Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
My Chicago Marathon...
Finally, I did run the Chicago marathon... though I had no chance of finishing it with my ITB/knee pain. Still... I did run for running. And it was great!
I just wanted to do some 10 miles so I can meet my target mileage as I am preparing to run the SV Half marathon in 2 weeks. I was in a decently good shape for someone who has not run much (on land, though I have been running in the water/pool) for the last couple of months. So, I thought I will let my shoe hit the road. And anyway, I was ready to get out (of the marathon) as and when needed.
So, I reached the start line on Oct 12, 2008 at 8am local time. There was a huge crowd - of course, about 45,000 runners had registered. I started in the last few corrals - with the group with the pace of 5hr 45 min. I used the ITB band on my right knee, but unfortunately only one was in stock at the store the other day and I did not have the band for my left knee.
After about a mile, my right knee felt ok, but my left one started to pain. So, I stopped, stretched and restarted. Likewise it went on for about five miles, then I had to walk to complete the rest of the course. I just took one mile at a time. I completed (almost) 12 miles (19.some kms) and then, I stopped.
Well.. I am happy to have done my first 12 miles... my first marathon experience and that I did it at the Chicago Marathon. Nobody can take that away from me.. I have tasted blood and "I will be back"!!!
Here are some times.. subtract 20mins to account for the time my corral actually crossed the start line...
The crowd support was just amazing... almost a million must have been there on the streets cheering us - of which two were my mom and dad :-)
And of course, there have been so many of you who have made the journey to the start line so worth it - you who believed in my cause and supported me with your enthu, time, and money. You coaches, mentors - especially Chakri, Gar'G'i, buddies - especially Reena, Ramya... And the entire Asha family - You Rock!
I just wanted to do some 10 miles so I can meet my target mileage as I am preparing to run the SV Half marathon in 2 weeks. I was in a decently good shape for someone who has not run much (on land, though I have been running in the water/pool) for the last couple of months. So, I thought I will let my shoe hit the road. And anyway, I was ready to get out (of the marathon) as and when needed.
So, I reached the start line on Oct 12, 2008 at 8am local time. There was a huge crowd - of course, about 45,000 runners had registered. I started in the last few corrals - with the group with the pace of 5hr 45 min. I used the ITB band on my right knee, but unfortunately only one was in stock at the store the other day and I did not have the band for my left knee.
After about a mile, my right knee felt ok, but my left one started to pain. So, I stopped, stretched and restarted. Likewise it went on for about five miles, then I had to walk to complete the rest of the course. I just took one mile at a time. I completed (almost) 12 miles (19.some kms) and then, I stopped.
Well.. I am happy to have done my first 12 miles... my first marathon experience and that I did it at the Chicago Marathon. Nobody can take that away from me.. I have tasted blood and "I will be back"!!!
Here are some times.. subtract 20mins to account for the time my corral actually crossed the start line...
The crowd support was just amazing... almost a million must have been there on the streets cheering us - of which two were my mom and dad :-)
And of course, there have been so many of you who have made the journey to the start line so worth it - you who believed in my cause and supported me with your enthu, time, and money. You coaches, mentors - especially Chakri, Gar'G'i, buddies - especially Reena, Ramya... And the entire Asha family - You Rock!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Chicago and SV Marathons
I am going to Chicago next week, but not running the marathon. They do not have a half-marathon.. otherwise I could have run it. Anyways, I am running the Silicon Valley Half Marathon. That should be fun too. May be not in the same league as Chicago... still..
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Running.. the paradigm shift?
With about a month left for the Chicago marathon, and with my knee still not in shape, I feel my options are getting restricted. I had been continuing my physical therapy the past two months and doing the exercises. I gave myself a break from running and was walking for almost 3 - 4 weeks. But still, when I tried running again, the ITB and knee pain and sometimes, the shin pain are there. I don't know if I will do the marathon on Oct 12th. All this has left me concerned, worried and frustrated.
