Just two months left now.......
60 days!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Success is never final, failure is never fatal.
"If you feel bad at 10 miles, you're in trouble. If you feel bad at 20 miles, you're normal. If you don't feel bad at 26 miles, you're abnormal."- Rob de Castella, winner 1983 World Marathon Championships.
I think I have just gotten over the 'being in trouble part'. I did not feel bad at 10 miles.
We were supposed to do 18 miles. I just stopped at 17.5 miles. My legs could not carry me any further. I was completely fatigued out. I was fine till mile-13 and this was my first long run wherein I did not take a walking break till mile-13. Even after that short walking break, I was okay for another 1.5 miles. But after that it was like I had no energy left. I was completely fatigued out. I ran into Amol and another friend SK (they were on bikes) at mile 14.5 and had more water and a gu gel. But it did nothing for me. I knew that I had just another 3.5 miles more.....but they felt like forever. I kept breaking into run-jog-walks. It was horrible and my legs felt completely disconnected from my body. They felt like jelly and each step felt like I would wobble over and fall. Amol was with me the whole time and he could clearly see my plight. And then at mile 17.5, I could not go any further. I knew that I had just another 0.5 miles to go.....but my mind gave up on me that day. First my calves, then my soles, then my back and knees and finally my mind. It could not edge my body to go on. In retrospect, I am so angry with myself for not finishing the last 0.5 miles!
The good part:
I think I have just gotten over the 'being in trouble part'. I did not feel bad at 10 miles.
We were supposed to do 18 miles. I just stopped at 17.5 miles. My legs could not carry me any further. I was completely fatigued out. I was fine till mile-13 and this was my first long run wherein I did not take a walking break till mile-13. Even after that short walking break, I was okay for another 1.5 miles. But after that it was like I had no energy left. I was completely fatigued out. I ran into Amol and another friend SK (they were on bikes) at mile 14.5 and had more water and a gu gel. But it did nothing for me. I knew that I had just another 3.5 miles more.....but they felt like forever. I kept breaking into run-jog-walks. It was horrible and my legs felt completely disconnected from my body. They felt like jelly and each step felt like I would wobble over and fall. Amol was with me the whole time and he could clearly see my plight. And then at mile 17.5, I could not go any further. I knew that I had just another 0.5 miles to go.....but my mind gave up on me that day. First my calves, then my soles, then my back and knees and finally my mind. It could not edge my body to go on. In retrospect, I am so angry with myself for not finishing the last 0.5 miles!
The good part:
- I did not break into a walk till mile 13. That is such a major improvement for me.
- At least I ran as much as I had run last week.
- Recovery was real good this time. After the run, I went home and had an ice-cold water bath. In the evening I stretched again and used the foam roller. Sunday morning I repeated the stretch and foam roller exercises and was out and active the whole day. Monday morning I could even go for a short 3 mile run. The ice, foam roller and regular stretching really helps.
- I gave up.
- I did not finish 18 miles.
- Did I mention....I gave up!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
From Zero to 200.......
I started training in April and started keeping a record of my mileage since last week of May. Yesterday I logged into Flotrack to log my long run last Saturday and when I saw the total miles I have run since the last week of May, I was in for a huge shock!
200 MILES! In 4 months I have run more than I must have run in my entire life before April 2010. Isn't that crazy!
Well, this graph tells me some things:
200 MILES! In 4 months I have run more than I must have run in my entire life before April 2010. Isn't that crazy!
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| My running log-May 22nd to August 21st |
Well, this graph tells me some things:
- I need to be more consistent about my weekday runs.
- I still have a long way to go and hopefully two months should be enough for that.
- If I can go from zero to 200 miles in less than five months, then I am sure that I can achieve anything I set my target on (I really need to set my target on learning how to swim......now that I have put the earlier statement out in the public, I will be more accountable to get over my fear of water.)
Monday, August 23, 2010
17-miler under the belt!
The muscle soreness, ache and pain is still there. The pride and contentment on having finished a 17-mile run is still there. But do you know what else is still there? The fact that I have to do this all over again next Saturday and add two more miles. I wish I could just run two miles on Saturday and add the two up (17 and 2) and say that I ran 19 miles ;-)
The weather was beautiful that day and the route was scenic and inspiring for me. As I mentioned before, I was always in awe of people who ran along the Charles river. All I could think of at the start was that I just have to finish it.
