Hobbes's Thoughts....

I stand here accused in the 'Trial of trail' and have been given a fair chance to defend myself; and I do plead guilty. Guilty under insanity - HIS! Evidence? He ran 10 miles in the Vegas desert the day before the hike.

The plot: Now It all started with a phone call. (This part, incidentally, is collaborated by the previous post.) And then everything went awry. The hike was initially planned to be on the first weekend of November. Due to non-availability of permit it was pushed to 3rd week. The "owner" of the blog was supposed to be Phoenix but conveniently moved to Tennessee. A third person was going to join us but could not. And to top this North rim was closed. So what started out as a 3 day rim-to-rim hike, turned out to be a 2.5 day rim-to-rim-to-rim in colder weather.

A 5 hour flight dropped me in Phoenix the day before the hike and I rented a car and drove to Flagstaff and stayed in a hostel on Route 66. The breakfast was a pleasant 2 hr affair due to the fact that Mayur's flight from Vegas was not going to land till 1 pm (and it finally did at 2.30) and I met some very nice folks from Boston and England who were travelling for the last 18 months. I had been reading travelogues but listening it directly from the travellers made it a lot more interesting.

I left Flagstaff at about 10 and reached Grand Canyon airport at 12 only to learn that the dude was still in Vegas giving me a laundry list of items to shop for the hike. For good or bad, his flight was further delayed so he was able to do the shopping himself while I spent about 45 minutes eating a wonderful pizza. (The next time you visit south rim, do stop by at the pizza place opposite the airport. Wonderful pizza). I spent another 45 min in the airport reading waiting for him and hearing stories from the guide who was going to take folks to the canyon. While we were talking someone from lobby dialled 911 so the airport folks came asking both of us if we did it. No, they were not profiling us. It just so happened that we were the only 2 people in the airport.

Anyway, by the time we registered at the canyon office, did final round of shopping and actually started the hike it was 4 pm. A daylight of about 1.5 hrs. Since we were climbing down fresh it wasn't a problem. Both of us did the 5.5 mile hike comfortably in about 3 hours. Pitched tent, had wine and dinner and called it a day. Next day started at 5 am. Breakfast at 5.45 and on the trail to cottonwood, a 7 mile hike. Right at the start of the hike we were told that water was not available in cottonwood campground, so at the last minute we filled a bottle of water for cooking and decided to hang it on my backpack. Not until quite later did I realize this added weight dangling across the backpack at an ackward angle was throwing off my balance making it an effort whenever there was a climb. This aggravated a lot more about the last mile to the ground. The awesome views were heavenly though. This with the unpleasant weight on the back tempted me to take it easy and not do the north rim. But hey, you never know when you are going come back.. and the sweet thought of dumping about 10 pounds.

So we started again and within 3 miles I knew it was going to be tough. I might have probably pushed myself but knowing the fact that I had about 11 mile hike the next day again with a 35 pound backpack and a time deadline of 6 pm to reach south rim (we had to reach Phoenix again by 10 pm for our 12 am flight) made me turn back. And after few minutes I realize that my jacket, gloves, flashlight was with him so it essentially meant that I had to reach back to campground, pitch tent, eat and crawl into the tent before sunset. The alternative was a pitch dark 25 F which wasn't a pleasant thought. And hence, the tent pitching!!! (Attn: Ashwini Tantry)

The third day, after a good night's rest started nicely and in good time both of us made back to Phantom ranch by 12 and after lunch when we were just about to leave got to know that the climb up was not 6 miles but 9. Take that!! That meant 9 miles, elevation gain of about 4700 and time left 5 hrs. So off we set again. Now, carrying a 35 pound backpack is a nice way of being introduced to lot of new bones and muscles. I can't say it was all pleasant. But it was good to know they were all there and working to take me to the top. By now both of us were on our own pace. He was definitely ahead of me (I would later find out that he reached the top about 45 min ahead)

This part of the hike was pure will power. Any climber/ hiker will attest this. There comes a phase were you are tired to think much and all you do is see one leg go in front of other. This is also about the time you decide you are not going to hike anymore for the next x number of days (Never happens). At about 4.45, with Mayur long gone I realize that I had about 45 min of daylight and I just keep walking. At about a mile from south rim, I meet 2 Indian guys who were hiking up from phantom ranch and they tell me that they had met Mayur some time back and he had said that if I don't reach the top by 6 he was going to start down again (Told you he was insane, but insane in a nice way). Normally, I would have liked to pulled out my flashlight but knowing that any delay would make me miss the 6 pm deadline I just kept walking and finally reached the trail head 3 minutes before 6. Finally.

Took a shuttle bus to the car parking area and found Mayur there waiting for me with a veggie wrap (100 bonus points). Drove 4 hrs, returned the rental car and barely had enough time to catch the flight. 3 days of no shower with all the sweat and dust ensured me a seat on the last row of the plane with no one next to me.

So there. A wonderful trip which would not have happened for a little nudge, a little insanity and whole lot of help from the dude. Where next?

Charlotte's Thunder Road Half Marathon

.......I know, I know, the 2 blogs about Grand Canyon trek are still due..... and I have received complains from my readers(S)... yes, its plural :p (thank you all the 3 of you.. :). One of my reader, I am looking at you Ashwini Tantry (metaphorically ofcourse) commented that, my 2 blogs gave the impression that Hobbes didn't do much in the trek; other than pitch tent. I agree that my last blog does not cover much about Hobbes and I am partly to blame for that, but its only because, on that day Hobbes and I were not together for much of the day. I would categorically like to state that this WAS Hobbes trek, which I was lucky to be a part off... There you go Hobbes thank you again, and please take a bow.

