Chennai Intl Half Marathon - Sep-27, 2009

This was after a long time that I attempted to do anything more than driving around in Chennai. You normally hear this and that about how the temperature and humidity here adds to the difficulty levels, but is 10 years enough to get 'un-used' to the conditions?
Before the running started a gentleman gave a speech and orchestrated an 'oath'. Both were unbelievably shabby - although he might just been holding the fort before the dignitaries were ready to flag 'go'. Unlike the 10K in Bangalore earlier in the year, given the less than 1,000 people taking part, there was no rush at the start and no challenges to keep oneself from tripping up.
From War Memorial up till about the Foreshore Estate bus-stand I managed to match pace with this chap who appeared to know what he was doing. At the time it registered as him pushing up his pace a notch - in hindsight, it was probably me beginning to fade. Yes, already - just 4 or 5 kilometers into the run. Marina cricket ground, Santhome - basillica and school, St. Bede's, Rosarie Matric and Foreshore market all passed by with no energy for me to look around and take in the sights.
It was beginning apparent now that the only 'refreshments' on offer at the stalls kept 1km apart was water. Why some people carried their own energy bars and health drinks now made a lot of sense. Just before the Ayyappan temple at MRC Nagar, the professional runners were making the return trip. And these guys actually run!!! The bikes keeping with them was definitely in 4 gear and the two guys appeared to be plotting their race finish strategy. That made it them going at about double the speed - me 7k into the run and them 7k from the finish.
For anyone else who is used to seeing the St. Patrick's chapel from Adayar bridge, it is no longer visible - the trees there must have grown even bigger or the September foliage hides the chapel. Once into Besant Avenue, the only runners slower were the 'sprint-stoppers'. It is unbelievable how someone who cannot sprint well never takes part in the 100m while someone who cannot run slowly and steadily still gives it a shot over 21k distance!!!
The big-break in the run for me came when it was clear that the run up to the beach was not going to be through 5th Avenue but much much before that, down 3rd Main road. So, add Sunny Brook to KFI and Adayar Aawin in the list of other landmarks. Of more immediate relevance, half-way!!! Anjana was standing at the turn-back and later told me two things - first, that I appeared to be totally exhausted and second, that she was perhaps the only one cheering at the half-way point.
By now we had been running for more than 80 minutes, much slower than the Bangalore 10k - rationalized it given the weather, given the extra half - kilometer. From here on, it was all unchartered territory. I have always wondered how people stop while running a distance - or rather, what makes them stop. On the way back, over Adayar bridge, I realized that I was running slower than some people walking - cant be running then, can it? Hence from about 13k onward started the trek to the finish line.
With some good company of guys trying to get to the finish, went into a run/ jog - walk - run/ jog mode that appeared to work quite well. Only the first few steps switching into the run/ jog hurt a bit - that must be some muscle group/ action related bio-mechanics. This guy - Shailendra - who joined the race about 15min joined somewhere near the Ayyappan temple, and clear difficulty in breathing was his problem. But in the run/ jog phases he made a good speed and keeping pace saw us through from MRC Nagar to Lighhouse. The few details - trained for this run for about 1-1/2 months, smoker, played football in school and landed up late for the start - were all pretty impressive.
Although there was still time to go for the 3 hour cut-off of the men's run and a lot of time left for the women's run cutoff, there were a lot of people milling about on the running path. Somehow, this made the final couple of kilometers feel rather unlike the finish zone of a half-marathon. And yes, there we had switch from plastic water bottles to plastic water 'pouches' - well and truely Madras!
Got to the finish in what should be about 3hr10mins. The only guys at the finish belonged to the company running the timing chips - 'TimingIndia'. Among the assorted things strewn around was a half-open packet of 'Tiger' biscuits which it was blissful eating. The shamiana with the cops being the most official looking thing, I went and found a chair. A north-Indian couple was also there. The guy had run the distance and his wife was very proud of his achievement. I borrowed the cop's cell phone and spoke to my dad, including mention of hunger. Once the call was done, the cop offered 'pulisaadam' and I happily accepted. This was breakfast organized for the cops - hundreds of them - assigned to this event. It appeared a strange choice but right then I didnt care.
Borrowed another pack of 'Tiger' to go, and as planned started the walk to Central to meet up with Anjana who was catching a train. I know from school-time trivia that the bridge over the suburban tracks adjoining MMC is the 0km mark for the city of Chennai. This is what the milestone reads - "NH45, 0km". It is at the highest point of the flyover and a picture of this milestone with no (or just a little) clue of the background would make a good picture for a quiz question. While stepping on and off the sidewalk hurt, it wasnt until the subway in front of Central that I go wind of the things to come.
Thus goes the 'Unofficial Guide on How Not to Go About a Half-Marathon'.