A Safal Run at bSafal Amdavan Marathon

It all began here. Ahmedabad, the place where I was born, & bsafal, my first HM (in Jan 2015). So this was a homecoming run of sorts. Driving to the venue to collect our bibs, we found metro construction along portions of previous years’ route. We were worried that it would be very difficult to control the Ahmedabad traffic during the latter part of the run, especially now that there is a FM on the race menu too. Going through the route on the event website, we found that the organisers were taking us west this time. Rather Far West, as western Ahmedabad always meant the part lying west of the Sabarmati & we would be running along the SG Highway & the Ring Road. A good choice as both these roads have wide service roads that will assure the runners don’t interfere with the traffic (and vice versa) except at junctions.

The 6:00 AM flag off (on schedule) was preceded immediately by singing of the national anthem. Now, there are residential apartments adjoining the eastern part of the venue. I wondered what should a person, who hears the anthem being played while half asleep, do? Is he expected to stand to attention? But thoughts such as these are not advisable in Ahmedabad, a city where patriotism meets culture. Sorry, read it as conspicuous display of patriotism & culture. As in the case of this runner (though he forgot to wear traditional footwear during the run!) who carried this flag through the distance.

We get to the SG Highway at Gurudwara Junction & turn northwards. Around 17 years back, SG highway was actually a highway, i.e. a dark, unlit stretch of road outside the city. But I often visited it (along with good friend Wilhelm Singh) as there was a dhaba besides the gurudwara that also served chicken. In fact, that was the only non-veg joint (known to us) to the west of Sabarmati. Unlike the earlier occasion, this was the only bout of nostalgia this time. Today the SG Highway is more of an internal city road, lined with retail, commercial & residential space. We turn west towards the Ring Road & soon passed an under construction project named “Satyamev Eminence”, which is expected to be a “posh” workspace. Now, one associates the word satya with the likes of Gandhi (of the bapu variety) but definitely not something like “posh”. But this is a sign of the changed times, considering the netas (no names, as the list is endless) we have today.

As is now the practice, I was running along with Dr. Suresh Iyengar who has this uncanny ability to run at a consistent pace from beginning to the end. This time, Rakesh Rawat also gave us company, which indicates that the legend of Dr. Iyengar, the pacer, continues to grow. The Ring Road announced itself with an abrupt drop in temperature. Most of this part (unlike the eastern & northern stretches) of the Ring Road still doesn’t have any buildings alongside & there are open, green stretches on both sides. Apart from the cold (expected in the last week of December), there was a chill in the air too, making it feel colder. Of the three of us, none agreed with this lady runner. And I think Dr. Iyengar found her views a bit disturbing for Rakesh & I perceived him speeding up. Maybe, it was the chill which made him run faster. Whatever the reason, the pacer in Dr. Iyengar makes it look so easy even when in acceleration mode.

Going some further we saw a lady pacer a little ahead of us. As both the 02:30 pacers were men, we correctly guessed her to be the 02:45 pacer. Now, we were in a state wedded to BJP & in a city that is the karmabhoomi of Amit Shah & Narendra Modi. I realized that if we ran behind this lady pacer, who was named Sonia, we could be mistaken for being Congress supporters. I shared this with Rakesh & Dr. Suresh who too agreed with me. One of her passengers, overhearing us, assured us that such is not the case, but I believe that was more to save himself from some embarrassment! We disregarded his words & moved ahead as there are some compromises that are never made.

Distance running events provide lot of food for thought, turning most runners into philosophers. Running along the SG Highway, I came across an area barricaded by corrugated sheets with the words “Building Tomorrow” clearly visible from a distance. Inside, it was just a piece of open land, but a swanky entrance lined with potted plants was already built. Isn’t this true with most other aspects of life, including running, too? The doors of tomorrow have to be built today, else it will forever remain a dream. No one becomes a distance runner overnight. It’s the short runs one starts with that make us complete the long ones. So if you intend to run a HM/FM next year, begin the preparation right now.

