Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon 2016

1st Oct 2016

In India I often traveled to different cities to run and explore the places around. Now that I have traveled around US for a while, I thought why not the same can be repeated in a foreign land. After having run couple of half marathons and 10k in Atlanta, I decided to venture out of Georgia. Initial aim to identify run in states neighboring Georgia, later look for distant places. 

Cherokee’s Harvest Half Marathon falling on 1st Oct, well suited me giving me some time for preparation and also will mark it last marathon before my wedding. These days my weekends where mostly occupied by Cricket matches, giving my weekend long run a hit. I decided to run couple of long runs over the weekdays though. After losing out of the league, I started to focus on my runs. In fact, couple of matches I stood out and practiced my long runs. 

One more thing that excited me about this run was my hiking group was in Bryson City, which was around 20 miles from Cherokee. I decided to join them for the hike on Sunday for a nice and easy hike. 

I started from Atlanta early as 5 am, it’s around 2 hour drive to Cherokee. I reached the start point at 7.15 am, parked my car. I realized it’s colder than what I thought it would be. It was a small crowd for run but looked great to start from the middle of the mountain. 

It was freezing at the start, my nose and hands were pretty cold. Route was marked pretty well and there were volunteers guided all through the run. As usual, I maintained my normal pace wanting to complete just around 2 hours mark. Half the way, I caught on a fellow runner who was pretty much limping and running, I spoke to him. Said he pulled is calf and not able to run much, he was pretty much fast runner with 1 hr 40 mins finishes. We spoke for the next few kms and I continued. I finished with the decent time of 2 hr 8 mins.

 208.     PRASHANT PATIL     31 M  Atlanta GA   1327 2:08:36  9:49 2:08:27    0:09

 Happy Running !!

Hotlanta Half Marathon 2016 - Consecutive year !!

12th June 2016

After last year’s run in the rain, Hotlanta Marathon 2016 really went on reclaim its title ‘HOT’lanta. Yes this time it was a really hot run. I did register for the race early this time unlike last year’s and save some bucks. Had ample of preparation time and preparation for the same I ran River Run for Hope 10k, which was a really good run for me and got my personal best for the 10k. I was pretty confident for the run on 12th June. Also excited as it was my Father’s Birthday day too. I did plan to do something different that day and wore a tag on my shirt that said ‘Happy Birthday Dad’.

But start of the day was not exciting, train service was halted for whatever reason it was. I realized it after waiting for 20 mins at the stations and planned to join couple of other runners on a car pool. It was nice of them to get in a stranger in their car but yes it’s a runner community and every one unknowingly knows every runner. We were just in time for the race.

Race started pretty good to me, I was cruising and maintaining my pace all through. I reached 10kms mark in 58 mins and was hoping to get the 2nd half of the race in same time. I ran a good 3kms with an elderly gentleman who had run 35 marathon in different states of USA, that was incredible and he was 60, and that’s amazing. By this time sun was out and it was showing up on me. My pace got a bit slow and I was trying not lose out on the energy. I blame this of my lack of runs under sun. Well, its race day !.

Meantime wishes were pouring in for my dad. Runners and people who watched the tag on my shirt wished my dad a happy birthday. It was exciting to hear them wish. Last couple of miles under scorching sun were bad, I could have done better this time but no excuses can do better next time. I finished in 2.15 mins around the same time I finished last year but enjoyed the run thoroughly. I love this race and the good photos they take and allow to download free. Below some pictures and my timing.

633

Prashant Patil

Atlanta

GA

617

31

M

30-34

2:15:42

2:17:42

10:22/M

Happy Running !!

River Run For Hope - 10kms

4th June, 2016 River Run For Hope 10k

Officially my first timed run this year, never late but registered right around the time Hotlanta Half Marathon was in close quarters. I learned this 10k was conducted to help African community. Also the official t-shirt had the map of Africa and on the race day could see few African families around the start line which was the Church. I drove to the starting point, it was around few miles from my place. Collected my running from the beautiful old lady who greeted very well. Could see couple of Indian faces at the start line. As the usual practice for this run, they recited quotes from Holy bible and took blessings from the God. As I was seeing it, a wonderful day for running with very moderate temperature. I was looking forward for the good run. Ended up doing one of my best run.

