Mostly, I remember the last few kilometers of KTM. Because I’ve never been so relieved that it was done. But then I say that after every run :-)
Well, I probably wasn’t the only one : with the sun shining in all its glory : at times during the 3 hour affair I could feel it penetrating into my skull (through my hat) and burning holes and radiating out. I am not kidding. It was so HOT. We didn’t get an overcast day as we had hoped. Instead we had clear skies and the blazing sun and a delayed start : as a result of which most folks suffered quite a bit. The full marathoners were still running way into the 5th and 6th hour and I can only say that I am filled with admiration. I couldn’t have gone a mile beyond the 21!
In fact the last 2 kms or so was quite bad. I had developed a bit of a headache (I usually do when exposed for prolonged hours to the sun) and a blister on one sole. So, I was literally ambling along waiting for the corner to appear.
That’s when I caught up with Rajendra Patel.
“How much are you running?†he asked.
“Only the half,†I replied.
“Oh good, good. You know, this is commendable. Especially carrying your weight.â€
Hmm. Not my weight again!
Before I could respond, he added: “Now we can run together.â€
So we ambled along together. Meanwhile, Rajendra Patel decided that he needed to keep up the conversation. He was an ex-Army guy and had been to Nagaland. He had met several Boras (and were they my cousins?!), and he lives in Pondicherry now.
It was actually due to him that I got completely distracted by my painful aching sore muscles that had had enough. He insisted I should not beat him at this stage and I agreed.
So finally, after 2 hours and 58 minutes of the heat and the sun, we crossed the finish line together.
On an aside, the KTM route was beautiful : whenever I had a chance to look up and around! Green all around with a channel of water running alongside you and fields to both sides : an absolutely idyllic countryside scene which made me feel at times that I should have been there with a camera instead. A perfect location to take a stroll or even go on cycling. The only traffic was in the form of buffaloes and a few villagers who seemed really amused at us sprinting, darting, ambling and walking down “their†territory.
So that was the KTM. The Ultra comes next!
~ Sudhir has some great pics
~ More on the marathon
~ Manoj and his marathon effort
~ Bhasker just keeps running
~ Shantanu’s experience
~ Prateek runs his second
WOW!!! Congratulations and kudos for your efforts.
Posted by sp | October 23, 2008, 10:55 pmThat is awesome. way to go! Congrat! now Indulge :)
a frequent reader of your blog :)
Posted by Just call me 'A' | October 24, 2008, 12:54 amcongrats ! the place looks beautiful .. but what I can see is that the shadows are going the wrong way — mustve been painful !!
Posted by Sahu | October 24, 2008, 1:07 amwow I never thought a marathon in cities could take you to such greenery.
Posted by ravi | October 25, 2008, 5:06 pmGood show at KTM…On on to the Ultra.. Cheerz
Posted by Manoj | October 27, 2008, 9:01 amNow that’s a steadfast spirit. Finishing the course is tougher than we think. Loved the post, it baffles us what the human body is capable of defying. You seem to have added another medal of completion to your adventures. Keep it going. :-)
Posted by kdphotoman | October 29, 2008, 5:00 amGood Show Anita. Best of luck for the Ultra
Posted by Shantanu | October 31, 2008, 7:29 pm@ sp: thanks!
@ “a”: thanks! and also for the comment :-)
@ sahu: yes, the way back was facing the sun all the way — very painful!
@ ravi: this wasn’t in the city. it was near srirangapatna! but, not that far away either!
@ manoj: thanks! and congrats on your 42? 50?
@ kdphotoman: thanks, it really is! but you’re right, you know what the human body is capable of when you push it to the limits and it’s quite incredible to see some of the stalwarts in action — really inspiring!
@ shantanu: hey, thanks! and same to you for your 50! :-)
Posted by Anita | October 31, 2008, 10:05 pmGlad to know that Rajendra Patel helped ease the run, many of us in the bus was fed up with his “entertainment” :)
Posted by Jayadeep Purushothaman | November 3, 2008, 4:42 pmYou ran 21 kms and for 3 hours — hats off to you anita. Weight doesn’t matter. Many of us thin ones aren’t so fit as you. Seriously, you are just a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!!!!
Posted by Usha | November 11, 2008, 5:24 pm@ jayadeep: hehe, anything to distract me from the pain was good :-)
@ usha: thank you!!
Posted by Anita | November 18, 2008, 7:57 am