Running my first long distance event on homeland in India!

Just after landing amidst the hustle and bustle of India for my vacations, after been away for more than a year in pursuit of my PhD at the University of Bern, Switzerland, I fell sick! I caught a bad flu! All I remember doing for the following days was carrying a big towel and sneezing around. I did not realize what went wrong? Why my immunity dropped so bad suddenly in a place which is not even as cold as Swiss summers? I am a 3-times marathoner and clock an average of 240-390 km running per month! My immunity should not at all be an issue, especially when I can run at -6 degrees in just a t-shirt and shorts! Probably I became too Swiss over a year! Anyways, the flu was not my concern, my biggest concern was if I will be able to run the half-marathon at Numaligarh, Assam in a week’s time, which I promised to run for Asha Zurich in an effort to grab the opportunity to make that region aware of Asha’s activities toward underprivileged children education.

Numaligarh is famous for this traditional tea garden, and these are the places where people from the local tribal community (known as ‘Coolie’ in Assamese) does labor works. The young ones of this community have exceptional athletic abilities, and I myself witnessed it during my run. Unfortunately, they lack scope of proper education to be guided with. This was therefore a good opportunity to reach these people who in-turn could seek support from Asha

The D-day was on 22 January, 2017, and I started my journey to Numaligarh from my home at Guwahati, the day before. It was such a pleasant opportunity to be backed up by my family. Mom, Dad, Chotu (my sister), and Baba (my cousin brother) accompanied me in this trip. I always shared my running experiences throughout the world with them, and they were as excited to see me running as I was to run in their presence. After driving 250 km we lodged a hotel at Golaghat, close to the event’s starting point. I knew that my preparation for a running event in India was not going to be as disciplined as it is in Switzerland. Especially concerning my diet. Since I arrived, akin to a typical Indian mother, my Mom just kept me on a ‘healthy’ Indian diet of her choice, and not to mention all the similar unavoidable lunches and dinners I had at my relatives’. I already felt an additional kilo or two in my body! Although this additional weight was good for the race, but the oil and masala I had with the food was certainly not! After another proper Mom Friendly Indian dinner with “Paneer masala”, I took an early nap to give my sick body some rest for the torture that I was preparing for it the next day.

Finally, it was the race-day, and I was still reeling from the 102 degrees’ fever I had couple of days back. As usual, I geared up, hooked the race bib to my gears, and we drove early morning to the starting point of the race. Like the inhabitants of a typical rural place in Assam, the locals were quite early risers and the starting point was thronged with people in no time. Athletes from Assam and local celebrities took the opportunity to pump up the crowd and runners with motivational speeches! I heard one of the weirdest announcements before any running event while warming-up. It was announced that all the runners should gather and take an oath to abide by the rules of the race. Seriously!

When the clock stuck 0610 hours, the race began and I went in a trance! It was time to know how well my already stressed body can perform in couple of upcoming stressful hours. More than the body, I wanted to know how my mind would respond. Afterall, long-distance running is a mind’s game! Prior to getting sick, I aimed a PR (a 1:40 finish) for 21.1 km in this race, but now it was all about enjoying my run, finish it, and fulfil the motive behind it. The feeling of running on your home soil amongst your fellow countrymen itself is unexplainable! Running through agricultural fields and tea gardens with the sun just up in the horizon, and soaking those first rays of sunlight through the fog was simply mesmerizing. Unlike the “hop-hop” cheers from Swiss crowds, the locals here cheered us with “Hurry-up”! It was a pleasure to see the enthusiasm of running amongst the people. First half of the race went well, but things started getting a little nasty after that, and I felt a much weaker. I made sure of hydrating myself throughout the race. Although, the organizers made good arrangement of hydrating the runners at necessary points, but it was pity to see how they were unable to manage the waste of plastic water bottles after that. I wonder how long the bottles lay there after the event, if not the locals took care of them! I interacted with some amazing people while running including couple of ladies (probably in their mid-seventies), and a retired army colonel from Gorkha Rifles (with whom I talked about his plans about arranging an ultra-run in the Himalaya range). I clocked a 1:53 finish! Not that bad when I was not that good! Ah, come on, I finished ahead of the Gorkha atleast!

