After several years of stop-start running, I've finally entered another event: the Bombay marathon, on 15th January 2006.
Before I get too pleased with myself let me say that my chances of making it to the start-line (never mind the finish) are still hanging-in-the-balance; and the decision will probably go right up-to-the-wire. But I thought publishing my intention would at least provide me with alittle more impetus, which is never a bad thing.
I'm not a big fan of schedules, but I've looked at the standard HH 18 week schedule a couple of times to mark my progress, and I've been behind on both occassions. This wouldn't unerve me too much normally, but this is my first marathon and I don't think, given the heat and humidity, Bombay is the ideal first marathon.
Given the conditions and the unpredictability of the marathon, and India itself for that matter, I would have liked to go into this event well trained. And I don't think that's going to happen. So there's this big element of uncertainty.
I need to leave these shores (probably the week before Christmas) with a 20 under my belt, and then do regular running when I get to India. I've done 12-13 miles a couple of times so far. The fact that I should have 3 weeks in India before the event is a good thing for acclimatisation.
But running in India? There's a challenge. If we're at my brother-in-law's in Pune then I'll have the chaos of an Indian city to deal with. If we're at my inlaws in the rural centre of India then I'll have the local leopards and wild-bore sniffing around at dusk and dawn, when running should be most comfortable for me. A good incentive to increase my pace perhaps.
What to do? It's going to be a challenge, but I guess that's the way it should be.
Today I'm facing my first injury in the form of a calf-strain that I hope will not linger too long. Every day seems so critical at the moment as to whether I'll make it to the line or not.
But there's also a wonderful undercurrent of excitement. I can't wait for the day. I love Bombay. And on that day, if I make it, the city will stop for me to run through it. Pretty amazing stuff.
There's also the fact that this adventure will have 2 very distinct chapters. There's the solitude, darkness, coldness and challenging terrain of my native Yorkshire versus the flat, bright, heat and chaos of India.
Anyhow, just a quick thanks to the regular contributors on this site. I don't say much but I read quite regularly and there's some quality writing and good nuggets of wisdom to be found here. Plus a charm and level of good feeling that's difficult to find on the net.
Hopefully I can add to this in the coming weeks.
btw Andy, I never did get hold of the article you mentioned regarding this event. Can you remind me which mag it featured in? cheers.
