Ughhhhhh……..

Day 85

And that is why one should not slack – I was supposed to write about my yesterday’s running session but i skipped yesterday and that cost me dearly today.

I woke up today unaware that i was missing something very very very (i cannot emphasize enough how very) important this was for me. Remember how i had been planning and preparing to run a marathon. Well, i missed it. I was supposed to run today but i was thinking the run was tomorrow. It was only around 7:00 am that i realized that the run which was scheduled for 19th February was happening today – because today was 19th February. Me, on the other hand was thinking that the run was scheduled for tomorrow. STUPID ME ….and the worst of it all i did not even bother to look it up on the calendar.

I will write a more detailed view of the story in my other blog. Here on this blog though i feel gutted for not having scribbled yesterday. I just feel had i written down here yesterday i would have realized that i was writing for the 18th of February and that today was 19th and i would have been aware of my mistake beforehand. However, it was not to be and as i did not write down here yesterday  i realized the grave error that i had made – only it was too late.

Though at the end of it all – all i can do is laugh at myself and what an idiot i have been today. But yeah the bottom line is i keep on running and preparing for any future marathon.

Pani puri at the end of the run

Day 84

As, the D-day for my first long distance looms i am kinda freaking out a bit. I know i should not but i am just nervy a little bit. I also am aware that for me to actually participate in this event is somewhat of a mini-victory. About a year ago i would never have considered running let alone participate in a long distance running event. I have come a long way from the last year and for that i am super pleased with myself. But yet as the running day approaches i feel the nerves.

Because i stayed home all day today and was working from home i had more time to actually think and more often than not my thought went out to the long distance run. I am trying not to overthink and so during the evening i decided it was time for me to go run and clear my head. And that’s exactly what i did. I also loved it how my body wanted to ease off by involving myself in a physical activity. And so i ran – and really really enjoyed it. At the end of the run on my way back i saw this local street vendor selling pani puris and i just had to eat it. So, four pieces of the delicacy went inside the tummy.

As, i reflect on my day i am super pleased with the effort i have put into. There’s is a lot of scope for development but i don’t want to take anything away from today which began with my effort on the gym. It was my fourth consecutive day and despite the aching limbs my willingness to push my body pleases me. 

Keep it up ..Saral ( Yes!! I am talking to myself :P)

ready for my first marathon

Day 83

I am all set to run my first marathon and am really looking forward to it. Truth be told i am scared – and there are so many questions in my head. Though this marathon scheduled for the 19th this month is only 21Kms (only 😛 ) and falls more under the category of half-marathon this is going to be my first competitive run. Not only is it going to be my first competitive run but it is going to be the longest distance i have going to have to run. So far, i have only done 8 Kms  couple of times and it has taken me just under an hour. This marathon is going to be a whole new challenge all together.

But i am all ready for it and on race day i will be present and pumped up to go ahead. The build up to the race is what is scaring me and so is the distance. I really want to be able to complete the 21kms and be a finisher. I know this is my first test but it would be really lovely to finish. But whatever the result on that day i can then on proudly call myself an official marathon runner, or at least i can say i gave it a shot.

Stiff arms

Day 82

I had my hands on my head as i woke up this morning and as i tried to bring them down the pain shot up. My arms were stiff and the pain was real – i knew the reason behind the pain “the pull-ups.” For months now i have been running so my lower body strength is right up there (so, i believe) but it has been ages since i worked on my upper body strength and yesterday’s workout session has worked up the muscle and today i feel the pain all over the arms and my abdomen.

I had a decision to make then and there- to get and run and then hit the gym, or to just hit the gym. In the end i decide it was best not to run today but instead just hit the gym. As soon as i got to the gym my instructor asked if i had run today. I have already told him about my running plans and so he encouraged me to continue running. He then asked me to cycle which i readily agreed to and the next fifteen minutes was all about cycling. After that followed the pull-ups- three sets of 5 pull-ups each. My arms were really hurting but i really wanted to give it a go and the trainer helped me again do the pull ups. The push ups and the squats were relatively easier but since the body was already hurting the squats proved a bit tough. Once done with the sets i was proud of myself and a well deserved pat on the back followed.

