Big Sur Run !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21 miles !! been there done that !!! ;)

[Swati Iyengar]

Hello All,

Attached is my Big sur run experience .. Its a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg read .. Hope u don't fall asleep while reading ..... grab a cup of coffee/ tea and start reading ...That way even if you did not enjoy reading it .. ..atleast you would have had a good cup of coffee/tea ;)

Sairam,

Swati.

[SL Narayan]

Swati:

Thank you for sharing...very nice update. 

I completely agree with you that everybody should try this run at least once. Now that we have a better idea, let us plan the training better for next year and hopefully more folks will join this run :)

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[Shankar]

Quoting Swati from the post "..And If I can do it .. anybody can !!!". That is so Modest of you! Great inspiration.

On Mon, Apr 25, 2016 at 6:06 PM, Swati Iyengar <swatiiy...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Aditya Kurulkar]

Thanks for sharing a beautiful n inspiring experience :)

sent From My Mobile

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[Sai Krishnan]

Sairam All

Oh wow very nicely written Swati, can’t match that…. Nevertheless

Sandeep great pictures... Oh I missed trying out those drums :(

Will start with some photos and videos…..Please see these before you read :)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7jckdOn1ENJT3VmcU9tbU91VEU

Thanks Lakshman/SLN for instigating the running concept…until couple years back I would have laughed off if somebody said I would be able to run long distance. The maximum I ran was to my bowling run-up as fast bowler, about fielding I come from the generation of Indians who can’t spell fielding, so practically no running at all :)

But I always loved to hike and explore nature, running took me to another level being connected with the nature and more importantly training during the weekends early in the morning really helped to see the nature in totally different way.

I think by now you all may have good idea of Big Sur and its great scenic run. But one thing I would add is, only way to reach those spots to get a good view is by participating in this event since you cannot stop in the middle of highway 1 for these breath taking views- that’s a BONUS.It was the best weather one could ask for

We reached expo to find our name inscribed in the Hall :-) , we just had to find it with our microscopic eyes. But the bad news: NO FREE BEES Grrrr…..So no point going to the expo early, rather hang out at the old fisherman’s wharf. It’s good idea to carry food along, so you can eat and hit the sack early avoid spending time driving around finding places to eat. Thanks to homemade Teplas, Paneer Pulav and Idlis/Curd rice, bananas, elaichi cream biscuits gave us enough carbs load :-).

Key Elements

1.     1. It was pretty challenging to run against the hard hitting winds most of the time, I couldn’t even walk forget running but it was fun to face the challenge

2.     2. Hills were never ending – so run in the hills during your training, Telegraph ave at coyote hills in Fremont comes close to the elevation but have to keep running there quite a few times

3.     3. First of all this run requires winter training, but the secret it just train train train…. start in December itself so get used to running in the peak winter, so you are good with the cold weather.

4.     4. Sleep:  It’s difficult to get in to the sleep due to new place (Hotel), anxiety and the 3:00AM alarm. Last one is the deal breaker

5.     5. You have only 5.5 hours to finish 21 miles or Marathon  before they have reopen the Highway 1 for the traffic, but at the end we all were quite well ahead J

6.     6. Weekday training, stretches are mandatory and we should explore some formal training here with proper Gym equipment etc – its good investment, specially create a regime and adhere to it – being REGULAR is most important

7.     7. Most importantly after the run driving back home in 1 south with clogged traffic is like driving under influence :-) , so have a designated driver :-)

 

Overall it was very satisfying experience I am thank full to Swami for giving this opportunity to be able to accomplish this milestone on the special Samadhi day.  I am grateful to my family for wonderful support and my running buddies SLN, Swati , Sandeep, Jagdeesh, Roma and others who all trained together encouraged each other to accomplish this goal which surely says with right preparation and team effort everything is achievable. When we all start of running we felt why we signed up this self-afflicting pain (by paying $$$$) but once we crossed the finish line all the pains and regrets flew away and gave us immense satisfaction and great sense of achievement.

3/4^th Done Quarter more for FULL!!! :) :)

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[Jagdeesh Shetty]

Congrats to you all. Inspiring write ups and pix.

