My First Full Marathon

Last two years in Mumbai, I have been running, having done the 2012 SCMM half marathon, ADHM 2012 and 2013 SCMM Full Marathon. I joined Savio DSouza's group officially in Jun 2013. However, i always used to run with some of the members on Sundays at Marine Drive. A great fact about running is that you get to make a lot of friends. The first friend on the running list i made at Mumbai was "Roshni Bakshi" who introduced me to Savio Dsouza. Roshni is a great runner and was good company to run with. I also met Pervin in SCMM as well as ADHM. Another great personality of this group I met is Beiram( Oops sorry if I misspelt your name!). These acquaintances were made in 2011 itself and I did meet Roshni on the sea link during the SCMM half marathon. I got my PB of 1hr 50 minutes in this HM.
In 2012, I did most of my runs alone and actually did not practice seriously. Actually, I did start practice seriously in Jun/Jul but in Aug, I had a serious problem. One day after a long run of 24 km, I felt a burning session while passing stools. I thought it would be due to chafing and would wear off, but I was wrong, it became really bad by next day morning. I rushed to the hospital and I was told that there is a boil in my anus and that it had burst. I was really scared as one of my colleagues said that this would lead to a problem of "fistula" which is a recurring thing and the doctor asked me to give up running and take up swimming or something like that. I walked out of the doctors office and consulted a neurosurgeon who is a marathon runner and told him that running is my passion and i dont want this to end my running. he immediately prescribed me an ointment and said that i should apply it before the run and also told me to drink a lot of water. So all this made me take a back seat and I did not run till  end Oct till I felt that the problem was resolved completely. I challenged myself that I have to take care of myself and cure myself completely. I used to sit for 15-20 minutes daily in a hot water bath called "SITZ bath" and slowly and steadily I was relieved of my pain. I changed my diet to absolutely non spicy and good food, no alcohol at all etc. etc. By October, I was feeling fine. I had registered for the Full Marathon ( SCMM) and this would be my maiden Full Marathon. I normally select a training chart from the freely available ones on internet for my training. So I selected a training chart and started my practice runs in earnest. I was also doing a Management course which had its examinations and contact programs which used to disrupt my training schedule on most weekends and week days.  In addition there was a December holiday planned to Chennai and Bangalore. I was scared whether I will able to complete the FM or not. I decided to do all my long runs as per the plan sincerely. So I managed to run my 22K, 24K, 28K  even while I was in Chennai and Bangalore in the month of December. I ran 28 K on Dec 31. I came back to Mumbai just after New Year and  ran  a last 36K on 04 Jan 13 and then I tapered down to wait for the final day. To gain my confidence  one week beforee the D Day I went  to the start point of the FM and ran about 14 K on the Marathon route. That was the end of my training for the FM. By GOD's grace, there were no more injuries. I continued to maintain my non spicy diet and lots of fluids.
On the Marathon day, I started off very comfortably. Thanks to my previous  HM timing , I was right in front at the Start point. I think this was one of my mistakes to be there in the front, because till  I reached Worli sea phase, I kept feeling that everyone was overtaking me. Infact I was running at a comfortable pace is what I felt. I was at the half way point on Sea link at 2hrs and 01 min. I was feeling light and fresh and felt that i could continue at this pace easily for the entire race. I was quite pleased with myself at this point. On the sea link , I overtook many people. I reached Bandra and then the WALL hit me at about 30K. I just did not understand what was happening. My mind was giving up. I strated walking. I did not want to stop but I stopped. I said to myself to grab some choloate from the cheering crowd and eat it so that i may get some instant energy. I did that, and as I was trying to tear the wrapper of the chocolate, i got cramps in my hands( biceps/triceps). I relaxed myself and then I strated running again only to stop again after some distance. As this continued, I started getting cramps in my thighs but the crowd was great, there were people spraying the runners with relaxant sprays. I got myself sprayed and continued my journey. Once I reached  Worli sea phase, I was extremely slow. My cousin who was way behind me, cruised past me smiling and running effortlessly at the 33K mark. I was again stumped here as in the marathon route in my mental map did not include the loop ahead of the TRATA circle till old passport office, I really was tired at this point, but I couldnt give up. I had to complete the race. So I grinded my teeth and continued step after step. Finally I reached the ultimate "Peddar Road climb" and I had to walk this stretch.  i took a 2 min break at the "Mist sprayer" to cool myself. Then I continued running and reached Marine drive. I was running-walking-running and so on. I saw a lady ahead of me, a foreigner, must be in her ealry sixties, running with constant strides comfortably. I was just unable to overtake her. I have a long way to go. The sun was out and was shone on our head in Marine drive. A good thing about Mumbai is that till we reach marine drive in the return leg, there is no sun as we are always running in the shade. Marine drive on return leg is my Bug bear as I always find it tough to run with the sun on my face. I continued ans somnehow managed to increase my pace ( normally in HM I sprint the last 200m), here I wasnt able to, my thighs were stoned and I touched the finish mat at 4hr 44min 48 sec. PHEW! I completed my first FM.  Mission accomplished. But I decided that next time it would be much better with no stops in between and confortable running. I guess training properly is the key if you have to run a FM comfortably. Timing while being a feel good factor, should not be a major concern as my idea is that I should be able to run comfortably and should be able to continue the rest of the day normally after the run. that would be my measure of a successful run.
Adios... I shall be back with my 2013 experience soon..... BYE...