A long distance Runners Weblog [ Hari ]

Chennairunners Presents APOLLO DKV ECR9 Run

Date: March 22, 2009 (Sunday)

Start point: MGM Beach Resort
End point: MGM Beach Resort
Start Time: Since we have participation for different distances, It has been decided to stagger the start times. Details are given below

Event Start time
30 km - 5:15 am
20 km & 25 km - 5:30 am
10 km & 15 km - 5:45 am
5 km - 6:15 am

Assemble time:
Runners - The assembly time for the first event is 4:30 am. For all other events runners are requested to assemble at least 30 minutes before the start time to complete registration formalities.

Volunteers: Please assemble at the starting point at 4:30 am for a final briefing and assignments

Entry Fee: Rs.275/- Online Registration.

Breakfast @ MGM Beach Resorts 7:30 am onwards. The breakfast will be served at a separate area for the runners and not at the restaurant.

Car pooling
Those of you who wish to car pool may assemble outside Dimensions Gym on C P Ramaswamy Road (Adjacent to the Sony World Showroom) at 3:45 am. The cars will leave for the starting point at 4:00 am.

Volunteers
Those of you, who have been kind enough to volunteer, please assemble at the starting point by 4:30 am for a final briefing. All necessary supplies will be given at the starting point. There will be a car leaving from Dimensions Gym at 3:45 am to take volunteers to the starting point.
Route

For all events the starting point is the same. South on ECR for 15 kms and turn around (Exact turn around point to be notified on the day of run).

Water points - There will be water stops every 2.5 km to provide water and drinks for the runners

Running Safety
This event is organized by Chennai runners. This is a running support group. Runners taking part in this event do so of their own volition. There are a few things to bear in mind while running on the East Coast Road.

1. The East coast road is a very busy highway with high speed vehicular traffic.
2. There are NO traffic restrictions. Runners run at their own risk.
3. Run on the right side of the road facing on-coming traffic
4. If you are running in a group, do not run abreast. Run in a single file.
5. DO NOT run if you are not medically fit. You and your physician are the only folks who can counsel you on that. Consult your doctor and listen to your body before embarking on the run.
6. STOP running and seek medical help if you feel uncomfortable at anytime during the run.

Identification - Please carry some form of identification on your person while running. This identification should have your name, address, blood group and emergency contact numbers

First aid - First aid kit will be available with the volunteers and runners are advised to make note of one of the volunteers for any emergency reasons. 

Thursday LSD Run

Every thursday is Chennairunners LSD Run. LSD stands for Long Slow Distance..We usually run around 12 kms on thursday. But today, Narayan and I did Long Speed Distance instead !!! A sort of speed interval through the entire 12 kms. 

I really pushed Narayan and he did it comfortably and though he was complaining around the 7 km mark, at the end he was thrilled about today's run and wants to repeat it next week.Narayan wants to run this distance in 1 hour by June end.. I'm sure he can do it much before the deadline

Chennairunners is gearing up for the Apollo DKV ECR 9 on March 22nd, expecting around 50 participants. Looking forward to the 30 kms run on the scenic East Coast road and the breakfast by the sea at the end of the run :-)

Run with Hemang Badani

 KK , a running buddy of mine took an initiative to call a celebrity to run with us on Wednesday Easy runs to target more particpation of beginners. So we had Hemang Badani , India / Tamil nadu / Chennai Super kings Cricketer. The stylish southpaw built a strong tamil Nadu team and the highlight of his career was when he played for India, a Century ( in 98 balls) against Australia in Pune in an One Day International.

So he took time off to run with Chennairunners and we did a 4 kms run around boat club. He runs at a good pace and i understand he runs as part of his fitness program and comfortable doing around 12 kms, after which he feels bored to run. Yes, I understand that,  as he's part of the Chennai Super kings T20 for ICL which is fast paced. We spoke about running marathons, preparation, diet etc and also about Cricket

This morning when we were at around the 4 km mark, he noticed a security guard listening to the commentary of the current India Vs New Zealand Test match on a portable radio, Hemang slows down to ask him " Score Kya huva"? ( what's the score?) That's how much of cricket is in his blood. He's been playing professional Cricket since he was 10 years old !!! Yes, he had represented Tamilnadu under 10 cricket team

Thanks Hemang for joining us, hope to see you again for a run

Chennairunners Apollo DKV ECR Run 9

Gearing up for the Chennairunners quaterly East Coast Runs this March 22nd. The race starts from MGM resorts and ends at the same place for a nice spread of breakfast by the sea.

I'm planning to run 30 kms. One of the nice things about ECR runs is that its planned so well in advance and arrangements are done. This is achieved because this run is organized by the runners themselves, some of them volunteer at water stations as well. We always need extra help, so anyone interested in volunteering in water stations or in organizing this wonderful run, please let me know

The race starts at 5.00 am for the 30 kms runners and then the rest for 25 kms, 20 kms and so on.