After the event, it was an honor to meet Major D.P. Singh, India’s first blade runner, who came to flag-off the event. I have been following this guy since some time now, and he is an inspiration. I was grateful for the way he appreciated my passion toward running, especially the causes I run for. Afterall, a runner understands a runner well!

Although, the race was not so well managed, still I must say that it is one of the beautiful runs I ever had. It was great to see so many women taking part in the event. I saw amazing talents of long-distance running amongst the local tribal youths, but all they lack was proper training. I was pleased to bring Asha to these people, endeavoring to help these talents achieve their rightful places. Hope to run many more distances in India and around the World, and for the noble efforts of Asha Zurich. Ciao till I narrate my next adventure!

Have I found my passion?

I turned 50 years last December (2013). My native place is Chennai and I am residing in Singapore with my family (two daughters).

How and why I started to run?

One of my friend casually mentioned during a bowling session that she ran 10 km.  She is in my age group.  Immediately on April 23^rd, 2013 I signed for a run on June 1.   My very first training run was 2 km and soon after the run I realized that I made a mistake of registering for a 10 km run in 4 weeks.  I thought I hardly could do better.  I started to read about running in net, learned what is gait, selection of shoes and how to progress

My first race day (June, 2013)

Sundown marathon 2013 - around 40,000 runners. The feeling during the race could not be described.  The body was trying to understand what the muscles were trying to do, the heart and the lungs were pumping to cope up.  Higher I went they too followed me which is called conditioning.  I did my run (10 km) in 67 minutes.  At the end of the run I felt very relaxed. Probably I was addicted.  Good to get addicted to good thing is in it?

My first 10 Km - 67 min

I decided to sign in for events with a gap of 3 months to keep my mind on track to run regularly.  My personal best (PB) for 10 km is 55 min.  On my 50th birthday, I was proud to say that I am a sub 60, 10K runner.   I have run four, 10 km until Feb 2014.

A runner never stops.I started to push my time below 50 min and thought of attempting half marathon.

My half marathons

March, 2014:

I ran my first half marathon which happened to be my personal best 2 hours 8 minutes. I was in the sky when I was able to run not stop.

June 2014:

When I ran my 2nd half marathon I developed a knee pain. However I managed to finish in 2 hours 27 minutes.

July 2014:

During a family trip to Chennai, I signed up for a half marathon called Dream Runners Half marathon. Around 10,000 runners ran. I was delighted to run in my native place with my own people. I was praying that the old knee pain should not come up. For more than half of the distance there was no pain. As I crossed the 15 km mark at 1 hour 25 minutes my knee pain surfaced.  Slowly I finished at 2 hours and 22 minutes.  But it was nice to run along Marina beach.  Enjoyed.

 

With new friends I met at the Chennai race (I am in blue)

Now at cross roads:

Am I able to recover from this knee pain? At times I get a bit dejected. I started to browse running forums. I found that stiffening of Iliotibial band (ITB) triggers pain near the knee area. Since then, I am regularly doing ITB stretches and now I am feeling better after long runs.

August 2014:

I ran another half marathon in Singapore which is called SAFRA Run 2014.  Cautious about pushing hard and waiting for knee pain to surface, but my ITB stretches helped me.  With a little bit of caution I finished in 2 hours and 12 minutes.  I was very happy to finish confidently.

With my friends at SAFRA Run 2014 - From left, Lau, Ng, Hannah, Right most – Myself

Why do I run?

When my 50th birthday was in sight, I was thinking what is going to be my passion in the coming years when I grow 60, 70 etc.  The running bug caught me without my knowledge. My ambition is to keep running half marathons to my level best and at 60 years to run 10 km in 60 minutes and at 70 years to run in 70 minutes.  I know it is easier said than done.  My interest should sustain, along with my health and more than that God's blessing.  But more than anything, in our heart if we feel we can do it we will keep doing it.