But I do realize I have not been regular in my exercises. And that I am looking at it from a short term perspective. It is almost like 'let me complete this silly marathon somehow and get it over with'. Instead, I am going to look at it from the paradigm of 'enjoying my running' and running for life. Inspite of my breaks in running and training, I still realize I have had a whole lot of positives. From the time when I could hardly run 500 yards at a stretch, to now - I can easily run 3 miles. A lot of muscles in the body have started functioning actively and slowly building up strength. I used have early minor symptoms of arthritis in knees, those seem well-oiled and not too jerky now. So, there is a whole world of benefits to running and I am enjoying it.
So, I am going to continue enjoying running as I do. And I am also getting regular at my stretching and exercising. For example, I need to stretch my ITB on the roller at least twice every day. I will do that. I will do everything to keep me in the race for the chicago marathon. I also started running in the swimming pool. This is less stressful on the knees and will give my ITB and knees enough time to recover while I continue to build my endurance and strengthen my leg muscles on the whole. Pool running is easy. And it can be more fun if you have friends cheering you. Care to join?!
PS: This is a great place to learn about injury prevention for runners and also about some of the common running injuries.
http://www.smiweb.org/omt/guides.html
But I do realize I have not been regular in my exercises. And that I am looking at it from a short term perspective. It is almost like 'let me complete this silly marathon somehow and get it over with'. Instead, I am going to look at it from the paradigm of 'enjoying my running' and running for life. Inspite of my breaks in running and training, I still realize I have had a whole lot of positives. From the time when I could hardly run 500 yards at a stretch, to now - I can easily run 3 miles. A lot of muscles in the body have started functioning actively and slowly building up strength. I used have early minor symptoms of arthritis in knees, those seem well-oiled and not too jerky now. So, there is a whole world of benefits to running and I am enjoying it.
So, I am going to continue enjoying running as I do. And I am also getting regular at my stretching and exercising. For example, I need to stretch my ITB on the roller at least twice every day. I will do that. I will do everything to keep me in the race for the chicago marathon. I also started running in the swimming pool. This is less stressful on the knees and will give my ITB and knees enough time to recover while I continue to build my endurance and strengthen my leg muscles on the whole. Pool running is easy. And it can be more fun if you have friends cheering you. Care to join?!
PS: This is a great place to learn about injury prevention for runners and also about some of the common running injuries.
http://www.smiweb.org/omt/guides.html
Sunday, August 24, 2008
More Ammunition...
Got my second deep-tissue massage last week... It was like giving birth (well.. me thinks :) ... man.. Greg has so much affection on my muscles (leg and thighs, especially), that he gave them each his special attention... A couple of times, it felt like my legs would just break away... A few times, I broke into laughter after the shouts did not make my pain get any lighter!
At the end of it all, sitting in the ice cold water (cryo tank) seemed heavenly, in comparison.
----------------
Tried running again on Saturday.. pain started between 1.5 and 2 miles.. (ITB)... I then, did the stretch run walk combinations. Finished 5 miles.
For next week, I am going to focus more on my exercises.. And be more conservative on the field, do a 1 - 1 combination.... 1 minute run followed by 1 minute walk...
------------------------
Got my Timex Ironman triathlon watch... it should help me in timing my runs
At the end of it all, sitting in the ice cold water (cryo tank) seemed heavenly, in comparison.
----------------
Tried running again on Saturday.. pain started between 1.5 and 2 miles.. (ITB)... I then, did the stretch run walk combinations. Finished 5 miles.
For next week, I am going to focus more on my exercises.. And be more conservative on the field, do a 1 - 1 combination.... 1 minute run followed by 1 minute walk...
------------------------
Got my Timex Ironman triathlon watch... it should help me in timing my runs
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The double life!
I entered the life of 'double digit mile' runners today..
After the break of a couple of weeks (of no mileage), I started walking on the trails at the start of the month. But my knee started paining after just a mile.. So, I continued to take it light - as they say "walk to the pain; not through it!".
