Delhi Marathon 2010 - A Small dream within a Big.

Decision - Luck by Coincidence
I had a feeling that this training program will coincide somewhere with the Delhi Half Marathon, and it did. I had to run a 19km on the same weekend as part of my training. And the moment of realisation was also the right time to book cheap tickets, so it all fell in place. Following day i announced to all near and dear. Accommodation was uncertain till another good friend came as saviour. I was now all ready to go.

Journey and Race Eve - Smitten & Up-beat
It happens to you when you notice fit men in sports shoes boarding the same flight as you, and you know they are runners heading for the same cause, Delhi & themselves :). I saw them too, a group of three, two men and a woman, undoubtedly runners.Reached Delhi and headed straight to the Marathon Expo, where i met my running companion, room partner (saviour, i had no clue of acco) and fitness coach for the next two days, Malhar.It will be difficult to give a brief introduction to guy like him. But just imagine a highly self driven person, breaking away from the regular norms of Indian male (Dentist to an Ace Triathlete), and who loves to talk.The room turned out to be more than what we both expected, and we have both decided to always choose this for stay for any of our Delhi trips in future,Vishwa Yuvak Kendra is the best! Located in the heart of Delhi, 15min walk from the marathon start line, and a part of the most beautiful part of Delhi, which i doubt if even Delhites get regular access to.And to add to that,the simple and delicious food at the Dining Hall, we never really had to think hard on carb loading or worry about the quality. It all seemed perfect.

Sitting across, resting before a great day of running, and watching India pull one of its most memorable victories against Australia in the same city, on a Saturday evening, we struggled to figure what could be a more meaningful thing to do.

We even managed a slow evening run to the venue, to know where we would be heading the next day.In that we met a veteran runner who was also figuring the venue.We figured he was a Mumbaikar and hoped to cross each other in the race, which we did. He was called Mahadev Samjiskar, and we figured later that this man was an inspiration. At the age of 67, he managed to run his 21k in 2hrs and 4min, just a few minutes slower than us youngsters.I will save his answer for the secret to those long lasting knees of his for later.

My legs were stiffer than usual for the pre-race night. I was hoping i manage a 2hr finish.

Race Day - Its only about running
Yes, its only about running, for starters i missed to catch India Gate to my right at the 9km mark.I realised what i had always knew but had forgotten since sometime, which is when you run, you only run.At best you look at other runners.The weather was pleasant, very.There seemed to be more runners in the 21km category than i have seen in Mumbai. I guess that was because even the full marathoners were running the half as Delhi does not have an option of Full.Other than ogling at the African runners as they went past like storm, and noticing some familiar faces (including two men and a woman from flight), i was only running to ensure that i don't strain my legs.The newness of the road kept me unsettled. The first half of the race was very well paced. And the point at which i had hit a wall in my last race was bearable this time (16-19km).For only 7 weeks of training, it was a bright spot, but then it could simply be the weather.I ran past Mahadev and Malhar ran past me, we exchanged a few words and went about figuring our own legs.The 17km mark felt as close as far.And i could not help but walk a few step at 19th Km.The new race replenishment fluid (Huge portions of glucose) seemed to be working, a benefit from race nutrition crash course from malhar the previous evening.I even managed a glucose refill at at one of the water stations around 13km. I managed fluids pretty well this time, except at the 19km where i gave in to "what the hell" and sipped an entire mini water bottle of water, and the first urge i had was to puke, odd, felt it for the first time. That was the first of the three things i felt for the first time in the next 3Kms.Second of it was when i did my usual dash for the finish line at the sight of it(it seemed nearer this time), and the point at which i tried to sprint, in that micro second, i felt my calves, they caught, rebelled, in what could possibly be the worst cramp, if i had not immediately brought back that sprint leg to the regular pace.I like to overtake a few co runners who have constantly been inspiring/annoying with their pace ahead of me. My moment is always around the finish when my body decides to give this bonus supply of energy. And in that moment i did get my energy shot and i did overtake those few, even without the sprint.And the third new feeling was the finish line of my 4th Half marathon in 5 years, i wanted to puke. I did control the urge, but it was odd.I could walk,talk and had more than a breath left, which actually are three more firsts from this race, but i guess i was only counting the three unpleasant experiences.Legs were as jammed as it could be. Joints seemed weaker than expected. But for seven weeks of training, 1hour and 58mins was something i did not have to complain about. Moreover, i had to tell myself - This is only training. And i have no clue how i am going to run 42km, but for the simple re-assurance Hal Higdon (virtual coach) has given - trust the training, and see how far you have come from where you started, and I (Hal) ensure that you will cross that 26 mile line with a smile on your face.

Oh! And i did a clenched fist grunt at the finish line, seemed odd, but i guess sometimes you don't know what you catch yourself doing :)

Road Back
Weekends like these seem longer in hindsight.I had a couple of hours to kill at the airport.Other than fueling glucose to a much needy body, i scrolled through shops at the majestically re-done Delhi airport. And when i sat rested in a chair wondering if i should get up, i saw the legend of world cricket, i saw Sachin, as he walked past,i sat watching him in amazement...Dhoni followed, and then did the entire team. I got up in excitement and thought if i should follow them a bit.And that's when my legs called out and i told myself - let them be, you are fine!

For the most desirable doze of reality that i experienced in the past two days, i went up the book store to cope myself for the break from it, a fiction, the latest by Dan Brown. Friends tell me its exciting, so i broke my non-fiction spree.

On being told of a further delay of half hour for my flight, i found, as a part of the same Luck By Coincidence that i had experienced so far, a Thai foot massage place. I have not been very impressed with that so far as much as other i know go raving about, but this was special, and needed. I have never had a better massage or a better need for it. Every second of that half hour was heavenly. The least i could say was that i could think of running another 21k at the end of it.

My flight back got me talking to the three runners, and i made sure not to freak them out with my recollection of them at all points. They train at shivaji park, and the lady in the group looked familiar.They all ran few minutes better than me, but i guess its only a matter of time :)

Mahadev Samjiskar, when asked about his secret for good knees, began naively explaining in his sweet marathi accent that he started running at the age of 62yrs, for the first time in his entire life, after retirement, after ensuring all his kids are settled, and with having left no more jobs to finish. So the secret of good knees turned out to be - Don't run till you are 62! Simple ain't it.

And at the finish line of this journey, the airport, i had the a very special friend waiting for me, with a big smile. I was too fatigued and starved to be excited about it. But i could not have asked for a better way to close this 21km Delhi chapter.


After completion. Malhar on right.Darshan (Malhar's friend)on left.


Vishwa Yuvak Kendra - Could not have asked for better.