There were a lot of things that made this edition of bsafal a very well managed & organized event. Primarily, it was the hydration provided. As per the route map (if I recall correctly), the organisers had planned hydration points every 4 km. But we found them at every 2 km, at least in the 1^st half for I did not even notice this later having broken off near the half-way (as is the practice). At the end of the Ring Road stretch, in fact, just as I came to the turn I heard a once-popular song from that Manoj Kumar starrer Kranti – Zindagi na toote ladi… (https://youtu.be/0K8wJnCq2pY). I would never have believed earlier that someone could listen to this particular song while running. But as I said earlier, patriotism runs in an amdavadi’s blood. And our friend here proved it again.

We turn left from Ring Road to move towards SG Highway. The road is wide with practically no traffic at this time. But it’s a RCC road, not the best one to run on. I opted to run on the pavement which had paver blocks, not much better but still better than the RCC surface. And this is quite a long stretch too. The organisers should consider an alternate stretch next time round. Barring this one, rest of the route was tar road, except a small stretch where metro construction was underway, which made it feel like a trail run (minus the vegetation)! So, we got a variety of running surfaces this here. Before reaching this portion, came across a tea stall with an interesting name – Khetarwala Bapa Tea Stall. Which shows that the average gujarati can smell a business opportunity before anyone else & knows how to encash it. I don’t know how the Khetla Aapa franchise reacted to this, but they have moved far ahead (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/humble-chaiwallah-vs-chai-chain-will-khetla-aapa-bitten-tea-kiosks-survive-in-long-run/articleshow/61855510.cms) from their origins as a typical chai kitli.

This enterprising spirit has taken gujaratis palces & you will find them all over the globe. Essentially peace loving, they assimilate with the local culture easily, though the magnitude may differ. Like this runner here, who left no one in doubt where he came from (or where wished to go?). Our American Desi friend had a peaceful run, but would it have been so had he similarly dressed up in the Indian tricolor? But this is not a social/political post & let us stick to the run only.

For the entire stretch west of SG Highway, the participants & the traffic did not disturb each other except at a junction on the Ring Road where the FMers need to cross the road. The traffic police did a very good job manning the junctions. It also appears that the residents in this part sleep late on Sundays & stock up on morning supplies so as not to venture out in the cold. The volunteers also did a very good job & no point was found unmanned even towards the end of the route. I particularly liked the watermelons & chikki bars at fueling stations. Watermelons actually double up as hydration too, which was so thoughtful of the organisers. Running in the cold, whatever the distance, always finds me with a running nose, though it is not so much of a trouble as I usually breathe with the mouth. This one was no different. But I couldn’t eat the chikkis & breathe at the same time & had to alternate between the two. A very difficult task, especially when running!! Fortunately, I realized that I had a bottle of water with me & used it to clear the nose & wash the hands. Rest of the distance was very comfortable, though I didn’t get find chikkis later (till after the finish point).

We get back to the SG Highway as we near the end. The sun is up by this time & so are the amdavadis. Even the temperature is higher now, though the traffic at the junctions is still manageable thanks to the efforts of the traffic police. I have been running at a gradually decreasing pace & did not have much left inside. However, the weather being good & not having run much the previous weeks, the legs held on. We turn east at the gurudwara junction for the home stretch. This is a slight climb but one had to keep going to finish under 02:30. The traffic at the junction at the AES ground (just before the finish line) is now restive but the traffic police manages to hold them to let the runners pass. Which helps one finish at a fastest pace of the run. Looking at the pace chart after I finished, I realized that this one was run at a near negative pace. Thanks to Dr. Iyengar who unknowingly speeded up on the Ring Road & the route which did not have any traffic holding up the runners.

But the best part was tea seved in kulhad’s at the finish point (on payment basis). And the quantity of serving was much more than the famed “Amdavadi Chai”. No better way to end a half marathon!

