Mumbai Marathon Expo - Time to Grow Bigger

Mumbai Marathon is growing bigger by the year, in terms of stature and size.  But the expo seem to caught on time warp.  It's time for expo to grow to match the stature of the event.  It needs to be move to a bigger place and with more exhibits / stalls.

I ran Mumbai after a gap of six years and was surprised to find Expo in the same place (World Trade Center, Cuffe Parade) as last time.  If it looked small then, looked even smaller this year.  Expo for a marathon of Mumbai stature needs a large open space that can be customized to suit.  But in Mumbai, it was circular and narrow, making it difficult to navigate through or use the space efficiently.

On Saturday, Jan 16, Bib collection was apparently only for outstation runners.  Even then the place was crowded and the lines moved at snails pace.

Met this guy from Japan.  They have a Chennai Marathon Club in Japan!!!!  Got to talking to him and came to know that he knew of Namma Chennai and in fact he is planning run TWCM on Jan 31.

Pacers were around to talk about their bus.  But I was more curious about the belt concoction they were wearing to hold the pacer pole.  Didn't look like a comfortable thing to wear, run and drive the bus.  On the race day, I saw several pacers getting rid of the belt and simply holding the pole in their hands.  In marathons across the world, making the pacer 'visible' is a challenge.  I have seen from balloons to t-shirts to whistles to poles.  Only balloons come close to doing the job while still providing complete mobility to the pacer.  But balloons are fragile and tend to break easily when the 'timing stickers' are pasted or soon thereafter.

 It has become customary in marathon events and runners have come to expect a Tee in their goodie bag.  Mumbai gave an 'almost' empty goodie bag as the contained only a few fliers and Volini sample spray.  But, I got lucky.  Thanks to IBM Runners Clubd, we got an Adidas Tee to boot.

Feeling cramped and not much to do, left the Expo early.  I hope Mumbai Marathon organizers move to a bigger place and give more reasons to spend more time at the Expo.  That will be one more way by which Mumbai Marathon can improve the runner experience and pump them up for the event.  All world marathon major expos do and its about time Mumbai did too.

#Marathon, #SCMM, #Mumbai

More photos -  SCMM Expo

Maximum City Getting Ready for Marathon

It takes less than two hours to hop from Chennai to Mumbai, but it might take more than two decades for Chennai to become a 'Maximum City' like Mumbai.  That is if it wants to.. :-).   I lived in Mumbai for about 6 months in my twenties and it was fast then.  And now it has only become faster.  From Airport to roads everything and everyone is 'on the move' all the time.  It looks as though Maximum city never sleeps.

Suresh and I took a walk across the famous marine drive this evening saw ample evidence of a city on the move and getting ready for another edition of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.   Entire stretch of this scenic section of the city was swarming with people.  Young couples were enjoying themselves oblivious of their surroundings.  In the middle of this was workers erecting stages to showcase plethora of things for the run tomorrow.

We must have walked north at least 2k from Nariman Point and all thru, there were bunch of stalls coming up. Here some kids (and their moms) having fun at Radio Mirchi band stage getting ready for tomorrow.  This place is going to be buzzing tomorrow.

Nestle has put up hoardings across the city with Fauja Singh and I understand Mr. Singh is in town to run the event tomorrow.  I don't know how much he will be running, regardless he is my hero.  He is 104 and travels around the world participating in events.  Even if he runs 1k tomorrow.. that will be awesome.  He transformed his life at 89, after moving to UK.  What are you waiting for ? Start your transformation today... Do More..Start Running.

I am here to run my marathon #57 with no preparation.  My goal is to finish, keeping my hernia problem under control.  Wish me luck...

#Marathon, #SCMM, #Mumbai #DoMore

More photos - Marine Drive  SCMM Expo

Reminiscing Val Vil Ori Ultra - Getting to Nalla Thambi Resorts

Reminiscing Val Vil Ori Ultra - Getting to Nalla Thambi Resorts

As Krishna and team get ready for the second edition of Val Vil Ori ultra, I cannot not think about the first edition in which I participated.  The buzz around second edition kind of kindled me to do a few posts on the ultra.  Here is the second installment (Link to first post here). (They may be running as I click post button).

Like this year, Val Vil Ori Ultra started and ended at Nalla Thambi resorts.  It is a small resort on top, where the time moves slowly and employees of the resort move slower.

We took a train from Chennai to Salem and from there a car to Kolli Hills.  There are buses from Salem, but they are sparse and one may have to switch buses to get to Kolli Hills.

We took a brief pit stop at Rasipuram market enroute to Kolli Hills.  Not sure if it was a weekly or daily market, but the place was packed.  It was happening right on the main drag was hard to miss.  Farmers from the surrounding area were selling their farm and poultry produce.  Interestingly, the prices were comparable to what you would pay in Chennai.  Here is small video clip of the market scene.

This photo was taken near the entrance to Kolli Hills.  The climb up to top has about 70 'hairpin bends' as the road winds its way to the top which is about 22kms. Our initial plan for the Ultra was to run down till the arch and run back, but after some discussions that we partially changed it to run halfway down, climb up and a loop to Arapaleeswarar temple.  Here is a short video clip of the gateway to Kolli Hills.

