Dojo our Daschund, the only unconditional lover, yelped as I reached home from tour, today. He rolled over for his regular tickle on the belly and told me, in his own way that I have been travelling too often over the last four days. I was suffering from a bout of melancholy brought about by revelations of dark hearts and thoughts in some people that I know. My despair over the "it takes all sorts to make the world" evaporated with Dojo' canine love. I held him and hummed my favorite tune with my own touch to the lyrics;
Who draws the crowd and runs so proud,
Baby it's the marathon man.
Who's gonna steal the show, you know
Baby it's the marathon man,
He can make you love, he can make you cry
He will bring you down, then he'll get you high
Somethin' keeps him goin', miles and miles a day
To find another race to slay.
Night after night who treats you right,
Baby it's the marathon man
Who's on the radio, you go listen
Its the marathon man
Then he comes to town, and you see his face,
And you think you might like to take his place
Somethin' keeps him driftin' miles and miles away
Searchin' for some races to slay.
Then you listen to the music and you like to sing along,
You want to get the meaning out of each and ev'ry song
Then you find yourself a message and some words to call your own
And take them home.
He can make you love, he can get you high
He will bring you down, then he'll make you cry
Somethin' keeps him movin', but no one seems to know
What it is that makes him go.
Then the lights begin to flicker and the sound is getting dim
The stride begins to falter and the crowds are getting thin
But he never seems to notice he's just got to find
Another race to slay,
Fade Away. Got to Play.
Fade Away. Got to Play.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Marathon and beyond
Ever since my friend Raj ran the Bangalore Ultra last year and some of the other runners finished the Comrades this year, I have had this desire to run beyond the extremely testing distance (so far) of the standard marathon. While most of my fellow runners were planning distances of 75K and 100K, I thought, given my obnoxious training regimen, that I should just test myself for a 50K.
There were about 10 - 12 of us from our closely knit running group and the meet up at the airport was reminiscient of a school picnic. I enjoyed our flight and the jokes that were traded. Bangalore felt fresh and cool, and our transport to the apartment complex, where we were put up, was swift. The rooms were clean and freshly made up and there was a nice restaurant that dished out fare appropriate for our carbo-loading binge. I was not in the best of conditions and in fact, had often dwelled on cancelling my visit. I was afflicted with a chest cold that seemed to be tenacious and even an antibiotic course did not help in dislodging the phlegm in my lungs. I decided to play it by ear and run the race as best I could. Monsoon was extremely worried, fully aware that a 50K distance is something you don't screw with, especially when you are incapacitated with a cold.
Race day arrived with a 3am wake up call and a flurry of activity to use the bathroom and get ready. The drive to the race venue brought a rather disturbing sight for me. I saw that someone had run over a puppy in the pre-dawn darkness and I choked on my emotions as I saw that the poor fellow was actually trying to get away from the vehicle. There were four other puppies that seemed lost and despite my best effort they kept wandering below the tyres of my parked car. There were impatient honks from other cars that were now lined up because I was holding up traffic. Finally I caught each puppy and kept them as far away from the road as was possible and drove off. I think it worked because on the return after the race, I saw the same cute little fellows playing around.
The race venue was a beehive of activity with registrations and the 100K / 75K runners having already started their races. I took my bib and then a groan from my innards made me realize that I needed to visit the washroom. We got a big cheer from the organizers for Mumbai runners and the race began without too much of a fuss. Right from the word go I felt the exertions winding me and I had premonitions of not finishing. But then I am an experienced distance runner and have a finely tuned inner GPS. I adjusted pace and worried about hanging on without any care for my finishing time. I was more concerned about wearing the Tee given to me, which said, "BANGALORE ULTRA, ITS TOUGH. ARE YOU?". It reminded me of a "tank top" I once purchased when I used to strength train, which said, "DON'T WEAR IT, IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT". I intended to wear this one - and mean it!
