Nov 30 2007: My MS Defense date, I was excited after successfully finishing it. I was thinking what to do next, had many things in hand, had an Job offer from a XYZ company which I didn’t like therefore I was searching for another one and at the same time was having fun time with friends at Purdue University. This was the time I decided to run with a distant friend of mine. At this time, I tried to run for 15 mins without caring about speed, this wasn’t easy for me and running continuously for 15 mins was a big achievement at that time. But I had sufficient time to run every day of the week for at least 1.5 miles (which took me 15-20 mins). I kept this schedule for a month, this helped me to improve the timings and I was enjoying this.
After a month I had jumped to 2-3 miles a day (took me 20-30 mins), this bolstered my confidence in running and I liked my new habit. During my weekly runs I was joined by Purdue University cross country running team on the indoor tracks of Gym. Few runners in this group were really swift. I enjoyed running with this team (I was not a part of them and at that time I didn’t knew what cross country meant). After a month of running with this group I was able to run some where close to their slower runners and at times I was comfortable to pass them, which I enjoyed doing!
March 08
By this time I had made my runs to 3-4 miles, slightly faster then before occasionally followed by practice to sprint. End of March 2008 I got a job offer from Washington DC related to statistics. I liked the job profile and decided to join this Job. I celebrated the job by running an extra mile on the track that day! This was the longest I had ever run. After accepting the job I was happy and sad as I had to leave friends at Purdue, which was my home for around 18 months in the U.S. I knew that this will happen one day and the day was April 13th 2008 when I landed as a paying guest in Washington DC. My job started on April 15th 2008. Everything was new for me over here, I was excited because I would be working in World’s Capital and sad as I was away from my friends.
Running in Arlington VA
I was commuting to work through Metro and while traveling reading newspaper is one of my great past times. One day while reading the newspaper I saw an advertisement mentioning “The Battle of Boulevard” a 10K race (May 10, 2008), my eyes got stuck on this advertisement. I eagerly tore apart the advertisement and kept it for my future reference. This advertisement sat on my table for some days, one day when I was searching something I saw it again. Upon reading I found out that it was a 10 Kms run and it had starting point close to my residence. I decided that I will go for it. Upon searching places to run on Google I found that Arlington was rich with many scenic trails for running and biking. I had less than a month to practice for this event, as it was the longest run of my life. With all sincerity I prepared a schedule to practice for this race, I timed my daily runs and researched online to know how this target can be accomplished. I prepared a strategy to run this race, a day before I ran and walked to get the feel of selected route. I finished this race in 50 mins with a average pace of 8 mins/mile, it was a good and comfortable run for me. While changing my speed in the race, I felt like, I was switching gears of my “Bullet” back in India (LOL). Major attraction of the event was its cheer support which was consistent and electrifying throughout the race. I was elated as I never had such an experienced before in my life. After the race, Arlington County had organized an info session on running, also at the same time I accidentally met the guy who secured Ist position in the race (his timing was 33 mins approx). I liked talking with him and sharing thoughts about running. He advised me to join pacers running club if I am interested to improve my timing for the future.
I consider May 10th 2008 as a turning point in my life as I was exposed to the racing arena in the U.S. After this race, I continued running on my own at a nearby trail from my home in Arlington VA, running served as a great past time and stress reliever to me after the work. One day while talking to a friend from Under Graduate education from IT-BHU - Ritu. I came to know about the marathon training group organized by Marathon Charity Partners (MCP) which she had recently joined. At this time, the glory of finishing a 10k run was still fresh in my mind, but length of the Marathon intimidated me. I was surprised and amazed to know if someone can ever attempt to run such a freaking long distance. I told her that I will join MCP training for the marathon, but I was highly unsure if I will go for the marathon. MCP organized early morning Saturday long runs followed by advise from coaches. I enjoyed my first saturday training and made new friends over there. I met Hema, Fenil, Karthik who earlier had completed marathon, I looked at them as heroes and I was eager to talk with them about their past marathon experiences. I was pleased to share their views. One common thing that I derived was “Marathon is a battle with mind”.
