"Get Running for Fun and Health"

Still on Track

2011-02-26T12:59:00.006-06:00

Finally I get back into the mode of blogging. It is fascinating to watch how life rolls by days into weeks in to months. Perhaps that is what happened here. The good news is I am back at it again and hopefully will keep up this time.
Beginning of this year brought in new aspirations and goals. Of all the changes in my life over the years fortunately my running routine has remained consistent. This year is no different. I'm presently training for Cellcom Marathon in Green Bay. The run is on 15 May, the day when I turn 47. I am hoping to achieve a personal best, hopefully running a sub-4 hour Marathon. Some of you are linked to my Face Book account. I hope you don't find it too annoying when I download the Nike Plus workouts. Over the last few weeks I been able to gradually get up to my maintenance 25-30 miles per week routine. The challenge now is to keep up for this for the next coming months. It is ardous to run in Green Bay during the winter months however I have been able to keep up with out door running at least for my long runs. I am looking forward to last week in March, to be a participatant in a run organized in Nehru Park, New Delhi, India. This is an ultra-marathon 50 K. run, I will be running only half the distance. It would be nice to meet runners in New Delhi, who I have got to know over time given our common interest. Recreational running is still in infancy stage in India, however I have been impressed how many events are being organized now compared to the previous years. In June, I'm hoping to participate in the 10K Bellin Run in Green Bay. This is one of the largest runs of its kind in US, sponsored by my employer Bellin Health. My goal is to finish in the top 10-15% of all runners. Last year this run drew more than 15,000 runners. The fall run would be again Chicago Marathon, my third run through the magnificent Second city. Hopefully I will continue to improve on my time. Registration should close soon, so if you're interested signup soon. And lastly if everything goes to plan I will attempt to run Ice Marathon, in Antarctica this year. Run is being held in late November. This would my 6th continent to cover. Due to the limited available spots for this race, I will be making my mind soon whether my craziness is taking me to the Forbidden Continent.

Chicago Marathon, Next Week

2010-10-03T20:48:00.009-05:00

Ran the last long run today, prior to 10/10/10 ,the Chicago Marathon. Training for this one is not to my satisfaction, however, I think I have a chance of beating my personal best time of 4:29 hrs when I ran the Paris Marathon in 2008. Gosh it's been a long way since then. This summer was odd with all kind of issues. However life goes on somehow. I have been able to put in 3 twenty-milers, but have lacked in doing speed work and long tempo runs. I have to admit though that I felt good today and ran close to nine miles at a pace of 8.37 minutes per mile. However the real test is next weekend. It's going to be tough. I'll take anything, provided it is my best time yet. Will be leaving for Chicago on Friday. Saturday evening will host a pasta dinner for a small group of friends who are running the Chicago Marathon. It should be fun, I am looking forward to this week.

Training Update

2010-07-26T22:02:00.002-05:00

Less then 12 weeks remain for the Chicago Marathon. The reality of training has gradually set in. With 3 long runs completed including the last one yesterday of 14 miles I have gained some confidence but there is still a long way ahead. The arduous part of Marathon training is getting to the start line, the last 26.2 miles go by quick. At times it is hard to get out of bed very early on the weekend's when the rest of the world, the sensible ones, are enjoying their morning siesta's. Maybe I don't deserve that morning luxury, although not to be carried away by this self pity mode I have rarely regretted my morning runs. The first few miles are always a challenge after that its just fun provided the weather and my wife approves . The self imposed rule at home is to be back from the run before my wife gets up, she gets her morning tea in bed and life then resumes a more normal routine. I have been able to keep up an average running schedule of around 25 miles/week. Cross training is some exercises routines from P90X. In-spite of my initial plan of doing some spinning routines have not been able to get to the gym. The good news is I remain motivated although with a rather ambitious agenda hoping to get to finish line in a sub 4 hr.time. I will keep you posted with my training. Adios Amigos ...

Time to Ramp up!

2010-06-07T22:56:00.002-05:00

No excuse, but procrastination for not keeping up with the blog. You may say the same for my running, I have put on some miles for the last several months, but not the same mileage as I have done in the previous years. It's partly due to lack of motivation with no big runs at least for the initial part of this year. All the time has not gone to waste. I have been working hard on my core exercises trying to be a more efficient runner. I have adapted a program called P90X which needs sheer determination to follow. This is a very sophisticated exercise routine which is designed to improve strength and agility . As I found out, this program is not for everyone and is taken me sometime to adapt to the exercises routines, but as what Tony Horton the founder of P90X says "I'm getting there." I can already sense the difference in my running.
This year we have been blessed with some amazing weather in Green Bay. The temperature has been much milder than normal , giving me a head start for the fall Chicago Marathon. The goal is to run a sub 4 hour marathon, and if that is achieved I will sign up for the Ice Marathon in Antarctica, in December, the 6th continent on my journey. With my schedule, there may be time for 3 runs a week, running 30-35miles/week. The 16 week clock for Oct.10th Chicago Marathon will start on June 21st. I am hoping to do some hill training to get fast. Surprisingly this is one routine I love the most. With my children out of school for summer holidays and a working spouse , I think keeping up with my training will mean less sleep, having said that I need to keep running to maintain my sanity. For now I am looking forward to a week off from work starting next week.

"Ganga", I will miss you.

2010-03-21T08:13:00.003-05:00

Last week I lost the most avid follower of this blog. Professor V.M. Ganga Nair, 80, Green Bay, a world-renowned expert on forest preservation and professor at UW-Green Bay for over 40 years, died unexpectedly on March 10, 2010. "Ganga", as he was affectionately called left a lasting impression on any one he met. His infectious smile will stick in my mind for ever. My office desk is full of cards he had sent while he was on his travels around the world. He was source of inspiration, always encouraging me to keep up with my running and other goals. He will be greatly missed.

Read Ganga's Obituary

Running Barefoot Revolution

2010-02-28T10:14:00.006-06:00

Running barefoot, maybe, is the way to go. In the December issue of a Journal put out by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation researchers concluded that running shoes exert more stress on the knees, hip, and ankle than running barefoot or walking in high heels. According to the lead author, Dr. Irene Davis," we want to run barefoot, and when we put on shoes, we're trying to be taking away the function of the foot". It is known that human foot has a relatively little padding on the heel, therefore, is treads more lightly, landing on the outer part of the midfoot and then rolling inwards. It has been thought that all the cushioning provided by the lead running shoe brands encourage us to heel to toe strike that could lead to a lot of injuries.

Running barefoot debate has been going on for a while, although recently it seems is taken off in discussions on running following the publication of Christopher McDougal's book, "Born to Run". This took follows the Mexico's Tarahumara Indians, who currently run Ultra marathons, wearing thin rubber sandals or no-shoes at all. Your are bound to be inspired and by this work. Besides being a page turner, I was almost as enthralled as reading" Into Thin Air". The book explores the thesis that that humans were born to run. Mr. McDougal , tries to answer why our Ancestors were stronger and plays with a more provocative question whether modern running shoes increase the odds of injury. He has also tried to downplay the misconception in noncompetitive running of "no pain, no gain, " in fact, if done right according to Mr. McDougall, running can be as enjoyable as any other thing you would like to do regularly.

Personally I have not tried running barefoot, it may not be a smart idea in Green Bay, particularly in this season. For the more adventurous there is Vibram 5 fingers, thin rubber foot gloves that protect as you run in. According to runners who use them the stride changes naturally. It is much lighter on the heel , shorter stride probably leads to a dramatic change in posture. There is apparently less knee stiffness and back pain.

Nike No Running Commercial

2010-02-21T21:55:00.000-06:00

Year Ahead

2010-02-20T13:31:00.003-06:00

The temperature in Green Bay, still in the 30s, however, I can sense Spring is in the air. It is getting milder for this town's standards. Today morning I spotted a number runners going for their morning jogs. It's also the time of the year when resolutions are made. I have to admit I have not been able to run as much as I would like to partly due to a busy work schedule. I am training to do the Green Bay Cellcom Half Marathon in April. My hope is to complete the run in around 1 hour and 45 minutes. This for now seems like a tall order, but if I am able to achieve this, then would surely put me in a strong position to prepare for a Fall Marathon. It was a dilemma where to run. I finally decided to run the Chicago Marathon. The other options were Milwaukee Marathon, which apparently is a fast course to run on. However it lacks the charm of Chicago, but most importantly, the crowd support. I also considered running in Berlin, but could not fit in in my schedule. I am working that particular weekend. Not to mention Chicago is a much cheaper prospect. I am hoping to run at least 3 times a week and time permitting do cross training at least twice a week. The cross training will involve spinning routines. This year, the hope is to complete some fast runs. I will plan to do the Antarctica Marathon in December only if I am able to finish a sub-four hour Marathon.