The race is a loop of 12.5K to be run four times. I ran the first three loops keeping a close watch on my heart rate and realized I was now maxing out and in danger of deep exhaustion. The fourth loop arrived to my relief and I then allowed myself a brief walk to regain some strength in my legs. I caught up with most of the runners that had gone way ahead. This is the benefit of wisdom in distance running:-) I met Amit and perhaps it was not so good an idea to run together because we lost our seriousness about finishing in sub 6 hrs and instead made the last 6K into a walker' club, with Mahesh in tow. I do not regret it one bit because it was the best part of the race. The course was a trail that was full of deceptive inclines and uneven surfaces that tested your talo-calcanear joint' flexibility and strength. The sun was blazing mercilessly but we were a threesome of jocund runners that had nary a care in the world and ran - walked - danced our way to the finish line - holding hands, for good measure, just before we stepped onto the timing mat at the finish:-)
I unwound and paced around while my fellow runners went for lunch and decided to wait for Roshni and Madhu. Each of them came in completely exhausted and beat up. Madhu was the braveheart that ran this race despite a serious injury to her tibia, showing degeneration in places. I was amazed that she lasted the 37.5K that she ran before I convinced her that pushing for 50K was not worth it. Our entire group from Mumbai rocked at the Ultra and we got accolades for it. To my surprise I got the third position in the men' senior category and Roshni got a similar position in the female open category. We returned to our rooms at the apartment and had a brief but fun-filled tipple. Our flight back to Mumbai was delayed by more than an hour and we reached Mumbai at 1am, realizing that we had been on our feet for 22 hrs!! Amit commented that most people that do not understand us runners would wonder as to what it is that drives us to flog ourselves in this manner. Only a real runner will understand this:-)
There were about 10 - 12 of us from our closely knit running group and the meet up at the airport was reminiscient of a school picnic. I enjoyed our flight and the jokes that were traded. Bangalore felt fresh and cool, and our transport to the apartment complex, where we were put up, was swift. The rooms were clean and freshly made up and there was a nice restaurant that dished out fare appropriate for our carbo-loading binge. I was not in the best of conditions and in fact, had often dwelled on cancelling my visit. I was afflicted with a chest cold that seemed to be tenacious and even an antibiotic course did not help in dislodging the phlegm in my lungs. I decided to play it by ear and run the race as best I could. Monsoon was extremely worried, fully aware that a 50K distance is something you don't screw with, especially when you are incapacitated with a cold.
Race day arrived with a 3am wake up call and a flurry of activity to use the bathroom and get ready. The drive to the race venue brought a rather disturbing sight for me. I saw that someone had run over a puppy in the pre-dawn darkness and I choked on my emotions as I saw that the poor fellow was actually trying to get away from the vehicle. There were four other puppies that seemed lost and despite my best effort they kept wandering below the tyres of my parked car. There were impatient honks from other cars that were now lined up because I was holding up traffic. Finally I caught each puppy and kept them as far away from the road as was possible and drove off. I think it worked because on the return after the race, I saw the same cute little fellows playing around.
The race venue was a beehive of activity with registrations and the 100K / 75K runners having already started their races. I took my bib and then a groan from my innards made me realize that I needed to visit the washroom. We got a big cheer from the organizers for Mumbai runners and the race began without too much of a fuss. Right from the word go I felt the exertions winding me and I had premonitions of not finishing. But then I am an experienced distance runner and have a finely tuned inner GPS. I adjusted pace and worried about hanging on without any care for my finishing time. I was more concerned about wearing the Tee given to me, which said, "BANGALORE ULTRA, ITS TOUGH. ARE YOU?". It reminded me of a "tank top" I once purchased when I used to strength train, which said, "DON'T WEAR IT, IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT". I intended to wear this one - and mean it!
