Mills' FM, KM by KM
Tata Mumbai
Marathon (TMM 2020) is done and dusted last week. You must have read/heard
about how different runners excelled in the race. Like many, I too participated
in the full marathon (FM) category and completed it with great satisfaction. I
am saying so because when I did my first one, in 2019, my resolve
was to simply cross the finishing line in one piece.
I admit I am
not a pro-runner. Neither do I chase personal best (PB) timings, nor do I train
under any established coach (for my own reasons). In fact, we have a small
group of amateur runners that goes by the name – Marathon Brigade (MB). We all are
the pillars of each other's success.
Post-run
introspection makes me feel that I was well prepared (mentally and physically)
for the rigour of the run this year. And hence, I thought I should attempt to
pen down my run experience, first hand. Let me clarify, I run conservatively
(read ‘slow’), therefore this blog might relate to someone who keeps one eye on
the finishing line while other on the cut-off timing. Be proud, aapan log race fees ka poora vasooli kartey
hain!
Without further
ado, here you go.
Pre-Race
Preparations: Last
September, in the company of intermittent monsoon showers, I started my FM training
as per the plan devised for our running group by our guruji, Amit Waikul. The plan included tempo runs, interval runs,
long runs as well as strength training and stretches. For God's sake, just as my training
peaked, it was halted twice on different occasions, first due to flu and then
due to ear herpes. However, these breaks didn't put many dents on my confidence
as I had done my other runs qualitatively. Lesson #1
Quality of runs matters over quantity.
I also followed a hydration plan shared by S
Gujaran sir on a WA group. Similarly, I used to eagerly read preparation tips
given by S Natarajan sir on FB. They urged runners to gain sleep millage in addition
to the distance covered, i.e., sleep like there is no tomorrow for a couple of
weeks leading to the race. This year, I learned a holistic approach to
running thanks to these veteran runners. My preparations became rounded just as
my body frame. ; )
Race Strategy: At the beginning, I
had set a goal to finish the race in around 5:45 hours. Therefore, I had
downloaded the 5:44-hr pacing band devised by Puru the Guru and
combined it with the 6-hour pacing break-up communicated by Mr
Kaushik Panchal on FB. I found that their pacing strategies were largely
similar up to ~29 km. So, my plan was to run as per this combined chart till 30
km and then decide the further journey based on my body's condition at that
time. However, in January, when I re-assessed my fitness levels based on the
best effort-based long run in the training, I estimated a 6-hour finish. Lesson #2 Set a
realistic goal, NO wishful thinking.
Race Day
Eve: This day can be
very nervy for runners. But due to better preparations in the tapering period,
I was calm and composed. As per the runners’ ritual, I double-checked my running
kit. For avoiding early morning anxiety, I also took early and light dinner
while browsing WA for any last-minute updates in the pacers' groups. Around
8:30 PM, I hit the sack.
D-day: Marathon is life's replica,
it tends to throw surprises and catches you off-guard. Hence, one should be
prepared with the plan B. In my case, as I was getting ready to leave, for
whatever reasons, I found that my regular sports watch wasn't fully charged
and would have merely lasted for 2 hours. Without much fuss, I controlled
my rising heart rate, grinned at the draining battery and placed the watch
back in the drawer. Ab honi ko kaun taal sakta hai! I bid
adieu to my wife and left my home around 2:50 AM. I walked to the railway
station which is about a km away. On the way, I met an office colleague, Piyush
(he achieved a sub-5 this year, jai ho
motabhai). He wished me good luck. I
remember, during the final phase of the practice, Piyush had gotten me used to
the walk-run method. I was waiting for the train; the railway station was full
of TMM runners. Just then, I got a call from my home. With a skipped
heartbeat, I frowned, "Pakka kucch to bhul gaya. The gels, the cap, or the handkerchief?". Thereafter, many onlookers saw me doing the famous 'Macarena dance steps'. Actually, I was checking my BIB (and running shorts). On the other
side of the call, it was my daughter, Aditi. She had woken up just to say
"Daddy, you can do it. All the best!" before embracing her slumber.
You are always under the watch of your kids.
Soon, Sameer (a
champion MBian) joined me and we sunk into a casual conversation as our train clickety-clacked
towards the destination. Chatting with Sameer always helps in settling down your
jitters, if any. He studies his game well. Around 4:20 AM, we reached Churchgate and
checked in the venue along with Deepak (a raging bull of MB) and Vishal
(only sub-5 MBian so far). Shortly, Santosh (the senior-most amongst us) emerged
from the multi-coloured crowd in the noisy backdrop. We performed our warm-up
routine and assembled for a mandatory selfie. Boys were race-ready!