[Bhaskar Ramachandran]

Sai and Swati,
Amazing feat of endurance. The photos and videos and your vivid write ups make it seems like you ran in Swarga loka. Well done and enjoy unlimited carbs for the next week:)

[meena...@yahoo.com]

Beautiful indeed and very inspiring.  And Sai thanks for pointing SLN's name. I am sure he would have been reminiscing each mile along with you all. How come none of you talked about the best strawberries  that was handed out during the run😄 

Regards

Gayathri 

Sent from my iPhone

[Shankar]

Sharing my experience, I registered for 21 Milers, but was not practicing regularly enough and so was able to downgrade to 9 miler on the last moment.

I was running 3-4 miles occasionally 4-5 times in a month, till February and no practice runs in March and April. So, even 9 mile run seem daunting to me. But, I made my mind to participate, and walk all the way in the worst case. 

9 miler race started at 7:30 AM, by which the weather was very pleasant and not cold. I had an experience of life time of running along with a 91 old guy, up to 6 miles after which I couldn't keep my pace with him :( It's a pleasant surprise to see so many elderly people probably older than 60 participating in the race. Thanks to the enthusiastic runners, I was also able to run all the through the 9 miles with very little break, although at a very slow pace of 12 minutes per mile. Based on my experience, I believe if you never run before, and want to start an active lifestyle, participating in the 9 miler is a good beginning. It does not need the endurance and commitment of a 21 miler, but also is a good stepping stone to aim for long runs in future.

Thanks,

Shankar

[Suresh Kollipara]

Sairam all,

Before Registration:

Thanks to SLN, for letting us know about such a beautiful race like Big Sur & Practice, Logistics planning etc. I had registered for 10.6 miles (I used to recreational run for just 1-2 miles 2 or 3 times a week and last year started with 5k, 10k and now this 10.6)  

2 to 3 months before run:

We practiced at Coyote hills,Fremont every Saturday and though I did practice only few times, we touched 8 to 9 miles one week before the race (thanks to Jagadeesh) that gave me some confidence.

At the time of picking bib(1-day before)

It feels vibrant to be part of a International Marathon like this, Everything in Expo is well organized and the diversity of various people from across USA and World participating. Of course, No freebies.

Saturday Evening before the run:

Thanks to Sai Krishna &his family) for the tasty tasty Idli,podi & Yogurt rice(that was like a boost before a big run!) and as expected its difficult to sleep, calm down with all excitement, anxiety.

On the Morning & Race time:

This is one of the best organized, scenic & much challenging than other runs. The hard hitting winds, Ocean waves, up hill, Down hill, Music, tasty Oranges, Straw Berries etc..It feels exciting running at the edge of the Continent, beside ocean.

In the middle after 6 miles or so, thoughts came up like this will be my last registration for events like this, but as Swati said its all Fickle mind, Pain is temporary..at the end  you feel so blessed &Happy to be part of such a beautiful race.

Key take-away's:

1.Wind speed is very high and at some point its hard to even walk, and added to the agony Uphill, Down hill. Practice at Coyote plus hiking like Mission peak will be helpful.

2. For any runs upto 10.6...i.e. 5k, 9 or 10.6.miles..Minimal practice is ok as you will get ample time and you can even walk to complete ahead of the deadline but for 21 or 26 miles..practice is very important.

3.Never ever do any adventurous, straining runs before 3 days or so...having not done much weekday practice, I went for very short run (1.5 mile on the day before race day and I got strained whole Saturday, luckily this was sorted out race day. I strongly suggest "regular Practice + Focus only on this run once you register since practic & rhythm might get interrupted if you are on other runs.

4. This run requires winter training,  but this is not a big challenge once you are into practice and  after the initial 0.5 or 1 mile.

5.Regular Weekday & Weekend training, stretches are  very useful and required. Pre-run and post-run stretches definitely helpful.

having said all that, being here in Bay area, we must be very lucky and I think participate in this Big Sur, at least once since you never know how things going to be next year. If you are doing little practice or not sure of practice, then its better to register for 5k, 9 or 10.6 miles. If you want to do 21 or 26 miles and not sure how much practice you do or if something else comes up, then event protection is a good option.

Have a nice time Runners, Walkers...

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Best Regards,
Suresh.
mail2s...@gmail.com

 

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