Running with wolves

Thats exactly how I always feel when I step inside the dark and sinister looking environs of Aarey colony for my weekend long runs. It is not unlikely nor is it surprising to find a wolf or a leopard lurking in the thick foliage:-) When I woke up at 3:30am this morning, I realized that my chances of a strong "target pace" run were slim. I tried going back to sleep but kept tossing and turning with thoughts of my rotten work life occupying center stage.

At 5:30, I dragged my sleep deprived body to the kitchen for a cuppa coffee. There was even some vacillation on whether to postpone the run to tomorrow but then I know that tomorrow will have its own surprises. So off I go and can feel the "ventilatory threshold" not very far away, as I jog to the start of my measured route. I decide adhoc that I will do a certain loop at my race pace. All goes well until the 19K mark when I suddenly find my legs have gone lifeless. There it is, the effect of sleep deprivation, lackof recovery and low endurance. I hang on for another 6K and then call it a day. I resolve to come back tomorrow and do a medium long run so that the endurance does not take a back seat. I hope to meet up with two ex-IITians that promised to come to Aarey for a run on Sunday. One of them is a guy in his mid 50s who runs a mean half Marathon.

I jogged home with mounting tredipation at the prospect of not being able to hit my target pace on Jan 18. Well, I had similar apprehensions before the Lausanne Marathon and look what happened; I beat the goddamned wall!!!!!!!! So, I guess I have to analyze what I did right there. Ahem, the only thing I can remember is the one too many tippling sessions and I certainly won't allow myself to think that they helped - or would I?:-)))))

Christmas spirit

I woke up this morning (and got myself a beer...:-)) to a stiff and achy body. The post work out micro-trauma had reared its head with a vengeance. I had promised Mahesh that I would drive down to Aarey and we could meet the others for a discussion on status of training for the Marathon. My body complained as I dragged myself to the washroom. I called out to the maid that I need some coffee and to prepare the bottle of milk and bread that I was supposed to carry for the strays in Aarey.

I cruised in my car listening to the soft strains of "I found her diary underneath the tree..." by David Gates. I love this particular album by "Bread" that I'd pidked up at Planet M. I arrived and waved to walkers that I know and headed straight to our rendevous point but there was no one in sight. "I've been had!," I complained:-) I went off to feed some puppies and strays; 17 in all and they really really enjoyed the meal. I cruised around some more and now switched to "Carlos Santana". Many of the walkers nodded appreciation to the stacatto of drums and the electric wailing of "Black Magic Woman" - I like raising the volume when playing this track. Still no one, so I headed home.

Evening and I found that I have nothing to do so I decide to set up the Christmas tree as a pleasant surprise for the wife and son. I play Jim Reeves' Christmas Carols and hum the one about;
Dear Senor Santa Claus I think I'll tell you what
I would like for christmas and I hope you won't forgot
I only want some peso that I want for mine
to get my senorita something for christmas night

I patiently set about tying & hanging the bells, whistles, angels, holly, stocking and drape colourful lights so that the christmas tree looks bright and cheerful. There is now that veritable mood of christmas in the house and I can see that Dojo too senses the festive spirit. Talking of spirit, I realize that I have been working hard and find the need to celebrate my selfless effort in brightening up the home:-). I pour myself a cuppa to stay in sync with the warm atmosphere I have created, even as I am consumed with emotion of past christmases with my family to the tune of,

There' an old christmas card
in an old dusty trunk
and it brings back sweet memories dear to me

Tho its faded and worn
its as precious as the morn
its the memories of an old christmas card

I'm filled with so much love everytime
yes I'm always sentimental round this time

I retire to the sofa and muse about the coming race and my preparedness or lack of it. The "salutary"(:-)) effects of the "christmas spirit" I was sipping over-rode any despair I felt about the lack of "zing" to my training:-) I must have displayed a laconic smile on my face as I wondered whether I oughta' tell ol' chap santa claus to fetch me a sub 3:50 this race, cause the maid gave me a look that implied she thinks I'm losing it:-)))))))))