BASTARD......................INTRODUCE ME AS A RUNNER FIRST......... (My Blog on BNP 25kms 2017)

And the next guest is a  Author , he authored #TheyInspire  and yes he is a runner too ….. I was introduced in a event where I was  invited as a guest . For a moment , I was like …..wtf ….. BC introduce me other way …… “ A Runner who is an author too …… “ but at that juncture I didn’t have any major achievements to introduce as a Runner  ….. was I a “social runner”

Around  17^th Km when I was  sipping water resting on a chair , couple of runner friends who was ligthening by mentioned Biju  , go for a kill , why are you sitting like a Admiral .

I poured water on my head, thanked the angel volunteers and started my run .

Memories brought me back to my 1^st BNP where I did a 3.36 , 2^nd BNP run a wasted 3.43 and I have a blog on it , I ran that run during the most depressing phase of my life and then last year BNP run where I clocked a better timing and was a sought of my redemption in 3.27 (which was my PB till few weeks ago) .Many who saw me running did compliment that they have never seen me run like that in previous years . But many didn’t know this strong running was not a result of overnight training . It took a painstaking four months , I burnt my arse during this 4 month .

When I ITBed  in Delhi , only aim was to come so strong that nobody will ever dare to tell you are a “social runner” . So when I expressed my desire to hom on this two races i.e Matheran Hill 25kms and BNP 25kms in a Gap of 6 days , lot of people passed it off as crazy and didn’t believe I would run both . Then something popped up a 100days Run challenge . Though it sounds stupid for many of you , thinking it may effect running in a long way with respect to the form and speed . But trust me it worked for me . May be I was lucky . My level of commitment grew so strong that running got inbuilt in to my routine . I had ran walk at airport during one of my travel days i.e the level of commitment . As I pen this blog I am on 670 Kms in 82days .

At Matheran Romeo  boy entered my body , the galloping ghost horse of matheran and it helped me to do a PB in one of the toughest Hill Marathon a timing of  2.56.52 revised t0 3.00.51 . Even i thought this is a one of phase and I will not able to repeat this feat ever . Perhaps , the Romeo boy left me at Neral. It was now the turn of local boy the “Debo Nair” as fauji friends call me to prove that Matheran was not a one off fluke run .

When I restarted the run at 17^th Km I knew its my day boy , the TomTom read 1.51 that means I have chance to do a sub 3hrs and then I never looked back . Many angel friends ran together in between ensuring that the momentum is maintained . Pradeep Thakur was one such angel , Lalit Periwal ran  along for a kms and many more folks . At 21^st met reji , he had promised me we will cross the line together . We continued our run , smiling and looking strong for all our photographer friends . At around Gandhi Tekdi , I asked reji lets do a final kill and we sprinted through , smiling for this photo finish together at official timing 2.54.52 

During the start of the run , many of my friends congratulated me on strong matheran . As I began the race I knew I have to run hard , may be harder than Matheran . First loop was a 12.5 in 1.30 hrs  and then the second loop was a Negative split a 1.25 for the same distance . 

As I crossed the finish line , thought pondered my mind  towards that emcee of  that event ..”Bastard you have a reason to introduce me as a Runner now and not author first …… I cracked two toughest hill runs of 25kms in a span of 6 days with a 34 mins Personal Best  “  …….

True i am possessed ....... but i trained by arse for it ..............

Thanks to all my friends who train with me , thanks to my friends who encourages on forums like Did You Run Today and instagram .

Thank you and my gratitude to BNP Green Runners , Photographers and angel volunteers .

BNP run always will remain close to my heart and trust me will try my best to run all the editions …..

I Was Possessed - The Ghost of Romeo Boy !!!!!

I Was possessed -  The Ghost of  Romeo Boy

(Matheran Endurathon – 25 Kms)

Disclaimer : I am a slow runner and this narration is of my one off fast run . No animal or human has been harmed in this blog . )))))

As I listened interestingly to conversation of Mahadev , the care taker of  Hotel Royal at Matheran . He enlightened us with some ghostly story about a horse named Romeo boy . According to him it  was one of the horse  in his owners stable and would run at a lightening speed , according to him the ravines and the route of matheran still has his presence .

Matheran endurathon was always on my bucket list , so when  event was announced , thanks to all the motivation and cajoling from Rahul and Coach Bobby , I decided to go for a 50 Kms . It was 50kms till Mala and Shloka decided to join for a weekend vacation . Requested Yash to change my category to 25kms , thanks to him it did happen (Coach had given a mouthful for this ) .