What Next!

2009-12-07T16:16:00.005-06:00

I seem to have done the disappearing act from the blogging scene. The excuse is flat out procrastination. It is not without guilt. I have not even put up the Chicago Marathon report, which I intend to do in the next few days. I have done some strength training over the last month trying a new program called P90X. This is an intense program, which is hard to keep up with. It involves yoga, Plyometrics, like exercise besides normal strength training. Running obviously has been side-lined because of this activity. I probably have not run more than 25 miles since finishing the Chicago Marathon. Hopefully, this will change soon and I may get back in rhythm. The next big run is in Spring in Green Bay. I plan to run the Cellcom Half Marathon hoping to do a good finish with a much faster pace than I am normally used to. The training will start in January. I am looking forward to attending a talk by Bill Rogers, also known as the “Boston Billy”, who will be in Green Bay to do a pep talk. Mr. Rogers has won three times in Boston. Until then I need to avoid gaining too much weight as this being the holiday season, there is too much to eat at every corner.

Chicago Marathon : Across the Finish line

2009-10-11T23:03:00.003-05:00

What a contrast from Sydney. A flat course, and very frigid temperatures. For me it was same old hardwork to finish. Good news is that I was little faster than Sydney, I think 4:44 hrs. Well 5 continents down 2 more to go, I am looking forward to a little break. Full details to follow.

The Journey Continues: Chicago Marathon Week

2009-10-08T18:52:00.008-05:00

Fall is in its full colors and for me that means Chicago Marathon is around the corner. My hope is to successfully complete the run on Sunday. Since returning from Sydney, it has been tough, going through a rough patch of call schedule. Somehow I have been able to keep up with some running. No major long runs except for Saturday night when I ran close to nine miles on a treadmill. I did not venture outdoors as it was quite dark and being on call, it sometimes becomes tough to answer pages. Fortunately I was able to complete the run without interruptions. This week I have done some short runs. Late Friday evening we will head to Chicago for the weekend run. I feel quite relaxed and am hoping that I will have a better time in Chicago considering the temperatures are expected to be quite cool and the course is relatively flat.

Sydney Marathon : Final Wrap up

2009-10-03T12:43:00.031-05:00

The day started out to be quite nice. I woke up around 4:30 a.m. after a restful sleep. I was quite surprised that I didn’t wake up earlier considering the time it took for me to adjust to the Australian time zone. The previous night I had eaten a pasta dinner in the hotel restaurant and still felt quite full.

Left the hotel around 5:45 a.m. and headed to the Town Hall Metro Station. From there it was a short ride to Milsons’ Point where the run was to start. I didn’t really have to ask anyone for directions as the trains were full of runners. Once out of the station it was a short walk to the the start point of the marathon. The run started with an uphill run. In the distance, the Harbor Bridge was visible along with the famous Sydney Opera House. Milsons’ Point is in the Sydney suburb of Kirribilli, which is a densely populated affluent neighbourhood. It apparently has the highest real-estate values in Australia. It also boasts some famous addresses including the Australian Premier’s residence. As you would expect there were throngs of runners getting ready going through their routine on my arrival. It was a little nippy in the morning so a windcheater came in handy. The drop stations for the clothes to be picked on the finish line were easy to access. In the process, however, I lost my earphones. Not to be too discouraged I was able to convince myself, that I should be able to complete the run without listening to music considering that while I had been running in Sydney I enjoyed the sounds of the city and I thought it may not be an issue. Fortunately, I had my cell phone with me. I e-mailed my friend, Ajay, asking if he would be able to get me a pair of earphones when I would be near his house at around the 11th or 12th mile. My thought was that maybe by that time I would need the assistance of music . The full marathon was the last to be flagged off at 7:15 a.m. after the 10K and the half marathon runners were sent off. At the starting lineup I asked a fellow runner about the steep uphill climb right at the start and he just grinned back mentioning that this was a better version as the event organizers had changed the course over the last several years trying to avoid similar hills. He assured me that it is not that bad as the run progresses. Soon we were on the way. Within a mile I was over Sydney Harbor Bridge. I made sure I took pictures. This was the first time I was carrying my camera/cell phone with me. I was happy I could do this. I have to say, however, this was a distraction. Now that I think about it, I was too casual starting off the race. Immediately off the Sydney Harbor Bridge we were in the area called the Rocks. This was the first area to be colonized when the First Fleet arrived from England. Running on the Cahill Expressway going downhill, a very beautiful view of the Sydney Opera House is seen and gradually we entered the city at Macquarie Street, then into the Royal Botanical Gardens. This is an expansive greenery right at the edge of Sydney Opera House and is an amazing place to run. At around the six mile mark, I ran past the Sydney Cricket grounds. Growing up in India, I watched many games on television played at this venue. The next few miles were run in the Centennial Park, which is a beautiful park in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. So far the run had been smooth, although not entirely flat, I was feeling reasonably well. Once through the Centenial Park we looped around into Allison's Street and close to around the half mark. As I had hoped, Ajay with his whole family was there. It was nice to hear my name being called from the sidelines and of course he had brought the earphones, which by now I badly needed. I also felt very touched that Ajay had found time with his family on a Sunday morning to come out and support me. I crossed the halfway mark in around 2 hours and 15 minutes, which was close to the pace which I wanted to be at this stage. I have to say, however, going up and down the hills was beginning to take it’s toll. I did not, however, realize that the worst part of the run lay ahead of me. The course headed back to the Central Business District of Sydney. I tried hard to keep up with my pace with the steep elevation that lay between the 14th and 16th mile. There were some interesting runners though who kept me company including a couple from Japan who were running the race in Mickey Mouse costumes. Minnie was getting a lot of compliments from the onlookers. The crowd support was sketchy. Maybe I was spoiled by running in Paris as I has assumed that most of the marathons would have huge crowd support. This crowd was proving to be similar to my previous experiences in Rio and Marrakech were the crowd support had been poor. The water stations were well manned , but there was no solid food like fruits available. I have to say while going through downtown Sydney for a moment it did come to my mind that maybe I should give up and just walk to my hotel and call it a day. I think this thought crosses the mind of a lot of runners once they are approaching the last third of the race and I was no exception. The next 6 to 6 ½ miles were very arduous. It involved a long loop into the western suburbs of the city over the old Glebe Island Bridge. This is a beautiful bridge, which links the Pyrmont area with Rozelle. On one side of the road there were runners going towards to the end of the loop and on the other side the people were returning after they had completed the section that lay ahead of me. It was quite sobering to know that there were so many of them folks at least four or five miles ahead of me, running strong and fast on the other side of the road. This was one tough portion for me. There was a lot of steep terrain. Many of us had to resort to walk the last few hills. In the latter part of the marathon one generally hopes for a flat course, which was definitely lacking here. Once this long arduous loop was over I knew the end was near. There were some runners still on the road and I was comforted by the fact that there were some behind me. After I crossed the 37th km marker I knew I wouldn’t be taken off the course as the city marathon has strict time limits to finish the marathon in a specified time. The last few kilometers were better , back into the beautiful part of Sydney Harbor running on Hickinson Road, looping around the circular quay onto a finish at the very inspiring Sydney Opera House. Total net time was 5 hours. This was my slowest ever run, but I was happy that it was over with. Hard work still lay ahead of me as the marathon chip returning booth, the medal collection, finisher’s tee shirt were all spread out. I got a picture holding the medal and then just walked up to the Royal Botanical Gardens and sat down on the very well manicured grass . I called my wife, Anu, informing her that I finished the run and then dozed off into a nap. The warm sun, close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, served as a good anodyne.There were mixed feelings. I felt elated, that I had finished running on four continents, but also disappointed at my turtle pace.

Across the Finish Line: Sydney Marathon

2009-09-20T02:17:00.005-05:00

Made it to the finish line. Time close to 5.00 hrs. my slowest ever. The course is brutal, too many hills. The temperature rose to around 80 F, which is never good. The highlight has to be Ajay Vatsayan, my friend who lives in Sydney, showing up with his family to support me on. I have to thank so many friends some of whom I have not even met who rallied to cheer me on. Details of the run to follow.

