Why I Ran
After I ran the recent Delhi Half Marathon, there were many people who congratulated me and many among them questioned my mental health for having undertaken the run in the first place. So I thought I should vent my thoughts on the motives for my run and why I think everyone should try it once.
My Running History
Though running has been a part of my life since I joined up, I have neither been a keen nor good runner. During my initial training, the worth of a student was based on his running skill . It did not matter how good you were in studies or in any other sport for that matter. Your measure depended on what your cross country timing was. (In hindsight, they were probably right. After all, long distance running is one sport which requires both physical and mental strength and endurance)
I was a middling runner, by which I mean on a good day I would bring up the rear of the averagers and on a bad day, I would be leading the pack which would go for a rerun.
It was here that I developed a dislike - no aversion - for running which I have carried for the last 20 years. I have only run when absolutely required. I have given myself enough reasons as to why running is not good - bad on the knees, the shock is not good for the joints, better to walk the same distance, etc. I have generally kept fit by playing squash, badminton, etc.
But, I seem to have reached a stage in life when my body parts have started creaking. Some time back, I pulled my back while playing squash and the doc advised me to avoid it unless I play regularly.
And then I came to Delhi. As I live in Dwarka, away from any sports facilities, I am no longer able to play squash, badminton, etc on a regular basis. The only option for burning calories, without any special infrastructure, was running. I was further encouraged by my colleagues in office, many of whom are ardent runners. So I started running 2-3 km every evening after getting back from work. Initially, it was difficult, but got better with time. I probably liked it because there was no expectation, goal or timing to be met. It was just a simple run. Luckily for me, I started when the summer was behind me and the chilly winter had not yet set in.
I was just warming up to running when the registrations for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon began. I had no intention of going anywhere close to it, but my friends in the office convinced me to apply, saying that it was worth it, just for the experience. I could just turn back and walk home whenever I felt I couldnt run more. So I applied with a clear understanding that there was no way that I would be running the complete 21 kms.
A week before the race day, I was expecting some guests, who would stay with us for 10 days. So there was no chance of any special training as I would be busy with my duties as a host. So a few days before they arrived, I went for a slightly longer run - 5.6 km. It now gave me a benchmark that I could at least run continuously till the 6km mark.
The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon
The ADHM, I realised is an extremely well organised event. A few weeks before the event, they started early morning training camps at various locations around delhi. You could just land up in any of these locations and specially trained instructors would help you in preparing for the run. Of course, I didnt attend any - this was just for your info. A few days before the race, we got our bibs(the number with a built in RFID tag) alongwith a T-shirt and a goodie bag. The goodie bag included energy drinks such as Glucon-D, fruit juices, medication (gel and spray) and Revital tablets??!! (for both women and men). Another interesting thing is the concept called a 'Bus'. They have good runners who volunteer for various buses, is the 2hr bus, 2;15 bus, 2:25 bus, etc upto the 2:55 bus. These guys wear a flag indicating the bus timing and if you run with them, they will ensure that you complete within a minute of the bus timing. They also give details of their running plan for the entire route for you to decide whom to join. For example, the 2:55 bus leader announced that his bus would have a blast with photographs along the way, frequent stops for water, etc. For a beginner, these are great ways to complete the run with a group encouraging you further.
Their internet site showed the entire route. It had water points, medical stations, Enerzal Drink points,orange and lime points, etc almost every km. The run started at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and passed around India Gate before ending at the Stadium. Your timing was calculated automatically as radio sensors placed at various points along the route (to ensure you dont take a shortcut) detected the RFID tag placed in your bib. Professional photographers clicked away at various points along the route and a few hours after completion of the race, you could browse through all your photos on the net.
The ADHM, I realised is an extremely well organised event. A few weeks before the event, they started early morning training camps at various locations around delhi. You could just land up in any of these locations and specially trained instructors would help you in preparing for the run. Of course, I didnt attend any - this was just for your info. A few days before the race, we got our bibs(the number with a built in RFID tag) alongwith a T-shirt and a goodie bag. The goodie bag included energy drinks such as Glucon-D, fruit juices, medication (gel and spray) and Revital tablets??!! (for both women and men). Another interesting thing is the concept called a 'Bus'. They have good runners who volunteer for various buses, is the 2hr bus, 2;15 bus, 2:25 bus, etc upto the 2:55 bus. These guys wear a flag indicating the bus timing and if you run with them, they will ensure that you complete within a minute of the bus timing. They also give details of their running plan for the entire route for you to decide whom to join. For example, the 2:55 bus leader announced that his bus would have a blast with photographs along the way, frequent stops for water, etc. For a beginner, these are great ways to complete the run with a group encouraging you further.
Their internet site showed the entire route. It had water points, medical stations, Enerzal Drink points,orange and lime points, etc almost every km. The run started at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and passed around India Gate before ending at the Stadium. Your timing was calculated automatically as radio sensors placed at various points along the route (to ensure you dont take a shortcut) detected the RFID tag placed in your bib. Professional photographers clicked away at various points along the route and a few hours after completion of the race, you could browse through all your photos on the net.
