Wipro Bengaluru Marathon 2024

Race Category: HM

Timing: 02:22:40

Went to this race with not much of an expectation as I didn't clock good mileage running into this event. Add Garba dance session on the previous night 😋. So when I finished with a timing of 2:22, I wasn't happy but was ok about it; at least I was able to finish the race without much of a hassle.

This was about 10 mins slower than my last year's PB. This only confirms that consistency and core/strengthening exercises are so essential to achieve good results. 

Bengaluru 10K challenge 2024

Race Category: 10K

Timing: 01:01:48

Well, this didn't go as expected. I had plans to finish in 60 mins, considering I didn't have any practice whatsoever during the previous weeks. Frankly, I had only 4-5 runs in last month with a 10k run just the previous Sunday.

With that I set a realistic target of 60 mins. But the body did show the rustiness and I ended up with 61 mins 48 secs. Well, a minute and few seconds doesn't feel big enough for getting disheartened but a real runner would understand that. And this is 5 mins slower than my best timing of 56:33 recorded last year in the same race.

Not surprised actually with being slow as I was very much aware of lack of practice and strengthening sessions. Need to pull up my socks for the upcoming HM in October.

Wish me luck!

Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024

Race category: FM (42.195 kms)

Timing: 04:56:52

It's with a mixed feeling I'm writing this post as I'm glad I could complete my 2nd marathon but at the same time sad that I couldn't produce a PB.

Well, here are few highlights:

• A strange thing happened after the 37th mark i.e. Peddar road; I was able to run quite fast and maintain a good pace for 3 kms, but last 2 kms were terrible as I walked most part of it.
• My plan was to run at constant pace between 6:25 - 6:30 to achieve somewhere at 4h 30m mark. I could achieve that till about 30 kms mark but after that I somewhat slowed down.
• Due to all this, including the Peddar elevation, I clocked about 11 mins slower than my 1st FM which I ran last year at TMM itself.
• During that last mile when I realized I couldn't achieve my PB, there was a feeling of taking it slow to avoid any strains or injuries. Not entirely sure if that was a right approach though. (Mind plays games during those phases, isn't it?!)
• I'm still uncertain why I slowed down during 32-36 kms mark when I could run faster during 38 - 40 kms mark.
• Post run, I felt comparatively better than what my state was the previous year. So my core & strengthening workouts would've worked well there.

That's about it. 

Not completely happy about it, but I found solace in my team captain's wise words:

"We have reached a state where running a full marathon successfully isn't an achievement anymore. We are looking to get fitter and finishing faster. And that is progress!"