Kolli Hills is still fairly untouched by commercial tourism and the accommodation options are limited.  Nalla Thambi Resort is one of the decent ones.  It has about 25 rooms and a restaurant.  But be prepared for things to move slowly.  From getting the room keys to food serving everything took time and at times tested our patience.. But then, there is no hurry, just sit back, relax and soak in on hills beauty.  Nalla Thambi is surrounded by thick vegetation and the greenery was a feast to our eyes if not to our stomach.

Nalla Thambi's only restaurant is in the open air and perhaps that's the way it ought to be.   They fare is limited but fair enough for vegetarians.  We chatted, chatted and chatted while waiting to be served.  While waiting, Krishna converted the restaurant to a mini Ultra expo and distributed our bibs.

With Bibs in hand, we are ready to run..


Val Vil Ori Ultra - Photo Collection

Reminiscing Val Vil Ori Ultra - Who is Val Vil Ori (வல் வில் ஓரி) ?

As Krishna and team get ready for the second edition of Val Vil Ori ultra, I cannot not think about the first edition in which I participated.  The buzz around second edition kind of kindled me to do couple of posts on the ultra.  Here is the first installment with the second one planned for tomorrow.

I signed up for Val Vil Ori ultra mainly as a precursor practice run for Comrades.  But the trip to Kolli hills was lot more than just about the run.  I got to enjoy the pristine forests and catch up a little bit on our rich history.  For starters with some basic knowledge who is Val Vil Ori?

For long, I didn't quite understand the name of the ultra and was actually was pronouncing it incorrectly.   I knew it was Tamil name, but didn't know the history or how to say it properly when all I saw was written in English. (yeah I right, I blame it on English..!!!).

So, I went digging and got to know a little bit about the famous 200 CE king.  Here is what I found..

According to wikepedia,  Ori (ஓரி) was a popular king in the Kolli hills region during 200 CE.  He was an excellent archer, hence the name Val Vil Ori (வல் வில் ஓரி - வில் வித்தையில் வல்லவன்).  His valour and archery are part of the folklore and he is said to have killed lion, bear and boar all with a single arrow.  He was also praised as one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil land.  He also built the famous temple in the region.

King Ori said to have built Arapaleswarar temple around 200 CE.  According to the legend, Siva ling of this temple was actually found by a farmer ploughing his land.  This temple is purported to have a secret passageway (tunnel) to another Siva temple in Rasipuram about 50 km away.  Just near the temple is Agaya Gangai falls.

 But, to get to the falls, one has to buy a ticket and walk down several steep steps.  We didn't venture down last year, but I do encourage runners to take time to go down and enjoy the falls.  A shower in the falls is supposedly very invigorating as the water runs forest herbs and they do good to your body and mind.

Paradoxically, Val Vil Ori is both revered and shunned. He is revered for his valour and philanthropic activities but shunned because of the belief that any association of any kind with his name brings bad luck.

There is statue of him in Kolli hills and Tamil Government even conducts a festival in his name every year.  But TN leaders shy away attending the function and even if some attend, refuse to garland his statue.

Val Vil Ori Ultra - Photo Collection

Next Post - Getting to Nalla Thambi Resorts

Journey to New York - Searching for that elusive marathon entry

Journey to New York - Searching for the elusive marathon entry

You  know, I didn't strike gold in the 2015 New York Marathon lottery.  Since then, I have been exploring other options and one of them is to try the NYRR-ITP (International Travel Partners) route.  International Travel Partners provide guaranteed entry for the marathon for a slight premium, if we make some travel arrangements (hotel, sightseeing, air travel etc.,) through them.

I sifted thru NYRR ITP site and what I found was a revelation.  A country of billion billion people does not have a travel partner for NYC marathon, whose 'proud' sponsor is an iconic Indian company.  Make no mistake, there are 'hundreds' of travel partners for many countries in the world, including smaller countries like Iceland.  But India is not on that list.. wonder why?

1. Is it because, there isn't enough runners in India who would take that route (not an attractive market) or 
2. Is it because India doesn't figure in the scheme of things for NYRR.  

I could connect with travel partners in other countries and try thru them and one my friend did that for me.  But it is proving to be lot more expensive and 'out of range' for me.

Now I have only two options left 1) Go the charity route 2) Explore the sponsor route.  I am trying both and hopefully one of them would work out.

Tags #TCS, NYRR, Running, Marathon

Elusive NYC Marathon Entry

Elusive NYC Marathon Entry

While Boston is the Mecca (or the Kasi or the Jerusalem) of marathons, New York City marathon is perhaps the most iconic and coveted in the world.  Both are part of world marathon majors and very popular amongst marathoners.

Boston is tough to get in.  There are stringent qualifying criteria tied to age / time.   One must have run a qualifying race within the age / time limit to even  qualify to enter the lottery.  I didn't even have an outside chance of qualifying for Boston and the charity route in 2012 to run that oldest modern marathon.

But New York marathon is entry is proving to be tougher even though there is no such qualifying criteria.  Also, NYC takes in more runners than Boston, about 17,000 more.  While the cap at Boston is around 33,000, NYC takes in about 50,000.  Still, I have not been able to crack the NYC lottery for three years in a row.

