Boston Half Marathon 2010
time: 1:54:44
pace: 8:46/mile
Continue reading “Boston Half Marathon and New York City Marathon”
11 Essential Things to do Before a Long Run
(pic by Martineric from here)
Despite a tear in my medial meniscus, I hope to run the New York City Marathon on November 7, 2010. The long runs are the most grueling part of marathon training. There are NO crowds to cheer you, there is no one handing out water and no friends to pat you on the back. Its just you and the demons, on a long road. And it is you alone, my friend, who will have to slay the demons.
Having a checklist helps you get psyched for the long run and reduces the stress that you may have forgotten something important. It also works like a trial run for the Marathon. So prepare a list and tweak till you get it right; then it becomes your Marathon prep checklist. Continue reading “11 Essential Things to do Before a Long Run”
Tutorial: How to do Interval Training on a Treadmill
In Interval Training, you combine a short, 1 minute burst of high intensity exercise followed by a 4 minute recovery period of low to moderate intensity. You string together these 5 minute cycles, or intervals, and end up with a very intense exercise regimen with amazing consequences. Also called High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), a 30 min interval training is the quickest way to lose weight, get physically fit and enhance your running speed.
Benefits of Interval Training: Continue reading “Tutorial: How to do Interval Training on a Treadmill”
Marine Corps Marathon 2008: The Long Slog!
Marine Corps Marathon 2008
time: 4:33:10
My Slowest Marathon!
Its been two weeks and now I can write about my slowest marathon.
The Course and the Run:
I loved the first ten miles of this course. Leaving the Pentagon, the course works its way through the narrow streets of Arlington, VA. The mass of runners then worms their way over the George Washington Parkway and through the forests of Georgetown. It was a nice incline and the heavy breathing of runners filled the cool air. As we worked uphill, sunlight filtered through fall trees and only a few feet ahead, runners disappeared in fog mingling with mist from their breath. It was a beautiful slog. Then we raced down to the center of Georgetown to a large and raucous crowd. At that point, it was only mile Ten, and I was ahead of my expected 4:00 h pace!
Continue reading “Marine Corps Marathon 2008: The Long Slog!”
BAA Boston Half Marathon 2008
Boston Half Marathon 2008
time: 1:53:09
pace: 8:38/mile
Enjoyed a nice run on a spectacular Fall Sunday here in Boston! The air was crisp and sunlight poked through leaves in all hues of red and yellow! On this blessedly beautiful morning, everyone ended a winner!
I ran like on a careless stroll and did not check my watch till the race was over! Then, I wished I had run a bit faster! This half marathon was part of the taper before the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon (Washington DC) next Sunday (26th). This was not the time for heroics and my legs needed to rest after the 20-miler I did the previous week.
Big Foot Stories:
Continue reading “BAA Boston Half Marathon 2008”
Not Running the Boston Marathon
Yes!
As the runners are all laced up and waiting for the gun to go off, I am at home recovering! Aarrrrghhh!
After my 18 mile run about 5 weeks ago, I came down with a bad case of the flu. Instead of resting, I pressed on with the training (tough guy!). It got worse, and I ended up with bronchitis/asthma! Missed the 21 miler and all the running since then. With medications and two types of inhalers, I could do TWO MILES! Been resting and trying to get my lungs back to capacity.
It was extremely frustrating to fall ill at this late stage of the training. Very depressing and I couldn’t write about till now. C’est la vie!
My friends remind me: There will be other marathons! If I can start running this week, and it looks likely that I can, then I plan on running Boston’s Run to Remember at the end of May. I think deep down, my marathon training is ‘saved in draft form.’
And for the Fall, I have signed up for the New York City Marathon (Nov 2) lottery. Did not get in the last two years, so perhaps this third try is a charm! As a backup I am signing up for the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, DC (Oct 26).
Still too depressing to actually go to the course! I will imagine its in a different city and just track my friends on the computer!
Monster March Training Schedule
For runners training for the Boston Marathon (April 21, 2008), March is the feared Monster March. While we start training in January and slowly ramp the mileage in frigid February, it is March when every weekend entails a 14+ mile run; on cold snowy Saturdays! Brrrrrrr!