A Short Primer on Common Running Terms

The running season has well & truly begun with events all around. And multiple events on the same day in the vicinity of each other. To help the new runners catch up on the commonly used running terminology so that they don’t feel out of place with experienced ones, I have put together a list of terms that they can refer to when lost.

Cadence: This is steps taken per minute & is a measure of efficiency. So how does it matter? Higher it is, better you are as a runner. But most importantly, this term is a good icebreaker if you are meeting another runner (especially an experienced one) for the first time. Try it some time. You will appear knowledgeable (as you will find me while reading this post).

Carb-Loading: This is imbibing significantly larger proportion of carbs in your diet immediately preceding your Big Run. Carbohydrates are the energy store of choice for our body. Beer is one very good option, one glass having around 13 grams of carb. (Now you know why it is called a “beer belly”.) If you are not a heavy drinker, you can try Vodka + Orange juice (28 gms) or Rum + Coke (39 gms). For more options, you can refer Diet Doctor (https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/alcohol).

Cool down: It is the opposite of Warm-up & works the other way round. After a hard run, you need to bring down your body temperature gradually. Best is a small jog or a brisk walk. I have found chilled beer works equally well. In fact, works better as it cools down the mind too.

Fartlek: Yes, you are right. This isn’t farting during a run, as most non-runners would believe. It is simply running some distance at a faster pace during a run. It’s what most kids do while playing & really enjoy it. Well, they also enjoy when someone farts during a game. Maybe, this is why it is called what it is called.

Form: Obviously, Form in sports can never mean the paper where we fill in all those details. But, Form in running has a different meaning than in other sports. It is actually your posture or stance when running. So, while cricket commentators are in the habit of informing that Form is temporary as oppose to Class which is permanent, in running the Form is also permanent. This is to differentiate running from other sports. So, what’s a good running form? Simply put, it is one where you do not appear strange or peculiar to other runners (non-runners will always find it strange seeing people running on roads against the traffic).

Foot Strike: This is the way your foot lands while running. Most resources on the internet inform that one should never land on one’s toes (have they tried running on their toes?) or one’s heels (else one’s heels, ankles & all will be in pain). Which shows that the mid-foot, like the middle path as espoused by Buddha, is the best & can lead you to running nirvana.

Hill training: Another of those drills to increase leg strength. Most runners do not have the luxury to live near the hills. But they can run over flyovers & overbridges & this works just as well. Even running up & down flights of stairs is another option, as most towns now have high rise buildings. I know it requires more effort but getting out of bed to snooze your alarm & getting back in doesn’t count. Even if you snooze it for an hour before finally waking up.

Interval training: Supposed to be good for improving speed & developing under-utilised muscles, it is a series of sprints with just enough rest after each to catch your breath. So, if you thought it was the running around for popcorns & soft drinks during the break, you were not too wrong. Except that, one doesn’t get too tired in an air conditioned multiplex.

Negative splits: This might be one of the easier terms & easily understood. You split your run into two & be quicker during the latter part. Or four (or whatever you prefer) parts & run each section quicker than the previous one. Negative, because you cut down on your pace. Which also means you increase your speed, but that would not be negative & so we will stick to conventional running terminology.

Overpronation/Underpronation: It is how your foot behaves when it hits the ground while running. i.e. If it moves outwards it is called one of these, and if it moves inwards it is called the other. To be honest, I still have to get a hang of this term & cannot tell you off-hand what is what. If you are still curious, pls visit the www.

Pace: It is the opposite of speed. No, it is not a measure of slowness. Rather, speed measured the other way round. In simpler words, Pace is the time required to cover a unit distance (minutes per Km) while speed is distance covered in unit time (Km per hour). So why not simply measure speed? Because, everything else (vehicles, cyclists, animals, etc.) is. And we, the runners, would turn out to be very slow in comparison. Also to confuse the non-runners (but that’s just between us).

Recovery: Now, this one has multiple uses & meanings. A slow jog after a burst of speed amidst a long run is recovery. A short run a couple of days after a  very long run is also recovery. As is the time you spend sidelined by some injury. While none of the online resources considers a glass of beer after a long run as such, I will still go for this one as my favorite form of recovery.