I was looking forward to running NYC marathon this year as it would knock off one more marathon from my bucket list and give the satisfaction of having run all of the world marathon majors.  But, the 'reject' mail landed quietly in my inbox around 8:20 AM this morning, deflating me a little bit.

Till last year, NYC used to give automatic entry if one has been rejected 3 years in a row.  But, that option is no longer available.  So, there is no guarantee that I will get in next year and moreover, I don't want to wait till 2016 to tick off NYC.

Now its time to try other options..

Photo courtesy - Bloomberg.com

There are still a few options left and I will be pursuing them..

1. Sponsor route - Work with the sponsors to see if they will give me one of the slots reserved for them.
2. Travel Agencies - Get a guaranteed entry by working with one of the official travel agencies.  Some of my friends took this route to Chicago last year.  Though there is a slight premium for this service, it works well.
3. Charity route - Raise funds for a worthy cause and get a confirmed slot.

I will be working all these options and hopeful of one of them clicking.  Still, so looking forward to running in the big apple..

Run Auroville for the joy of running - Part #2

Run Auroville for the joy of running - Part #2

Getting to the start line

I had some tense moments on this front.  Ended up rushing to the startline with only couple of minutes to spare  and started running with no time to settle in.  Want to know how I ended up rushing instead of being cool, calm and relaxed like a monk?? Read on..

Last minute rush doesn't work for me.  I generally get to the start line at least 30 minutes ahead of gun time.  This gives me ample time to deposit bag, stretch and soak in on the pre-event energy.  This time, I ended unwittingly adopting kanban (just in time) strategy and got to the start line as the race was about to begin.

I thought, I planned it well.  Staying in Pondy and not having my own transport, I had two choices; 1)Take the Auroville shuttle at 3:30 AM or 2)hitchhike with other FM runners staying at Surguru.  Lucky me (or so I thought), I stumbled upon couple of FM runners staying at Surguru and entered into a pact to ride with them to Auroville.  This got me another 30 minutes of sleep and I was happy.....Hooray

Sunday morning, we left at 4:15 AM instead of the appointed 4:00 AM. Even then we had adequate time to reach Auroville.. So far so good

Head north on ECR without knowing the 'miss if you blink' left turn.. Not so good

Missed the 'miss if you blink' left turn and didn't even realize it... .. Not good

Realized the goof up much later and called Google for help.  We were 10K north of that crucial Auroville turn... Definitely not good.

Make U turn and fly south on ECR like the cars in Fast Furious..  Not good at all..

Rush through the infinite speed bumps on Auroville Road.. Oh S***

Reached Auroville parking with just 8 minutes spare..  Finally..!!!!

Forgot Camera, Music and Vaseline.. Too bad

Arrived at the start area 2 minutes before the gun time.. Thank You God

I was totally stressed out and rushed to the start area without even waiting for Srikumar and Balaji forgetting that they are also running FM.  Thanks Srikumar for staying calm and ensuring that we reached on time though I was a wreck.

But then, things got better from there.... Read on..

Route and Enroute

From the very start, I had company.  Though the company kept changing along the course.  I was fortunate to have good company and had engrossing chat with all my running buddies.  This is one of the perks of running in familiar environs; ran with lot of known faces.

E Ramesh gave me company for about 30k.  (Photo courtesy - Bindu Upadhyay)

First I started out with Karthik Gangadharan (of TNagar Trend Setters) and Ramesh (of Chormpet Chettahs).  Though it was pitch dark for the first hour and we were moving forward gingerly with the help dim torches, conversations with Karthik helped miles melt.  Karthik warned me that if he stops he wouldn't be able to restart.  As luck would have it, Karthik did have to stop to fix his shoe lace at around 12k and that was the last I saw on the course.

Next to give company Bib Bala and Athmanand Perumal.  We tried to recite slokas aloud and sing bhajans.  Though we were exerting and spending energy, miles chugged along.  But that exertion caught up with me.  First Atha and later Bala sprinted ahead leaving me slumbering along.  But a while later, I saw Bala slowing down and this tortoise had the pleasure of overtaking the hare.

All the while, I had Ramesh for company.  He put up with all my singing and still gave me company.  But he was adamant on one thing though.  He refused to sing even after repeated requests (badgering).  But he also sprinted ahead at around 36k leaving to chug along.

With just around 1.5k to go, Geetha (of OMR) joined me and got to run faster.  I checked my Garmin and the last 1.5k was the fastest on course.  Thanks Geetha for taking me to the finish line faster than I would have on my own.

Thanks Karthik, Bala, Atha, Ramesh and Geetha.  For, your company helped me to keep moving and achieve a PB on this course.

Distance
Getting an accurate reading in Garmins have been a challenge at Auroville.  This I attribute this due to the terrain.  As the route takes us through thick forest and criss-crossing trails,  it is possible that GPS don't give good reading.  This year also, there was lot of discussions about the actual distance.  I heard many runners comparing their GPS watch readings and conclude that the distance was shorter by about 600 meters for half and close to 2k for lot for full.

Route grab from my Garmin 620

At the finish line, my Garmin read 40.26 km, almost a full 2k short.  I wonder if this helped me do my PB here at 4:05. 

