The contours womens day 10k race recap 2013

Did I do the run only daybefore yesterday? Well, it feels like eons since I ran.

 

Well, this race lacked drama of any kind, except the fact  that I nearly did not sleep at all before the race.  The race venue was a 5 minute walk from my home. Flag off was at 6.30 a.m and we were expected to be in the holding area by 6.I woke up at 5. Made myself some chai had a couple of biscuits, brushed and got dressed and left home at 5.55 a.m. Since the Scientist and toddler had already left to Chennai, I locked the house and left. Nobody to take pretty pictures of me :(

 

 Someone who was also driving to the race, recognised I was a participant by the t-shirt I was wearing and offered to drop me. I joined in.

 

The holding area was well lit. The festive mood was hanging in the air and people were stretching and warming up. Announcements were on and there was a zumba warm up at 6.15. The warm up session was pretty lively - considering that Contours is a female gym it is to be expected :)

 

Flag off was at 6.30 sharp. And that's when I realised its different to run in these publicity events than hard core runners events. The run into cubbon park involved crossing an important signal. Some of the volunteers were hurrying us up because they were not able to  hold the traffic. The reason the crowd was slow moving was because there were only two narrow gates to enter the park, people were choking the gate and had to slow down. Some even considered jumping the gate.

 

I saw a water station there, but decided to move on because I was feeling pretty good then. The run was on tarred road inside the cubbon park. It was scenic -the greenery, cool air, pigeons and walkers made the morning a collection of pleasant sights. I did not stop to take pictures, because I was focussing on the run.

 

And then we just kept running. There were no mile markers. So those without a garmin or a running app on their phone did not know the distance. The water stations were only two, which I felt were inconveniently placed. So I just kept running, until I came across a water station. I sipped some water and electrolyte and continued. I saw many people who walked- ran. I don't do that. I run-run-run, not fast, but I don't walk either. That may even make me slower than the run-walk guys but still I feel if I walk, I should not be in a running event. Sorry convoluted logic, but that's me.

 

And then abruptly, at around 8 a.m. I realised I had finished the designated two loops.  No finish line. No one to clap for the finishers. No medal either. They said to go back to the ground to collect the certificate, but the waiting queue was pretty long and I had a flight to catch. So I walked back home, showered, had a banana peanut butter milk shake and climbed into a taxi, quite dazed, honestly. I was also a bit nauseaous the whole way till the airport. I checked in and got myself a plate pongal chutney. Wow! the salt really brought back life into me, and I felt good.

 

My right knee was hurting me - the effect of running on the tar.  Anyway, I had had a good run. The race organisation was pretty unprofessional as compared to how perfectly RFL organises their events.

 

That evening I spent watching a movie with the Husband - Kai po che which we both totally did not like. And there was dinner with family :) and the best part - dessert which I had been waiting and planning for. We went to a place I love - Sandy's. My peanut-butter-chocolate dessert may have contained 15000 calories. But I ate it, and felt good.

 

I also ate well during the wedding yesterday. My weigh today was not a happy number - but I went to body pump and am ready to rock again :)

 

Sorry guys no pictures, cos I ran alone. If I find some taken by the organisers, I will put them up for you :)

Updated with a picture from the run. I am not as fat as I look :(

Running is difficult. But I can do this :)