Sydney Marathon, Final Countdown

2009-09-18T05:30:00.011-05:00

I am zealous of Sidneysiders, but glad that chose to run in such spectacularly beautiful city. As you would guess I have been visiting all the major attractions in the city and that included the famous Bondi beach. Fortunately my hotel is in downtown so transportation is easy to assess. Yesterday evening listened to Sydney Symphony supporting Grammy winner, Jazz artist Dianne Reeves at the Sydney Opera House. Not to be side tracked the training schedule continued, the last run was yesterday evening around 6 miles, probably through the most picturesque urban route I will ever run. It went through the Royal Botanic Gardens, the trail is right at the edge of Pacific Ocean and affords some amazing views of the Sydney Sky line and Opera House. Early in the day picked the Bib number from running expo. Tomorrow some light stretching and hopefully will take some rest before the big day on Sunday. There was one more incentive visiting Sydney, got to meet Ajay a college mate who now lives in Sydney. He has been a very generous host.

A few hours after I get on with my run, 3 of my friends back in US are running their maiden Marathons. Bharat Pathakjee is my senior colleague, planning to retire next yr along with Mohit Uberoi and Ravi Vir are all running the Fox City Marathon in Appleton, WI. Good luck to all of them.

on to Sydney

2009-09-13T16:00:00.004-05:00

I am in Minneapolis waiting for a flight to LA and then onto Sydney. Leaving home was very tough. I have to admit felt somewhat skeptical of my mission. Is this insanity or what, training at odd hours, keeeping up with a hectic pace at work, lack of sleep and now leaving my family behind an all this for a "Run". One of my close friend Uday called me in the morning to wish me well, he comforted me and encouraged me to get the job done. My wife narrated all the benefits I have reaped since I got into traing for marathons. I got up around 2 am, did some errands around the house, was in my office by 4 am to complete some paper work, returned home at 7.30 am only to head out for quick run. Ran 8 miles @9.30/mile pace. This was the last long run, a few hours later I was headed to the airport.

" What a difference one week makes"

2009-08-31T11:47:00.005-05:00

Many will ridicule at my perception on the enormity of the decision I was faced with last week. For me it was do or die. I had lost precious time near the acme of my training following the fall at work. Some crucial runs were missed. In my effort to catch up, I was left with no choice but to go for the long runs without building an adequate base. On Saturday, 8/15/09, I attempted an 18 mile run on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive. The prior week I had been traveling through Canada by road fulfilling one of my long-term intentions of taking my parents to Niagara Falls. The run proved to be a disaster. I was able to somehow complete 18 miles. However, I felt extremely drained and fatigued like never before. I tired to blame the poor performance on the extensive driving I had been doing and also possibly to the weather. I felt desperate while on the course. It was a pity that not even well sculpted beautiful bodies, which is a regular feature on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive, failed to inspire me. I just felt miserable. The fear of not making a successful attempt at the Sydney Marathon loomed and the dreaded"DNF" (did not finish) sign came to my mind. Once back in Green Bay, it was time to counsel. Faced with the dilemma on when to attempt my second long run, at least 20 miles, I spoke with my colleagues and mentors, Gail and Sarah, who are both seasoned runners. With the added pressure of being on call over the weekend, I would have struggled to find time. The consensus was to go ahead and do the 20 mile run last week. That would have put me at almost 45 miles for the week, which I have never attempted, so last Sunday I woke up, the weather was nice and I set out at around 6:30 a.m. with some skepticism of being able to pull off this long run off. To my surprise I felt quite good at the half way mark and was able to keep up with the time I had allocated for this run through most of the run. Fortunately, I was able to complete the 20 miles as planned. I have to say I was in bed for three to four hours following my return. However, there was a huge sense of relief. Surprisingly, I didn't get too many body aches and was back to normal within 24 hours. This week I did a short four mile run near my house, running deftly through some hills. I was able to keep a good pace and posture. My confidence is back.

Running Woe's

2009-08-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

Marathon training is full of hiccups. Within 24 hours of my last blog post, I regretted boasting how good I felt. While at work slipped on a wet floor in the hospital, injuring my right groin. I spent 10 agonizing days not able to keep up with my planned routine. The fear of aggravating the injury by maintaining aggressive running routine kept me away from my running shoes. Today, starting out at 4.00 am, I was able to complete a 14 mile long run. I did have some pain in the right groin, but it seems the worst is over and I’m on the mend. My father who’s in town these days showed me some yoga exercises, which seemed to help a lot. I remain cautiously optimistic, and over the next 2-3 weeks, hopefully should be able to complete a 20 mile training run. On the positive note I have been in touch with a long time college friend, Ajay Vatsayan, who now lives in Sydney, Australia. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.

Training Update

2009-07-26T14:39:00.003-05:00

Less than 2 months from now I arrive in Sydney, Australia to hopefully finish the 4th full Marathon in my quest to run a Marathon on all continents. In the last few weeks I have been to able to ramp up my weekly mileage although there is still a lot of work to be done. Part of the fun running Marathons is the training phase which has to be followed religiously. I have been trying to keep up with a running schedule of at least 3 times per week. In the last two weeks have been able to run 2 long runs of more than 12 miles. The long runs were on Lakeshore Drive Trail, Chicago. My hope is to complete at least one 20 mile plus long run in the last week of August. During the working week, with time constraints, I have tried to put in some faster shorter Tempo runs. The good news is that I remain healthy and cautiously optimistic. Some nervousness remains inspite of putting approx. 1800 miles of running in the last 2 yrs and having had some Marathon running experience. I do at times wonder the crazy sounding goal I set out to do almost 2 yrs. back, it seemed almost impossible, but now there is a good chance I may be able to pull it off.

Finding a Marathon That's Just Right

2009-07-23T22:15:00.007-05:00

This is an article published in New York Times today
By Liz Robbins
Choosing a fall marathon often comes down to a question of identity. Do you want to be a rock star or a folk singer?
The mega-marathon parade experience of popular urban races like New York, Chicago, Washington and to a lesser degree Philadelphia offer quite a different culture than suburban or country races with medium to intimate fields, like in Scranton, Pa., or Rehoboth Beach, Del.
The choice is highly personal, if not perplexing, and involves other variables, too, like proximity, price and prestige. Then there are incentives like swag and speed — as in, what course will best enable that elusive Boston qualifying time?
I’ve written that New York City’s marathon is “A Race Like No Other,” with its field of nearly 38,000 runners, two million spectators, soaring scenic views, distinct neighborhoods and characters and a challenging five-borough course. But New York is not for everyone.
For starters, most can’t get into the New York marathon. Only 18 percent of American and international applicants, or 10,300 runners, were accepted via the lottery this year. Others gained entry by running for a charity qualifying through races.
For those who did not get in, or did not even apply, other marathons in the fall and beyond beckon for a variety of reasons. Last year there were a total of 361 marathons in the United States, according to MaratonGuide.com, offers readers’ comments on virtually every race.
Craig Beden, a financial planner in Fairfax, Va., choose to run the Oct.10 Baltimore marathon, and it was for the money. Or make that small change. The marathon is offering first-time marathoners who run under a certain time — 3:25 for men and 3:55 for women — a combined pot of $2,000 for each gender, regardless of age.
“I’ll probably end up with $2,” Mr. Beden said with a laugh. The 47-year-old competitive triathlete is a bit wary of the hilly Baltimore course and had considered the much flatter, and larger, Marine Corps Marathon in nearby Washington but was swayed by his entry gift — a shirt from UnderArmour, the title sponsor — and the potential prize winnings, even if he does have to split it with his training partner.
Lara Kail, 32, of Manhattan, has run two New York City marathons but narrowed her choices down to the three remaining Big Four marathons this fall — the Marine Corps, Philadelphia and Chicago — because she is chasing her “B.Q.”: she needs to shave just three minutes and 15 seconds off her time to qualify for the highly competitive Boston marathon next spring. “Since I am still relatively new to marathoning, I thrive on crowd support,” she wrote in an e-mail message.
Although Chicago is popular for its flat course, easily accessible start and big-city fervor, Ms. Kail eliminated it because it was too expensive and “too much of a wild card with the weather.” (Temperatures soared dangerously into the 80s the last two years, causing one death and early suspension of the race in 2007.) And she thought Philadelphia, the weekend of Thanksgiving, was too late in the season. “During the taper I usually have a ‘I don’t want to run anymore, let it be race day already’ feeling,” she wrote.
That left the Marine Corps. It’s timing was perfect: it will allow her to cheer for her friends who are running a week later in New York.
Jessica Zeldin, 39, from Philadelphia, qualified for Boston last year in a most unusual way. After missing out on qualifying in the Berlin marathon by just 54 seconds (she was able to “tack the race on” to her honeymoon last September) and finding out the Philadelphia race was closed, she chose the inaugural Rehoboth Beach Running Co. Seashore Marathon in Delaware in November. She was not prepared to be running along the Atlantic Ocean as it snowed, nor in the woods with duck hunters. “I was thinking, ‘Ooh, I should have worn my orange vest,’” she said.
But even when the route narrowed to no more than five feet across, Ms. Zeldin enjoyed the small field — 334 finishers, many of whom were trying to qualify for Boston, compared to the 35,746 in Berlin. “It was just so collegial — everyone was so excited about everyone else,” she said. She qualified for Boston with two minutes to spare, savored the post-race pancake breakfast on the boardwalk and the technical shirt she won — sized especially for women — is now the only race shirt she ever wears.
This fall’s marathon season is all about incentives for Ed Altman, 51, a longtime member of the New York Flyers, a charity-oriented running club. He chose to run the Oct. 10 Hartford marathon to notch his 20th state in his 50-state quest. Three weeks later he will return to New York to run for fun, he says, as well as another prestigious incentive — it will be his 15th New York City marathon, which guarantees him lifetime entry to the race.

