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Monday, June 30, 2008
Short report: Completed the Rio Marathon, Click here for GPS data. My time probably between 4.20 -4.30 hrs., close to the previous run in Paris, how ever this was under much more difficult circumstances. (the official time is not yet out). The course is rated amongst the most beautiful in the world. I will post in future posts a detailed report with some amazing pictures of Rio, " The Marvellous City" as it is rightfully called.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
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.
Monday, May 26, 2008
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.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Journey Continues.....next up Rio De Janerio Marathon
0 comments Posted by Rahul Verma at 10:19 PMI 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.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
To read this post click here
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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
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 kn
ee 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.
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 kn
ee 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. 
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 macaroon
s, 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, ambulan
ces, 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 t
o 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.
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