2011 Goals

I very narrowly managed to keep my record intact of running a marathon in 2010 with the Ultra 50 K in Bangalore. My hopes of running 4:15 in the Mumbai Marathon are lost thanks to indiscipline but I still hope to finish and set a new PR. Time will tell. For now, I want to list out my 2011 running goals other than the Mumbai Marathon. I wasted a lot of time in 2010 for various reasons. I hope to make up for it in 2011.

Goals:

• Sunfeast 10 K in Sub 55 mins time
• Bangalore Ultra 50 K in Sub 6:30
• Preparation for Mumbai Marathon 2012 where the goal is to run Sub 4:30

Split Time Hope

Again, I am dreadfully under prepared for the SCMM '11. I had hoped to finish sub 4:15 in this but now I am struggling to better my PR of 4:52. In order to run a PR, these split times seem like my best bet considering I am 4 kilos overweight with not enough mileage under my belt. I've divided my split goals into 30 minute slabs:

1. 0:30 - 5 K (5K)
2. 1:00 - 5 K (10K)
3. 1:30 - 4K (14K)
4. 2:00 - 5K (19K)
5. 2:30 - 4K (23K)
6. 3:00 - 4K (27K)
7. 3:30 - 5K (32K)
8. 4:00 - 4K (36K)
9. 4:30 - 4K (40K)
10. 4:45 - 2.2 (42.2K)

This is the rough split time I am aiming for. I am betting on the fact that I will use my speed at the beginning of the run to clock 22 or 23 K in 2 hours so that the second half of the run becomes easier. Also, I am certain I will begin to fade from the 25 K mark and won't be able to run at 10 kmph but will have to settle into an 8 kmph speed. The jokers in this pack are of course the weather, the humidity and injury among other things.

The nerves are increasing with every day.

Slow but steady

I've put in only 3 short runs since the 50 K. It's been 3 weeks since that run. As I have in the past, I underestimated how hard it would be for my body to recover quickly enough to start putting in long runs for the Mumbai Marathon. There are several parts of my lower body that are still experiencing remnants of pain from the 50 K experience. My ankles still throb dully at times. I am experiencing short pains around my knees occasionally and my hamstrings are complaining after I run 5 K. All this is again new territory, uncharted.

I had initially felt that I would be able to enjoy my Mumbai Marathon this time around without much anxiety because I knew what to expect at what point on the course. But what I didn't factor in was running 2 marathons within 2 months. This is clearly a bit extreme and a very small group of even hardcore runners would do this. Now I have to deal with the consequences the best I can. For now, I am mainly concentrating on losing weight and working on my core strength. I hope to put in 4 long runs in December and 1 in January which should be enough mileage to get me over the finish line in Bombay and create my PR (personal record) which will have to be under 4:52:52. I know this is a below average time but I will be disappointed if I don't better it this time around. The heat and humidity of Bombay are already looming large. For now, back to being disciplined. More soon.

Progress on my run for a cause

Hi again folks!

I am sure some of you have read my previous email on my run for a cause! If you haven't, you can read it here - http://absruns.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-run-for-cause-2011-mumbai-marathon.html

To recap quickly, I am running the full marathon in Bombay in exactly 6 weeks time (damn!) and it's going to be my 2nd marathon in as many months! It's quite a daunting challenge and I wouldn't have attempted it if it wasn't for the fact that I have participated in the Mumbai Marathon for 3 years now and used it as a means to raise funds for charity. Millions of dollars are raised every year by individuals like you and me for worthy causes through marathons. Giving to a cause is something we all wish to do but are often stuck as to how and whom to give to. Please do consider supporting my chosen cause - Dream A Dream. I have raised funds for this organisation for the last 4 years and I have seen the fantastic work they continue to do. Indeed, many of you have in the past contributed to this same cause and I urge you to consider doing so again.

Remember, no amount is too small! You can contribute as little as $10 USD or Rs. 500 or as much more as you wish. I began raising funds for this event about 2 weeks ago and many of you have already contributed! Thank you for that! I have raised a total of Rs. 35,000 or 800 USD so far and I have another Rs. 65,000 to go. My total target is to raise Rs. 100,000 or $2500 USD before the end of December.

If you are contributing with an Indian credit card, click here: http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/abhijeet 

If you are using an international credit card or paypal click any of the two links here:

http://www.ammado.com/nonprofit/dream-a-dream  

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/empowering-vulnerable-children-through-life-skills/

You can also write me a cheque in favour of "Dream A Dream" but Indian banks only.

At times, payment gateways behave strangely so please do attempt again in case you get errors while using these links. But they are definitely completely secure as you will see yourself.

For those of you who have already contributed, my deepest thanks and you will continue to receive updates from me about the total amount you and I have raised together for Dream A Dream. If you don't wish to receive these emails please let me know.

Thanks and do send positive thoughts my way as I prepare for the run! :-)

Cheers!

Abhi