A long distance Runners Weblog [ Hari ]

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.

Long Slow Distance Running

That's what my running buddy Shumit calls it , in short LSD. This is the run schedule for tomorrow morning. Will be doing a slow run of 13 kms

Had to repeat yesterday running schedule today for Shumit as he had missed out on yesterday's run. had a speed interval workout yesterday and today. I guess consecutive days of speed interval is bad, but I guess I have learnt to listen to my body and I did fine with two consecutive days of speed interval and fit enough to do a LSD tomorrow
Speed interval involved 1.5 kms warm up, 3 * 2 kms fast with 400 mts jog recoveries, end with 1.5 kms warm down

Report on ECR Run - Sept 16th

Chennairunners Sept 16th the ECR Run turned out to be a good run with 34 participants and 6 volunteers. A special mention  of Mrs. & Mr. Ravishankar for their interest and enthusiasm as part of their support team. Mrs.Savithri Ravishankar , Yoga instructor, wants to run a marathon one day and I'm sure  she will.

All of us car pooled at Dimensions, Alwarpet and left the place at 4.00 a.m. reached the tool booth on East coast road at 4.30 a.m. Reflective stickers were distributed with emergency contact number written on it. Vidyuth, Ram and myself held a briefing about safety, water points, end point.

We started at exact 5.00 a.m to cover a distance of 25.2 kms. Rupert, Vidyuth, Shumit and myself led the pack. It was total darkness at 5.00 a.m, but aware that in a while the sun would come up and light our way. Though Rupert is much faster than us, he kept company till around 13kms, after which he just zoomed ahead. By then Shumit in his usual style was running bare chested..
I found it difficult keeping pace , after almost 3 weeks of non training. Vidyuth had slowed down for me, while shumit moved much ahead.

At around 17 kms, told Vidyuth to go ahead. from the 18th kms, i was all alone.
The supprt team had met us at 5 kms , 12 kms and at 18kms mark. At the 18th km mark, had asked the support team if there was anything to bite. Quickly Mrs.Savithri Ravikrishnan took out a cheese sandwich for me. I realised that was her breakfast pack. She insisted I have it.. Cannot forget this gesture as it really pulled me through.

Reached the end point , covered the distance in 2 hrs 35 mins slower than my target time of 2 hrs 20 mins.
Rupert, Shumit and Vidyuth reached ahead of me.. I never thought I could catch up with them. Vidyuth finally caught up with Shumit and they both finished together.

The end point was at Mamalla Beach resort. Had breakfast which consisted of Pongal, Vada, Dosa (2), Pipeapple,Watermelon, Pappaya, Omlette, toast and four glasses of Juice. Wow!! Never knew i can eat that much.

All the 34 participants finished and you could see the glow of achievement in everyone. Most of the Chennairunners wore the new Chennairunners T -shirt

All of us came back to the start point in a hired van. You can view some of the pictures at http://chennailiving.blogspot.com

Now back to regular weekday running. Our next big run will be on Nov 4th as a pre run to the Singapore Marathon

Toll Booth to Mahabalipuram ECR Run on Sept 16th

We have an important run / milestone coming up this Sunday..and look forward to participation and support.  This is our 3rd ECR run and looking forward to making it the largest ever of our nascent group.

This coming Sunday, Sep 16, 2007  we will do a 40x30 ECR to Mahapallipuram run.  The idea is to have at least 40 Chennai Runners participate in the approximately 30km trek from ECR toll booth to Mahabs. So far we have about 30 people signed up.

Pick up point - Dimension Gym , CP Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet
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...
Meeting Point:  Just BEFORE the ECR toll booth
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: Ram is working with Ragas Dental College to park our vehicles in the college campus. If that doesn't come thru, we will have to park in one of the side lanes before the toll booth

Starting point:  ECR Toll Booth
Starting Time: 5:00 AM (This will give time for runners to do some warm up / distribution of reflective stickers with emergency contact info on them and get ready)

Route:  South on ECR all the way till Hotel Mamalla

Finish Line: Hotel Mamalla ( Hotel Mamallaa                     Heritage NO: 104, East Raja Street, Mamallapuram 603 104.  This Hotel is on the sea side with between Golden Sun Beach Resort and a Gas Station before Mahapallipuram).

Volunteers: We need volunteers to help with Water and generally provide first aid cover.  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.

Entry Fee: INR 200.  This is to defray the cost of water, snack, first aid and fuel cost and breakfast. (You can give the entry fee to Ram, KK, Karthik, Shumit, Vidyuth to me)

Chennairunners - ECR Run

Sept 16th - Chennairunners are running a 30 kms on East Coast Road from the toll gate to Mahabalipuram. Expecting around 30 to 40 runners participating for this run.. There are a lot of beginners but with determination to complete more than 21 kms. Like the enthusiasm

The finish point is at a resort where all necessary arrangements are taken care by fellow runner KK.
Ice cubes, towels, Changing rooms, wash rooms, breakfast .. Phew!!! This guy KK has tremendous energy
He's even taken care to have volunteers along the 30 kms distance to hand out water for the runners.

Hopefully this run will be a success like the July 15th ECR run..

More on this later

Back to running

It's been a while since i last blogged. Its been hectic , but thats not stopped me from doing my daily runs though. Due to a personal loss, have not been running for last couple of weeks.
But with a lot of support from friends  / Chennairunners , I'm back on the running circuit. Infact participated in a 6kms race yesterday which was organized by an NGO , Sneha Foundation, helping people in distress / suicidal tendencies. To mark "the world suicide prevention day" which is Sept 10th, Sneha organized a 6kms run on Sept 9th.
Pics from the run can be viewed at http://chennailiving.blogspot.com
Lot of developments, we have a new website for Chennairunners, India today did a cover story on us..

well, feels good to be back and will be hitting the road again starting with my 11th week training schedule back again..

July 8th Long Run

Yesterday was my best run ever for a long time.. Did a 25 kms run in 2 hrs 20 mins. At the end of the run , felt I could go on for another 10 kms or so. Feels good & confident for the upcoming 30 kms run next sunday.
After the run , was the discussion with Dr.Kannan Pugazhendi, he gave insight on Preparation for a marathon, while running and recovery. I'm sure all the chennai Runners  found the interaction very useful. Planning to have this meeting once every month, probably the next month would be an exclusive on stretching exercises.

Meeting with Dr.Kannan Pugazhendi

This sunday, July 8th, Chennairunners will be starting the Long Run from YMCA grounds and ending at the same place. Planning a 25 kms run. What's so special about this weekend run is that Dr.Kannan will be talking to us at the end of our run at YMCA on fitness, endurance and injury free running.

Dr.Kannan Pugazhendi was the team physio & sports medicine doctor during Indian Cricket team tour to West Indies in 1976 and the Indian Hockey team to Atlanta Olympics in 1996. A lot of leading sportsmen consult with him
I'm sure this meeting will benefit all the runners.

Running in different conditions

Chennai had its share of summer this year and now it's Monsoon, an early one this time. Did a 10k run with Chennairunners yesterday on the Marina Beach. Found the light drizzle a pleasure, especially after this blasted heat for the last 3 months. Shumit and Jessica also did the 10k, we wanted to finish the run in 60 mins, managed to cover the distance in 54 mins.
Every morning it rains in chennai and I'm sure to hit the road almost everyday