Bangalore Marathon

17th September 2006, Morning 4:30 AM, Alarm went Buzzzzzzzzzz, I woke up with full enthu, quickly drank 250 ml of water, woke up my Aravind ( my brother ), it was the day of my life
yes, day to run the Bangalore Marathon.

We went to Murtuza's house to pick up the gang( M,R, Motu, Sunand, Shaheen), at 5:30 we were at the venue Sri Kanthirava Stadium. The wore a festive look, with all the preparation for the Bangalore Marathon and Athletes and Athletic Enthusiast pouring from all over world.

We had our share of preparation also, Electral, Glucose, Water Bottle and some running and stretching also :-).

At the stadium we met Suma a KMA Trainer and seasoned athlete, she was running full Marathon ( 41.195 Km ), we wished her good luck and did some stretching, it was time to start the run.

6:30 AM the pistol was shot announcing the start of the Marathon.

The aim was very clear, to complete the Half Marathon ( 21 Km ) within three Hours. We started very slow.

Came out of Kantheerava Stadium and took the road into Cubbon Park. By 6:45 we had run 2 KM, we reached the water point opposite high court,

To my surprise, or should I say Shock I was handed over a 1 Lt Water bottle took a sip and continued, I found running with one Lt. bottle in Hand very difficult

I was wondering if I will have to carry this bottle thru out the run, Does it mean that there will be no water points ? Still took a chance dropped the bottle in front of All India Radio and continued.

The Run was cool, the cloudy weather was perfect, We maintained the slow Pace, by 7:25 we had covered 6 KM and were near Cauvery theater, till now the traffic was very well managed with no vehicle on one side of the road.

We Slowly started the climb from Cauvery theater towards Mekhri circle, we had covered about
8 KM by then. I slowly started to realize how many muscles are there in the leg, but kept going in the same slow pace.

By 8:00 AM I was at the Hebbal flyover, the Ramp of the flyover started to look like Mt. Everest, but the choice was clear, no giving up, no matter what...pace came down but kept going.

by 8:15 AM, I was half way through, the organizers sprayed pink ink to certify that I was indeed reached the return point. Took the U turn at the flyover, started to climb up.

The traffic had caught up the Marathon, it was getting bad slowly, we had to run in between Buses and cars. but as soon as I climbed down the flyover I saw that it was not all that bad,

Next Water point was near CBI, took a liter of water, poured on my head, suddenly felt
better, drank a glass of glucose.

8:40 AM, I reached Windsor manor bridge, the climb was killing, by this time I had finished 18 KM run, My Pace reduced further, then I noticed something interesting a couple on their orning walk went past me.., I stopped for a while, just to make sure that I was indeed running, and In fact I was running, I decided to walk for a while...

9:00 AM I was near All India radio, I noticed that all the water spots had disappeared, started run again, Legs were telling me not to run, but I did not listen to them, took a right turn near GPO, started running opposite Vidhan Soudha, kept the slow pace, reached KR Circle at 9:10 AM.

Entered Cubbon Park, Totally Exhausted a old gentleman, said "Another Kilometer you are almost there, Buck up", My face lit up, continued in slow pace, reached the Stadium, the crowd at the entrance was cheering, clapping, the applauses made feel like a winner, at 9:15 I entered the track and finished my 21 KM half marathon...

It was time for Celebration.....

Next two days Every staircase Stared at me, with a cunning smile on it, but the satisfaction of running a marathon was so much, could not do much but to look forward for the next Marathon.

Suma bagged the second place in full Marathon her account of marathon at Akash's Blog