I remember last year that I was quite frustrated when I had to miss the first edition of the Sunfeast 10k run. It was I think on May 19th; I was traveling that weekend and so could not make it. I had planned it to be my initiation into regular long distance running. It was not to be, and I ultimately initiated my self into long distance running through last year’s bangalore ultra half  marathon.

However, this year I enrolled well in advance, and made sure I was around when the day came. I had also planned to train well enough in order to lock in a respectable run timing. I was aspiring to make it a sub 60 min run which by standards would have been an improvement over the ultra last year. Though the training started off well, I could not keep the momentum going. Lot of pressure at work and shifting into our new house in the month before the run took it toll. My practice sessions were quite erratic, so much so that I could manage only a few 5k+ runs before the actual run; and most of those practice runs were indoors on the treadmill.

Now as I clearly know, road running is quite a different ball game compared to tread mill running. And it showed on the 31st. Even though I was mentally quite prepared, in the end I did not manage to run the entire 10k non-stop. I struggled quite a bit between 4th and 6th km; especially during the uphill on the 6th km. Also, I was constantly hitting my Max Heart Rate (MHR),  forcing me to slow down quite often. I ended the run with a timing of approx 1 hour and 12 mins (72 mins) as against my target of 60 mins (at least).

I have quite mixed feelings about the run event experience though. Last years ultra was a core core running event (minimum frills); also the setting for the run was great…nice green surroundings..no traffic around you….you ran with a decent crowd but you had your own private space to run. … I felt too crowded out in the Sunfeast 10k.  Obviously with about 8000 people running, I shouldn’t have expected any better; but at times you just had to slow down because there were too many people around you – a virtual running traffic jam.:) This especially happened on the stretch from Manipal Centre to Ulsoor Road junction.

The experience was also not so great as I was there all by myself – no Sriram and no supporters (read Pranitha and Shamala)!

Well anyways, it was a decent enough experience, and if I ask myself, will I do it again – the answer is yes! But an important learning – this year I decided to forego the Timing Chip cause I didnt think it was that important as I had my ways to time myself. What I didnt know was that participants with no timing chip were given second preference (the two sets of participant were kept in different enclosures like some stupid caste system!!)…what this resulted in was that I was already behind some 1000 people  when I started my run. . .

Well, the resolution from now on is to go for a run every weekend through the RFL apart from my during the week training…i have foregone quite a few feet on the street (FOTS) event…lets see if I catch one this weekend

Flashback :  Nov 16th, Bangalore Ultra 2008, 25 kms, 3 hrs, 42 mins

Cut to today – March 16th 2009

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I decided to restart my road running from today! As I hit the road, it hit me that exactly 4 months back,  Sriram and I completed our first 25 kms half ultra – marathon! What a way, it was to get initiated into marathon running!

Dunno if its a coincidence that I decided to restart today,  given that I was not planning to gym after all those workouts on the weekend.

Anyways, it really felt good after running those 3 kms! The pace was good, the knees held on, and the breathing was steady! All the gymming in the past few months has really helped, I guess.

Looks like I am in good shape, though I gotta keep this regular from now on! First stop is the Sunfeast 10k run due in about 2 months time.

Yay! something to look forward to, though, sriram will miss you!