Runner’s knee: As runners, we should be proud of an injury being named after us. And unlike a tennis elbow, runner’s knee strikes only the runners. To be more specific, to the new runners who are too enthusiastic when they are just beginning & start running longer & longer. For they know not it is the slow & steady that not only wins the race but also runs long & strong.

Shin Splints: You guessed it right, it’s the pain on/around the shins. As soon as it occurs, treat it to some rest & ice. And while you are resting & have some ice handy, you may as well add some drink to the ice & think about running. This will keep you motivated enough & you will back on the roads once healed.

Speedwork: Pls refer Interval Training, for this is what speedwork essentially is. It is simply called by this name too so that running appears to be a technical sport to other sportspersons. For, most sports involve some amount of running & we need to differentiate ourselves from those indulging in other outdoor activities.

Strides: Pls refer Speedwork, for this is what it essentially is. Now that you have saved some time by not referring to the above, you may as well have a drink. And read this post again, once complete. It (reading, not drinking) will help you remember these terms better.

Tempo: I once gave the finger salute to a tempo who didn’t slow down as I crossed the road. Which made him slow down & look back. I upped the pace to put as much distance as possible between him & me if he decided to come back after me. But a wise runner later educated me that a tempo run is something totally different. It is a run at a “faster than normal” pace for some considerable distance. Pls note that it is “faster” & not a “fast” pace. In other words, a feel good run that doesn’t leave you exhausted at the end (like running to avoid a tempo does). I no longer give finger salutes to tempos. Or Autos & other vehicles, for that matter.

VO2 max: This is a favorite of my friend, Reni George. But I believe this will soon lose its relevance considering that the air now has more of pollutants & less of oxygen. So, if you work on increasing your VO2 max you will end up dirtying the insides of your lungs & the throat & the respiratory tract. Be practical, is my advice for Reni.

The Wall: I always thought, in sporting terms, the Wall meant Rahul Dravid. But it is actually what the runners face at the 20^th mile (32^nd Km) when running a full marathon. I haven’t run any, so can’t say anything more about it. But it cannot actually be a wall because the marathons are generally run on a road. And also becauser one can run through it. Else, how would people be able to finish a full marathon?

These are some of the terms that I am familiar with. Once I get to learn a few more, I will update you with those. Till then, happy running!

Puri-Chhole & a Noble Cause

SoleFest is closest to one’s heart. Not just because it is held in Baroda, but also for self being an integral part of the team that puts it together. An event of the runners, for the runners & by the runners, it very aptly calls all runners to Daudo Dil Se for the noble cause of Organ Donation. But unlike other posts, this one is devoted to how I run a HM (in essentially 4 parts). Because, on account of a very bad throat I aborted some distance into the run & later joined the daughter on the return leg of her 10K. To what SoleFest is best loved for – the post-run brunch!! This time too we had puri’s, along with chhole, boiled eggs & gulab jamuns. One couldn’t have asked for anything else (in a dry state)!!

It all starts with putting together the ingredients. Of course, flour, water & some oil is all that suffices. This is what one does in the beginning, and earlier. A good, long sleep the previous night. A nice warm up before the run. A good chat with friends before the race. And, when the race actually starts, take stock of the physical. Have the niggles & pains that surfaced during the run-up to the event disappeared? Good feel is a motivation that lasts the distance. But the little things matter too – a bit of salt, some black pepper, ajwain or jeera or whatever else you like. Not to forget the weather, as the temperature & humidity can make or mar the later stages of the run. This is the period one goes through the mental checklist & takes a call on whether its Plan-A or Plan-B today's conditions.

