ESPER : Establish Strategize Plan Execute Review

As I wake up with my morning alarm……anytime between 4.45 am and 

5 am I wonder…..why am I doing this to myself…….I struggle with myself and finally shake the inertia off… 

We start the run from Nariman Point and we run past the seascape……its beautiful……..cool breeze…..early morning walkers and fellow runners….the street lights are still on and at some point the go off ,to flood the world with the soft light of the Goddess of Dawn-Eos, who with her rosy fingers opens the gates of heaven so that Helios, her brother, can ride his chariot across the sky .(Although our singular aim is to finish the run before the sun attacks us with his full force !)

In the peak of our training month, we are averaging anything between 55km-70km a week.

To achieve this target we run 3-4 days a week.

The short run is 10 km…….the medium one is 15k………and the long one is anything over 25k.

I have run from signal to signal for the longest time and suddenly last week I realize, now signals have lost meaning, as I look forward to the new landmarks I have created, which are a good 3-4km apart which cover 5-7 signals at least! Running past the familiar markers………I wonder how this has happened…..?

25 kilometers is now only a series of 6 roads….Marine Drive,Babulnath,Peddar road, Worli, Worli Seaface and Prabhadevi…it’s a short run!:)

I have broken up the distance into smaller (more doable) cutoffs…but these are 3-4 times the distance which I was doing for the past so many years. What used to be long is now short!

I learn …..Everything in life is relative…………..

What seems to be a huge task….is actually only a collection of a series of smaller milestones…….
Small and Big are really all perceptions of one’s mind! What seems unachievable at one point may seem easily reached at another.

A book I am reading by APJ Abdul Kalam:
“Dream Big.
 Dream, Dream,Dream,
 Dreams transform into thoughts
 and thoughts result into action.”

As a friend joked with me……parul, she said, soon you’ll be talking about doing ultra marathons!…you’re crazy, I replied!

I’m going to leave it at that.:) !

From Inspiration to Perspiration....

Our training has stepped up, difficult on most days, but it becomes a joy at the race course as it is really beautiful at daybreak. The greenness is soothing to the eye and the heart, and the twittering of the birds is music to the soul. And all so often we are treated to flock of white gulls taking off over the verdant oasis and at other times the black musical koyals create a symphony

This sylvan surrounding has always been there.........and been prettier in the flowering season. But I found running in 2km loops at the race course a task, as was hill training and of course the long distances.
Now I've become a regular at the race course and the loops don't mean much- its about the distance now.

As I run with experienced runners and manage to hold my own with them.

The distance is getting longer, but surprisingly, not harder!
I have now officially become a part of the group of "those crazy runners".
Over all these years of running I had developed several notions. This year a lot of them
are out the window.
Can't run in the sun! Can't run without music! Can't run at racecourse! Can't run long!
can't run on Friday!

All gone......

I'm in a new mode!
All will happen........slowly and steadily. I am thriving in the discipline for food and
sleep. That's giving me the courage to push myself.



“Unless you're not pushing yourself, you're not living to the fullest. You can't be afraid to fail, but unless you fail, you haven't pushed hard enough."

Joie De Vivre

The run this Sunday was a milestone for me- my longest run this season…..25 kilometers. I was low on confidence because  I had missed my previous 2 ritualistic Sunday runs, as work had taken over my weekends.

All the same, our band of 5 started out - bright and early at 5.45 am with full enthusiasm. We kept in step with each other. With Pervin that is easy as she is full of beans, and many stories. What really cracked us up, were her extremely witty one liners.

Pervin is quite an amazing woman. Her age belies her………A 100% Bawi- who is a bundle of electricity! She has run several half marathons, winning a couple too. I ran with her for the first time in Pondicherry, and enjoyed myself completely. We befriended two Bangalore runners and to top it all, we sang our way through the difficult parts. The next race was the Thane marathon. I started with her, but she carried on without me as my laces came off! And how she scolded me! Rightfully so! I still remember her words,” How silly can you be?” she said!  And now, each time I lace up before any run, her words ring in ears. Pervin won in Thane- and had I continued with her I would have also got a better timing! My loss! 


Pervin’s special quality is that she is extremely encouraging.Her spirit is infectious! To do a long run with her is a delight as one doesn’t feel the kilometers.

This Sunday we thoroughly enjoyed with her, until she went home at the 21km mark.

