TMM 2026 - FM or HM again?

 Restarted training on Oct 17th after 3.5 weeks break and it has been a mixed bag. No 2 consecutive runs have gone well. The hamstrings and glutes medius seem to have gone back to the state they were in late August before i started doing R's excercises to help activate them. As a result, am unable to hit a rhythm in my runs and the quads are getting stressed again. Still hoping that by running slower or doing a run/walk combination I can motivate myself to do a 25K and then a 30K run by Nov 23rd. If I succeed in this then I will change my TMM 2026 race category to a FM(the last date for this is 28th November) and try and get in couple of more 30K+  runs in Dec. Else will have to reconcile myself to another HM at Mumbai.  Based on the recent training runs,  a FM will probably take 5:30-5:45.  Whether that is really worthwhile is something I need to answer to myself in the next 3 weeks.  Also being on one's feet for that long has its own risks and challenges - mental as well as physical. The worst outcome would be to change to FM category and then end up with a DNF. 

Wipro Bangalore marathon details

 As in 2023, the last time I ran this event, M and I stayed in Woodlands hotel close to Kanteerva stadium on 20th September. M came from Chennai in the morning by train, collected the bibs and checked into the hotel. I drove from home post lunch and got there around 4PM. The Woodlands room that M changed to was spacious and relatively new. It was a fairly relaxed evening - after  spending a couple of hours visiting a cousin in MG road we had early dinner(the choice of food was limited in the restaurant) and went to bed by 9:45. 

Though I heard some crackers (it being Ganesha week) I dozed off soon. Woke up at 4 - M had woken up at 3:30 and used the bathroom. We got ready and walked across to Kanteerva stadium around 5:15am after a quick pre-race selfie.

As is usual on a city race day in , the area was buzzing with runners converging to the holding area. Bumped into several friends in the holding area including Ra &Ru -  2:15  and 2:30 pacers for the race.

With over 11 thousand registrations, the HM start was in 3 waves. I started at 6:10 am about 10 mins after the first wave. Despite the staggered start it was very crowded getting out o the stadium and in the Cubbon park area. In fact, there were runners at close proximity all through the race except perhaps the last 4Kms or so.  After Km 1 in moderate time of 6:21, ran the fastest Km split - doing the 2nd Km in 6mins. Thereafter, kept a steady pace of between 6:05 and 6:20 till Km 15.  The first half took just under 1:07 - perhaps a minute too slow to hit a sub 2:15 finish. Slowed down to 6:25 to 6:30 pace in the last 6 kms-  With Km 18 being the slowest at 7:13 when my right toes cramped and I walked a bit after stopping at the aid station for water. It was at this point that Ra - the 2:15 pacer crossed me. I did not push myself to keep up with her and finished about 30s behind her - more or less achieving my goal of 2:15. 

The official timing splits were as below :

Did not meet many runners at the finish (most of my BHUKMP runners were doing the FM). Waited for M for about half an hour in the finish area - but missed seeing him in the crowds. So had breakfast by myself and walked back to Woodlands around 10am. 

As M's train got delayed we decided to have lunch at PG. Left Woodlands around 11:45 and reached home around 1 - satisfied with the way the race went specially since several of the training runs in July and August were below par creating self doubt on whether I would be able to do a decent HM. Both the quads held up as did the right ankle. Credit to R for this turnaround - he seems to have assessed the core issue correctly as the excercises prescribed by him seemed to be making a difference. 

Good run at Wipro Bangalore half marathon

 The run on sunday, 21st September went pretty much to plan . Without pushing to the hilt I finished in 2:15:24  - about half a minute behind the 2:15 pacer and good friend R.  Was comfortably on target for a sub 2:15 till Km 15. Slowed down considerably after that and then the right toes cramped at Km 18 . Considering the long travel and trip in less than 36 hrs it was not worth pushing through that.  Very satisfied with the outcome and the recovery has also been good. Hopefully 3 weeks break from running will help me get back with renewed vigour in the 2nd half of October. And the break from strength and other trainign will not set me back too much. Have greater confidence now  of getting in a couple of 25-30Kruns by mid November which will enable me to target  530 FM at Mumbai in January 2026.

