Ride to Mangalore & Half Marathon

Travelled to Mangalore on 26 January, our Republic day, from Mysore. Agenda for the Trip to Mangalore was to spend relax and see Mangalore city and around on 27-28, run the half marathon on 29 and then travel back to Mysore on the same day to reach by evening. 

Trip partner

Ride to Mangalore took around 7 Hours including multiple breaks either to get over fatigue or admire scenery now and then.Total distance covered was close to 280 KM and it was fantastic ride to say the least. There were several schools in the way where kids were running around coming back from the republic day celebrations. It reminded me of my childhood when we will be at school for flag hoisting (some time on our own while most of the time due to discipline). Good part used to be the sweet distributed at the end of flag hoisting and national anthem + other cultural programs. Accommodation was booked at Ginger hotels (chain of Smart Basic hotels by Tata) and must say that it impressed me. Really nice format with reasonable charges.

Sunset at Tannir Bavi beach

Went around on 26 evening in Mangalore and ended up at the Tannir Bavi beach. It's nice and clean beach with white sand. Way to reach there is to take boat from Sultan Battery (read Bathery) and then walk to the beach. While looking around, found the Adventure boat club and it was fun to do kayaking, next day early morning. It was my first time and was bit apprehensive being along on the small kayak and it is tiring. Very good exercise with loads of fun if one gets to do it more often. Saw many other places around Mangalore city though did not ventured out to places like Udipi (60 km north) etc., probably for next time. Visited Panambur beach to collect the race kit and found it to be really amazing beach. Basically saw only 2 beaches at Mangalore and found both of the wonderful. One noticeable thing at Mangalore is that people at city are quite well to do. City is quite small but you can see many big malls and jewellery stores, car showrooms and what not. Probably the mix of people working at gulf countries and the business owing to Mangalore being port city. Wanted to visit Mangalore port but apparently is closed for visitors owing to the security threats. 

Being a movie buff, specially hindi, I ended up going for Agreepath 2012 on saturday. It was anyway day before the half marathon and was officially chilling so had good time at movie with a friend. Post movie, had good time talking about various things hence spent the relaxing day really chilling out. 

After finishing HM

As is the case most of the time, was bit anxious on the eve of run specially with plan of travelling back to Mysore couple of hours after completion of run. Could not slept well but by the time got to the Panambur beach to start point, I was doing good. Start of the run was as usual with most of the people crossing me in first 200 meters and am trying to stick to pace and get into rhythm. Have learnt based on personal experience, getting into right rhythm is most important for completing the long distance run. I sure was in good rhythm since completed 5 km in 26 min and then 11 km in 56 min but then started feeling some niggle at 12 km. Was not sure which direction will it go so continued slowly and at around 16 km, it subsided hence giving me another chance to push. Luckily got a guy from RFL with whom I tagged along and we both pushed each other for last 5 km hence getting my best time of 1:53:20. I have done only 3 Half marathons so far but best part is that I have improved by 7 minutes every time. I am sure it's not possible next time since getting any close to 1:50 in HM will take monumental effort.

Took couple of hours break and started back for Mysore. It was same scenery and again took those breaks with only difference that there were some cramps here & there :). Overall the ride back was again good and luckily reached back on time to catch up with the fantastic Australian open final going on between Djokovic & Nadal. What a match and it there could not have been better way to finish the weekend. Amazing day for me personally to complete the run, ride back and then had luxury of enjoying the match.

Till next ride as well as the run!!!
Mysore to Mangalore Route taken: Hassan->Madikeri->Sulya->Puttur->Mangalore : 270 km
Places to see at Mangalore: Many but I liked Sultan Battery, Tanni Bavi beach, Panambur Beach, Mangla devi temple, Sultan Battery boat club and in general area around beach/port