Q. How did you go about training for the Mysore Half?
A. I went in not having adquately trained for the Mysore half. I had run the half at KTM 2011, 2 weeks before this event, but hadn’t put in any runs after that because of work pressure and social engagements. This had me quite worried. But since there was not much else I could do, I ensured that I was well rested in the days leading up to the run. I also focused on eating right.
Q. Describe the day before the Mysore Half. Did you follow your usual pre-race routine or tried something new?
A. I usually tend to be anxious the night before the race and end up sleeping less than normal. This time, I decided to break that habit by eating an early dinner. Indian meals are rich in carbs so I don’t specifically look for pasta. In fact, I ate nothing out of the ordinary, but ensured I had dessert. I slept by 10 p.m, to wake up feeling well rested, and showed up at the start line.
Q. On the run at Mysore, how did it feel taking part in the half marathon with the Dasara festivities serving as the backdrop?
A. Mysore is a beautiful city and I was happy to be running there, surrounded by the energy of the Dasara festivities. Discovering the city on the run was a pleasure and the trail section through the park was a real treat. Thank you organizers, for factoring that in.
Q. Your overall experience of running the Mysore Half?
A. The race started late which was frustrating after the effort one puts in to be on time. Standing at the start line was getting tiring as the rising sun made it very warm. Given my preparation (or lack of it) I had mentally resigned myself to a slow finish.
The last stretch lacked the much needed support stations and a few surprise inclines were really punishing. The traffic volunteers did a great job prioritizing the runners ahead of the traffic and their cheering along the last 5Ks was very encouraging.
Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience which I would highly recommend.
Q. When you crossed the finish line, how did you feel?
A. Exhilarated at having survived! Finished in 2h 29m by my watch; about 9 minutes slower than I would have liked. Reminded myself that there is no substitute for consistent training.
Q. Will you be back for the 2012 edition?
A. Without a doubt! I would like it if the next edition could start at 6 a.m.
Q. How did you go about training for the Mysore Half?
A. I did not do anything special for the Mysore Half Marathon. Just maintained my usual mileage of around 45k per week in the preceding weeks and tapered during race week. I was targeting a 1 hr 40 mins finish after a Personal Best HM finish of 1hr: 45 mins at KTM just two weeks before the race.
Q. Describe the day before the Mysore Half. Did you follow your usual pre-race routine or tried something new?
A. Almost half of the pre-race day was spent in travel from Hyderabad to Mysore. Rest of the things were pretty much routine – Carb-loading at home where my mom had prepared a sumptuous lunch, short 4k run to pick up the Bib and hitting the bed early.
Q. On the run at Mysore, how did it feel taking part in the half marathon with the Dasara festivities serving as the backdrop?
A. Mysore, generally a quiet and calm place simply comes alive during Dasara. There are quite a few events happening across the city during Dasara – the processions, exhibitions, music and dance concerts that leaves you hard pressed to choose the one to attend. I must congratulate the organizers for holding the event during Dasara as it gave runners an opportunity to be a part of this tremendous cultural feast!
Q. Your overall experience of running the Mysore Half?
A. The conditions were just about ideal for the Running – Flag off at the majestic Mysore Palace, amazing route including the picturesque Kukkenahalli Kere Lake, obliging weather with little humidity and the pleasure of running with the national level athletes.
Q. When you crossed the finish line, how did you feel?
A. I loved the electric atmosphere at the finish line with a lot of people cheering finishers and drums rolling in the background. A lot of people talk about the runner’s high like it was something they experience after every practice run. But for me it takes a special run to get there and this run was definitely special.
Still I was disappointed to have missed my season target of 1 hr 40 mins by around 1 min, but happy and surprised that I was able to almost reach there early in the running season.
Q. Will you be back for the 2012 edition?
A. Run a beautiful half marathon route in my hometown during a week of Dasara festivities- Absolutely. I hope it is a full marathon next time and that the organizers include a part of the Chamundi Hills road.
Q. How did you go about training for the Mysore Half?
A. No specific training for the HM, I have been doing interval training and weekend long runs with the Bangalore Hash or BHUKMP
Q. Describe the day before the Mysore Half. Did you follow your usual pre-race routine or tried something new?
A. Nothing new. The usual routine of making sure that everything was in place – the timing chip, the running bib and the running gear. I had traveled to Mysore the previous day and retired to bed early.
Q. On the run at Mysore, how did it feel taking part in the half marathon with the Dasara festivities serving as the backdrop?
A. The additional benefit of being in Mysore the previous day, was getting time to visit Chamundi hills in the evening and drive around the brightly lit Mysore Palace. It was spectacular indeed.
Q. Your overall experience of running the Mysore Half?
A. The registration (in my case, on the spot the previous evening) was handled well and I was done with form filling, payment and collection of the goody bag in about 15mins. Despite the delay at the start, the run itself was organized well. The course was brilliant, modest inclines and a trail section. The traffic police were ‘terrific’ police and manned the roads at the intersections. Overall, I had nothing to complain about.
Q. When you crossed the finish line, how did you feel?
A. Close to a Personal Best for me and I was happy with the 1:40 timing.
Q. Will you be back for the 2012 edition?
A. For the Mysore Full Marathon? A resounding Yes!
Q. How did you go about training for the Mysore Half?
A. I couldn’t log in substantial mileage in my training just before Mysore Half as I was running only on the weekends (when not recovering from a previous race). But having raced at KTM two weeks prior to Mysore half and having run a tough full marathon in Hyderabad three weeks prior to KTM, it served as a good base for the Mysore half. I continued doing yoga and strength training in the days before the race.
Q. Describe the day before the Mysore Half. Did you follow your usual pre-race routine or tried something new?
A. The day before Mysore was usual, going about work and all. However, since we were going to drive down to Mysore at 3 am the next day for the race and I would get very less sleep the night before, I cancelled my evening fitness training sessions and used the time to rest well. Apart from that I ate an early dinner that was easily digestable and hyderated well. I didn’t try out anything new before the race, I never do.
Q. On the run at Mysore, how did it feel taking part in the half marathon with the Dasara festivities serving as the backdrop?
A. The festive environment around made the race more exciting and helped me maintain a relaxed attitude before the race. During the race, I focused only on my running so I didn’t notice much but after the race it was fun to watch the colurful traditional dancers dancing to vibrant music. I think everybody lightened up and recovered from post-race fatigue much faster because of the fun and cheer around
Q. Your overall experience of running the Mysore Half?
A. It was a very nice experience from me. Mysore was easily accessible from Bangalore. The race was managed by RFL so all aspects of the race went smoothly as expected. I liked the trail along the lake, liked the fact that they gave cash prizes to the top 5 winners (but also felt that they should have included a senior category) and liked the cultural programmes that were arranged.
Q. When you crossed the finish line, how did you feel?
A. Crossing the finish line is always Divine! This time it was even more elating as I managed to do a personal best bettering my previous time by one and half minutes!
Q. Will you be back for the 2012 edition?
A. Yes, I will now make it an annual event for myself and come for all the future editions.