Berlin 2013

After a long summer of running, it was great to land in cool Berlin, ready to run through some of the most historic sites of the century.

My training had gone well. Some niggles in between which went away shortly before run. And I was all set, confident of doing a sub-4 hour run, maybe even a 3:50.

The weather was great, maybe a little too cold but comfortable enough once warmed up. 

So, what went wrong? (The beer, if anything, should have helped.)

For one, we started near the back of the 40,000-odd crowd. Everyone upto 4:15 hr finishers were in the earlier corrals, the last of which departed 15 minutes before we did. So I was in the midst of all kinds of casual runners, run-walkers, etc. most of whom were out to have a good time and not worry too much about timing. 

So it was very difficult for me to run at my own pace. To overtake, I had to weave in and out like Vettel, or get onto sidewalks, which meant I was running longer than I had to. Or I had to speed up whenever I saw open spaces. All this wasn't good for my rhythm, and I gave up the effort of constantly looking for overtaking spaces. So, soon enough, I was also running with the pack, enjoying myself and the atmosphere. 

Though I kept to my target time till 21k, I had somehow lost my focus. I had been running casually till then. And now, even with the field a little more spread out, I continued to run casually. I did look at the Garmin regularly, and I did know I was slowing down, but that I was within my goal pace. I also felt I had enough in me to push if I needed to, so kept it easy till 35k. At that point, I thought I should push a bit as I was getting perilously close to falling above 4 hr pace, plus the course seemed to getting significantly longer too - my Garmin was already 500m ahead of the km markers.

But now, I felt other problems cropping up. My quads and hams were starting to tell me they wanted out. Through my training runs, the main worry I had was how my legs would hold up in the final Ks of the race. And that worry was starting to manifest as well. 

I wasn’t fully cramping yet, but all kinds of tightening was happening. In Mumbai, I had such signals but could will myself to keep running. This time, with my more care-free state of mind, I stopped. And then my legs seized. I hobbled to one side, stood still for maybe a minute, and gingerly started walking. And then, running. Maybe I should’ve kept running. But, overly cautiously, I decided to take 30-40 second breaks every couple of minutes. And by now, I had slipped below my 4 hour target, even per the Garmin.

Crossed 42.2 on my Garmin at 4:02 something and the actual finish at 4:06:16. 

And I didn't really feel too bad about not finishing on target. Enjoyed the run too much to have any regrets.

But, there are learnings. I need to focus more. And do more strength training for my legs. And, do some 'tired legs' runs at fast paces. And be more consistent in my training.

Oh well, next time.

Hyderabad 3.0

I was here in 2011 for a Half Marathon. Hyderabad kicked my ass. 

In 2012, I came back for more - a Full Marathon. And got my ass (+quads and hams and miscellaneous body parts) royally thrashed. And I swore never to come back to this unforgiving city again.

But what would the world be without fools who refuse to give up.

So 2013 saw me here again, having sensibly dialled back to a half marathon this time.

Recently I'd been in the running form of my life. Pace was significantly faster, and I had lost weight, without ever wanting to. All told, landed in Hyderabad in good spirits, with confidence high. 

But the organisers, in their infinite wisdom, decided we had to drive through most of the run route to reach the expo to pick up our bibs. Seeing how our car had to huff and puff up the roads, the shivers were back.

So the next morning, I lined up with my rocking runner friends, confidence and trepidation jostling with each other.

'Screw it, I'm going to crack this course', I said to myself. I even proclaimed myself as the 1 hr 50 min pacer, so I had a stated target I couldn't fall behind. But of course, one cannot just will away 2 years of intimidation, so kept my pace at a sensible 5:10/k. Flyovers came and flyovers went, and I kept at them. But though I didn't lose mental momentum, I had to drop pace on those endless inclines. 

I just about kept up my stated pace goal, and was well on course to a 1:50 finish. But then, in a final twist, we realised as we entered the stadium that the route was going to be a wee bit longer. Add on 400m, and I cross the finish line at 1:51.

While I finished more or less on target, I was secretly disappointed I couldn't go faster. But I finished strong (my final k was the fastest k) and comfortable, ready to run more if needed. 

And, most importantly, the course no longer held any terrors for me. 'Bring it on', I just might  say, the next time I drive or run up the Hills of Hyderabad. Yeah, I like to think I earned a little piece of my ass back. 

I still have to crack a full marathon here to claim the rest of it.

The Incredible Z10 launch

7 pm , 25/Feb : Blackberry Z10 India Launch at at the JW Marriott Mumbai.

