And this was one item on my bucket list for the year.. For 31 st May event reached the place a day in advance and hardly practised in the preceding week. However, confidence was there since had been running comfortably around 6 kms thrice a week last couple of months.
On the day of the marathons all roads to Kanteeveera Stadium were full of people of all ages, dominated by youngsters and in colourful attire. They had organised event very well and all races started on time.
In the global event as expected Ethiopians and Kenyans dominated the show and they set the track ablaze with super speed on flattish track on a comparatively hot day by Bangalore standards. Merga won it by a comfortable margin and continued his winning streak here as well. He had come here after 3 wins this year in major international runs at Boston, Houston and Delhi Half marathon....
Our open race for 10 kms got off the block at 8.10 and at least thousand of us we started. First there were many around you for a kilometer or so and hence it was difficult to get rhythm going. After two kilometers there were open spaces and you could run well. Up till 4.5 kms it was smooth run and then it was steep climb for about 2 kms and that heralded challenge for amateur runners like me. But we saw it off and were encouraged by spectators and co runners for going for that extra mile.
After about 6.5 kms was beginning to get tired and a water break with electral boosted confidence. Within few minutes was already within 2 kms of touching finishing line and that gave the second wind. Magnificent architectural structures of "Vidhan Saudha" and "High Court " and tree bordered road through Cubbon Park refreshed mind and made us forget pain in legs for a moment and all of a sudden we were just a km away from completing the Dream Run !!
In the last stretch , met Arvind who came from Chennai and last time he had taken 77 mins to complete the run. He was going to better his time by more than 15 mins and hence was visibly happy.
I for one was happier than ever for doing this feat in an hour's time. It was good run on a somewhat hot day. Personal desire coupled with on field inspiration of seeing fellow runners plays vital role. Breathing clearly and feeling exhilarated walked back to hotel room and scratched and item in my bucket list.
A temporary run ! It gave immense joy, challenged physical conditioning and what's more introduced in my life a good friend from US who I accidentally met at airport. Flight to Pune was delayed by 4 hours and mostly spent time in reading, chatting and recalling the Run.
Deccan Herald had a quote of Omprah about running. She says and I don't exactly remember something like this.. " Running is the only thing where your output is directly proportionate to your inputs " And thoroughly it's correct.
Some runners had scribbled another beautiful line " Run & Become !" True, run and realise is what I could conclude ! Run MAADI Run!
On the day of the marathons all roads to Kanteeveera Stadium were full of people of all ages, dominated by youngsters and in colourful attire. They had organised event very well and all races started on time.
In the global event as expected Ethiopians and Kenyans dominated the show and they set the track ablaze with super speed on flattish track on a comparatively hot day by Bangalore standards. Merga won it by a comfortable margin and continued his winning streak here as well. He had come here after 3 wins this year in major international runs at Boston, Houston and Delhi Half marathon....
Our open race for 10 kms got off the block at 8.10 and at least thousand of us we started. First there were many around you for a kilometer or so and hence it was difficult to get rhythm going. After two kilometers there were open spaces and you could run well. Up till 4.5 kms it was smooth run and then it was steep climb for about 2 kms and that heralded challenge for amateur runners like me. But we saw it off and were encouraged by spectators and co runners for going for that extra mile.
After about 6.5 kms was beginning to get tired and a water break with electral boosted confidence. Within few minutes was already within 2 kms of touching finishing line and that gave the second wind. Magnificent architectural structures of "Vidhan Saudha" and "High Court " and tree bordered road through Cubbon Park refreshed mind and made us forget pain in legs for a moment and all of a sudden we were just a km away from completing the Dream Run !!
In the last stretch , met Arvind who came from Chennai and last time he had taken 77 mins to complete the run. He was going to better his time by more than 15 mins and hence was visibly happy.
I for one was happier than ever for doing this feat in an hour's time. It was good run on a somewhat hot day. Personal desire coupled with on field inspiration of seeing fellow runners plays vital role. Breathing clearly and feeling exhilarated walked back to hotel room and scratched and item in my bucket list.
A temporary run ! It gave immense joy, challenged physical conditioning and what's more introduced in my life a good friend from US who I accidentally met at airport. Flight to Pune was delayed by 4 hours and mostly spent time in reading, chatting and recalling the Run.
Deccan Herald had a quote of Omprah about running. She says and I don't exactly remember something like this.. " Running is the only thing where your output is directly proportionate to your inputs " And thoroughly it's correct.
Some runners had scribbled another beautiful line " Run & Become !" True, run and realise is what I could conclude ! Run MAADI Run!
