Author: vidyasagar

I have been wanting this to do many years and finally able to achieve this dream in 2024. Life became very challenging the moment I registered. Three months before the marathon data my mother became sick and I could not focus on running or any other activity. Two months before the marathon date, she was getting better and I could find time in the afternoon for running, since I have to cook in the mornings and evening. One month before th marathon my mother got really well, but weather played a havoc. It rained everyday and he roads were wet and slushy for most of the days and then 20 days before the event, the city was flooded with water and rain water entered my house too.

Due to all of these things I was gaining weight substantially. At the beginning of December ,I was 70 kg and by the end of the month I was close to 76 kg. I managed to run a few miles in the last week of December, but could feel the load in my knees. My pace has slowed down considerably and my endurance levels have also gone below. However decided to go with the participating in the event.

I recalled my previous running experiences. Last time during the 32 km trail run, The safety pins holding down the bibs were rubbing my chest and blood was dripping down during the end of the run. So I ordered a bib holder which was really useful. The bibs were attached only at the top. While there was wind , they flew up and down and I was worried about the timing chip getting damaged or the bib getting torn due to the load. Nothing of that sort happened, Though I decided to make alterations to hold the bib on all four end.

During a half marathon two years ago, I did not plan properly to reach the venue. I cycled 15 kilometres to the venue and then ran the half marathon. In the end I was so exhausted and was about to fall unable to stand. From then on I plan on reaching the venue on-time, relaxing , warmup, meeting and greeting friends and fellow runners before the start of run. As planned reached the venue well in time along with three other fellow runners.

The starting point is Napiers bridge, a well known destination in Chennai near the famous marina beach. The running course for the first few kilometres was parallel to the beach, however nothing could be seen in the dark. Since the run course is parallel to the beach it will be very humid and I have experienced this many times while running near my home and near the beach, the difference in my water consumption will be more closer to the beach.

The next thing is about the nutrition. I am not much of a gel enthusiast. I consumed more gels during this marathon than I consumed in my entire life. I had 7 gels during this marathon. I had fastandup and unived gels with me and also taken 3 protein bars during this marathon. They were choking my throat and so had to walk to consume these bars. I carried 10 gels but I am a solid food lover and hence the protein bars. I carry jeera rice and biriyanis during long distant rides and put it in a cover with a spoon and hold it I my jersey and eat while I ride. This was really helpful many times and I think I should try this running too.

I studied my strava data and on an average I spend around 420 calories for 5 km and 800 calories for a 10 km run. I assumed I would need 4 x 800 = 3200 calories for a full marathon.

I am aware that It takes some time to digest and convert them into calories and so have to take these gels and bars before I am getting tired at frequent intervals.

Due to all this I was not all tired at the end of the marathon. I know my running pace will go down as I progressed since I have not practiced much.  My pace went down far more than I expected despite not being tired. Usually I will be overhydrated and go for pissing enroute long rides or runs or underhydrated if I forget to carry my water bottle. I carried a sipper and constantly sipped every kilometer and never drank more than a sip during the entire marathon. I consumed only 100 ml of electrolyte at only one aid station since the required electrolytes were available for my body from the gels.

There were 24 combinations of gels available with 6 flavours x 4 caffeine content. I consumed 2 large sachet gels with expresso flavour and five small gels ( two banana and strawberry flavour and three espresso flavour). I drank 2.5 litres of water during the marathon. 

I am well aware that it is good to run in a continuous steady pace than run+walk. Howver due to lack of practice I had to run and walk after 20 kilometers. I did not have craps throughout the run. I had pain in calf, and foot during this walk and run phase. 

After four hours into the race, it started raining heavily. Since I wore trail running shoes, I was able to run in water logged roads.  

I finished the marathon in 6:00 hours and then had my breakfast kesari, idly and Pongal.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10502415512

What worked well for me this month?

Completed a 1200 km Paris-Brest-Paris cycling in 94 hours.

Went for a cruise in river seine.

Ran a 10 km in 55 minutes.

Visited Eiffel tower at Paris.

Cycled around the streets of Paris

Walked in trails around Plaisir.

Book reading:

No new books read this month.

Movies watched

1. Happiness for beginners

Net series watched

1. Friends

Health statistics

1. Weight – 66 kg 
2. Protein – 22 % 
3. Muscle – 49.75  Kg 
4. Body fat – 19.7 % 
5. Visceral fat – 10
6. Bone mass – 2.66 Kg 
7. Water content – 55 % 
8. Basal metabolism rate – 1361 kcal

Cycling and Running

1500 km cycling

60 km walking, hiking and running

8 hours of weight training

6 hours of body balance exercises

I will keep writing monthly reviews for my self development. Also by chance if somebody reads this and can give better ideas and suggestions. Day by day in everyway I will strive to become better and better. 

Thanks for Reading.

What worked well for me this month?

Completed a 1000 km solo ride.

Ran a half marathon in 2:15 hours

Involved in a volunteering activity

Received Schengen visa for my upcoming tour to france

Catching up with friends after long time

Book reading:

No new books read this month.

Movies watched

1. Bullet train
2. Vaathi
3. Mission impossible: Dead reckoning
4. Oppenheimer

Net series watched

1. Friends

Health statistics

1. Weight – 65.3 g 
2. Protein – 21 % 
3. Muscle – 49.75  Kg 
4. Body fat – 19.7 % 
5. Visceral fat – 10
6. Bone mass – 2.66 Kg 
7. Water content – 55 % 
8. Basal metabolism rate – 1361 kcal

Cycling and Running

1350 km cycling

70 km walking

61 km running

8 hours of weight training

6 hours of body balance exercises 

 I will keep writing monthly reviews for my self development. Also by chance if somebody reads this and can give better ideas and suggestions. Day by day in everyway I will strive to become better and better. Thanks for Reading.