More details on Sunday's run later. 

Bangalore marathon in two weeks and thereafter ..

Did not enjoy most of the runs in June and July  - in fact they felt like  drudgery both physically and mentally - a feeling I have never had before in 24Y of distance running . So much so that the nervousness and tension the night before and the morning of every single run was palpable . With this state of affairs it was clear that a FM in Sept was impossible to pull off. Therefore, switched  race category at the Wipro Bangalore marathon coming up on 21st Sept  from FM to HM in mid July. A consultation with  Dr G (his positive attitude was very impressive- that , a good treating doctor and his strong faith should hopefully cure him )again in July end led me to get in touch with R who I knew of as a yoga teacher from my Ranka days. Dr G surmised that there was imbalance in my muscles and the glutes and hamstrings were not firing causing lack of rhythm and putting higher  load on the quads and  lower legs . And as this needed focused attention to correct he advised I consult R who was now doing such  work with a number of people(mostly in Dubai and Singapore) . As per R the left hamstrings and gluteus medius were the culprits though these muscles on both legs needed to be worked upon. 

After two weeks or so of consistently doing the excercises suggested by R (to help the hamstrings and medius fire ) and also to correct the right shoulder warp towards the left hip,  I sense  a turrnaround in the quality of my  runs - albeit all slow and interspersed with some walking. Could be the physical or mental affect of R's exercises. Either way it does not matter.  I am once again looking forward to the runs. The quads are getting strained much later in the run and not as much specially when running up gradients and the numbness in the left foot has not been as bothersome.  The left ankle/calf strength has also improved (this may have nothing to do with R's exercises and may be due to the elapsed time since the surgery and the calf raises that I have been doing regularly) as the range of motion in the single leg calf raise is slowly but surely getting better. As a consequence, the last 3 weekend runs of  17K, 21.2K and 14K ( 85% run and 15% walk) went well and have boosted my  confidence of doing a sub 2:30 half on 21st Sept. If I manage the first half  in under n 67m and the quads and the left foot sole  hold up then I will try and get as close to 2:15 as possible. Regardless, I am looking forward to the run - only my 2nd event since the aborted one in May 2024. 

Meanwhile, have registered for the HM at TMM 2026 with the goal that,  after returning from the travel,  a decent 27-28K run can be managed  between Oct 20th and Nov 20th, then I can upgrade to a FM . The last date for doing that is 28th November. That is of course, looking too far ahead . The focus for now is on a good run on 21st Sept!

FM training ruled out for now

Have not been enjoying what ever little running I have been doing the last 3 months or so. The persistent issues in the right ankle is affecting the runs both mentally and physically. Took  3 weeks break from running(and all cardio) in May and consulted Dr G and Dr HK. X-ray showed no stress fracture. Dr HK diagnosed a possible nerve issue. While the wax therapy provided some relief , the discomfort in the ankle area came back once I restarted running. The intensity of pain and the are of pain is quite variable. Starting from the lateral area around the ankle bone and spreading to the mid foot on top. Sometimes the shin area also hurts. At times it does feel like a nerve issue. Not sure what to do about it.Trying out combinations of run/walk and also the compression socks to see if it helps in managing the discomfort.  However,  it is clear that FM in Bangalore in September is out. Have done just one 21K and a couple of 15K+ runs since Mumbai 2025. Hopefully by giving it time the right ankle/calf will get strong enough to train for a FM in Mumbai 2026. Or else it will be curtains on marathon running. 

Another FM left in the ankle and calf ?