Nike+ Running Log

2009-07-06T20:34:00.001-05:00

Nike+

Low Mileage Week

2009-06-13T20:31:00.001-05:00

I continue to struggle to find time to train. It’s getting to a point that I’m nervous if I’ll be able to pull off the Sydney Marathon. Pace of work has been very hectic in my professional life, and that is taking a toll on my training schedule. This week I was only able to run about 5 miles, which is disheartening. Hopefully this coming week will be better. Overnight we traveled from Green Bay to a small island of Saint Kitts in the Caribbean where my in-laws live. I think I should be able to find time to get in a few good runs. The terrain is mountainous, although there are some small hills to run on.

Sorry for not keeping up!

2009-05-31T22:28:00.002-05:00

I do not have a good excuse but to say that procrastination has been my enemy. I have to apologize for not making any entry to the blog for so many months. It has been a combination of events partly a very hectic schedule at work coupled with an illness that I came down with while visiting New Jersey in late March. I lost my rhythm of regular exercise in fact have still not got back into the routine. Fortunately I have kept up with my running clocking 20 to 25 miles per week. Sydney Marathon is less than four months away,I plan to gradually get back into shape and hopefully try to finish in less than 4 1/2 hours. Had a good run in the morning today, was able to complete 9 miles at at around 9.15 minute per mile pace. I think I could've gone longer however felt a small blister developing on on my left foot. I will not be running the Bellin Run this year as I am traveling out of town.

Prevea Training Run

2009-02-28T10:34:00.008-06:00

Ran a 7 mile course today as part of Prevea training runs. I had initally planned to run 12 miles with the group training for full Cellcom Marathon, but the bitter cold (7 degrees F) changed my mind. I have to admit once the run started I felt quite good. Of course you have to deal with some skidding on ice and eyelashes sticking to each other due to ice. The training runs are very well supported by water, Gatorade during the course and Coffee with bagels at the finish. Achieved a landmark today click here.

Decision Made

2009-02-22T18:16:00.005-06:00

I have been struggling with a delimma, which now is resolved. For a few days I contemplated running The North Pole Marathon, yes on the North Pole, 90 degrees North, the only marathon run entirely on water. The temptation was to be part of multinational representation in the centenial year of first ever exploration to North Pole. Better sense has pervailed, I am not running the treacherous path, this adventure is for some other year and for now I plan to stick to my initial goal of running a marathon in each continent. The next Marathon would be in Sydney, Australia, on 20th September. This would be followed by Chicago Marathon, on 14th October. And then if I still have it my legs will attempt the Ice Marathon, Antarctica, on 14th December. This leaves me with spring and summer to train, "get better". Much of the training will be working on speed, and learning to run efficent runs. I will do some races including the Cellcom Half marathon, in Green Bay and the Bellin Run (10 K). I think this schedule should keep me motivated for the year.

Marrakech Marathon, Final Report

2009-02-22T17:39:00.014-06:00

Finish time 4:46 hrs

I have finally come around to give my first hand experience running the Marrakech Marathon. Contrary to the last marathon, I ran in Rio De Janerio, arriving at the start lineup was relatively easy, a short yellow cab ride from my hotel brought me to Mohammed Hasan road, located behind the grand Sofitel Hotel. It was slightly cold, although for me going from Green Bay, this was a perfect weather to run. The sky was overcast, rain was predicted for later in day. Yes rain, unusual in Marrakech, apparently it has been a wet winter. The backdrop to the run were the snow capped Atlas mountains. Planning for the run I had not envisioned such a beautiful sight. I had not recovered from the cold, and every now and then coughed, hoping that it would not be an issue during the run. The start was on time at 8.00 am, few thousand runners, common start for Full and Half Marthoners, it seemed almost every second runner was French. The first few miles were a gentle downslope, a run towards the International airport and then a swing towards the Atlas mountains, the initial jitters seemed to be gone and I settled into the run. I have to admit that I did'nt feel as strong in the first half , as I would have liked too, probably the effect of the cold, I was recovering from. The long sleeve Sport Hill top was perfect. I wore gloves, at least I had opted for the right gear. Getting through the half mark I knew that second half was going to be tough. The course is well planned, we ran through some very varied neighbourhoods. There was some feel of running in Africa, camels and a small patch were I got a feel of running in a desert. Crowd support was good, traffic crossings were very well manned by the local police. Water stations were well stocked. The last miles were hard, made only tough by a gentle incline towards finish, there was a gentle drizzle and a winds to tackle, I have to say I was glad to cross the finish line........ 3 down, ....4 more to go.

World Record in Making

2009-01-31T07:56:00.004-06:00

Recently planning for my Antarctica run I have been in touch with Richard Donovan, who is the Director of the Ice Marathon, Antarctica. He recently sent an email as shown below. He presently is trying an amazing feat of running 7 marathons in 7 continents in less then 6 days. His web site, link below, lists that he successfully ran the Antarctica Marathon today. I wish him all the luck, Lets hope he is able to complete this challenge.

" I may have only occasional access to email from tomorrow until February 6th. Hence, I will have little opportunity answer emails quickly. Many apologies in advance.
I will be travelling to Antarctica and from January 30th - February 4th I hope to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 6 days. In other words, I'll be taking the long way home!
You should be able to follow the challenge at http://www.worldmarathonchallenge.com/. The website will be in operation over the weekend.
Best wishes,
Richard. "

Marrakech Marathon, Short Report

2009-01-26T21:11:00.003-06:00

African leg conquered: although not in a pretty way. Successfully completed the marathon in around 4:38 hrs, my slowest yet, but you know what I 'll take it. And now of course the long journey back home....Full report to follow

Pre Race, Marrakech Marathon, Morocco

2009-01-23T16:46:00.015-06:00

Woke up a little late in the morning and after having a quick Morroccan breakfast in the morning headed straight to meet Peter at Riad Yasmine, right in the heart of Medina in Marrakech. This Riad (an traditional Moroccon home which is now a hotel, somewhat like a Bed and Breakfast concept) was very beautiful. We then started our journey through the very complicated alleys of Medina. Every few yards you come across Souks ( shops) were tradional Moroccon handicrafts which includes and amazing range from pottery work, leather product, tanneries are in abundance here, carpets etc. are sold. Prices are always quoted to be very high and then you have to haggle the prices. Part of the conversations with the shopkeepers are where we were from. The mention of America/ President Barack Obama invariably brought glitter to their eyes. The shopkeepers to push their prices would claim "this is a good price, a Democratic price". Learning with our experience last night we were very strict in not letting any one follow us pretending to help us. Palais Dar Si Said (Museum of Moroccan Arts) was our first stop .The palace is very opulent and beautiful with a lovely courtyard. The museum's displays are well laid out and include jewelery, costumes, ceramics, daggers and other artifacts. After a pasta lunch at Djemma el Fna, the large square, visited Ali ben Youssef Medersa and Mosque. The Medersa was built in the 16th century by the Saadians and could house up to 900 religious students. The architecture is beautifully preserved and you can explore the tiny rooms where the students used to live. The mosque is adjacent to the Medersa. Being non Muslims we could not get into the mosque. Soon there after returned to Medina to continue exploring the city. The spice shops are very well stocked, there were some spices which I could identify, bought some saffron to bring back home. Dinner was at Marrakeshi Resturant, a nice somewhat opulent place, of course the carb load continued, it was pasta again.

