It was very heartening to note that a race that started out with just about 70 runners in its first edition was now 550 strong. As part of the organizing committee and more specifically responsible for "Marketing", I felt that the time would soon arrive when I would be able to get a sponsor without having to move around with a begging bowl.
The assembly area at the start was a buzz of activity as runners from several running groups all over Mumbai Hi-fived each other. I led my small band of runners to a warm up because the 10K is a race one ought not to run without loosening up. The start was on the hour and I held back this time because I didn't want the rush of lactate to burn me up as it did last time. Srinivas kept pace as he had announced that he was going to use me as his pacer. I heard footfalls behind him and noted that Raj too had decided to tag along.
We finished the first loop and had settled into a groove by now. I felt my breathing to be easy and my strides strong. I was however disappointed that my tippling habits had cost me a lot in terms of weight gain. I was prepared to finish a full minute later than my last race. As we ran up the incline in the 8th km, I felt my blood lactate accumulation reaching its limit. I was quite winded when I crested the hill at my pace. The final km saw Srinivas and Raj leave me behind as they had the gas to give a final kick to the race. A well executed 10K requires that you be able to give a sprint in the last 200m.
I finished in a time of 50:26 and felt saddened that I was slowing down:-( The camaraderie post race banished the blues as we exchanged notes and ate the frugal post run snack provided. I could perhaps rest on the assurance that those that had finished even 2 mins ahead of me, had a marathon time that was 30 mins to 60 mins slower than mine. But then, the kaveri Trail marathon is coming up and maybe these guys, based on our group runs at aarey, would finish ahead of me. Well, maybe and let them! I guess its their time and they are much younger than I am.