Route for the 10k River run was one of the best routes I had run so far. Along the river for few kilometer made it a very good experience and added pace to my run. Run started at 7 am in the morning. As I started, looked at one of the T-Shirt back quote ‘Someone said it’s RUM !!’ moment of smile, I said the guy who wore that t-shirt that’s funny. I took first 3 kms at normal pace, realized I am going good and continued to increase my pace. Saw a lady on the run, who ran along with her son who happened to be on the stroller. That’s great energy and she was consistently running at very good pace, same time managing the stroller. Really amazed with dedication of some people, inspiring. 

Half way mark I had clocked 26mins and still looked better. Went on continue with increase in pace and hoping to complete within an hour. Wonderful climate and the route assisted me all through the course. Sometimes it was wonderful people, some aged 60 and running so elegantly kept me going and pushed me to hit the best run I had so far for 10k distance. Time I hit the last kilometer, I pushed to hit the finish line in 56 mins. A wonderful run and I was excited to see my running time displayed and standing 8th in my age category. Loved the run and efforts that’s went in. I am not a person to hit my best, sacrifice to enjoy the run. This was one of the run I had good fun, same time could hit my best. 

Soon I finished, I could see the lady with the baby stroller finished. I went to her and appreciated her for the run. I told her someday wish I would be able to do what she did today. Reason I love running, people around keep amazing me all time. In all, a very good run.

Here is the result and some pics - 

91

Prashant Patil

Atlanta

GA

5576

31

M

30-34

56:04

56:17

09:01/M

Start of the race

Age category results

At Finish

Finish Line

After Finish

Award ceremony

Me :)

Happy Running !!

Hotlanta Marathon 23rd August 2015

Running always paved me a way to overcome myself, I tend to think myself as strong and jovial but life always not a bed of roses, you keep finding thrones on your way to the cozy bed. This is were running comes to rescue me and it always did. It Lets me keep off from my despair for a while. Sleepless nights, not so substantial days and add to your misery too. I tend to find time for running though, but sometime its lazy me who over power my will for running. Most of the time I am able to beat my laziness and plunge onto the road for some good run. At the end its just the satisfying feeling, realization of something gone good, sweat reminds me of something good.

After my 10k race at Peachtree Road race, I was looking for a bigger run. Read about Hotlanta Half Marathon, pretty unsure about staying back here for a while, could not register for it earlier but time I got to know I will be around here, first thing I did was to stop by Big Peach running club to register paying bit extra then the initial registration price. Marathon was on 23rd August 2015 and I did the registration on 10th August. With couple of weeks to power up my run and mileage, I continued what I was doing. Kept running over the evenings, did a long run same weekend. These days I was finding my running rhythm, longer runs where comfortable and could increase my mileage over time. Unknown source of power and music guided me over the time. 

My fitness was also steady due to the Cricket I was playing on weekends for the Atlanta Cricket League. This kind of helped me be better my quick runs and heat. On the D-day, 23rd August, I got up early, listening to my playlist and was ready to hit the road. I was talking to a running in MARTA Train and got to know about the expected rain half way through the race starts. Well, Peachtree Road Race was also a similar event which ended up running all the way in rain, and I was pretty disappointed to run in rain again, although I enjoy rain but this time I wanted to give my best. 

My run started pretty good, kept my pace and initial 10k I completed in 58 mins, but soon the rain started pouring making it hard to keep my pace, water streams were all across and day almost looked like a night with street lights on for some time. I kept whatever pace I could maintain and ran to complete the Marathon in 2hr 13 mins, best so far after the debacle run in November last year in India. I was happy. Also happy because I felt I was the only Indian running here J couldn’t see any more Indian faces around. I took some pics and also created a video to say hi to Hriday, Avni, Aru and my Appi. It was great run and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Below are some pics and my race results.

Race result:

518

Prashant Patil

927

30

M

30-34

2:13:30

2:15:04

10:11/M

Joy of seeing the Finish line

Keep running !!

Breaking the mind's shackle - Back to marathon !!

Peachtree Road Race 4th Of July Independence Day, Atlanta, Ga.

Last few months it’s been a roller coaster ride of things happening in my life. Trying to find some sort of peace and calmness along the way I am moving in. Missed to run Mumbai Marathon, which could have well be my 4^th consecutive run in SCMM, also TCS 10k run which could have been my 5^th consecutive year in a row. Albeit my running was going on, was looking up for some event where I could final break the shackle of not running a marathon in recent times.