Chennai is slowly getting hotter, hopefully it isnt bad on March 22nd. 

I did a 12 kms run yesterday by starting at 5.15 am and found it difficult while finishing because of the weather. I still prefer temperatures below 23 degrees celcius for a nice run. I guess that will be only in Nov /Dec. So cannot change the weather

You can register for the run HERE

Auroville Marathon

Auroville - One of the best routes for a marathon. The entire trail is through the forest completely covered by trees. At few places it's just a narrow walker's path

This was the second edition of the Auroville marathon. Having missed the last year run at Auroville, I was really looking forward for this year. Had heard a lot of my running buddies talk about this trail.

The organizers took great care in making this successful. There were waterpoints always when you needed one, I need not have carried my fuel belt.There were cyclists joining you in your run just to give a word of encouragement. saw few horses grazing en route.. 

Right from the word GO, I hit my top speed and wanted to maintain that as long as possible. Slowed down a bit around 17th or 18th km mark. Two runners went past and that did it.. I increased my pace again and managed to overtake them again. It wasn't a race for me, but had set myself a target of 1 hr 45 mins and really thrilled to have finished it in 1 hr 41 mins, my personal best for a half marathon

Want to qualify to the Boston Marathon - Easy way ?

Came  across this site which promises guaranteed entry to the Boston marathon. This happens to be a travel site especially for marathoners, who take care of your entry fee, air tickets, hotel bookings. Yes!! they're expensive though. Take a look

http://www.209events.com/event.php?event=68

Few more pics from Singapore marathon

Venkat and myself after the run with medals

A Run Dedicated to my Parents

Its almost a year since I blogged due to a personal loss. My running had been irregular as well. four months back I decided to get back and hit the tarmac and train to finish the Singapore Marathon, I also decided I'd blog only after completing the Singapore Marathon.

So here iam, back to blogging after completing the Singapore Marathon. Completed the 42.195 kms in 4hrs and 18 mins.

Dedicate this run to my parents who would've been very proud of this achievement. Last Feb, my dad came back from the US with a pair of Asics and i had a fantastic run with them. 

Yours truly after the finish line

Congratatulations and a special thanks to my running buddies at chennairunners to keep me motivated, especially Ram, Tiger, Senthil, Narayan, Ashwin, Venkat,Balaji, Mohan all of them completed the Singapore Marathon as well. A special thanks to Ram,Shumit and KK who had really inspired and motivated me all along

Next target is Auroville Marathon in Feb 09

Report On ECR Run #4

I was down with a severe stomach upset the earlier day and didn't make it for the run. Was feeling really bad that I missed out. Here's a report by Ram Viswananthan and few pics as well

ECR Run #4 - Chennairunners

Chennairunners  is geared up for the 4th East Coast Run on Nov 4th. The earlier runs were from the toll gate straight to Mahabalipuram, a approximate distance of 30 kms. We learnt quite a bit from the earlier runs. This needed more volunteers, coming back to the starting point was a hindrance, few could not locate the end point.
So this time we are starting at MGM Resorts, running 15 kms towards Mahabalipuram, tun back and end at the start point

ECR Run Details
Date - Nov 4, 07
Assemble by - 04:30 AM
Start Time - 05:00 AM 

Pick up point - Dimensions
We would assemble near Dimensions and car pool there.  We will leave Dimensions exactly at 4:00 AM with the assembled participants

Alternately, you come directly to the starting point...
Starting Point: MGM Resorts after the ECR Toll booth (exact meeting location will be notified later)
Meeting Time : 4:30 AM (It is early but we must meet on time to ensure we get a head start against the onslaught of sun and the unrelenting traffic).

Parking: IMGM Resorts parking lot

Starting point: MGM Resorts
Starting Time: 5:00 AM (This will give time for runners to do some stretch and get ready)

Route: South on ECR  for 15 kms and turn around (Exact turn around point to be notified later)

Finish Line: MGM Resorts (Starting point)

Distance - 30 kms

Entry Fee: INR 250.  This is to defray the cost of water, snack, first aid and fuel cost and breakfast.

Register: Pl. register http://chennairunners.com/home/index.php?option=com_attend_events&task=view&id=1&Itemid=30

Volunteers: We need volunteers to help with Water and generally provide first aid cover.  I request some of our members who are NOT running to pitch in and help the runners.

Safety First:  Please note that we do not have any safety net in terms of ambulance & insurance etc.. All of us running at our own volition and it is important to adhere to safety norms at all occasions.

   1. Always run on 'right side of the Road' facing the traffic.  In doubt, slow down, let the traffic pass.
   2. DO NOT run abreast. Run in a single file or max TWO at any given time.
   3. Runners on Chennai roads is relatively a new phenomenon and Chennai drivers haven't  gotten used  to that yet.
   4. Do NOT run if you are not medically fit.  Stop running at anytime you feel uncomfortable and seek medical help.