, where the km marker was wrong, KRS members were handing over organges with salt. I took one, and bottle of water from iad station, my spray had finished and took another one. Now the wrong Km marker created a doubt and I decided to run the next km till km marker came. On my way asked KRS members to give oranges to few FM runners.
As guessed it was 38km intead of 39. I started walking again, on the Victoria memorial I again found few FM runners. Crossing Victoria, next aid station I searched for bottle of water or water - none was available. I had empty bottle, I filled it with Fast & Up , moving 20 metres. I saw Gaurav with Bijal ( both of KRS, Gaurav was supporting her for last 12 kms), she was not looking good, I asked her to take the bottle. She was in two minds and thne Gaurav told her take it, and she did.
Moving towards the finish line, I was doing a slow jog, the wind was quite strong, I could hear thr fluttering of my pacer flag. I found some FM runners walking, pushed them saying you can do it less than 5 hrs, go go. And I finally crossed the finish line at 4:59:45 as my watch and 4:59:35 chip time.
And with that I did my second FM, my body felt quite good and having plenty of gels/water had helped. All the runners who started with me finished ahead of the bus. Few who gate crashed in between finished before as well. I missed many names - few I forgot, few I don't know. I skipped all events in Jan to avoid any injuries and execute the training plan properly. I had niggle before the race day, I had stretched a lot but was not 100%. I was worried that it would spring up at any point of time. Finishing off the season with FM, one season when I didnt care about the time except the last one where time mattered. Recollecting all the incidents to this event was bit difficult, Oct-Nov-Dec had been quite hectic in professional life but had managed to put in requisite kms. Writing has never been my forte and that also recollecting and writing. Few people who coordianted behind the scenes for pacing indebted to them for the trust. It has been quite a journey for last few months. Marriages to attend, reunion with friends were most difficult as needed keep control on the food. It would be easy to say skip but then I am a recreational runner, fitness is part of life not only thing in life. With this triad of pacing - 10km, 21km and 42km done, not taking up any more responsibility. There are many runner's who are better and deserving candidates.
So next what, nothing. Races end but running doesn't, so going to keep accumulating miles.
11 comments:
A humble, smart and well informed person, who is accurate with timings. A great and ready-to-help person to interact with both on and off track.
Excellent journey..... Bravo.... This year I miss your bus..... But hopefully I can make it with your write up understood where one runner can start and where he can stop for training...
Congratulations dear Sam... 👍🎯🏃
Your preparation for IDBI very well penned Samudra.
Nice reading..learnt a lot of new things
Motivational Sam da... Would need your guidance and suggestion to complete my dream of running a FM.
Thanks for reading .
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you :)
Thank you
Dada ek number!!!! And the way you presented the entire journey was both educational as well inspiring. Looking forward to running with you soon
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