I continued to go for the training runs every Saturday morning, I am really grateful to Raakhi, Hema and Karthik who gave me ride every Saturday morning for the same. I continued this training till July 08 and by this time length of our Saturday long runs had reached 10-12 miles. At this time, I felt an urge to increase my speed in the long runs, I was running slower compared to my usual pace. I consulted Coach John at MCP, he recommended me to join Wednesday track workouts organized by Coach Edward at Lee Highway school, Arlington VA, which I did. Coach Ed was very thoughtful about fast running, I gave decent performance in his running group. I am regularly participated in Coach Ed running workshops, I like his morale boosting style, which pushed me to put the extra needed effort to run faster at times when I was tired after work. Here, I was use run at a pace between 7-7.5 minute a mile consistently for 3-4 miles. At Coach Ed running workshop called DC Road Runners I met many elite runners in the DC area and shared their valuable experiences (having average pace of 4-5 minute a mile for 5k and 10k).
At this juncture I was feeling strong and had a temptation to run and run fast in my long runs. I remember one of the runners quote which says “Long slow runs produce long slow runners” and I hate running slow as running fast saves a lot of time for some other productive work. But, I was fascinated to see onw of the co-runner who ran slowest in Riley’s Rumble half marathon. It took him 4 hrs to complete this run, I wondered if I can ever run for 4 hrs without stopping. I got my inspiration to run for at least 3 hours without stopping in my coming Saturday long run. I ran about 20 miles this day and I felt exhausted after the run as I was running alone under hot sun. I remember that day when I told my landlord that I ran 20 miles, they compared me with “Fauja Singh” a great runner in Canada who recently ran a marathon in his 70’s taking less then 3 hours. This was a morale boosting comment for me and a reason to run extra 6.22 miles for the marathon. Now my weekday runs went up to 20-25 miles in the week (Monday Morning: 6-7 miles partially on hills, Wednesday evening: 7-8 miles included fast track workout, Thursday evening: 7-9 miles partially on hill). After running my first 20 miler I decided to run 14 miles on the following weekend, but after passing mile mark 7, I don’t know what urged me to run for 1:40 mins in one direction, that day I ran about 22 miles. It was a hot day and at 18 mile marker, my water bottle was empty and I felt thirsty. I walked to the nearest water station and after re-energizing I started running again. It was a good run as I ran this race under hot sun I started at 9 AM and took me about 3 hr 24mins for the whole.
I consider this was the peak time of my training, and these two 20+ miles run were not a part of my marathon training. I was at least 1.5 months ahead from the regular training program organized by Marathon Charity Partners. I ran these two 20 plus milers to test myself and get the feel of marathon. By now (Mid Aug 2008) it was clear in my mind that I can run the marathon comfortably with a timing close to 4hrs. From here on I was training to improve my timing.
Half – Marathon’s: Half mark to the “Marathon”
July 27 2008: “Rileys Rumble Half Marathon” (1hr 58min), it is considered to be one of the difficult locations for running due to number of hills present in the route. I remember coaches saying “if you can run this with a smile then you have prepared well for the marathon.” Therefore this was an important race for me. I decided to run at my comfortable pace throughout, while running I enjoyed talking to many American runners whom I didn’t know before. I was hopeful to complete the marathon after this run.
Aug 31, 2008: VA Beach Half Marathon (1hr 54min), this track was flat throughout and boring at times with hot and humid climate. Flat track disguised me about uncertain conditions present here. I was almost dead by the time I reached the end point. This run was a good test of my endurance and physical strength. My aim was to run it within 1hr 45mins, which I could not do. I wasn’t much disappointed from the outcome of this run because firstly, I gave all what I could do to get to finish in the desired time and secondly I learnt a lot from this run. VA beach experience with friends is still fresh in my mind we (MCP runners) had lots and lots of fun over there, looking forward for many more trips like that in the future.
