Saturday, February 4, 2012
its little about physical strength
"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." ~ Lance Armstrong
"Finishing a Marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of my mind that says anything is possible."
"Finishing a Marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of my mind that says anything is possible."
Monday, January 23, 2012
TO DO before, during and after running in Half Marathon
"If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
I recently ran in Mumbai Half Marathon (in 2 hours, 45 minutes). It was my second half marathon so far. Less than two months back I ran in Delhi Half Marathon (2 hours, 58 minutes - YAY! I am improving :D). Although I am so tempted to talk at length about my experience and compare Delhi and Mumbai Marathons, but for now I will choose to resist that temptation and not digress from the topic. To put the experience in one sentence I will say - there is no joy better than THE JOY OF RUNNING. Having run in two half marathons already and done my bit of research on the same, here is my yet another list of things TO DO if you plan to run in a half marathon:
BEFORE THE RUN
1. Though I ran in the half marathon without practice (well I label myself as a weird exception. When it comes to running, I somehow can run any day without practice, any distance! I just don’t get tired.), I strongly recommend that you (and I) practice well for it – to avoid shocks and to improve on pace. Even if you can manage to run 6-7 Kilometers(for me its about 21 rounds of my apartment premises) three-four days in week, that’s enough. Also, always remember to stretch before and after the run – again to avoid shocks.
2. During the practice, wear the right running shoes for your foot-type and run on right surface. Best is if you can run on grass or cinders (this gritty composition of fine rock on the running tracks in parks). Asphalt (the surface of typical roads) comes as third best option. Don’t commit the mistake of running on concrete (the cemented roads and tracks); they are disastrous for your joints.
3. On the day before the race eat plenty of carbohydrate (don't over eat though), avoid junk food and alcohol, and drink plenty of water. Include fibers and salad in your diet so that you are able to relieve well before the race. Take rest through out the day and sleep early. Keep your toenails trimmed for obvious reasons. Also, keep your running gears, clothing and bib ready.
4. On the Marathon day, hydrate yourself enough by drinking sufficient water on the night before the run and in the morning. But make sure you do not drink the water any later than 2 hours before the run so that you don’t have to run with your stomach full. I also suggest having a glass of milk and banana before you leave from home.
5. Do use the rest room before the start of the race even if there is a queue. I had a horrible experience running with pee in my tummy for the first 10kms in Mumbai Marathon, because I didn’t want to stand in the long queue before the run and couldn’t find any mobile toilet till first 10kms (and I so abhor Standard Chartered for this, the organizers of the event).
6. Reach the venue much before the time so that you start early and don’t get stuck with the herd (sadly enough, half of the people are there for a leisure walk and make it difficult for you to run by blocking the way). You can spend that time stretching and warming up.
DURING THE RUN
7. Drink few sips of water and wash your face every 2-3kms. Drinking small frequent amount will keep you hydrated without making you too full. Washing your face will keep you cool and wash off the excess salt on your face that gets accumulated because of excessive sweating.
8. Sweating also causes loss of salts from the body. Keep salt with you in a handy smallest possible container and keep swallowing a pinch of it, say every 3-4kms. Also keep energy drink powder with you, as it replenished the lost electrolyte from the body. I prefer to keep a pouch of Gatorade powder that I mix with water and drink. I use my homeopathy medicine’s plastic bottles to carry these things, with smaller holes on the one used for salt and bigger on the one used for energy drink powder (see pic). You don’t want to carry too much, so keep a lightweight polyester waist pouch to keep these things.
9. If possible, slip in few carb biscuits (I like Parle-G) and milk chocolate in your pouch. Again keep few of them, as you don’t want to carry too much. It’s important to keep replenishing your body with carbs, otherwise you will begin to feel too weak towards the later part of the run.
10. Though you will get most of the above mentioned things (in point 8&9) on the way, I prefer to keep them with me as I don’t like to stop during the run and lose time. I prefer to run non-stop.
11. Maintain constant pace throughout the run, and take short sprints in between. Don’t get tired by trying to run too fast in the beginning. Personally, I take less time to finish the second half.
AFTER THE RUN
12. After the run, don’t sit down immediately. STRECH. Then keep walking and moving for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
13. Finish the refreshments provided after the run. Even if it’s hard to take in, stuff yourself with that. Your body needs it. The fruits and energy drink for replenishment of electrolyte and minerals, biscuits for carbs and water for fluids. Drink a glass of water every 2 hours till 2 days after the run.
