Bengaluru 10K – A Tough Yet Welcome Challenge

In this age when everything is fast paced it is difficult to spare time to keep ourselves fit and healthy with every day being more hectic than the previous. Good health is a necessity though it is pushed aside for convenience and other materialistic comforts.

Bengaluru has probably the largest running community in India and has seen a massive change in the marathon scene over the last few years with the advent of various running groups sprouting in every neighbourhood. Many come for this training as it is inspirational to be trained by marathoners and fitness experts and it sets a precedence for the amateurs and beginners.

In addition to these running groups, Bengaluru has also seen a steady rise in the number of marathons and races organized in the city. There are runs organized almost every weekend with some of the popular ones being Pinkathon, TCS World 10k, Bengaluru 10k and Bengaluru Midnight Marathon.

I have been participating in few such runs since January 2016. Though I do these runs more for fitness and to push myself to run longer distances, the Bengaluru 10k holds a special place in my heart. I ran my first Bengaluru 10k in July 2016 after recovering from an injury and set my best time hence the fond memories.

Bengaluru 10k was an event started in 2015 and was a huge success which led to it be organized as a annual event every July. This year’s edition took place on 9th July and it was a massive success with more than 10,000 runners participating and showing their commitment to leading a healthier life. The run for the last two years has been organized on NICE Toll Road near Nayandahalli metro which is a tough run due to the elevation on the route but is seen as a challenge for professionals as well as budding runners like me.

This event has two race categories -Timed 10k and a 5k Fun Run. The Timed 10k is run by professionals as well as budding runners who are migrating from 5k’s to 10k’s. As the name suggests, the 5k run is more of beginners and kids though this time I did see a large number of youngsters participating probably trying to get into a healthy routine.

Pre- run  Zumba sessions helped the participants warm up and get the heart pumping.

The 10k was flagged off at 6.30 am and the 5K at a little after 8.00 am.Hydration was available every 2 kms from Enerzal and was well organized.

Stand by medical facilities were available at different points of the course.

Though I was quite unprepared and did not train as I needed to for this race, I decided to try to push my limits on this tough course.  I know I have a long way to go in terms of endurance and stamina but in spite of all the insecurities which ran through my mind during the course of the run, I was happy that I decided to participate. Though I am not satisfied with my timings I thoroughly enjoyed the run in spite of the aching joints and muscles and was happy to be a part of the run.

For my endurance, I normally use gel Energize Malto Gel from Fast and Up which has been my go-to gel for the last one year.

I heard about another similar gel and tried this new endurance gel RRUNN from Unived for this run. Definitely a difference in taste though I am yet to to review the capabilities and advantages of this product since I have used it only for one run. More details on the gels I have used in upcoming posts.

Though I did not opt for it during the registration, breakfast coupons were available prior to the run and a steaming hot and simple breakfast was provided to the participants.

Post run camaraderie among fellow runners along with the medal distribution ended the event on a heartwarming note.

Overall, a very well organized event and I hope to be able to continue my commitment towards fitness and running with every run.

Do you run?  What do you do to keep yourself fit?  Waiting to hear from you!  

Image credits : http://www.bengaluru10k.com ; http://www.youtoocanrun.com