The race is a loop of 12.5K to be run four times. I ran the first three loops keeping a close watch on my heart rate and realized I was now maxing out and in danger of deep exhaustion. The fourth loop arrived to my relief and I then allowed myself a brief walk to regain some strength in my legs. I caught up with most of the runners that had gone way ahead. This is the benefit of wisdom in distance running:-) I met Amit and perhaps it was not so good an idea to run together because we lost our seriousness about finishing in sub 6 hrs and instead made the last 6K into a walker' club, with Mahesh in tow. I do not regret it one bit because it was the best part of the race. The course was a trail that was full of deceptive inclines and uneven surfaces that tested your talo-calcanear joint' flexibility and strength. The sun was blazing mercilessly but we were a threesome of jocund runners that had nary a care in the world and ran - walked - danced our way to the finish line - holding hands, for good measure, just before we stepped onto the timing mat at the finish:-)
I unwound and paced around while my fellow runners went for lunch and decided to wait for Roshni and Madhu. Each of them came in completely exhausted and beat up. Madhu was the braveheart that ran this race despite a serious injury to her tibia, showing degeneration in places. I was amazed that she lasted the 37.5K that she ran before I convinced her that pushing for 50K was not worth it. Our entire group from Mumbai rocked at the Ultra and we got accolades for it. To my surprise I got the third position in the men' senior category and Roshni got a similar position in the female open category. We returned to our rooms at the apartment and had a brief but fun-filled tipple. Our flight back to Mumbai was delayed by more than an hour and we reached Mumbai at 1am, realizing that we had been on our feet for 22 hrs!! Amit commented that most people that do not understand us runners would wonder as to what it is that drives us to flog ourselves in this manner. Only a real runner will understand this:-)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Mood enhancing hues
My house is being painted and the mess that you have to bear with makes it seem that you could go crazy. Furniture moved, clothes in a heap, white "primer" dust everywhere and you can't find your things because you had to clear them from their normal place. However, when its all done (and we are not done yet), it all seems worth it. The soft hues make the house seem homlier and brings on some much needed cheer. Dojo has been the most affected because he can't seem to understand why he is locked up in a room the whole day and he is petrified of the sound made by the floor marble polishing machine. Poor chap, he wimpers when I get home, telling me that he can't cope with this mess. How do I tell him that I too have the same problem?:-)
I have prepared a collage of postcards with retro stuff comprising Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, the Woodstock festival etc. It has a black background and looks precisely that - retro. I am happy with the handiwork of the frame maker and I toasted a Jack Daniels to it. What remains now is the medals, pics and certificates I have of many marathons; but, that will take up an entire wall!
I managed a quick 19K run on Saturday; much less than what I should be doing if I want to be prepared for the 50K Ultra in Bangalore. I seem to be the only person in the group that cannot train sensibly due to lack of time. I am not happy about my preps for this race. But then I have to make a lemonade with a lemon - as usual. I will not be able to train with a long run in the run up to the race because I have too many work related issues for every weekend. In comparison, my runners have planned 38 - 40K at Amby Valley and other places. Well, as Lone Ranger I will just have to count on "Kemo Sabay":-) I have to add this to my increasing list of disappointments. Maybe a nice stiff Jack Daniels will help - its the only antidote. That, the mood enhancing hues and the promise that......
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
I have prepared a collage of postcards with retro stuff comprising Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, the Woodstock festival etc. It has a black background and looks precisely that - retro. I am happy with the handiwork of the frame maker and I toasted a Jack Daniels to it. What remains now is the medals, pics and certificates I have of many marathons; but, that will take up an entire wall!
I managed a quick 19K run on Saturday; much less than what I should be doing if I want to be prepared for the 50K Ultra in Bangalore. I seem to be the only person in the group that cannot train sensibly due to lack of time. I am not happy about my preps for this race. But then I have to make a lemonade with a lemon - as usual. I will not be able to train with a long run in the run up to the race because I have too many work related issues for every weekend. In comparison, my runners have planned 38 - 40K at Amby Valley and other places. Well, as Lone Ranger I will just have to count on "Kemo Sabay":-) I have to add this to my increasing list of disappointments. Maybe a nice stiff Jack Daniels will help - its the only antidote. That, the mood enhancing hues and the promise that......
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
Monday, October 11, 2010
A Thousand Splendid Suns
I read the book by Khaled Husseini and it is the poignant story of desolation and sorrow, of a woman named Mariam. It is possible to identify with her heart rending emotions as the author takes you through her blighted existence. I finished it and felt a deep sense of melancholy. I then pondered about our lives and the lives of so many in this world, of the hopes and aspirations; of joys and sorrows. Life is indeed hard and it doesn't seem like we are having a hard time when we dwell on Mariam' fate. It allowed me to brood over and take stock of my life on the weekend.
