Category: Marathon

Day 74/ 365 – Mumbai Marathon

~ Akshay ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday, I participated in Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon in the half marathon category. I have been running the half marathon for the last 5 years and this was the first time when I was running without any practice. I started to practice sometime around Oct/ Nov for this year’s marathon but because of scheduling conflicts I was not able to prepare for it all. I started running around 5:30 am in the morning; but then there would be sometimes I would reach home from work around 4 am and sometimes around 6 am and would be like super exhausted and just didn’t feel like going for a run(mainly because I would be tired and just felt like hitting the bed).

So I reached the race start point on time at 6 am and was hoped for the best. I did get to see John Abraham (who is the event ambassador for SCMM) and started running hoping that I would be able to complete the race. I was targeting to complete by 2 hours 45 mins and I decided to join the 2 hour 45 mins bus. I kept following the group for 6 kms before the lack of practice caught up with me and I started walking. After walking for a couple of kms, I started to run again however by this time my lack of practice had really started to hurt my legs. I was cramping up and was in some pain. At around 12 kms mark, I stopped running altogether and decided to walk to the finish line no matter how long it took. In between I met Prem, my old colleague and we talked together for a few kms before he took to finish the race.

Post this experience, I am not sure if I am going to participate in any further marathons unless I am able to practice regularly.

PS: A shoutout to all Mumbaikars for coming out to support the runners. It is really amazing to see so many people out on the streets cheering the runners and offering them with biscuits, water, bananas, and in some cases jalebis!! You guys are awesome!!!

FcertA4.tmpl-30594

Day 29/ 365 – Preparation for Mumbai Marathon Begins

~ Akshay ~ 2 Comments

Finally got my confirmation to participate in the Mumbai Marathon 2014. With less than 60 days left for the race, it is about time I start practicing for it. I ran the Vasai Virar half marathon last month and was seriously not prepared and it showed in my race performance wherein I finished in 3 hours and 17 minutes. In the last edition of Mumbai Marathon, I finished in 3 hours and 1 minute (here I was also trying to help a friend run his first marathon). However, in this edition I intend to finish the race in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. And with this goal in mind, I seriously need to start training and running. Also, we now need to finish the race within certain time limits to participate in the next year’s event and hence I really have no other option but to prepare seriously. Every year I start preparing for the marathon and then half way give up or in some instances, just don’t prepare and run and it really used to show up on my race day performance. So this year I am not going to procrastinate and ensure I practice. The good part is I have lost quite a bit of weight since I have joined my new workplace, as I have been working nights and have reduced my food in take. However, not sure how much of that is really going to help me prepare for the race. The 8 week training plan begins from today!!!

 

Random Ramblings

~ Akshay ~ 5 Comments

The last few days all of a sudden have gotten very busy. I have been running around from one place to another. Currently, I am working on 3 different projects and all 3 require to me work in 3 different areas. Just last week, I was complaining to my cousin that I don’t have enough work and this week I am overwhelmed with work. But the best part is, I am thoroughly enjoying what I am doing. I think when you are working in a start-up, you get to put your hands in all the areas and learn about everything. At the same time, I may end up becoming Jack of all Trades and Master of none or may be one. I don’t know. Right now, I am currently thinking of starting my studies again. It has been 3 years since I have graduated and I think it is the correct time for me to have a Management degree. I have been doing some basic research about the institutions and courses, but haven’t been able to find a right one yet. But hopefully, will find something soon. In the mean time, I will be giving CISA exam on Dec 13th. I will be doing the early bird registration this week.

Btw, I have started going to the gym again. Well I have been going since last 3 weeks and it feels good to workout. My mornings are really packed, with gym from 6:15am-7:30am and then catching the train at 8:30am with breakfast, shower etc in between. Sometimes it gets really hectic but then it is worth it. I have also registered for Mumbai Marathon. I will be participating in the half marathon. I have never run in one before, so have no idea if I can even run so much. But today was a very good start on the treadmill. I finished 2kms in about 12 minutes. I know treadmill and streets are different but still it felt good. I am aiming to improve the running stamina to 5kms by the end of this month and then another 5 by the end of September. I know high hopes, but then one can’t do anything without planning.

Anyways I have written a lot on this post.. I am going to shut up now and get back to work.