Around 5:10 AM,
we saw each other off and headed to our respective corrals. As I revised the
strategy one last time, the gates opened. And I, a tiny drop, joined the ocean
of runners. I walked as a part of what seems to be a crowd at the ever-crowded
Dadar station. Few meters ahead, I saw a flapping flag of a 5:45 pacer. I was immediately
delighted because I would have been unsure about my pace without the
sports watch. I decided to keep up him since he was going to follow a 3:1
(run:walk) strategy from the beginning. Lesson #3 God
has a plan (for those who prepare well).
The Race: Believe me, crossing
the starting line gives you Goosebumps. You become a winner as soon as you hear THAT beeping sound. I read somewhere, opting to run a full marathon is your
dream; you just reveal it to the world on the race day. All of us were ready to
live this dream!
*image for representation purpose only.
As soon as rhe race
started at CSMT, we dashed out waving at the partially-empty luminary stand, switched ON
our watches/running apps and jogged towards the Oval Maidan. Each one of us was a celebrity that day. First 2km, we were without a
walk break. We kept on the left of the road as our pacer ensured that we don’t
hinder fast runners coming from behind.
Around the 3km
mark, we came out of the inner roads and took a left turn towards NCPA. Fellow
runners were now warmed up and started chatting with each other.
Near Trident hotel, the pacer narrated how they were greeted by the
hotel staff during SCMM 2009. It was the first major event after the shocking
26/11 incident. In full josh and
closed fists, we all shouted "Bharat Mata Ki Jay..."!
At NCPA, we saw
a sign "Amateurs U-turn". The pacer joked, "It's an amateur
turn, but let's take it professionally." The skyline was still dark. Our
mood was nice due to a slight nip in the air and chattering fellow passengers.
Weather-Gods were smiling at Mumbai since the previous few days. The crowd was
gathering up slowly. Their chants, slogans and sound of musical instruments were
audible from meters away. It was encouraging to see kids coming out at these
hours with interesting placards such as 'Bolt runs only 100 metres; you run 42". One could sense that it was going to be a heck
of a journey. We salute the Mumbai spirit.
From 5km to
9km, we ran alongside the Queen's Necklace (Aplya Mumbai chi shaan).
We were in a good rhythm. Some took breaks to relieve themselves; some to refill
their bottles with water or energy drink. As soon as we crossed Wilson
College, I too consumed my first gel (I took 1 per hour, thereafter) and ascended
the first climb. We saw elite HMers coming down from the opposite side. It was
a stiff climb till 11km and I lagged slightly behind the pack. Lesson #4, hill runs are a
must.
From Haji Ali
to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (12km to 16km), the route was flat as a pancake. So
with a small push, I chased down the pack. I remember, my body was feeling
slightly tired but my mind helped me stay focused. There was a sea of
HMers on the other side. To divert my mind, I was trying to spot Pankaj (an
MBian coming out of an injury) and Sandeep (an evergreen personality). Morning
twilight indicated that the sun was about to rise. The atmosphere was electrifying
as Mumbaikars were out in full enthusiasm. The party had begun! Our pacer stressed
on keeping the rhythm so that it will be ‘run’ in the park. A fellow runner
told something about his ITB problem to which the pacer replied that running a
marathon, ultra-marathon or even a comrade needs a right mind set and
rest of the things fall in place. Absorbing such pearls of wisdom, we galloped on.
On the Sea Link
(17km to 20km), I sensed my first taste of victory! It was here during my first
FM, my legs felt tired and I had to walk most of the remaining distance. With
no sight of elite runners yet, a personal best was on cards (yay!). On the iconic
Sea Link, we all thanked volunteers, clicked photographs, shouted slogans before
starting to descend the iconic bridge. The pack was pretty much intact and synergy
was high. Just then, I spotted volunteers offering ice packs. I stopped to
apply an ice pack on my slowly wearying legs. As the bus went ahead, I thought
I would easily catch up (A BIG MISTAKE!). The bunch went ahead in a flash,
totally out of my sight (on a positive note, I realised I was bang on pace thus
far).
Lesson #5, Stay with the bus unless you are injured. And if you
ever want to take a break, then run ahead, take that break and re-join the bus.
A despairing voice echoed my mind, "Is my race over? Have I
derailed?". But I recalled what Bijay Nair (a popular fauji,
writer, runner and motivator) had said, "Never feel self-pity."
