We give you the top spots in the otherwise congested Mumbai, to train for the Marathon.
With the DNA iCan Women's Marathon happening on Sunday, it's time to start wearing the running shoes and start training. The marathon on March 10 celebrates the spirit of women and their ability to conquer any mile.
Running a marathon is possibly one of the most challenging and rewarding events that an individual can experience. It not only boosts your confidence, but also fills you with a sense of social achievement.
There are plenty of good reasons for training and running a marathon:
1) The training will help you to lose weight and increase your fitness.
2) Running will bring you gain more self-confidence and energy.
3) Achieving such a demanding goal will earn you self-respect, and the esteem of others around you.
4) There is no better way to lose the weight, and keep it off, than by training for and completing the marathon.
5) The best way is to remove the words, 'I can't' from your vocabulary and replace it with well 'I Can'.
We give you the top spots in the otherwise congested Mu
mbai, to train for the Marathon.
NARIMAN POINT - Marine Drive
The 4-km stretch from National Centre for Performing Arts to Wilson College is many people's favourite route. There's a wide footpath to run on, so you don't have to be wary of traffic.
"If you want to witness the who's who of the running community in Mumbai, then make sure you're at NCPA every Sunday at 6am. This is like a mini-marathon in itself, which promises to be great fun to run on," says 19-year-old Yash Muthiyan who has run 4 half and 1 full marathon.
Nariman Point
MAHALAXMI RACE COURSE-Mahalxmi
The racecourse is a favourite for several reasons. For one, the smooth mud trail is easier on the joints than asphalt and concrete. The green expanse is ideal for warm-ups, cool-down and stretching exercises. It's 2.2-km track is also the ideal length for the distance run.
The racecourse is open from 5 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm and is free for the public.
Tushar Motwani, member of the Mumbai Runners club prefers to run at the race course as it is a wonderful track strategically located within the city.
"It incorporates a 2 kms round track for some real practice. It is surrounded by the beautiful derby horses and is a mud-track hence it is foot-friendly. However, due to its location & environment; this track will make you sweat much much more than a road track," says Motwani.
Mahalaxmi Race Course
PRIYADARSHINI PARK- Malabar Hill
Priyadarshini Park, also known as PDP, is popular with morning walkers from Malabar Hill. The park has a 500-metre dirt track.
For those running the marathon, PDP offers another option — a 400-metre eight-lane synthetic track,.
Yash Muthiyan who runs there often said, "The Olympic style synthetic track makes you want to run fast even without meaning to."
It is useful for interval training, an essential part of the marathon training process, where partial recovery helps build endurance.
This space doesn't boasts a track but has an environment and roads which are clean, sophisticated and well-maintained. Since most marathons within cities are on the road; this is good practice track around the city's commercial spaces.
Priyadarshini Park
BANDRA KURLA COMPLEX- Bandra
Mumbai Runners' Tushar Motwani suggests Bandra Kurla Complex even though it doesn't boast of a track.
"It has an environment and roads which are clean, sophisticated and well-maintained. Since most marathons within cities are on the road; this is good practice track around the city's commercial spaces," said Motwani.
Bandra Kurla Complex
WORLI SEA FACE- Worli
23-year-old Anuradha Gadre recommends Worli Seaface for interval training. She prefers running at Worli Seaface in full view of the magnificent sweep of the sea link across the bay.
The stretch is not meant for intensive training. For first-time runners, the best way to start is by doing interval training. Interval training is simply breaking long, high intensity workouts into smaller work repeats alternated with short recovery intervals.
Worli Sea Face
YEOOR HILLS- Thane
Yash Muthiyan also loves the Yeoor Hills in Thane for training on the hills.
"The Yeoor Hills are a great way to train on the hills, and they work beautifully on your abs. You must build slowly, and earn your hills. The feeling is liberating," Yash added.
Yeour hills are definitely recommended for those with affinity for nature. Situated within the green lung of the concrete jungle, Yeoor Hills is a part of Borivili National Park.
80% of its land is under the Forest conservation department.
Yeoor Hills
AAREY COLONY- Goregaon
The Aarey route is challenging because it has a steep climb, good for runners to build their endurance.
Tushar Motwani feels that it is a peaceful and quiet track and the roads at Aarey are a great place to train.
"Includes longer stretches for distance runs alongside greenery and national park. A must visit for every runner," he ads.
Aarey Colony
SHIVAJI PARK- Dadar
A very dedicated spot, always filled with running groups and hardcore running trainers. Centrally located, accessible and friendly, says Tushar Motwani.
The park is a blessing for Dadar-ites who find it convenient to run across the huge park.
The park is useful for both long-distance and interval training.
Shivaji Park
Some useful tips:
-Remember to run opposite to the flow of traffic if you are running on a road that has cars speeding by to aoid being surprised by coming vehicles.
-Mud tracks are the best to run on. Concrete surfaces and paverblocks can damage your knees.
-When on the beach, keep away from loose sand.
-While running, timing is all. A morning run trumps a late-night one since energy levels dip at the end of the day.
-Don't run back and forth along a small lane if your neighbourhood doesn't have a long quiet stretch. That disrupts your rhythm. Head to a park or the beach.
-Wear brighter gear while running in the wee hours, so it's easier for drivers to see you.
-Constant hydrate yourself. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink and you will feel far more energetic throughout the day.
More marathon stories:
Gear Up
Don't make marathon mistakes
Spread awareness to fight anemia
Defying disability, she puts her best foot forward
Basic marathon essentials
Get, set, go! Mickey Mehta will give you warm-up tips
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
mbai, to train for the Marathon.)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}