Injury
After VA beach half marathon I was feeling strong and had started running again, now my mission was to run 26.22 miles “a marathon” by the end of September. I was training well in the second week of September I ran 42 miles that week (longest ever in my training runs). But after my Monday run on a steep terrain I experienced acute pain in my hip joint on certain occasions. I did not cared about this pain on that day but when I was doing my track workouts on the following Wednesday (I ran with a pace of 7 min/mile for 3 consecutive miles), Coach Ed came to me and told me that my gait was not looking good while I was running. I illustrated him about my hip joint pain, he advised me to go and see a Doctor as soon as possible. That day, I also consulted Coach Jay Wind about my pain he told me to do some stretches and rest for a while. A day later I was feeling this pain while I was walking. I was really worried as I had to run the marathon in 6 weeks. I consulted many co-runners about the pain. After talking with them and some of research on the web I decided not to go to the doctor for a while, as he could have discourage me for running the marathon. As a conclusion I started stretching daily whenever I got time meanwhile I also took some natural products like Fish oil, Glucosamine and Chondroitin good for Hip Joint, to heal from injury. To remain fit I was walking and swimming all this time, but I felt that there is no substitute to running. A week later my hip joint pain improved slightly, I ran 8 miles on tracks with a slower pace of 11-12 mins per mile to check if I had overcome from this pain. But at the end of the run I was still feeling this pain I decided not to run for following week and do some strength building exercise instead (stretches, push ups and sit ups). I felt I was improving so I continued this schedule till the end of 3rd week. On the 3rd weekend MCP had organized a 20 mile run for all the trainees. I decided to be a part of it by doing volunteering in it. Also I thought that I will at least see my friends running. During this period I had observed that a runner can never stop running, and an urge to run always remains in him, no matter whatever condition he is in. So if you are a non runner and considering running a marathon then seriously give it a thought, you will become an addict of it after couple of months.
After rest for almost 3 weeks from running I was feeling much better and I decided to start running again, I decided to run slow. At this time my desires to run marathon in record time (less then 4 hrs) had vanished I was rather thinking to just complete it. This week I received an email from Harpreet (AID volunteer) regarding volunteers needed for Baltimore half marathon. I decided to run this ½ marathon while volunteering and cheering other co-runners. I ran this ½ marathon in 2 hr 51 mins with almost no-pain, I was satisfied as I was getting back on the tracks. Second last week of marathon we all were advised by the coaches to run not more than 3-4 miles during the weekdays. By now my recovery was close to 90%, I decided to run a little faster at this time, I was comfortable to run at 10 min per mile pace. I disobeyed the coaches in this week as my runs were 6-8 miles in the weekdays. Weekend before the Marathon we had to run 8 miles I decided to run it at my usual pace with couple of co-runners. I did this run comfortably in 1 hr 04 mins, my confidence to run fast was back. In the last week of training, I ran comfortably for 5-6 miles on Monday on my usual pace but on Wednesday during my finish I again felt slight pain again in my hip joint. I decided not to run on the following days of the week. And just stick with strength building exercise. A day before my marathon I ran 2 miles without any pain. I decided to forget about the pain and just try to run at a consistent pace of 9 min/ mile to complete the marathon. I discussed the same plan with many fellow runners who also felt the in same way. Day before the marathon some friends threw me a challenge to complete the marathon within 4 hrs and get a gift from them. I love this gesture “dost ho to aiise” . But I will still continue to curse these people for giving me such a simple target.
Marathon day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I moved to a new apartment a day before the marathon, I woke up at 5:20 AM (Oct 26th 2008), barometer was reading 44 deg F (Cold!). In the morning I was thinking about the glory of finishing the race and getting the medal of Marine Corps Marathon. I reached MCP tent at 7 AM and I saw it glowing in the dark with tons of energy and liveliness among the people geared for this big event. Food present at the tent tempted me but I decided to have it after my run, I was never use to eat before the race. In my description this auspicious day can be compared to a big festival where people from different religions celebrated it with equal respect, devotion and enthusiasm. It was an overwhelming feeling to be a part of it, six months of rigorous training for this day was worth. Waking up early on Saturday’s long run can never be rewarded in a better way.
