RACE REVIEW: BLUE RIDGE MARATHON- VIRTUAL ANTHEM STAR 10K

 Disclaimer: I received a race entry to the Blue Ridge Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

             

I know Blue Ridge Mountains only for one reason Fall colors and I love it, but when I heard about Blue Ridge Race, I was excited to know more details about it. As its logo says its one of the toughest road race in United States. I was thinking how can participate in this race, due to current COVID situation I was hesitant to run in-person race! They had a virtual race option I immediately registered for 10 km considering my other race schedule, 10k race was fitting perfectly.  They have all option in this race Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Virtual run window was pretty wide 1st Apr till 30th Apr whole month. But I decided to run this race on actual race day at Morrisville, North Carolina. Definitely you will ask me will you able to gain that much elevation no not at all. but I decide to run race with my fullest energy and get my personal best time. 

Communication from race organisation was very apt. I was well informed about the event rules and complete information about running virtual race. I had one doubt about elevation so I wrote email to race director and I was so amaze to get reply within 1 hours time. I can image how busy that person could be just one day before race, but I got my reply within no time.

Fortunately that day one of our Morrisville Runners group friend who recently relocated to Boston was visiting us and he asked is anyone running this weekend? and  all of my buddies jumped on this opportunity to run together. (which is seldom these days due to Covid and Winter). I had to change my route for my runner friends. We all decided the route starting from Davis drive towards crab-tree lake and coming back, morning 6:45 start time. 

It was good to see MRC team meeting after long time. We had group picture and started the run. Race for me as other members were running regular 8 miles run. From beginning I was determined to get my 10K PR today, i just waved my crew and kicked off 1st Miles was 7:20 min/m, what a good start and kept going, 7:17, 7:22,7:13 at 4 miles I had to turn back. 

After 5th mile crossed my crew, Ajai gave me running hifi. That mile was one the fastest mile 7:09. 

Somehow at 6 mile I was bit slow may be the GPS reception in woods was sketchy got 7:16. As soon as I got 6 mile beep, i started pushing really hard endorphins was kicking me off. Last 0.22 miles was with runners high pace was very close to 6 m/m and finally got my 6.23 miles saw the timing it was 45:02. amazing. 

I broke my one week old PR by 1 min 28 sec. 

After finishing my race ran back toward MRC runners, they were returning towards starting point ran with them for another 3.8 miles. and finally Jumping signature picture. 

I can’t wait to get my swag in the mail! I’ll be sure to post an update so I can share what my swag looks like. And hopefully in the future I can attempt one of the Blue Ridge Races in person!

Race Review: Allstate Hot Chocolate Minneapolis 15K (Virtual Race)

 Disclaimer: I received an entry into the 2021 Allstate Hot Chocolate Charlotte race to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I choose this race because it was on 10th of Apr. perfect opportunity to celebrate birthday with nice shiny medal. 

Since 2015 I run 10 km X 10 day before my birthday and this year was very special, my older daughter (on bike)  and my wife ( by foot) also decided to join me for 10 day. it was family activity.  

This was my second 15k race in last 9 years of running journey, on 21st Feb ran   Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K Charlotte (Virtual Race) with my running buddies. but this time I was alone, when I started run mind was completely empty, as it was more than one hour run I got my water and one gel, BIBRave orange T-Shirt and beanie I love it. 

  Started slow with 7:41 min/mil pace, 2nd mile was also around same time, body was pretty well warmed up. Started pushing little bit next 6 miles were around 7:34 min/mile. i was knowing that i was able to get my 10 km PR 46:30 min, there only decided I must push for 15K PR. 9th mile pushed bit harder 7:18 min. after completing 9 miles it was just 0.33  miles left and clock was ticking it was time I must be push much harder. I was talking to myself and one point of time I shouted on my own "go Nilesh go". Finally reached the Target 1h 10m 18s. 

Once at home enjoyed Hot- Chocolate came as part of goodie bag, and my kids enjoyed the chocolates. 

I would recommend this race to everyone.

 

Race Added: Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K, Minneapolis, MN

 Disclaimer: I received an entry into the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k Minneapolis race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I will be running my first ever Hot Chocolate race 15K, first time 15K race in my running journey since 2012. 