Post that, the balance 4 km were a mental struggle for Santa (a 60 year old first time marathoner-who really looks like Santa-and is as jolly as him!) and me. Nimisha had zoomed off from the halfway mark as had Vishal. Santa and I plodded along. When 2.5 kilometers were balance I was ready to stop, and walk. As we crossed the flyover, the vista opened up- and we saw a beautiful marine drive welcoming us! Santa exclaimed about the view and took my mind off the run.  From then on we put running on the back seat and went with the flow. We enjoyed the weather as we broke into a song! “Sing a song of sixpence “was what we began with, when 2 km were balance. It turned into “These are a few of my favourite things”, followed by “Mamma Mia” and “When the saints go marching in”.

Oh! What fun it was! We lost all inhibitions and reveled with the amused expression of the onlookers. They didn’t know we were marching towards the finish of our 25km run! As I sprinted past the stragglers to the finish I was in heaven! What a high it was!

A nonstop 25 km in 2 hours 55 minutes.

A book I read a while ago – about an ultra marathoner Dean karnazes, in which he says: in a long run you run the first half with your legs and the second half with your heart. True enough!

As the training gets harder, I feel I am getting stronger…..hopefully the music in my heart will get me through!


" The human body has limitations, the human spirit is boundless!"
- Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man, Confessions of an All night Runner

The "Weak" that Was!

I sit back and reflect on the week that flew past, and I smile.
it started with one of the most difficult runs I have ever done. Only a 21km run. It was a huge battle with my mind as I struggled over the last 4km. My pace dropped to a real slow jog. One step at a time I told myself as I inched towards the finish. I felt I was finishing a Full Marathon. This, ofcourse, is wishful thinking-if I felt like this in a half I was nowhere close to finishing a full!
I complete the run with Murakami's words chanting in my head- I have come to run, not walk!

Post the disastrous Sunday run, on a cool Tuesday morning I find myself walking tentatively towards Cubbon Park, Bangalore, a verdant oasis in the heart of the city of traffic. I started along one of the radial roads alongside the local runners. Within a few minutes I discovered a path off the tar road. On this paved surface I picked up pace under the green canopy.

After a few minutes, I observed a dirt trail which seemed to lead towards the heart of the urban forest. As I meandered all over the park, I ran with my heart. At several points it narrowed down to a one foot clearing. As I wove around the 100 year old trees, I was reminded of my trail run in Pondicherry.

The path was uneven and the trees were dense. I ran footloose and fancy free. I only saw where the trail led once I rounded the corner. There was a surprise at every junction as a new vista awaited me at every turn.
I ran on a whim and a song little realising the distance or the time. Awaking from my reverie I found myself lost. I had to run 10 minutes in the pollution and full traffic to reach the hotel. I was happy with my hour well spent.

As we approached the long weekend Nimisha and I decided to finish the long Sunday run on Friday. We started early and ran at a steady pace. The weather was pleasant with a bit of rain. I had a strong finish. After the 18k we were rewarded with a brief shower as we stretched!
What a roller coaster of a week it has been. I learnt there a good days and bad days. The only way to deal with the bad days is to run through them (which I suppose is common sense).

"If you want to see a rainbow, you need to put up with the Rain!"

I run therefore....

As I picked up a drowsy Nimisha, she tells me, “But Parul, its raining!” I looked around and agreed, as i realized that it had been pouring all night. After much deliberation, we drove slowly to Nariman point, wondering if any of the others would show up.

And lo, behold!

Almost everyone was there in this incessant rain. Not that it was a drizzle and showed any signs of letting up! Oh no! It was serious rain!

Under the cover of the dark clouds we all trooped out in batches, most of attempting the longest runs of the season. 3-4 km into the run, the rain got heavier. It fell in large drops and we couldn’t keep our eyes open in the deluge. The rhythm of our feet continued as usual, as it ignored the fact that we were drenched to the bone!

The advantage of doing the long run in the rain was simple- we didn’t feel hot! And we didn’t need water. On the contrary when the wind blew, we were actually cold. We went along, over Peddar Road and the sight at Haji Ali was beautiful. The hazy morning light falling on the sea, which was far back because of the low tide. The tops of the new skyscrapers in Bombay were covered with clouds…….all was misty!

We ran along and passed by enough runners who all realized what a treat it was to be out, running today. On Worli sea face, the waves caressed the sea, playfully. We ran past a smorgasbord of people…..and there was one common thread linking them. The look of incredulity on their faces when they saw us- said it all! Are you crazy!!!!!!! The instantaneous reply to this was- YES! :)

Ditch the umbrella and cleanse your soul- I wanted to tell all of them all!

