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!

Bengaluru 10K challenge 2023

Race category: 10K

Timing: 00:56:33

After coming back from EBC trek, I could manage only 4 runs in last 4 weeks running 3k, 5k, 5k & 9k i.e. 1 run each week. And this insufficient preparation was  something which I wasn't really happy about.

So I had only one target in mind on the morning of this race; finish the race with a  sub-60 timing.

Well later into the race, after crossing the 6 kms mark in 32 odd minutes, I was feeling good and there was this 1 km stretch with a good elevation ahead and I said to myself, finish up this km steadily and then lets push a little harder. I could do that and in fact finished the last km with a good timing of 5:17 and hence finishing up with a PB timing of 56:33, which is an improvement by 13 seconds achieved earlier this year. It was a strong finish with a good sprint in last 200-300 mts.

That's the story; be positive and keep on improving.

10K race summary over the years.

One8 Bengaluru Run

 Race Category: 10K

Timing: 00:56:46

One8 Run is the race organized by Virat Kohli's brand and I did get a chance to see him as he flagged off the event.

This was organized on the same NICE road where the Bengaluru 10K (Tougher 10K) happens annually. 

I had a wonderful run and very satisfied with my performance. I went in with a target of 56:59 target considering the 10K practice run I had just a week ago. And guess what, I was able to achieve this and clocked 56:46 which is my new official Personal Best now! I improved it by about 01 min 41 sec!!

Since my previous PB was also at the same route last year, I knew the 6 to 7 KM stretch has a good elevation, I had only one plan here: to run steadily and clock around 6 mins 45 secs for this 1KM. And I guess, I ran at 6:50 here in this tough section and due to which the subsequent result was very satisfactorily.

This gives me confidence to keep working on it and keep improving on the results as well.

10K race summary over the years.

Bengaluru 10K challenge 2022

Race Category: 10K

Timing: 59:39

As mentioned in my previous years' posts, this Bengaluru 10K challenge route is indeed tough. The 2kms elevation between 6km & 8km milestones is really tough and tests one's fitness.

Nonetheless, had a nice run and achieved ~59 mins timing. Though I was targeting a minute faster than that, I am satisfied with this timing. At one point, I felt I wouldn't cross the finish line with even sub-60. So yeah, I will take it.

TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2022

Race Category: 10K

Timing: 01:01:11

So finally we have an official run being organized in the city after the infamous pandemic lockdowns and break. And needless to say, there was extra excitement and enthusiasm amongst the runners participating in the event. So much so that the incessant rain during the wee morning of the run day didn't stop the runners from showing up at the start line.

The run was scheduled to start at 5:30 in the morning and I started from my home at 4:15 on a 2-wheeler in that rain covered in a poncho. That was quite an experience in itself. The run was flagged off sharp on time in that rain. There was so much enthusiasm and energy around, and everyone were all pumped up. I was in a pretty good head space and as usual had set a target in mind. Considering the less mileage in last few months, I had set a target of 63 mins which is about 5 mins more than my previous official run timing (PR). I didn't even realize when the rain had stopped during the run. When I think back, I clearly remember the run starting in absence of sunlight, then the dawn and in sunlight towards the end. I must say, I didn't end the run strong as I didn't see myself in great shape, though I had maintained a steady pace of about 6:00 mins/km.

When I saw the timing after crossing the finish line with a timing of 61 mins I was kinda content. And I already started thinking about the next run in Bengaluru i.e. 'Tougher 10K' scheduled in July. 

I now, in fact, have got a strong desire of taking my running to next level now. All these years I have enjoyed my running and activities. I don't want to remain in 60s mins, rather want to improve to timings of 50 mins and less. Hoping I will plan some changes immediately.

Bengaluru 10K Challenge 2019

Race Category: 10K
Timing: 58:27

Feels simply awesome to announce I smashed my PB in 10K run today with a timing of 58:27 at Bengaluru 10K challenge. More happy that I could do this on this tough course on NICE road; it has stretches with high elevation which was, needless to say, the most challenging part.