I continued walking on the designated days with my team, but I hit the 'four mile' barrier all over again. I continued my exercises and stretching. Like I said, I also had the deep-tissue massage last week. So, I was confident I will get back in the game. That is especially important now since we have started increasing our weekend mileage. For example, I was due to do 16 miles today.
We had today's session at the beautiful Sawyer camp recreation trail again and I was pretty excited. I decided to walk my mileage today and may be started a bit too fast. Within a mile, my shins started aching. I took a break - gave my shins some good stretches and rested for like 30 minutes. And I continued walking, at a slower, more comfortable pace - with some 'duck walk's and stretches every now and then. I felt alright and could finish 10 miles for the day!!
One thing is for sure - there is a lot of work to be done before I can get to running the 26.2 miles. But, I am quite happy with my crossing into the double digit league! Thanks Reena for the continued support and company on the trails. Thanks coach Martina, all the coaches and co-ords, especially, Gurpreet, Srini, Jaya for your support and words of encouragement today.
After the break of a couple of weeks (of no mileage), I started walking on the trails at the start of the month. But my knee started paining after just a mile.. So, I continued to take it light - as they say "walk to the pain; not through it!".
I continued walking on the designated days with my team, but I hit the 'four mile' barrier all over again. I continued my exercises and stretching. Like I said, I also had the deep-tissue massage last week. So, I was confident I will get back in the game. That is especially important now since we have started increasing our weekend mileage. For example, I was due to do 16 miles today.
We had today's session at the beautiful Sawyer camp recreation trail again and I was pretty excited. I decided to walk my mileage today and may be started a bit too fast. Within a mile, my shins started aching. I took a break - gave my shins some good stretches and rested for like 30 minutes. And I continued walking, at a slower, more comfortable pace - with some 'duck walk's and stretches every now and then. I felt alright and could finish 10 miles for the day!!
One thing is for sure - there is a lot of work to be done before I can get to running the 26.2 miles. But, I am quite happy with my crossing into the double digit league! Thanks Reena for the continued support and company on the trails. Thanks coach Martina, all the coaches and co-ords, especially, Gurpreet, Srini, Jaya for your support and words of encouragement today.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Indian Conundrum
Thanks to Rajeev for this poem on Olympics and the Indian Conundrum
The Indian Conundrum
E pluribus unum
That ought to be OUR motto say some.
A billion plus people we are,
Yet we have but one Olympic star.
Brimming with pride we get excited,
Make oaths and promises unrequited.
Every four years repeated, it is a disease,
A swear, a promise then back into deep freeze.
A committee will certainly be formed,
Of which a sub-committee will deform.
Money apportioned will surely go astray,
Ah! Satyameva Jayate.
Easy fix we have, on cricket let's put the blame,
In Europe, isn't soccer just the same?
They make Olympic gold in spite or despite it,
While we lay blame, shake our heads and sit.
Infrastructure will come once perceptions change,
When sports and academics are in the same range…
Your young ones, when inspired by your running feat,
Out of one will rise many with glory replete.
-------------------------
A saying goes that you have to be the change, not just want it...by running you inspire and when you inspire your bring change...so keep at it - in our own small way we do what we have to.
Rajeev
The Indian Conundrum
E pluribus unum
That ought to be OUR motto say some.
A billion plus people we are,
Yet we have but one Olympic star.
Brimming with pride we get excited,
Make oaths and promises unrequited.
Every four years repeated, it is a disease,
A swear, a promise then back into deep freeze.
A committee will certainly be formed,
Of which a sub-committee will deform.
Money apportioned will surely go astray,
Ah! Satyameva Jayate.
Easy fix we have, on cricket let's put the blame,
In Europe, isn't soccer just the same?
They make Olympic gold in spite or despite it,
While we lay blame, shake our heads and sit.
Infrastructure will come once perceptions change,
When sports and academics are in the same range…
Your young ones, when inspired by your running feat,
Out of one will rise many with glory replete.
-------------------------
A saying goes that you have to be the change, not just want it...by running you inspire and when you inspire your bring change...so keep at it - in our own small way we do what we have to.
Rajeev
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