Mysore Marathon 2014 - Close to a disaster run !

Mysore Marathon 2014 – 7th September

Running this marathon for the 2nd successive year and it always feels great to run in Mysore. With Dasara festival for a month to go, city is getting ready to welcome people all around the world for the grand display of the Palace and city in itself is great to visit during this festive season. Preparation to the marathon had been not that good, being out of injury I wasn’t putting lot of efforts into physical activities but running was part of my daily routing but not 100%. I had been part of Reebok Running Squad happening of every Saturday and Sunday. Here we do lots of exercise for different body part essentially which helps running better. This got me bit of confidence, also Sunday long runs help me. But I still had blues of not finishing the marathon strongly.

We, Anup, Naidu and I left to Mysore on 6th September by local train, reached the bib collecting venue in time. We went around to search for lodge and settled with the same lodge I stayed last year. After the dinner, I watch US Open and couldn't stop watching the match between Djokovic and Nishikori, exciting game of tennis it was. I pushed myself to sleep to get enough sleep before run. Reporting time for the Half Marathon was 6.15 am, we got up in time got fresh and had some fruits, we jogged till the venue to get some warm up, did some stretches and they we were ready for the run. Greeted guys for the good run. 

Naidu took off with good speed, I joined Anup for run. I was not pacing for my comeback run, just wanted to finish the run strong without any fatigue or injury. Anup and I paced with each other for first 10kms doing it in around 1hr 4mins time. Soon I starting feeling pain in my right knee, it was the IT Band pain, slowed down and started few stretches. This is the worst kind of pain a runner can get. I was back to running after few stretches. Pace slowing down bit more, I soon caught up with Anup again, but moved over. By now knew I would be repeating my old marathon scenes, I went on completing marathon in 2 hr 27 mins, with painful last 5-6 kms where I took around 50 mins of time. Disappointed but was clear again to practice more. Naidu finished in 1 hr 55 mins and Anup did it in 2hr 32 mins I guess. 

Few pics

Anup, Me, Naidu n Sujith

 

Dance with Sujith after race

Next in the list in Bangalore marathon happening on 9 October. See you there.

Keep running !!

Mysore Marathon 2013 - Good event and run !!

Running Kaveri Trail Marathon wasn't in my cart until the last moment. Earlier I had decided to run Mysore Marathon and registered for the event. Not having ample practice during the week and missing some weekend runs, I planned to take these marathons as my substitute to long runs. Although ideally not recommended, but having not able to make out time for the run, this was my last resort. I was running KTM on 15th September and Mysore run was on 29th September and Wipro run on 22nd. My run at KTM was good except the last few kms where I struggled with cramp and could not push my self. I finished it in 2hr 34mins, although not a good timing but finished on high spirits. I couldn't register for Spirit of Wipro run, which I had planned to run 10k, but ended up cheering up my friends few of whom where running 10k.

Think I already mentioned about my few friends who are now taking up running. I could influence them to register for Mysore Marathon, few actually did. Anup, Amit and Samatha, had registered for the event in 21k, 10k and 5k respectively. So these days I am having good company of my friends at Marathon. That's something to cheer about. So on 28th we planned to go by car. We reached Mysore on 28th September evening, after witnessing the wonderful palace in lights we collected bibs at the event store. We booked a hotel near to the start of the race and called off the day after light dinner.

Up and ready by 5.30 am, we started up to the race start venue. On the way, I was suggesting Amit, Samatha to run at the pace they are comfortable with and importantly enjoy the race as it comes.I was really pumped up to have my buddies along with me on the run, its just those moments when you run together or cross your friend on the other side of the run, to cheer and a high five, pumps up energy. And to see someone at the finish line whom you know adds on more to it. 

Into the race, first half of the run was really wonderful, climate was perfect, I was easily pacing with Anup. Route was perfect with both road and off road running, few kilometre run was beside the lake which added to its beauty. At 16kms mark, Sun started show up. My weak point of not having enough run under the sun was clearly seen, I was getting tired now and getting exhausted after 200-300 meters of run. I started pushing myself to finish off in sub 2hr 10mins or may be plus 5 mins more. But what kept me away from reaching that goal, my practice runs, it was clearly visible to me now, last couple of run I was not finishing well. Last 3-4 kms were taking toll on me and I wasn't finishing the race strongly. Something I need to note for my next race. I finished race around 2hr 23 mins as my watch showed at the finish. To repeat my finishing stunt, I did 5 pushups at the finish line and could locate Amit standing at the finish line cheering for my finish. Soon I was joined by Samatha, who had run 10k instead of registered 5k with Amit. I said wow, that was good to start off.

After finish

Credits - Flashbuzz

Credits - Flashbuzz

Credits - Don't know !

My race results ..

Result

Happy Running.
Cheers..