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The Airtel Hyderabad Full Marathon (FM) was an event I had been looking forward to for a while. This would be the first time that I would be participating in this event, and from what I had heard this course would be a tough cookie to crack. Oh well, there is not much more to it; at the end of the day, its a road that we need to run on and honestly, how hard can it be? Like I told a friend when he was giving me a heads up about the course – we’ll deal with the course when we get there. Meanwhile, lets just train.
And so we did. By now, there was a group of us happy puppies running around all of Bangalore – from Kanteerva to Nandi and everywhere else. And although we seem to be pretty crazy ( I still say dedicated), there indeed is a method to the madness of the Protons. The last month and a half has seen us adopt a structured training regime and bought into us all a sense of discipline – what with recent events that have shown improved performance, we are all now motivated to get even more structured and disciplined to actually achieve all that we are capable of and more. This really is a very exciting phase.
But back to the topic; after weeks which included cross training, long runs at Nandi, the super-awesome pipeline route, running on the highway with the crew and general awesomeness, it was time to see where this training was getting us. My first FM was at Auroville in February this year. It was a great introductory FM right from the route, to the place, the people, the volunteers, the aid stations and the good cheer all around. I had completed this in a respectable 3 hours 55 minutes, and it seemed to me that it was only reasonable to expect a better timing from myself and gave myself a target of 3 hours 45 minutes to beat. Mostly, this was meant to be a confidence run for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) in January 2014.
Nagaraj and me have been training together since June this year and by now we have a good understanding of how each one works. As we got closer to race day, he realised that I was really counting on this FM as a confidence booster for preparations for SCMM. And just like that a week before the event – he registered for it, booked his tickets, figured out his accomodation and as an afterthought, informed me that he would be my pacer. Now, I have never had a pacer. I have had Ankush sacrifice some of his races for me in the past, but it was not something we had discussed or strategised and it was something he did in the spur of the moment. So honestly, I was not aware of or understood what a pacer does. I was under the impression that it was just Nagaraj being himself, getting super excited and registering for an FM while having me on and claiming he will be pacing me for the entire distance. I didn’t give much thought to it.
It was soon race weekend. The entire crew ( Ankush, Gajendra, Henna, Jai, Dharma, Aditya, Geeta and myself) got together at the bus station, as always in high spirits and noisily piled ourselves into the Volvo heading out to Hyderabad. We were all tired from the busy week ( or could it be that we are now disciplined children early to bed and early to rise?) and before we knew it we were all fast asleep. As luck would have it, we had to be in the one Volvo with a conscientious driver who would not only stick to the speed limit, but would actually travel 10 km/h slower than the suggested speed.
Come 6.30 am, I was woken up by bright sunlight boring into my eyes. When I looked up, our man Dharma was “enjoying the scenery” he said. I tell you, we are a mismatched bunch of people, but somehow we fit together really well and our trips are so full of such drama and hysteria that there never is one dull moment or a lack of anectodes to share. Ankush for example, got us on the driver and conductor’s hit list – why? He was first loitering around the station picking up chikki after last call and then approached the driver within 5 minutes of the bus moving from the station for a pee break. The driver obviously didn’t oblige and then there was about 45 minutes of a distressed Ankush with some major bladder issues.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, we reached Hyderabad, made our way to the hotel where Sudhir was waiting for us, freshened up, grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to the expo for bib collection. At the expo, we met a lot of the regular Bangalore runners, some elites like Ram Singh Yaadav who represented India at the London Olympics, local Hyderabad runners and other runners from across the country. As always, high energy, lots of chatter and the exploration of some really awesome products and gear nearby followed. Nagaraj had already reached, but had decided he was too cool to hang out with the Protons, and had decided he would spend time with the uber-awesome (desi Superman, super-ripped and supremely disciplined) Sunil Menon. He had informed me that I could expect to see him at the start line in the morning.
The Balayogi stadium hosted the final lap of the race
We then headed out to lunch ( you guessed it – Biryani!). I have recently turned vegetarian and was mocked at from every angle about my food choices the entire weekend, but I did not cave in and have stuck to my vegetarianism and intend to continue doing so. Lunch had Rishabh, another friend from Mumbai join us along with the legendary Richard McDowell (11.06 Full Ironman finisher), after which we headed back to the room. I was so knackered that once I got to the room, I crashed for a solid three hours or so. The evening was also social and by the time I finally went to bed, after getting ready for the race, it was already 12 am. Its 3 am and the alarm goes off. Five minutes later, Nagaraj gives me a wake up call, five minutes after that, Geeta lights up the room for some kind of Diwali celebration. Its time!