I plunged headlong into a foolhardy plan to do a marathon at Aarey with some of our runners and it turned out to be just that - absolutely foolhardy. I was in Jalna (near Aurangabad) and even as I turned over in bed the night before, I felt the dull ache of unrecovered trauma to the muscles. It was then that I felt the first pangs of doubt about this run. The next sucker punch I got was when I awoke at 4:30am on race morning and found that I had accumulated sleep deficit and was thoroughly exhausted. How does one cope with a situation where well meaning runner friends have volunteered to man water stations to help you finish this race? You don't; you just do it!
As it turned out the weather was a no-go for a long run, with its heat index in the "Heat Exhaustion" zone but who listens! We set out hesitantly at a snail' pace and soon enough I was feeling as if I was breathing in the same air that I was exhaling. At the 25K mark I decided that I would not do too much of this run in discomfort or pain - just not worth it. At 30K I threw in the towel which turned out to be a good thing because I checked my urine colour at home and it was dark orange! None of our group risked finishing the full distance of 42K and with good reason.
The next day was the meetup at the NIKE RUN CLUB' second season and I felt cheerful meeting familiar faces and new ones. After the meetup Dharam a runner from RFL treated me to breakfast at "Tea Centre", a speciality joint with a range of tea flavours. He is writing a book about his life and the transition he made with running as his best friend. I was envious and amazed to know from him that he is taking a 6 month sabbatical to train in the US (San Francisco Bay area) for a full marathon and to try and get a Boston Qualifier. He told me I figured in his book and that he had added a page on me and my tuppence worth of advice on running injuries. So much for my own plans to write a book:-(
I plunged headlong into a foolhardy plan to do a marathon at Aarey with some of our runners and it turned out to be just that - absolutely foolhardy. I was in Jalna (near Aurangabad) and even as I turned over in bed the night before, I felt the dull ache of unrecovered trauma to the muscles. It was then that I felt the first pangs of doubt about this run. The next sucker punch I got was when I awoke at 4:30am on race morning and found that I had accumulated sleep deficit and was thoroughly exhausted. How does one cope with a situation where well meaning runner friends have volunteered to man water stations to help you finish this race? You don't; you just do it!
As it turned out the weather was a no-go for a long run, with its heat index in the "Heat Exhaustion" zone but who listens! We set out hesitantly at a snail' pace and soon enough I was feeling as if I was breathing in the same air that I was exhaling. At the 25K mark I decided that I would not do too much of this run in discomfort or pain - just not worth it. At 30K I threw in the towel which turned out to be a good thing because I checked my urine colour at home and it was dark orange! None of our group risked finishing the full distance of 42K and with good reason.
The next day was the meetup at the NIKE RUN CLUB' second season and I felt cheerful meeting familiar faces and new ones. After the meetup Dharam a runner from RFL treated me to breakfast at "Tea Centre", a speciality joint with a range of tea flavours. He is writing a book about his life and the transition he made with running as his best friend. I was envious and amazed to know from him that he is taking a 6 month sabbatical to train in the US (San Francisco Bay area) for a full marathon and to try and get a Boston Qualifier. He told me I figured in his book and that he had added a page on me and my tuppence worth of advice on running injuries. So much for my own plans to write a book:-(
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Simple Life
Lately I have been consumed with so many things and there have been lows in my thoughts. But then there is Bryan who I fret about and sensing my poignant mood, Dojo comes and parks himself against my body, snuggling up to me, as if to reaasure me that his presence and love is guaranteed.
When I look out into the distance I am buoyed by the feeling that there aren't too many things that I require to make me happy. I chanced upon this song when I was in one of my contemplative moods and it was playing on TV. I realised that it epitomises my requirements in life and wondered why I'd not heard of it before.
I don't believe in frettin' and grievin';
Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife;
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;
Give me the simple life.
A cottage small is all I'm after,
Not one that's spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside.
Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y;
Give me the simple life.
When I look out into the distance I am buoyed by the feeling that there aren't too many things that I require to make me happy. I chanced upon this song when I was in one of my contemplative moods and it was playing on TV. I realised that it epitomises my requirements in life and wondered why I'd not heard of it before.
