Bengaluru 10K Challenge

About the Run

Bengaluru boasts of having the largest runners' community in India. Many Bengaluru runners across different age categories have been winning at the major run events in the country. Bengaluru 10K Challenge was all about achieving your personal best! Our third edition had an overwhelming response, with over 10000 runners participating. We bring the fourth edition of the 10K Challenge to get more people to take up running and also to challenge the pros who have been running for years. 

Preparations 

I always had a fascination to run in mega events - 10K events, Triathlons etc. a person can always manage to finish the events but it comes with a lot of pain and bad timings. If one practices earlier - one loves and enjoys the event. Thanks to TTB - my new running club which helped me practice for the big day. 

My usual practice comprised of ,,,

Tuesday at DHI Sports - small run at the Football stadium with 5/6 kms run.

Wednesday at DHI Sports - small run at the Football stadium with 5/6 kms run.

Thursday at Sai Baba Temple - as the Nice road comprised a variation of up and down hill, we ran at the Meenakshi Temple area (approx 7-10 kms)

Saturday - runs ranging from 8-12 kms at Turahalli forest range.

1 Month prior to the event

With the usual practice sessions every week, Thursday and Saturdays' were really crucial as this was the opportunity to test the runs at an elevation. One also gets to know his/ her time. There were many in TTB who were aiming for a Sub 50 /55 , now that's really a good run for a 10K. Thanks to Sir (Coach / Mentor) Chandrashekhar who had helped to correct the style / format of running. 

More focus of the calf muscles and to practice at home - basic stretches. I ran 2 Sunday's at the Turahalli Forest - which had a lot of elevation and a long killing climb at the end. Tuesday & Wednesday were relatively more moderate but waking early at 4:40 am was a nightmare. Soon, i got used to it.

Race day - Nice Road ( 08th July, 2018)

Woke up at 4am, new shining T Shirt with bib, contacted Vishal and we were off to Nice road. Once we were at the venue, we saw a huge jam rushing to the parking lot as the race was to start at 6:15 am.

I soon met my fellow TTBians before the start, a few normal stretches, good luck wishes and off to a start. It was a moment to enjoy - i could not see Nice road at all - only runners adorned their beautiful colored T Shirts. 

2kms - Since this was the 1st 2kms, i took a lot of time to settle time with my pace. As this was an elevation, i kept in time to take it easy. 

3-5kms - this was more gentler as it had a downhill. I took a break for a while to have water. On the u turn at 5kms, decided another small break for a banana and glucose. 

5-8 kms - i was quite relaxed as half of the run was complete. But during the training session, the distance from 6-8 kms was a gruelling uphill and that is we were informed to be extra cautious and save energy for the elevation, i did the same, once the 8 kms was over, i was running more faster for a better finish. I spotted Pandey Ji, Madhu, Mamta zoom by me.

8-10 kms - the last part was more exciting and you always want to push more to get a better timing, well it didn't happen so, tired and exhausted, i was at my usual pace. I was running with Amit Sood till the finish line. Finally, 300 meters to the finish line and there i was. What a run, relaxed now. 

Timings

01:16:24   this is my best PB in a 10K run.

Party on

Got my timings was fully satisfied. Breakfast, Tea / Coffee was excellent. And the music - superb. Runners had a gala time. 

Thanx to NEB, Sponsors & TTB - an eventful Sunday.

http://www.bengaluru10k.com