The SCMM experience in 2017(words)

Prologue: 

21 January 2007. That was when I first participated in the SCMM Half marathon. Participated not Ran. Ten years on, I was ready to RUN another SCMM Half marathon. SCMM 2016 was a run with pedestrian preparation, without a single run longer than 10km. This year, I was in many persons’ view a “Seasoned runner” having run 356km in 3 months leading up to the race, including top-10 finish in November. The preparation was challenging and the run was sure to be fun

Preparation phase:

After SCMM 2016, a few friends got inspired to take up running which in a way fuelled my learning process. I watched videos and read articles about breathing techniques, running form, etc which would make running easier and more fun, so that I could share “tips” whenever I was asked. It dawned upon me during my second half marathon, the IDBI Mumbai Half Marathon that I definitely needed to prepare better for the SCMM in order to achieve a good time. At IDBI, my preparation was worse than that for SCMM 2016 and the timing reflected that

Preparation for SCMM 2017 started in October, with an almost 10km run in the rains. 10km was a distance which on running would formerly leave me supremely satisfied. But as it is said, when you progress, what one day seemed impossible becomes routine. The mileage kept growing with a good mix of other non-running workouts. My levels of discipline and regularity also improved, with a standard 4 days a week including a long run on Sundays

A day before my birthday, I ran the Vasai Virar Mayor’s Marathon with a personal best timing of 2:05:55 which was 12min faster than my previous best for this distance. I knew what I had to work on in the coming month and I was confident of breaking the 2hr barrier at the SCMM

Pre-race:

The race was on the same route as 2016 and this time I had a good number of friends and colleagues running the SCMM for the first time. I had shared whatever knowledge I had gained over the last one year with the first-timers, trying to ensure that they had a fun and memorable first SCMM. It helped me revise what I had learnt and prepare me mentally for the race. I had also (finally) joined a group in my own backyard, called the Lokhandwala Running Club (LRC)

The days leading up to the race were nice and chilly. We were almost certain that race day would be nice and cool as well. Me and a number of guys from LRC targeting a similar time had strategized how to tackle the 2hr challenge. The entire plan was set, including a pacing strategy, hydration strategy, refueling strategy and a finishing strategy. In addition to the aerodynamic hairdo (without the scar) I had become a Ghajini with self reassuring statements written on my palms and wrists to keep me going

I had decided to start with a friend who was making her half marathon debut. We both got delayed in reaching the starting enclosure and the gates had been opened for runners to move to the start line. This was the first time I was planning to follow a pacer to set a time in a race but unfortunately the pacer we had planned to follow was far ahead. I switched to plan B which meant getting onto the “Party fun run” 2hrs bus. For those who are new to this jargon, a bus is a group running with a pacer and is likely to achieve the time being set by the pacer

The Race:

The party bus was to start a good 10 minutes after the race flag off so that everyone targeting a sub-2 time, even those from enclosure G right at the back would be able to join in. I knew that I had to follow the flag and the pace would be just right to achieve my target time

Worli sea face super crowded as expected. Probably it was made worse by starting way at the back. That meant there were walkers even before the 1km mark. Not every one of the 14000 participants was running to run the marathon. Many were doing what I had done in 2007. “Just participate because looks cool”. The pacer went ahead and in my attempts to overtake the nice slow people, I almost slipped off the bus. When I turned onto the sea-link, my head felt light. I said to myself, “You are in the zone!! You’re going to kill this race with a super timing!!” In retrospect, I realized that it was more of Kumbh-mela-phobia with what seemed like the entire population of Mumbai having turned onto the sea link. Where was the pacer? I couldn’t see. Enjoying the run, I kept yelling out our progress, facts like “we are running downhill on the sea-link”, statements like “you don’t get to run on the sea link daily, enjoy yourselves” etc. which hopefully helped people keep moving.

By the time we reached the Bandra end of the sea link, I spotted the self proclaimed pacer Guru with the gigantic 2hr flag. He was a good 400m away on the other carriage of the sea link with a sea of people in between. I thought to myself, “Chalo here goes one more solo race”. A lot of cops were cheering for the runners at the Bandra end of the sea link where we took a u-turn. They had done a stellar job helping the organizers make all the necessary arrangements. I kept running at a steady pace but had missed a water-station or two. The hydration strategy had gone for a toss. The chill which had given us a big boost over the last few days had mysteriously disappeared that morning and we were all sweating profusely. I felt the water and energy drink stations were not present where they were listed on the route map. I perhaps missed sighting the stalls or maybe there were no signages. Also, running on the extreme right lane, I didn’t feel like cutting lanes across to the water stations I saw. They were way too crowded anyway. BIG MISTAKE!!! In any case, the strategy had taken a beating