Arriving into Marrakech Morocco

2009-01-22T19:58:00.022-06:00

Came down with a cold soon after posting the last post, I had boasted how

good I felt, obviously that jinxed me. As expected it was tough week

to get through cold coupled with a hectic pace prior to leaving for Marrakech.

Plane ride from Chicago to Paris was easy, plane was half empty so I got good

sleep. The flight from Paris to Marrakech was aroumd 3.30 hrs, landing around 1.00pm. The most obvious first impression was the amount French influence here. Situated at the foot of the Atlas mountains, the imperial city of Marrakech is large, noisy, polluted and smelly. The Snow clad Atlas mountains is an amazing backdrop to the city. But Marrakech is also seems fascinating, full of history, and is the cultural center of Morocco. After checking in the hotel and a brief nap I headed to the Djemma el Fna which is really the heart of Marrakech. It is a large central square in the old city (Medina) and during the day it's a perfect place to grab a freshly-squeezed orange juice and a handful of dates. At the end of the afternoon the Djemma el Fna transforms into an entertainers paradise -- if you're in to snake charming, juggling, music and that sort of thing. Snack stalls are replaced with stalls offering more substantial fare and the square comes alive with entertainment that apparently hasn't changed much since medieval times. Video

Djemma el Fna is surrounded by cafe's overlooking the square so you can just relax and watch the world go by if you're tired of jostling the crowds below. I met up with Peter Sayer a runner from Atlanta who I had met initially in Rio De Janerio, where he ran his first marathon. We soon mingled with the crowd, we were asked for money we took photos of the performers and stopped to watch the entertainment. We walked through the alleys that lead into heart of Medina, and honestly speaking there were some scary moments when crowds of young and old would insist on helping us and demand money. The Medina is the old, walled part of town where life continues much as it has for hundreds of years. Mopeds battle for the right of way with donkeys in the narrow alleyways filled with shops selling steel, wool and live chickens. The main thoroughfares are crammed with shoppers, tourists and playing in small alleys. Once out of the old city, you feel quite safe, and nobody bothered , infact I walked back to my hotel. I was pleasantly surprised with amount of popularity of Indian Music and movie stars here.

Final Count Down Marrakesh Marathon

2009-01-17T11:13:00.010-06:00

Next week this time I will be close to running my 3rd attempt to another 26.2 mile journey on foot. How do I feel, well I have put in my effort completing the last long run today of around 10 miles. No training goes to plan, would have liked to a long run last weekend, but couldn't find time. 2 weeks back I had somehow managed to run a 20 miler on a treadmill. Won't recommend this to the sane, I had no choice, Green Bay is reeling with a Arctic Blast. The temperatures have been as low as -40 F. This year I got to be smarter, didn't try the heroics of last year training outdoors. I have to admit it is much more fun outdoors, but for now I have to accept whatever is an "easier" way to train. During the 20 mile run I watched 2 movies, and of course took some short breaks to refuel. I am feeling quite healthy and hopefully should have a good run. I leave on Wednesday for Paris and then onto Marrakesh. I will meet up with Peter Sayer, a runner from Atlanta who I got to know in Rio De Janerio when he ran his first marathon. On Friday I hoping to travel to Casablanca. Next day will be spent in Marrakesh, and also getting ready for the Marathon . Post Marathon, I am looking forward to a sumptuous Moroccan dinner celebration. I leave Morocco on Monday, 26th and return home on Tuesday after spending a night in Paris. Look out for the link to PHOTO STREAM , I will be uploading photos as I go along with this trip.

Run for India, Half Marathon, Gurgoan, India

2008-12-14T09:56:00.014-06:00

Finish Time: 2hrs.06 mins. Dec. 7th, 2008

Within a few hours of my arrival in India I found myself at the starting line up for a Half Marathon organized by Running and Living Group. The run was at Leisure Valley Park, in Sector 29 Gurgoan which is on the out-skirts of New Delhi, quite near to the international Airport. I guess around 600 runners showed up for the run. It was still quite dark when some volunteers handed me the running bib. We all wore white ribbons commemorating the recent events in Mumbai. I also got to meet Rahul Verghese who has been the main driving force organizing this meet. Entry fees was 200 rupees ( approx.4 US Dollars). There were no running chips, an electronic clock was used for timing. The course was 6 loops of the Leisure Valley Park. Lap times were recorded for each completed loop. After a brief explanation of the course the run started at sharp 6.30 am, amongst the runners Dr. Roy a 76 year old Marathoner. I admit being nervous whether I'll be able to pull off this run having disembarked from a 16 hour non stop flight from US a few hours earlier. Also not to forget the Jet lag. I tried to gather inspiration from Dean Karnazes the Ultra Marathoner, I have recently finished reading one of his books. No heroics were planned the goal was to just finish. Most of the course is well paved except for one segment. The water station was near 1 km marker and was stocked with Gatorade, however there was no water available. Fortunately I found some at another station set up by a water bottling company Bisleri. I shared a conversation with a runner Sanjiv Saxena, a computer engineer who had spent some years in US working for Microsoft before returning back to India. He was attempting to finish his First half marathon run. At the finish medals and certificates were handed out. Rest of the day was spent sleeping....

Weekend Challenge : Running in New Delhi

2008-12-02T19:18:00.007-06:00

Later this week I will be traveling to India to attend a wedding. Within a few hours of my arrival, will attempt to participate in the 1st half-marathon hosted by Running and Living, an organization which has been trying to promote Fitness by Running in India. This run is being held in Gurgoan which is at the outskirts of New Delhi. If I feel strong enough, I'll attempt to finish 16 miles that day. It should give me a break from running under different layers of clothing as the weather is likely to be much better in India.
Running in India is still infancy. It is very hard to find any joggers on the run. On my last visit in March I was able to run in Nehru Park near the diplomatic enclave, the park is small but I was still able to do around 8-9 mile runs there. I was well protected from the traffic and stray dogs, which can be an issue in India. Long term I would like to do at least 3 runs in India, of course, the top race is the Mumbai Marathon, most likely in January 2010 as the last leg of my 7 continent journey. Hopefully Mumbai will be much safer and quieter then it has been the last few days. Recently held Delhi Half-Marathon also seems very appealing. If I ever get to be crazy enough to do ultra marthon I will definitely consider Bangalore Ultra .

50/50 : Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! - Dean Karnazes, Matt Fitzgerald

2008-11-28T09:19:00.007-06:00

Recently I have finished listening to this audio book while on my long runs. This is an amazing description of his journey through all 50 states in America, finishing 50 marathons, in 50 consecutive days. Dean walks you through all the planning that went into this adventure. The book is very well done. He describes all the runs individually stressing on the memorable moments. I thought I got personally involved in the book when he described about a marathon which he ran in Green Bay. I run some portions of the same route regularly. He also mentions about a young runner who ran along with him for her first marathon ever, to my surprise I had seen her run around our neighborhood when she lived in Green Bay. In spite of Dean's stature as one of the best ultra-marathoners of our time. He makes sure the book remains informative even for novice runners like myself. There are useful tips for runners of all caliber and experience to gain. I strongly recommend this book , it surely made some of my long runs go by quick.

Weather Woe's

2008-11-20T21:35:00.005-06:00

Green Bay's notorious winter is back. In the last few weeks the temperatures have dipped to less then 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It is getting tough, to run outdoors in morning hours. I'm surprised how quickly the weather has changed from record-breaking 70 degrees Fahrenheit in October to quickly dropping to 20 degrees. Compared to this, last year, I was able to run outdoors quite easily up to middle of January. I think the injury's risk goes up in colder weather. Obviously I want to avoid this. I am trying to do 3 runs a week. The first run is usually a speed run. This week I did 2 miles of easy run followed by 4 X 800 meters with 1.5 minutes of recovery interval in between. The pace for 800 repetitions was 7.5 minutes per mile. The 2nd run today was a Tempo run, 1 mile of easy run followed by 5 miles @ 8 minute per mile pace. This weekend I am planning a long run of 14 miles at 9.15 minute per mile pace. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Don't Get Trampled in the Big Marathons

2008-10-29T21:49:00.002-05:00

An article published in New York Times makes an interesting read click here for details

A Setback, I Hope a Minor One

2008-10-10T21:20:00.004-05:00

Over the last 12 days I have tried to push for more mileage. Initially everything seems to go with the plan. Last week I was able to put more then 30 miles of training session, including a long run of 8 miles. However I've had some discomfort in my lower back with some radiation of pain to the right leg. My diagnosis is probably a nerve entrapment. This week until today, I had been able to run only 4 miles . I felt low and miserable. Did some stretching exercises last night, and surprisingly felt good in the morning. Ran 5 miles at a slow pace in the morning, with no worsening in back pain. Returning back from work, I was able to sneak in another 7 miles. Tomorrow's a rest day, possibly some cross-training. I will attempt 13/14 mile long run on Sunday.

