Monday, June 30, 2008


Short report: Completed the Rio Marathon, Click here for GPS data. My time probably between 4.20 -4.30 hrs., close to the previous run in Paris, how ever this was under much more difficult circumstances. (the official time is not yet out). The course is rated amongst the most beautiful in the world. I will post in future posts a detailed report with some amazing pictures of Rio, " The Marvellous City" as it is rightfully called.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Bellin Run 2008


Saturday morning turned out to be a beautiful day, perfect setting for the the 32nd Bellin Run, a 10 K race, one of the largest in US for this distance. Close to 15,000 participants showed up for the event. I managed to sneak in a sub 50 minute race finishing with a final time of 49.31 min. @ 7.56 min/mile pace. This was an improvement of around 5 minutes from last year. During the run I struggled in mile 4 and some part of 5th mile. After analyzing the GPS data collected on my Garmin 305 watch I have concluded that every race has to planned prior to the start, and then more important is sticking to the plan. On every training run I have realized that it takes me at least 1-2 miles to warm up, following which I can push hard. Inspite of this information in hand I started out too fast covering the first 2 miles close to 7 min/mile pace. The writing was on the wall for the next 2.5 miles, my pace dropped. In last 1.5 miles I recovered and felt strong but then it was too late. The other issue was the taper to the training runs could not be planned well, due to coming Rio Marathon later this month. Overall, I am quite pleased and look forward to next year's Bellin Run with a rather ambitious goal of sub 45 minute run trying to defy age as I will turn 45 next year. On other positive notes my 10 year old son completed his first 10 K run. It won't be too long that he will be waiting for me on finish lines. There was good company few of my close friends participated in their first run.

PS: The race rivalry in my office continues. I lost this year but.... I am not giving up. Congratulations to Drs.Jenny, Pathakjee, Sara Picard, Katie Hampton.