I'd like to think running's been my bread and butter (or idly and sambar) for ages – my first half marathon was way back in 2005, and I took the full marathon plunge in 2008. With 33 full marathons and 3 ultramarathons under my belt, running isn't just a hobby; it's my cardio-vascular calling! My social life? Mostly a marathon of meet-ups with fellow running fanatics. So, I've often pondered this existential question: what would bring me more happiness – climbing the corporate ladder, or qualifying for Boston? Ambition's great, but deep down, I knew a BQ would be the real marathon of my dreams – the holy grail, the ultimate running reward, the race of my life! I did write about this earlier.
Until 2020, I was a perfectly happy, albeit slow, 4-hour marathoner. A BQ time of 3:20 felt like running a marathon in reverse – impossible! More "wishful thinking" than a serious plan. But around 2021, things shifted. Intermittent fasting became my secret weapon; I was shedding pounds and gaining speed – a win-win situation! The pandemic's WFH and travel restrictions were a blessing in disguise; my training became as regular as clockwork (no more "meeting" my excuses!). Then I started running with Dev, a speedster who nonchalantly burns the tracks. Let's just say, I went from a tortoise to... well, maybe not a hare, but definitely a faster turtle! My 3:40 finish at the 2021 virtual marathon in Agara Lake was a game-changer – a real shot in the arm (literally!). Suddenly, a BQ wasn't a fantasy; it was within reach, as long as I put in the work.
The Bangalore Marathon in October 2024 was my first real test. Sadly, I ended up cramping and limped to a 3:50 finish – miles from my 3:30 goal. It was a wake-up call: I needed a structured plan and a serious upgrade to my physical and mental "muscle." That's where my amazing friend Chandra stepped in, offering his expertise and a meticulously crafted 20-week training plan. While confident in my cardio, I was a bit nervous about the strength training; I didn't want to end up injured and sidelined! But I knew this was my moment; procrastination would only make it tougher later on. Time to chase that Boston dream – NOW!
My 20-week training odyssey was less a "plan" and more a carefully orchestrated dance with exhaustion and triumph! We tackled it in four-week chunks – a "four-legged" approach – regularly assessing my progress and making sure my poor body could handle the increasing load. The weekly routine was a symphony of sweat: Intervals on Tuesdays, Tempo runs on Thursdays, and long runs on Saturdays. The weekly mileage was killer: 80+ km, even hitting 100+ for a couple of weeks – my legs became my personal "mileage-high" machines! Each run had specific pace targets, and Chandra's mantra was "shave a minute or two each week" – aiming for a 30-40-minute improvement over 20 weeks. To aid recovery, we added weekly yoga sessions. Let's just say, I wasn't just running every day; some days felt like a full-blown decathlon! It was demanding, but hey, "that's what the coach ordered!"
One key strategy was many long runs at near race pace. We alternated Saturdays between zone 2 (easy peasy) and near-race pace runs – a high-stakes game of "will my legs hold up?" Then came the big decision: a time trial full marathon at the end of December, targeting a 3:30 finish. At the time, I wasn't fully convinced, but looking back, it was a total game-changer. Dev, Amit, and Sid, three amazing friends, paced me for different parts of the run. I cruised to 35K, then hit the wall – so exhausted I wanted to quit. But Sid, ever the champion, not only paced me for the final 7K but gave me a pep talk that kept me going. Amazingly, I completed the remaining 7K at a respectable 5:10 pace – slower than my target, but still, not bad! That's when I knew: BQ was totally within reach!
Our strategy shifted after the time trial. We continued to gradually increase long run distances and paces until December, then reset to a 25K baseline after the FM, targeting the actual race pace of 4:42. This worked like a charm. I hit almost every time target in the weeks leading up to the race, achieving a plethora of personal bests (PBs) along the way – each one a tiny victory that fueled my motivation. It was a rollercoaster of aches, pains, and glorious triumphs – but totally worth every single step!
From the outset, injury prevention was paramount – a crucial decision fueled by a previous injury that sidelined me for four months. I adopted a "no pain, no gain... but mostly no pain" philosophy. If any workout triggered even the slightest discomfort, I stopped immediately – no heroic efforts to push through the pain. It was a high-stakes game, and I wasn't about to risk injury due to negligence. This cautious approach paid off; I only had a few forced breaks, and thankfully, a single day's rest usually sufficed for recovery. Each of those moments felt like a mini-heart attack, but thankfully they were minor hiccups.
Sleep was another major decision. I committed to 7-8 hours of quality sleep most nights, meaning hitting the pillow by 10 PM. Luckily, my workload allowed this luxury for those crucial training months – fewer night calls were a godsend!
Finally, the carbon-plated shoe dilemma. Initially, I had zero intention of buying them. But as race day neared, numerous friends, including Amit, suggested giving them a try. Madhu even hooked me up with a pair to test. They felt surprisingly comfortable, so I decided to bite the bullet (and my wallet!) and invest in a pair of Nike Vaporflys. I wasn't convinced they'd make a difference, but I wanted to give myself every possible chance at BQ. It was a gamble, but one worth taking in the pursuit of my ultimate running dream.
Another new addition in the training regimen was getting a couple of "deep tissue muscle release" sessions from the physio Aishwarya. These were eye or rather mouth openers, you start screaming from the minute she touches your legs. Excruciating pain is an understatement. However, I do believe that it was well worth the experience.
My 20-week training culminated in the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon on February 23rd, 2025. This race was more than just another marathon; it was the culmination of months of dedicated work, with my sights firmly set on achieving my Boston Qualifier (BQ) time. The race itself was filled with unexpected twists and turns, from battling the Delhi chill to navigating imaginary pains and aches! The full story of my race-day experience, including my strategies and the final thrilling finish, can be found in this post. Suffice it to say, it was an unforgettable day filled with elation, relief, and the sweet taste of victory – a well-awaited BQ!
Achieving my BQ was incredibly satisfying; it was the culmination of months of relentless effort. Everything fell into place, but I constantly reminded myself that the true reward was the journey itself – the goal was merely the delicious icing on a fantastic cake. I found solace in the Bhagavad Gita's wisdom: "Karmanyevadhikaraste" – you have the right to perform your actions, but not to the fruits thereof. This helped immensely in managing my anxiety; I focused on what I could control (training) and left the rest to fate, trusting in a higher power.
This journey underscored the importance of community. My running buddies were instrumental, providing invaluable support, cheering me on during every workout, and helping me overcome challenges. My friend Subba literally walked every inch of this journey with me. While many benefited from our shared training, they prioritized my BQ goal. It truly took a village to get me to Boston.
I also learned that the best time to do a lot of things is now. In the past, I've missed opportunities because I wrongly assumed I had plenty of time. For example, I wanted to learn scuba diving in Barbados, figuring I'd have a year to do it. Unfortunately, plans changed, and I left early, leaving my diving dreams to take a dive. So, instead of waiting for the "perfect" time, it's often better to act sooner rather than later.
For ambitious goals, breaking them into smaller, manageable steps is key. Focusing too far ahead can be paralyzing; a more effective approach is to take each step one at a time and adapt along the way. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I learned that the Paulo Coelo quote is true -- if you wholeheartedly desire something, the universe often conspires to make it happen. As it is often quoted - Trust the process, trust the people around you, and trust in the power of belief – it really does make all the difference!
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