Challenge in Running:  

It is so difficult to balance the time between profession, family, social commitments etc. Sometimes I am too tired when other things drain our energy.  In those times it is important to slow down and allow the mind and body to recuperate.

BUT SOMETIMES I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE STARTED TO RUN AT LEAST 15 YEARS BACK. 

Meeting Akash Korgaonkar the Ironman from India

To Listen to the detailed talk (in Hinglish) Click here for the mp3

I met Akash while volunteering at 2014 Ironman race in Zurich. 14 hours into the race and he was running and passing me for the last time. He appeared tired but determined. There was still a few kilometers to go (around 7 Km) till the revered “Finish Line” and I joined him for the rest of his race. I learned a bit about his interesting journey- from Kolhapur, Maharashtra in India to the Ironman race in Zurich, Switzerland, which I found absolutely fascinating. So here is an open talk with Akash.

WYOP: Akash tell us about yourself?

Akash: I am 29 years. I live in Kolhapur. It’s a small city between Mumbai and Goa. I have completed my MBA from Pune University, India and after that I joined my father’s business. I am married and have two kids. I live in a joint family with my parents and younger brother.

WYOP: Why did you decide to take part in one of the toughest races in the World- Ironman?

Akash: First of all, the name Ironman is very attractive.  I heard about this race from Dipankar Paul, an Ironman, who came from Bangalore to Kolhapur to take part in an adventure race. He introduced me to Ironman. When I heard about it, I felt it was really challenging. I was anyways doing weight training and other fitness exercises. So I decided to take a shot at it.

WYOP: In 2013, you came to Zurich to take part in the Ironman race. You competed but could not finish. Can you tell what exactly happened?

Akash:  I was unable to finish swimming and cycling within the time. I was 7 minutes above the time limit. So I was not allowed to run. In 2013, my preparation was not that well. Moreover, many concepts were new and I was not aware how important the diet is for such a race. Swimming was not my strong area. I started swimming 6 months before the race date and it took me 2 hours 8 min to finish 3.8 km swimming. Moreover that day in Zurich it was very warm and 180 km of cycling was tiring. So it just did not happen.

WYOP: You came all the way from India to compete in the Ironman. So when you came to know that you can’t finish the race - what went through your head?

Akash: My dad always wanted me to be a sportsman. I played badminton in school and then afterwards I went to college and did not continue. So when I could not finish, my dad’s face appeared before me. Moreover, lot of money was spent to participate in the race in Zurich - flight costs and everything. It was an expensive affair. But more than money, it was an opportunity for me to make my father happy after many years and that did not happen.  It was just because I was 7 minutes late! It was not that I was very tired after 180 Km of cycling. I was fit. I could have run the marathon distance. If not running, I could have made the distance walking or crawling. I still had lots of strength. I felt bad. Tears were coming down but I did not want to show it to others. But yes I was emotionally hurt.

WYOP: You are really inspiring Akash. In 2013, you went back to India but in 2014 you came back again. You swam 3.8 Km, biked 180.2 Km and ran 42.2 km and you are an Ironman. That is great. How long did it take for you to finish the whole race?

Akash: This time I completed swimming in 1hour 46min. Swimming and cycling I finished in 9 hour 10 min. So I knew I had lot of time for the marathon. Finally, I finished the race in 15 hour 17 min. My dad and my family everyone is very happy that I finished. My dad is telling me that he wants to gift me a better cycle. But I am telling him not to do as already there have been lots of expenses. 

WYOP: Can you tell which phase was most difficult for you?

