Kollayil to TVM Biju's race story

[Biju R Das]

Run: Kollayil to Thiruvananthapuram

Date: Sept 9, 2010

Time: 4Hrs. and 42 minutes

The background:
I added this as a goal a few years ago; and my wife
Geena told my brother-in-law, Saju about it last year and Saju
volunteered to accompany me the entire trip and provide the moral
support. I have been training for the New York City marathon this year
(the race is in November,2010). My India trip this year in September
was not pre-planned; the idea developed 2 weeks before the trip; but I
had the confidence because of my trainings in the last 3 months and
the fact that I had run a 21 miler the week before; Saju was more than
happy to help; the idea was that Saju and another friend, Renjith will
follow me in a car and provide light, water, Gatorade and gel. I had
run 12 official full Marathons before and informally it is going to be
my 14th

The day before:
My original plan was to run on the 8th of September; however that got
changed to the 9th after the announcement of a general strike on the
7th and we did not want to take a risk driving the car on that day.
Saju, Renjit and myself drove from TVM to KYL in the afternoon and
reached KYL around 5:30 PM. I have told them that my goal was to run
this race under 5:00 hours. I went directly to bed at 6PM. My sleep
got interrupted by phone calls a couple of times around 9:30pm

Race day:
Woke up at 1:45 AM and was ready to go by 2:45 AM
Packed the drinks and energy gels in the car; the atmosphere felt
humid

The race started at 3:00 AM

KM 1-10 (Miles 1 – 6.2)
Started off slowly; Felt very well and the road was flat in the first
part, it started raining lightly near Colony and pouring continued;
could hear the howling of dogs a few times; the temperature felt very
humid; could hear clearly the water flowing down the river; the first
major climb was after the bridge (Irumbupalam); it was really dark and
paced slowly and steadily. The road was nearly empty the whole way
except that 2 motor bikes passed me before the bridge. Reached Palode
in 53 minutes and had water and Gatorade

KM 11-20 (Miles 6.2 – 12.4)
It was foggy after the Palaode bus stand, probably because of the
rain. I did not know that the bus stand could not handle all of its
buses; they were parked on both sides of the main road; It was still
humid and sweat; It started raining heavily after I passed the SKVHS;
Got inside the car and waited for 12 minutes until the rain slowed
down; could see a few newspaper guys near Nandiyode junction; the rain
stated pouring heavily again after I started climbing the second major
hill. Waited again in the car for 8 minutes and then continued
ascending; the relief from the hill did not last long and it was time
to confront the longest hill of the race; the one after Vanchuvam and
just before Chullimanoor. The hill must be close to 2KM and fared
pretty good; it took 59 minutes to cover the second 10K; Had energy
gel and water at 20 KM; also took Aleve, a pain tablet

KM 21-30 (Miles 12.4 – 18.8)
This was the flat area of the course. Could see people doing their
routine morning walks; had Gatorade near Anad and water near
Nedumangad; Told Saju that they could stop for tea if they would like
to and that offer was accepted graciously; they passed me for the next
tea shop as I continued; The socks and shorts started hurting the skin
because of rainy water still stuck on my clothes; I was determined not
to make a stop until the 30th KM mark that was near the Keltrol office
(blinking red light) in Karakulam; I handed over the reflector to Saju
as darkness disappeared; the third set of 10K was covered in 65
minutes; Consumed the last energy gel and water;

KM 31-42.3 (Miles 18.8 – 26.2)
This was the most difficult part of the course; included several walk-
run sessions; the section of the road by the river looked dangerous as
buses passed by in both directions; switched direction to the right
side of the road; Saju followed the routine of passing and then
waiting for me; the traffic increased as I approached the city; it was
horrible between Karakulam (the pump station) and Ambalam mukku; the
combination of rainwater, mud and traffic was not good for even
walking; some people stared; I just ignored; it appeared that my shoe
weight increased by 2Kg because of the sticky mud; however things got
improved after Cowdiar; Called Geena near Vellayambalam and they were
already at the museam; Confirmed Saju of the final destination; the
sight of museum was amazing and it looked more beautiful; the entire
family was waiting as I finished my target; the finish time was 4
hours and 42 minutes;

Summary:
The last 12KM took most of my time; However, I cared less about the
finish time since I had covered this distance many times near 4:00
hours
Overall it was a very nice experience, running the routine path
travelled countless times in the past in buses, cars and bikes;

What should I have done differently
• Would have started a little earlier to beat the traffic in the city
• Would select a non-rainy day if possible
• Would have carried extra cloths to avoid skin abrasion (on a rainy
day)
• Would try to have a running mate at least in the last 10KM