 Post the half marathon in Mumbai in January 2025  I have been focused on increasing the amount of running per Km and also strengthening the right ankle/calf. It is dosconcerting and disappointing that nearly 10m after the achilles tendon repair surgery I am still unable to do proper single leg calf raises on the right leg . As per many of the articles on TA rupture surgery and rehab being able to do a single leg calf raise is a prerequisite to running and one should be able to achieve it by about 6m post surgery. This is something that I should have paid more attention to in Sept/Oct 2024 when I restarted run/walk training. Unfortunately I did not research this properly and neither Dr HK(surgeon) or Dr G(sports ) emphasised this sufficiently as part of the rehab protocol. Without achieving single leg calf raise I managed to do the TMM HM fairly comfortable mainly due to the 55%run/45% walk regimen.  But as I restarted running in Feb 2025I realised that the single leg calf raise is very critical to scale the distance towards FM training and also towards 100% running. As a consequence I have not run beyond 17K since Jan 2025 . And I have been struggling with pain in the quads/knee area even on shorter runs. As per Dr G (whom I consulted last week) this is because the ankle and calf are week and so the shin, knee and quads are being overloaded. .  The only solution is to strengthen the ankle and calf.  So I am diligently working on this while limiting my runs to under two hours. The good news is that Dr G has cleared me to run continupusly without walk breaks. Was happy to do my first such 10K run on  6th April.  However, I am now beginning to doubt whether my ankle /calf/quads can take the load of a 5hr FM. Will find out soon as I start training  for a FM in Bangalore on 21st September 2025.  This will require me to start doing 20-35K runs latest from June. By that time I am hoping the range of the single leg calf raise improves and so the load on the shin and quads is reduced. Else one will have to downgrade to a HM and bring the curtain down on FM running. While I can and will need to reconcile with that if needed I hope I have a few more years of running FMs left in my legs. The next 3m will determine the future of my long distance (>21Km) running career!!

One good news in all this gloom is that the shoulder and arms have definitely becoming stronger with consistent gym workouts. After over 6m of consistent training am now able to do about 4 pull ups and 5 chin ups on a good day!! 

Emotional 20th finish in Mumbai

 

It was with great relief, joy and gratitude that I crossed the finish line at Mumbai on 19th January 2025 for the 20th consecutive year. Relief that I was able to maintain the streak at Mumbai(2 HMs, 17 FMs and HM), joy to be able to run in the iconic event just 7m after the achilles tendon surgery and gratitude for the recovery post surgery and the support and encouragement from family and friends. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to get back to running just 3.5m post surgery. It is not unusal for folks to not be able to run for 6-8m after such a surgery. It has been a real roller coaster since I sustained the ankle/calf injury  during the HM at the Avenue of Giants marathon on 5th May.  Did not realise the severity of the injury till a few weeks later and also the long rehab and recovery time required . While Procam allowed for race category change till Nov 29th I realised once I restarted running that it was going to be able to scale beyond 21K for the race in January. My sports doc Dr. G also strongly adviced against it.Given all this I am extremely happy to have met my goal finishing in just under 2:44 with about 55%running and 45% walking every Km.

Flew to Mumbai on Fri(17th Jan) evening due to the felicitation function at the expo on 18th morning. Having planned a holiday post the run A accompanied me to Mumbai. On 18th morning we reached the expo around 11:30am just as procam was finishing up an interview with Sir Mo Farah. Contrary to expectations Procam decided to honor all the runners who had run at least 10 full marathons since the event started in 2004. Of these they decided to felicitate on stage the 'two star' runners- those that had run 15 or more full mrathons. It was nice to get a cap, plaque and a scroll handed over by Mo Farah and also to see the wall of TMM legends  displayed in the bib collection area. Though I felt sad that my streak of 17 FMs was ended  I was delighted to learn that I am among the 10 runners from across the country(and the only one from Bangalore ) to have run 15 or more full marathons out of the 20 so far. 

As always the expo was buzzing with runners from across the country. It was nice to meet up with several of the fellow TMM legends from Bangalore. Went back to Kandivili after a quick lunch at Andheri and then moved for the night to Nitin's place in Borivili . 

