TMM 2020 race report
This (2019) has been a great running year. I logged the most KMs this year. I was regular (barring the 30-days gap in October after an accident) and consistent. One of the highlights was changes in diet to include more of a few foods and actively monitor what I was eating.
I was not really raring to go for TMM, the most awaited running event in India. I was still doing recovery runs and covering up for the inactivity and aftermath of the 30 days gap. So since October, I had done negligible speed work. I am not a very accomplished runner, mind you, neither do I run for faster finish times. But I still had doubts before going into this race, as showing up with less than what I have would mean only disappointment and I felt like I was not ready for that.
But then PB's quote came to the rescue - 'We run because we can'. No one is forcing us. To possess good health which allows you to do such things and more is a gift. So I set into race month with these goals
1. To run to the best of my ability. I have always struggled with the last few km so focus on getting those right. I set no timing targets for myself, as I knew that takes away from the race-day fun.
2. Be able to function like a human post-recovery (i.e. after a little rest and good food)
3. Show up to the office the next day like any other regular day.
A week before the race, I got to know that an athlete I immensely look up to (SP) was going to pace me. She was going to do an easy race and was ok to run at my pace. We did not really discuss any pacing plan or race day tactics, but I was excited. Few folks also told me, that it might not be a good idea to run with a completely new person on race day. But I was willing to run with her, for the sheer privilege. I know not everyone gets these chances :-)
We reached Mumbai the day before. Did our expo pilgrimage and soon hit out hotel. After a quick dinner nearby and lots of chatting with the wonderful folks whom I was staying with, we hit the bed at 9.30 PM. Paglet was doing her Mumbai show recording the same night, so I was a bit bummed to be missing out on it. After talking to her and wishing her I tried to go to sleep. As luck would have it, sleep eluded me. I tried a meditation session and some deep sleep music but was finally able to close my eyes around 12 am. I had to wake up in the next 3 hours, so from a sleep perspective, this wasn't looking good. Thankfully I was able to let it go, cos I knew I had worked on sleeping 6-7 hours throughout 2019 and this one night's misadventure was not going to bite me in the behind.
Race morning did not hold any surprises. Our cab arrived on time and dropped us off at the start point on time. I reached the holding area just before they started to open those up. The race started at 5.15 am and we were off.
I started without SP as she had told that she would find me. I started conservatively and was feeling good and strong as we hit the sea link. Around the 3 km marker, I ran into S and S from the running group who seemed to be running at my pace. So I started tailing them. SP soon caught up and I then went ahead with her. This was my first time running with a pacer, so I had no idea what to expect. I was both surprised and worried.
After 4 km we had increased the pace a bit and were running easy and strong. Whenever I felt I should conserve I would slow down and SP would remind me of the time targets and how I had room for slowing down or did not. She also pampered me with offers to carry water or electrolytes or oranges for me. Initially, I declined as I had my own electrolyte bottle. I eventually did cave in and asked her for water from time to time. After halfway marker, I told her I wanted to slow down as I needed to conserve energy for the Pedder road uphill. She seemed to agree given there was some room to slow down and still meet the timing target. So I slowed down and picked up pace as my brain permitted. She also asked me if I could run the last 3 km at tempo speed (i.e. push myself to limits). She said ओकली तरी चालेल (it's ok even if you puke). I visualized this in my head and knew I wasn't ready to push myself to that level of discomfort. LoL.
In any case, I hit the Pedder road marker in good shape. But after 300 meters uphill I was gasping and needed to walk to catch my breath. This was the most disappointing part of the entire run. Having run this patch in the past I just could not get to terms with walking it this time. So after another 200 meters, I resumed running. I was able to match my earlier pace, but the window to 2:10 target was now closed. I continued pushing where I could and slowed down when I felt like the going got tough. I tried running my own race, despite having a supportive pacer. I was able to push myself to run faster in the last km and hit the finish line in 2 hours 12 mins and 40 sec.
I learned a lot from this race
- It's a privilege to run with a pacer. If you have the strategy figured out then its a win-win situation.
- Having said that, we did not have our strategy figured out to the T so I could not meet the target. I arrived at this race with no particular plan, recovering from an accident and I was not hoping to achieve anything. But whatever I achieved I owe it to the amazing mentors at Running potential, SP and other RP team members, who continue to inspire through their pursuit of excellence.
- When one is running with a target and is focused on that, then the fun quotient can get impacted. (I have been an academic over-achiever and have had fun while being super focused. I have never been so focused on running, so it was a little weird for me to not witness the amazing Mumbai crowds and other runners during the race).
- I also realized that with a lot of work I can run faster and have scope to improve my stamina even more.
I don't know what 2020 will have in store for me. But I hope to work on running and my health and build on it. Running is the best thing that happened to me in the past decade. It has made me a calmer and rounded person. I have also met the most supportive folks (apart from family of course) on this journey. Things are going to be interesting and I cannot wait to find out what's in store!