Once all is in place, the kneading starts. You keep on adding the ingredients, till the mix (i.e. flour + water) is perfect. The 2^nd quarter of the HM is as tricky. As you settle into a steady pace, you also need to ensure that you will have enough strength left for the latter stages of the run. This is a tough task physically, but very critical. For, only a well kneaded flour results in well-made puri’s. This is not too technical an accomplishment, but the rewards are physical. And will help you finish strong even as the energy is sapping & the strength depleting. If you have been wondering about the power behind those flying Belans in the house, well, it comes from years of kneading the flour for puri’s, paratha’s, roti’s & what not!!

But kneading is only half the job done. Now, the half way mark is a critical milestone. Of course, there’s the elation of reaching this point. But, does one have enough in the tank for the remaining half when the conditions will be tougher? Remember, it only gets warmer during a race unless its conducted in the evening/night. The reason why the next part, the rolling, is as critical. Roll it too hard & you will get a poor cousin of papad. Roll it too soft & you will end up chewing half cooked, wet dough. We all like negative splits but running all out should left till the end. But rolling is not pure skill either. It’s art in equal measure too, if you like them circular. So, ramp it up gradually. And also stock up on hydration for the sun is only going to get brighter & hotter. And some fuel too. But don’t overstuff, it is still a long way to go.

The last part is the easiest, for it is now only about finishing. The result, however, depends upon how you have done the earlier parts. Of course, one no longer worries about it. It’s all about getting the job done & relishing the puri’s (if one's doing the SoleFest). At SoleFest 2.0, we also had Gulab Jamuns as an added incentive! You put the rolled dough from one side of the frying pan. And watch it go in as bubbles rise up to the surface. And then it pops up in the middle, like a runner recharged after a few sips of water. No amount of sweat trickling down the face can now stop one from going all out. And it stays there as it puffs up, gaining colour & size. Yes, one is dead tired & the tank is empty but the sight of the finish line helps one draw the last bits from the reservoir.

You take it out, keeping it above the pan to drain out the oil, and putting it on the plate. A medal round the neck, the delicious puri-chhole-gulab jamun on the dish & friends all around, there was only one question that bugged. When is the next edition of SoleFest?

Image source (puri): https://www.indianasapplepie.com/blogs/indian-as-apple-pie/8790773-puri-fried-deliciously-airy-indian-puffed-bread

I, Charles Shobhraj

One starts running for a particular reason (fitness, health, weight loss, etc.). And soon one tends to fall in love with running. At least, this has been the case with me. I started running for reasons of health. And now run simply because I like it. Running elates me. Maybe, I am of an age when one feels proud of whatever little one achieves in terms of fitness. I tell you, there is no such feeling as being tired & drenched in sweat after finishing a run. The reason why one is back on the road within a few days (many do it daily, but not me).

Just like a seasoned thief. Who gets a high by the act of stealing. He doesn’t do it for material gains, nor out of habit. But for the very same reason that most of us run. And escaping the clutches of sleep & getting out of bed, makes one feel like Jai & Veeru in Sholay. Had I been a thief in real life, maybe I would have stolen just for the kick it gives.

Strange thoughts, but I had these during my run this morning. I had turned from MES gate towards Tulsidham, Manjalpur. And, following the rule book, was running against the traffic. There was not much of it, though. No vehicles approaching, and the opening in the median in sight, I started crossing the road. My subconscious mind informed me that I was in Baroda & looked behind. Just in time, for there was a couple on a scooter right behind me. They were driving on the wrong side, but the lady on the pillion gave me such a look that I felt like Charles Shobhraj affecting another jailbreak.

Such thoughts never last & as I finished my run, I was feeling good (and young) again.

Before I sign off, the couple were riding a white Honda Activa (GJ6 KM 9288). If any of you know them, pls ask them to wear a helmet. And, not drive on the wrong side. And, be considerate towards pedestrians & runners. And, whatever else you feel like…

Come, join me on this Run…

For, I need all the support I can get. Not actually a run as we know it, but one on the blogosphere. This blog has been nominated in Sports category at The Indian Blogger’s Awards 2017. The final winners will be decided by a mix of Jury opinion & Popular vote, where you come in.