We finished with huge smiles as we completed our distance of a half marathon with ease. What had been my goal last year is but a stepping stone today. At this mid way point I would like to say, I think I am very happy to be where I am. I guess, it gets uphill from here and, I am ready for it!

As we stretched post run, the wind was deadly.

On my drive home I was reminded of a t-shirt slogan I had read on my trail run in Pondicherry:
I run therefore I am……..Nuts! ;)

Running in the Rain

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”

-John Ruskin

We ran through the sweltering summer heat awaiting the rain. Come June. In anticipation of the monsoon we pushed the mileage up. After a teaser on the first weekend, the rain completely disappeared. As cloudy days passed we sweated it out with each kilometer. Still no rain.

Then came my trial by fire. Exams for both my kids! I was out of the main action for 10 days.

On a dark and cloudy Friday morning I hit the road. It startrd drizzling as I started. What a glorious feeling it was. So refreshing. To run with raindrops fallin' on my head! From then on.........lovely music played in me. And I smiled. At all and none. Was just happy to be out there amidst the changing urban landscape in the rain. Past the buildings, the greens and beach. I reached marine drive. . The rain continued with varying intensity and the distance melted into sheer pleasure. My feet flew over the wet road, as I sprinted to finish with the wind blowing, into the greyness. I met the rest of the gang returning from their 10-12k runs. The run was a breeze. It was unanimously decided that it was one of the best runs we’ve had in a long time.

Come sunday. Time for a long run.
Our target of 19km was easily achieved as we got light sporadic rain. Post run chit chat was on and there came a shower. All of us were drenched. It was an exhilarating feeling to have the raindrops beating down on us. The massage was brief but the downpour was heavy and accompanied by gusty winds. We felt a chill which created a surreal feel. The bleak urban landscape ....the adrenaline rush......the satisfied smile.........

A quote I once read, “Runner’s don’t get rained out, they get rained on.”

The Winner

The run on Friday was amazing. After many a sweltering run- over the last 2 months- this one was like manna from heaven. I ran late…….in the soft intermittent drizzle- and I felt like I could run forever. It was a short 8k run as it was a weekday, but this glorious one had filled me with a great deal of anticipation, for the long run on Sunday.

So we headed out…with a partly cloudy sky over our heads. As we ran along, there was no sign whatsoever of any breeze, and much less rain. We went along the entire distance as we had committed to ourselves……..

All along
There was no song,
Only sweat,
That was our fate.

After we turned,
On our return
There was a game.
Between me,Sol and the rain.

Rain eluded,
A clear loser,
Although the clouds
Played hide-n-seek.

And after a bit of tussle
They had to part
The sun shone in its full glory
As I, struggled in this story.

It got ugly,
And turned into a scrap,
That’s when my mind said
Let’s end this clash.

So I loosened my shoulders
And lengthened my stride
Picked up my pace
For the last 1 mile.

18k on a humid day
Victory was mine
After a long long time!

Save the Turtle!

"Mom, there's a marathon".....my ever vigilant son, Arnav tells me, and adds," It’s here, in Phuket!".

We see banners for it over the next couple of days as we head out for snorkeling , kayaking and the likes. On Friday.....as we chilled in the hotel I investigated and discovered that it was a “mini- marathon "......only 10. 5 k- starting only 500 m from our hotel, on Sunday!

The "Mai Khao Turtle Marathon" is organized to save the turtles. This beach is a nesting ground for the turtles - so the locals organise it to raise awareness. It’s in its 7th year!

As I registered for it, Savio's words rang true. A day before I was leaving, he said to me, run a race, they always have something going on. And sure enough .......

Raceday morning - bright and early- 5.30 I reached the holding area- and was greeted by the aroma of chicken porridge! They had laid out a complete breakfast- fruits, coffee et al, for the 750 odd participants.

After the inaugural speech (which I didn't get a word of as it was in Thai) we were flagged off!500 of us....running to the rhythms of the sea....along a lovely trail following the beach- soft breeze and waving casuarinas.
Kilometers flew past as the shade of the sea changed from varying shades of azure to aqua......the white sand remaining a constant!



Water stations, volunteers, a simple rubberband at the halfway mark.....all well organised for a small run!

The run was enjoyable as the distance wasn't daunting. There were a few tourists like me trying to catch the local flavor.

I picked up pace as we ran the last 3k around lake Pru Jeh San. It was a picturesque trail which reminded me of Pondicherry.

