A Seven Continent Journey

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

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 .

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

To read this post click here

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.