Once the die was cast it was imperative to start training. The rains nearly behind us, we started training in September. Yes, for an event in January, we started training in September. If I had put in so much time, planning and hard work when I was studying, I’d probably be a rocket scientist now! Sharat took on the role of trainer and we were the guinea pigs. Let me clarify that he’s a doctor and a good one at that, so he could assume the authoritative role without impertinent students (like Sunita and me) challenging his every instruction. He worked out an impressive looking schedule and drew out a diet plan for us which really comprised running crazy distances at odd hours and eating protein, carbohydrates, and similar healthy food which I actively avoid in day to day life. I was not liking this one bit!
stretching before setting out - happy and upbeat
stretching after the run - smiles have gone!
As it turned out, the initial running schedule was moderate and gentle, wherein we ran distances between 4.5 km to 10 km, 4 days a week. We started with enthusiasm and gusto. But within 2-3 weeks, the exhaustion had begun to show. After all, we were working people with kids. This meant we had to complete our run in time to get kids ready for school and then get ready ourselves to go out to eke a living for ourselves. The early mornings (often as early as 4.30 am) were making us irritable and tired. Moreover, running 4 days a week gave us the impression that we were doing little else. As the weeks turned to months, Sharat took the decision to reduce 4 days of running to 3 days, which provided us some respite. And we upped the cross training from 1 day to 2 days to focus on core strengthening (weights, abs, lower back, power yoga, suryanamaskar etc). By now the distances were also increasing, and we realized that the focus of our existence had become “the marathon”. It was so all-consuming that no conversation was complete without a detailed discussion on my training with whoever came my way. Slowly people began avoiding me, or hurriedly excused themselves if I had managed to block their path. I was a woman possessed!
Our diets too had to be adjusted to make them healthier. I increased my fruit and vegetable intake, rice and other carbs as well as began taking a whey protein supplement. Besides (though not being a part of the diet), I coolly tucked into sweets and other calories while justifying to myself that I needed them to ensure that I didn’t collapse while running. And so well had I convinced myself that I was utterly shocked when the weighing machine showed a gain of 2.5 kgs!! Weight gain for a woman is often worse than divorce. And weight gain while training for a marathon was shameful – it was amply clear that I was binging. Immediate damage control was required!
RUN!
RUN!
PHEW!
The one thing I learnt during the training was that it required commitment above everything else. We had to run, run and run despite illnesses, late nights, stress at work, bad weather, anything. By the 15th week the schedule demanded that we cover 32 kms, the highest distance expected before D Day. Sunita and I had figured out a comfortable pace. Once the rhythm is set, one can go on for about 15-20 kms without too much trouble. But what happens after that is deadly. The legs ache, every step is a punishment and everybody makes you angry. Music on the i-pod grates in the ears, traffic and passersby are infuriating, and if someone comes in your way accidently he deserves to go to hell. To amuse ourselves Sunita and I gossiped for most part of our runs. Now I know more about her life than even Sharat! Besides, we also rated male runners who crossed us, on a scale of 10 to entertain ourselves further. But the entertainment worked only for some distance, after that, all one was left with was tired legs pounding on the roads, intolerable fatigue, excruciating pain in the lower limbs and an impatience to finish the agonising run. But what you feel when you have achieved your target is indescribable – the joy and pride of accomplishment is unparalleled.
There were several memorable experiences during our training. High up on the unpleasantness quotient were the episodes with the dogs! Dodging and avoiding routes where we had encountered them earlier was topmost on my agenda. They often jumped at us suddenly their teeth bared, snarling and growling viciously. I have learnt from running and biking on roads that the best way to get rid of the aggressive dogs is to stop dead in your tracks, even if their teeth are but an inch away from your calf. That has the immediate effect of pacifying the aggressive ferals. But it always breaks the running rhythm and wastes time. And of course, it always frightens me. In fact, once an overly friendly dog jumped on Sharat with front paws on his chest and tail wagging as though the dog had found his long-lost love. Thank god it didn’t do that to me, I might have had a cardiac arrest!
What’s more, the awe that we inspired in people when we mentioned that we were aiming for the full marathon was at the same time motivating and funny. Motivating, because showing-off comes easily to me and if people get genuinely impressed, it’s an easy stimulant. I’ll do anything for praise! And it was funny because people thought we were almost demi-gods, and I knew the fallacy of that thought. Moreover, crossing other runners all of who always encouraged us with a thumbs-up gesture and clapping was indeed motivating. We too learnt quickly to do the same thing, and I think Sunita and I clapped loudest when we crossed a well-built bare-bodied male runner near Kemp’s corner who got an immediate undisputed 10 out of 10 on our scale. If we got to see such ice-candy more often, running would be ever-so-easy! Time and again, we would set out really early in the morning when it was dark and the air was cold, fresh and crisp. Busy, noisy Mumbai would be still and quiet, the silence broken only by our shoes crunching the gravel below our feet. Slowly the sun would rise filling the sky with a glorious orange-pink hue and illuminating the city, bringing brightness and cheer into the lives of the millions who reside here – was a sight worth every difficult run.
Setting out before sunrise
Sunrise saw the sky turn to an orange-pink hue
Hydra will rear all her heads high up dangerously in less than 4 days! 16th Jan, a day on the calendar which has etched itself into even my unconscious mind. I’m so obsessed with completing the marathon now that my husband jokes that even in the dead of night he’s ready with a towel and a bottle of Gatorade for me! After every run, my 7 yr old daughter asks me how much distance I have covered and if I say anything lower than 20 kms, the little imp screws up her nose and says, “That’s it?” Even she is catching on to the marathon fever and frenzy. As we draw to a close of our training, it does seem like it’s a step closer to the fulfillment of a goal. However, even as I write, I have a strained muscle on my thigh and there’s a big worry doing the rounds that I may not be able to run at all. I finally understand what sports injuries are! But whoever said running a distance of 42 kms was easy, aches and pains are an integral part of the training as the body gets subjected to severe trauma. Nonetheless, I’m raring to go, with or without the muscle strain. I’ll be back with more!
