Training and mental barriers
I was somewhat sure that with a few days or weeks of practice I would be able to do a 10K. The half marathon was out of question and wasnt in the consideration at all at that time for me. So signed up for the 10K run in Pune International Marathon 2013. And the practice started.
I set myself 2 very realistic goals for the 10K - 'Run' a full 10K without walking at all. And if possible do the 10K in under 90 minutes. I wouldnt have killed myself for not achieving the 2nd goal.
Also being a heavily data focused person I started tracking all activities on Runkeeper. Given how slow I started, was able to improve regularly. So that added to the motivation levels. :) Ran about 50km in November with 1 long 10k run in 1 hr 36 mins. So the confidence was built up that I could do the 10K run.
Second barrier in the initial runs was the 'walking'. First few runs I tried to do, I could only 'run' a couple of kms and then walk half a km or so. It was very very hard to push myself beyond a couple of kms. So was quite a bit of walking and the pace was close to a fast walk pace - approx 10 min/km. It was so easy to give up and start walking. Once you walk once, your mind and body also gets used to the fact that there is always a way out and the mind can always scream at the body and say stop and in turn the body will stop. So after the walk when you start walking its very hard to run for another couple of kms. The running distance goes down. So there was a lot of walking initially. Also the slightest of climbs even 5-10 mtrs with 2-3% gradient seem very steep and you give up and walk. This was a huge mental barrier to come out of. I started with 4 km run-walk in the beginning and in the 4th or 5th with determination decided that I will run the full distance without stopping to walk. As I did this more I realized that yes there is a element of physical fatigue to this, but its more of a mental game than anything else. Takeaway #2 - what helped me get through this phase and to start running longer distances was me telling my mind that I can and will do it. Get over it!
Bunch of other barriers, but another huge barrier new runners like always have is that running is boring. Experienced folks say that they get in a zone when running and are at mental peace. I still havent figured out what that mental peace and being in the zone means ... for me the only thought I have is how much more do I have to run to complete today's run! ;-) To take my mind away from this, I need music distraction. I have my headphones with bollywood beats playing on my phone. Also with Runkeeper audio notifications playing in the background. Every 5 minutes Runkeeper tells me the distance, pace, etc. This keeps me motivated and keep going. Takeaway #3: Listen to everyone's advise, but you have to figure out what works for you. Find a way to get into the zone, or else keep yourself distracted with music or enjoy the scenery or whatever works for you. But keep going.
Another huge barrier folks have in mind is that running will kill my knees in the long term. There are a lot of folks filling your mind with FUD about running. For me that didnt bother me at all once I had my eyes set on the goal. So be determined about your goal and stick to it, and all other fears will vaporise. Of course that is not to say you shouldnt make sure you dont get injured. You always have to keep a watch and stay careful about your running form and injuries especially as a newbie. But dont get bogged down by those FUD factors and stop without giving it an earnest shot.
Race Day - Dec 1st 2013
So after a month's training with about 50 km total running under my belt, race day finally came! there was a lot of excitement everywhere. I reached the venue near Lakdi pool and the atmosphere was electric. The number of runners surprised me.
I was somewhat sure that with a few days or weeks of practice I would be able to do a 10K. The half marathon was out of question and wasnt in the consideration at all at that time for me. So signed up for the 10K run in Pune International Marathon 2013. And the practice started.
I set myself 2 very realistic goals for the 10K - 'Run' a full 10K without walking at all. And if possible do the 10K in under 90 minutes. I wouldnt have killed myself for not achieving the 2nd goal.
Also being a heavily data focused person I started tracking all activities on Runkeeper. Given how slow I started, was able to improve regularly. So that added to the motivation levels. :) Ran about 50km in November with 1 long 10k run in 1 hr 36 mins. So the confidence was built up that I could do the 10K run.
Lets talk a bit about how to keep on running as a newbie.
First huge barrier for running is to get up early in the morning and getting out and running. As I had started in November, it was getting reasonably chilly in the mornings and I wasnt used to getting up early in the mornings either. So making myself get up and step out for a run needed a lot of motivation. What helped me do this was the 1st December goal to run 10K. Takeaway #1 - always have a medium term achievable goal in mind in the beginning to keep up with your training.
