Devine Run- The Chennai Marathon!
CHENNAI MARATHON, 8th January 2023.
Ran many races over the years but this race was strangely fantastic.
Pre-decided the race pace for 20 miler at 2hr 15 minutes that is 4 minutes 12 sec - 4 minutes 15 sec. As much as I tried to control the pace, I felt a pleasantly strong force pulling me forward. It has never happened before. Like I was being pulled to land at Rameshwaram.
In preparation for the 20 Miler from the previous run at Adani Ahmedabad Marathon in the first week of December, I took 7 to 10 days rest with only yoga and stretching exercises.
Mission of this month's training was to build speed Considering average weekly mileage recovery. I also did not want to compromise family time which is very important to me.
Race- Holiday- Rejuvenate
I always travel with my family for outstation races. This time, my mother in law traveled to Chennai with my wife and kid in Vande Bharat express train and we had a great train journey.
During childhood I was always thought that the sun rises in the woods and in the mountains and sets in the sea. In Chennai, I witnessed the beauty of sunrise in the sea and sunsets in the sea as I Am from the West!
Race day
Race day is usually quiet. I had a set plan with pacing so I was not anxious. Left the hotel 1 hour early. Start line was just 2 km away but I wasn’t sure about the bag drop since the start and
the finish points were different. I was a little worried about the post race change and fear of cold. A couple of runners got confirmation about the baggage transit at the end point after we reached.
We got a Good warmup in some stretches and the race started on time from well lit Napier Bridge.
Started the race with a bit of an easy pace and it felt effortless after 10km. I made sure to sip water every 2 km considering the humidity which leads to loss of water and electrolytes. Went up two flyovers but it still felt effortless as if going down a slope. @ 22km mark, felt for a moment like I wanted to stop and walk. Checked the pace, it was a constant 4:15 pace / km. Every race is a battle with the
Mind! @ 26km mark, in the slope and all a U Turn, I thought I might hit the exertion wall. Even after the U Turn, I surprised myself - without my will to accelerate, Iam hitting 4:08 and faster paces. I said to myself, the South Is Calling and kept going on and on and Finished 20 miler in 2:14 minutes at 4:12 pace.
I said to myself I’d do it at this pace and I achieved it and that was success and passion for me.
For some part of the race, the body moving beyond the will felt like a divine call yet scary. However, it is one of the most memorable races for me.
🙏
CHENNAI IS BEAUTIFUL And I had a wonderful time with my family 🤩
Family first always.. Guruve namaha!
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