Akash: Swimming was the most difficult because I had no background. I also had no experience to swim with a swimming suit. Seven days before the race, I rented a swimming suit in Zurich. I trained with the swim suit for 15-20 min in Zurich. So during the race, 20 min into the swim, my hands and legs got tight and I felt suffocating. Anyways when I finished the swim in 1hour 46 min then I had the confidence that I will be able to finish the whole race.

WYOP: What was going through your head throughout the race?

Akash: There was definitely lot of tension. There was lots of expectation. But I had only one aim - to cross the finish line to make my family happy. That’s all. My elder son had a birthday. I wanted to gift him the medal.

WYOP:  Without proper training it’s difficult to be an Ironman. So tell us how did you train?

Akash: Training is a major issue here. I did not get proper guidance, especially in our Kolhapur area. In Zurich when I was training with Ironman Nikhil Kapur, the only other Indian who finished the race with me this year in Zurich, he told me that I was using lot of strength. I am thinking that next year  I will hire a coach so that I can perform better.

WYOP: How did you train for long distance running or biking?  I know heat is major problem particularly in summer. If you are not starting early in the day to train it can be an issue. Moreover, it may sound funny but street dogs are an issue while running. How did you tackle all these? I know in Europe this is not a problem you can go anytime you want to train. But in India, you really need to plan. So how did plan your training?

Akash: For running and cycling I went during afternoon. In 2013 when I was in Zurich it was hot so this time I thought of training in similar conditions. As far as swimming is concerned, there are very few swimming pools in my home town. To find place in the pool I had to go at 6 am otherwise it got crowded. Moreover, natural water bodies here are dirty and are not suitable to swim. In the afternoon the pools are closed therefore I had to organize my training like swimming in morning and long distance run and biking in afternoon.

WYOP: You came all the way from India to take part in the very tough race. How did you take care of your finances? Moreover, the registration cost is expensive it’s around 700 Swiss francs (47,000 Rupees). Did you look for some sponsors?

Akash: No my dad supported me. In India it is difficult to get sponsors as not many people know about Ironman. My dad was happy to support me. My bike is not of good quality. The participants had great bikes; if I had a better bike then I could have finished with a better timing. In 2013, when I returned without finishing the Ironman, my dad told me not to worry about money. He asked to me compete again and told me not to worry about the finance. This gave me confidence and was a great motivating factor.

WYOP: That’s incredible if you have someone who supports you. And today you have made your father proud. Akash, it was your determination that you finished the race but I am sure there must be many who supported you in this journey.

Akash: Yes offcourse. I want to thank my swimming teacher- Nayar Sir and Nimbalkar Sir, they gave me the confidence that I can swim.  That was really important because I had no confidence to swim. I want to express gratitude to Ironman Dipankar Paul and Kaustabh Radkar (8 times Ironman). They guided me over telephone. I also want to thank Nikhil Kapur who participated with me in the Zurich Ironman. Thanks to Rugged Sahyadri family for motivating me. And lastly my family- they gave me everything from financial to emotional support.

WYOP: Akash now you are an Ironman. What’s next?

Akash: If I can organize the finances, I want to do the Ironman again and finish it below 12 hours. I love Zurich, it is a wonderful city. So I want to do the Ironman again in Zurich. There are 4-5 more individuals from Kolhapur who are motivated to compete in the Ironman. In India we have only 20 Ironman. So if more people compete from India, it will be good for India.

WYOP: Akash, thank you very much. You are indeed very inspiring. Keep inspiring.

An attempt to run a full marathon 

It was end of 2013 and I decided to run my first full marathon in Zurich. The decision scared me but I really wanted to

try it out. Was I being too ambitious? Not at all - I had already successfully completed close to 4 half marathons. Close to?? Yes, because one run was officially 3.5 km less than half marathon distance.

 

Why run a full marathon?

The answer is I do not know. I just wanted. During a training run on a Saturday morning in 2013 with Anindya (a good friend and running mate) I remember having said –“After this half marathon let us try a full one”.  He replied “I am happy doing half marathons and running 42.2 km is boring”. As days went by and we kept running somehow he agreed and became so convinced that he came up with a training plan 

 

How was the training?