The long runs planned for each weekend in March start at about 16 miles and end with the longest training run of 21 miles on March 29th – three weeks before the Marathon. After this, we reduce mileage during the three-week ‘taper’ and run 26.2 on Marathon day. So in April, you only have one 26.2 mile run. But in March, every weekend is a 14 – 21 mile run. And that does not include the mid-week lower mileage runs!
Thus surviving March is key for a successful marathon! If you get through March, without getting injured, sick or the equally dreadful – over-training injury, the actual Marathon can be very enjoyable, though exhausting!
Despite my ankle injury in January, I have nearly caught up with the mileage in my training program. But I find myself running at a woefully slow pace: about 1 minute slower! 😦 And March finds me tired all the time. The long runs (with associated stretching, prep, driving to the course, etc) take up entire Saturdays. Sundays is for rest and catching up on sleep. I need an extra hour of sleep each day – to just recover from the trauma of running! You could catch me dozing off on the T and even at work. And socializing has shrunk to zero. I need my rest!
And the amounts of food I have been putting away is quite disgusting! In prep for the Saturday long run, I order a take-out pasta dish meant for two, and gorge on it myself. I actually get tired of eating, and will take a little break from dinner, do some cleaning and then come back to finish dinner. Yeah, gross!
Here’s my weekly training schedule. Notice emphasis on Stretching:
- Monday: Stretch (~15 minutes); 45 min intense spinning;
- Tuesday: Stretch; 4-miles fast on Treadmill; stretch;
- Wednesday: Stretch; strength training (upper and lower body); stretch;
- Thursday: Stretch; 4-miles fast on Treadmill; stretch;
- Friday: Stretch; light strength training; gluttony!
- Saturday: Stretch; long run; stretch; nap; ice knees and ankles; early to bed!
- Sunday: Stretch; 90 min Iyengar Yoga; Eat well and rest at home!
Surprisingly, recovering from the long runs has been very quick; must be the banana I force myself to eat immediately after the run, along with a bottle of water.
If you need more tips, don’t hesitate to holler! 🙂
Tips for Running on Snow and Ice
My training for the Boston Marathon is in a funk. No sooner had I signed up, I hurt my ankle. Nothing broken, but sidelined for a couple weeks. “Not running” is tough during marathon training. Give me bone chilling, snot freezing, long runs any day, but please don’t let me nurse an ankle when its Marathon season, the skies are blue and the air is crisp!
If you are training for the Boston Marathon, you need to start training in the dark winter days, when the ground is still frozen and covered with snow or ice. You could squeeze a couple short, mid-week runs on the treadmill, but you need to do the longer weekend runs outdoors – even if there is snow and ice on the ground.
Here are a few pointers (and forms) for running on various snow and ice conditions. These are based on my personal experience of innumerable winter runs; btw, I have had my fair share of slips and fall in the snow, including a nasty head injury and a cracked rib, four weeks before last year’s marathon.
Important: If there is any amount of snow or ice on the roads or trails – RUN SLOW! Speed work can stay for another day. For the long run, just plan on clocking the miles, and making it back without getting hurt! This is not the time for heroics, just go for the distance (not time)!
More than Four Inches of Snow
Try your luck on roads if they are clear. Remember, the plows only clear a narrower lane for vehicles and there may not be enough shoulder for you to run safely on. And if the snow is piled high on the sides, you may not have a safe place to escape if you see a truck barreling close.
Instead, put off running and instead go for a long walk. Or wait to see if the weather will clear by the next day. There is always tomorrow.
Continue reading “Tips for Running on Snow and Ice”
Boston Half Marathon 2007
Boston Half Marathon 2007
time: 1:49:31
pace: 8:22/mile (5.11/km)
Was a minute 56 secs slower than my Feb Half Marathon in Hyannis. 😦 And my pace was off by 9 seconds!
In Feb for Hyannis, I was in training for the Boston Marathon and at the top of my training. This half marathon was to be a practise run for the New York City Marathon in Nov. But I did not get into the NYC lottery, making it difficult to get motivated. And I suffered from heel pain all summer (now you know why I wrote all those heel pain articles) and could not run on my heels for most of my training. Today was the first time in months that I ran any distance on my heels ~ and transiently felt a stab of pain at about mile 6.
Enough excuses!