After an early dinner at home lay down by 945pm. It was a little noisy and was unable to sleep much. Woke up with the alarm just before 2am and was ready and out of the house after a few photos by 2:45am. After walking for about 10m got into the special local from Borivili starting at 3:05. By then Nitin's gang had swelled to over 20 runners. The train was anyway full of runners . Got off at Mahim around 3:45am and reached the holding area ground after a 10m brisk walk. Bumped into old friend and wonderful runner Bhasker Desai on the way. The entry was quite quick and smooth - the volunteers scanned the bib to verify that bibs were not being misused- dont recollect this being done in the previous years. The holding area was a bit small for the over 13K runners. After using the loo a couple of times headed to the start line for Wave C(met NS Partha warming up ). While waiting for the start talked to Amrita who was targeting about 2:15. The race for wave C started at 5:05 . After running slowing the first 100m or so I went into a brisk walk and pretty much stuck to my strategy of 400-500m walk and the rest run every Km. It was very crowded and one had to make a lot of effort to weave through runners and not bump into anyone. The weather was on the warmer side (22c at the start and 24c at the finish 3 hrs later) though a bit humid specially as one hit the sealink n the 4th km. I had a very comfortable run reaching half way in just under 1:20 resisting the temptation to increase the quantum of running. The 2nd half was about 4m slower . It was good to see Naina on and off the course. Could have shaved about 30s in the last 2Kms - but was unable to do so partly due to the density of runners cris crossing my path. Ran them steady at under 8m pace to cross the finish line around 7:50am. 

After collecting the medal and refreshment waited for Nitin to come. Asha and Niyati had taken the train and come to CST but were unable to enter the finish area so they took the train back to Borivili after meeting Nitin. The latter  took a bunch of us into the TCS booth which was very loud and crowded. Took a few pictures there, ate some more snacks and then rode in a car back to Borivili reaching home around 12:30 - tired but very happy and thankful. 

One Week to the slowest HM at TMM 2025

 The build up to the 20th edition of Mumbai marathon has been very different from the last 15 or so editions. It is strange to end a calendar year or start one without a  30Km+ run . Having reconciled to do a HM(after 17 consecutive FMs)  and that too using walk/run method with a goal to complete between 2:45 and 3:00 hrs the two longest runs have been of 21.2Km/2:50m. Barring unforseen circumstances on race day I should be able to comfortably finish under 3 hrs with about 60/40 walk/run ratio. Though I could reverse the ratio just for the race I probably will not as shaving a few minutes off does not matter as it will anyway be my slowest HM. See here for the timings of all the HM races done by me so far . 

Had goofed up the dates of travel to/from Mumbai. Rebooked to now go on Fri evening to attend the TMM legends event on Sat morning at the expo. Happy that I have been fortunate enough to run a HM or a FM in every edition so far- among the 42 runners from across the country to do so. 

An exciting part of this year's event is that A will be accompanying me to Mumbai for the first time - looking forward to a smooth trip to Mumbai and the short holiday thereafter. 

Walk/run training towards TMM 2025

 Post the Achilles tendon repair surgery on 27th June and the required immobilisation and rehab period , I started walking from 15th of August. Got the ok to commence running in the last formal review with the surgeon Dr. HK on 24th Sept. Ran for the first time  on 6th Ooctber - 5m after the injury sustained on 5th May in California. Had built the walking distance and pace from 2Lm in 31min on 16th August to 8.3Km in 80 mins on 2nd Oct. In the first run on 6th Oct I walked 850-900 m and ran 100-150m completing 9Km in 84min. With mostly 2 walk/run sessions per week supplemented by 3-4 sessions of stationary cycling/rowing  the weekend walk/run was scaled as per the following progression : 10.55(17th Oct), 12.53, 14.1,17.56, 21.2KM(24th Nov). The walk to run ratio being at most 65/35. Pretty happy to have done 21.2Km under 3 hrs - giving me confidence that at TMM 2025 I could aim for  2:45. The discomfort around the ankle and heel area during and for a period after the run will hopefully reduce over time. So will the limping which is quite apparent when walking briskly.

The last date for changing the category from  HM to FM for TMM 2025 is 29th November. Though I feel terrible that my streak of FMs at Mumbai will end it does not make sense to take a chance with just 6 weeks to the race day including the 12 days trip to Delhi and HP which period there will be minimal running. 