I don't believe in frettin' and grievin';
Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife;
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;
Give me the simple life.
A cottage small is all I'm after,
Not one that's spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside.
Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y;
Give me the simple life.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Carbuncle
This is a large angry red boil, the size of a two rupee coin that suddenly surfaced on the side of my rib cage. I was told that a hair follicle got pulled out and the pore got infected. I'm not sure the doc was hinting at ideas about someone pulling out the hair follicles on my torso:-)
Well, coming to why it got infected, I surfed the net and found hygiene to be the cause and before you get any ideas that I don't bathe let me tell you that the probable reason is my obnoxious habit of lolling around on the floor for about 2 hrs after my long run on weekends - instead of having a bath first!!!
The carbuncle would not burst nor decrease in size despite medication and treatment with hot water fomentation. It just kept getting ripe and looking awful. Despite all this, I ran the Kaveri Trail Marathon with this tomato sized protrusion on my side. Finally the doc sighed and said, "You have to have it surgically nicked". I sighed too because it would mean getting poked, something that makes me break out into a cold sweat.
On the appointed day, I arrived with Bryan since Monsoon had to attend office work. The poor chap kept reassuring me that it won't hurt - imagine; it should be the other way round. But then Bryan has seen his father is a wimp when someone waves a syringe in front of him:-) I was taken to the operation theatre and made to lie down. Then they did the nastiest things, despite my sharing that I have a phobia of needles and that I have passed out several times when going for a blood test. They poked me six times around the site by way of anasthesia and each time I winced and squirmed and finally broke out into a cold sweat much to the alarm of the surgeon. He muttered, probably by way of an apology, that he didn't realize I was THAT scared!
The rest of the procedure was without pain and I could feel the doc slicing and scooping and rubbing and wondered about the nasty business. I was then shown the stuff that was extracted and it was a very unpleasant sight. The surgical wound is now painful and I have to go this morning for a new dressing. Last afternoon, when upon reaching home from the surgery, I fixed myself a drink, Bryan asked me in alarm, "won't it interfere with the anaesthetic?" and I winked and told him that alcohol is also an anaesthetic. Don't they show it in the movies when they have to extract a bullet and there is no anaesthetic? They give the guy a good long swig from a bottle of whisky:-)
Well, coming to why it got infected, I surfed the net and found hygiene to be the cause and before you get any ideas that I don't bathe let me tell you that the probable reason is my obnoxious habit of lolling around on the floor for about 2 hrs after my long run on weekends - instead of having a bath first!!!
The carbuncle would not burst nor decrease in size despite medication and treatment with hot water fomentation. It just kept getting ripe and looking awful. Despite all this, I ran the Kaveri Trail Marathon with this tomato sized protrusion on my side. Finally the doc sighed and said, "You have to have it surgically nicked". I sighed too because it would mean getting poked, something that makes me break out into a cold sweat.
On the appointed day, I arrived with Bryan since Monsoon had to attend office work. The poor chap kept reassuring me that it won't hurt - imagine; it should be the other way round. But then Bryan has seen his father is a wimp when someone waves a syringe in front of him:-) I was taken to the operation theatre and made to lie down. Then they did the nastiest things, despite my sharing that I have a phobia of needles and that I have passed out several times when going for a blood test. They poked me six times around the site by way of anasthesia and each time I winced and squirmed and finally broke out into a cold sweat much to the alarm of the surgeon. He muttered, probably by way of an apology, that he didn't realize I was THAT scared!
