And finally realised the "Bucket List dream " which was penned in diary a year ago and scripted in mind since 2 years.
Registering, participating, preparing, getting mentored and finishing with unmatched thrill !! This all happened and even after 9 days, the 21 km stretch , still remains etched in memory like it happened yesterday...
For a change I realised that chasing worthy target involved not a RAT RACE at all and everyone on the road inspired every each one to help him /her finish her own race. Some ran the entire 21 km stretch, the others managed their milestones and some made spirited attempts. Eventually, all were winners.
At my age it goal was to finish it irrespective of time. Timing for a moment was not the matter, time you remained on the road with relentless mind mattered. So , unlike other younger and stronger feet which finished the distance in comfortably less than 2 hours , mine took two hours fifteen mins ! Not bad, considering that there was energy that much still there when there is enough chasing that happens daily to meet EMI and sales targets !
Actually, on a day it happened quite smoothly and first half distance literally ran slower than usual and saving, accumulating myself for the later miles which are more demanding.Stuck to what I had read, listened to the runners who had been there and done it and executed those experiences. More proteins and bananas were recommended , hence must have gobbled 30 odd boiled eggs and more if not less number of bananas in days leading to the event.. Also, read somewhere that staple diet for runners in PASTA, hence had it few times prior to race day. Most importantly on the recommendation of a doctor, changed and bought specific Nike's air cushioned shoes and practised with them. Fortnight ago, had developed soreness in toes because of shoes which were tight and had scared me with the possibility of missing the race. With the timely and gracious help of a doctor recovered in time.Over the last few months had exercised some control on diets and invariably had little meals in the evenings instead of dinners.
Most importantly confidence booster was a day in gym when on treadmill, determinedly had run 20 kms non stop. And that Oct 10, run in the gym gave me ultra high and prepared for a real day. Over the last 7 months or so was managing 20/25 kms a week with some rest days thrown in.
So on a race day, woke up and 4.45 and post ablution and shaving and gobbling boiled eggs and bananas, headed for a shuttle which plied for runners and took us all the way to Vinay Marg from where it all began. Had put on micro-cheap on a shoe and were in clothes which were used and washed. As usual runners from allover world literally flocked the place. One could see the americans, africans without whom you can't imagine the athletics world, the Chinese, Koreans, and of course Indians from as afar as Hyderababd and Banagalore. Many Mumbaikars too were there for this event.
As mentioned earlier, had focused on going slowly for the first ten kms and hence hardly was exhausted. All along the path there were 13 water stations and 6 energy drink supplying outlets. Till 5 kms ran without any fuel and then had water breaks some 5 times. Race covered some of the finest roads of New Delhi and we cruised through Nehru Park, African Avenue, Satya Marg, Akbar Road, Jan Path, Raj Path, ManSingh road etc.It turned back from Hotel Le Meridian which was 10.5 kms landmark.
More or less it was flattish track except Safdarjung Flyover which tested you at the beginning and end of the race at around 17 kms which where some either walked, gave up or persisted and later completed non-stop. Glad that I managed to last on that climb up. In fact towards 18 kms it was becoming daunting, little soreness was beginning to surface in the right foot. Thankfully, miraculously it vanished and an old man running with better rhythm than me inspired by saying , hey, it's just another 20 odd mins and we would be through ! Ya..! That kind of spirit of pushing each other when it matters most separated this race than other runs we run in our personal and professional lives.
It taught lot and certainly I promised to return for more runs and better my timing next time. For achieving this target you get paid priceless rewards of mass human spirit on show,importance of togetherness for a cause,ability to endure the odds and challenge your self physically and mentally...
Finishers medal they provided was just a good memorabilia that added glory to the glorious memories of a race where no rat races but only humans participate !
Registering, participating, preparing, getting mentored and finishing with unmatched thrill !! This all happened and even after 9 days, the 21 km stretch , still remains etched in memory like it happened yesterday...
For a change I realised that chasing worthy target involved not a RAT RACE at all and everyone on the road inspired every each one to help him /her finish her own race. Some ran the entire 21 km stretch, the others managed their milestones and some made spirited attempts. Eventually, all were winners.
At my age it goal was to finish it irrespective of time. Timing for a moment was not the matter, time you remained on the road with relentless mind mattered. So , unlike other younger and stronger feet which finished the distance in comfortably less than 2 hours , mine took two hours fifteen mins ! Not bad, considering that there was energy that much still there when there is enough chasing that happens daily to meet EMI and sales targets !
Actually, on a day it happened quite smoothly and first half distance literally ran slower than usual and saving, accumulating myself for the later miles which are more demanding.Stuck to what I had read, listened to the runners who had been there and done it and executed those experiences. More proteins and bananas were recommended , hence must have gobbled 30 odd boiled eggs and more if not less number of bananas in days leading to the event.. Also, read somewhere that staple diet for runners in PASTA, hence had it few times prior to race day. Most importantly on the recommendation of a doctor, changed and bought specific Nike's air cushioned shoes and practised with them. Fortnight ago, had developed soreness in toes because of shoes which were tight and had scared me with the possibility of missing the race. With the timely and gracious help of a doctor recovered in time.Over the last few months had exercised some control on diets and invariably had little meals in the evenings instead of dinners.
Most importantly confidence booster was a day in gym when on treadmill, determinedly had run 20 kms non stop. And that Oct 10, run in the gym gave me ultra high and prepared for a real day. Over the last 7 months or so was managing 20/25 kms a week with some rest days thrown in.
So on a race day, woke up and 4.45 and post ablution and shaving and gobbling boiled eggs and bananas, headed for a shuttle which plied for runners and took us all the way to Vinay Marg from where it all began. Had put on micro-cheap on a shoe and were in clothes which were used and washed. As usual runners from allover world literally flocked the place. One could see the americans, africans without whom you can't imagine the athletics world, the Chinese, Koreans, and of course Indians from as afar as Hyderababd and Banagalore. Many Mumbaikars too were there for this event.
As mentioned earlier, had focused on going slowly for the first ten kms and hence hardly was exhausted. All along the path there were 13 water stations and 6 energy drink supplying outlets. Till 5 kms ran without any fuel and then had water breaks some 5 times. Race covered some of the finest roads of New Delhi and we cruised through Nehru Park, African Avenue, Satya Marg, Akbar Road, Jan Path, Raj Path, ManSingh road etc.It turned back from Hotel Le Meridian which was 10.5 kms landmark.
More or less it was flattish track except Safdarjung Flyover which tested you at the beginning and end of the race at around 17 kms which where some either walked, gave up or persisted and later completed non-stop. Glad that I managed to last on that climb up. In fact towards 18 kms it was becoming daunting, little soreness was beginning to surface in the right foot. Thankfully, miraculously it vanished and an old man running with better rhythm than me inspired by saying , hey, it's just another 20 odd mins and we would be through ! Ya..! That kind of spirit of pushing each other when it matters most separated this race than other runs we run in our personal and professional lives.
It taught lot and certainly I promised to return for more runs and better my timing next time. For achieving this target you get paid priceless rewards of mass human spirit on show,importance of togetherness for a cause,ability to endure the odds and challenge your self physically and mentally...
Finishers medal they provided was just a good memorabilia that added glory to the glorious memories of a race where no rat races but only humans participate !
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