Bridge too far

Running is my meditation, mind flush, cosmic telephone, mood elevator and spiritual communion.—Lorraine Moller, Olympic bronze medalist and Boston Marathon champ
The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2010 created an excited buzz with its new course that included the newly constructed suspension bridge, the “Bandra-Worli Sea Link”. The organizers seemed unperturbed by the fact that they did not have permission to keep aid stations on the bridge. It meant that one had to run with out water for 8K; from the 22K mark to the 30K mark; an extremely crucial part of the race, especially for slow runners. How in God’ name did they get a Gold Label??

The race began with a count down at 6:45am sharp and I slowly got warmed up to the run. A runner who happened to be a neurologist came alongside and asked, “Do you mind if I keep pace with you?” and I shrugged and nodded. Soon he was joined by his friend who seemed to pace faster and my new found friend surged ahead with him. I kept them in my view in the distance and had still to find my groove even though I reached 10K in 55:17, which was my target pace. I waved out to Allen and Nike Run Club runners who shouted out to get my attention and waved frantically. I felt a sense of endearment towards them as their coach. I suddenly found my groove at the 12K mark and seemed to now run the same pace effortlessly. I ran into scores of half marathoners now and they seemed to be walking rather than running. I wove my way thru’ the crowd and got free from the common route and focused on my pace on the deserted stretch towards Siddhivinayak. I overtook my neurologist friend and a few of my Aarey runners as they slowed down in the heat. I reached the halfway mark in 1:57:12 and still felt fresh.

I cruised past Shivaji Park and on to Bandra Reclamation when ominous tidings unfolded. From the 22K mark onwards, the aid stations disappeared. I labored on with the a sense of hopelessness that I guess one experiences in a desert. I saw Model-Actor Milind Soman ahead and a Video-camera wielding guy seemed to trip over himself trying to catch up and yet get him in his sights. There was a strong protest from him and I could see he was struggling with his pace. I overtook him and thundered on at a scorching pace in equally scorching heat. I coasted over the end of the bridge and arrived at the 30K mark where an aid station made its appearance. I quenched my parched throat but the damage was done. It is common knowledge that once dehydration sets in, it’s close to impossible to undo things. I reached the 30K mark in 2:47 which was amazing for me, in this heat.

The effects hit me hard as I suddenly felt weak. The dehydration and the first signs of hitting “the wall” made its presence as I reached 32K in 3:00:12 a slow down of a minute per km. I then encountered extreme pain and fatigue as I fought to keep up a pace which would allow me a 4 hr finish. The Pedder Road climb took its toll on my timing as I staggered up its incline. I gratefully accepted a banana from a small girl that handed out a bunch; she was a God send. I rounded the Babulnath corner and suddenly I heard a shout, “Daniel!” and I looked up with eyes narrowed in pain, at Russell, my friend from Seattle. He took a pic and shouted encouragement. The next 4K was unforgettable for the agony that seized my limbs. I muttered, “Mai de Deus, when will this pain end”. I remembered a recent quote from a friend that worked in lightening my mood: “In the Marathon, objects seem further than they really are”) I rounded the Pizzeria turn and plodded on. I saw my dear son Bryan about 300m to the finish as he waved out and sprinted to the finish line to meet me. I crossed the finish in 4:10:57 to applause from the crowds, feeling faint. I was glad to see Hirva by my side as she held my arm to steady me even as I informed her that my BP had dropped too low (my blood was probably sludge now) and that I needed to lie down. She called out to Pravin and the two led me to the medical tent where I gratefully collapsed on the bed. It was then that Venkat appeared and shouted out that they should elevate my feet; and even as I lay there, I felt the dizzy spell fading away. It worked because by the time the medic appeared to take my BP, it showed 130/90. It is clear that Venkat’ presence of mind helped me recover so soon. Hirva, Pravin and Venkat will have my undying gratitude for their help at this crucial point where I had the extreme urge to lie on the ground at the finish. Every marathon runner that finishes with a maximum effort in trying conditions like this marathon will understand my plight.

Then there was the camaraderie at the Nike Run Club lounge where my beloved National Park runners gushed forth gratitude, for my coaching advice had worked for them and they did an endless round of group photography with me. I then went on to tipple on cool beer with Russell and my portly friend, Bamoo who jokingly asked the restaurant owner to give a 25% discount as he, had just completed a marathon, much to beaming and jovial smiles from other diners I realized my finishing time was decent even as news trickled in about my Aarey friends finishing much later then their earlier times.

Marathoning is like cutting yourself unexpectedly. You dip into the pain so gradually that the damage is done before you are aware of it. Unfortunately, when awareness comes, it is excruciating.- John Farrington, Australian marathoner