Moved to US in May, my first trip to US. I did settle there in a week’s time. Now what, I started running whenever I could find time, whenever things where getting hard on me. These days I was not maintaining any routine but run whenever I can. I did search for marathons in Atlanta, could find one on 4^th July, Peachtree Road Race 10k. Thought this could well be my chance to run abroad and run a marathon after a long time. But to my dismay, registrations were full and I could gather some information like I may get a running number during expo. Meantime I was running now and then, really not sure about getting a running number or not on the day of expo.

Looking for Running number !!

With Jeff Galloway 

Hoping to get running number I went to expo on 2^nd July, enquired if I can get a running number or number transfer or for sale. I got some information of sale next day at the expo, was happy to hear that. I met Jeff Galloway, running legend, trainer. I was happy to meet, had been reading his articles on running and training for long. Took some pictures, he was kind enough to look for a running number for me with his friends, but there was no luck though.

I returned to expo next day and went directly to AJC booth, where running number were sold. I asked the lady if any free numbers are available. After checking, she got back to me with good news, some free numbers were available. That means I get a number for the race and its free. I thanked the lady and was back preparing myself mentally for the race next day.

With Bib Finally

Again with Jeff with Bib

All Check, All Set

 I had light dinner, arranged the stuff for the D-day. Slept hoping for a good run. I woke at right time, got ready. I was hearing to the my favorite playlist in the morning. Moment I was out, it was raining. I caught train which had thousands of runners, could barely find place to stand in train. Got down at Buckhead and then a long walk till the start point, I saw huge number of people all walking down to start line. I was in line up J and was looking to join the crowd. Did some basic stretch and I was all set to run my first marathon this year outside India, in a crowd where I could hardly see any Indian faces.

Rain intensified right at the start line, I wished couple of people whom I was having a chat, a good run and there I started. Initially slow to adjust myself to the run, but through the miles I was feeling confident, happy and run was going good. High fives, cheers all the way was good. I finished the race all smiling and happy in a 1hr 3min with 10mins wasting to secure my mobile getting wet due to rain. Only this time I carried it not to miss to take picture of my run and the event :)

Few photos of the race below..

Post-race, award ceremony was cancelled since it rained heavily and crowd of 60,000 plus people was beyond anybody’s control. I left the race and went to after race party arranged by Jeff Galloway, hoping to meet him again.  Party was cool with nice snacks and beer. I had both and left to room with some really nice memories of the race and race as a whole.

Happy running !!

Happy Running Year 2015 !!

A year has passed, some promises kept & some not, a year to look back and re-invent. so its that time of the year, you make new commitments to yourself & possibly push yourself to achieve it. Try improvise yourself to the best, be healthy, keep your family healthy & run countless miles. 

Wish you a very happy running year... !!

Keep Running.  

Bengaluru Marathon 2014 - Blistered run !!!

Although motivations for the run where good, these days my preparations for the run was turning bleak. Not able to fully concentrate, I was fighting some odds within. Although had my weekend runs, but sure it was, I wasn't breaking the within 2 hour run any time soon. So gave up the hopes of much practice. I was running whenever I could find time, just wanted to run and enjoy the marathon without any injuries. Benguluru Marathon in its first edition left no stone unturned in promoting the event across, I missed most of the promo runs and off course the set of T-Shirts they gave out each time during their promo runs. 

Event was scheduled on 19th October 2014. This time I was running on my new shoes Nike Lunar Glide 5, which I bought couple of months back. Although I didn't clock much mileage with that in two months but I felt good about the runs done with that. Most of the runs where around 8 to 10kms and I could feel not much of the usual pain I used to get. Well, all set for the run, I wanted to finish somewhere between 2.15 hrs to 2.30 hrs, seeing the course and also the last run did. Run started good, could recall the TCS 10k event with similar start. I did the first 10k in 1hr 5mins but soon got trouble in the foot, initially thought some stone got into shoe but to my dismay it was big blister which was irritating me. I could run a bit but walk, even walking started causing me problem. I could somehow manage to do walks and runs after that. I finished the run in 2hr 35 mins by far my worst run on the flat surface. I could have done better but I know the reason. 

Bengaluru Marathon in their first attempt did a wonderful job of arranging a full fledge marathon event. I am sure it will grow bigger in coming year and I will be there to run and do my personal bests.

Half Marathon Route

Marathon Certificate

Keep Running,

Cheers