Looking forward to tomorrow big big big time.

🙂

Valentines day gift

Day 81

It was time to present myself with a great gift on the valentines day this year. And i did just that as i began my day with a 3 miles run. And later during the morning my first gym session.

I decided now it was time to join a gym and work towards overall body fitness. Up until now i had been only running but my regularity and commitment towards running makes me believe that i am ready to join a gym and actually be regular.

The first day was about basic warm ups and then fifteen push-ups, 15 pull ups and 15 squats – three sets each. The push-ups and the squats were not that tough but the pull up was really a challenge. The trainer actually had to push me up as it was virtually impossible for me to pull myself up. I tried though and was greatly satisfied with my days endeavor. 

Valentines day well started……

Calf-muscle cramps

Day 80

I was all set and ready for my running session today. As with previous Saturdays today was about running five miles. It was around 5 am and i was up all geared up for running when suddenly calamity struck. I could feel my left-calf muscle just shift its position and i felt a searing pain. I quickly caught hold of the muscle before it could move any further. But, the damage had been done i had once again cramped my leg muscle. And so my Saturday running session had to be cancelled before it even began.

I was gutted that i could not run today. But i think the bigger problem to be addressed here – this is the second such attack in ten days. And i really need to do something about it. I just have a doubt in my mind it might be because i have not been eating right and really not looking into getting the right amount of nutrients. So, i think it is time i really planned out of eating habit as well as plan my meal cause if i don’t my body is going to experience many such issues. And such experiences are going to derail me and ruin my chances of running a marathon. 

 

Enjoying the running session

Day 79

I was back to running three miles again and really enjoyed today’s session. I felt rejuvenated and the legs felt great there was no sign of any lingering pain whatsoever and the entire session felt surreal. I really wanted to continue and do another two miles before i stopped but i had to keep in my mind that tomorrow was the five miles day. And even though i really enjoyed the session i decided to stop.

After yesterday’s self-reflection, today’s session was a welcome change and i really felt good overall. I have the same things to say that i need to once again get a streak going and get my motivational level back up there again.
 

Self-reflection

Day 78 

As, i sit down to write about the day i am taking the time to self-reflect on what has been some what of a disappointing week in regards to the running session. I have not really kicked on from where i left before i went on the east-west trip. I would have really loved to have started my running sessions but for some reason it just has not picked up the pace.

I don’t want to be too hard on myself but i have to be critical about my motivational level. I haven’t still lost my appetite for running and i just love to run but this past week i have found tough waking up. I have to admit i have had a slight change to the daily routine as i have started working again. However, that still is no excuse for me to not start my running session.

I don’t want to make any promises but if i want to run a marathon i am going to have to start running and training all over again. And hopefully tomorrow is the day the running sessions kick start.

Need to keep on running

Day 77

Today was all about cycling as i did not run in the morning. I have had a slight decrease in motivation for running something i have to address. But i was still up for cycling and so i cycled through the day. Overall i did get my share of physical work out for the day as i covered more than 10 miles for the day. However, that still is no excuse for the decline in my running routine.

I am really looking forward to getting in the zone and start running all over again. It is not that i have stopped enjoying the running session but there has suddenly been a change in my daily routine. So adjusting to the new routine has been somewhat of a challenge. But i need to keep faith on myself and adjust to this change in routine and start running all over again.
 

Up for it

Day 76

Two days since i last ran i was up for it again today. I set forth for my run this morning and i wanted to take it easy on the legs. I had rested the previous two days because my legs felt sore from the muscle cramp. On Sunday i had rested fully however, yesterday i had cycled about 5 miles and the leg held up pretty well so i decided to go run today. 

As, i was up and ready for the run i decided i would only try and do about 2 miles. But as i set forth i really felt i had missed running. Even on Saturday when i last ran because my legs had felt sore i could not run as freely as i would have liked. However, today i felt fresh and the legs felt great and i just kept on running and running. I actually covered more distance than i had originally planned and ended up running about three and a half miles. I would really love to start slowly increasing the distance but for today i was really pleased with my effort. It only gets better from here, gotta keep moving. 🙂