I finished comfortably in just a minute over an hour. As I sprinted across the finish line I was handed a tag followed by a medal. As I caught my breath I read the tag to realise I had come fourth in the women! I got ranked! Wow! In a single digit!

I walked back to the holding area to see an awards ceremony going on. A Thai news reporter saw the tag in my hand and beckoned me to go towards the stage. Up I went and accepted my trophy. My first one ever!

Yay!

I returned to my room and found my kids waiting for me. After so many runs they have learnt now NEVER to ask me if I won. So they asked....finished? And I surprised them with the trophy and my rank! Never mind the small number that ran! I still won! Wow Sanjana says, " we'll need to make a cabinet for that!".

I believe there's an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts.
Sylvester Stallone


I won!

The Power of The Mind

11th may 2011- One of my toughest runs ever- running in almost 80 percent humidity at 30 degrees it was like being in a torture chamber, only this is self inflicted.

Thanks to a very determined Nimisha I had originally planned to run 21km today- to celebrate my 2 week vacation. Fortunately Savio shot down the idea and advised us to only do the circuit - a 13. 5 km route which includes the uphill walkeshwar road.

I thought it will be a breeze. 13.5 Instead of 21!
And we were off. After the initial 6k I struggled uphill ......onwards.......The in between 6-10 km were my worst. Thoughts of giving up filled my head- constantly hounding me to head home and not return to nariman point to finish the run.


As I battled my mind- I wondered about the vagaries of nature. Can man stand up to nature in any way?

With great encouragement from Vishal and Nimisha I reached marine drive. Then I completely gave up and walked for 2 minutes, ran for 2. This went on until at churchgate I found my rhythm and cruised along until I sprinted the last 500 m towards the finish.

Upon completion I wondered why I found it so grueling in the middle. The distance wasn't so much and I have been running. So it wasn't out of the blue either.

It was a case of mind over matter and today my mind lost.

To blame I have only the weather......
And myself.


The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven.

JOHN MILTON, Paradise Lost

Try and fail, but don't fail to try!

Failure- its a big word- which comes from the French root menaing to fall, not succeed. When I emerged out of my laziness...... To run this Sunday.....I thought I will follow my friends - run together - laugh- and will do the distance like we always do. However it was not to be. After a 10 day hiatus I attempted an ambitious 21k. All was fine for the inital 8k- and then a niggling pain began in my right leg. The pain from my left leg had travelled to my right ! How was that possible ?

Anyway. It was so. And I trudged on. Cut my pace. Psyched myself and kept going. Reached the halfway mark and rested. Stretched. Took a deep breath and started to Run. 2 km into the return the pain increased. Savio was waiting there and I told him that I would not be able to finish. He said he would find me a little ahead. And from here on began my true test of endurance. I continued on at snail's pace and the pain became a part of me.

As I walked for some part and tried to run, I went another couple of kilometers- Savio finally found me at the 15k mark.
As I sat on his scooter there was a deep sense of regret. The bad feeling of giving up. I felt I could have finished it slowly, but that's not the way I should do it, he said.then Savio gently reprimaned me- about attempting a full race distance without practice. Even if you don't run for 3 days your body forgets how to run, he said! And here I was- after a long 10 day break !
Then we drove off only to find Nimisha, Suvir and Anil, further down the road. After giving them water we headed back towards the finish at nariman point. Some of the others had finished and some were finishing just about then. As we discussed the run, I said that I ran 15......... But all I could think about then was the 6k I didn't run!

How am I made so!?
Everyone ran 21k- along various routes- Niyati wanted to run 18K and she finished it. But me! I gave up. Everyone stretched but I wondered that it wasn't worth stretching since I ran ONLY 15k.

So how come the 6k I didn't run negated the 15 that I did? As I stumble through my running - I learn important lesson of life
This small failure has taught me perseverance.
Like doing badly in a test- .when my son was in the second standard he did badly in a subtraction test - both he and I worked hard.in the following review after a month he got full marks. he realised the importance of practice as
this is an example I often use with him as we struggle now with his eighth standard algebra!

I am happy that he learnt this lesson- early, and more importantly easily. He has to now make it a way of life.
As I seem to have forgotten it.

Hard work - continually- is the only way.
A big mistake, they say, is one you don't learn from.

The Thane Half

I withstood the current and swam upstream, as I finalized the pan for Byram to fetch me at the unearthly hour for the thane marathon at 4.30 am. I was dissuaded by most of my friends, and amidst a lot of doubt, I persisted, with my plan to run.

