A “9-month” run… And a marathon fun!!

   And that’s how it ended…

Clarification: The write-up is completely based on my experience. Based on specific life style, everyone’s bodies respond differently and working within the confines of one’s body is a good starting point for setting any goal

Pace is overrated. It doesn’t matter if you run with the winds or crawl with snails. What matters is that you run your own race for your own goals in your own time. Running is nothing but a duel between your mind and body

Opening Honours: Week 1 to 6… Km 1 to 5

Ignorance is bliss. Quite confident and well almost unaware of anything growing inside me, I comfortably clocked long runs of 15 Kms on first three weekends. Driven by cool Mumbai monsoons, there was always a spring in my steps as I went through my routine “4 day“ a week workout schedule of tempo, slow-mo, sprint and long runs.

For once, I realized that making to the start line of a marathon is the “hardest part” and especially when one is in seventh month of pregnancy! Even though I run Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon “full” every year, this year I registered for half, since I knew I might have to skip it! In fact, I had almost given up on it, the moment my Gynaecologist advised against impact exercises, i.e. no running. If not for hubby, Durgesh’s persistence, who tried everything to get me out of bed – SRK inspired speech, blackmailing and even fear! Luckily a friend who was running half was staying with us and I cajoled his wife, Neetu (a rookie doctor!!) to accompany me through the race in case of any medical emergency. There was the small issue that she has never walked/ran anything over 3 Kms. Being overcautious at the start and to beat the crowd, I lost precious time (it was still about timing in the beginning!!) in the cool early morning hours.

With Neetu at Worli Sea Link

Warm-up Zone: Week 7 to 15… Km 5 to 8

Once confirmed, there was always this choice between doing away with any physical activity or suitably modifying my workout schedule. Armed with loads of web research on running while being pregnant I went to my gynecologist with stories of wonder women, like, Alysia Montana (Olympic track runner who competed in US 800m heats while 5 months pregnant), Amber Miller (Marathon mom who ran 39 weeks pregnant at Chicago Marathon in 2011, finished in 6:25 and delivered a baby girl seven hours later), etc. But all my google fired research was shot down and my gynecologist, Dr. Rakhee Sahu, advised no impact exercises, which includes running for sure (probably because of my physique or age, etc.). But big thanks to her for encouraging me through out to remain active and ultimately giving me the green signal for the D-day! Moving on from treadmill and track, I spent more and more time on cycle and cross-trainers. Bigger challenge was to sufficiently argue with the “advice overload” from doting relatives and peer group. Another runner friend, Neetul, who was also expecting during this period and was ahead in curve than me helped tackle all those “advices and concerns” and constantly egged me to keep up the tempo.

The Gym excursions

On SCMM race day, weather gods almost inevitably play their prank and once again, 15^th January was unusually hot. By now, I had acclimatized to the hot and sultry conditions and caught on some speed (read steady walk!!). Walking around with folks bringing the rear end of the run is infinitely interesting and heavily positive! For my healthy snack every two hour schedule (avoiding outside food) during pregnancy, I was over-prepared, and carried ample water and too many dates & bananas. With intake taken care of, it was the output which was a much bigger problem! For any expectant female; “loo” assumes a whole new importance. Lack of toilets (more importantly “clean”) in early phase at sea-link and Worli took me to my experience in the hills of Khardungla Challenge. Unlike the mighty Himalayas, the open Mumbai roads don’t offer any hiding zones and only respite is portable cabins!

Into the Rhythm: Week 16 to 24… Km 8 to 13

Not being “visibly” pregnant has many advantages. Obviously, the best being you are not bombarded with the do(s) and don’t(s) at just about any location from lift lobbies to over bearing office colleagues to veggie markets. Any thoughts of travel are limited to exotic “baby-moon” places. And so, it did come as a surprise to my uncle, when I landed up in the mini circuitous road based hill station of Pachmarhi for a family vacation. While at it, there was no way I was letting go of the multiple treks and arduous hilly routes (someday, I will definitely return here for my comrades marathon practice) to seek divine blessings.