14. Due to excessive exertion, muscles and tissues of your legs get over heated. Contrary to the popular belief of dipping them in hot water, dip your legs (till the knees) in icy cold water for ten minutes. Do that as soon as you reach home. While you do that make sure you wear woolens on your upper body and cover your head with a warm cap/muffler, so that you don’t catch cold.
15. It’s a myth that to get relief from muscle stiffness after the marathon you should run. Don’t resume running until your body recovers on its own. It should not take more than 4-5 days for that. Instead you should take slow to brisk walk every day during that time.
HAPPY RUNNING…
I recently ran in Mumbai Half Marathon (in 2 hours, 45 minutes). It was my second half marathon so far. Less than two months back I ran in Delhi Half Marathon (2 hours, 58 minutes - YAY! I am improving :D). Although I am so tempted to talk at length about my experience and compare Delhi and Mumbai Marathons, but for now I will choose to resist that temptation and not digress from the topic. To put the experience in one sentence I will say - there is no joy better than THE JOY OF RUNNING. Having run in two half marathons already and done my bit of research on the same, here is my yet another list of things TO DO if you plan to run in a half marathon:
BEFORE THE RUN
1. Though I ran in the half marathon without practice (well I label myself as a weird exception. When it comes to running, I somehow can run any day without practice, any distance! I just don’t get tired.), I strongly recommend that you (and I) practice well for it – to avoid shocks and to improve on pace. Even if you can manage to run 6-7 Kilometers(for me its about 21 rounds of my apartment premises) three-four days in week, that’s enough. Also, always remember to stretch before and after the run – again to avoid shocks.
2. During the practice, wear the right running shoes for your foot-type and run on right surface. Best is if you can run on grass or cinders (this gritty composition of fine rock on the running tracks in parks). Asphalt (the surface of typical roads) comes as third best option. Don’t commit the mistake of running on concrete (the cemented roads and tracks); they are disastrous for your joints.
3. On the day before the race eat plenty of carbohydrate (don't over eat though), avoid junk food and alcohol, and drink plenty of water. Include fibers and salad in your diet so that you are able to relieve well before the race. Take rest through out the day and sleep early. Keep your toenails trimmed for obvious reasons. Also, keep your running gears, clothing and bib ready.
4. On the Marathon day, hydrate yourself enough by drinking sufficient water on the night before the run and in the morning. But make sure you do not drink the water any later than 2 hours before the run so that you don’t have to run with your stomach full. I also suggest having a glass of milk and banana before you leave from home.
5. Do use the rest room before the start of the race even if there is a queue. I had a horrible experience running with pee in my tummy for the first 10kms in Mumbai Marathon, because I didn’t want to stand in the long queue before the run and couldn’t find any mobile toilet till first 10kms (and I so abhor Standard Chartered for this, the organizers of the event).
6. Reach the venue much before the time so that you start early and don’t get stuck with the herd (sadly enough, half of the people are there for a leisure walk and make it difficult for you to run by blocking the way). You can spend that time stretching and warming up.
DURING THE RUN
7. Drink few sips of water and wash your face every 2-3kms. Drinking small frequent amount will keep you hydrated without making you too full. Washing your face will keep you cool and wash off the excess salt on your face that gets accumulated because of excessive sweating.
8. Sweating also causes loss of salts from the body. Keep salt with you in a handy smallest possible container and keep swallowing a pinch of it, say every 3-4kms. Also keep energy drink powder with you, as it replenished the lost electrolyte from the body. I prefer to keep a pouch of Gatorade powder that I mix with water and drink. I use my homeopathy medicine’s plastic bottles to carry these things, with smaller holes on the one used for salt and bigger on the one used for energy drink powder (see pic). You don’t want to carry too much, so keep a lightweight polyester waist pouch to keep these things.
9. If possible, slip in few carb biscuits (I like Parle-G) and milk chocolate in your pouch. Again keep few of them, as you don’t want to carry too much. It’s important to keep replenishing your body with carbs, otherwise you will begin to feel too weak towards the later part of the run.
10. Though you will get most of the above mentioned things (in point 8&9) on the way, I prefer to keep them with me as I don’t like to stop during the run and lose time. I prefer to run non-stop.
11. Maintain constant pace throughout the run, and take short sprints in between. Don’t get tired by trying to run too fast in the beginning. Personally, I take less time to finish the second half.