I have registered a sub-60 10K during one of the practice runs last year, however this is the first time I've done it in an official event. Last month has been a steady one having some good runs with a little change in running form, which clearly has helped me to achieve a better result i.e. an improvement by ~4 minutes in my PB done way back in 2012 in TCS event.

I intend to continue this fine form towards the much awaited Full Marathon that I have signed up for, scheduled in Oct'19.

Getting back to rhythm

Since my half marathon done in last October, I haven't been running much due to a certification program which I signed up for, which I completed in this February. And post that, I got occupied with my holiday season and my Sarpass trek in May.
In short, I lost my running rhythm and gained around 4 kilos of weight in this interval. Gaining extra kilos isn't much of concern to me, but surely losing up on running mileage was.

In order to get things back in place, immediately after coming back from my trek in May, I signed up for Shriram Properties Bengaluru 10K run which is scheduled on July 7th and full marathon by again Shriram Properties in the month of October. Yes, a full marathon this year is a target.
And fortunately this has brought me back to my routine of 3-4 runs in a week since then.

Last week, I was reading up on few running efficiency articles and found some contents which suggest to maintain a good running cadence of about 180 spm in order to run efficiently with good form and to avoid any injuries which happen due to longer strides. I checked my running history only to realize I have an average cadence of ~160. And that's when I decided to make changes in my strides to improve it by 5-10 spm.

Now, due to this change, I am seeing some good results in terms of how relaxed I am post long runs and also w.r.t. my pace. 
As part of preparation process for the FM, the organizers conduct some practice runs every month or so before the final date, and I happened to participate in one of these runs i.e. 10K run yesterday. I decided to take this opportunity to test my new running form considering a cadence of ~170.
And yippee! this indeed gave me impressive results. I had a relaxed 10K and completed it in 61 minutes, well better than my expectations of 62:30 minutes. 

This of course is a welcome change and would like to take it forward during my Bengaluru 10K run next week. Hoping to achieve a result of sub-60 minutes on that tough track. Wish me luck. :)

My first sub-60 minute 10K

Yeah!! I ran a 10K in sub-60 minute for the very first time in my life :)

Running a sub-60 minute 10K was like a long pending wish and I'm totally euphoric about this achievement. It all happened during a training run for the upcoming marathon which I've registered for.

If you have read my previous posts or if you are one of my close friends or colleagues, you might be already aware that I've been consistent with my runs during last couple of years. And during this time I've always tried to achieve this feat of sub-60 minutes but unfortunately was falling short by just couple of minutes. I had couple of 10Ks at 62-63 minutes on previous occasions and that was really disheartening. But I knew I could improve and that's exactly what happened this weekend, finally.

This improvement is seen primarily due to some changes I've made in my running routines and I'm glad I could figure out and bring in those changes. This has given me extra boost for further improvements and I know I will be doing better in my forth coming marathons.

TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2018

Race Category: 10K
Timing: 01:03:27

Disappointed! That's all I can say after the race.
With the past few week's practice and last week's Adidas training run's timing of 62 mins, I had set the target of under 60 mins for this race. But when I crossed the finish line, I realized I had finished it in about 63 mins, I was hugely disappointed.
I ran first 5 km faster than my usual pace and covered in about 28 mins. What I feel is that due to this faster pace during initial stage, I was unable to finish strong and hence the slower final timing.

Here is the result:

And since this was the only 10k I've planned for this year, the desire to complete in < 60 mins was stronger. Anyways, there is always next time.

BTW, I have registered for a Full Marathon scheduled for Oct'18. This will be my first FM and I'm eagerly looking forward to it. And I'm aware my training needs to be up to the mark to ensure a good run.

Bengaluru 10K challenge 2017

Race category: 10K
Timing: 01:03:44

The race carried a tag line: 'The tougher 10k' and it lived up to the expectations. The run was indeed tough with all the ups and downs.

