Tag Archives: HalfMarathon

LITTLE by LITTLE, a LITTLE becomes a LOT

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I like who I’m becoming. A lot.

I was able to clock a sub 1:50 Half Marathon in 2016 and that was after running 8 Half-Marathons in 12 years since 2004. The difference between sub 1:50 HM attempt vs all those years from 2004-2015 is that I only trained for it in 2015.

I never really ran as much as I run today, and it was a couple of short runs prior to race day. My yearly mileage was less than 30 kms per year back then and it was the Mumbai Half-Marathon where I covered the maximum distance.

Running a Mumbai Marathon was a ritual, but then in mid 2014 after not being able to register for Mumbai Marathon 2015 (I did not have a timing certificate), I realised that I am spending too much time in the gym with all the weight training and stuff, I was Strong and Fit (for sure) but I was not seeing any improvement in my running speed and endurance. I always knew that progression beats perfection, and after doing some speed drills and running tests, I had to have a plan to improve my overall running performance. You can say, that’s when I actually got into running.

I am super thankful to my wife , I got disciplined only after I got married. 🤗😘

It all started with Goal-Setting and I promised to myself that I’ll attempt a Full Marathon only when I can clock a sub 1:50 Half Marathon (my last best being 2:05). I worked on an Annual Running plan in 2015 with a goal of achieving a sub 1:50 HM in Jan, 2016. I was sincere and focused on my goals. I clocked a 1:48:21 in Mumbai Marathon, 2016 and that’s how I crushed my first ever running goal. 😃😃😃

Later that year in June I registered for my first Full Marathon in 2017. Since then I have been consistent, taking small steps each day, striving for progress and celebrating every time I cross a checkpoint. It could be a tiny step, a sub-goal or a Marathon.

Raah has been Running ever since. 🏃🏻‍♂️

So, just pull your shit together and go for a run.

P.S. Don’t forget to celebrate every tiny victory. 🤗
#RunwithRaah 🏃🏻‍♂️

2018 you were FANTASTIC!

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A DREAM written down with a date becomes a GOAL. A goal broken down into steps becomes a PLAN. A plan backed by ACTION becomes a REALITY. 🤗

Running 2018 kms in the year 2018 – it did scare me a little at first, but when I was successfully putting my plan into action, it seemed rather easy.

They say “All things are difficult before they are easy” and it’s so true. All you need is Patience + Consistency and everything works just fine.

In 2018, I was actively running for 208 out of 365 days in the calendar, on the roads in Pune and Mumbai covering a distance of 2106 kms in around 189 hours and 32 minutes. 🏃🏻‍♂️

I burnt a total of 133157 calories by just running. That’s an average of 640 calories per run for 208 days of running, and an average of 365 calories per day in the calendar year. 🤭😅

My year was FANTASTIC. I hope you had a great year too and are as excited as I’m now for setting “New Goals” for 2019.

Let’s DREAM and set our GOALS on fire.

🔥🔥

Happy Running

#RunwithRaah 🏃🏻‍♂️

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P.S. Goals always get accomplished when they MATTER to you.

Train slower, Run faster!

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You should Train Slower, if your ultimate goal is to Run Faster.

When you Race or set a PB you may not realize this but you’re putting tremendous stress on your bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. (This is one of the reasons why you tend to feel more tired after a Race then a Long Distance Slow Run). Also, there is a high risk factor involved if you are racing too often.

It is advisable to limit the number of times you run hard if your long-term goal is to run for years without any pain or injury.

Advantages of Training Slow,

1) You can run more often and cover more mileage per week.

2) You are allowing your muscles to get enough oxygen thereby reducing the risks of injury.

3) You are “Actively” Recovering from those Hard Runs and you may not have to take a day off from running. 👍🏼

So, it is OKAY to Run Slow – especially when you are training for a Long Distance Race (Half or Full Marathon). In fact 80% of my training Runs are designed to be at Slow/Easy Pace and remaining 20% include the Intervals, Fartleks or Tempo Runs (i.e. not more than one Hard Run per week).

You don’t have to compete with any one else. If your goal is to stay FIT then you must build yourself slow and steady. 🙏🏼 Make sure you plan your training runs accordingly – to include a lot of “Slow” running and register for Races only if they are evenly spaced out.

Happy “injury-free” Running 😃

#RunwithRaah 🏃🏻‍♂️

Start Running Today

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Running has taught me that I’m capable of so much more than I ever imagined.

Trust me, running can work wonders for you and your body.

Imagine that day when you can finally say “I did it”, when you can say “I never gave up, I never quit”, where these moments of pain turn into memories and your dreams become reality.

It may take long to reach that moment, but as soon as you get there you’ll thank yourself for the rest of your life.

All you got to do is Start, Today.

#RunwithRaah 🏃🏻‍♂️

The only FAILURE is when you say “I Give Up”

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I set a goal, put out a strategy to keep me on track and I gave it my best shot.

Result: I did not succeed in setting a PR and I have NO EXCUSES for that. I believe it is okay to fail sometimes. 😐

One thing I did not anticipate in my run today is that the 10K Runners would occupy the entire road for the last 3-4 kms and then it is not so easy to run past them at a FAST pace OR to find your way to the finish line.

To fix this, I would remove a couple of minutes from second half of my Negative Split strategy and run the first half slightly quicker. That should compensate for the loss in time towards the end of the race.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

It was my last Half Marathon “Race” attempt this year and in the next two months now I will concentrate on my training plan for TMM 2019. 🏃🏻‍♂️👍🏼

So what to do when you don’t reach your goals? Keep calm and stay relaxed, recover and get back stronger. 💪🏼

PRs will come. If not today, some other day. Don’t ever give up. 🙌🏼 Okay?

#RunwithRaah

Hustle. Be the change.

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Are you an efficient runner? 🤔

Let’s formulate,

Running + Strength Training = Stronger Muscles + Faster Runs – Injuries

If you want to be an efficient runner you have to work on your core & leg muscles and be less prone to injuries. (especially if you are a Full or Half Marathoner) 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️

Consider supplementing running with strength training exercises. Your training plan must include specific set of exercises that enhances your running skills. 💪🏼

It will help prevent injuries, and make you stronger, faster, and more efficient runner.

My strength training includes mostly Bodyweight Exercises. I don’t need a Gym nor any specific equipment to do these. I prefer doing them at Home or in any open area surrounded by greens ☘️

Let’s HUSTLE. Be the change.

#RunwithRaah

Tempo Runs are FUN!

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Tempo Run: A secret ingredient in a Half or a Full Marathon training plan.

You want to go FAST? Go Tempo!

By including these workouts in your training plan, you’ll gain both Speed and Strength overtime. Tempo Runs have an excellent training effect and should be included in any Half or Full Marathon training plan.

If you cannot sustain a FAST pace for a long period of time then start with 15-20 minutes of Tempo Run and progressively increase the mileage as and when you know you can go longer.

Tempo Runs are not Hard Runs, these are FUN! So, keep calm and stay relaxed, and with the right training you’ll be mentally ready to finish a successful Tempo run.

#RunwithRaah 🏃🏻