AFTER THE RUN
12. After the run, don’t sit down immediately. STRECH. Then keep walking and moving for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
13. Finish the refreshments provided after the run. Even if it’s hard to take in, stuff yourself with that. Your body needs it. The fruits and energy drink for replenishment of electrolyte and minerals, biscuits for carbs and water for fluids. Drink a glass of water every 2 hours till 2 days after the run.
14. Due to excessive exertion, muscles and tissues of your legs get over heated. Contrary to the popular belief of dipping them in hot water, dip your legs (till the knees) in icy cold water for ten minutes. Do that as soon as you reach home. While you do that make sure you wear woolens on your upper body and cover your head with a warm cap/muffler, so that you don’t catch cold.
15. It’s a myth that to get relief from muscle stiffness after the marathon you should run. Don’t resume running until your body recovers on its own. It should not take more than 4-5 days for that. Instead you should take slow to brisk walk every day during that time.
HAPPY RUNNING…
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
being @ home...time to publish my just another fantastic list, for the first time
I completed school..was not part of the aspire-to-be doctor/engineer gentry, so went straight to college without having the luxury to dig two deep holes on the couch. For the first time in my life, I actually slogged to score..blame my hi-fi Economics Hons course (yeah, I am showing off :P). Right after I finished college, I found myself into a decent and decently not-so-challenging job, and then soon into a fairly challenging one. Its been three years; three years of having to wake up at 7:20 to struggle to reach 25-km distant office by 8:30 and having to drive insanely to make this possible (confession#1 - I love insanely driving part, roads are mostly empty at that hour; confession#2 - Invariably every month I top the chart of number of highest lates..ahhh, i don't abhor zeniths afterall ;)), three years of dry eyes from gaping into computer screen without a blink, three years of lethargic weekends.
I deserved a break. That I had already devoured my yearly quota of leaves by June(thats typical me :D), I am on unpaid leave of half a month for my GMAT scheduled for this 01 September. I am completely LOVING it (I guess more so because I know I am bloody paying for my leaves)!! Its raining in the city...
...and i am feeling so much at peace. I have been happy all these years; or maybe i like to be believe so...ummm...no, i think i have been happy. But i have not been at peace. Looking at the rains for hours, waking up late in the morning, and then again sleeping at length in the afternoon...i had forgotten most of it. I feel back to life, i feel calm.
Hey, its my dear daddy's birthday today :D He is the most adorable homosapien alive. How to live life..half i learnt from him, half i inherited through his genes :) Here's the yummiest cake -
coming back to me, as i let this feeling of calmness and serenity sink in, i sat down and thought about things i really really love to do. So that whenever i feel short of peace, whenever i am restless, i pick up any one them and engage myself into it.
I thought of listing down ten things, and my list extended to fifteen things actually :). Here's the list, NOT in any order of preference -
1)Run. There is no joy better than the joy of Running. Although I quite like my sprints too, I am a natural long-distance runner (if that's what you call it). It is like, any random day you ask me to run and I will keep running..5, 10, 15 kms...without any prior practice. believe running is less about physical strength and more about a state of mind, a state of mind that says anything is possible. The sense of contentment and peace you get after running is very fulfilling.
I plan to run in increasing number of Marathons, and certainly not miss the two major ones in Delhi and Mumbai; and more importantly, practice regularly for it.
2) Dance. I am not complaining here, because my parents have done fairly fabulous job raising their two daughters, but i miss not having learnt classical dance in childhood. I love to dance anyway, but i am increasingly getting inclined towards classical forms of dance, bharatnatyam in particular. I plan to learn this Indian form of dance sometime soon for sure. Apart from this, I would also love to rope in my partner to learn some form of couple dance..ball room and salsa seem fancy enough - something I have always wanted to learn with my partner :D
As I always say and follow - Dance like no one is watching!!!
3) Ride my motorbike. It is liberating, it makes me feel strong and independent. Much like running, it gives you a strange kind of high. I currently ride a TVS Victor. I guess I should ride it more often and feel high(er) more frequently :D I am saving up to buy an Enfield and make road trips on it. Gosh I am already so excited :D
4) Write. I am fulfilling that very passion exactly this moment. I am an Analyst and a large part of my profession constitutes writing. Its technical writing - analyzing numbers, understanding and interpreting market trends out of them and putting that all in words. However, to be honest about it, I am not so fond of that kind of writing. I like creative and expressive writing, which my blog lets me do. As my friends and folks put it - I am a story teller; my blog lets me tell those stories. For now, I am happy with this platform, until the day my writing skills graduate to the level that I pick up a profitable form a writing ;)
5) Take pictures. I have always loved to do it. Now, given that I am financially more independent, I have equipped myself with a camera, lenses and other peripherals that would enable me to click faster and clearer pictures. However, till now my photography has been limited to event and travel photography. I plan to take it up more seriously, and engage in more of creative photography, go for photo-walks and heritage tours.