Medal
In the past, not all editions of Auroville Marathons had medals and there was none this year as well.  I have seen lot of discussions in the social media on this subject.  Runners are 'upset' in not getting a medal.  I understand their disappointment as medals have become a norm for most of the running events.  Having said, I also saw 'no promise' by the organizers.  So, I was cool not getting one.

As I said before, I go to Auroville for the sheer 'joy of running' and on that front, Auroville hasn't disappointed me in the last 8 years.

With this first marathon for the year, my marathon count is at 53 now and hope to do a couple of more this year.

Tags - Marathon, Running, Auroville

Photos from the 8th Auroville Marathon Expo (2015) - Here

Photos from the 8th Auroville Marathon - Feb 8, 2015 - Here

Run Auroville For the Joy of Running

Run Auroville For the Joy of Running - Part#1

Going to Auroville is like an annual pilgrimage for me.  I keep running Auroville Marathon for its trails, ambience and pollution free running.  Many things have changed over the years but the allure of Auroville still remains.  I would be running Auroville for at least the next two more years to have the satisfaction of running 10 consecutive years at Auroville (Organizers - Does it qualify me for a permanent green color bib? like they recognize 10 time finishers in Comrades?)

Getting there
The first Auroville Marathon was on Feb 10 2008 and the running community was rather small in Chennai.  All of us could fit in one small bus.

Can you spot familiar faces in this photo from 2008? I could spot Balaji, Ashwin, KK, Siva, Mohan, Venkat, Sandy and Shumit.

In 2008, we arranged for ONE small bus to take us all Auroville.  We all met up at drive-in woodlands (which is now (செம்மொழி பூங்கா) Semmozhi Poonga.. wait a minute.. does that still hold? I thought Ms. Jayalalithaa got rid of that name !!!!!..) as the common starting point and rode down to Auroville from there.  From that one small bus to several (50+ ?) car loads of runners this year, running movement in Chennai has come a long way in the intervening eight years.  This time, I car pooled with Rajesh, Mahesh and Kavitha and comfortably reached Auroville around 4:00 PM.

Accommodation
There was enough room within Auroville to accommodate us in 2008.  In fact, almost all runners stayed within Auroville.  We stayed in dormitories near the starting point for a nominal price.

Let's continue the game.. I can spot Siva, Rajesh and KK in this photo from 2008

We got a big clean room with mattresses on the floor.  This communal living gave us more time for gentle banter and connect with other runners and unwind before the run.  Now, it is no longer possible to find accommodation within Auroville, which augurs well for the Pondy economy.  Most of hotels in the vicinity get booked by runners well ahead of time.  Thanks to Rajesh & Mahesh, I got a room in Surguru.  Just as I expected, it was filled with runners from all over.

Expo
Bib distribution is always a simple affair in Auroville.  In 2008, we got handmade cloth bibs and after that we hung around for the pasta party before retiring early to bed.

BIB distribution this year

Over the years, bib distribution has grown in size to require some process and manpower.  Yet, there is no change to the low key, no frill nature of Auroville Expo.  For minute, I thought we got T-Shirt as well this year, but I was quickly told that I had paid for it separately, at the time of registration.  Here is a short clip on expo.

சந்தை along with Auroville Expo this year

One welcome addition to the bib and 4 pins is the community market.  Folks living in the community selling all kinds of unique stuff, but I don't think they are all made locally within Auroville.  Nevertheless an interesting experience to hang around, meet runners and spend money. Here is a short clip of the saturday market.

Pasta Party

Who do you spot in this shaky photo from 2008? - I spot KK, Sandy & Shumit

Another USP of Auroville Marathon is the pasta party.  It used to all you can eat pasta and salad in a relaxed atmosphere.  Over the years, as more runners started flocking to Auroville, the lines (and the price) at pasta counters have gotten longer and things have gotten busier.  To avoid the rush, I chose the sumptuous Suruguru tiffin options this year.  It also helped me hit the bed early.  

Getting to the startline
I had anxious moments getting to startline.  For awhile, I thought I wouldn't make it on time.  That story and more in my next post.. stay tuned.

Photos from the First Auroville Marathon (2008) - Here

Photos from the 8th Auroville Marathon Expo (2015) - Here

Marathon Memories - Spijkenisse Marathon

Marathon # 52 - A Report

Spijkenisse Marathon just happened.  I did not plan for it and in fact had mentally closed my mind to marathons this year after Chicago.  In fact, I even decided not to run Shahid Ultra, though much tempted.  Then my travel came and the Spijkenisse marathon happened... Read on..

Mannetjes op de krom (roughly meaning Males on the crooked according to Google Translate)  in the Spijkenisse square

When it became clear that I will have to stay back in Sweden over the weekend,  I found this marathon in Netherlands and decided to give it a shot.  Fortunately, all stars aligned and I was able to pull this one off.  I was able to spot, plan, travel and run  this marathon, all in a span of 5 days.

Getting to Spijkenisse was a marathon journey in itself.  I woke up in the wee hours of Saturday and trekked across three countries to reach my destination.  Helsingborg (SE) - Helsingor (DK)- Copenhagen - Amsterdam (NL) - Rotterdam - Spijkenisse.  Door to door it took me 7 hours and the return trek was even more laborious after the marathon.  But, the weekend of packed and I enjoyed every minute of it.. (ok.. ok.. I see you grinning.. just most of it.. I swear.)

