I lie in pain and desperation near the TCS
tent in 2016, after running a wasted 42kms at SCMM. Totally cramped and fatigued. I was
crying in pain. My bestie Babu who is a sub 4.30 runner , ran with me for the
whole race and at 8 kms I hit the wall ….. There on it was a formality to
complete the race. I wanted a DNF but babu didn’t allow .
The disastrous year had just
began for me . Low on self confidence. On top of it I was gradually putting on
weight . Once the weight went till 91 in may 2016 . Meanwhile IDBI HM was to
happen and sunil chose me to be one of the ambassadors. My only worry was I
should live up to the tag . In one of
the promo runs , I was taunted by someone too , telling that he has forgotten
running .
My dear friend Murali told me to
change the gear and I was soon to be an author too . The icing on the cake was
someone who was dear to me once upon a time commented to his group of people
that Gangsofsonapur is a group of recreational runners . And Biju will never attain a PB forget the
Full, look at his round shape .
Transformation :-
Mala convinced me to take the
professional help since I am a hypothyroid .
Did a root cause analysis, weight
was the biggest issue so had to shed a lot. How. Met Roopali Mehta , she is a
ace runner and a nutritionist . Challenge was to follow her diet. I still remember,
she giving me that look when I narrated my current diet to her. So with all
this you say you are a Runner.
So the diet plan followed. Let me
admit, I followed only 30 to 40% of her diet, being a malayali and a foodie I
could do only that much . But the results started to be visible.
I joined Power
yoga and strength training along with PC, Reji , Bobby, Murali , Rahul and also began to put short quality runs of 5kms till 8 kms . Aim was
to run less , run good . For nearly 01 month ran only till 8kms till I did 5kms
in 26 mins continuously. Next month was
10 to 15kms and I clocked regular 1.35 for 15 kms , next month was more of 21
kms and this is when hit my PB at Bangalore with 2.16 and then at Navy HM at
2.06 ( A PB after 8 years of running ). Nov and Dec was only 25kms plus , did
many 30 plus and clocked consistent Sub 5 timings for a projected 42 .
In the meanwhile , the book
#TheyInspire released and it was well received too . This put an extra self expectation on me .
Most of my training was with
Krunal, Atul and Bobby . I saw a leap change in Krunal , Atul and Bobby all of
them were doing their first FM and must appreciate the hard work they had put
in .
By Dec I had shed 7 kgs. Younger brothers marriage was round the
corner and I was knowing abh toh gaya .Both mine and my younger brother ajays training was soon to be going for toss. Idea was to consume minimum liquor and
avoid fried food during marriage . Many a times when peg was made I would throw it in sink
after having a sip , just to have a balance within the relatives and my inner
self . During normal course i prefer to enjoy and get high on such occassions . Ghor Anayay. (all those old monk
lovers , please don’t kill me )
After marriage , we went to kerala for a break and I put regular runs there
too .
I am carrying a heel injury from
last two years attained during a trail duathlon , my physio Dr Rajani was
helping me to cope up with this . My
therapist Prashanth helped a lot with deep tissue massages.
Sunil , gave me the plan for 42
for a sub 5 and I was reciting it in mind . Sangeeta and Parul helped me a lot with motivation . Lot of tips were given by Babu ,
satish and Pratik .
Ayesha , would give me tips on
form and the tapering . Ran with her couple of times to understand the right techniques.
Abhinav and Adidas Running helped a lot .
Took lot of advise from
Vijayraghavan and pavitra on the nutrition and how to plan the fuelling during race. Went
on Prototal salmon nutirition by Fast and Up for two months .
Towards the big day , I paced two
events with faster timing slot than the previous years which I use to run . it
was bang on .
We reviewed
the route on paper many a times , we were knowing what exactly we will do at which
kms . On race day, the contingent GangsofSonapur arrived . We all were knowing
we will do good . I had announced many time I would do a sub 5 i.e from 4.45 to
5 . ( And I am proud of it that I announced and trained for it )
As expected because of Arvind Kejriwal , the weather God forgot to switch
on the AC and then the temperature was totally different on the previous day.