Second barrier in the initial runs was the 'walking'. First few runs I tried to do, I could only 'run' a couple of kms and then walk half a km or so. It was very very hard to push myself beyond a couple of kms. So was quite a bit of walking and the pace was close to a fast walk pace - approx 10 min/km. It was so easy to give up and start walking. Once you walk once, your mind and body also gets used to the fact that there is always a way out and the mind can always scream at the body and say stop and in turn the body will stop. So after the walk when you start walking its very hard to run for another couple of kms. The running distance goes down. So there was a lot of walking initially. Also the slightest of climbs even 5-10 mtrs with 2-3% gradient seem very steep and you give up and walk. This was a huge mental barrier to come out of. I started with 4 km run-walk in the beginning and in the 4th or 5th with determination decided that I will run the full distance without stopping to walk. As I did this more I realized that yes there is a element of physical fatigue to this, but its more of a mental game than anything else. Takeaway #2 - what helped me get through this phase and to start running longer distances was me telling my mind that I can and will do it. Get over it!
Bunch of other barriers, but another huge barrier new runners like always have is that running is boring. Experienced folks say that they get in a zone when running and are at mental peace. I still havent figured out what that mental peace and being in the zone means ... for me the only thought I have is how much more do I have to run to complete today's run! ;-) To take my mind away from this, I need music distraction. I have my headphones with bollywood beats playing on my phone. Also with Runkeeper audio notifications playing in the background. Every 5 minutes Runkeeper tells me the distance, pace, etc. This keeps me motivated and keep going. Takeaway #3: Listen to everyone's advise, but you have to figure out what works for you. Find a way to get into the zone, or else keep yourself distracted with music or enjoy the scenery or whatever works for you. But keep going.
Another huge barrier folks have in mind is that running will kill my knees in the long term. There are a lot of folks filling your mind with FUD about running. For me that didnt bother me at all once I had my eyes set on the goal. So be determined about your goal and stick to it, and all other fears will vaporise. Of course that is not to say you shouldnt make sure you dont get injured. You always have to keep a watch and stay careful about your running form and injuries especially as a newbie. But dont get bogged down by those FUD factors and stop without giving it an earnest shot.
Race Day - Dec 1st 2013
So after a month's training with about 50 km total running under my belt, race day finally came! there was a lot of excitement everywhere. I reached the venue near Lakdi pool and the atmosphere was electric. The number of runners surprised me.
As the gun went off and I started, ran like a true amateur. Started really fast for my level with the other runners sprinting and crowd cheering and did the first km in about 6 min. That was really fast for me with my regular pace somewhere in high 8 or low 9 mins/km. As the slope on Laxmi road started slowed down significantly. I didnt know anything about how to pace myself or about hydration etc. Just went with the flow.
Was not a particularly well organized event which I realize on looking back. But back then I was liking it. Turned right from Laxmi road in Bhavani peth and then onto Shankarsheth road. Did the first half - 5.3 km in about 40 minutes which was my PR then. So I figured I can easily complete in 1:25 by doing the next half in 45. (Not so fast buddy.. :) )
And around then the Shankarshet road climb started. At that time the climb was a killer for me and I slowed down significantly. Turned left onto MG Road and picked up a waterbottle to hydrate myself. Kept on drinking a few sips almost till the end. With my pace a lot of others were walking and running and still staying ahead of me... was a bit disheartening to see that, but I had my eyes set on my prized goal of running continuously and within 1:30. So the race was against myself, no pressure. :)
Then came the Wadia college smallish flyover and my resolve of not walking was tested. I told myself I am running this for my mom as the PIM '13 slogan was, and she would have been so proud of me and for her I would run non stop! Kept on going ... past the flyover and it seemed the end was in sight now just after the turn on Bund Garden road. My Runkeeper was also saying I was 500 meters away from 10 km. But after turning on Bund Garden road the finish line stayed elusively ahead of me. 10.5 km passed and I was wondering was runkeeper gps wrong or were the organizers wrong in their marking the route ... and just about then I saw the finish line a couple of hundred meters ahead. I was still within 1:30 time limit. I was more or less done now and couldnt wait to wrap up the 'race'. Crossed the finish line finally with volunteers cheering us on and tried to unsuccessfully smile for the camera.
I was glad I wasnt the last to cross the line. :) Got the medal at the end and was really feeling a sense of achievement. Total distance per runkeeper was 10.7 km in 1:30:41!!
My Runkeeper activity and certificate from PIM ..
A good beginning ... a lot of improvement possibilities!