Namma Run 10K
Race Information
- Name: Namma Run 10K
- Date: March 15, 2026
- Distance: 10 km
- Location: Bangalore, KA
- Time: 1:01’21
Goals
| Goal | Description | Completed? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Finish w/o walking | Yes |
| B | Sub 65 minutes | Yes |
Splits
| KM | Pace |
|---|---|
| 1 | 06:06/km |
| 2 | 06:15/km |
| 3 | 06:24/km |
| 4 | 05:47/km |
| 5 | 06:16/km |
| 6 | 06:26/km |
| 7 | 07:15/km |
| 8 | 05:59/km |
| 9 | 05:22/km |
| 10 | 05:35/km |
Training/Pre-Race
The NICE Road 10K has been my season opener since 2023. It’s a good benchmark for where my fitness is at in the moment and allows me to plan out the training for the rest of the year. I usually run the NEB-organised 10K later in July but I’ve got an earlier start to training this year and decided to run the Namma Power Run 10K.
My last race and season-closer was the 42K at Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026. Unlike past years, I didn’t let my training die out completely in between ‘seasons’. I took 10 days mostly off post TMM and then began an easy base building block. I clocked 100km from February 15 to March 15 with two 10k runs at Lal Bagh to help find my feet.
Race
I’m familiar with the race route at this point - it’s moderately hilly with ~80m of elevation gained over the course of the 10K. I decided to run the race entirely on feel and not push any pace target.
The climbing begins from the get-go where you gain 25m before the 2K mark. My legs were fresh at this point but I could feel the climb in my lungs.
2-3K is rolling terrain and I came across the first aid station. I drank a cup of water and another of gatorade - this might have been too much too quick because I started cramping in my lats for the next couple of km. However, 3K-5K is completely downhill (you lose 20m of elevation) and I was able to keep a decent pace through this stretch despite my cramps.
I reached the turn around point at 5K and kept a steady pace through the flat section aware that I’d have to climb again at the 7K mark.
7-8K was brutal and probably where I missed out on going sub-60 min as my pace dropped to 7:15 min/km. You climb 25m in under 1 KM and I didn’t have the strength in my legs to push through this section.
The last 3K is largely downhill and I tried to focus on my running economy to finish the race strong. Once I realised that sub-60 min was not possible, I dropped the pace and ran the last 500m easy to save the fight for another day.
Post-race
Overall, very happy with the race. I was ~4 minutes over my best time (~58 min in 2023) but more crucially, I was ~15 min faster than July 2025 when I’d run-walked the race with severe shin splints. In hindsight, my training has been consistent (by my standards) for close to a year now, and that’s cause enough for celebration.
It’d be good to return to NICE Road for another 10K later in the season when I’ve done more base building and speed work, but will let my schedule dictate what’s possible.
Other takeaways:
- My hip flexors and quads didn’t feel strong after the 7K mark - these are the weakest links in the chain currently. Will look to integrate more bodyweight squats and make strength training a non-negotiable.
- I sense that I’d benefit with more breathwork and focus on opening my ribcage. My breathing feels constricted at points and my instinct is that this is physiological (tight lats) than cardiovascular.