Just before the race I met all the runners who used to come for training, Jeevan was new to me, I had never met him before, he was very friendly to me and had a good sense of humor. He was supposedly fast runner in my charity, while walking to the race location I was making strategy to run along with him. On the contrary I never liked to run with some one in big races. We decided to run at a consistent pace of about 9 min a mile till mile 20 and later sprint for the last 6.22.
8:00 AM (Oct 26th 2008) Gun was shot and the faster runners began crossing the 0 mile mark of 33rd Marine Corps Marathon which is also 3rd largest marathon in the U.S. It was difficult to run and cross over as the whole road section was occupied by runners. But I some how ran with a pace of 9 min / mile for Ist two mile with Jeevan. MCM track had 2 hills Ist hill had a peak at 2nd mile mark while IInd hill had a peak at 10th mile mark. After crossing the 2nd mile I was finding it difficult to run along with Jeevan so I decided to run at my usual pace. From here on I ran alone, I started to run at a pace of 7 min a mile till mile mark 5 to capitalize the down hill. While running fast on the down hill I took caution as I knew that a wrong step could have caused stampede (due to jam packed road of runners). After crossing Mile mark 5, I thought of conserving my energy and I started to run at my usual pace of 8-9 min a mile till mile mark 10. After crossing the 2nd and the last hill on the track I increased my pace by small margin and continued to the half marathon mark. I saw Harpreet and Lakshmi cheering for me at 12th mile mark. I reached Half Marathon mark in 1hr 49 mins I was delighted because I had broken my previous record time by 5 mins and my form was comfortable at this time. From here on I decided to run with a pace between 8-9 min a mile till 22/23 mile mark. I crossed 21st mile marker under 3 hours, now my destinations was just 5.22 miles away and I had more than hour for it. I remembered my previous record of a 10k (6.25 miles) which I completed in 50 mins, I was expecting to cover 5.22 miles under 50 mins. I had a good feeling going till mile mark 22 but after crossing mile 23 I felt back pain, I resisted it and continued to run for another half a mile, but it became unbearable after that so I decided to walk for some time. I walked for 7 - 8 mins. Mean while I had crossed 24 Mile mark. I was still walking after that but then I saw Jeevan running from the other side and going towards mile mark 23. He cheered for me “Run Lakhi Run” after seeing him run and cheering I got the needed push to start running again. At mile mark 25 I met Dushyant who gave me power gel and also ran along with me for another quarter mile. At this time I noticed I had already run for 3 hr and 44 mins till now and had to run additional 1.22 miles more to achieve this feat, now I was feeling really thirsty and needed water badly. I again started waking to the nearest water station, while walking I remembered day before conversation with Ritu, Ashu and SAP that I will easily complete the marathon under 4 hrs. Well I had ample time to cover the remaining distance under 4 hours so I decided to walk also I was pretty sure that they will pardon me for what I said to them. I walked for another 8-10 mins to the nearest water station and after quenching my thirst I had just one thing in mind to get done from this race under 4 hours, I sprinted from this point till the finish. While running, I remembered Coach Nick saying in the morning about the concept of sucking energy from runners when you pass them. I am not sure that I sucked energy but I was thinking to get done from the race and then lay down on the grass to heal my back. Running experience near the finish line was grand there were many cheer supporters on both ends of the track clapping for each finisher. And here I go I saw the clock beside the finish line sitting at 26.22 miles mark reading 4 hr and 1 min I was thrilled to see this as I had done my Ist marathon under 4 hours - 3 hr 59 mins 23 sec (I started 2 min late).
I was happy that now Ritu, Ashu and SAP Won’t be pulling my leg for what I said. I waited at the finish line to congratulate other runners. I was alone at the finish line therefore I dialed some of the close friends straight after the race to thank them for their persistent support throughout this period. I really learned a lot of lessons from this race for the future races, which I think will be difficult from now on, but I am determined to do them with a much better timing. The time spent during the training races with the friends can never be forgotten.
At present I have started preparing again for my next Marathon in coming 6 months, which I possibly intend to do in less than 3 hr 30 mins.
Thank you very much for reading this. And hope to see you on the track!
$CLS
-Christopher Gardner to his Son: "Hey. Don't ever let somebody tell you... You can't do something. Not even me. All right?"
