Thursday, November 26, 2009
Rickshaw Chronicles - 3
Rickshaw Santa. Not for his driving skills; he drives like a snake, noticing the errors with road only till he is two meters away, and then unleashing his curl-swirl. Exercise does not manage to move my waist with such grace that his curl-swirl does. There is a certain amount of 'fun' to it mind you, feels exciting, that swirl. But the impression of 'fun' was originally created at an impressionable age by joy-rides, which were created to make us experience certain risky experiences of life, under controlled environment. Precisely put, they were safe. Our Nagraj is not. And like I do to most, I warn or request, to slow down. And like they all do to me, they listen, but for not more than five seconds. Nagraj did not listen either. However, in the rickshaw Santa moment, i realised that our bugger would take me to my destination through longest route and took a flyover that he should not have. And just when i started yelling at him for that, i saw him making the most sorry face. After deciding to spare him, i noticed he had not turned the meter down. This time i pulled him up like a teacher..guided him for the rest of the route, and at the end I paid him as I wished. In that I could not cheat though, had to be fair.
Rickshaw Chronicles - 2
Today i am chauffeured by the young need-for-speed junky who is in the usual hurry to reach me to my destination at a time faster than what i expect of him. Honking away at every creature at sight, this son-of-a-speed-gun also makes me wonder if we are moving ahead or backwards because for every 2 seconds of driving he looks at the rear view mirrors twice. It strikes me later that as much as he has the biggest overtaking bug, he also carries the not letting anyone else overtake bug. But what's that! Son-of-a-speed-gun just got overtaken by son-of-a-machine-gun, haha! But he is not giving up, taking shortcuts and alternate routes to catch his rival by surprise....but he would not know for sure if he managed, to get ahead. I would have stopped him for a cab switch-over much before his expectation. That's my way of returning the favour. A hit in the heart in return for a heart attack journey. For all the knight-rider exterior these men are quite touchy i tell u :)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
24 Km. Of Experiments & Learning - Mumbai Marathon 2010
My road back home. The point of changeover from taxi to rickshaw,or the other way. The 100 rupees distance. 12 Kilometer. Bandra changeover point. Bandra to Andheri. This is the route i take everyday to work and back. Only this time i ran it. It was my Saturday long run distance - 24km, longest so far.
There was nothing i did not try to get my body in shape for this run, so i will not be able to tell what exactly worked in my favor, that i could finally stand at the starting point at 7 in morning feeling fresh no less than a little sleep that nagged. Going by the last Saturday's 16Km run, i was more sure that i wont manage this 24Km. What worried me more is that i knew i will not stop, that was not an option, which meant that i would gather an injury, which i was scared of. I have been in a whirlwind of thoughts post the 16Km run, wondering and googling every bit of information i could gather from myself and Internet, anything, that would get me back in shape for that longest run. So at 7 in the morning this Saturday, i had behind me a list of attempts, to recover.I stretched with as much focus as i ran,i drank as much water as i could imagine my body to bear,made my last run slower than the slowest just in hope to condition yet not exert,and finally a combiflam and Thai foot massage....something had to work. And it did.Don't know how much, but it did. All i knew was that i was steady enough to start, and that was all that mattered.
It all seems better when you are done with it.Its not the same when you are in it.And specially this run, for which i chose morning to acclimatize with the actual marathon weather conditions, the heat.Powai to Bandra is not the best patch of road to run either. Into the first 4Km i was wondering what i was acclimatizing with, heat or dust. The first muscle that turned sore were eyes. Next would be nose, with garbage stench out of overfilled dumps. And i overestimated the extent of laziness of mumbai on a Saturday, as i saw the increasing number of people on road. India is certainly turning digital i can assure, for most eyes that i ran past were stuck on the cool device that was strapped on my arms supplying music to my ears, my Ipod Nano. I almost forgot about the heat.
