Training for the Half Marathon

I am always very cautious when returning to a sport...even something as 'simple' as running. The risk of injury increases with age and can really upset the training schedule; hence the caution. That is why I decided to go in for some coaching and approached a clinic called Back2Fitness (B2F) run by a running enthusiast, Dr. Rajat Chauhan. We met around 19 Sep for the first time where he analysed our gait and told us which type of shoes to select. Incidentally, there are essentially three types of gaits: neutral, pronation & supination. I was declared a neutral. After a few more basics about the type of running T-shirts, shorts, caps & socks, we did a trial run. This was done a 2.75km track and I took 16 mins 40 secs. I was told that translates to 2 hrs 22 mins. Anyway, within two days I had zipped off to Kolkata for my vacations, but I did manage to practise there. They kept mailing me what to do over each week and we did that. In addition we had two supervised sessions a week wherein we ran under the supervision of the coach and physiotherapists. To sum up I ran 110 kms before I ran the race out of which 108 km approximately were run in the new Nike Avant + shoes. I hope this helps those interested in starting running as a sport.

Here is the link of the guys with whom I trained - http://www.b2f.co.in/

Regards

Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2009

I ran the first timed 'proper' Half Marathon of my life. My time was 2 hours 20 minutes and 05 seconds. Till a week back I was expecting to do it close to 2 hours and a few ( say five) minutes, but in the last week the pain started. It was below the right foot arch - plantar fascia is the muscle which was acting up. Rajat, our coach, in fact advised me to skip the race - but off course I was not listening. So we decided that I would take it nice and easy - aim to finish in 2 hours 30 minutes or more if required, BUT not to aggravate the injury. Easier said than done.
I took off verry slowly and plodded on till I reached the half way mark. Shortly after crossing the 11 km marker, the pain started in earnest. I stopped to stretch and then continued, but the pain persisted and so I decided to walk - with panic rising in my heart that I would not finish the event. After a few hundred metres I took off again and this time managed to reach the 14 km marker. At this point I made a discovery. I realised that if I deliberately land on the outer edge of the right leg, the arch does not pain! I tried it for some time and then got emboldened. After that I started picking up speed. Due to the training I had no problem about fatigue...the only thing holding me back was the pain. I finally finished in 2.20.05'.