The plan had 6 days of training per week from mid- December 2013 until the end of March 2014 (a week before the marathon). This was a little too much.  So I personalized it to 3-4 days a week of training.  On Tuesday/Wednesday evenings, I ran back home from the office, Saturday was the day for a long run and Sunday was running with WYOP club. I have to say that getting up early on Saturday mornings for the run was no fun but it had to be done. It was a commitment to self and to my running mate- Anindya, who ran with me on most Saturdays. The mornings were cold but we kept encouraging each other. Moreover, the gossip exchanged during the runs provided an extra motivating factor. The longest distance we covered during training was 30 km. This meant all was going well, until something unexpected happened. 

 

On 8^th March 2014, one month before the race date, I went for my practice run. The target was to run 15 km.  I was having a good run till I felt a little pain in the right calf muscle. Normally during a run many pain responses appear and then disappear. This time it was different. The pain persisted. At 12 km the pain became unbearable. I did not want to but I had to stop.  I stretched my right leg and after walking a few steps, I re-started running. But the pain re-appeared. Oh!! No. This was the last thing I wanted. I hate to quit but that day I had to. I walked back home sad, disappointed and limping. A great fight ignited in my mind between the negatives and the positives. The negative was telling me that I was trying something of which I was not capable. The positive was telling me – ‘Better listen to your body, this is not the end of the World, you tried your best, just take some days rest and you will be fit again to run’. 

 To speed up the recovery I visited physiotherapists and did all the recommended massaging, stretching and dry needling. I was recovering but slowly. The marathon day was closing in but the pain was playing tricks- the pain areas were shifting.  I kept telling myself “I will run”. I have heard that with a positive attitude healing is accelerated.

The training plan

 

 

Did I start the race?

On the evening of 5^th April I went and collected my bib and the marathon goodies. On returning home, I was still not sure. That night, I wrote to my Physio friend- Junaid Azmuth “Do you think I can start the 42.2 km run tomorrow. I know you won’t recommend it but my heart says start. If you happen to see the mail tonight, I will be happy to know what you think.” A few minutes later Junaid replied “Hi Indranil, I wouldn’t recommend it. You run and you will damage it long time”. Junaid knew of my injury from day one. I was following his exercises to recover. He is highly experienced, has trained Olympic athletes and in 2012 he helped me to recover from my knee injury. So should I listen to him?

 

That night when I went to bed I took the decision. I decided not to start. Nonetheless, next morning I was at the running area. Not to run but to cheer my other friends who would run to raise money for Asha Zurich to support child education in India. And most importantly to cheer my running mate – Anindya. I wanted to see him start. Before starting he said “It will be really boring running without you but the next marathon we will do together”. We hugged and off he went. And yes he finished the race- graciously. I was proud to run (limping) a few 100 meters with him at the finishing stretch of his race. Man, I was emotional.

 

A bib that never started the race

 

 So now what?

 Now it is July 2014. From March to June, I kept asking- Will I be able to run again?  When?  I did no running. I just could not due to the pain. However, I continued with stretching, went to the fitness center and biked. 

 

On the evening of July 2, 2014, I felt like going for a run. I was a little skeptical as it has been almost 4 months. Anyways, I proudly wore my running shoes and ran through my most familiar track around the Katzensee (Katzen lake). All the time I kept praying “God, no pain please”. The trees and the tracks all looked so familiar. I missed them and I felt that they were asking where I have been all this time. 

 Not having been able to run my first full marathon does bother me. But now that I can run again it gives me immense joy and is far more pleasing. There is probably a right time for everything and hopefully for me the right time for my first full marathon has yet to come. My first full marathon attempt is still on as it can’t elude me forever.

The run after 4 long months 

 

 

Indranil would like to thank all friends and colleagues who supported him morally during this phase in particular his wife and his sister.  His mother still thinks he should quit running and start walking more.