Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) – A Flat Route with a New Personal Best

Date: 20th October 2024
Start Time: 5:00 AM
Start Line: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN)

Previous Half-Marathon PB (2023): 02:22:04
Goal for 2024: 02:21:21
Achieved: 02:16:50

Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) is one of India’s most prestigious running events, attracting both amateur and professional athletes from across the globe. Its World Athletics Gold Label status underscores its quality and international standards. The event offers a scenic yet challenging route through some of Delhi’s iconic landmarks, making it a preferred race for setting personal bests.

My Training Journey – Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

I focused extensively on Zone 2 training, with guidance from my friend Havi Jainani, who has significant experience in this approach. From late May to mid-August, I worked on both small and long runs, staying in Zone 2 to build endurance. Post that, I shifted focus towards event-specific training, starting with the Satara Hill Run in September and gearing up for VDHM.

One issue I noticed during training was a dip in energy early in my runs, mainly due to elevated heart rates. With Havi’s help, I found my optimal pace and gradually became comfortable with long-distance runs. I settled into a pace of 6:45/km and ensured I could run continuously without walking or stopping during my 21 km practice sessions.

A few days before the event, Havi shared a Pace Chart for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, which set a goal of 02:21:21. Initially, I wasn’t confident, but I took on the challenge and set my smartwatch to alert me if I crossed 6:50/km, determined to stick to the plan.

Pre-Race Day: 19th October 2024

My travel was well-planned for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, and I flew to Delhi with my Procam Slam group early on the 19th. After landing, we headed straight to the Expo to collect our bibs and checked out the other stalls before heading to our hotel.

We focused on staying hydrated throughout the day, fuelling up with a carb-loaded lunch and some much-needed chai for “chai pe charcha.” We wrapped up the day with an early dinner at 8:00 PM, making sure to load carbs, and went to bed by 8:45 PM after preparing our running gear for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Race Day: 20th October 2024

Due to the hotter conditions, the organisers moved the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon start time to 5:00 AM. I set my alarm for 3:00 AM, but my friends woke me up even earlier at 2:45 AM. By 4:00 AM, we were ready and headed toward the event, just 1.5 km from our hotel.

Our group got separated while making our way to the start line. I was in the B Wave, which opened at 5:06 AM. I started my run at 5:09 AM, with a plan in mind: 5 km in 34 minutes, 10 km in 1:07, and 15 km in 1:40.

Initially, the crowd made it difficult to maintain my target pace. I couldn’t hit my stride until after the 2 km mark, and by then, I was running a bit faster than planned, clocking 6:20/km at one point. That’s when the lyrics from Simon & Garfunkel’s “The 59th Street Bridge Song” floated into my head:

"Slow down, you move too fast,
You got to make the morning last..."

I kept my pace under control and crossed the 5 km mark in 34 minutes, slightly behind schedule. I then settled into a pace between 6:30/km and 6:40/km, crossing 10 km in 1:05:58, saving more than a minute from my pace chart.

Mid-Race Challenges

Around the 13th km, I felt some tightness in my hamstring. I had planned to take a GU gel at the 14 km mark but decided to take it earlier at 13.4 km. The gel worked, and I was able to maintain my pace between 6:30/km and 6:40/km.

I crossed the 15 km mark in 1:38:42, saving over 2 minutes compared to my target time. After that, I pushed harder, running below 6:30/km for the rest of the race.

Crossing the Finish Line

As I approached the final stretch of the race, there was a surge of excitement and adrenaline. The energy from the crowd, the cheers, and the sight of the finish line in the distance gave me the push I needed. Despite the minor setbacks during the race, such as the hamstring tightness at the 13th km, I felt strong and focused. My pace had improved considerably in the final kilometers, and I was determined to finish under my goal time.

With each step closer to the finish line, I realized how far I had come from my previous half marathon personal best. As my watch showed 21 kilometers, I knew I had it in me to sprint the last few meters. I crossed the finish line with a final time of 2:16:50, shaving off 6 minutes and 14 seconds from my previous best. The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming.

What made this finish particularly special was the fact that I had successfully executed the pacing plan that was set out for myself. It wasn’t just about crossing the line; it was about doing so with control and strategy. This was the first time I had run a half marathon with a detailed pace chart, and I had followed it almost perfectly. In previous races, I had often struggled to maintain my pace towards the end, but this time, I finished feeling strong, confident, and injury-free.

As I crossed the finish line, I was greeted by the event volunteers who handed me towel and little ahead my medal, a tangible reminder of the hard work and determination that went into this race. The sense of satisfaction was immense—knowing that I had not only set a new personal best but had also pushed through challenges with a focused mindset.

The Finish Line and Beyond

After crossing the finish line, a wave of relief and joy washed over me. It wasn’t just about the time on the clock—it was about the journey that led me there. The months of training, the discipline in maintaining my pace, and the challenges faced along the route all culminated in this moment of achievement. Holding the finisher’s medal felt incredibly rewarding, a symbol of all the hard work that had gone into the race.

Post-race, I had to walk about 1.5 kilometres to the baggage counter to collect my belongings. Despite feeling a bit tired, the walk gave me time to reflect on my run and savour the fact that I had just achieved a new personal best. Meeting up with my group afterward was a highlight—we all shared our race experiences, comparing notes on the challenges we faced, our strategies, and how we felt throughout the run. The camaraderie and shared sense of accomplishment were palpable, and it added to the overall satisfaction of the day.

We celebrated with a few photos, capturing our memories of the race, before finally heading back. The feeling of finishing a well-executed race, along with the joy of achieving a personal milestone, made this half marathon particularly memorable. As I prepare for future races, this experience will stay with me as a reminder of the importance of planning, perseverance, and pacing.

I’d like to sincerely thank my family, coach, and friends for their constant support. My family’s encouragement kept me motivated throughout my training, while my coach’s guidance helped me improve and stay focused on my goals. I’m also grateful to my friends, whose camaraderie and cheering, both on and off the track, made this journey even more rewarding.

Summary

The 2024 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon was a memorable experience for me, not only because I set a new personal best of 2:16:50, but also due to the structured approach I took with my training and pacing. By sticking to my plan, I was able to control my pace, avoid fatigue, and finish strong. It was a rewarding race, and I look forward to building on this progress in future events.