There was no Expo, no fanfare.  The bibs were distributed just prior to the run on the race day.  I trooped in to a small hall were the runners, organizers, family, kids and dogs were all milling around.  Though there weren't many signs (none in English), it was easy to figure out what needed to be done and I got them through in a breeze.  After getting suited up for the run, I looked around for the 'baggage counter' and there was none.  When I asked a volunteer for it, she gave me 'that look' and said "simply leave your bag here and it will be here when you come back.".  No tag, no counter, no nothing.. but simply a system called trust.

Start and finish was at a stadium on an olympic spec astro turf.  300 odd FM runners milled around before being flagged off, sharply at 11:00 AM.  We were made to do one loop inside stadium to spread the runners and make it easy for us to get on to the narrow country side roads.

It was sunny but cold and breezy.  When we started it was around 4C and I don't think the needle went any higher.  However, I was going at a good clip and in fact was ahead of the 4:15 bus till about 21k.  But, I slacked little bit hoping to catch the 4:30 bus which never came.  Interestingly, 4:15 was the last bus.  No wonder the cut off time was 5 hours.

After 22+ kms, I kept asking 'why does my feet hurt'?  I tried playing various mind games to keep it at bay but at one point I just wanted throw in the towel and throw my shoes in the all pervasive canals.  This run was yet another reminder that my PF is still around.  Like diabetes, once PF gets hold of you, it doesn't leave you.  You can best hope to contain it, but it will rear its ugly head any time and mostly in inopportune times..

One of my mantra is Running is always better with company.. and I believe, would have fared better here, if there were more runners.  It may have motivated me to run better with them.  But, I mostly ran by myself and without that external stimuli and PF, my system slowed down automatically.  Nevertheless, I did finish my marathon #52 at 4:43:40.  According to the published results, I was placed 249 with 10 more runners finishing after me.  A look the results seem to indicate that the 5:00 hour cut off was indeed enforced.

As I was heading out, met this guy.  We ran the last km together and we finished almost together.  His name is Hans Bui (63) and he is one of the top marathoners of Netherlands.  He has run 525 marathons in the last 20 years.  Hold your breath, he is not the top guy, the top guy has apparently run 800+ marathons..  Beats me as to how someone could run so many marathons, but then encounters like this puts things in perspective.. Take a bow..

I don't seem to get it right with Garmin.  The best Garmin for me was forerunner 305.  I cycled through 3 of them.  But after that, it was all downhill.  After a disastrous stint with forerunner 410, I recently moved to 620 hoping to like it like 305.  But not liking it yet.  Yesterday, my Garmin 620 abruptly froze, at exactly 38K.  It simply froze and refused to budge.  Fortunately, it was the Garmin that froze and not me.. (This reminds me to do a separate post on Garmin 620 in the coming days.. one of these days.).

More photos of Spijkenisse here
More photos the Spijkenisse Marathon here

Tags - Marathon, Running, Spijkenisse, Netherlands, Travel, Travelogue #71

How I chose Spijkenisse Marathon?

When my mobile phone alarm dutifully rang at 6:30 AM today morning, It took me a few moments orient myself.. Where am I? Why am I not in my bed?  Why are the surroundings feel new?  No, I was not drunk and it is not the feeling from hangover.  But, the fact of the matter is that with so much travel, I get this kind feeling whenever travel gets to me.

It was still dark outside and for that matter it is 9:00 AM now and the Sun is thinking of coming up on this cold Sunday here.  That brought me the question of what am I doing at Spijkenisse?

Whenever business travel shows up in the radar that includes a weekend stay, I reach out to Google to look for nearby marathons.  Finding one that suits many of my requirements is not always easy.  It has to near, easy to register and more importantly easy on my wallet etc.  Many times I don't find one.  Those weekends are hard.  I would end up just vegetating in the room.

This time around, my first preference was to find a run in Southern Europe.  I did find one Italy, but it was impossible to swing it in the few days I got to register and make travel arrangements.  After a few eliminations like the above, Spijkenisse was the only one left on the table.  After getting over the language hump, I hit a payment wall.  They took only international bank transfer and I couldn't do it.  Fortunately, few emails exchanges with the organizers took care of it.

Once I got the registration confirmed, I looked for air tickets to Rotterdam and got a sticker shock.  First there were no direct flights from Copenhagen and second the ticket prices were exorbitant.  Here again, Google helped.  It gave me tip to fly to Amsterdam and take a train to Rotterdam.  With that single cue, flood gate of options opened up.  More non-stop options showed up on my search and the prices were 50% cheaper than the earlier ones.

With that, here am I in Spijkenisse getting ready for my 52nd marathon.  This is going to be one of the smallest marathons I have run.  Organizers are expecting around 300 FMers.  This is going to be one of the coldest marathon I have run as well.  Sun is just starting to peek through the clouds and temperature now is 3C with a high predicted to be at 5C.

