SKFGRM 2021 - enjoyable experience despite missed goal

 

Crossing the finish line - PC MC

The weekend Goa trip was a memorable and enjoyable experience despite missing my 4:10 goal by a good margin. The race organisation was good with well spaced and stocked aid stations, friendly volunteers, Km markers , 100% traffic control. The route was , for the most part, good , except for a few rough/uneven patches here and there along the 10.5Km road. With 2 out and back loops one was never alone for long - sighting either other FM runners or the HM or 10K runners. One thing missing was a clock at the start/finish point to show the elapsed gun time. 

Right from the beginning of the race I was unable to maintain the desired pace. Though slightly better than the overall goal pace of 5:55/Km I did not get the momentum to do a sub 1:58 or even sub 2:00 first half. Till about 26K my average pace was around 5:53 with most Kms being lower except Km3 and 4 of the gradient. However, while coming down the downhill in loop 2 the left hamstring and ITB started hurting and after Km 28 the pace slowed down considerably. Most of the last 14Kms was slower than 6:15 pace with a few of them, during which I walked the gradients, being slower than 7:15 min pace. Both my legs started hurting after Km 35.  While less than ideal training was partly to blame (and maybe the 15 hrs train journey), my body and legs could not handle the heat, humidity and the rolling hills.   While running the rolling hills in the 1st loop it became clear to me that average pace of 5:55 and hence sub 4:10 was not going to happen. I was hoping to keep it below 4:20 but gave up on that around Km 33 and decided to do just enough to finish sub 4:30. And managed to cross the finish line in 4:27:43 with my Garmin showing 42.6K!! While disappointed at missing my target,  considering in October 2020 I could barely run a few kms without ankle pain and was apprehensive about running a marathon ever again, I am happy and satisfied  that I could complete my second FM of the year (the first one being the solo self supported one in May). Definitely a race worth considering though not a PB course for most runners. 

The train journey from Yeshwanthpur to Vasco was comfortable - the train reached a few minutes early . A fellow runner AR and I sat in the waiting room at the station for about an hour and then had a cuppa at a cafe just outside the station. After leaving our luggage at our respective hotels we walked in search of the starting/bib distribution location. After going a bit of course we got there by 9:15 after having another cuppa at a roadside joint. 

Had misal pav breakfast next to the Chicalim village panchayat hall ground 

We collected the bib, met the ultra runner and founder of GRM Dinesh Heda and went back to the hotels to check-in. 

Lunch was a veg thali with the group. In the evening we visited Japanese garden and beach at Marmugao port - the sunset there was enjoyable. After an early dinner at Jai Hind next to the station we dispersed to our respective rooms. 

Outside the restaurant post lunch

Shared my room with Prashanth who had come all the way from Bhuvaneshwar to run his first ever half marathon and who needed accommodation . Woke up at 2:45 after the usual restless sleep. Consumed two bananas, some dates and almonds . Left the room a little after 3:30 to catch the bus opposite the hotel. Reached the holding area by 3:45. Checked in the bag a little after 4 and warmed up a bit. The race started a minute or so after 4:30 with about 150+ runners out of the 211 who had registered. (As per the timing results there were 159 finishers). 

Stretched a bit after completing the run, had some items from the breakfast box and hung around for SS (who was walking the last few kms due to blisters under both feet) .Took the 10am bus back to the hotel. Post a  liquid and snack lunch at  Eater's Den  took a cab to meet D at Panjim. Returned back by about 630. Had dinner with SK before taking the train at 10:30PM. Was back home by 1:45 on 13th after an overall pleasant and memorable weekend with fellow runners. Now inspired to do this more often and am seriously considering registering for NEBS AFLI Delhi marathon on 27th Feb. Will decide by mid Jan or so.