And wow, what a scenic but tough course! The course runs through Boston’s Emerald Necklace, a chain of nine parks linked by parkways and waterways. My friends who ran it last year had correctly warned, “it is very hilly!” At the halfway, we run through the Franklin Park Zoo, past the giraffe pens, birding area, tropical animal trails and the alligator area; before turning back around. Sorry did not pause to enjoy! :-))
No excuses! A fabulous run and I am very pleased. In this off-season, needed to maintain form and was expecting to do better than a 9:00 minute pace. And did way better than that! Now I rest for a few months and restart training in Jan for either the Boston or London Marathon in April 2008! Yaay! Run ARUN Run!
Yoga of Running: Tough Mile 1
You’d think, after completing several marathons, running comes easy to me. Well, once I get going, I do enjoy it. But getting started on any run is always tough. Particularly Mile 1. I am not talking about a 1 mile sprint. Just the first mile of a long or short run. Its a tough mile!
I have stretched; sipped water and I head out the door. Reset the stopwatch; push off and go.
In about a 100 meters, I am panting! My mouth is wide open and my chest is heaving. My breathing is very labored and you could hear my gasps 20 feet away. My legs feel all wrong and my arms are like clumsy appendages. I wonder, are my lungs ok? I really cannot go on for another hour like this.
My legs feel wobbly. No pain, just completely uncoordinated. Like a toddler taking her first steps. Nothing grossly wrong. My feet are not splayed wide like a duck’s. I have the right shoes on and laces are tight. Knees don’t hurt.
My hips reluctantly and erratically swinging forward; pushing my knees ahead – seemingly uncontrollably. Hamstrings fire and decide how far my knee goes. Muscles and tendons in my calf are grudgingly lifting my ankle and projecting the foot forward. My foot is still learning how to land. Unsure where to take the load – should my ankle flex and land on the heel, or on the flat, or on the ball of my foot. Terrain is still alien and the pace, who knows. As my hips swing forward, my opposite arm is swinging back and my hands and fingers seem unsure of what to do. They are itching to do something, just not sure what.
No pain, just that odd feeling inside: this is so damn uncoordinated! So grace-less!
Boston Marathon 2007
Boston Marathon 2007
time: 3:59:17
pace: 9:08/mile
30 minutes faster than my last year’s time of 4:29:18.
Overcome by the gushing support and outpouring of best wishes from all my friends on LJ. Thank you! (WordPress post here.)
Despite all the drinks and four GU Gels I imbibed during the run, I still lost 6 pounds during the race! Resting at home today! My knees are a mess and I can barely walk – but truly satisfied!
The race started slow, with a light drizzle and streams of rain water flowing in the streets. Did not even notice the start line come up till I was over it. Forgot to start my stopwatch, then fumbled with the different functions; it was about 20 – 30 seconds before I got it right! Noticed I was doing 10 min miles for the first three and nearly gave up hope of finishing under 4 hours.
Then the rains stopped and I decided to give it my best shot; and within a few miles I was back on track. At mile 10, I was close to 180 minutes and my 9 min/mile pace. That was a key turning point. From then on I consulted the 4 hour pacing table on my wrist and was consistently tracking 1 or 2 minutes faster. But every water break, gel break (and two bathroom breaks) or stretching for a few seconds would slow me down. And since I was not sure how late I had started my stopwatch, I wanted at least a minute cushion per my watch.
When we turned the corner to face the Four hills in Newton I was still on track. … And after attacking Heartbreak hill … I was still on track! O M G! What a feeling keeping pace running up the hills. Felt like stopping to stretch my legs, but I knew I did not have any spare time. I was so nauseatingly exhausted that at the water stop at mile 23 I took in the water, couldn't drink it and promptly spit it out. That refreshed me as it cleared the bile from my mouth. And I was still within a minute! OMG! I so badly wanted to stop! But knew I was so close!
Then passed Mile 25 marker and the CITGO sign! Turned on Commonwealth Ave. Still a minute ahead of pace!
Felt like dying, but the crowds were thick; four or five deep at least!
Turned on Hereford St and less than half a mile away. Stopped and walked for a few seconds!
Turned on Boylston St! And the wall of spectators! Just had to keep running!
That “Boston Marthon” banner seemed so far away! Tunnel vision!
Just can't stop!