A word about the Atlas Hotel, Spijkenisse guys.  They are pretty accommodative to the runners.  They have about 25+ runners at the hotel and have allowed us late checkout till 6:00 PM today.  Besides that accommodated my request for early check-in (and free breakfast) yesterday.  Thank you Atlas Hotel for your friendly atmosphere and accommodating runner needs.

Now off to the run friends... See you soon

Tags # Spijkenisse, Netherlands, Marathon, Running, Travel, Travelogue #70

Three Amigos, Thirty Years Later

When a bunch of Chennai Runners were talking about running the 2014 Chicago Marathon, I didn't give it a serious consideration.  I have run it in 2010 and there was no business travel in the horizon, so why bother was my thinking.  But, when my college friend now in US casually mentioned about running Chicago for charity, I pulled two other college friends (and first time marathoners) made a pact that four amigos would run Chicago.

Even after the Amigo pact, I wasn't in two minds and to make it harder, I said to myself, 'would go only if I win the lottery'.  So, I entered the lottery and was hoping wouldn't get thru but as luck would have won it.  After that, I had no other escape routes and committed myself..

Four Amigos got to three as the Mumbai amigo couldn't make it.  The guy to my right in the top is Laks and pretty much has the entire alphabet soup after his name.  Prasad, to my right is doing some high funda research in MRI and one day would get that famous early morning call from Stockholm.  Of the three, I am the least 'qualified' but coming to think of it, it was written in big bold letters even during our college days but then I was oblivious to it then, like now.   But, this illiterate is quite happy to have gotten the two academic elites to take running and enjoy it.

To be candid, I was little worried about Laks.  He kept talking about his lack of preparation and I wondered if I had done the right thing by getting him to sign up for the big thing.  What I had forgotten was that he is like Dr. Ram Rajagopalan and works smarter and not harder.  Laks surprised me once again to have finished comfortably with juice to spare.  I keep asking him to teach me that trick and he has been trying for 30 years.  I am yet to learn and it is a surprise that he hasn't given up on me yet.

I was little bit more comfortable with Prasad as he is local and has run the same course last year.  He also comfortably finished the race.

Laks & Prasad - I am proud of you guys.. but then we go to do it again, don't we?  This doesn't count as Srini couldn't join us.  Let us ensure we do this again as Four Amigos... Do I hear Big Apple calling?

Some snaps from my album here

Tags - Running, Marathon, USA

A Comrades Medal.. after all

I came back to Chennai last night with heads down.. only to be garlanded with a Comrades Medal.

Last Sunday, the only thing in my mind was of reaching the finish line and the medal that comes shortly after that.  All through the long trek, spectators, amply sprinkled with Indian origin folks shouted loudly for you and they said a "medal is waiting for me with my name on it".  But I ended taking the rescue bus and there was no medal waiting for bus finishers.

But I come back home yesterday and there is a Comrades medal waiting for me.. Wonder how? Read on....

My Comrades odyssey started in 2012 with Balaji.  He managed to squeak past the Visa hurdle in India and stiff looking security officer in Dubai to get to Durban in time for the run.  We camped together and went through some 'interesting' homeless times.  Take a look photo taken by Sita before we headed out for the run.  Particularly the seeding; I was 'F' and Balaji was 'H'.

Though placed two 'seeds' behind me, Balaji was the one who finished with the medal and I stood there with camera.  Balaji offered the medal then but I refused saying I got to earn it.  He says 'The only reason I accepted your refusal was that I was sure you would win it very in the future.."

Two years later, Sadly things have not gone the way Balaji predicted or I wanted.  So, Balaji thoughtfully shipped his medal to me.  He says in his mail "I am sure you may not need the medal but certainly, the medal needs you; For it will be an inspiration for others to earn it."  

Balaji is right about the earning part; I certainly did not earn it but will keep it because what he goes on to say "I request you to accept this medal for you did finish in some manner, through me"

Balaji, I am touched beyond words by your gesture and the timing couldn't have been better.  It landed just a few hours before I did.

You have made lot of folks run in Chennai and now in Pondicherry.  You have made Auroville Marathon an integral part of Marathon India calendar.  I will not get my Green BIB at Comrades but sure is on course to get it from Auroville.

Thank you Balaji from the bottom of my heart....

Comrades - What went wrong?

As I got into the Runners' Rescue bus for the third time, couldn't resist the sinking feeling of "Taking these bus trips often".  I certainly didn't come all way to Durban to get into a bus full DNFs, some puking and some barely holding up.  But, for three years in a row, I seem to be joining the same crowd.

So what went wrong?

In one word, it is training.  I needed to have trained harder, further and longer.  Here are some revelations, while things are fresh in my mind..

Hottu and Flatu is OK but not sufficient
I take pride in saying.. "I am from Chennai, where it is always 'hottu' and 'flatu'".  The heat part is good for training but not the flat part.  The flatness of Chennai doesn't train the muscles that needs to be in great shape for the undulating of Durban hills.  I should have strengthened my quad and core lot more.  The unending Durban hills demand every bit of juice you have and more.

Though St. Thomas Mount and Peru Hills help, should have done more of that more often.

Each on to themselves.
Running is certainly better with company for training but when it comes to Ultras like Comrades, each is unto own.  I switched my running seed to be with a friend, hoping we will run together.  But, that hardly lasted a few kms and we lost each other.  Partly due to crowd and mainly due to the fact our minds were in different game plans.

