ADHM 2009.……From Sole Running to Soul Running.
"Anything is possible, but you have to believe and you have to fight."
-Lance Armstrong
There is something to living life with a fire in your belly. And ADHM 2009 did just that to me. This race will always be very special to me. My journey into Sole Running began from ADHM 2008 when my coach Daniel Vaz (Zico) motivated me to run my first HM. Since then, it has been an amazing journey of hard core training, of failures, of joy, of fear and of hope. And so I ventured into ADHM 2009 with a determination to discover what I was made up of. I was glad I had the belief of my Coach and the love of my family to back me up.
Nov. 1 dawned peacefully over the city which suddenly was wide awake in the wee hours to cheer its runners. As Roshni, Ajay and I reached Nehru Park, the atmosphere was crackling with enthusiasm and apprehension. We met Sundaresan and a few runners from Mumbai. Sundaresan encouraged me to run for fun again with his courageous smile. After a bit of jostling, the race started at 7.30 am sharp and the butterflies immediately settled down as I saw the start line and started my stop watch. Go for it, Madhu!
The Delhi Race is run on flat roads with history caressing you silently as you run with memories of a city which has seen a lot of struggle and triumph from centuries past. This time, I had Zico’s scientific training to back me up and I was running at a pre-determined pace which was designed to take me from my 3: 19 finish to a 2: 58 finish. My training runs had been satisfying and Zico’s constant drill of the science of running ranging from pace, carbo loading, hydration, injuries, rest days, strength and circuit training had given me the courage to face my failures and persevere. I remember Giles remarking on my baby fat : -) and am thankful to both Giles and Zico for helping me build my leg and core musculature to gain speed and endurance. But what made a difference this time was how Daniel prepared me mentally. He motivated me to complete all my training runs in spite of the cruel temperatures and the pain. He taught me how to sustain myself when at the fag end of the race, my legs won’t support me and I would have to trick my brain about the glycogen stores and allow my heart to uplift my spirit and finish the race. It reinforces what Mike Fanelli says about a race: "I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart. "
As you pass through India Gate and remember the martyrs, it humbles your own struggles but also reminds you in Jesse Owens words: "The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at."
With a silent thanks to India’s brave men who continue to defend us, I continued slowly and steadily with a furtive glance at my watch to check my pace. I was going a minute and a half ahead of my pace and at 14 K, I came at par to my pace. But I soon realized I was in trouble as the mercury rose and my pace started slowing down. I suddenly remembered Zico telling us about Deena Kastor running with a jacket laced with ice cubicles to bring down body temperature. And so at the next water station, I filled my electrolyte bottle with water, drank some water and dumped water all over my head and body. Lo Behold! my pace picked up as my body cooled and I started cruising again. Also, I had been careful to take time out at each water station after 6 km to stop and drink water and stretch my legs. My fears vanished and though I wanted to desperately walk at 18 K, I decided against it. Didn’t want to let myself, my family and my Coach down this time. By this time, I had collided with the Delhi Fun Race people and it was a struggle indeed to weave my way through them. Though it slowed me down, I must say, I liked their joyous spirit and I egged on happy that I was so close to the finish line now. I compared my feelings of desolation last year to jubilation this year as I stepped on the finish line mat at 3:04:38. Oh! What a feeling! There were tears in my eyes, but of joy. I did feel bad about not achieving my target time of 2:58. I had lost precious time at the water stations and jostling through the Fun Race crowd but also quickly realized that had I not cooled off, I would have had history repeat itself. But I am glad I created my own history instead: -)).
I found my family and Roshni after much smsing. The Finish Line was teeming with happy, exhausted faces. And though my body was aching, I reveled in those as I went about congratulating fellow runners and making new friends. In those brief moments, we opened our hearts to each other as we encouraged and appreciated each other. It made me realize "Running is like celebrating your soul. There's so much it can teach us in life." -Molly Barker, founder and executive director of Girls on the Run International
I wish in daily life too, we understand each other’s struggles and pain and help each other to raise ourselves instead of always fighting against each other.
