Tag: Training

Running towards the Running and Living Marathon

Just about 2.5 weeks to go for the Running and Living marathon in Gurgaon on Feb 22nd. I ran a 21K yesterday evening at a consistent pace of 6.5 min/km, and the last couple of KM were tough with this pace. So, I will have to extend myself even more for getting this pace to extend to 32KM, which is the plan. One first for me in yesterday’s run was that this was the first time I ran a 21K without any water intake in between the run (though I started off with 3 glasses), and I never felt thirsty or dry through the run, probably all down to the cool weather.

This would be my 5th marathon, and that alone makes this a very special run for me. Reaching 5 to me sounds like okay, I am now a real marathoner now! And what a way it would be to go a sub 5 on my 5th! 5 for me also signifies that it is now time for even bigger challenges, but I would leave the details for that to another post.

So, the plan for Feb 22nd is simple, get to the 32KM mark at around 6:30/km pace, and wind up the next 10KM at about 9/km pace to finish in under 5 hours. I guess the tougher part here is to get through 21Km to 32Km at the target pace.

The target for the coming weekend is 32KM at 6:30/km pace. I guess I can make some bold predictions after this 🙂

Left: Photo of Running and Living founder – Rahul Verghese

Traveling and Tapering

It has been a hectic period for me starting from about the last 12 days of 2008 and now the first 9 days of 2009. Have been traveling a lot, but have also tried to put in those long runs without a miss. I did the 20K a week after running the Mawana marathon, and felt a bit of pain in the knee for a couple of days after the run. Fortunately, that went away completely. No weekday runs for what, almost about a month now! That’s crazy going into the Mumbai marathon… but I do not seem to be particularly worried about that. I have done my best in 21Ks by just training on weekends! Not that this can be recommended to others.

This weekend, I am planning to put in anything from 14K to 20K and maybe a few shorter runs the next week just to stay in shape. I just hope that Delhi has a few hot days in which I can do my long runs to acclamatize with the Mumbai weather (though I guess I will not be able to fake it that much in Delhi… these two places are really a world apart).

Running Log: Dec 14, 2008

Distance: 32.2 KM
Time: 4:18 hrs

Was a tough run, started late in the day due to some engagements. The problem with the winters is that no matter what time you run, you still do not get that level of heat you expect when doing something like the Mumbai marathon.

I started off with the hope that if things stay well, I might as well run 42K today. However, when it comes to running a marathon, any statement made without before the 30K mark is essentially just a fantasy and nothing more. Its only when you cross certain boundaries that you realize what you are into, and that’s when the facts of the matter stare you in the face. So, I did what I had initially started to do, and finished the 32K. My back was really hurting towards the end, and that craving to take a small walking break was always present to be fought against. The left foot also had a bit of a pain but not too much trouble there.

Now that the first of the 30K+ runs is done, I have to make sure that I do a couple more of these before Mumbai. I will try for a 39K (or more) run on Nov 28th, and then try to squeeze in another 30K+ sometime later.

Route:

Running Log: Nov 30, 2008

Distance: 26K
Time: about 2:45

I had missed doing my planned 26K run the previous week, so this weekend was the time to make amends, and continue to build the momentum towards Jan 18th. Did this run on my regular Sec 62, Noida route. I started at 7:30 am and it was cold, and it remained cold for about a couple of hours more. I guess I have to start even later to come close to the expected heat.

The first lap was done extra hard, to push myself that bit more, and I did it in below 40 min, which was just about a 6/km pace. That is like my best half marathon pace, but run without enough practice. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th laps were as expected slower, in the range of 42-45 mins. I was completely done after the 4th round.

I am planning to hit 30+ distances at least thrice before the Mumbai run.

Running Log: Nov 16, 2008

Route: Sec 62, Noida (6.5KM loop)
Distance: 19.5 KM
Time: about 2 hr 20 min