After a while, I got up with Neepa Sheth before the halfway mark and the same thing happened.  While I stopped, she started running and when she stopped I started running.  We were in different rhythms, even then I played the cat and mouse game trying to latch on to her. But that didn't last long and I lost just past midway. (Congratulations Neepa on your yet another finish.)

Similar thing happened two years back as well.  Balaji and I tried to stay together but after a few miles, we found ourselves out of synch and had to go on our own ways.

In a long run like this, each of us end up fighting different demons and its best fought alone.

Train both mind and body
This is common sense but not common practice.  All long distance runners know that, it is as much mental as physical to see you through the finish and you got to train both.  But do we really train both?

Going through the Durban hills, I found my body and mind out of synch.  Beyond a point, my legs refuse to move at the speed the mind wanted it to.   It was kind of unreal, to feel the 'slowness' of the legs though my mind was telling otherwise.  It was like watching a 'slow motion' movie capture of my legs

When I was stopped, I was simply blank and didn't know what to feel.  One side of me felt shitty, otherside gloated for putting an end to the misery.

ps: Though not a finisher, I am planning on a few posts about Comrades - travel, stay, food, dress etc.,:-)

Comrades Marathon 2014 - Take me to the finish line..

Comrades 2014 - Take me to the finish line..

As I wind down and get ready for a long day tomorrow, I couldn't help feeling the butterflies in my stomach.  I am nervous and could feel it..

Finish line to cross tomorrow 

In a few hours, I will be heading out to Pietermartizburg starting point with lots of hope and wishes from lot of fellow runners & family.  Is that sufficient to see me through the finish line?  I don't know..

I have prepared lot more for this year than the previous two occasions.  Did a 4 consecutive days 200k Navagraha Ottam last October and two hills runs (Servarayan Hills Ultra & Val Vil Ori Ultra) in Mar & Apr of this years. Are they sufficient? Will know in a few hours.

Inshallah.. I will sail through the finish line tomorrow.  One thing I have determined though.. Will finish or stay the course for the entire 12 hours...

In the meanwhile, do enjoy this mesmerizing South African song, Shosholoza, considered the second national anthem of the country.

Comrades Marathon and Servarayan Hills Ultra - Are they comparable?

Road to Comrades via Servarayan Hills

This is my third and final attempt in conquering Comrades and I want to give it my best shot. Thanks to Balaji, I got a training run on the Servaryan hills (aka Yercaud hills).  Though the distance was shorter by about 1/3, Servarayan Hills Ultra was equally challenging, if not more.  Here is why..

It will be a downhill run at Comrades this year.  We start at around an elevation of 700 meters in Pietermartizburg and end in Durban which is at about 150 meters.  We reach the highest point at Umlass Road at 810 meters and then it is mostly rolling descent from there.  Overall, the total elevation gain 1333 meters and an elevation loss of about 2000 meters.  In my 2012 attempt, I copped out after Botha hills as my legs wouldn't cooperate.  In 2014, I am hoping to see past Botha hills and manage the steep descent past that and see the finish line at Durban.

This the elevation chart from my Garmin of Servarayan hills ultra.  The total distance of the Servarayan Hills Ultra was about 62 km, but my Garmin capture was only for about 57k due to user error mid course.  Regardless, we started at an elevation of around 1400 meters and ended at 400 meters, touching a max elevation of 1437 meters.  Overall the total elevation gain was about 1020 meters and the elevation loss was over 2000 meters.

As you can see, the Servaryan hills Ultra had consistently high altitude, though the total distance was considerably shorter.  Another variable is the temperature, though it was chilly when we started at 4:00 AM in the morning, it got hot by 8:00 AM at Servarayan and we were virtually being fried from 10:00 AM.  But Comrades is consistently cooler for the entire duration, that has been my experience in the last two unsuccessful attempts.

Net net, I do feel Servarayan hills ultra was a good training ground for Comrades and would recommend for anyone attempting to do Comrades.

On a different note, A small tribute to all my running buddies, who helped see through the course..

I firmly believe, though running is an individual sport at core, running with buddy helps.  I had several running buddies who help me push thru the miles at Servarayan.  Here are a few of them in this picture at the finish point.  I finished the run with Mani, who ran at my pace for the last 12k.  Somewhere in the first loop, after I 'lost' my first running buddy Bala, Shahid & Balaji appeared from nowhere and gave me company.  Thanks guys.. your constant company and encouragement helped..

Here are my two running buddies with a boy who lost his buddy.  This boy has sitting in the middle of the forest happily talking to his buddy and we entered the scene.  Trying to have a conversation with him, we chatted with boys for a few and when I whipped out my camera for a photo, that's when the other boy bolted.. hence you see the gap between the lone boy and Ramani.  Ramani gave me company thru the gruelling 5k ascent in the second leg of the ultra.  Balaji says that was the 'defining' hill and I am glad to have conquered it with Ramani's help.

And lastly.. Bala was my first running buddy.  He promised to stay with me through the course but we got separated after about 25k.  Barring that, when we ran together, it was fun.  He helped me brush up my rusted Kandha Shashti Kavacham (கந்த சஷ்டி கவசம்) and taught me many other bhajans.  Thanks Bala for the company when it was dark and helping me have a good start.

