Half Marathon

Big thank you thank you thank you to the Royal Parks Half Marathon. It was a beautiful October Sunday. It was sunny warm day. Lots and lots of awesome runners. The corse is needless to say is unbelievably beautiful. Most of all the spectators was amazingly nice and cool. Without their encouragement the race would not have been the same. I want to do it again tomorrow.

So 10.10.10 Half Marathon for me was yet another reality check. name:anthony de silva, age:35 so that is 9 or 10 in donkeys years. Weight: 64kgs. Height 5' 9 1/2. Current city: London, Half Marathon finish time: a disappointing 1 hour and 28 minutes............. mood right now= :-(

So good side is participation and finish. Bad side is the timing. Yet another blow for my big man talk. My aim was to complete the course at 1:15 and i secretly believed i could do that. But the reality is way different than ambition. So yet another try and fail.

So what went wrong. Wanted to go faster but legs weren't responsive, simple as that, but it was hard at that time. The issue that i cannot get my head around is, the course is my training ground. I do my normal training runs faster than today's finish time. So i still try to answer where did i go wrong. So half marathon is at 1:28 means a full marathon at 3:20. That is not on. By april 2012, i have to be a 2:16 marathoner. So today's setback is major major.

Plan was; at least finish this run at under 1:20 so the next race don't have to stay at the back. But now this race has to be added to part of the learning curve. So this year timing on races rays 10 miles at 1:08, 10 miles at 10:04 and half at 1:28. So lot of work ahead and to be sure to be sure there is room for improvement.

So, after 3 miles in to the race, the race tv guys on the motorbikes came from nowhere and ask about why i run for Royal Parks Foundation as i was wearing their running gear. I even forgot i running for a charity and i think said something about building a park. So i was gone after 4 miles. Knew it is not my day and the next 9 miles was a gig loooooong- "Where is the finish line...." But didnt want to give up, Why, you dont give up on things you believe in. just thought just keep going and see what happens. The crowd cheer helped, and the water service stations gave a new life line, thank you. The last mile was a huge drag. Went on for ever and finish line was like seeing happy days!

Also, my lack of being in a race situation was very visible. I nearly tripped 3 people trying to cross their paths in water stations. So my Do Unto Others was not at its best. I am glad no one yelled at me other than couple of look out buddy. Also, start at the mid section of a race doesn't help. Why have to wait till all the others in front go. The race organisers allocate numbers according to the expected finish time, somehow i ended up in the middle area. May be i buggered up the form. who knows.

So there we go ladies and gentleman. You try you best on the day and this is the outcome. So it is not a means to an end. Have to think it is yet another race and people face way more setbacks in life than timing of a race. So have to pick up the peaces and move on....... move on...... more training......train hard.........more running......more running......ruuuuun Forest.......run...........

Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon

Countdown to the London. Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon says 9 hours and something to the start time. So on the 10:10:10 at 10:10:10am i should be running with 14,000 other awesome souls. So needless to say pretty exited as well as butterflies going all over the place with excitement. Can i finish it. Will i get injured, can i keep up with the pace, will i get a good start position, am i ready for this, can i go to sleep or will i wake up?


So after months of looking forward in a super geek way, now it is nearly here. So no looking back, just going to go there thinking it is yet anther training run, and just have to take it as hitting the dance floor with some seriously ugly moves and thinking Yep, they are awesome and go for it. Have to enjoy the moment i guess.

Me, i run behalf of the The Royal Parks Foundation , Out of all the charities listed why i chose them. Firstly i can give back for them giving me the amazing Roayl parks of London to run around free as a bird. I decided to give all my targeted amount by myself to say thank you. According to their website; "Our small team of enthusiastic fundraisers is currently focused on raising the £1.8million needed to create a fantastic, new, eco-friendly education centre for Londons young people in the heart of Hyde Park. We have already raised £1million - your support will help us reach the target!". So if you are the giving for the good type for good causes here some thing to consider and the link_is http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=anthonydesilva-1. I say thank you.

The organisational aspect for the for the event must say is excellent. Saw the marquees going over the week. So saw it being building up day by day. Today seems like, they all set up and ready to rock and roll. Website is excellent. Very nicely designed. Very informative. They kept informed about the buildup as well as what is going on on a regular basis via email and facebook. So kudos for the organising committee.

Even to get the race-pack took less that five minutes on the line. So as a tip for the dodgy minded and want a beautifully designed t-shirt for free. Honestly speaking, have to wait for another year though. Firstly go the race office on the day before the race. Earlier the better and location is, the open area in the Hyde Park near the Kensington High Street. Tell anyone who politely serve you that your name is Smith or Brown as these are the most common names in UK and out of 14,000 guaranteed you going to find this name. If you are blatantly obvious that your name is not Smith, then try "Patel". Then they would ask "is your first name Tomtom" or whatever. Say yes. And then who-la get the race pack with a t-shirt with that awesome design and made with bamboo for free. This is for sake of trying to be funny but dont try that. Bad karma.


So hope everyone have a nice race and get a good time.