Zico truly helped me graduate from Sole Running to Soul Running in this race. Thanks Sir, for everything.
-Lance Armstrong
There is something to living life with a fire in your belly. And ADHM 2009 did just that to me. This race will always be very special to me. My journey into Sole Running began from ADHM 2008 when my coach Daniel Vaz (Zico) motivated me to run my first HM. Since then, it has been an amazing journey of hard core training, of failures, of joy, of fear and of hope. And so I ventured into ADHM 2009 with a determination to discover what I was made up of. I was glad I had the belief of my Coach and the love of my family to back me up.
Nov. 1 dawned peacefully over the city which suddenly was wide awake in the wee hours to cheer its runners. As Roshni, Ajay and I reached Nehru Park, the atmosphere was crackling with enthusiasm and apprehension. We met Sundaresan and a few runners from Mumbai. Sundaresan encouraged me to run for fun again with his courageous smile. After a bit of jostling, the race started at 7.30 am sharp and the butterflies immediately settled down as I saw the start line and started my stop watch. Go for it, Madhu!
The Delhi Race is run on flat roads with history caressing you silently as you run with memories of a city which has seen a lot of struggle and triumph from centuries past. This time, I had Zico’s scientific training to back me up and I was running at a pre-determined pace which was designed to take me from my 3: 19 finish to a 2: 58 finish. My training runs had been satisfying and Zico’s constant drill of the science of running ranging from pace, carbo loading, hydration, injuries, rest days, strength and circuit training had given me the courage to face my failures and persevere. I remember Giles remarking on my baby fat : -) and am thankful to both Giles and Zico for helping me build my leg and core musculature to gain speed and endurance. But what made a difference this time was how Daniel prepared me mentally. He motivated me to complete all my training runs in spite of the cruel temperatures and the pain. He taught me how to sustain myself when at the fag end of the race, my legs won’t support me and I would have to trick my brain about the glycogen stores and allow my heart to uplift my spirit and finish the race. It reinforces what Mike Fanelli says about a race: "I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart. "
As you pass through India Gate and remember the martyrs, it humbles your own struggles but also reminds you in Jesse Owens words: "The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at."
With a silent thanks to India’s brave men who continue to defend us, I continued slowly and steadily with a furtive glance at my watch to check my pace. I was going a minute and a half ahead of my pace and at 14 K, I came at par to my pace. But I soon realized I was in trouble as the mercury rose and my pace started slowing down. I suddenly remembered Zico telling us about Deena Kastor running with a jacket laced with ice cubicles to bring down body temperature. And so at the next water station, I filled my electrolyte bottle with water, drank some water and dumped water all over my head and body. Lo Behold! my pace picked up as my body cooled and I started cruising again. Also, I had been careful to take time out at each water station after 6 km to stop and drink water and stretch my legs. My fears vanished and though I wanted to desperately walk at 18 K, I decided against it. Didn’t want to let myself, my family and my Coach down this time. By this time, I had collided with the Delhi Fun Race people and it was a struggle indeed to weave my way through them. Though it slowed me down, I must say, I liked their joyous spirit and I egged on happy that I was so close to the finish line now. I compared my feelings of desolation last year to jubilation this year as I stepped on the finish line mat at 3:04:38. Oh! What a feeling! There were tears in my eyes, but of joy. I did feel bad about not achieving my target time of 2:58. I had lost precious time at the water stations and jostling through the Fun Race crowd but also quickly realized that had I not cooled off, I would have had history repeat itself. But I am glad I created my own history instead: -)).
I found my family and Roshni after much smsing. The Finish Line was teeming with happy, exhausted faces. And though my body was aching, I reveled in those as I went about congratulating fellow runners and making new friends. In those brief moments, we opened our hearts to each other as we encouraged and appreciated each other. It made me realize "Running is like celebrating your soul. There's so much it can teach us in life." -Molly Barker, founder and executive director of Girls on the Run International
I wish in daily life too, we understand each other’s struggles and pain and help each other to raise ourselves instead of always fighting against each other.
Zico truly helped me graduate from Sole Running to Soul Running in this race. Thanks Sir, for everything.