Rebuilding fitness...

The 3m review with   Dr HK on Sept 25th (surgery was on 27th June) went off well - as per the doc the achilles tendon has healed very well and I can start excercising with very little restrictions (plyometrics is avoidable for some more time). Which means I have been cleared to start running again building up slowly. With fabulous support from the wife , the recovery period went well. It consisted of two weeks of ankle immobilisation with a plastic board under the dressing, followed by 2 weeks of RT cast and then 3 weeks of airboot.  Post that , started walking from 15th August building up from 2Kms/30mins to 8 Kms/78 mins.  Added stationary  cycling and  rowing to my cardio workout .   And seated dumbbell and machine based strength exercises in the gym. The swelling in the ankle area is almost completely gone. The redness and a slight limp though are still there which is not uncommon for upto 6m post the surgery.  Hopefully they will dissolve soon. 

Meanwhile, the registration for TMM 2025 (on 19th Janaury) started at the end of August. Was confused whether to register for a FM or HM. Given that I have not run since the 5th of May and have lost a significant amount  of my lower body strength and cardio fitness it logically did not make sense to take a chance with a FM . However the heart did not want to let go off the 17y streak.   Dr G  was strongly against a FM  as even a 6:30 hr run/walk could put the ankle under severe stress risking a relapse. - he very reluctantly ok'ed  registering for  a HM  with the caveat of making a call post recommencement of running.  Also as  one can upgrade from a HM to FM till the 29th of November I went ahead and registered fror the HM.  Therefore, it definitely looks like the end of the FM streak at this point. Plan to start running from 5th Oct (5m since the last run and the injury)  and build up over  Oct and most of Nov starting with 9m walk/1 min run and gradually moving to say 8m run/2m walk. At the same time scale the distance to 20K by mid Nov and then make the final call on the distance for TMM. 

Nevertheless looking forward to getting back to running with anxiety, excitment and nervousness !

Out of action till at least September

 When I DNF'ed on 5th of May due to a severe pull in my right calf muscle at Km 3 of the Avenue of Giants marathon, little did I imagine that I would be unable to run again for next 4-5 months. Even when writing the previous post after returning to India and undergoing treatment in consultation with the ortho,  the possibility of significant change in trajectory of  life in the latter  half of 2024 was far from my mind. Things changed when the MRI on 14th June showed a fairly significant tear in the achilles tendon. Subsequent multiple consultations (part of a dozen visits to doctors/hospitals in a space of 6 weeks inclduing visits to see my dad who was hospitalised ) revealed the (partial) tear at the point of insertion of the tendon to the ankle bone. All optinions unanimously suggested a surgical repair as the only way forward specially if one wanted to return an active physical life. Shifting the focus to which surgeon/hospital? After some consideration went ahead with Dr HK at Manipal on 27th June. 

Now in the midst of 4 weeks recovery which will be followed by 4-6 weeks of rehab. All going smoothly hoping to start cardio exercises(slow short runs/indoor cycling) in the 2nd half of September. Meanwhile trying to maintain some muscle strength with simple (non weighted) LB excercises in lying down position and seated upper body dumbbell workouts. However, as I am still imbibing the same amount of calories as I used to while doing 3-5 cardio workouts per week , the weight and waist are slowly inching up . The challenge is to maintain them around   60Kgs and 34" respectively in what is turning out to my longest break from cardio since 2004. Another challenge is to avoid getting mired in a spiral of negative thoughts about life and its future course.

Some general life musings during this period - nothing very profound:

a) Life is unpredicatable - so live it as purposefully as possible

b) Painful decisions can often have hidden benefits - the clot may not have been detected on time if we had not abandoned our holiday plans and returned

c) Be thankful for what you have - zillions are going through worse situations and may not be economically as well off to handle the costs

d) Good relationships provide invaluable support - partner, family, friends, neighbours...

e) Important to stay positive when going through an adverse phase in life

f) Hospital/doctor visits are avoidable but maybe inevitable

g) Aging is inevitable and needs to be managed both mentally and physically

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