Full Marathon at KTM, 18Sept'11

Below is the email I sent out to the Runner's High group mailing list - the running community consisting of runners, ASHA volunteers, coaches and physio that I train with - that pretty much sums up the difficult but satisfying full marathon (life-altering!) experience that the Kaveri Trail Marathon (KTM) is! (Billed as "the toughest marathon in the country").

I'd also like to say:

• Many many thanks to all you generous folk who donated to 'ASHA', toward the education of underprivileged kids.
  And hey, if you haven't yet, that's okay :)
  You still CAN! Please Do so.
  
• Having my family turn up at the event was just great! (See photos below). Did wonders for my morale during the tough phase of the race thinking about all of you.

A few pics below!

==========================================================

Hey All,

Congratulations!!

So many of you did your PBs (Personal Best); inspiring to see all the effort put in on a tough course!

And yes, for many, a difficult day; it's no wonder at KTM..

For me, it was a very good, though very tough (last few km) FM.

I did a PB bettering my time from last year's KTM FM by about 40 min! (i finished in about 5h:35m or so). 

Obviously, due to the fantastic training and support from the RH community, coaches and physio!!!

Felt great. Heartfelt thanks.

I had a fun and enjoyable first 10k running with Chandra. Thanks Chandra, as usual!
Then, right till about the 35k mark, I was going strong, following a run-walk pattern, hydrating, salt tabs, etc and generally feeling good. 

After 35 km KTM took over and the dragon revealed herself :-)

Found it very tough then, and was reduced to a fast walk from about 39k on, due to quite severe cramping...

Then, 1.5k from the finish, Ajay was there - thank God! He was just brilliant. It's only due to Ajay that I managed to finish strong, running (most of) the last km - which seems never-ending at KTM, believe me! Kanishka and the other supporters cheering along the way lifted me.

At the finish line, the last few metres, I charged (at least i think i did :). And promptly collapsed after crossing it. People helped me up and in a few minutes i was okay. I remember saying "Man, I'm all wasted here; and, just think, I saw Santhosh back out there on his third loop!!!". Awesome. Inspiring. 

My brother Darius did his first 10k yesterday (in very decent time 1h:06m!) and was there at the finish, along with Nileesh, Chandrika, Ram, Kalpana and so many other familiar faces. Felt wonderful seeing them all. 

I really enjoyed cheering and seeing others finish, Sreeni P included.

Awesome to hear about the Ananya kids doing so well, in such conditions. Wow.

Again, many thanks.

==========================================================

Chandra and Ajay

Fellow marathoner Srinivas P

At the finish line, whew :-P

Some of the RH gang

Canal of the Kaveri river; it runs the entire length 10.55km course 

Cooling off!