I started out decently. After about 2 miles into the run, my breathing had stabilized and I had found my rhythm. Aided by a groovy, upbeat playlist, I felt really comfortable. At the first water stop, I ran into a lot of the other runners. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the weather and the run. Amol was going to man the next water stop and I was so happy when I saw him there. A few words of encouragement and smiles make such a huge difference to your morale. But after that water stop, I fell behind from the group and was running alone now. I could still see them way ahead of me till around mile 10. Then I lost sight of everyone, it was just me battling it out all alone. I knew there was a water stop at around mile 11, so was determined to get till there without stopping. I got a little confused near the Longfellow bridge and accidentally took that bridge. Halfway across the bridge, I remembered that we had to go till the Museum of Science bridge. So I turned back and was frustrated because of my mix-up. Ran back and got on the route again and by then I could see that my energy levels were really low. Made it to the water stop and had an energy GU gel. Felt good to talk to someone and then I set off again.
The running got really challenging after that. I was tired and alone :( I started taking walking breaks, but tried to keep them to only half a minute or so. I cursed at my pace, I cursed at my decision to run a marathon, I was so ready to give up! But after not completing my 16-miler two weeks ago, I was so determined to finish this one. The next manned water stop was only at mile 14 or 15 as there were a few water fountains before that. I yearned for a familiar face. Finally, when I spotted Abhishek and Priya on their bikes, I jumped with joy. Not only did they give me water and gatorade, they also gave me a lot of encouragement.
After that stop, all I could think of were the bridges I had to come across. I could see the BU bridge, and after that I knew there would be the Cambridge st bridge, the Western Ave bridge, the Harvard footbridge, the JFK bridge and then it was less than a mile to the finish. Those landmarks were what kept me going. I crossed each bridge off my list and when I crossed off the JFK bridge, I was ecstatic. But that feeling did not last long as I saw one of the runners, Aamer sitting on the sidewalk in the shade. He was having a hard time and had already thrown up a few times. I did not have a phone on me and so the only option was that I run fast till the finish and send someone to go and get him. That was a huge motivation for me...I knew that he needs to get water as soon as possible, so I did my best to reach the finish as fast as I could. When I finally saw the other runners all stretched out on the grass, I heaved a sigh of relief and we quickly sent two others to go and help Aamer.
At the end, I just flopped down on the grass and could not believe that I had finished it. The happiness and contentment of that achievement was unmatched. Now I have started getting a taste of what the feeling will be when I cross the finish line at DC on Oct 31st.
A big thanks to all those friends who sent me some 'motivation' through gtalk. Thanks to Team AIDAsha for the constant cheering and encouragement!
Keep sending all those wishes, words of encouragement and motivation....they really make a difference and help me go that extra mile. And don't forget to help the cause. http://2010.teamaidasha.org/runner.aspx?num=201012
The weather was beautiful that day and the route was scenic and inspiring for me. As I mentioned before, I was always in awe of people who ran along the Charles river. All I could think of at the start was that I just have to finish it.
 |
| Charles river basin loop. Pins indicate water stops. |
The running got really challenging after that. I was tired and alone :( I started taking walking breaks, but tried to keep them to only half a minute or so. I cursed at my pace, I cursed at my decision to run a marathon, I was so ready to give up! But after not completing my 16-miler two weeks ago, I was so determined to finish this one. The next manned water stop was only at mile 14 or 15 as there were a few water fountains before that. I yearned for a familiar face. Finally, when I spotted Abhishek and Priya on their bikes, I jumped with joy. Not only did they give me water and gatorade, they also gave me a lot of encouragement.
