No turning back

It's real. And it's getting closer...

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Dear Abhijeet,

Congratulations!!!

Procam International Ltd. takes pleasure in confirming your entry to The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2009 to be held on Sunday the 18th January 2009.

Details of your confirmed entry are as under:

Race Type : Marathon
Running Number :1159
Reference Number: 8144
Birth Date : 1981-03-30
Gender : Male

Please collect your running number Bib and Goodie Bag from the area marked Registration at the Get Active Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon Expo which will be held at the Expo Centre, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400 005 from January 14-16, 2009 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and on January 17, 2009 between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cross posted on absruns

Believe

I recently read an article by Haruki Murakami titled, "Pain is Inevitable, Suffering Optional". The acclaimed author talks about his passion for long distance running and much more. I won't attempt to recreate any of his article here but I think, in true cosmic timing, that article came at the right moment in time. I had decided to run a full marathon, put up training schedules but couldn't focus on the training. I put it down to a burning reason to train. Marathon training is not an easy thing and above all, you need to have a reason to train every day, regardless of the pain you feel. I have reaffirmed my reasons for running.

Equally importantly, one has to simply accept that pain is an inevitable part of this process, much like it is with so many other things we do in life. If we are prepared for that pain, then our suffering is at least mitigated.

Status Check: As of today I am comfortably running 10 KM in under 1 hour. I feel good & strong. The pain of course is very, very real. I feel my shins, ankles and leg muscles mutely protesting even now after last evening's 10 K. But now I am back where I was last December. I now believe. And that's half the work done. Bring on the pain.

21.09 to 42.19

Almonds, eggs, sweet potatoes, whole grain cereals, Oranges, black beans, mixed greens, salmon, whole grain bread, stir fry veggies, pasta, dark chocolate and low fat yoghurt. Along the way I hope there will be Yoga too.

A little over 7 months to go. May the force be with me.

Destination 2009

37 Weeks should do it me thinks.