More Photos here and here
A short video of the run here

Tokyo Marathon - Almost missed it

Marathon Diaries - 2014 Tokyo Marathon
After having gone to Tokyo just for this run, I could have almost missed the run due to a dead mobile phone.  But, before that, here is a story on the cleanest marathon I have run thus far.

Tokyo is a very congested city and there are lots and lots people hovering around.  It is one of the most 'dense' cities in the world and it must be producing lots and lots of garbage, but the city is amazingly clean.  And it carried to the way city carried out the marathon as well.  Though Aid stations used plenty of paper cups, pit stops were spotlessly clean.  Even at the start and finish where thousands of runners congregated, I was hard pressed to find any litter.  All of us could learn a lessor or two from the Japanese obsession for cleanliness.

This focus on garbage collection detail showed in all aspects of the run.  Organizers must have thought of everything and the to the runners' credit, they followed instructions in toto.

 I was told the volunteer to runner ratio was 1:1 and it showed.  Just when I would want to look or ask for directions or had questions, there would be bi-lingual instructions and volunteers.  These guys and girls were polite, courteous and efficient.  The best way to get to the start point at Shinjuku was via trains and to get there, one would have to change multiple trains depending on where they were coming from.  In my case, I had to take two trains to get to Shinjuku and transfers were confusing and the busy stations were little overwhelming.  But to my surprise, volunteers were there in all stations to guide runners even for transfers.  This attention to detail showed in all aspects of runner experience that day.

The day started out pretty cold on the race day.  It was around 2 C when I started from my hotel and that forced to us add couple of layers on top of our running gear.  All through the sprawling Shinjuku station, runners moved to the side to shed additional layers and got ready.

 This is one area where the organizers need to go back to the drawing board.  As thousands of runners spilled out of the Shinjuku station, they were asked to go through security check before reaching the baggage drop and start area.  Given the Boston bombing, that was a good idea but there were woefully inadequate number of security points and metal detectors to screen all runners in a short span of time.  This resulted in massive pileup and runners jostling to get past the security point.  Other than this minor irritant, everything was perfect.

For every thousand runners, there was a massive truck waiting collect bags.  These were then transported to the finish area and neatly arranged for pickup.

 A selfie at the start.  I was without my two favorite accessories.  I had left my sunglass back in India and dead mobile phone deprived me of music.

 This runner dressed as Christ was running with a huge cross tied to his back.  He was ahead of me when I crossed him near halfway mark and he finished not very long after me.  I could only hazard guess as to how heavy that cross would have been.  Even if it was 'light', to see that guy lugging the cross along finish around 4:20 left me 'awed' at his grit and strength.

At the finish line, we had to walk for about a half a kilometer before getting to the baggage claim area.  As we were walking, we were first given our medals and then the a bag.  As we moved further along, we could pick up energy bar, water, orange, banana, Apple and Tomato.  (Yes, Tomato).  The key point being mostly natural refreshment.  I also liked the finisher towel they wrapped around us.  It gave us some protection from cold and became a souvenir later.

Going into the run, I wasn't very sure how my left leg would hold given my PF history.  But surprisingly, even in (or due to) Vibrams five fingers, PF was at bay and had good finish.  At one point, I was shooting for under 4 but few bridges after 35k killed it.  So, what's the secret here?  I think it is my cadence that helped.  As I looked through my Garmin data, I see that my cadence was consistently hovering around 180 and that perhaps helped to keep PF at bay.  Regardless, I have some more work to do on my gait before Comrades.

With this, Marathon # 48 - Done
Also 5 of the 6 World Marathon Majors - Done
Name - Tokyo Marathon (Unlike other major marathon, Tokyo did not have any 'title' sponsor)
Where - Tokyo city
When - Feb 23, 2014
Kind - City Marathon, through important landmarks
One the best organized marathons I have run thus far.  Clean, orderly and attention to detail. Recommend highly.

2014 Tokyo Marathon album here

Rest of the Stroy - Are you still wondering what's the story with my dead phone?  Here it comes...

Prior evening, I spent almost couple of hours preparing a endless playlist of my favorite songs in my mobile phone for the race.  After that long and arduous process, I simply left the phone on the table and forgot to plug it in.  Needless to say, battery drained fast, leaving the phone dead.

I generally don't call frontdesk for wake up calls and this day wouldn't have been any different.  But as providence would have it, reception called me the previous night when I was fiddling with my music playlist and 'insisted' on helping me.  Without realizing, I had asked reception lady for a wakeup call and that saved me.  If I had relied only on my mobile phone alarm, I would probably overslept and missed the run.  Now you have the rest of the story gentlemen and women.  A lesson for me is to have a backup alarm for important days, otherwise, they will become a day to remember for all wrong reasons.

As of now, my next marathon is Comrades which is also my unfinished business for 2 years in a row.  I am hoping third time would be my lucky charm.  To get ready for Comrades, a bunch of runners are heading to Yercaud for a 62k run this Sunday (March 16, 2014).  First 36 is uphill and the rest downhill.

Will do a post on that when we come back.  Until then Adios, Amigos.