Saw the huge timer at the finish line and knew I could do it! Tried to smile for the cameras at the finish line. Shuffled so I'd land my right foot (with the timing chip) on the center of the timing mat.
Phew, I think I did it!
After a few steps, collapsed to the street, and a volunteer helped me up. Walked a little and collapsed again. And a friend grapped me. I could barely walk!
Met M, checked my final time at a computer station and I was 3:59:17!
O … M … G!
I did it in under 4!
In utter Pain, but with the biggest grin, I hobbled on!
Boston Marathon 2007: 26.2 miles in a Nor'easter!
Boston Marathon 2007: 26.2 miles in a Nor'easter!
We are expecting a Nor'easter here for the Marathon. Not good. Yesterday at the Runner's Expo where we pick up our Bibs, there was trepidation amongst the runners. No one I knew was going to “cancel,” but the question on everyone's mind was: “How do I dress to run in this weather?” My training had gone spectacularly well and I was hoping to finish under 4 hours. Now I will be lucky to just finish! Here is part of the Weather Alert email we received from the organizers:
Weather Advisory – 2007 Boston Marathon
The Boston Athletic Association's medical team recommends the following precautions and advice for participants in Monday's Boston Marathon:
FORECAST:
The most up-to-date weather forecast calls for a predicted Spring storm on Monday, including heavy rains (potentially 3 to 5 inches), with the start temperatures in the mid to upper 30's. Wind will likely be East (in the face of the participants for most of the race) in the 20 to 25 mile per hour range, with gusts to as much as 50 miles per hour. This will produce a wind chill index of 25 to 30-degrees Fahrenheit.
RISKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RUNNERS PARTICIPATING IN COLD AND WET CONDITIONS:
Combined with the rain, we are concerned that predicted weather conditions will increase the runners' risks for a condition called hypothermia. As with any athletic competition, as a runner you are assuming the risks inherent with participation. It is your responsibility to be informed about the risks associated with running in the aforementioned conditions, and the risks of injury or illness will increase with these predicted conditions.
…
But heh! Now is a great time to share a couple of pics from last year's Boston Marathon. My first!
For those unfamiliar, the Boston Marathon is the oldest continuously running marathon, one of the most difficult and the most prestigious! For runners, completing any marathon may be a life long dream, and running Boston is equivalent to touching the Holy Grail (whatever that may be!).
Inexperienced, I started fast and did not account for the initial downhill part. With every step I was jamming by toes against the front of the shoes and could feel blisters and stickiness spreading around my toes. At mile 17.4 we turned the corner and started up the first of four hills in Newton. Here I am at Mile 19. Notice the “Run Arun Run” on my shirt.
Continue reading “Boston Marathon 2007: 26.2 miles in a Nor'easter!”
Hyannis Half Marathon 2007
Back in training for the 111th Boston Marathon on April 16th.
During most of the training, I run alone. But once before the actual race, I like to run a Half Marathon race to prepare for the psychology of participating, testing out newer clothes and shoes, holding myself to a pacing strategy and finally to get the feel of running with crowds (importantly not to let the slower or faster runners make you deviate from your pace).
So this morning I ran the Hyannis Half Marathon in a time of 1:47:35 (pace: 8:13/mile)*. 7 mins faster than my half marathon time last year! Yoo Hoo!
It was a beautiful day to run in Cape Cod. The sun was out and the temperature was a crisp 40 deg F (4 deg C). Running along the sea shore and the lighthouse was sublime. And we dashed past the Kennedy's Compound and the JFK Memorial! The first mile took an agonizing 9 min as the starting crowds thinned out. But i quickly got to my target pace of 8:15 and held it there. The terrain was characterized by constantly rolling hills and after struggling up the gentle inclines I'd dash downhill faster. As we ran uphill along deserted roads, we were all breathing heavily in unison and in synch with our heavy footfalls. We all suffered but kept the pace. I steadily passed others during the entire run – and particularly during the last few miles it was a major psychological boost.
Overall, a superb day and a satisfying run! Now back to the rest of the training.
* For the Marathon my pace would be much slower; hoping to be around 9:30. That would be 45 secs faster than my pace from last year. Lets see how it goes!
… and WoW! A no-picture post!
Chicago Marathon 2006
Chicago Marathon 2006
Ran that too!