...... this blog was able to slide up the queue because I am still high on the endorphins from the run. And like all other mistakes, they are to be blamed for all the mistakes we make.. :).

I just finished the Charlotte Thunder Bird Half Marathon. I ran with Parag my Blore rommie and his buddies Anand aka Coach and Gautam. Thanks a lot guys. Clock time was 1:52.xx I am still waiting for my official chip time. I hope its under 1:50.
I was on target for this till mile 11. The race clock was showing 1:28.xx on mile 11. So, I would have gone a at least 4-5min under. But I got an acute stitch(pain) in my upper abdomen and was not able to shake it off; no matter how much I tried. Sadly it stayed with me till the finish line. Also I wasn't even able to finish the last 0.25 mile with a sprint like I have been practicing :(.

But those were just the dark lining on an otherwise Silver cloud. I still met my target of finishing under 2:00 and I felt great doing an fast 8.25 pace till mile 11 and I felt great after the run with no post race pain.
:)

will update the photos and race time once I have them..


Beware regular readers - The following section is for runners only. For Non-runners this section might look like vanity :), but for runners its valuable information. :)

4 mistakes I made in the race.
1. Did not study the route - The 12th and 13th mile was all up hill. And I mean every inch of it, hell even the finishing 20 meters were at a incline. That cost me a lot.
2. I was too conservative at the start - I was not able to take advantage of the slopes and flats at the beginning of the race cause we ran a very conservative race. This is partly circles back to mistake 1.
3. A long run in the week of race - I hurt my back while doing a run on Tuesday, luckily that did not cause any problems in the race. But thats the very reason all training schedules ask you to cool-down in the week of race.
4. Breathing and improper posture - I think my upper abdomen stitches were caused by forgetting to concentrate on breathing while setting the pace after mile 6. Also I was slouching down, which I didn't realize until the pain kicked in.

Miles as they flew by...
Start: Shot of the gun and off you go. 7:50 AM 34F and no wind. Its so stupidly exciting. Stupidly because you know that pain awaits you, still you are excited. The only console, 3000 people feel share the feeling. :). A kaleidoscope of jerseys move on...............................mile 1 - 10.31

Mile 2 : Due to some confusion we loose track of Anand and Parag, Gautam sticks with me. We up the pace, But its a bit crowded to run fast................................mile 2 - 19.20

Mile 3: Feeling good so far. Not really running a high pace. The streets are still crowded with runners so we decide to run on the sidewalk. Few running enthusiasts braving the weather and cheering us on Thanks!!!!................................mile 3 - 28.20
Mile 4: quick drinks break, increase the pace a bit. But still doing the high 8s................................mile 4 - 37.xx

Mile 5: Bells ringing, whistles blowing, kids/supporters yelling. The trail weaves around the suburban neighborhood................................mile 5 - 45.xx

Mile 6: Almost half way there. Never felt this great after a 6 mile run. The pace was a tad slower than my training runs. But its OK, don't want to burn to fast. Also, I have 7 more miles to cover up the 3 mins loss. It looks good so far. My back is not showing any signs of the pain that was worrying me yesterday...............................mile 6 - 54:00

Mile 7: Feeling in good shape I tell Gautam that I will speed up and try to get the 1:50. I split with him at the 6 mile mark. Time for my GU pack. A good downhill is helping the pace. I cannot believe what the race clock is reading 1:01:23. Holy Cow!!!! I am running a 7.5 pace...............................mile 7 - 1:01:23

Mile 8: A BIG THANKS to the volunteers for serving us drinks and water. Still running....................................mile 8 - 1:09:05

Mile 9: People holding placards for their loved one. Hi 5s to people and kids who are cheering....................................mile 9 - 1:16:55

Mile 10: I have settled into a nice rhythm. 4 miles at under 8 and I don't feel the slightest strain. I cannot believe this is really happening.....................................mile 10 - 1:24:xx

Mile 11: The grove continues. But now I am feeling a slight strain to take long steps, so I slow down a bit. I am already set to go under 1:50. I am now dreaming of a 1:45.....................................mile 11 - 1:33:xx
Mile 12: Oh ohh!!! getting a stitch in my upper abdomen. I do everything I have learned to get rid of a stitch. But to no avail. The uphill run is not helping either. The bastard sneaked up on me.....................................mile 12 - 1:42:50
Mile 13: I am loosing time and fast. The upper abs stitch is now radiating through the entire right abs. Even a 5 sec break to stretch is not helping. Its bearable on flats, but is absolutely killing me on uphill. I am just hoping to I find a little flat stretch towards the end to accelerate and finish hard. I have been practicing finishing the last 1000 yards with under 5 mm pace. I am hoping to execute it today. The flat stretch that I seek continues to elude me. Who designed the fucking course. An 2 miles all up hill finish. Even the last 100 feets have an incline...Seriously!!!!!!... I see the finish line the clock reads 1:51:01. Arggh.....Daam you hills. Determined to finish on high, I grit my teeth and do a sprint for the final 10 or 15 steps. Victory salute - smile for the camera, punch the air and a mini leap.... its done................................... under the banner - 1:53:45

my personal time - 1:51.xx (we started about 2 mins after the gun shot)
Parag : 2:09:xx
Anand : 2:05:xx
Gautam 1:57:xx