The drive to Thane was a learning experience as Byram told us the story of an Ultra Marathoner…..Dean Karnazes. A strange but true story. He runs all through the night. And had also run the Badwater Ultramarathon, in Death Valley,- described as “ the world’s toughest foot race”- a 217 km course run in 50 degrees!

After some time he announces that this was his twelfth race. That made me think….and I counted…..it was my tenth!

My tenth run…….my easiest run ever! I labored on the unfamiliar uphill- but flew downhill as I overtook all those who ran past me on the way up. I had no idea of the route and I just followed the road. There was no expectation from the course and as there were no people- no expectation of timing. After pollution ridden initial 4k- It turned out to be quite a scenic course. There were hills and greens in the background and even a lake (Chena Lake) to run past.

The weather was on our side, although it started 30 minutes late. As we returned and took the left turn off the state highway, the finish line suddenly appeared and I sprinted to the finish. 2.13.

It could have been better- as usual! But my laces came off twice!!!! And I was enjoying the run towards the end. I am learning my lessons and I will step it up!

I realise I’ve come a long way- it has been 8 years of running…..albeit not continuously- but always been an important part of my life. Today Running is the very centre of my being.

Along these years I had music, poetry, writing and running. All have been fulfilling- and very close to my soul. The first three have I have always known I was inclined towards- even as a child.

But running! That’s a pleasant surprise. I’m not sure if I took up running- or RUNNING found me.

me and my solitude

As the rhythm picks up
And the world passes by
Each moment comes alive
Jostling for attention

Flashes of humour
Sprinkled with sunshine
Wandering thoughts
Fluttering in the breeze
Hidden memories
Light up the face
And the smile surprises the onlooker!

As I look within
I find the answers I didn’t know I was looking for.

Today!

The most fun part of running with a group is the post run chit chat. As we have seen savio’s slaves lingering on long after the run is over at nariman point. Unsolicited advice, real running tips, words of encouragement, plans for future runs- oh and also match making…….it all happens here.

Today Bombay had the best weather ever seen in late February! We all were relaxed as we set our feet in motion. In my excitement for training for the full, I thought today was the day I should push my pace. I ran with Byram for about 2.5k, huffing and puffing. I gave up and entered my world at a much slower pace. From then on the run was smooth as I fell in step with a young lawyer, Niyati. It was an easy 12k. We raced towards the finish to join the group.

Today we all ran varying distances at good speed- all united in one thought……We had just had a perfect running morning. We sat around, stretched a bit in the fresh, cold breeze.

I have seen Mulraj around for the past few months, but had my first real interaction with him today. He is a two time marathoner and he also kept a log for the initial part of his training. In the chill of the morning he encouraged me to write regularly as I pushed him to post his writings into a blog so that others could read it and get encouragement from it.

Thank you Mulraj!

Savio today had a session with me to train my mind towards the full. Develop patience he said. Running the full requires endurance, for which I would have to run much slower so that I covered the distance at a constant pace. Maverick speed will not get me anywhere! For any building to stand tall he told me, it needs a strong foundation! Those words took me back to college! As I saw the truth in them! Like wise he said, run with Mulraj, who runs at a slow, constant pace, do the long distances with ease, build my confidence and then I can step it up!

As I move towards my goal:

I am not afraid of tomorrow….as I have seen yesterday………..and I love today!

Run for the Soul

The talks of a trail run in Pondicherry were making the rounds of PDP-a track for our speed workouts. We heard stories about how pretty the route was, but nothing prepared us for the real thing!

As we gathered outside our beautiful heritage hotel in pitch darkness at 4.15am, we experienced Aurovillian hospitality for the first time. The last bus taking us to the race (held in Auroville, a 30 minute bus ride away) was leaving……without us! So our friends brought the organizers to our hotel to get us! Luckily we were just a block behind and we made it!

As we reached the holding area we were welcomed by a booming Frenchman announcing that the full marathon just begun at 5am under the starlit sky. These runners would run with a torch light illuminating the unknown trail for a good part.

As minutes of the cold early morning ticked by, we were roused out of our lethargy by a pop song from the eighties. A local French aerobics instructor was demonstrating a warm up routine. The 300-odd half marathoners followed the Jane Fondaesque routine. By the end of 15 minutes there were smiles all around and the entire atmosphere loosened up.

We approached the start of the race whose tag line was “Joy of Running”.