I was prepared this time, not exceeding the decided pace, had planned my run to the end, four phases of 6 Kms in 45mins each.However as i ran, i realised that 45 could be 40, i was comfortable at 40minutes. The fun of that 40 builds as you reach the third and fourth phase.After my first 12km i stopped over at a store to pick another liter of water, mixed it with Electrol and was yet under my time. However i sensed a struggle to keep up when i reached 18Km, not to forget the heat that was building up. I had to tell myself that it was this phase that mattered the most, the most critical part of the training, what this run was all about, to take my body to that level of exhaustion, drain it of all the energy and wait for it to react and make me better equipped the next time i stretch my distance, from 24 to 26 to 28 to 30...leading to 42km. Thanks to the swarming crowd across different patches of Andheri (who were now moving around like a sea of ants who were just disturbed by a naughty kid) i had to take walk breaks, which in fact helped me sustain more than slow me down. The last patch of this longest run had the most anti-friendly atmosphere. With heat and people all over. I ended up walking a lot of it. And in all i lost only 3 minutes. Finished with relative ease (did not fall or sit down).
This was probably one of my most well planned run and i learned more than i ever have. Am i ready for the 42? No. But this did an ample lot to my road to it, told me that i am on the right one.
Yes, i have begun my next round of experiments.....a brand new heart rate monitor. Lets see where i get with that.
There was nothing i did not try to get my body in shape for this run, so i will not be able to tell what exactly worked in my favor, that i could finally stand at the starting point at 7 in morning feeling fresh no less than a little sleep that nagged. Going by the last Saturday's 16Km run, i was more sure that i wont manage this 24Km. What worried me more is that i knew i will not stop, that was not an option, which meant that i would gather an injury, which i was scared of. I have been in a whirlwind of thoughts post the 16Km run, wondering and googling every bit of information i could gather from myself and Internet, anything, that would get me back in shape for that longest run. So at 7 in the morning this Saturday, i had behind me a list of attempts, to recover.I stretched with as much focus as i ran,i drank as much water as i could imagine my body to bear,made my last run slower than the slowest just in hope to condition yet not exert,and finally a combiflam and Thai foot massage....something had to work. And it did.Don't know how much, but it did. All i knew was that i was steady enough to start, and that was all that mattered.
It all seems better when you are done with it.Its not the same when you are in it.And specially this run, for which i chose morning to acclimatize with the actual marathon weather conditions, the heat.Powai to Bandra is not the best patch of road to run either. Into the first 4Km i was wondering what i was acclimatizing with, heat or dust. The first muscle that turned sore were eyes. Next would be nose, with garbage stench out of overfilled dumps. And i overestimated the extent of laziness of mumbai on a Saturday, as i saw the increasing number of people on road. India is certainly turning digital i can assure, for most eyes that i ran past were stuck on the cool device that was strapped on my arms supplying music to my ears, my Ipod Nano. I almost forgot about the heat.
I was prepared this time, not exceeding the decided pace, had planned my run to the end, four phases of 6 Kms in 45mins each.However as i ran, i realised that 45 could be 40, i was comfortable at 40minutes. The fun of that 40 builds as you reach the third and fourth phase.After my first 12km i stopped over at a store to pick another liter of water, mixed it with Electrol and was yet under my time. However i sensed a struggle to keep up when i reached 18Km, not to forget the heat that was building up. I had to tell myself that it was this phase that mattered the most, the most critical part of the training, what this run was all about, to take my body to that level of exhaustion, drain it of all the energy and wait for it to react and make me better equipped the next time i stretch my distance, from 24 to 26 to 28 to 30...leading to 42km. Thanks to the swarming crowd across different patches of Andheri (who were now moving around like a sea of ants who were just disturbed by a naughty kid) i had to take walk breaks, which in fact helped me sustain more than slow me down. The last patch of this longest run had the most anti-friendly atmosphere. With heat and people all over. I ended up walking a lot of it. And in all i lost only 3 minutes. Finished with relative ease (did not fall or sit down).
This was probably one of my most well planned run and i learned more than i ever have. Am i ready for the 42? No. But this did an ample lot to my road to it, told me that i am on the right one.
