I followed an 11-week training cycle after the Hyderabad Half Marathon, so I already had good momentum going into this race. Satish (my coach) and I kept the strategy simple:
I was managing a few injuries, so training varied based on pain and recovery, but I still logged 700+ km in 11 weeks (~65 km per week). Since this wasn’t my goal race, mileage stayed moderate. Almost every long run had a workout embedded in it.
I arrived a day early with my group. It was my first time running this course, especially the famous stretch along the Sabarmati. The expo was well-organized and spacious, right next to the river.
Ahmedabad felt warmer compared to Bangalore, but overall pleasant.
Post bib collection, we headed to the hotel, did some mobility work, and called it an early night.
Race day morning is a usual routine of warm-up, mobility, and pre-race meal. Once that was done, we headed to the holding area, which was also at the river front.
There was ample of place to move around, did my usual stretching, drills, strides, and then moved to the holding area. The holding area was spacious with corrals. The start was at 5:15 am, this was good as the weather being pleasant, it can get humid as the sun comes out.
Let me break down the race in 10km - 7km - 4Km
First 10 kms: Avg pace ~4:45/km
Once we were fagged off, I got to a slow start, being conservative. I started with my group and soon we all zoned in our paces. As Ahmedabad is on the west coast, the sunrise happens around 6:30 am, so be prepared to run some kilometers of the race in dark.
The first 10kms were for even splits, ease in the race, and check how the body is behaving to the pace. I trained in Bangalore and Ahmedabad is closer to sea level, thus the cadence gets a bit snappier 🙂.
The course is out & back, with undulating underpasses. There are a total of 6 underpass and a bridge, which runners cross twice. While one doesn’t feel the elevation while going out, it kicks in on the way back.
Most of the race is a straight course, except from the 9th to the 16th km. Thus the first 10km were pretty uneventful. Except from the 9th km there was a long stretch of dark patch which continues through the flyover and the “U”.
I had a gel at the 7th & 14th km and sipped water every 4 to 5 kms. I had also trained in the same way during my training runs, thus stuck to the routine. I clocked 47 mins change at 10th kms and was as per the plan
The Next 7km: Avg pace 4:41/km
Starting from 11th to 14th km there is one small flyover and a relatively big bridge, which can be disorienting due to lack of street light. However, as there were a lot of runners ahead of me, I just followed their lead.
On the way, I exchanged a few smiles, & nods with fellow runners. We run the race alone and mostly talking in our heads, thus crossing fellow runners is like a break between chapters reciting in our heads.
Now back on the race course, while there are a lot of volunteers on the route, showing the way, the dark patches can be a bit tricky as there wont be any cheering on the the way or street light, so focusing on the road is of utmost importance.
After the “U” at the 13th km, you will cross the bridge and the small flyover, once you complete the 16th km we are back on the long straight stretch, back to the finish line with under pass.
Last 4 km Avg pace - 4:31/km
Psychologically, I had to run around only for 20 minutes and I was waiting to get done with it asap, however it were the most lengthy, as the finish line was not in sight for the longest time. I could either see an underpass, or now a few people were cheering as the sun was out.
Seeing the last “500mts” board, was a relief. I saw my mother cheering near the finish line and it gave a sense of relief.
Post Race
Crossing the finish line, meeting my friends, and seeing everyone achieving their targets was amazing.
We did the most predictable things - clicks pictures, deciding on breakfast and how strong we were feeling, to the extend some of us could have ran another 5k at the same pace (pure delusion)
It was a good race, I have able to execute as planned. More over staying true to my self during training phase and executing the same helped reducing surprises.
Most important is to have a support team, these are the people who come together to get me going on the race day. My coach, family and friends. Those reading my report now know them very well 😂
Aditi Pandya is a life long athlete. She was born to run and play sports. Aditi is the co-founder of geeksonfeet.com.
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