After months of wait I got my broadband connection and office laptop. BSNL broadband speed is good but service is pathetic. Well now I can work form my home or form office near my home. That's is superb. After months and months of planning finally things are in place :-)

Just did it

Finally I did my first half marathon race and all that preparation was worth doing.
I reached the kantirava stadium at 4:15 AM since I was not aware that race is postponed to 6 AM. I got plenty of time to do my warm up. I had a glass of Badam milk in the canteen and relaxed a bit. People started coming in by 5:30 Am but still it was not a big crowed. By 6 AM some decent numbers. Well for full marathon their were just around 30 to 40 folks and for half marathon around 100 to 150. By looking at the kind of accessory and gears they were wearing it was very much clear that this crowed is damn serious about this race. Including me :-)

The half marathon race started at 6:15 AM. First 3 KM were some what tough since I was still feeling pain in the thighs. The route was via Cubbon park - Vidhan Soudha - Golf course - Ganga Nagar to Hebbal lake flyover and back to Kantirva Stadium via same route. This route is quite scenic and whether was awesome. But it has enough number of slopes you have to overcome. It took me 1:12:00 to reach the U turn of race on Hebbal Flyover. At this point I was pretty confident to finish the race.

At around 1:44:00 time I saw a long stretch of underpass slope I have to climb. By this time I was almost exhausted and realized that I can not push more. This was my first stop. Lot of people had taken breaks at regular intervals, which I think is good. After walking for 6 mins I started running again but could not cover even a 1KM stretch. So here on it was a mix of walk and run.

There was a good support form the crowed and even from the police mama. Event was well planned and executed. Plenty of water points on the road, ambulance and volunteers. Overall very cheerful.

When I reached the stadium back my stop watch was showing 2:48:00
Now as per articles on Nike Running 3 hrs is considered to be a good time for first timer. I realized that this just my beginning.
But I am sure I can improve my timings.

Overall I think it is worth paying for the race. I don't feel any sense of accomplishment, pride or high. It is just passion and fun all the way, for each and every KM and that's enough to add another 21 KM and do a full marathon in 2007!

Bangalore Marathon 2006

I am planning to do my first half marathon on coming sunday. Check out web site
Though I missed the last one, this time I am quite confident. Now I have experience of two 15KM runs.
Last weekend I checked out the new range of Nike Free. Its realy cool, utra light and damn sexy design. Hmm price starts from 5500 Rs. Well lets see when can get them.
Actually I wanted to buy the water bottle with waist straps but thats very expensive :-( come around 850 Rs , dont feel its really that worth.

The real challange for completing the marathon is to maintain a good speed. I think I have to hydrate myself properly. I am excited , thrilled and eager to do my first half marathon!