I am attempting  a crazy challenge of Running for 100 days , many  who knows me and follow my running advised me against this challenge with a reasoning very valid that the body will give answer . But I was determined to do this . As I pen this blog I am at 74^th day with a mileage of 589 Kms . I strongly believe that unless you are fit don’t try this . But to me this was the best thing happened . I am feeling super strong .

We reached Matheran on 08^th August well in time  , Reji , Linta and Osky . Me , Mala and Shloka . We settled and went on to collect bibs and it was a carnival at the bib collection location. Met many  friends who are connected on running groups . Rest of the day went in roaming around and some street eating . As we were about to retire for the day I reviewed my TomTom distance and noticed that we had walked 11 Kms that day and in addition I had ran a 26..50   mins 5kms that morning .

Alarm buzzed and soon I was at the start line  cheering for the 50kms runners . Must tell you there were some strong trail runners from across the nation .  Sooner , the host announced the starting of 25kms and with zumba and warm up we were off to a would be memorable run .

From the Zeroth metre , it was stones and trail , practically no roads (that’s how trail runs are supposed to be ) . First 3kms was steep and down hill , however since there was a convergence of runners at narrow places running was becoming difficult . I was telling my fellow runners , bhai log side pe hato I am going for a PB and Including me everyone made a joke of the  statement.

As I crossed the periphery of Ravines , I felt a zeal in me . A super strong being entering me . Was it Romeo Boy – the horse whose soul would be seen roaming in the ravines . Never in my previous race I felt so strong . Kranti and Gaurav from Aurangabad met me at 5^th Km  and boy what runners they are . Kranti was pacing gaurav and in turn was also pacing me . He clicked all the beautiful pics which I had posted over .

By now 50K runners were on their return loop  and they were running strong , must tell you it requires hell lot of training to attempt a 50k in this trail and terrain .

At 8^th Km  I was running with Dr Shashank from Nagpur , previous day he  had informed me that he  has published a paper on Runners heart , he being a cardiologist . Together we were running good and pushing each other . Met Bobby who was running good and was cheerful and as if was telling “saalo tumhari le loonga “ since we had ditched him by converting to 25kms . When I saw my watch , I realized I had done a good first half i.e a close to 12.5 Kms in 1.32  . I knew if I don’t pull up any muscle I am in for a good run . Memories took me back to Delhi FM in Feb , where I was running so strong and at 25^th Km had a ITB pull and had to walk 17 kms still managing to complete in 5.04 , had I not cramped I wud have done a gud race .

 

I was treading carefully at the same time was galloping at most of the up slope . Strategy was reverse to run strong on up slope using upper cut and run even at down slope . Kms passed on and I knew it was a special run . Body was super strong , probably my 70 continous days mileage was working on me . Am I in for a Sub 3 - 25kms this thought passed my mind but soon came back to present . As per my watch I crossed 21kms at 2.26 and it was a damn good time . The next 4kms was the toughest and practically it was walking only route , with steep inclines and elevation .

 At 22^nd Km met Reji , unfortunately he cramped at that km and he asked me to move ahead . Now , I had my mind playing a Sub 3 and the next incline I ran like a beast – the Romeo Boy . It was 23^rd Km and the next incline was a bloody steeper one and had to walk the climb . My watch read 2.59 and distance 24.10 . I could hear the cheers at the finish line .

 A 50kms runner who was on his return leg informed , that the finish is close by and the next incline I climbed at a good pace . Met Gaurav and now could see the finish line . I put on my Oakley and as always wanted to finish in style . I could see Mala and Shloka cheering for me at the finish line and I crossed  my watch reading 3.00. 32 seconds and distance reading 24.30 kms .

Sometimes , GPS shows more and sometimes less so accepted the official timing from the organsiers a whopping 2.56.52  , a personal best by 30 mins . That too a negative split in this terrain .

Romeo Boy had entered me and I wanted him to stay back in me for ever …..hope I don’t have to leave this one off streak of a strong run at Matheran .

I was Possessed for those  2hrs and 57 Minutes .

Training Schedule : Ran 551 Kms in 71 days till this race .

Diet : Nothing changed , added lots of egg in my schedule  and Fast and Up Protein , Vitamin C .

Weight Loss : 6Kgs  i.e 84kgs now from 90 Kgs .