6) Draw. Paint. Sketch
7) Sing. Karaoke
8) Read. Books
9) Children. Volunteer for CRY/TFI/PRATHAM/SAVE THE CHILDREN
10) Cook. Buy an personal Oven (not microwave)
11) Travel. Cheap and frequent
I deserved a break. That I had already devoured my yearly quota of leaves by June(thats typical me :D), I am on unpaid leave of half a month for my GMAT scheduled for this 01 September. I am completely LOVING it (I guess more so because I know I am bloody paying for my leaves)!! Its raining in the city...
...and i am feeling so much at peace. I have been happy all these years; or maybe i like to be believe so...ummm...no, i think i have been happy. But i have not been at peace. Looking at the rains for hours, waking up late in the morning, and then again sleeping at length in the afternoon...i had forgotten most of it. I feel back to life, i feel calm.
Hey, its my dear daddy's birthday today :D He is the most adorable homosapien alive. How to live life..half i learnt from him, half i inherited through his genes :) Here's the yummiest cake -
coming back to me, as i let this feeling of calmness and serenity sink in, i sat down and thought about things i really really love to do. So that whenever i feel short of peace, whenever i am restless, i pick up any one them and engage myself into it.
I thought of listing down ten things, and my list extended to fifteen things actually :). Here's the list, NOT in any order of preference - 1)Run. There is no joy better than the joy of Running. Although I quite like my sprints too, I am a natural long-distance runner (if that's what you call it). It is like, any random day you ask me to run and I will keep running..5, 10, 15 kms...without any prior practice. believe running is less about physical strength and more about a state of mind, a state of mind that says anything is possible. The sense of contentment and peace you get after running is very fulfilling.
I plan to run in increasing number of Marathons, and certainly not miss the two major ones in Delhi and Mumbai; and more importantly, practice regularly for it.
2) Dance. I am not complaining here, because my parents have done fairly fabulous job raising their two daughters, but i miss not having learnt classical dance in childhood. I love to dance anyway, but i am increasingly getting inclined towards classical forms of dance, bharatnatyam in particular. I plan to learn this Indian form of dance sometime soon for sure. Apart from this, I would also love to rope in my partner to learn some form of couple dance..ball room and salsa seem fancy enough - something I have always wanted to learn with my partner :D
As I always say and follow - Dance like no one is watching!!!
3) Ride my motorbike. It is liberating, it makes me feel strong and independent. Much like running, it gives you a strange kind of high. I currently ride a TVS Victor. I guess I should ride it more often and feel high(er) more frequently :D I am saving up to buy an Enfield and make road trips on it. Gosh I am already so excited :D
4) Write. I am fulfilling that very passion exactly this moment. I am an Analyst and a large part of my profession constitutes writing. Its technical writing - analyzing numbers, understanding and interpreting market trends out of them and putting that all in words. However, to be honest about it, I am not so fond of that kind of writing. I like creative and expressive writing, which my blog lets me do. As my friends and folks put it - I am a story teller; my blog lets me tell those stories. For now, I am happy with this platform, until the day my writing skills graduate to the level that I pick up a profitable form a writing ;)
5) Take pictures. I have always loved to do it. Now, given that I am financially more independent, I have equipped myself with a camera, lenses and other peripherals that would enable me to click faster and clearer pictures. However, till now my photography has been limited to event and travel photography. I plan to take it up more seriously, and engage in more of creative photography, go for photo-walks and heritage tours.
6) Draw. Paint. Sketch
7) Sing. Karaoke
8) Read. Books
9) Children. Volunteer for CRY/TFI/PRATHAM/SAVE THE CHILDREN
10) Cook. Buy an personal Oven (not microwave)
11) Travel. Cheap and frequent
have grown myself into it
the feet my guy finds manly. I didn't like the comment, but then i liked it.
Monday, August 1, 2011
road ahead
I cant go back into the past and undo the zillion wrongs I do, but future is COMPLETELY mine. Let me make it...try make it incredibly beautiful.
I don't look at the past. I look at future because that's where I am gonna spend the rest of my life, and that's all I care about.
I don't look at the past. I look at future because that's where I am gonna spend the rest of my life, and that's all I care about.
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