As always, in what is now a well-oiled routine, I slip into race gear. But this time, I have to make a choice – do I run with my trusted Nike Flyknit racers or do I take a chance and run with the spanking brand new, but amazingly good Nike Free Flyknits. You know me, I am sure you guessed it – the Free Flyknits made the cut. Geeta, Ankush and Henna were doing the HM ( Half Marathon), so they would be joining us an hour later. The crew got together, had a lavish breakfast which included peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, dates and badam milk. We then headed to the start line. It was a 2 km walk away, so we thought it would be perfect as a warm-up. It was a peaceful walk but seemed too long. As we walked and talked, I wondered aloud, ” I am so tired walking 2 km, how the hell am I going to run 42.2 km”. Soon enough we reached the start line.
I rushed to the rest room and as I was walking towards the start line, I saw him – Nagaraj waving towards me with a big smile on his face. We did a quick catch up and headed to the start line. We shared one energy gel and within minutes at 5 am sharp we were on our way. The next 3 hrs 38 minutes 23 seconds were a testament to runner camaraderie, friendship and the reason for the death of cynicism, if any, in me. His pace was a minute faster than what we had decided upon right from the start, so in my head I pretty much said goodbye to him right then. It was dark and it had rained the night before.
The first 9 odd kilometres were a loop around the lake which was supposed to be the easiest part of the entire route; so off we went at an easy pace. The only thing in my head at that time was ” Don’t blast off, control yourself because this is the pace that you need to sustain for the entire 42.2 km”. And those were the thoughts running through my head when around the 3k I noticed Nagaraj looking over his shoulder at me signalling me to move faster.
Me: ” This is a blistering pace Nagaraj, you’re doing really well, I can’t keep that pace up the entire distance. Its your first official FM – go for gold, KILL IT today, give me your PB.”
Nagaraj: ” No! I told you, I am pacing you today. That’s why I am here”
Me: ” Don’t be silly, you don’t need to do that, I can pace myself”
Nagaraj: ” I know what I am doing. I am pacing you.”
And from the start to the finish line, he didn’t leave my side – neither when I cajoled him to, nor when I screamed at him, or for that matter when we laughed together and not even when I almost gave up. He was there, pushing me forward, annoying the hell out of me at times and egging me on each step of the way.
As we ran together through the dark streets, I could hear the calm swishing of water in the lake beside. Soon it was dawn, slight light seeping in through the clouds, making the morning just absolutely ethereal. At the 9 km mark, we crossed the start line again. There was a big crowd of the Half-marathoners who were waiting for their race to start. Among the group I heard familiar voices, first it was Brojen, then Bobby and then a whole lot of runners from Bangalore screaming out my name ” Go TIM ….keep going”. I was home – it felt nice.
From what I was aware, there were two elite women who had surged on ahead. I was currently running in the no.3 spot, but it was way too early in the race to judge anything. There were a few more elites who were on this course and each of them came with a killer instinct and years of structured training to back them up and sustain them through the race. So at such times you just keep going at the pace you can manage. Soon the sun came out, we reached the 10 km mark together. 10 km split – 47 minutes. But as I discovered, this is where the run actually begins. At the 10 km point is when we hit the first flyover and from this point on until the end there were only gradients – rolling gradients, steep gradients, flyovers and easy hilly roads – it was a non-stop barrage of ups and downs with no respite.
As we ran together, I met Siddesha – yes, the same man who dragged me to the finish line in my first HM and the same man who ran the final 4 km with me at my first FM. There is a bond I have with him, my heart always jumps a beat and does a jig in joy when I see him on the course with his determined stride and encouraging words. As we ran a few steps together, another elite runner came by from behind and surged right ahead. I had seen her before at the Bangalore Midnight Marathon; she had done the full there and she had run like a monster. After a few minutes, Sid upped his pace as well and continued ahead.