I started along with Krunal ,
Atul and Babu pacing us . What a motivator sam is , he said only 41kms at 1kms
where he was cheering us. Was engulfed
in sweat by 3kms, I knew I will have a tough job in hand for remaining 39kms
since I am prone to sweat.
The first confidence came when we
ran up the peddar road and kemps corner uphills at the pace of 6.40 . I thought
this is my day . By then krunal felt much stronger and he just flew away , babu
went after him to pace him further . Ran with Lalit bhai for some time and we
went live on FB I was with first 4.45
bus till 15kms and then at 18kms on sea link , the second 4.45 bus lead by Hari
sir over took me . I was still confident
of a sub 5 , since I was going as per my plan . Mean while so many friends had
waived (I love that feeling ) . Around , 20kms I felt the first jolt a minor
pain in my right foot nail . Oops the very basic thing a runner must do , I had
forgot to clip my nails . In a situation , even the minutest of the thing will
play havoc on you . So here was my first mistake . I took care of my feet
sweating issues by wearing two socks but I ignored the basic thing . by 22kms
even the first 5 hrs bus over took , but I knew I can make it . Around 23 kms
Sundar sir ran along and was privileged to run with him . At around 26kms the
Kenyans overtook me . Glad that I was 26kms ahead of them , every year it was
only 22kms , so I knew in was in for a good timing , from here on it was to
hold on and avoid cramps . I got very defensive and was treading carefully to
avoid cramps (the mistake I did).
By this time the nail started
playing havoc . But I ran walk then ran strong . I ran till base of peddar road
and now the fatigue had started setting in .
A group of young girls started whistling and giving flying kiss saying south Indian hero . I regained my energy.
A group of young girls started whistling and giving flying kiss saying south Indian hero . I regained my energy.
Then my angel Rahul after running his HM in 1.55 , joined me for the last leg of the run . Climbed peddar
road along with him , it was more walk then run . Towards the decent on the
kemps corner , we ran and ran gud , ran a km at 6.10 pace , then till 41kms it
was run and walk . By 40th I was knowing I missed it . My watch was showing
500 mtrs more . Having so many friends and so many photographer friends , I was
feeling like a celebrity .
(Gaurav i am going to buy this pic from you brother)
MRR zone cheered me and Rahul . I
admire Rahul and other ultra guys , kiss mitti ke banne hai yeh log . Murali
joined for the last 800 mtrs and trust me, he and rahul ensured that I don’t miss the sub
5.15 atleast .
I crossed the finish line a
champion with the tapori whistle and the stylish goggles full on . Tashaan hai
boss.
Was so happy for my Buddy Krunal
for a 4.41 on his first FM , for Atul for a gud Fm and Bobby for a strong finish .
Met so many friends and yes
Gangsofsonapur gave me a new name BC (Biju Celebrity- this I what they said the
full form is ) because had to make them wait for long in chakkar of meet and
greet .
Note : Many readers may feel what
is the big deal of getting s sub 5.15 , but believe me it means a lot to
me …. This medal and every medal reminds
me of …………
Medal :-
This aint a piece of metal
…..whenever I see this little piece of
metal , it reminds me of the hours of
sacrifice and the training I have put in …. From the daily busy schedule . At
times I have been taunted on what I am up to when I
was training and when I posted
that on social media .
When I wear my Navy medal on my
chest …..it swells with pride . Similiarly each and every medal earned during
the runs are my pride . It reminds me of the struggle I had to convince myself
I have won the battle against me , it reminds me the friends I made which is
not less than any medals , it reminds me the bragging right I earned , it
reminds me of the people who inspired me and the whole lot of people whom I
inspired …..
This medal ain't a piece of metal….. dedicated to my readers and to everyone who supported me .