You will need to go to my Nomination page on the Awards site (quite easy, just click on the image below), like the blog & put in some kind words. 20% of the score is based on the “testimonials received”. Yes, this is what the organisers say!! But knowing that you have provided all the encouragement & motivation to keep this blog running, I am sure you will not fall short this time too.

I am sure I will get all the Hydration (Likes) & Fuel (Testimonies) in this race. Come, join me for this one… 

(Pls click on the image below, which will redirect you to to the nominations page. Pls add your comment/testimonial in the box provided. Thanks!)

Why I love running

Well, running started as another activity to keep fit & healthy. And with increasing length of the runs, I began looking at crossing the next limit of endurance. But this was not all…

Initially, I had to slink out of bed, move around quietly (in the dark) while getting ready & sneaked out of the house quickly. Lest the wife’s sleep (even the daughter’s, but she sleeps more soundly) was disturbed. You surely know how it is. One would prefer distracting a tigress when she is just sitting down for the meal. Yes, running is a tough task. And as dangerous as a daru party in Gujarat.

But getting back drenched in sweat makes one ready to face the storm that awaits once we get back to the den. The sympathy factor helped too, for a true warrior never attacks a tired, drained out foe. Also, by the time I returned the kid would be getting to leave for school & I could avoid any backlash for the offences of the morning. There’s more to this – bragging rights each time I returned from an event with a medal. Even though it was only the finisher’s medal, it made them look up in awe at the achievement.

But the bad times (like the good ones) never last. Wife had a friend who wished to start walking for fitness (you can guess what type)s reasons. So, the two of them began going for post-dinner walks. But there was no improvement. On studying their routine, it was discovered that the culprit was the pani-puri wala who kept his stall open till late! Not that I was minded this, for I was now able to watch Govinda movies & football matches on the TV. But they did. And came to me for help (I never knew I was considered a fitness guru!). Which was when we zeroed down to the culprit after some RCA. I offered them 2 suggestions – switch to morning walks & take up running. They ignored both, for the ladies have the same affinity to pani-puri wala as bhakts have for a chai-wala.

Coming back to the point, we went to Kochi (Nov. 2015), where the wife ran the 5K (more about it here: A Spicy Run Along A Spicy Coast). And liked the festive atmosphere that defines a running event. Coming back, she shared her experience with her friend. They tried a 5K at Daman Wind Marathon next year (Dec. 2016) & decided they could run longer distances. I gave them a gradual progression programme so that they could do a HM at VIM 2017. Which marked a turning point in my running life.

While she still was a Ms. Know-it-all, but I was the expert on running. I was the one who would help her get through her 1^st HM. If I missed an alarm (after a late night out), she would wake me up. I was now boldly getting out of the house at wee hours for a run. And returned to a cup of tea prepared by the wife while she got ready for her run. And no lectures too!! Each time things appeared tricky, I just had to bring up her running & my mistakes would be history. I was no longer a Rahul Dravid at home, but a Virendra Sehwag.

But not for long. Having run two HM’s in successive months (VIM & SoleFest), she considered herself a veteran. At least, this was the equation in the household. While not a Sachin to my Viru, but definitely a Yuvi in relation to MSD. And then as another running season approaches, a tussle began for the prime running slot. Who leaves earlier & who gets to stay behind while the kid is still sleeping?

I realized that the post-demonetization world was transformed in more ways than one. Not one to give up easily (well, I am a runner), I tried all sorts of arguments but all were doomed. With threats of no tiffin for the office (met with a helicopter shot of packed lunches) & the kid going hungry to school (an unplayable Malinga yorker), she now decides the running schedules.

Hey, don’t feel sorry. Actually, I now get to sleep longer. And that’s something I like as much as running or a daru party. Now you know why I love running!!

Aiming your 1st HM? Watch Sholay!

