Okay its been two month since my first big run. I had made such big plans of coming back from the race and writing a deserving post about the experience that was Gate River Run 2011. But the euphoria of my first run wore off on the way back home only to leave me longing for the comfort of my bed.
March 12, 2011: One of those rare Saturdays (hell rare days!) when I woke up at 3:30 am. I generally sleep at that time. I wasn't really happy with the 2 hours of sleep I had managed, but as I got into my GRR tshirt the enthusiasm took over my feelings. A little goof up with the race tag couldn't get my spirit down either.
I was ready to go, and so were over 20 other Team Asha runner. After a two hour drive on I-10E, a major part of it waiting to get into the parking lot, we reached our destination - Jax Municipal Stadium. A little warm up and stretching in the cool morning air, which showed all the signs of getting warmer as the day progressed, we headed to the Gator Bowl Boulevard, starting line for the 15k. Thanks to a seeded number(goof up with me race tag), I ran as 'Kiwakar' with other top 5000 runners. Star spangled banner and then the gun shot - my first race had started. I started the race faster than I would have liked - that is what you get when you run with people doing 2-3 minutes/miles better than you. Needless to say, that quick start hurt me - within the 2nd mile I started getting shin splints. But nothing was going to stop me from finishing this race. I realized the importance of psychology that day, I started taking the race one mile at a time.
On my third mile, I saw my timing as 29 minutes or so, under 10 minute-miles! That too in the first one-third of the race. By this time the shin splints had gone and so had the stomach cramps. The air was getting hotter and my calf muscles were tired of the fast running. I realized I'll have to make some changes in my running - run faster and take more walking breaks (to give myself some breathing time and muscles some rest). Also a little hydration helped beat the heat. I also loved the tangerine slices handed out by a small girl with a smiling face. Actually the best part about the race was the people lining the streets. It was a really beautiful neighborhood with scores of people out on the streets with sign boards, claps, cheers and smiles motivating you to go on. Every mile or two, there were some bands playing live music. Somehow I had reached the 8th mile, and I could see the Green monster ahead. Trust me, what your feel while running up the bridge cannot be described. By this time every single muscle in my body was begging me to stop! Half way up the bridge, I decided to take a walking bridge. Just at that moment a runner, must be around 50-60 years in age ran past me, egged me to run.
Thank God I decided to run, coz right ahead of me were the event photographers! Really,why would you want to click pictures when runners have a dead look on their face and are on the verge of giving up?
Finally I reached the top of the bridge and as I started running the down slope, my legs screamed. On one side was the gorgeous view of the sea and Jacksonville downtown. Against this breathtaking view was runner who had burnt himself out and was fainting because of exhaustion and deydration. Two runners, maybe his friends, reached out to him and a medical van was also on its way. I ran with all my heart pulling every muscle together.
I met Mukul running ahead of me in the last few yards and we raced to the finish. It took everything to cross that finish line, mentally and physically! As I crossed the line, I raised my arms in victory, and thanked God. As I saw other Team Asha runners waiting at the finish line, I stopped and my legs bucked. Thank God Mukul pulled me up and didn't let me sit. It really would have been a disaster!
The rest of the day was just as expected - hurt body and mentally drained - I had nothing left in me. Ate a couple of bananas, bagels and bottles of water, walked around for an hour waiting for others to finish , all to keep my muscles from going off to sleep. After loki revived from his brief post-run blackout, all of us gorged on lip-smacking Indian buffet.
As I said earlier, I was longing for the comfort of my bed after lunch! Ice packs, cool shower to soothe my muscles and I was in bed. The sweet pain I experienced for the next few days was something I couldn't complain about. I had finished the race in my best time ever, 1:32:53 at the pace of 9:58 minute/mile, way better than my expectations!And the loot! =)
