Fanatasies in running and cycling
Here are some goals for the future I have in mind regarding running and cycling:
Short term goals :
1) Run a full marathon (ran a half marathon at thane in 2003) soon. Should probably do this in early september this year - Bangalore marathon(if everything goes right).
2) Cycle to pondicherry and back(280kms) in a single day (hopefully this month end/next month beginning).
Long term goals :
1) Run consistently and bring down my marathon time below 3 hrs in another 1-1.5 years
2) Get into ultra races (cycling and running) within the next 2-3 years
3) Run the badwater (135 miles) and bike the furnace creek(508 miles) - probably after another 5 years
4) Take part in multi day races like the Australian 6 day race...??(Just kidding)
I fantasise a lot. What's practical and doable among the above, I have no idea.
P.S:
By the way, an Indian, Arun Kumar Bharadwaj had participated in the Australian 6 day race at Colac last year(2005) and placed 14th out of 36 participants. Kudos to him for inspiring people and for representing india in these ultra endurance races.
Here's what he had to say in a discussion forum about the race:
Yes, it is one of the toughest endurance races. On an uneven tough grass track (where grass disappears in a single day)I stood 14th out of 36 runners from 12 nations. In this event, a runner must have to complete 65 kms every single day to avoid elimination and cannot take a rest of more than 5.59.59 hours (6 hours is enough for disqualification). I have done 556.4 km, however my goal was to acheive 600+. But still it is a marvellous feat when considered that I could arrive at the race venue only 20 hours before the start, after no sleep for 48 hours. Took 24 hours from Delhi to Melbourne (including 12 hours on HongKong airport). No time to get acclimatised. And I was with no suport crew for first 4 days. Also, I am a vegetarian and it is not easy to get Indian food here.
Anyhow, I am satisfied with my performance produced in the given condition.
My goal is to cross 900k in six days and I will get it one day.
Thanks,
-Arun Kumar Bhardwaj
Kennenisa Bekele with the WR
A favorite in 1996 and 2000 olympics, El G finally realised his dream at the 2004 olympics with a double gold
7 comments:
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The sub-3 marathon is definitely the easiest of the lot, it takes about 5-7 months of consistent mileage (40-50 mpw), which requires just a bit of discipline. I can't say I'm a big fan of the ultra stuff, very non-standard and also not very interesting from a spectator's point of view. To each his own, I guess.
Hi..to each his own may be true..I haven't run big road races(marathons), so I can't say I am really attracted to them but..I have run on trails near my house in hyd and I have found two things:
a) Its a lot easier to run on them for long and the recovery is faster
b) There is a greater level of connect with nature
Also people enjoy trekking(why??), so how about trunning(trekking through running)..that I feel would be worth doing :-)
p.s: ultra races are low-key events
and runners want them to be so..there is really something to trail running..
Of course one should train mostly on soft surfaces (dirt, grass, trail); all top athletes do it - training on concrete and asphalt is a surefire recipe for injury. I only meant that I wasn't a big fan of ultra races (beyond the marathon distance) because I perceive a lack of competitiveness in those events - most of the talented athletes opt for standard distances where the money is. As an analogy, I'd rather watch a cricket ODI between Australia and Pakistan than a test match between Kenya and Bangladesh :)
No offence to ultra fans, just my opinion.
Hi, I didn't misinterpret what you were saying...ultras are low key events agreed with lesser money....I was just giving my reason to participate in the ultras....:-)
Good luck Karthik :-). And Hats off to Arun! And I am infact planning to take up cycling soon :-)
Thanks, though pondicherry seems a long shot as of now..Yeah Arun is doing his bit...Just go buy a nice racing bike...:-)
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