Auroville - 42.2 KM
Probably the toughest 5 hours of my life (4 hr 55 min 46 sec to be exact),
also the most painful (but long distance runners are known to be masochistic).
The day was 14/02/2010. This Valentine day started with a sleepless night and ended with a 16 hr long sleep (I don’t know where my 15th disappeared).
The anxiety was too high. It was the built-up of a year with near 1300 km and 140 hrs of running for attempting 42.2Km, which is considered to be perfect mental and physical endurance test.
Auroville is supposed to be one of the most scenic places for running and the entire stretch is in the woods. Our race started at 5 am and all the full marathon runners were handed torches to navigate their way through darkness.
I and Venkat GS (we run together) had completed 37.5 km few months back and were matching steps again for the first half of the run. At around 25 km I and Venkat looked at each other. Venkat uttered -this one is draining and I silently nodded. It was then that we realized one basic fact-This was not Bangalore! It was Pondicherry and the conditions here were ‘BLOODY HOT AND HUMID’. The sun was at its prime by 8 am. For us, pain had been upgraded to suffering…but quitting was never an option!
Last 10 km seemed never ending. I was counting 1,2,3,4 for every Km to take a break and every water station was like being offered Business Class assistance. We were jazzed up by a lot of volunteers on the way showing direction, cheering on bike ,and when one of them said only 500 meters to go, I got a new leash of life and sped up to my normal speed. The reception was overwhelming with everyone around cheering. It was a hero’s welcome.
In the end, I achieved my target of completing the run in less than 5 hrs ……more than that, of finally conquering the 'holy grail' of running.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Shreyas Kumar M on March 5, 2010 at 15:37 -
Congratulations and well put.
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Comment by zico on March 1, 2010 at 19:34 -
Hey Saurabh,
extremely well done for a first timer!
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Comment by Ramesh Kartha on February 26, 2010 at 9:46 -
Saurabh -
The holy grail of running for someone that hasn't crossed that threshold before - absolutely well put! Congratulations on getting there! You must agree that it's an experience second to none. I have to warn you though that it's infectious, but only gets better!
Auroville marathon being enjoyable for its scenic beauty is questionable in two ways: 1. The darkness during most of the first half - not much scenery. 2. The fatigue and heat in the second half - not much enjoyment... :-)
Happy running!
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Comment by Suman on February 25, 2010 at 11:49 -
Great RUN and so good of you to write about it as it really inspires others like me!
CONGRATS.
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Comment by Roshni Rai on February 24, 2010 at 19:15 -
Good write up on ur experience. Congratulations and happy running.
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Comment by Madhumita Dasgupta on February 24, 2010 at 17:20 -
Hi Saurabh,
There is no match for a trail run and you did smashing well! Yes, Long distance runners need to have a masochistic trend:-)). All the best for your future runs.
Madhu
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Comment by Gopal Chandra Halder on February 24, 2010 at 14:59 -
Congratulation !!!!!
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Comment by Abhishek Roy on February 24, 2010 at 12:12 -
nice blog... understand and can relate to everything u have mentioned...
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