Sunday, April 20, 2014

Comrades Training - Val Vil Ori Marathon Kolli Hills India

Inaugural Val Vil Ori Marahon 2014 ....still struggling to describe the experience....to sum up "truly one has to feel it to understand!!"
First time at Kolli Hills .... It started with a 7.5 hrs driving from Bangalore on Friday + 20k in 2:27 min run on Saturday (part of the same course run on Sunday)
On Sunday, starting at 4.00 am ...ran 55 k run with 1000 meter gain 1000 meter loss + crazy temperature after 10 am (must be around 37-38 deg???) + perfect fuel and hydration & run walk plan + 100% cramps free + few dogs here and there to chase & entertain + very scenic Kolli (Silver Oak trees, Pepper vines, Banana and Tapiaco Plantations, tweeting song birds + surprised villagers + dusty and rough roads due to road construction + excellent support and cheers from fellow runners...especially Nandu and Aravind who were with me) and the patient and enduring crew (which included my lovely children) finally awarded with a hand made and most priced Val Vil Ori Medal 
You can clearly see I went off course after 39k mark near Poonthottam...missed one turn and had to compensate for the loss by running some unknown roads to sum up my 55k. It was funny when I reached the finish point @ Nallathambi I had completed only 52.5 and had to run a (charged up / paced up) 2.5k back and forth few times soon after I saw my wife Meera at the finish line...when I finished my Garmin read 7 hrs 24 mins.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE OTHER RUNNERS!!! I'm glad that I was privileged to be part of this finest 'running history in making!'
A BIG THANKS TO Krishna FOR THE IDEA, HIS WIFE AND CREATIVE KIDS (who kept my children busy and entertained) AND A CARING BUNCH OF FRIENDS FROM CHENNAI RUNNERS - this is the second event (started with the Yercaud run) has made me realize how lonely I have been for so many years as a solitary runner....Truly a 'I'm loving it' moment in my life!!!
after a brief rest ...took another 6.5 hrs to reach back home today morning at 3.00 am
....what else to ask for.....on the day I turned 40!!!.....

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