Ladakh Marathon-1/3-Training.

After skipping FMs at both Chennai 2023 and Delhi  2023, the body and mind was itching for a right race to complete a FM in 2024.As I have already raced the Hyderabad Marathon twice, I wanted to attempt a different one.It had chose between Bengaluru Marathon and the Ladakh Marathon. 

Around this time, I picked the book 'Into Thin Air'.The descriptions about mountains and the risks with high altitude was exiting enough for me to signup for Ladakh Marathon ! I wanted to notch up the adventure quotient ,so went for a FM rather than a HM. 

Before climbing the summits, you must first walk in the down valleys! -Mehmet Murat Ildan

18 Weeks Plan: My coach and I decided on an 18week plan.The idea was to align closely with the training for Hyderabad marathon and taper in the last 2 weeks, as the Ladakh marathon was exactly 2 weeks after the Hyderabad marathon. To keep myself motivated,I started to log every training run on social media.This had its effect on me and kept me consistent.

I also want to thank my buddies Manoj, Sridhar sir, Sowji,Sathya who were all also training for FMs (Ladakh/NMDC hyderabad marathon).

L-R: Gopal,Satya, Rajesh, Sowji, Phani, Sujai, Jay .

My coach Siva: I train under coach Siva from TRYSquadRunning academy.As someone who travels a lot (almost 1 week off from Hyderabad,every month), I cannot avoid interruptions.Whenever I alter my plans Siva as able to fine tune my training plan to suit my fitness on that week/day.I cannot overstate the impact my coach had on me!! I am greatful to Siva, coach Ramesh and my yoga guru Deepali for the strength and yoga sessions.Thanks to these session, I have been fortunate to have strong finishes and avoid cramps at key races! 

with the coach ! 

60km weeks: My mileage for each week for 60km for this training block compared to 40-45K in the past. I am so happy and lucky to have managed this mileage without any injury. Key to that was 100% pre run activation and post run cooldown no matter of the  distance (5K,10K etc).The 60K weeks definitely helped my endurance and it was evident in some of the training runs. 

18Week running log

Hills & unlimited hills !! : As the target events were know for rolling elevations, this training block was filled with rolling hills and  hill reps. Looking back I was really glad to see that I have accumulated a total elevation gain of  9152m !!   ( Mt.Everest 's elevation is 8,849 m).

Mileage + elevation was pretty consistent inspite of travel

Training partners /Memorable runs: A great man once said, ''100% of me is nothing compared to 1% of the entire team' I am sure every runner would vouch by this quote.Solo runs can get you good things but its very rare to achieve greatness.I owe a lot to the wonderful training partners who joined me week over week for the training and long runs.Thanks to Sathya,Sebin, Sowjanya, Jay, Madhan, Manvi,Phani, Gopal, Chandu for being by my side on the tracks.They were the reason I managed to wake up at 4:00 am week after week for the long runs,complete my interval and hill workouts drenched part in rain and part in sweat !

L-R: Madhan,Gopal,Sowji,Sujai, Jay.

Some of the most memorable runs in this training block are NMDC Dry run and 26K towards Neopolis with Sathya, 

All smiles after NMDC Hyderabad Marathon  dry run.
L-R Hanimi, Myself,Kishore, Satish R,Gopal,Satya,Phani and Mahadeo.

My 10K Tempo run and Uphill interval workout on Maruthamalai hills with Sebin . 

With Sebin , my training buddy at Coimbatore ! 

The 20x (100x 400 up+ down  hill)  intervals on the MSFT hills with Chandu (it was rainy day with slippery roads.My only company that day was Chandu. We inspired each other to complete the entire reps) and speed runs on a drenching rains with Manvi,Krishna garu and Bharadwaj .

With Chandu My buddy for those gruelling hill workouts.

With Dr.Manvi ,Krishna and Bharadwaj
Drenched with rain & sweat post intervals.

Doubts/Uncertainity: The training bloc had some low moments too.Midway into the training, I had to navigate some unfortunate news coming from the Hyderabad Runners community.Besides,my family were a bit worried considering the harsh terrian on which I am going to run the FM.I know that these concerns are coming from a place of love and affection towards me and I can totally understand their anxiety.

Overall, I am very happy and greatful for this training block. I managed to avoid injury and that is a great thing. Now its all about execution on race day.Will share my experiences on Race day /race execution in another post !!