The Day of the Run
On Race day, I reached JLN Stadium around 6 in the morning. It was such a festive atmosphere. There were people here, from all walks of life, in all shapes and sizes. There were the affluent guys and girls, wearing the latest in sports gear alongside people barefoot who had come directly from their village with a bag on their shoulders for their belongings. There were the fit, slim and svelte alongwith the large and size zeroes. Indians and foreigners. The young including school kids alongwith old men, over 60.
I learnt quite a bit about the running fraternity that day. They are a highly motivated and dedicated lot. Many of them go from city to city to participate in events. A few wierd tips I learnt from the pros :
Many of them, including foreigners, were there wearing polythene garbage bags. They had cut a hole in the bottom for their head to pass through and it covered their entire upper body. It seems that it protects them from the cold initially. Whenever, during the run, they have warmed up, or the sun comes up, they just tear it off. No jacket to worry about.
The latest fad is barefoot running, as that is the way we were designed to run. So those who profess barefoot running....have a specially designed shoe which mimics barefoot running????
The professionals always wear gloves, caps, carry a special electrolyte solution and tissue paper. Yes, tissue paper for those times when you just have to go.
Anyways, I ran, somehow kept telling myself to continue running for one more kilometre. Or try to catch up with the girl running ahead of me. Luckily the weather was great. And I managed to finish the run in 2 hrs and 31 min. Its not a bad timing, I am told. Of course the winner finished in 57 min. And I couldnt walk straight for the next one week.
But that run gave me the confidence that I could run long distances. If I could run 21 km, what is a 5 km run in the evening?
Since then, I have also found out a lot of literature in support of running. Of course, running doesnt mean just running. It includes excercises to improve the muscles required for improving your timing. This complete package makes running one of the most healthy ways of maintaining our fitness, even as we age...along with golf.:-)
I am now tempted to train for The full marathon. However, I have been told that is a completely different ball game. In a marathon, your body reserves are completely used up somewhere around 30 km. It is the training, the diet before the run, fluids during the run, etc which determine your further progress. Come to think of it, the messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to give the king the news of victory at battle, after which feat this event is named, collapsed and died in front of him.
So that dream will have to wait. But shorter runs and the half marathon is certainly going to be a part of my fitness mantra now onwards.
Endnote
On Race day, I reached JLN Stadium around 6 in the morning. It was such a festive atmosphere. There were people here, from all walks of life, in all shapes and sizes. There were the affluent guys and girls, wearing the latest in sports gear alongside people barefoot who had come directly from their village with a bag on their shoulders for their belongings. There were the fit, slim and svelte alongwith the large and size zeroes. Indians and foreigners. The young including school kids alongwith old men, over 60.
I learnt quite a bit about the running fraternity that day. They are a highly motivated and dedicated lot. Many of them go from city to city to participate in events. A few wierd tips I learnt from the pros :
Many of them, including foreigners, were there wearing polythene garbage bags. They had cut a hole in the bottom for their head to pass through and it covered their entire upper body. It seems that it protects them from the cold initially. Whenever, during the run, they have warmed up, or the sun comes up, they just tear it off. No jacket to worry about.
The latest fad is barefoot running, as that is the way we were designed to run. So those who profess barefoot running....have a specially designed shoe which mimics barefoot running????
The professionals always wear gloves, caps, carry a special electrolyte solution and tissue paper. Yes, tissue paper for those times when you just have to go.
Anyways, I ran, somehow kept telling myself to continue running for one more kilometre. Or try to catch up with the girl running ahead of me. Luckily the weather was great. And I managed to finish the run in 2 hrs and 31 min. Its not a bad timing, I am told. Of course the winner finished in 57 min. And I couldnt walk straight for the next one week.
But that run gave me the confidence that I could run long distances. If I could run 21 km, what is a 5 km run in the evening?
Since then, I have also found out a lot of literature in support of running. Of course, running doesnt mean just running. It includes excercises to improve the muscles required for improving your timing. This complete package makes running one of the most healthy ways of maintaining our fitness, even as we age...along with golf.:-)
I am now tempted to train for The full marathon. However, I have been told that is a completely different ball game. In a marathon, your body reserves are completely used up somewhere around 30 km. It is the training, the diet before the run, fluids during the run, etc which determine your further progress. Come to think of it, the messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to give the king the news of victory at battle, after which feat this event is named, collapsed and died in front of him.
So that dream will have to wait. But shorter runs and the half marathon is certainly going to be a part of my fitness mantra now onwards.
Endnote
Here are a few links about the benefits of running.
http://m.runnersworld.com/health/6-ways-running-improves-your-health?page=single
http://www.livescience.com/36241-5-experts-answer-running-bad-knees.html
