Weekend 10 kms run in Sub 40 mins

Once a while, love to validate my capabilities to run a Sub 40mins 10k

Saturday evening, a thought came in to attempt the Sub 40mins 10k. Personally feel that the effort levels are very high and may not be worth attempting such a crazy pace. Done sub 40 mins 10 km finish, a couple of times, but too much at stake to run this pace.
Got up around 5.30 am, supported Susan in preparation of morning tea and basic kitchen activities. She and daughter went off to Church while I got ready for my challenge.

Left home at around 7.15 am for my Warm Up drills. There was a lot of debate and drama for me to not attempt this challenge. Looked like nothing would make this challenge successful.

• Feeling of breathlessness during the Warm-up drills
• Feeling of tiredness from yesterday's long run
• Pace is too intense for me attempt
• Distance 10 km almost feels like a 100 km run
• Traffic issues would not let me run fast
• Road work patches would reduce my pace
• Sun out a bit early and would make it difficult
• Feeling thirsty but did not carry a water bottle
• Why do I take ups such foolish challenges
• Nothing would make me finish the run today
• Body not in the best of state for the challenge
• Need to warm up a bit more

So many reasons to not attempt this craziness. But had no choice than to start the run at 8am.

By the grace of God, the initial 500 meters has a slight decline which lets me pick up the pace. The initial km was in 3mins 50secs which gave a reasonable confidence that I was on the right track. But continuing the pace for the next 9 kms looked to be a big challenge ahead. Subsequent km had a reasonable incline which was the next challenge. Kept focus on maintaining a good form and again finished in 3m 50s which was again a confidence booster. Now knew that a Sub 40 mins was reasonable and sub 39 mins looked a possibility if effort levels could be maintained. Continued with the strong pace till 5 kms for the U turn. Finished initial 5 kms in 19min 24sec, and now the next challenge was for a -ve split. Got myself in a better rhythm for a stronger performance. Picked up effort levels, improved mid-foot landing with good ankle lifts, improved arm movements and super strong mental conditioning for the final few kms to reach the finish. Overall confidence levels were higher and pace was getting stronger and stronger with the subsequent kms. The final km had a bit of an elevation gain but had energy levels to go stronger. Post finishing 10 kms, had enthusiasm to continue for 300 meters more and finish the strongest.

Initial 5 kms in 19m 24s, next 5 kms in 18m 45s

Super excited to have successfully finished the challenge and thanked everyone for giving me the opportunity.

Km splits below.
3.50, 3.50, 3.54, 3.54, 3.55
3.53, 3.47, 3.39, 3.42, 3.46, 1.03 (320 meters)

10kms @ 38m 09s, Avg Pace 3m 49s/km
Total 10.32kms @ 39m 13s, Avg Pace 3m48s/km, Avg Cad 176spm, Avg Std len 1.51meters, elevation gain of around 40 meters

A perfect 42.2 km training run

Plan was to attempt something different and strong. Was not clear on exactly what was to be done. Runners from our PaceMakers group had done a super strong run during the weekend, and was inspired for a strong performance.
The weekend was at the Infosys campus in Mysore with family and love the scenic beauty of the place and the overall environment. A loop known to me around the campus was around 4.65kms.
Would have loved a 40kms training run, but had never run over 35kms in a training run over the past years. Only twice did I run a 38kms training run and that was many years back. Hence practical target was for a 35 kms run which would mean around 7 loops around the campus. Had minimal confidence of surviving through the 7 loops.
Woke up at 4.15 and had around 300 to 400ml water, emptied my bowel, had a bath and got ready for my morning workout. Weather was cool which was a perfect start. Did the Body loosener drills for around 10 mins and got ready for my long run. Started at an easy pace with a focus on an easy run and nostril breathing. Pace was easier than I would have wanted but was least interested to push myself for a stronger pace.
During the past weekend long runs, was getting used to run without hydration, and plan was to continue the same during this time too. To make this practical, the run has to be efficient, with minimal effort levels and a relaxed breathing pattern.
Initial 10kms was at a reasonable pace and felt good. Continued with the same rhythm and pace was slowly building up through the good rhythm. By around the 3rd loop, the security personal around the campus started noticing my run and few of them opened up to cheer and smile. Could feel myself getting into a better rhythm, resulting in an efficient run. Kept reminding myself of the wonderful inspirations around and to go strong till the goal was achieved. Initial 4 loops went good and started looking at the possibility of increasing the distance to 38 or upto 40kms, but the challenge was to sustain myself with no hydration. Survived the 5th loop well and confidence for the additional distance started increasing. So targeted for 3 more loops and 4 loops would mean a mega bonus.
Susan and my daughter came out for a walk in the opposite direction so that they could see me run and cheer me as much as possible. Saw them for the 1st time before the completion of my 6th loop which was a super strong boost. Could slowly feel the exhaustion, and effort levels had to be increased to maintain the pace. Kept target for 3 more loops which would then help me complete the Full Marathon distance and that would be a major milestone for a life time memory.
Always kept reminding myself of the inspirations and that I had to achieve something strong. Pace was good and knew that if I continued with the strong pace, it would result in a sub 3h 25mins finish for the FM distance. Increased effort levels, but breathing was no longer easy. The fear now is about sustaining myself without hydration for the next 12 kms. Again saw my Sweethearts again in the 7th loop who continued to cheer. Post the finish of the 7 loops, knew that I had to survive for 2 more loops and was reasonably confident about it. Started the 8th loop and soon completed 35 kms and 7.2 kms more to go. Consciously kept up with the strong pace with additional effort levels. Saw my sweethearts again for the 3rd time and informed them that I had one more loop to complete and wanted to see them at around the finish. Also was a booster that I was getting closer to my target FM distance. Post the finish of the 8th loop, was super excited that my dream would soon get realized, but was quite exhausted by then. Breathing was quite a struggle with the increased pace, but was getting closer to the finish line. Even with increase in effort levels, pace was steady. Kept cheering myself that I was going super strong and would soon make my dreams of running the distance strong. Continued the strong run and kept focusing on the Finish line. Soon could see the finish line with just 700 meters to finish and could also see my sweethearts waiting to greet me post the finish. Kept increasing the pace and knew I was going the strongest in the final 2 kms. Further increased pace in the final 400meters and crossed the finish line successfully.
Created history for myself to complete the run with no hydration and could not thank my family enough for being my support and also my inspirations to make this a practical reality. Also thanked the almighty to provide me this opportunity.
Below are the 5 km splits
26m11s with avg pace of 5m14s
24m21s with avg pace of 4m52s
24m36s with avg pace of 4m55s
24m12s with avg pace of 4m50s
23m37s with avg pace of 4m43s
23m34s with avg pace of 4m43s
23m24s with avg pace of 4m41s
23m28s with avg pace of 4m42s
10m05s with avg pace of 4m27s (2.27kms)
Total 42.27kms @ 3h 23m 28s, avg pace 4m49s/km, avg Cadence 173spm, avg std len 1.21meters, elevation gain 350meters.