The rest of the procedure was without pain and I could feel the doc slicing and scooping and rubbing and wondered about the nasty business. I was then shown the stuff that was extracted and it was a very unpleasant sight. The surgical wound is now painful and I have to go this morning for a new dressing. Last afternoon, when upon reaching home from the surgery, I fixed myself a drink, Bryan asked me in alarm, "won't it interfere with the anaesthetic?" and I winked and told him that alcohol is also an anaesthetic. Don't they show it in the movies when they have to extract a bullet and there is no anaesthetic? They give the guy a good long swig from a bottle of whisky:-)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Kaveri Trail Marathon (KTM)
I had this marathon on my list of "To do" marathons in India. When I was afforded the oportunity to travel as a group, I registered without a second thought. The excitement of travelling together as a group for KTM was reminiscent of college picnics. We (Ashok, Ram, Bhasker, Raj, Mahesh, Kavin, Gautam, Amit, and I – Rahul joined us later) met up at the airport looking every bit like distance runners, except for Raj who showed up in party wear We watched Bhasker unleash his charm, flirting with pretty things in skirts and getting them bewildered and amused. Kavin’ endless repertoire of “Sardar” jokes were meticulously catalogued by Ashok while he got us all in splits. The drive to Mysore took all of 5 hours with a simple but delectable lunch at “Kamats”.
Race morning had everyone scampering around for warm water, vaseline and some like Mahesh, for toothpaste. The bib pick-up venue was abuzz with runners greeting each other and blaring announcements. The first signs of something ominous in store for us came when Arvind (A1), CEO of RFL, declared on a sombre yet jovial note that, the morning is deceptively cool but the sun would come out blazing, so if you want to grab some sun-screen, now is the time; and remember guys, this race is not the one to choose for your personal best!.
Sunshine is delicious,
Rain is refreshing,
Wind braces us up,
Snow is exhilarating,
There's really no such thing as bad weather,
Only different kinds of good weather)))
The start was punctual with no fanfare. The course is a 21.1K out-and-back circuit to be done twice. The path is a trail, pock-marked with stones giving your ankles and calves a hard time anticipating the nature of the surface for your next stride. It runs alongside the river with rich verdant fields on either side; a beautiful sight if you can take in the time to stop and smell the roses. There were umpteen aid stations with food and electrolyte that had the hallmark of RFL’ flawless and efficient race planning.
The first quarter to 10.55K was fine and we reached cruised to our half way mark in 2:09even as the sauna began building around us - an indication of the shape of things to come! Amit queried me about our plan for the next half and I could only share my feeling of impending doom, as I looked up at the blazing sun - that a 5 hr finish would be a saving grace
At the 26K mark I saw Amrita along with Rishi (who were with us till then), find her groove and surge ahead. I could only rue my inability to stay with them. Amit and I looked at our time at 29K and we agreed that 3:15 was not too bad. Raj was now falling behind due to cramps. At 31.65K, the final turn-around, I surged a little ahead of Amit, who was now stricken with ITB discomfort. The sun was beating down mercilessly and I acknowledged that this was by far the toughest marathon in the country. Bhasker Sharma with his superlative endurance had passed me by with 8K to go, commenting on my folly of not wearing a cap in this kind of heat.
At the 36K mark I was delirious with heat cramps and extreme exhaustion. A wave of dizziness hit me and I held on to the tent pole at the aid station. I grabbed a mug of water and poured it over my head. I hung in there with the determination, that despite my condition, I would finish in sub-4:45; it helps to set a fierce goal if you intend to drive yourself thru’ pain. Run like hell and get the agony over with.--Clarence DeMar
My calves were twitching now and each step jarred my quads like I was leaping off a ‘box jump’. The road was shimmering in the mirage created by the hot sun and my eyes were stinging with the glare. After an eternity of pounding trail, Mahesh came to fetch me and he threw up delusions of “only 800m to finish” - although I estimated it correctly to be 2K. It is because of him that we zipped at 5:45 pace in the last 2K and I managed my sub 4:45. You will find that if you dig deep enough there is always something to give.
I reached the finish line and was glad to see Ram, Bhasker, Ashok and Gautam, who had finished their half marathon and were kind enough to wait in the heat with no shade around. Amit and I cooled ourselves at a makeshift Jacuzzi at the finish, as we waited for Raj to come in. Well they all came in ie Raj, Sundar, Kavin, Dr Oak, Veera and Rahul. When the results were out, Madhu informed that I had placed third in the Men’ Veteran’ category. You can fight without ever winning, but never ever, win without a fight. --Rush (the Band)
I returned home with fond memories to reminisce when I lean back in my armchair, in the evening of my life. Living together even for a day, teaches you so much about a person that was hitherto hidden. I was had taken some "quiet time" out for myself and that is why people commented on Zico being "quiet and matured", when it came to describing each person from the group for their gregariousness or otherwise. This quiet contemplation helped me focus not only on my race but the issues troubling me. They are now resolved.
