Mumbai (Half) Marathon 2013

It all began 4 years back when I saw my guide running Delhi half marathon, I don't remember participating in distance running event till then. That inspired me to take up this endurance sports. I participated in multiple 5K and 10K events after that but this was my first marathon level event.

Preparation began almost 6 months back. Although couldn't stick to the "time-table", still managed to string together few 10K+ runs with few 5-7K runs every week. My prep took a major hit when just 3 weeks before felt discomfort in right ankle during a practice run. It took x-ray and bone scan to eliminate chances of any fracture which could have vanished my chances from the race. Just had a 5K test run a week before marathon to see if i can still pull off, things were better but could still could feel the pain, so kept the decision on hold till the last minute.

Race started in the wee hours (5:40 am) of chilly Mumbai winter. I avoided jumping the start line in hurry to avoid mistake I did almost everytime and gave my self time to slowly get into running mode. Holding back myself for 4-5 mins at start line helped me in next two and half hours. Running on Worli-Bandra Sealink was over whelming. after laborious first 2K got into nice rhythm, kept speed low on purpose as this was my first attempt I want to be as conservative as possible. Landmarks kept coming don't have much memory of those, every milestone gave more satisfaction and motivation. Didn't slow down till 19K where my rhythm was broken due to loud music and people standing on road narrowing the track. At the finish line my clock read 2:44 giving me great satisfaction because I did well to reach my goal of 3:00 and not too far from stretch goal of 2:30. if not for last 2K I could have cut down on my timings by good 7-8mins

This run was more satisfactory because i could address the issues i faced in last race. 

• Food: Had 2 packs of parle G (glucose biscuits) on previous day and just fruits for dinner with apple, grapes, pineapple and muskmelon. With previous bad experience banana, I gave it a skip.
• Shoe: Nike Run+ 3.0 worked like charm for me
• Music: Prepared a playlist to suit my running, that helped to get into rhythm.
• Food during race: Made sure i carried a sipper with Gatorade pouches, had close to 1.5-1.7 Liters of water. Few parle G (glucose biscuits), half energy bar and few chocolates on the way.

Race was followed by Misal Pav (spicy Maharashtrian cuisine) at Vinay and a well deserved chicken feast (also some shopping :D). I hope this is just "a" half marathon and not "the" half marathon.