After that stop, all I could think of were the bridges I had to come across. I could see the BU bridge, and after that I knew there would be the Cambridge st bridge, the Western Ave bridge, the Harvard footbridge, the JFK bridge and then it was less than a mile to the finish. Those landmarks were what kept me going. I crossed each bridge off my list and when I crossed off the JFK bridge, I was ecstatic. But that feeling did not last long as I saw one of the runners, Aamer sitting on the sidewalk in the shade. He was having a hard time and had already thrown up a few times. I did not have a phone on me and so the only option was that I run fast till the finish and send someone to go and get him. That was a huge motivation for me...I knew that he needs to get water as soon as possible, so I did my best to reach the finish as fast as I could. When I finally saw the other runners all stretched out on the grass, I heaved a sigh of relief and we quickly sent two others to go and help Aamer.
At the end, I just flopped down on the grass and could not believe that I had finished it. The happiness and contentment of that achievement was unmatched. Now I have started getting a taste of what the feeling will be when I cross the finish line at DC on Oct 31st.
A big thanks to all those friends who sent me some 'motivation' through gtalk. Thanks to Team AIDAsha for the constant cheering and encouragement!
Keep sending all those wishes, words of encouragement and motivation....they really make a difference and help me go that extra mile. And don't forget to help the cause. http://2010.teamaidasha.org/runner.aspx?num=201012
Charles river basin loop conquered!
If you are visiting my blog for the first time, WELCOME! Please do read the old posts or the tabs that you can find on top. It basically explains why, how, when and what I am training for!
You know how you get nervous before an exam? I was feeling the same exact nervousness before today's long run. I had butterflies in my tummy. Amol could notice the anxiety on my face. I have no clue why I felt that way. But after the last two long run debacles, I just knew that completing this run was going to be a big challenge for me.
But.......I did it. 17 freaking miles! I ran the entire Charles river basin loop. It was actually 17.5 miles because of a detour we took. Don't ask me the time it took me.....all I can say that it is something I am not proud of :(. But today's goal was finishing it and keeping walking to a minimum. And, I did that!
Today I became one of the Boston runners who run on the Charles river basin. I would always marvel at these runners and wonder if I would ever run there. Since the training began, we have done a good number of runs around the river, but today was the first time we did the whole loop.
More to come when I recover and can think straight again!
You know how you get nervous before an exam? I was feeling the same exact nervousness before today's long run. I had butterflies in my tummy. Amol could notice the anxiety on my face. I have no clue why I felt that way. But after the last two long run debacles, I just knew that completing this run was going to be a big challenge for me.
But.......I did it. 17 freaking miles! I ran the entire Charles river basin loop. It was actually 17.5 miles because of a detour we took. Don't ask me the time it took me.....all I can say that it is something I am not proud of :(. But today's goal was finishing it and keeping walking to a minimum. And, I did that!
Today I became one of the Boston runners who run on the Charles river basin. I would always marvel at these runners and wonder if I would ever run there. Since the training began, we have done a good number of runs around the river, but today was the first time we did the whole loop.
More to come when I recover and can think straight again!
 | |
| After the run, at Soldiers Field Road! |
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Enough of this negativity!
Did a 3.5 mile run today morning. It was eh...just eh! The some days are good, some days bad is turning into most days are bad :(
There is just so much negativity right now with my running. Mostly it is just me and sometimes when it is not me, there are external forces like no water support or horrible awful cramps.
There is just so much going on right now. The training, lab work (yay....finally I have data), getting some paperwork sorted out (this is the worst), trying to start fund raising (I need a kick to get started now) trying to regularly update this blog and getting ready for our small 4 day vacation to Seattle.
I promise I will have a happy run soon and you will not have to hear any of the negativity :(
Till then go and check out my friend's blog. She is the one who keeps pushing me and does not let me give up!
There is just so much negativity right now with my running. Mostly it is just me and sometimes when it is not me, there are external forces like no water support or horrible awful cramps.
There is just so much going on right now. The training, lab work (yay....finally I have data), getting some paperwork sorted out (this is the worst), trying to start fund raising (I need a kick to get started now) trying to regularly update this blog and getting ready for our small 4 day vacation to Seattle.
I promise I will have a happy run soon and you will not have to hear any of the negativity :(
Till then go and check out my friend's blog. She is the one who keeps pushing me and does not let me give up!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Blame it on the water support!
Amol was supposed to provide water support during my long run yesterday. The plan was 16 miles and I ran just 7.5 miles. All because of poor....wait make that NO WATER SUPPORT!
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