A photo of the author during an early phase of the run
It was back to Nagaraj, me and the road. We kept chipping away at it – one flyover, then the next and so on at an easy comfortable pace which I would be able to sustain over the entire distance. Then around the 20 km mark, as we were climbing yet another uphill part, I heard a pack of runners inching close. I looked over my shoulder and there it was, the Army team of speed demons, trudging along at a thundering pace – they were the Half-marathoners and how elegant they looked as they ran in a pack, all in sync. I think I saw where I want to be at in a years time at that moment.
And then came the coveted, 21.1 km mark. Nagaraj and me glanced at our Garmins – we had both achieved our 21.1 km personal best (PB) at 1 hour and 43 minutes – we gave each other a high-five and flashed a smile. This achievement gave us a boost to keep going. As we ran, I heard a clap. It was Bangalore boy, namma gazelle, Nanjudappa – it was so awesome to hear the normally shy runner clapping and cheering us on as he ran his own half marathon. We screamed out – ” Go Nanjundappa”. And then we continued.
As we reached the 25 km mark and looked ahead, we could see the elite runner no. 3 running not more than 200 metres ahead. This is doable we thought, simultaneously, as we both turned and looked at each other. It was a rolling downhill and there was a long way to go – lots of time, so no hurry to overtake. Lets just keep the sustainable pace and keep her in view we thought.
Around the 30 km mark, we caught upto Sid again, and we ran together for a few kilometres again. By this time, there was hardly any talk, smiles or anything other than a visual acknowledgement of each other’s presence. We then upped our pace and continued on forward keeping the elite in view. Around the 35 km mark, we saw another elite with her pacer struggling to keep up her pace. And just like that, in a few steps, I had overtaken my first ever elite. There was a sense of satisfaction that I felt.
So, as per our calculations, I was now running in third position and actually in the run for the podium. The lady ahead was not very far away – maybe 50 metres. But there were still 7 km to go and my energy reserves were running low. We decided to keep up the final push for the last 2 km. This is when the lady in front of me looked back for the first time. I could see surprise in her eyes; she had not expected me to catch up.
Over the next 7 km, she looked back and gave me a dirty look ever so often – it felt good. An elite was feeling threatened by me. And one by one the kilometres flew by. We were at the 39 km mark – I couldn’t push the 40 km mark, still couldn’t push the 41 km mark. Forget pushing, I wanted to walk, but Nagaraj wouldn’t have any of it. He slowed himself down and fell back and screamed from out back, ” she is gaining on you – looks like you won’t be beating an elite afterall.”
With 750 m left, there was no way I was going to let her beat me. I do not know where the energy came from but it did; I picked up the pace. Then on the sidelines, I heard Abhishek’s voice screaming ” Go TIM” – that gave me some life. Nagaraj was continuously pushing me forward with his comments. And then came the turn into the stadium.
The winners of the marathon with their medals
As I turned in, I heard a roar. I saw the team – Ankush, Henna, Jai, Geeta. They were smiling, HUGE smiles, screaming out loud – GO TIM and I swear to God I tried to go as hard as I could. Nagaraj picked it up and finished a second before me. I crossed the finish line just after. We both looked at the Garmin – 3.38.23 – a personal best, 7 minutes better than the target, 17 minutes better than my previous time – on a killer course. We gave each other a hug – we had done it. This run was not my effort – it was our effort and he was as responsible as me for this success.
The next 30 minutes or so was spent in recovering – the 7 hours after in celebrating. We also realised that there was actually another woman up in front. I had missed third position by 20 seconds. But that doesn’t make this any less of a success. There will be time for the podium, there will be time for laurels – it will be made up of blood, sweat and tears, and I can’t wait to work hard to make it happen.
The run in itself was so well organised – no clashes, superb support through the route and very willing and able volunteers standing all through with a smile on their face and hands extended out to help and support the runners in anyway they can. The route was traffic free and the cops in charge were vigilant and proactive. Top marks to the Hyderabad marathon team – this was a run by runners for runners. The support provided was just right.
Nagaraj – I will not say thank you, because I never asked you to pace me, but I will say I am blessed to have you as my training partner and friend. People like you are rare and priceless. Ankush, Dharma, Geeta, Gajendra, Sudhir – we have all supported and encouraged each other right from the beginning and its such a joy to do these trips together. Jai, Henna and Aditya – I hope you had half as much fun as I did with the crew and welcome on-board. And here is to better timings, stronger runs, joyous trips, unbreakable friendships and running in a pack like wolves – until the Kaveri Trail Marathon!