I went into the run with a target of less than 65 minutes considering my previous run's result. But my plans changed when I was saw two pacers at the start of the race with 60 mins and 65 mins tags on their backs. Though I had plans for 65 mins, I decided to follow the 60 mins pacer. Yes, I thought of touching moon as plan-A and falling on a tree as plan-B if the attempt fails.
The route had a U-turn at 5 kms mark with more of slope than uphill in most part of the first half. I was able to keep up the 60 mins pace till the end of 6 kms but unfortunately, and quite obviously, the return route was more of uphill and daunting. I did a mistake of stopping for about 30 seconds to get comfortable breathing. But that made it more difficult to get back to my rhythm and required pace. I somehow continued and finished the race. I generally finish the races with a strong sprint at the end which I couldn't in this race.

I finished with a timing of 63 mins:44 secs. Though I couldn't finish sub-1, I am happy at least I improved my timing compared to my previous 10K this year :)

And btw, I wasn't happy with idli-wada-upma-sira breakfast which was served post race. I was like: what-the-... It would've been better if a comfortable breakfast like energy bar is provided along with energy drink and bananas. Next time, I will remember to carry my own.

Cult.fit 10K run

Race category: 10K
Timing: 01:06:02

In search of a better 10K timing, I registered for the 10K arranged by Cult. The race was conducted systematically and the runners found comfortable wih the race course and also the arrangements. I found myself in a nice space just before the race and felt I could better my previous timing quite easily. But to my disappointment, I couldn't.
I set a target of 62 minutes considering my previous run in Midnight Marathon in ~65 minutes. I didn't even come close to the mark. In fact, finished it in 66 minutes as per the official timing. However, my phone app recorded the race and shows it ~64 minutes. Either way, I wasn't happy.

Anyways, this gives me an opportunity to relook at my regular weekly workouts and type of runs. I will be doing few changes in the regime and hope to get things better. I seek to run more, run fast and run comfortably and eventually get my target of < 60 minutes target for 10k and similarly better timing for coming half marathons (21K).

BTW, yes, I got a chance to meet Milind Soman at the start of the race. He flagged off the race and it was a delight seeing him there. Later, I was mentioned, he too joined running.

Bengaluru Midnight Marathon 2016

Run category: 10K
Timing: 01:04:57

It was time to up the ante so I decided to register for a 10K as I've been piling up lot of miles lately.
Initially, I planned to register for Goa River Run but later decided to avoid out-of-town runs to reduce travel. I've recently traveled around quite a bit so decided to checkout any 10Ks in the city itself. Bengaluru Midnight Marathon, consisting of full, half, 10K & 5K marathons, was also scheduled at exactly the same time of Goa run, so got registered immediately.
Last Sunday, I had a long run of 10K at easy pace and I could finish it in 70 mins. Based on that, I set a target of 65 mins or lesser. I would love to finish sub-60 mins but achieving this target would be very difficult with the given preparation.

Bengaluru Midnight Marathon was conducted in the Whitefield area of Bengaluru city. Mary Kom graced the occasion and it was conducted quite nicely. The 10K race started at 10PM and as planned I ran the whole 9K with consistent pace and left some energy to finish off strongly in the last kilometer. I finished in 64 mins 57 seconds and was quite satisfied with it. With that I've got the confidence I can improve that timing further in coming runs.

I saw good participation with good arrangements. Reaching the venue caused some issue due to traffic jams as it was Saturday late evening. One thing which the organizers can improve is to have full road for one way route instead of dividing it for two-way with a U-turn at the end. This caused little congestion at certain phases. I understand, this would make extra roads to be blocked for the event. Anyways, organizers would have got first hand info and would have already noted.

Looking forward for more running in coming days.

TCS World 10K marathon Bangalore 2011

Race Category: 10K
Timing: 01:08:59

Update[09/04/2018]:
This 10K details somehow was missed out being posted, which I'm doing it now :) While cleaning my old items, I found the 2011 medal and the BIB. And when I checked my blog, this 2011 edition was missing and hence this late post.