" Fear is gradually replaced by excitement and a simple desire to see what I can do on the day of the run"
2nd
February, 2014: I went running twice in the evening during the week in
preparation for a 30k showdown – I wanted to slash down the 2:17 in 30kms that
I managed last week to about 2:13 or thereabout. My record for 30kms still stands
at 2:12 and it’s about time I did something about it - trash it to be exact.
Since
the house help wasn’t around and with my wife in college, I had to babysit on
Saturday. I did some careless shit out of love for my kid…like drinking soda
using the same straw. Too bad my kid had a cold and I just failed to notice
that. By evening my nose was itchy, fever and tonsils later settled in. My wife
also shared the soda but funny enough, she is spick and span. That reminds me
what the last doctor said – my immunity is weak, I never knew a day will come
when I will be such a bitch but shit happens.
I
haven’t come around on how to improve on my immunity yet but I will Google and
get a few facts straight. In a frenzy not to miss next day’s run, I picked an
antibacterial oral rinse; Andolex – C (oral rinse, anti-inflammatory &
anti-bacterial). The tonsils made me worried about my thyroid malfunctioning
during the run. That drug reeks of alcohol but despite that, I still proceeded
to gurgle it ferociously…
Out
of bed at 5am – the fever more pronounced, aching joints and all. Take cetrizet
tabs for my running nose, two painkillers and do the gurgle again. Set out by
6am and make a mental decision to just go hard and make it epic by chasing down
a 14kms in one hour or 27kms in 2hrs. The chase begins in the first kilometer
at 4’19” then 4’06” and so on. Feeling okay but start sweating way too early
coz of the fever. It will be take courage to complete this run...
Start
feeling uncomfortable and tired on the knees after the 8th
kilometer, the painkillers I took notwithstanding. Try to maintain some good
speed at clock 30 mins in 7kms and 43 mins in 10kms. Chase down the 14th
kilometer mark but my ambitions hit the wall when I reach the Upper Hill climb
– 14kms in 1:01:12, very close but will get it right in my next weekend run.
Despite running with my mind, I was still demolished thoroughly by the upper hill climb, my knees gave in completely!
Go
hard on Mbagathi road – at the 18th kilometer with 3’45”. On getting into Industrial Area, meet head on
with a notorious wind blowing incessantly against me, shaking my weak frame. Push hard and attain a 1:32 in 21kms. I realize
I am in position to crush the previous run time of 1:17 in 30kms. Push for
27kms in 2hours and actually attain it despite my declining speed. Almost
forget my health issues for a while but given a quick reality check. With my
knees buckling and wind pushing against me I am unable to push any further and
make an abrupt stop after the 28th kilometer - I make a feeble attempt to run walk the rest of the
distance but just can’t. Walk for the remaining two kilometers with my head held high, I have been beaten but not disgraced. Total run - 28.20 kms - 2:05 with an average speed of 4'28".
| Kilometer |
Time |
Avg Pace |
| 1 |
4:19 |
4'19"/km |
| 2 |
8:26 |
4'07"/km |
| 3 |
12:39 |
4'13"/km |
| 4 |
16:56 |
4'17"/km |
| 5 |
21:14 |
4'18"/km |
| 6 |
25:44:00 |
4'30"/km |
| 7 |
30:08:00 |
4'24"/km |
| 8 |
34:30:00 |
4'22"/km |
| 9 |
38:49:00 |
4'19"/km |
| 10 |
43:11:00 |
4'22"/km |
| 11 |
47:40:00 |
4'29"/km |
| 12 |
52:02:00 |
4'22"/km |
| 13 |
56:41:00 |
4'39"/km |
| 14 |
1:01:12 |
4'31"/km |
| 15 |
1:06:46 |
5'34"/km |
| 16 |
1:11:30 |
4'44"/km |
| 17 |
1:15:47 |
4'17"/km |
| *Fastest |
1:19:32 |
3'45"/km |
| 19 |
1:23:51 |
4'19"/km |
| 20 |
1:28:23 |
4'32"/km |
| 21 |
1:32:55 |
4'32"/km |
| 22 |
1:37:30 |
4'35"/km |
| 23 |
1:41:56 |
4'26"/km |
| 24 |
1:46:22 |
4'26"/km |
| 25 |
1:50:58 |
4'36"/km |
| 26 |
1:55:30 |
4'32"/km |
| 27 |
2:00:08 |
4'38"/km |
| 28 |
2:05:04 |
4'56"/km |
This week: I have to crush out the cold,
do at least two 18km runs during the week and go hard again on this route next
weekend. This month’s plan: Capture the
14kms in an hour and start pursuing 28kms in 2hrs, begin the chase down of 32kms and also
clock 90 mins in 21kms during my trainings.
EAT.SLEEP.CONQUER.REPEAT.