The leading pack of the full marathoners had reached the sea link by the time we reached the Worli end. It was inspiring to witness their pace in the same freaky weather which had hit us all. After the 12km mark, I realized that the inability to follow the plan had made it difficult to get the time I had worked for. At around NSCI, I took the decision to abandon the quest for my target time and decided to make the race enjoyable for myself and other co-runners. Every announcement I made, every “great job” encouragement I gave to a tired co-runner had the desired effect. It didn’t help my time but it helped me run better, with a happier frame of mind. I was unable to check the time on my fitness tracker or my phone thanks to my sweaty palms. I had no clue what my projected timing was at that point of time

The stretch from Mela to Haji Ali was refreshing with a cool sea breeze. Peddar road didn’t seem like a horrible monster but lowering one’s ego while tackling such a slope definitely helps. As always, the crowds were out in full force. I did my best to get them to scream and cheer for everyone as we passed. Their support which included giving fruits, juices, chocolates etc and also medical assistance was pivotal. Some residents played music for the runners near Kemps corner and also near Babulnath. Music has the magical ability to lift spirits and Mumbai’s residents made full use of this medium to keep us going. The elevation changes from the steep uphill climb of Peddar road, a gentle downhill stretch, a short uphill climb on Kemp’s corner flyover and then a long downhill stretch towards Babulnath, coupled with cheering SoBo-ites made the run fun and challenging. We were welcomed onto the flat final section at the start of Marine drive with a guitar wielding group singing the classic “Jaan-e-jaan dhoondta phir raha”

As predicted we witnessed the elite athletes going north when we were on the Queen’s necklace. Their effortless speed made it seem as though they were gliding over the road. There were a good number of music performances along the sea-side stretch, with the highlight being the men in whites, the Navy band churning out some amazing music. It got runners like me to sing along as we ran which seemed quite amusing to some

Nothing like savouring the success after finishing a challenging run

The run right up to the finish seemed to be pretty much like the preceding few kilometres. I was 

pushing co-runners to finish the run, getting the crowd to stay vocal, etc. The stretch from Hutatma chowk to the finish line was a little crammed due to the metro construction activity and the champions with disability occupying the right lanes. The cramps did show their ugly face but didn’t affect me much as I was mentally prepared to tackle them. I managed to pick up the pace and crossed the finish line singing the RD Burman classic, “Tum kya jaano mohabbat kya hai” which was blaring on the speakers. After cooling down, stretching with running buddies etc, I picked up my bag from the chaotic baggage counter and headed off to do what I had planned to, cheer the full marathon runners finishing the race

Post-race:

The bus-stop near Churchgate became my bastion for this purpose. I used every bit of energy I got from the contents of the “Refuel bag” and more to cheer the men and women completing the Full Marathon. I kept dishing out high-fives to countless runners, goading them to make a strong finish. It was inspiring to watch people undertake a challenge as massive as a full marathon making me feel that this was the least I could do for such heroes. A number of familiar faces from previous runs, a buddy from college, the morning’s train journey, etc too went by and it felt great to spread a little bit of positivity. A gentleman from the Coast Guard whom I had befriended at the Navy Half Marathon in November was delighted to see me. He stopped, gave me a warm gratuitous hug and proceeded to make a strong finish

The perspiration during the run had drenched my shoes. I had changed into what seemed like a Sabarimala pilgrim’s attire full black and barefoot with the exception that I was in shorts and had the half marathon finishers’ medal adorning my neck. After a lot of high fives, I was asked by a full marathoner to accompany her forward**. I ran with her for around 200m till Churchgate railway station. 

As I was returning towards my cheering base, I saw a familiar face, a senior member from Lokhandwala Runners’ Club heading towards the finish. It was delightful to see her and I ran along with her all the way to the finish. The distance was almost 1.2km and I continued doing what I had done during my run as well, getting the crowds going, whatever was left of it. I felt like a running cheerleader and it was fun

The biggest lesson I learnt this year was that making a little contribution to help someone conquer a huge challenge, provides a unique high of its own. It made my race experience even more special in spite of having to pull the plug on running for a stellar timing at SCMM. There are so many more races till SCMM 2018 where I can get this timing. I am certain no other race would be able to give me the experience I got at the SCMM 2017

**I later learnt that she too was from LRC but we had never met before. She made a good,

strong finish but not knowing her helped me help someone else do the same