Beautiful Pachmarhi

By now, I was well versed with the situation at hand. Movement from Worli Seaface to Hazi Ali was quite a breeze. With sun out, I had to tread on the thin line of drinking “just enough water”… any less had the risk of dehydration while any more brings in the inevitable treasure-hunt for clean loo. It was good fun having a companion but at 13km mark, the doctor had already tripled her lifetime best distance (went on to complete her first ever 10Km at Pune Marathon a fortnight later and is already looking forward to her first half soon). Finding taxi for her at Heera Panna while being jeered by crowd for dropping out was quite a strange experience! Just when I felt lonely, a kick in the tummy reminded me that I was not alone and someone will also complete his first half marathon even before learning to crawl. J

At the Peak: Week 25 to 30… Km 14 to 17

One doesn’t always start a saga with all the end-goals in mind. My workout regimes was to keep me fit and originally there was never a plan to participate in the SCMM. Once the day arrived, the aspect of not taking a break in my almost decade long association with the event seemed too alluring. So well, I did run/walk almost 25 Kms that day in my 7^th month. With the run done and dusted, I shifted away from my locality gym to in-house elliptical and Lara Dutta inspired workouts! Till date, I can only smile when my co-gymmers enquire if I was missing from gym due to hectic office commitments. J

Inspired by Lara Dutta Prenatal Yoga J

I slowly treaded up the SCMM peak (literal and metaphorical) of Peddar Road. Year after year, the hill has been the difference between a sub 4 and 4:10 or 4:30 and 5:00 timing. Even the very best of us runners drop their anchor and just about motor on despite the extravagant cheering of the residents. Being honest, the only job I focused was to avoid any thoughts of quitting.

Temper Down: Week 31 to 39… Km 17 to 21

These were the busiest weeks with all the handover and hangover (send-off parties, though I had to skip my favourite red wine!) at the office. But home stretch is where despite all the fatigue and pain; some “unforeseen” source of energy kicks in. With so much going through the mind, excitement touches all-time high levels. My mileage record for the period defied the best of my expectations and I clocked my highest 60+ Km in my 38^th week, five days before going into labor.

The real 9-month fun if you have great colleagues!

In the beating Sun, Marine Drive without any tree shade can be quite unforgiving. It was here that I finally messaged my mom and bro that I was on road to redemption! My brother immediately called me from Canada to enquire about my well-being and was (in)visibly upset that I told them a lie a day before! …Being overtaken by more and more full marathon runners did hurt a bit. However, I kept reminding myself that I have done this many times during my regular marathon runs over the years. Meeting Vineeta close to the finish line brought a smile to my face. She had been very encouraging since the day before the run, when Durgesh toyed the idea of me getting to the start line…  Slowly and steadily, I “raced” across the finish line...

Finally “racing” past the finish line…. J

It is not about how many miles one covers in life; it is always about how much life is put in those miles

I delivered my baby boy on 22^nd of April. Workout regime did play its part in overall recovery and I was back on track within a month. Getting into peak fitness will take some time but I am on it and yearning a qualifier for full marathon at SCMM ‘18.

And so, begins the another race…. J

With a travel based 9:00 to 8:00 job (overhangs on both ends), my practice sessions are limited to whatever can be squeezed in the remaining time. Without the luxury of a coach or a running group, I have historically taken the commands from my body. This along with doing the fundamentals right has been instrumental in keeping the mileage clock ticking over the years. Following are the few key aspects that have kept me going over last nine months:

• Belief – Being pregnant has to be associated with modifying (and not curtailing) workout regime!!
• Food – Balanced food and well I would like to thank my maid for the same, we hardly eat out!!
• Water – Can’t be a better elixir for life... more so in these conditions of hot and humid Mumbai!!
• Sleep – Seven hours of non-negotiable sleep...  A late night (if need be) has to be accompanied by late rise!!
• Positive – Identifying solutions rather than cribbing about issues wins more than half the battle!!

While these did help me run (pun intended!!) through a reasonably smooth pregnancy; they jolly well apply to each one of us at almost all points of our life.

Monthly and Session-wise Mileage!!

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