The Journey Continues...Next up Marrakech Marathon, Morroco

2008-09-28T21:08:00.006-05:00

Close to 4 months are left for the next marathon, in Marrakech, Morroco . Running in Appleton last weekend was an eye-opener, I realized we'll have to work hard to get back in good shape to complete the run. This week I put in around 40 miles of running and resumed strength training. The aim is to build a good tempo run tolerance of approximately 14 miles. I intend to run a warm-up run of around 2 miles at 9 minutes a mile pace, followed by alternating a mile each, at 8 minute/mile, and 8.45 minute/mile pace. The long runs will be over the weekends gradually increasing the distances to around 22 miles. This time around I plan to train at least 4 times a week.

Rio De Janeiro Marathon

2008-09-28T19:50:00.009-05:00

Update:

I want to put information about Manu (Emanuel Peclat Bernardes) a registered tour guide for Rio De Janeiro. A very realible, nice, polite, well spoken person. He is very fluent in English, infact spent quite a few years in US before returning back to Rio to look after his mom . He made my trip in Rio very easy and safe. He's very easily reached on his Blackberry. Very reasonable pricing for his service. Contact information:

Mobile Phone...55-21-7849-6674

Nextel Direct Connection:55*81*66148

manu@nextel.br.blackberry.com

manu.peclat@hotmail.com

U.S. Cellular Half Marathon, Appleton

2008-09-22T07:39:00.008-05:00

Finish Time 1:55 @ 8.45/mile pace

Consequences of easing off on my training schedule, was quite evident when I ran yesterday. Although I was able to finish faster then last year by around 4 minutes, I expected better . I felt more fatigued, couldn't maintain my posture through the race. The race was well organized, well supported, through out the course by spectators, and water stations. The course was mostly flat, running through some neighborhoods, and then ending at the scenic Riverside Park Neenah. I was a little disappointed at my performance, however, the constellation was 2 of my friends joined me to run a Half Marathon for their first time. Ravi and Mohit ran a very good race. Of course, I was convincingly beaten by Sara from my office.

Gadgets I use while running: To make it more interesting

2008-08-27T21:55:00.010-05:00

Garmin 305 Forerunner : This device changed the way I approached outdoor running. I have run in different parts of the world wearing this and found it to be extremely reliable . Until one is a very seasoned runner it is very difficult to judge the pace you are running at. This is where Garmin 305 steps in. With the help of overhead satellites I know exactly at what pace I am running at, and the exact distance covered. There are some navigation features too, in case you lose your way back home. This information is particularly helpful for planning training runs and in actual races. I should also mention that the data that is acquired during running can be downloaded to Motion Based where very advanced analysis of the completeted run can be performed.

Nike PLUS, Nano iPod : Well on long runs you need company, I listen to Music, Podcasts in educational topics and lately a new passion attempting to learn French. Presently I am probably at Preschool level. Wearing Nike plus shoes a small sensor sends information to the iPod, you can keep a log of the distance covered. I get this information on Garmin 305 as well. Post run the information can be downloaded to nikeplus website, where as a member of the biggest Running club in the world I have been able to compete in different challenges.

Oakley Thump Pro Sunglasses: My latest acquisition, shades with a MP 3 player. No more nuisance of hanging wires.

Running slows the aging clock, Stanford researchers find

2008-08-12T09:08:00.004-05:00

If you want to stay young, get into your sneakers and hit the road..

New research suggests regular running delays the effects of aging, according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Researchers followed 500 older runners for more than two decades. What they found was that elderly joggers have fewer disabilities, remained fit for longer than non-runners and are half as likely to die early deaths.

The new findings are published in the recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine click here for complete article

Rio De Janerio Marathon

2008-07-14T20:53:00.015-05:00

29th June, 2008 : Finish Time 4:31 hrs

Woke up early, infact did'nt sleep as well as I had hoped for. Breakfast was served at 5.00 am. Took a mini bus from the hotel to Attero De Flamengo. It was still dark, the excitement in air could be felt. Looking around I could see many runners from around the world. Attero De Flamengo would also be the finish line, for later in the day. We boarded a bus to take us to the start line. As the bus sped through the city, the sunrise over the Guanabara Bay was a sight to remember. There was a police escort provided for the transport buses. It took some time to reach the start line at the Macumba Beach. I estimate there were 1500 to 2000 runners. The Sun was still coming up, could see many wind surfers practicing their skills. Fortunately the temperature was quite pleasant probably around 55 degrees F .

The start was at 8:00 am, I quickly settled into the race with easy pace. The initial 12-13 miles are flat, with sun directly in front, sun glasses are a must. I was also breaking in my new shoes, and quite early in the race realised that this won't be the day to get my personal best run. Contrary to my experience in Paris Marathon the spectator support was almost absent. Water stations seemed well manned approx. 3 km apart. Water is served in small sealed cups.

The 2nd half of the run proved to be tougher, involved 2 hills and running through a tunnel between approx. 13th and 21st miles. This segment is probably the reason for the Rio Marathon billed "the most beautiful circuit you'll ever run". It certainly lives up to its reputation. The course followed along the coast, with big waves, beaches.... the famous sights like Christ Redeemer, Sugar Loaf. The view of Sao Conrado Beach was amazing.

Running down hill into the Ipanema was a welcome sight, but by now I was battling left foot pain. I hit the"WALL" . My half marathon split time was approx. 2hrs, the chance of a negative 2nd half split was not even a consideration. The temperature by now was approx. 75 degrees. It was quite crowded along the Ipanema and Copacabana beach. Most of the crowd was out for the Sunday Beach Sun, quite oblivious of the ongoing race. I was thrilled to cross the finish line. The setting beside the Sugar Loaf Mountain was incredible.

Arriving into Rio De Janerio

2008-07-02T20:04:00.008-05:00

25th June : Took an American Airlines flight out of Green Bay to Chicago. The itinerary was to go onto Miami then an overnight flight into Rio. Chicago apparently earlier in the day experienced some bad weather which delayed my flight to Miami. It was almost certain that I would have missed the flight to Rio. I was fortunately able to convince the American Airlines agent to get me an alternative ticket. The new itinerary was now on United Airlines, a direct flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil and then onto Rio. The flight was pleasant, a long 12hrs plus flight. Sao Paulo from air seemed like a bustling city, no doubt it is the largest city in Brazil with an estimated population of more than 10 million. After a brief stop over and change of planes in around 35 minutes arrived into Rio. Immigration clearance was a breeze no questions asked., but a bigger problem lay ahead. My baggage had not arrived. I was not entirely surprised as there had been some changes to my itinerary. I was upset as my running shoes/socks were in the checked in baggage, but felt assured that that I had 72 hours before the run and hopefully the baggage would arrive in the next flight. Manu the guide I had hired was at the airport to get me to the hotel Mar Palace where I was staying. Apparently a " cold front" had been moving through Rio, Manu informed me that it had been unusually cold. I was happy, hoping if only this weather pattern could hold onto for the next 3 days. Driving into the city Manu talked about Rio. It seemed like a well planned city, much better than I had expected. Checking into the hotel was easy. I then accompanied Manu for lunch in the Copacabana Fort which houses an artillery museum. I was introduced to Brazilian Coffee, served in very small cups. Then walked along the Copacabana beach, the pavements have been paved with black and cream swirl pattern mosaics.

27 th June : A busy day, went to down town, picked up running chip from the expo. The venue was odd inside a sub way station " Carioca". This subway station is huge even houses a small university. There were special arrangements for foreign runners, however there was some difficulty in locating my name on the lists of participants. This seemed like a common problem. Many non Portuguese speaking runners had found it very hard to register on the official marathon site. Mean while I got the news from United Airlines that my baggage had not arrived. I was beginning to get nervous. The rest of the day was spent visiting the Catholic Metropolitan Church in down town. Then took a tram ride onto the hills of Santa Teresa. Lunch was at a local eatery Bar De Minero. Later in the day visited the famous Sugar loaf mountain. The views of Rio at sunset were just breathtaking. Also saw Sambodrome where the famous Rio Carnival is held.