With tentative steps we took off into the darkness along the dirt trail, which was full of surprises. We had the sound of the birds to accompany us, and at other times we experienced solitude. It was a meandering trail, narrowing to a single person path at some points.

We approached the first water station at dawn, where the local residents greeted us with enthusiasm, and offered us water in paper cups. The amazing thing was that a few meters ahead they had set up cardboard boxes where we could dispose off the glasses without breaking our tempo, and more importantly without damaging the environment.

By daybreak I reached the 6k mark and I see 2 of my friends returning! I wondered if they were so fast or I was too slow! A few moments later they told us that they were lost! They ran too fast in the dark and all in all in this race, instead of 21k they ran 26k!!!!!

Each turn along the route framed a new vista. The trail was also varied. It had a rocky trail, paved avenues as well as long patches of sand. There were also a couple of cattle traps which served as a few moments of rest. Along the run we heard several bird calls, and in the clearing on the side I even chanced upon a peacock.

As the sunlight filtered through the trees we all set into a rhythm. I found myself running with Pervin. She’s a great runner and more importantly a bundle of endless energy. She has amazing ability to befriend others and encourage them to run at her speed. We found two runners from Bangalore who had never run a nonstop half marathon! So Pervin sang songs, cracked jokes and the kilometers flew by. As the Bangaloreans clocked their best times!

The magic of the morning was at its peak when we turned a corner and saw sunlight glinting off the dome of the sacred Matri Mandir.

I had nursed a weak knee all week, and began slowly as I anticipated pain. Doubt surfaced at various points. By the 18 km mark I was flying. Here I found a girl from Chennai who had started walking. I encouraged her on- and these words pushed me too as we raced towards the finish. When there were last 400m left I saw Byram who told me to go for it. So I broke into a sprint only to be surrounded by a group of children finishing their 2km run. In my enthusiasm to finish I followed them and realized I ran 400 m in the wrong direction! I returned and finished eventually at 2.24!

As I reminded myself that this run is not about timing, it’s about the experience!

They served us hot South Indian breakfast as we waited for the full marathoners to finish. The simplicity of the event reflected the philosophy and mindset of Auroville. The ashram emanated peace and I felt one with nature.

We celebrated the run with friends over dinner, with joy and laughter as we sat around and talked of nothing. As we walked back to our hotel at midnight, under a bed of stars on the streets of Pondicherry I realized this was a day I would never forget. I had run a run that was permanently imprinted and had a memorable night which had completed the Miracle.

What the soul sees and has experienced, that it knows; the rest is appearance, prejudice and opinion……. Sri Aurobindo

After the run

As my tired legs beat the digital clock, I raced across the finish line…….I celebrated the end of the race to the words…….
“I ran to so well I could to 5 km more”
“I should have run faster and cut my time by 3 minutes”
“I don’t feel like I have run so much”
“I’m not tired at all”

The look of happiness and the euphoric feeling was the binding factor of this set that had just finished running 21k.

The last kilometer mark is a true test of the mind.
Last year when I saw it- I thought I’m almost done and I can walk the rest! My suffering won!
This year, the 18km mark spurred me on to accelerate and my pace improved-especially the last 400m when I was almost sprinting.

How we finish depends almost entirely on how much we train-as we train for similar distances so more or less know how to pace ourselves.

Race Day, however is a new day-as we race against time, and push ourselves to better our time and usually the pace of the first half determines our second half, and the eventual outcome. Cramps, fatigue and mental breakdown- any of these can strike unexpectedly and all strategies are out the window. For others the magic of the Race Day can make them fly!

Upon finishing there are hugs and smiles all over! Timing is discussed in milliseconds. Disappointment looms large over some of us who don’t make it to their cut off time –set by themselves! The fastest runners are also a target of this demon- as I heard Kochi say- I clocked 1.41- It could have been a sub 1.40!!!!


For some of us- the glory of this run is over within 5 minutes of completion., as dreams are shared……….
As I planned for my full marathon- next year-others plan to cut their time- and set serious targets. A super veteran half marathon winner aspires to run the full distance- and that too following the footsteps of Pheidippides, - from marathon to Athens.

All this of course- could be a result of the runner’s high!

Each runner becomes an inspiration- for a friend, a member of the family, their children and a lot of times- his fellow runner!
Thank you!

As I prepare for a full marathon in 2012- this is my log for the year- I hope to know by registration time whether I should register for the half or the full.

Until then…….I will learn many things- about me, about my mind and life. Running has become a metaphor for my life. May I find the strength I need!>