4:19:17
10 minutes faster than Boston!
Marathoner!
Boston Marathon 2006
Been there, Ran that.
4:29:18
Marathon: Half-marathon and Update
Super busy with work and related travel. Marathon training is progressing well.
Finished my first road race, evah! On March 12th, ran Boston's Half-Marathon in a very respectable 1:54:56 for 13.1 miles at a pace of 8:46 min/mile. Hoping to finish under 2 hours, I realized at the 10 mile marker that I was cutting it very close. Sprinted the last 3 miles and ended with five minutes to spare! Stoked! What a kick to 'pass' others at the end!
Along the course I followed others, ducked behind a few bushes and relieved myself on an MIT building 😉 Thankfully, offices were all empty on the sunday morning. Think students and profs were nursing hangovers from wild parties on saturday night? naaaaah! prolly at home telephoning mothers and munching on fruit loops for breakfast 😛
Did the longest 22 mile training run this past Saturday! Lets just say it was not a pretty sight! Ran part of the actual marathon course including the notorious 'heartbreak hill.' Hundreds of runners were also training giving a nice psychological boost. The camaraderie amongst runners was phenomenal. Along the course many had set-up drink stations on sidewalks, cars and benches and willingly shared gatorade with all runners. Towards the end of the run as I struggled up heartbreak hill, an older gentleman asked if I needed refreshments (i must have looked drained and my fuel belt was empty) and offered a big bottle of gatorade. Others offered suggestions for tackling downhills, training regimens and best options for getting to the start-line on race day (April 17th).
Dashed home after the run, did a short stretch, shower and got on a flight. Did I suffer! My icing and resting schedules were completely off, and today, nearly five days after my run, I am uncharacteristically still sore!
The toughest part of the training is behind me! The taper starts now! I reduce my long runs to 16 this weekend (maybe?), followed by a couple of half marathons. Time to rest – but not too much!
O! Got my Marathon number: 210.90 (a transposed version of 90.210)
Run 21090!
Marathon Update and General Training Schedule
Finally managed a 19-mi run on Saturday. Took me just over 3 hours (~10 min/mile pace). After three weeks of snot-freezing cold, the sun was out and the temp was a cool 35 deg F (~ -1 C). But I was utterly, utterly exhausted. Not that my legs were hurting, just did not have the energy to pick up my feet. Like if the batteries had been pulled from the energizer bunny! Don't recall how I managed the last five miles. Need to learn to 'carbo-load' the day before. I am just nauseated by the amount of food I eat. More than double my normal intake! Sundays I rest! Here is a brief summary of my running schedule.
Sunday: After what the legs have gone through on Saturday, I rest them. Let the muscles heal and grow. I hang out at home, but will go for a 2-3 mile walk to a coffee shop. Something to get the muscles going; nothing strenuous.
Monday: A quick 2-mile run on the treadmill at the Gym, followed by a 45-minute Group Cycling (Spinning) class. In the indoor studio, we spin our way through a strenuous regimen of hills, sprints, and downhills. A different set of muscles are involved here, and necessary for cross-training. Importantly, no impact on the knees while I get a great cardiovascular workout.
Tuesday: A 4-mile outdoor run at a slightly faster pace. Followed by a 45-minute Kickboxing class. Great workout and enhances flexibility. Also counts as my cross-training.
Wednesday: Here I do a sort-a-long run, anywhere from a 6-9 miles. Usually about half of what I plan my long run on the upcoming Saturday.
Thursday: Replicates the Tuesday schedule. A 4-mile run, followed by 45-minutes of Kickboxing. Being the middle of winter here, it's generally impossible to have great outdoor weather on three consecutive days. I plan on running on the treadmill either on Tuesday or Thursday. If the weather is particularly nice (anything over 30 deg F and no rain or snow!), I run 'intervals' with one of my instructors. Here we run fast for three minutes, followed by a slow jog for three minutes. Doing this continuously for 30 minutes is a tiring workout, but builds anaerobic capacity!
Friday: Sort-of-rest day. I do a particularly long 45-minute stretch, followed by an hour-long Pilates class. I find Pilates very relaxing and refreshing. My muscles feel loose and the soreness of the week have been soothed away. Fridays I am supposed to 'carbo-load' too, essentially building glycogen reserves in the body for the long run on Saturday. Importantly, I need to prepare psychologically for the long run – Yes, I can do it!