Yes, i have begun my next round of experiments.....a brand new heart rate monitor. Lets see where i get with that.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Halfway up the mountain - Mumbai Marathon 2010
9 weeks, 300kms, 1900 minutes......
....And halfway into my marathon training. I am not sure how i feel. Last two weeks seemed like a battle my body waged to resist or adjust to increased training distance. It was near impossible to keep my mind off running and equally difficult to see the fun in it. Legs don't start a new day's run feeling as fresh as they did earlier. Several hours post a run and they still cramp and call out for stretches, that's what i am caught doing in meeting and my work station, stretching legs.I am barely a week or so into the power breakfast, of the most fancy cereal of all times, muesli, and however much i like it, it seems annoying that i can't get that taste out of my mouth. And i think next in line is rice. After a long run on weekends i desperately chase proteins. I seek motivation and find it too, but its not easy to come anymore, and it does not stay long enough. And had i written this sometime yesterday, it would sound more tough, for i had not recovered well enough from my weekend run. That was yesterday.
Today i have fairly recovered for the starting run of 10th week. I don't feel as lost. I can look back at training so far and see a long way behind me. The entire training program has now begun to make sense. I can see why there are those essential break between two runs, for it has become more needed now than ever before. My body continues to resist but seems to also cope and adjust.Past 9 weeks have prepared me not just physically but even mentally to handle the more crucial part that begins now. Its almost a meditative state.I have voluntarily given up alcohol.Skipping breakfast is not an option. I dont have to try hard to drink three litres of water a day. I run four days a week still, but the thursday run before the long run on saturday is much slower, so that i can condition my body but not over-burden muscles for the long run in waiting. As much as i need to think and motivate myself, i also need to let go, take a break and not stress. By now i am disciplined and the motivation i need is of a different kind, of not to stick but to control - rest, diet and recovery.
Training is not performance, but the slow preparation to enable it.
Next 9 weeks will see me experimenting with weights, stretches, hydration, heart rates, energy burning mechanisms and more, that would take me to the next level.
9 weeks, 400kms, as many minutes.........more to go till D-Day
....And halfway into my marathon training. I am not sure how i feel. Last two weeks seemed like a battle my body waged to resist or adjust to increased training distance. It was near impossible to keep my mind off running and equally difficult to see the fun in it. Legs don't start a new day's run feeling as fresh as they did earlier. Several hours post a run and they still cramp and call out for stretches, that's what i am caught doing in meeting and my work station, stretching legs.I am barely a week or so into the power breakfast, of the most fancy cereal of all times, muesli, and however much i like it, it seems annoying that i can't get that taste out of my mouth. And i think next in line is rice. After a long run on weekends i desperately chase proteins. I seek motivation and find it too, but its not easy to come anymore, and it does not stay long enough. And had i written this sometime yesterday, it would sound more tough, for i had not recovered well enough from my weekend run. That was yesterday.
Today i have fairly recovered for the starting run of 10th week. I don't feel as lost. I can look back at training so far and see a long way behind me. The entire training program has now begun to make sense. I can see why there are those essential break between two runs, for it has become more needed now than ever before. My body continues to resist but seems to also cope and adjust.Past 9 weeks have prepared me not just physically but even mentally to handle the more crucial part that begins now. Its almost a meditative state.I have voluntarily given up alcohol.Skipping breakfast is not an option. I dont have to try hard to drink three litres of water a day. I run four days a week still, but the thursday run before the long run on saturday is much slower, so that i can condition my body but not over-burden muscles for the long run in waiting. As much as i need to think and motivate myself, i also need to let go, take a break and not stress. By now i am disciplined and the motivation i need is of a different kind, of not to stick but to control - rest, diet and recovery.
Training is not performance, but the slow preparation to enable it.
Next 9 weeks will see me experimenting with weights, stretches, hydration, heart rates, energy burning mechanisms and more, that would take me to the next level.
9 weeks, 400kms, as many minutes.........more to go till D-Day
Monday, November 2, 2009
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.
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.
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