A big team was running around setting up the venue. Sunil Dutt, Blackberry India CEO, looked on. 'Sunil, do we really need 10 chairs?', event manager Sandeep asked. 'Sandeep, how many times do I have to remind you that this is a flagship event for RIM, errr, BB, or whatever Thorsten decides to call us today. We are launching the phone to end all phones, the phone that will eat Apple's lunch and Samsung's dinner. Don't skimp on the arrangements', Sunil retorted. ‘And make sure there’s curd rice. These Madrassis have a knack of dropping in everywhere. But don't give me any overpriced prawn dishes, huh? We don't have Korean entertainment budgets'

7.20 and a bored Ranbir Kapoor was playing Temple Run 2. 'Dude, put your iPhone away and get your stubble in place. It's time for the launch.' Ranbir grumpily took his place on stage next to Sunil. 'Now what', he muttered.

7.30. 'Tada', Sandeep announced loudly and lifted the curtain, startling the lone sari clad woman who almost spilt her wine.  'Blackberry? I thought I was early for Parmeshwar's party', she crooned, puzzled, before noticing Ranbir. She promptly swooned, this time actually spilling her wine.

7.45. No one in the audience. 'What's happening, Sandeep?!' Sunil complained. 'But I sent invites to everyone!' Sudeep said, 'Even the Wilson College literary Club!. I told you to let me put an Apple logo on the invites. People would've flocked to the event without reading the rest of it - we'd have a stampede on our hands.'

'Oh well, move to Plan B.' Sunil said. 

Sandeep went around adding

'Free Booze!

Free phones!

Free hugs from Ranbir Kapoor!'

to all the banners around the hotel.

8.15. 3 journalists waddled in, collected their drinks and their Z10s and sat down. 2 giddy young girls dropped in, blowing kisses at the stage. '

'Let's start', Sunil announced.

'We now launch the phone to end all phones, the phone which will eat the IPhone for lunch and Samsung for dinner. We sold out our entire pre-order stock. Ranbir kindly bought BOTH of them. See, he loves it'. 

The Kapoor duly beamed and held up a black Z10.

'What do you like about the phone'? One journo asked Ranbir. 'I can play Temple Run so well on it!', he gushed. Sunil leaned across and whispered something. 'No, no, I meant Brick Breaker', Ranbir stammered. 'Temple Run coming soon to BB. I also love Whatsapping with my friends all day'. And Sunil had to whisper again. 'I meant BBN, umm, M. Whatsapp is at an advanced development stage, Sunil promises. And it's a touch phone. You can swipe it to do this and that! How unique is that?! '

'This amazing phone launches today at the low price of...' He looked up from his script and glared at Sunil. 'Are you f***ing kidding me? I don’t pay Javed that much every month for lip gloss and stubble maintenance' he whispered loudly. '…Rs.43490'. The effort to stay enthusiastic was showing on Ranbir.

And then his phone started buzzing. ‘Gotta take it, it’s DP’, he muttered. And tried desperately to swipe every which way to activate the call. After a while, he flung his BB, took out his Iphone and walked off stage, apologizing profusely to someone for not picking up their call.

One journo, having polished off his 3^rd drink, walked up to the stage. ‘Err, Sunil ji, can you please take your phone and give me a Note II instead? My daughter loves that S-Pen thingy’

‘Ok Gentlemen, it’s a wrap’, Sandeep announced, seeing the Blackberry boss turning purple.

Happy New Year, Good Riddance to a Terrible Year

Terrible end to a terrible year. Woke up on December 28 to the sad news of out another innocent life being snuffed out so cruelly, in spite of the best efforts of the girl, her doctors and her family.

2012 stands out for its barbarism. Malala, the Newton school kids/teachers, now Amanat/Nirbhaya. All victims of bestial acts by depraved minds. Here's hoping against hope that 2013 proves their sufferings were not in vain, and will lead to meaningful change.

Pessimism abounds. Malala did manage to get most of the totally craven Pakistani politicians to raise a strident voice condemning the attack. The very fact that this universal condemnation of a brutal attack on an innocent girl is considered so noteworthy shows the level to which expectations had fallen. The Pakistan Taliban still thrives, proudly announcing that they will keep trying to kill her. And various government and quasi-government agencies continue to support this odious entity.

The Newton school massacre lends even less prospect of change. The NRA and other gun-nuts outdid our own khaps with their proposed 'solution' to prevent such atrocities : Place armed guards at all schools, and equip teachers with guns. The solution is always 'more guns'. What next? Have the TSA  set up their airport style security theater at all schools? Yes, it looks like the US will ban schools before they ban guns.

And then our own country, a proud nation with demented and irresponsible politicians who don't even pretend to listen to their people. Indifference and apathy prevails among the populace, and the process of policing law is so perverse and moribund that the ones punished are always the innocent, be they victims, witnesses, or brave whistle-blowers.

All in all, not inspiring much confidence, but let's pray that hope will prevail in 2013.