Saturday: The Big One! I check the weather all week and finally prepare appropriate clothing. Wake up at 7-ish, eat a heavy breakfast (nutella slathered on whole wheat bread and two cups of coffee). An hour-long stretch while listening to soothing music. Load my fuel belt. In two bottles I fill half 'n half lemonade and hot water with extra sugar. Hot water in the remaining two bottles. This is to prevent freezing. By the time I reach for the drinks an hour into the run, they have already turned cold. wisely sent me a runner's care package of Body Glide to treat this problem, and these nutrient gels. I used the body-glide and loaded a gel pack in my fuel belt! Many thanks, manju! Socks, shoes, insulating spandex tights, micro fleece shirt, wind-proof insulating top, fleece pullover cap, two pairs of gloves, timing watch, iPod ~ Go!
Two-three hours later, I return utterly exhausted and barely able to stand. I peel my sweat soaked clothing all over the place and collapse on a towel. Moan and groan through a 30-minute stretch and jump in a hot shower. Cleaned up, I lie on the bed for up to two hours and let the ache in my body ebb away. Then marginally refreshed, and very slowly I get up and we drive to a sushi place for a high protein dinner. After dinner, its time to ice the sore muscles and tendons!
The Saturday long runs are the key to marathon training. I started at 6 miles as my longest run. Increased it weekly to 7, 8, 10 and 12 miles. I held for a second week at 12, allowing the muscles to heal. Then ramped up to 15, 16, 18 and 19. Next weekend is again a “hold” and I do a half-marathon road race. The following week its up to 22 miles. That will be the longest I will have run before the actual marathon. From then on I will taper down back to 18, 14 and 12 miles as the longest runs. That should bring me to the 26.2 miles on April 17th. Thrilled!
Running the Boston Marathon!
Yoooo Hooo! After many attempts, I am finally entered in the 110th running of the Boston Marathon on April 17th, 2006.
It is the most prestigious and the oldest, continuously running marathon in the world. Don't know about the continuous running bit. I plan on intermittently walking, limping, and even crawling to the finish line. Considered one of the toughest marathons, because of the infamous “Heartbreak” hill at mile 21, which claims many runners. And the 4-month training coincides with the worst of Boston's winter.
The good part, I got to buy cool new shoes! And I get to eat whatever I want, and a WHOLE lot more! I need to more than double my food intake, which btw in NOT FUN! Food is not a tasty treat anymore, but fuel for running. Thus eating is as fun as filling gas in the car. I am nauseated at the mere thought of eating!
My training has been going well, despite the lack of cooperation from mother nature (see running experience below). My days are planned around eating and running. And managing the pain after wards. My new motto is: Pain is Constant! It complements well my earlier motto: Human Existence IS Suffering. BTW, I am not a pessimist. I believe if human existence IS indeed suffering, then we should seize every opportunity to fully enjoy the brief glimmers of fun and joy, and not be crushed when things take a bad turn. Seems to work for me!
Here's my Saturday running experience. I had to run 16 miles and with the wind howling, it was a frigid 15 deg F (-9.5 deg C). I bundled up in layers of micro-fleece and wind-bloc. My face was still uncovered and the frigid air I breathed in, shocked my lungs! 30 minutes into the run, my fully-charged iPOD battery froze and died! This is the pits and I considered giving up! About an hour into the run, the water in the bottle I was carrying froze, and turned into an icy slurry! I managed a few sips of grit. Snot from my nose had frozen solid on my upper lip. Looking cool was certainly not a priority – getting one foot in front of the other was! I saw a few other hard-core runners – fellow marathon trainers, I surmised. We would wave and silently congratulate each other.
Two hours and 40 minutes later (averaging 10 min a mile), I returned and collapsed on my front steps. Guzzled about a liter of (warm) water and a liter of lemonade!
My evening was spent watching the winter olympics while I iced various parts of my knee and leg. Even walking a few steps is excruciating. Like I said earlier, Pain is the only constant! Nearly seven more weeks remain!
As I get closer to the date, I will provide a link where you can keep up with my progress during the run. My goal is to just finish – standing (or crawling) in under five hours!
Arun Shanbhag 