Shapes of ever size
Move behind my eyes
Doors behind my eyes
Bolted from within
Every drop of flame
Lights a candle in
Race morning had everyone scampering around for warm water, vaseline and some like Mahesh, for toothpaste. The bib pick-up venue was abuzz with runners greeting each other and blaring announcements. The first signs of something ominous in store for us came when Arvind (A1), CEO of RFL, declared on a sombre yet jovial note that, the morning is deceptively cool but the sun would come out blazing, so if you want to grab some sun-screen, now is the time; and remember guys, this race is not the one to choose for your personal best!.
Sunshine is delicious,
Rain is refreshing,
Wind braces us up,
Snow is exhilarating,
There's really no such thing as bad weather,
Only different kinds of good weather)))
The start was punctual with no fanfare. The course is a 21.1K out-and-back circuit to be done twice. The path is a trail, pock-marked with stones giving your ankles and calves a hard time anticipating the nature of the surface for your next stride. It runs alongside the river with rich verdant fields on either side; a beautiful sight if you can take in the time to stop and smell the roses. There were umpteen aid stations with food and electrolyte that had the hallmark of RFL’ flawless and efficient race planning.
The first quarter to 10.55K was fine and we reached cruised to our half way mark in 2:09even as the sauna began building around us - an indication of the shape of things to come! Amit queried me about our plan for the next half and I could only share my feeling of impending doom, as I looked up at the blazing sun - that a 5 hr finish would be a saving grace
At the 26K mark I saw Amrita along with Rishi (who were with us till then), find her groove and surge ahead. I could only rue my inability to stay with them. Amit and I looked at our time at 29K and we agreed that 3:15 was not too bad. Raj was now falling behind due to cramps. At 31.65K, the final turn-around, I surged a little ahead of Amit, who was now stricken with ITB discomfort. The sun was beating down mercilessly and I acknowledged that this was by far the toughest marathon in the country. Bhasker Sharma with his superlative endurance had passed me by with 8K to go, commenting on my folly of not wearing a cap in this kind of heat.
At the 36K mark I was delirious with heat cramps and extreme exhaustion. A wave of dizziness hit me and I held on to the tent pole at the aid station. I grabbed a mug of water and poured it over my head. I hung in there with the determination, that despite my condition, I would finish in sub-4:45; it helps to set a fierce goal if you intend to drive yourself thru’ pain. Run like hell and get the agony over with.--Clarence DeMar
My calves were twitching now and each step jarred my quads like I was leaping off a ‘box jump’. The road was shimmering in the mirage created by the hot sun and my eyes were stinging with the glare. After an eternity of pounding trail, Mahesh came to fetch me and he threw up delusions of “only 800m to finish” - although I estimated it correctly to be 2K. It is because of him that we zipped at 5:45 pace in the last 2K and I managed my sub 4:45. You will find that if you dig deep enough there is always something to give.
I reached the finish line and was glad to see Ram, Bhasker, Ashok and Gautam, who had finished their half marathon and were kind enough to wait in the heat with no shade around. Amit and I cooled ourselves at a makeshift Jacuzzi at the finish, as we waited for Raj to come in. Well they all came in ie Raj, Sundar, Kavin, Dr Oak, Veera and Rahul. When the results were out, Madhu informed that I had placed third in the Men’ Veteran’ category. You can fight without ever winning, but never ever, win without a fight. --Rush (the Band)
I returned home with fond memories to reminisce when I lean back in my armchair, in the evening of my life. Living together even for a day, teaches you so much about a person that was hitherto hidden. I was had taken some "quiet time" out for myself and that is why people commented on Zico being "quiet and matured", when it came to describing each person from the group for their gregariousness or otherwise. This quiet contemplation helped me focus not only on my race but the issues troubling me. They are now resolved.
Shapes of ever size
Move behind my eyes
Doors behind my eyes
Bolted from within
Every drop of flame
Lights a candle in
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