Bollywood has been a unifying force in this country like no other. And the brightest star in the Bollywood constellation is Sholay. People of my age group (and older) would have watched it umpteen times. And like the three wise men who were guided by the star to Bethlehem, Sholay has inspired us to take life head on. Hence my advice to aspiring half marathoners – watch Sholay if you dream & prepare to run those 21 odd kilometers. Here’s why…

The best things happen in pair (at least in Bollywood) – Dharam-Veer, Ram-Lakhan, Seeta-Geeta and the Jai-Viru of Sholay. In running too, it’s always about the buddy. So, where’s your Jai? He/she is the one who will wake up early with you & egg you on during those tough runs. Pull your leg during the off days but also share the last of his hydration when you have finished yours. If you haven’t got one, try convincing your best friend (even the spouse) to start running & share the pains & pleasures that take you to the finishing line.

Find an objective too, or objectives if you can. Our Jai-Viru simply wanted to get out of prison, execute a few heists maybe. And yes, collect the reward money from Surma Bhopali. What’s the goal that running will help you achieve? Yours could be losing weight, staying fit, avoiding doctors or even the memories of your sporty self while in school.

What’s Sholay without Gabbar Singh? You ultimate target, or Gabbar, is completing the HM. When you first decide to go for a HM, it seems deadlier than Gabbar of Sholay or any of the Chambal dacoits that Bollywood has dished out. For you do not know what all lies between today & race day.

So seek & join some running group in your town/neighbourhood. They will accommodate you in their activities & provide you with your daily dose of advice, encouragement & information. Don’t be scared when you (inevitably) come across intimidating veterans who have seen it & done it all. Remember, the Thakur may not have been very communicative or appear helpful but he was the strongest support Jai-Viru had, even after the villagers had forsaken them. And you will find many maulvis who have never seen you running but always congratulate you when you post your activities on Facebook/Whatsapp.

If you now feel confident enough to take the plunge, let me put in some words of caution here. There will be distractions & hurdles at every step in your journey. Sleeping early & waking up earlier is just one of them. Missing binge drinking sessions with the gang is the toughest. And giving up on those pizza/burger meals will turn you into a villain in the eyes of your kids. There will be times when you feel like “soocide, soocide, soocide”, say, when you see those tempting Gulab Jamuns on the table. Don’t be disheartened for the spouse/host will end up saying “finish your long run this weekend & have the entire bowl of these Gulab Jamuns”. Don’t worry, running also gives you the privilege to hog on your fav sin food.

There will even be days when you beg your friends to postpone that party by a couple of weeks till after the HM. But they don’t. And you are forced to skip it. For you need to sleep early having a long run the next day. Don’t quit. Didn’t Basanti too dance in front of Gabbar & his gang despite Viru’s implorations? As they say, “this too shall pass”.

Yes, it is not an easy task staying the course during this period. But the goal will help overcome all difficulties. Gabbar killed 3 of his men when he was told they were defeated by just 2 guys. You will also come across these 3 – Lethargy, illness/injuries & work/social schedule, which make you go for the snooze option or disrupt the schedule you have planned (okay, downloaded). But if your desire is as powerful as Gabbar, you will overcome these & be back on the roads soon enough.

Knowing that Gabbar was the villain of Sholay, you will wonder why he appears a Good Samaritan in this post. Agreed, but I found Gabbar a very lovable character in the movie. What would Sholay have been, had there been no Gabbar? He was the central character in the film. So is completing the first Half Marathon for any runner. It appears tough & frightening in the beginning, but a few weeks down the line you fall in love with it. It guides each of your activity, each of your days. And when you end up with the medal around your neck at the finish line, you feel on top of the world having vanquished the Gabbar of your nascent running life.

Yes, the sore muscles & the painful joints will hurt. For some hours, or rest of the day, or even a few days. We don’t know how many days Viru took to overcome Jai’s loss. But, we believe it was soon enough & he later settled down in Ramgarh with Basanti & Dhanno. Having attained your maiden (pun unintended) HM, you too will settle down to this life of early morning runs. And looked up in awe by other wannabe HMers.

