I have been grappling with a multitude of issues and problems even as the SCMM race, a major, event nears. There is the tight cash flow that I am suddenly saddled with, the less than satisfactory order position, my inability to adhere to a decent training program, reviews in race week, uncertainty about being able to do a reasonable hydration and carbo-loading schedule etc - well I am getting truly suffocated!
The bright sunshine to my day was that I was able to return from Kolhapur last night instead of this morning. Thus I was able to do a decent long run to bring some semblance of endurance pre-race week. I also met up with Rajesh, Mahesh and Pankaj who had a barrage of queries on the race ahead. I am always amused with the repeated regularity with which Mahesh throws the same question year after year, to me, saying, "Daniel Sir, main 30 - 32 kms tak achhi speed se dautha hun, lekin uske bad mujhe aisa lagtha hai ke main gir jaunga. Mere pair me koi dum nahin reheta hai. 38 se 42 tak bahut taklif hotha hai":-)) I have then to get into the same discussion on energy level and every year I give him more refined versions; for example, this year I had to explain the connection of brain and blood glucose.
I finished my run and returned home to my standard post-run breakfast of eggs and toast. I took Bryan to the "Oberoi" mall and he chose merchandise worth 8000 bucks from Addidas. I had to quietly hand over my credit card because of what I saw on his bedroom door. He has written, "Bryan the "hot-stepper" Vaz has accepted football as his religion!" and "Manchester United shall always remain the democratic government of football". I am afraid of curbing his enthusiasm for the sport with my lectures on his imminent 10th standard studies coming up. I am concerned with the way children react nowadays, to parents taking away their passionate past-times. God help us all!