So, I pep talked, "You are a winner. The pacer has given you a running
strategy till now, make him proud by finishing strong in return."
Around 23km (Mahim),
there was a sudden gush of air, the elite train went past us in a flash. I
looked at them in awe and continued. Many citizens and policemen were cheering
and boosting us near Shivaji Park, the Mecca of Mumbai Cricket. You could
almost hear,”Sachiiinn...Sachiiiinnn”.
Frequent intake of caffeine (in gels) made my mouth tasteless and I started
looking for something to chew. So, I took a biscuit and a pinch of salt. Now,
I was more frequently applying ice packs and Volini spray. My
walk durations had increased slightly due to fatigue. But, I was emulating what
MS Dhoni does, take the game deep!
At 26km, I
bowed down to 'Shri Siddhivinayak’ and mumbled "Ganpati Bappa, Ganraya,
Gajanana asheech saath de re baba!". I also thanked him for helping me
recover from those health challenges. I told to myself, “To achieve anything
significant, you need higher forces with you.” Well, we, the slow runners, have
all the time in the world to think about such philosophical verses!
With fatigued
limbs, I mostly walked 27 and 28km marks with many others. Soon, we took a
right turn to Worli going towards centurion. This is a very tricky route
because you might see your friend(s) on the opposite side of the road and think
that you are so close to them only to realise later that it’s just the
opposite. I'd read this on FB earlier, so when I saw fellow MBians, I just
waved at them and started moving ahead. Nibbling on a piece of banana, I
noticed that the other side of the road was quite sunny as compared to my
side, which had shadows of tall buildings. So, I ran, ran and ran while going
ahead, then walked and walked on my way back. Lesson #6, take (lawful)
advantage of the situation.
All along, I had
imposed on my mind to share a smile and give high-5 to everyone. So when around
31km, a fellow lady runner requested for water and I gladly obliged with a
bottle as I had a reserve tucked in my pocket. Such an act keeps us grounded in a competitive while
raising the human spirit.
I realised that
I must preserve energy for the last punch so I walked for some time. Around 35km,
I took a pinch of salt again to avoid cramping on the Pedder Road climb. Again,
this was one of the tips shared by Amit Waikul during our countless
interactions. Later, I learned that Amit clocked his first sub-4 TMM timing
this year, je baat!
I climbed the
Pedder Road (from 36km to 38km) without any rush. In fact, I
was greeting and thanking the pampering local residents. They rock! Last
year, I' had cramped myself here due to running down the descend. This year, there
was absolutely no run, nada, zero! Result? No cramps, no injury for the entire
race.
On the 39th km
mark, you cross Soam, Babulanaath and then reach Girgaon Chowpati. Folklore amongst
the runners is that one may struggle at this never-ending stretch, while hot sun
engulfs you from above and the road shatters your confidence from bellow your
feet, runners don't hit a wall here, the wall hits them hard etc. But, nothing
was going to dislodge me from my determination now as I had done many
mid-morning training runs in similar conditions, solo! I remembered the
mythological story about Hanuman’s curse. Having been reminded of his powers by
Jambavan (the king of the bears), Hanuman crossed the strait between India and
Lanka in one leap. On the same note, I used my heart to remind my body and mind in case they had forgotten
their power. Lesson #7, In a
marathon, your body helps you cover the first half whereas, the heart takes you
through the later one!
So, I poured water all over the body (my own) while asking myself, "Why did I sign up for this? Why did I train during
un-godly hours? Who all would be happy seeing me cross that finishing line."
And just then my phone rang. I was happy to hear my wife’s
voice. Actually, she had called to say, "Walk fast and complete this dramey baaji. How long are you planning
to keep us waiting for lunch?" Just kidding! Fir kya, I started running from pillar to post (just like a
headless chicken, on a war front mission!) and I trotted across to surpass
everyone ahead. Soon after, Pankaj called to share the good news that
other MBians have achieved their PB and I was on my way to do the same too.
Exactly at
42km, I stepped on the red carpet. When the finishing line was in sight, my
phone rang again. And guess what, it was my daughter saying," Well done
Daddy!". I cannot describe my feelings at the moment. So, I just promised
her that I would always strive to be her hero no.1. Hearing the last beeping of
the day, I punched (the air). After all, you EARN that full marathon medal.
With watery
eyes and choked throat (while trying to gulp Methi Bhakri given to
us post-run), I applauded to all Mumbaikars (including Mumbai Police) for
ensuring that all of us cross the finishing line properly. You are our
saviours, we salute you too!
- Milind Joglekar
This year:
06:13:35