Well, now that this post is over you can go & watch Sholay.

How The Events Stack Up (Rounding Up)

Continuing where I left off in the previous post, I will briefly touch upon the “Overall Experience”. This covers the intangibles of an event, you may as well call it the X-Factor. It is what will make you come back again to the event. Like the beer which GRM so thoughtfully offers at the end of the run. On the other end of the scale we have RunGandhinagarRun. The route was quite flat most of the distance. The weather was pretty cool. There was no traffic whatsoever. And it was the fastest I had ever run over this distance. Add the company of Dr. Suresh Iyengar & I should have felt top of the world. But they forgot to identify the route for the benefit of (outstation) participants. Coming to the finish arena, this was the story all around. The memory remains & I don’t think I will run in Gandhinagar again.

Getting to business of this post, here are the scores of the events being considered:

   

	Start Time	Hydration / Fuel	Traffic Mgmt	Route	Weather	Crowds	Post-run Meal	Route Markers	X-Factor	Wtd Score
Rajkot	5	5	5	3	5	4	3	4	4	4.42
GRM	5	5	4	5	3	3	5	1	5	4.35
Spice Coast	5	5	4	4	3	3	5	4	5	4.33
SoleFest-1	5	4	5	4	2	2	5	1	5	4.03
Daman ’15	5	5	4	4	4	2	2	3	4	4.00
VIM ’17	5	4	4	3	4	4	2	1	5	3.94
Daman ’16	5	5	4	4	4	2	2	2	3	3.87
Zendurance	5	3	3	3	5	0	3	1	4	3.33
Gandhinagar	5	4	4	2	5	0	2	0	2	3.24
VIM ’16	1	3	3	3	3	3	2	2	2	2.44
Weight	18	17	15	11	10	9	7	3	10

Let’s begin with the laggards. Zendurance is potentially a great event & not simply because they bundle a wine-tasting session with the registration fees. Only if they identify another route for the HM. Else this won’t be an event for repeat participation, as one can anyway visit Sula without paying those high registration fees. Die-hard runners can run to the vineyard for free & top it up with wine straight out of the casks. Again, Gandhinagar is an event that I will not recommend unless they have enough volunteers & clear markers to ensure the runners don’t stray off the route. They can learn a lot from VIM that has put in a much improved show in just one year.

Now to those placed #4 to #7, which form a pack. The last Daman Wind Marathon (2016) was much inferior to the year earlier. The goof up began with Bib distribution & one could feel something missing through the event. Though it will always gather a crowd as people in South Gujarat miss no opportunity to visit Daman! The others in this group are most promising. VIM 2017 surprised me beyond expectations. Firstly, by starting on time (they didn’t wait for the CM to arrive). Though the route took one out of the city, they ensured that the experience was worth it. Like putting the water shower at the toll plaza! Moving it to Jan 1^st week is another step that is expected to enhance the experience. Hope they again push the CM’s itinerary after the timed events are flagged off. And SoleFest did a good job in the 1^st edition itself despite less than a month of planning & execution. With more time to prepare & better weather, expect a far better event this time round (26^th Nov., mark the date in your calendars). And another round of sumptuous post-run brunch.

There’s not much separating the top-3 in the list. GRM has many loyal fans who religiously attend this event. I believe, Spice Coast also has its own set of regular out-station participants. Being tourist destinations & the events scheduled during peak tourist season, these will never be short of enthusiastic participants. Though one is surprised at Rajkot getting to the top of the table. Full credit to the organisers (Rajkot Municipal Corporation) who did a splendid job & ticked all the right boxes. More so because it was the 1^st time they were conducting this event. And to the Collector, who led by example & ran the full 21K himself. I will return to Rajkot, for a HM there is part of the unfinished agenda.

What is your takeaway from this post? Nothing, except pointers to what to expect at which event. Which need to be the deciding factor. For Spice Coast, though a good run in itself, is too distant to visit year after year. And despite not being (presently) in the top half, VIM is one place where I will always be found.