28th June : Visited the giant statue of Jesus , known as Christ the Redeemer atop Corcavado mountain, which has recently been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
A big problem was however looming, my baggage again had not arrived. I had no choice but to look for a new pair of shoes as the Marathon was less than 24 hrs. away. Manu my guide took me to " Fast Runner" a specialized shoe store in Ipanema. By evening I had made 3 trips to this store trying the right shoe for the big run next day. I admire the patience the shoe store showed, in fact opened the store late in the night when I called about my concern wanting to change my shoes for the third time in a day. I was upset for not heeding to the well established rules of running, to carry your running gear in the carry on baggage. Nike shoes cost dearly in Brazil, more then double the cost in US. I was getting skeptical on my chances to complete the run the next day in brand new shoes. I had hoped to take it easy prior to the big run, but it got more hectic as the day went by. The pasta dinner was organized at the hotel. Tried settling to sleep by 10 pm...but sleep eluded me, , I was just too nervous about my prospects of successfully completing the run the next day.

Rio De Janerio Marathon, Brazil, 29th June, 2008

2008-06-30T22:13:00.005-05:00

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.

Bellin Run 2008

2008-06-15T21:07:00.013-05:00

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.

Memorial Day! Long Run

2008-05-26T16:38:00.006-05:00

What a beautiful day to run. I had planned 14 mile run, went overboard completing 19 miles @ 9.33/mile pace. I struggled the last few miles. Click here for GPS data. The spring blossoms are in full bloom, and Green Bay finally is warming up. I started my run around 6.45 am, for the first time this year did not use gloves. The goal now is to try to make each run " productive" . I have introduced Hill training in my routine, running a circuit around my house a 2 mile loop, which includes 3 high grade hills which are evenly spaced out. What started out as a daunting running loop now is one I enjoy the most. I have been able to finish up to 3 loops ( 6 miles) with improving times, the last one was @ 8.36/mile pace. One more long run, approx. 20 miles, on the weekend of June 6th, then the taper to Rio Marathon.

Bellin Run is around the corner, hopefully this training will help me improve my time from last year.

Last weekend , Cellcom Marathon was run. I participated as a spectator. It was a chilly morning with relatively strong winds, although I think the runners didn't appear bothered by this. I went to cheer some friends who were running. Dr.Reinke and Dr.Chun , who ran with me in Paris Marathon, had a amazing day clipping away almost 20 minutes of their full Marathon times. Their achievement was inspiring realizing, this was a second Marathon they had competed in 6 weeks. Katie & Sara from my office participated in Half Marathon and finished with very good times.

The Journey Continues.....next up Rio De Janerio Marathon

2008-05-10T22:19:00.008-05:00

I was back in running mode this week. The honey moon post Paris Marathon lasted close to 4 weeks and I am paying dearly for that now. I got sick with a viral illness, and there was some laziness on my part. This week, ran close to 20 miles, but these were some tough runs. The long run, 9 miles, was not as easy as before. Hopefully I will soon gain my efficiency back. The plan now is to gain from each run. I have done a tempo run for around 4 miles. Hill training, which I have always longed to do was one strenuous run. Hopefully I will see the results. Read Lance Armstrong’s post Boston Marathon interview. He commented that if there is no pain there is no gain and also if it hurts during the race probably you did’nt train hard enough. I will try to push myself this time, provided I remain injury free. The strength training sessions are also back. I have been attending the Bellin XL program.

Paris Marathon, Last 6.2 Miles

2008-04-13T18:16:00.003-05:00

To read this post click here

Paris Marathon, 6th April, 2008

2008-04-08T19:03:00.023-05:00

Official finish time 4.29 hrs

4:11 am, woke up and realized it was too early to get up. Fortunately was able to force myself to sleep again, this time waking a little later than I wanted, waking up at 7:15 am. Now there was an obvious rush to get ready. Had a quick cup of tea followed by a bowl of flavoured oatmeal follwed by a quick shower. Paris had been unusually cold over the last few days, the temperature was expected to be around 32 F with a gentle breeze. There is one obvious advantage living in Green Bay and that is tolerance to run in cold. For the top I wore a long sleeve Sport Hill vest along with a wind breaker. For the bottom Reebok tights with a wind breaker. After bidding good byes to my wife and kids , equipped with my Garmin forerunner watch, 4 packs of Powerade Gel and one bar of Kellogs Protein bar I was soon headed to the starting line up to meet the rest of Green Bay Gang. The scene at Champs Elysees was unbelievable, it was humming with activity. Met up with Mark, Michong and Yoon posed for a photograph and then made my way to the area assigned for runners aiming to finish in around 4.30 hrs. Standing for the run to start I was submerged in the cacophony of different languages, runners of different shapes and sizes. It was quite cold and I was glad that I had made a decision to wear 2 layers. It was a surreal feeling realizing that the big day had finally arrived . There was a loud sound, the race had begun at exactly 8.45 am although it took quite a while I started moving towards the starting mark, and soon the race was on.
Race route on Google Map click here
Mile 1-5 : Start on Champs Elysees towards Concorde, which is the largest square in Paris. . The obelisk in the center is covered with hieroglyphs picturing the reign of pharaohs. It is a amazing landmark. The Rue de Rivoli extends onto Bastille. It was amazing to see the mammoth crowds, and the support afforded by them. There were bands playing on the sides, and Parisians were looking from their apartments on the runners running by. I kept my pace in check, not allowing the temptation to go fast into my head as I knew it could later cost me dearly. The cobbled portion of the streets was little difficult. Passed by Louvre museum. Stopped at the 5 km water stop for a bottle of water to be used later.

Mile 5-10: I had settled into the race and the apprehension was easing off. Paris has been extremely well planned, I just couldn't believe how beautiful it was. The next major land mark was the Place de Bastille onto Bois De VincennesMile

10-15: Running through a wooded belt, Parc de Paris, the hustle of the city was gone. I had been taking the powerade gels as planned at every five mile mark. Also kept myself well hydrated.

Mile 15-20: Running partly in the wooded belt lgave way to the area where the Notredame is located. All along the route there had been groups of bands playing.
Mile 20-25: With half of marathon finished I felt better, I have to admit there was some fatigue setting in. The race course suddenly let onto some cobbled streets onto the road adjoining Seine river. This calmly flowing river is very picturesque.

Mile 25-30: Course continued adjoining the Seine river with multiple over headed bridges where people had lined up to cheer us on. There were many underpasses, one of them particularly long. The approach to the underpasses was generally easy however the exit was always tough, I hated running up the steep gradient. Some runners preferred to walk that segment. The 3oth mile mark was just opposite the Eiffel tower. I stopped for a drink and suddenly felt a severe pain in my left knee I was surprised at this, walked a few steps and felt worse. I couldn't understand this pain as my left knee had not been issue during my training. Realizing the pain had started when I stopped for a drink, I took a chance to " run of the pain". Initially I felt it won't work but then gradually the pain got better. By now I was getting hungry I ate a date and the Kellogs protein bar which I had brought along.

Paris Marathon, Last 6.2 miles

2008-04-08T04:16:00.016-05:00

Had just crossed the Eiffel Tower, which was near to the start line. However there was still a big loop around to the finish. Only the other day me, Anu, and the kids had walked from our apartment to the Eiffel Tower and it had seemed so near. The real race had just begun. My left knee pain appeared to be better. I decided I would not stop at any water stations from now on. The end seemed so near however I still knew I had a mountain to climb. Running a marathon, now seemed like a “freaking” crazy idea, I now knew why some well wishers in my office had contemplated a psych consult to help me get over this obsession. I was very hungry . One of my colleague's comment “You are going to Paris to run a marathon??? that's crazy!I would go there to eat”. Seemed to be so true. Here I am in the culinary capital of the world, running past bakeries stocked with the best of macaroons, crepes, and croissants, I can’t have them at least for now. Not finishing the run was out of question. I knew I had to do it. No matter how determined you are, the body wants to give up on you. Fortunately the terrain was fairly level and was in a very scenic part..............I knew the Arc De Triumphe was nearby but still couldn't’t see it. There was definitely more medical presence in the last few miles, ambulances, paramedics helping people. The fear of getting injured, getting sick, was definitely at the back of my mind how ever I felt reasonably well. In fact better then when I had finished my half marathon in Appleton, Wisconsin, which was strange. I definitely didn’t want to make headlines in a foreign land. The young man from Kaukana, Wisconsin who died recently after finishing a marathon was definitely in my mind. I have to admit I did not push my self too hard, fearing a bad outcome. The last few miles definitely appear to be the longest. The scenery, the crowds, the bands suddenly didn't seem to matter. It was a lonely personal battle. There were multiple wine stops for the runners, reminding me this is Paris where wine is often cheaper than water. I guess the celebrations had already begun for some runners or may be it helped allay the pain. And at last it was the last mile, I knew this is going to be a special day in my life, I felt good that I am going to finish my first marathon, suddenly all the long training seemed so worthwhile. ........crossed the finish line. It was over....couldn't believe it.....the sun had come out and it was getting a little warm. The mood of all runners was very sombre, I guess the fatigue had taken its toll. Collected my medal and started looking for my family.