Race is scheduled on 10th April 2021, due to current COVID19 situation we can not travel, I miss opportunity to visit new city and explore surrounding. Races are one reason to visit different city and see around. This year this race is virtual race, I can run any where on the planet. This race is just one day after my Birthday, I would like to make this year birthday memorable by running this race. 

I am in lover with race kit and cool medal, I hope my current training will help me to achieve PR.

To sign up, check out the  Allstate Hot Chocolate web site.

2nd 10K & 2nd Marathon

Running is creating good memories, today morning was scrolling through old pictures and found my second 10k race (66min) pictures I ran this race at Ludwigsburg, Germany and compared with my 2nd Marathon picture Chicago marathon (3:54:02)

when I started running back in May 2012 never thought that I will able to run any marathon in my life time. 

Running have thought me many things and learning everyday from it I could see the results of it improved endurance, pace, running form, fitness level, peace of mind, weight reduction and many more things......
And this journey continue.........

TCS NYC MARATHON 2019 EXPERIENCE

After 3 years of lottery, finally I got in to run one of the big 6 world known marathon.

4 months of training. Total logged distance (mi): 466.8  (751.2 km). 53,636 runners at the start. 5 boroughs from Staten Island to Manhattan. 10,000 volunteers who pitched in, and the million-plus spectators who cheered from the sidelines. 26.2 miles – a journey I will never forget. A lot of people have warned me that this race, or a marathon in general will change my life. You will find out today, if it did.

While I was training for the NYC Marathon I often got very emotional thinking about finishing this race at the famed finish line in Central Park. I remember thinking about marathoners like they were some kind of crazy people before I started training for it. Why would you want to put yourself into something like this?

NYC MARATHON EXPERIENCE

Today after my first NYC Marathon experience I know that training and running a marathon change you. It brings you closer to yourself, your weaknesses, you learn how to overcome them and most importantly you realize who you really are. Read my experience while running 26.2 miles through New York City. Welcome to my NYC Marathon experience:

BEFORE THE RACE

        MRC surprise 

 

I took my training very serious. Just missed a day, I followed my training plan. Standing on the bridge in Staten Island last Sunday made me feel incredible proud. However my eyes were wide open from how scared I was. I had so much respect for what I was about to do, but I knew 100% that I can do it.

With a very decent 21 mile training run 3 weeks before the race I felt more than confident to run the 5 bridges, inhale all the energy from the crowds and I kept thinking about my family and friends who have been the biggest support on my journey to the start in Staten Island of my first marathon.

The elite started a bit earlier than my wave did but then at 1010 AM the race director said: “Wave 2 – on your marks” Boom.

RUNNING THE TCS NYC MARATHON 2019

I’ve heard from several people who have ran the race before that it was their most painful experience and that this specific marathon is one of the hardest you can do in the US. While I was running the first mile on the Verrazano Bridge, which is by the way the highest incline of the entire race, I felt everything from joy to pure anxiety.

The first mile was intense, because I realized that I was actually doing this. Along so many inspiring runners who all have their very personal story that will make this day as special for them as it was for me at that moment.

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN /  THE BIGGEST BLOCK PARTY EVER

Entering Brooklyn after the bridge was like running through one of the biggest open air parties you can possibly imagine. I saw everything from DJ’s to church choirs and people dancing and singing for the runners.

I kept my pace steady and easy and told myself to save the energy for the final 6 miles. I was flying. Cruising to the finish. It still felt very easy on my legs, the weather was awesome that day sunny and not that cold. You could see amazing Manhattan Skyline. Running this race was everything I have worked for the past months.

26.2 SMILING MILES

 

The TCS NYC Marathon was literally 26.2 smiling miles for me: I had so much fun running from one big block party to the next. First Avenue after entering Manhattan gave me chills that lasted for miles. It really was a big wall of noise like everyone described before. I kept thinking about how the running community is such a different crowd. People were yelling my name (I had it printed on my shirt) and kept pushing me through. My pace was still very steady and within my pace range. So is this “marathon wall” coming at some point? 

At Mile 19 was were I met my wife and kids. I was still feeling pretty good when I had, a big hug and the feeling that they are extremely proud of me. My NYC Marathon experience also has been such a blessing because of my very supportive family and friends. Training for a race like that means a lot of dedication and commitment. If your people don’t understand your lifestyle you will have a problem. Or maybe they do? Who knows.  

