Training ends

So today is the final day of training for Mumbai marathon. A fight that started way back in August 2009, tried to revive it after the holidays, caught in the grihasti several times, came back with a bang after doing a 25 KM run in Pune from the Pune University campus to the airport and back. I specially remember the Pune run, I was a little depressed after my poor performance in the long runs during my vacations in Allahabad, but this 25K was a breath of fresh air which revived my hopes for the Bangalore Ultra 2009 (where I completed a strong 50 KM).

After October 2009, inspired from Anjana we started running from HSR Layout to cubbon park, in order to save time and get some carbon credits. Vishy named it the "DANDI" run and that proved to be very beneficial in the training, as it was 11 KM stretch from HSR to cubbon, and I guess this was the period when my body started getting used to running more than 10 km at a stretch. The biggest disadvantage with the cubbon park 5 KM loop was that our body started demanding a break of 2 minutes after every 5 KM. Thanks to Prateek and Chandra who pointed out this problem and we encountered it pretty well.

Come mid Nov 2009 and I got my eyes on the Italian Lady (my Binachi) and I bought it, one of the best decisions of my life, though it was a little expensive but I don't regret it at all. Since a long time my shins were giving me a lot of problems, after every long run I needed to ice them, to get rid of that silly pain, ever since I have started biking to work, surprisingly that problem just vanished. and I love the Italian lady for this. Thanks Bianchi!

Biwi has been a pillar of support for me, whether it was coping with my irritable mood after a bad weekday run or helping me ice my back and calves, or cooking rice at odd hours on Friday after the late night movie for the carb loading or about being the support girl for our Dandi runs, she always understood the point, the cause and the passion behind it. Couldnt have completed this training schedule without you. Love you! Proud of you for taking up running (she is running a half at Mumbai marathon this year)

The BHUKMP runners were a great support to me: Pankaj, Prateek, Meher, Vishy, Siraj, Rishi, Amrita, Chandra, Praveen, Prasad Sir, Dharam, Rajaram, Khadke, Roxtar, Kaushal, Vasu, Nari, Strang, Rakhi, Manoj, Meghana, Anajana and the entire Gang at Cubbon for kicking my butt every time I was slack, for motivating me at different points in time, thank you for raising the roof, so I can run faster , better and stronger. I love you all!!! Specially Pankaj, Prateek and Anjana, for shifting your long run plans for me so many times. Meghana for motivating me every time, be it the 50 at Ultra or the 30+ runs....I hate that thief who broke my car glass in cubbon, he just didn't break the glass but also broke our one of the best long runs, Prateek and Anjana didn't run after that incident on that day.....

Sometimes I wonder, whether its the long runs that take me to cubbon, or the loud and fun filled breakfast after that ... well this is a tough question to answer

This weekend is my last easy run / walk before the marathon. I had an awesome training, could have been better, but I would leave the better part for 2010, will see it in 2011 Mumbai. I think I am satisfied. Lets see how I do in Mumbai, I am confident. I have a target in my mind, I just hope that I am able to meet that.......

Wishing all the Mumbai marathon runners Good Luck!