Post Run: When the rest of the Green Bay gang arrived at the finish line, my wife thought I will not be showing up for a little while she took the kids to the the nearby Arc De triumph. I looked for them at the designated spot with no avail. Took us 2hrs, before we got together.

Paris Marathon, April 6th, 2008

2008-04-06T11:26:00.010-05:00

Short Report: I completed "The Paris Marathon". Click here for details. Unofficial time between 4:20 and 4:30 hrs. Part of the data was lost when Satellite Link with my Garmin 305 watch failed as the marathon route involved few underpasses one of which was quite long. The official time is still not out. Stay tuned for a complete report once back in U.S. And now its time to celebrate. Thank you all for your support.

Posted from Paris, France

Pre Race, Paris

2008-04-06T11:03:00.006-05:00

Friday, April 5th-Collected my running bib and T-Shirt at the marathon expo, which was very well organized. It was quite crowded. did splurge on a jacket. My excitement was quite obvious to Mark, Michong, Yoon who have all ran marathons before. I must confess that I remain apprehensive, having never run a full marathon before. The day otherwise had been quite hectic visiting the famous Louvre Museum, laying eyes on the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. We also saw the amazingly beautiful Cathedral de Notre Dame. 2 cans of beer and a hearty pasta meal was what I needed at the end of the day. The most surprising find so far has been my wife's French speaking skills, although limited, it goes a long way here.

Saturday, April 6th- Pre-Race Pasta dinner was at Michong and Matt Fuch's beautiful apartment. As per Gail's advice I did have some beer. Gail is a nurse who works in coronary care unit, a seasoned marathoner. Aim is to get to bed early. I got a lot of attention for my wife today, I know I shouldn't get used to it. She and my kids are more nervous than I am. Early in the day we visited Montmarte, a beautiful neighborhood in Paris, with its steep hills, staircase cobbled streets and sweeping views. Also saw Sacre Coeur via the bustling place du Tetre. Once we got there this white wedding cake cathedral drew our gasp as it first hovered into view. The mosaics inside on the ceiling, walls and the floor are incredible. No photography is allowed inside, outside it afforded some panoramic views of Paris. A big group of marathoners were also present there posing for the photographs on the steps outside. Started raining so we skipped visiting Milan Rouge although on the way back Anu, my wife did pick up a bottle of champagne......? For the post race celebration. I hope we get to use it.

Last Training Run, Paris

2008-04-03T19:00:00.006-05:00

Completed my last training run at none other place than Champs Elysees. It was a short run of 2.1 miles, early in the day although the traffic had already started to be heavy. I saw some other runners probably also participating in Sunday's run. Well I guess that is it, I have at least completed my training and rest would be known in 3 days from now. I feel good with no major aches, my toe nails are already jet blue so they can't get any worse. Arrived in Paris on Wednesday, Apr. 2nd . , we are staying in a very beautiful apartment near the Arc de Triumphe. It is a wonderful experience living like Parisians. Met up for dinner with the Green Bay gang, Michong, Matt Fuchs, Dr. and Mrs. Reinke and Dr. Chun today. Michong, Drs. Reinke and Chun are also participating in Sunday's run.

Posted from Paris, France

Running in India

2008-03-30T21:50:00.012-05:00

What a contrast to Green Bay, when in New Delhi, India. I have been here for last one week visiting family. The temperature passes 90 F during the day, you see people every where and and while running, have to be careful of the stray dogs. I have tried keeping up with my routine, running around 13 -14 miles this week. My last long run was in Nehru Park, New Delhi, a very well laid out 80 acre garden near the diplomatic enclave. For run details click here. Sharing some images from this trip so far ......
Jaipur, my mom's home town

Amer Palace, outskirts of Jaipur
Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace), Jaipur

Mira my daughter, in front of massive mural depicting Mugal empire ( she has a fractured clavicle, hence the sling)

Qutab Minar, New Delhi
Lotus Temple, New Delhi

Posted from New Delhi, India

A Cold Green Bay Morning Run

2008-03-16T08:33:00.010-05:00

Landmark week of sorts. The highlight has to be my Long run on Saturday. The goal was to complete 20 miles, I tried 22 miles, achieved 21.2 miles. (Walked the last 0.25 miles through my immediate neighborhood, didn’t want them to see me struggling). Run details, Click Here. I am happy with this and feel reasonably confident about my prospects 3 weeks from now.
Woke up early. I was a little anxious having not run outdoors for quite a few weeks. The day fortunately turned out to be reasonably pleasant by Green Bay standards. It was still a little cold but the layered clothing worked very well, so it was not a bother at all. The roads were better than expected, however there were still some icy patches to maneuver.
Around 10.5 mile I did misjudge a icy patch which gave way to a puddle, my left foot was all soaked completely with cold water, I thought that was the end of the run however surprisingly it did not pose any long lasting problems. My gamble to change my running shoe seems to have paid off. I have switched from Asics GT 2120 to Nike Plus Air Max Moto 5 . This shoe is far more cushioned compared to former which is lighter and also known for stability.
Post run, felt quite good, I am not sure whether it is the shoe or better conditioning. I will like to think it is the latter. Throughout the run my rib pain continues to be there, and does limit my ability to push harder not letting me breathe deeply.

Some other minutiae ………. Previous night loaded with Pasta
Pre race 1 slice of Toast with Peanut butter/ along with
Cup of tea ( Dr. Chun’s recommendation)
During the run, water breaks along with PowerAde Gel
Step 2 @ approx. 5.5, 11, 16.5 miles. Total water
Consumed 58 Oz. At 20 mile mark
All of a sudden, extreme hunger overcome me, got a Snicker bar with fantastic results. I felt good. This will have to be a permanent routine.
Post run Gatorade 20 Oz. and 40 grams of Whey protein in milk for muscle recovery

Other details: Total other runners passed…. 5
1 Honk by an older guy who either was irritated by my not clearing the crossing in soon enough time or may be he was being a cautious driver. I have to say it did startle/irritate me.

This week

Monday, March 10th, ......... strength training

Tuesday, March 11th, ......... 9 mile run @ 8.53/mile pace

Wednesday, March 12th..... 2.3 milerun

Thursday, March 13th......... strength training

Friday, March 14th............... rest

Saturday, March 15th...........long run 21.2 miles @ 10.11/mile pace

Sunday, March 16th............. rest

Posted at Green Bay, WI.

Week Starting 3rd March, 2008.

2008-03-10T13:12:00.004-05:00

Busy week, I was on Call over the weekend which made it very unpredictable, in terms of maintaining the running schedule. Realizing that being on Call is a way of life for me, I have limited my runs to 2 for the week on call. Green Bay continues to be cold although there is hope with some improvement in weather expected next week. This week I did get time to reflect on the training routine I have attempted to maintain. First of all Bellin XL program proved to be boon for me. Time spent on core exercises particularly stretching, lunges and strength training has been well worth it. I was lucky to work with Barry Rubin, who was previously Green Bay Packers strength coach. He took a keen interest in helping me out, a novice athlete, considering that he works mostly with top athletes. I put in almost 35-40 hrs. of training with him. As it is all good things come to an end , Barry has now joined Philadelphia Eagles organization. I have continued to train at Bellin XL program. For the Running schedule I have followed the First Marathon Furman Institute Program. There have been some set backs along the way including a very frigid winter with subzero temperatures limiting ability to run long distances outdoors, a nagging groin injury and then the recent bout of Flu which has left me with contused ribs due to excessive coughing. The good news I am on the mend and hopefully should be able to complete the last few runs of the training program.

This week
Tuesday, 4th March…… Strength Training
Thursday, 6th March….. Easy Run 5 miles
Saturday, 8th March……..Long Run 8 miles @ 8’.55”/mile pace

Core Excercise's

2008-03-04T22:24:00.000-06:00

4th March, 2008
Did 1 hour of Stretching/Strength training.

Long Run

2008-03-04T21:52:00.000-06:00

1st March, 2008
Able to complete long run of apprx. 21 miles @ 8.43 min/mile pace. Confidence booster, one more long run on 15th March and hopefully that would be it.

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=runners,runs,686224541,runID,954267407