NYC MARATHON EXPERIENCE: THE FINAL 6 MILES

The last 6 miles from the Bronx to the finish line was my final push. Around 23^rd mile I got cramp in my left thigh, felt like I hit the wall but then I saw my kidos and wife again had big hug from all of them at that point of time yes it was very much need. I walked from almost half mile to recover from cramp. Had Gateroid and started again with little slower speed than my average so far. I wanted to make it to the finish smiling with my hands up in the air. I’m not sure which crowd was more intense, Brooklyn or Central Park, but the excitement was rising. I was so hyped from what  was experiencing right now there was no way something could ruin this for me. My fueling strategy was on point and my energy level was perfectly fine. 

 

At Mile 25 I told myself that I was almost there and focused on that I still felt amazing. Some pain some cramps. Nothing could have stopped me, hard work always pays off. Columbus Circle: soaking everything in, my NYC Marathon experience was almost over. In my head I was sad – I really wanted to keep going – this was so much fun. Mile 26: I could see the finish. Smell it. Feel it. Wow. I was about to finish the TCS NYC Marathon. 

CROSSING THE FINISH AT 2:05 PM (3:55:07)

Crossing the finish was the most intense feeling ever. I remember thinking “I just ran the NYC Marathon – that wasn’t too bad.” I didn’t cry. I totally expected me to become super emotional, but I wasn’t.  So, does running a marathon change your life? I’m not sure, but it definitively change you as a person. Almost a week after the NYC Marathon the runners high is still there and my NYC Marathon experience leaves me proud, empowered and inspired. I feel so much stronger mentally today after running the marathon.

And for you I hope it’s the inward lesson of courage, resilience and true grit that leave an impression. 

Thanks for being a part of my journey. So much love to my family, who was with me all the time. I felt the energy from every single one of you!

 

 

 

Personal Best time: Race 13.1 Raleigh Fall Half Marathon

When you get your personal best time you are in cloud 9. Yes it happened with me on Saturday 5th Oct, this was my 3 half marathon race in this year. running course was bit hilly at 1st, 8th and 12th miles. 

I was not able to sleep properly on previous night, from 2 am I was restless, calculating how I can achieve my best time, I am well trained for my TCS NYC marathon, I must give my personal best time.

 

My personal target was to reach 1h 48m made plan accordingly, I should run with 8:14 min/mil pace. no break or stop but was not sure will I able to do it or not.  MRC my running club members were pushing me, telling me to stay with 1:45 pacer. but my mind was not ready, Finally i did it. 

My wife first time she was with me, she was running 10 km first time in USA, she was bit nervous as she was not well trained (no time) because of my Marathon training she was tied-up with kids. 

TCS NYC Marathon Training, Day 38 - Hills

TCS NYC Marathon course is tough -- no two ways about it. But a misconception about the course is that you need to do extensive hill work to get ready for it. You might hear someone say that she's "just not a hill runner." What exactly is a hill runner? Being efficient over the hills of New York takes strength and patience, not some quirky hill talent. If you're strong enough and pace yourself properly, you'll do fine on the hills. Will the uphills slow you down? Absolutely -- and the downhills will speed you up (although not as much -- sorry!). Today we want to practice one of the hills you will tackle in the race -- the Pulaski Bridge. The Pulaski Bridge is the midway mark of the race and features a 0.25 mile climb at a 3.8% incline -- this is perfect for hill repeats.

I choose James Jackson crossing on NW Cary parkway 0.25 mils hill, which is 4.3% incline, 0.35 miles (5 - 5.4 mi), this hill has a 83.4% similarity to the Pulaski Bridge (PB) hill that is at the midway mark of race. My hill features a 0.5% greater incline & 0.05 mi longer than the PB hill. It was 7/10 efforts used my Asics pairs.

Summary of todays run

2 miles 19m 13s warmup

up 0.25 1m 57s

dn 0.25  2m 40s

up 0.25 2m 02s

dn 0.25  2m 48s

up 0.25 2m 04s

dn 0.25  2m 42s

up 0.25 1m 58s

dn 0.25  3m 02s

up 0.25 2m 07s

dn 0.25  2m 58s

up 0.25 2m 09s

dn 0.25  2m 56s

 2miles  18m47s cool down