May 15th, 2008
As a part of my taper, I ran 5 laps of KNP in 16:46 and 16:33 on Monday and Tuesday, 6 laps in 19:33 on Wednesday and slept in today on Wednesday. Tomorrow, I plan to run 5K early morning and that should be it. I have my bib number, and all other details. I expect to be in Bangalore tomorrow (Friday), pick my bib and other stuff. The run is on Sunday May 18th at 9:00 AM.
May 18th, 2008
Having gotten my bib and goodie bag on Saturday, I was so looking forward to running the 10K. As I got ready, I had the TV on the channel broadcasting the race live, admiring the timings that the elite runners put in. My brother drove me to meet another friend who was also participating in his first ever run. We waited for some time, shooting the breeze, catching up, stretching as much as I could.
Getting to the Kanteerava stadium proved a bit onerous, but eventually I found myself in the chip holders section. A lot of people had turned out, some with event T shirts from the Bangalore Ultra held some time ago. The stadium atmosphere was uplifting.
At the appointed hour of 9:00 AM, we the hordes were let loose. I walked to the start line, albeit being pushed is a better way. One thing about the 10K distance is you tend to so underestimate it..:-). Each running blog/training manual/note/article cautions against getting caught up in the enthusiasm and starting out fast. Every race I enter, I remember this as I go out and... every race I start out fast :P. So much for adhering to gyaan.
The first 2k took 12:02; I didn't even realise I was going faster than my usual 7:30 min/KM pace. Admonishing myself mildly, I slowed down, looking at the other runners and looking at the people lining the course, running my 3rd KM in around 8 minutes. Overcompensating eh?
KM 4 went by in 27:05, almost a full minute ahead of a 7min/KM pace. So far, it was easy going. I slowed down dramatically in the fifth kilometer.. the heat got to me, and I finally crossed the 5K marker at 38:18, still pacing reasonably ok at 7:40 min/KM. This is what fast starts do to me.
By now, the sun beating down made running on Bangalore roads a chore. I have very little recollection of KM 6, except I decided to walk for exactly 1 minute. I stopped again in front of the Vidhan Souda to take pictures. Entering Cubbon Park, I had hoped for a shady avenue to ease some of the heat. No such luck. By now, at each water station, I was picking up two small water bottles, one opened and upended on the head immediately; the second for a few sips now and then before being poured on the capped bald pate again.
Left at the Cubbon Park gate, got me out to the last 1K/1.5K. This was quite pleasant. Could see the start point in the far horizon, enough motivation to run faster - not sprint really yet. A bit of a surprise then, that the finish line was inside and not on the street. Any way sprinted the last bit, weaving through the other finishers. Crossed the line at 73:26:58 by my clock.
Wandered around loosening up and cooling down, trying to find where to go next for certificates and other stuff. A kindly soul pointed me in the right direction, where I picked up my bottle of water and the post run snack. I was so thrilled that the snack had a bun... ye olde humble bun...laden with carbs. Chomping down on the well needed nutrition, I lined up to get the certificate.
Yet again, Procam could not get its act right, with their software glitches and what else. Handed in my chip, got into a long discussion/argument/rant with Anil Singh of Procam about how they do this all the time, etc. etc.
Anyway, my brother came to pick me up and after a really long shower, we headed off to Nandhini for lunch. To date, I had marvelled at how people can polish off the mounds of rice that this place serves. After my run, I did too and how it can be done is no longer a mystery.
I am quite pleased with my 73:26, though it is about 2:30 off my previous 10K; given the 9:00 AM start time and the heat, I won't complain. The official timing certificate reads 73:18... I will take the 8 seconds, if you please....