Add a Comment
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Comment by k m faraaz on May 20, 2010 at 17:04 -
i don'y know you, i've never seen you. . but i can understand you simply because i can see your soul in your writing. .
simply fantastic. .keep writing!! keep inspiring !!
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Comment by Madhumita Dasgupta on November 18, 2009 at 5:54 -
Hi Poorani,
You have been my first inspiration and will always be. Venkat and you have always encouraged me to go on and I know you are going to create history in Chennai. Thanks from the core of my heart for being there.
Hey Sundar,
The marks need to be shared with you for teaching me to run for fun! I was nervous before the race but you gave me courage with your words and your smile. Thanks. I hope to completely embrace this spirit in the years to come though the focus on running better and faster would also be equally there. It is a fatal addiction now.
See you again.
Safe Running.
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Comment by Poorani Subrahmanian on November 17, 2009 at 12:53 -
Hi Madhu, As usual your writing skill Made you a winner (winner of our hearts). You do certainly encourage people to run. Those who are not confident about themselves should only read your pages-there... you can be sure they'll bounce up. Good keep it up.
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Comment by Veera on November 12, 2009 at 11:42 -
Hi Madhu ,
Great write up !
While running , you'll pass many runners ...and many others will pass you .....but the important thing is keep on running and finish the race injury free . Kudos to keeping up to that spirit !
All the best for SCMM 2010 ,
With best wishes,
veera
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Comment by Madhumita Dasgupta on November 11, 2009 at 6:15
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Hi Mike,
All 4 discounted because "Once bitten, twice shy":-)
Reason: I paced a bit fast initially. Because of heat, spent too much time on water stations to cool off. Had glycogen shortage after 18K which hit my pace at the fag end.
Corrective:
Keep an even pace, munch on dry fruits as I go along, drink and cool off on the run.
I think I will make it then.
Try, Try, Try again....2010 will be a different year for me:-)
Thanks a lot, Mike. You have been great.
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Comment by Michael Dsouza on November 9, 2009 at 23:05 -
Madhu, A few possible reasons for your failure could be
1) Late night / improper sleep
2) Being on your feet for too long the previous day
3) Wrong food the previous night ( not the usual )
4) Over confidence
You tell us :)
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Comment by Madhumita Dasgupta on November 9, 2009 at 5:35
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Hi Murali , Giles,
Thanks for your appreciation. My aim is to run as well as I write now and hope I achieve this in the years to come.
Mike,
Yes, I too expected to reach the 2:58. I have done a detailed investigation and the split timing shows me I was on track with the recommended pace given by Zico. I lost it majorly in the last few kms.
But yes, I know I have to build my running musculature and still work out on my speed and endurance.
I am grateful to you for your frank comments becasue your desire to see me succeed shines thro'.
Take care and wish you the best too for SCMM 2010.
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Comment by Michael Dsouza on November 7, 2009 at 21:59
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Excellent Write-up, But truly i did expect more from you.
About your failure to achieve the targeted time, I suggest you do a detailed investigation, jostling with “fun race crowd” could not have been the only reason :)
BETTER LUCK at SCMM 2010. hope we all run together there :)
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Comment by Muraletharan T A on November 7, 2009 at 18:30 -
Hi Madhu,
You are a courageous runner and now I know that you are a very good writer too. I see your soul in the writing too. Wish you many more wonderful runs and sharing. My best wishes. Murali, Mumbai.
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Comment by Giles Drego on November 7, 2009 at 18:27 -
Hi Madhu,
You truly write very very well. Wish I had a ghost writer like you.
Read your article, beautiful, beautiful - though wasn't necessary to mention my name - baby fat or not.
This is congrats once again for doing so well in ADHM. Am pretty sure you'll do well in many more races too.
So i guess you're gearing up for some real show at SCMM 2010?? How's the training coming through?? Do hope you're doing well. Me, am just getting into the groove and I can say am about 60% fit.
I'll be far far fitter Madhu when I take you on for the HM come Jan 17, 2010.
Do keep running, do keep writing - you write beautifully.
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