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My parents have saved every single piece of writing and alot of other crap of mine from way back when. But parents do that, and thats one of the things quite wonderful about being home. I havent been a "Bombay girl" for a decade and a half now, but I remember visiting for 2 days just after my 21st Birthday. Being the geek I am, I celebrated my 21st in 2002 in grand style in far North Queensland. I ran a 50 mile race and 3 hours later went sky diving jumping from a plane at 15,000 feet. I graduated 3 days before the 12th of July. Needless to say, this was one of the happiest times of my life. So last night, I came across a box of my things. Never one to pass up a nostalgic opportunity, I went through each and every bit of writing. Apparently, I wrote down 10 things to improve about my running in the year 2003. I went through that list, and each and every thing written down, still rings true today. I also had a quote by Robert Frost written on it - I read alot of Robert Frost growing up.

While this certainly drives home the concept that running is a lifelong, learning journey, I feel as though there are certain checkpoints to which I should have made it by now. Oh well. I certainly have a long way to go. Miles to go.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."-Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

1600 stair sprints 2 hours and 20 minutes.
2 minutes of wall sits.

Spring

As much as I complain about being back here - there is a part of me that absolutely loves this place. People in the tropics dont know what they miss out on - to live in a place that actually has seasons, where people only eat whats available in nature 3-4 months a year. One is deeply aware that there are cyclic changes inherent in nature. I woke up to flowers competing for the sun - huge sunflowers!

30 minutes of weight work. This is the most consistent I have been with these things. 5 minutes of treadmill action - could not bear it any longer!

I have gotten fitter lately. And I have the times to show for it. Today was supposed to be recovery and I wasnt pushing myself at all. I ache to run by the water again - its where I feel the most at home - but its ok and temporary. I managed 12 kms in under an hour on my grass patch. Followed by 60 seconds of wall sits - I so should be doing atleast 90 seconds and I just might squeeze another minute or so at some point.

I have noticed that since my training has stepped up, there has been an unforseen complication. You see, the beast in my stomach has been awakened. It has to be fed all the time and it throws a fit when it doesnt get what it wants. Not the hollow, dainty bubbling tummy gurgle that would leave a girl giggling. I am talking rip-roaring stomach twisting rawwrrr temper tantrum that can be confused with a wild animal, or a mack truck. Or so I've been told. Watch out if the beast gets hungry in say, a seminar, lecture theatre or meeting. In such cases, its usually recommendable to look around aghast after the episode passes, as if you want to know who did it.

I speak from experience!

So far...

Just updating!

Since the last post, I played squash - and I use that term *very* loosely, most because I suck. More like showed-up-for-a-game-of-squash.

I did a stair workout that was equivalent to 14 miles that lasted 2 hours. I dont know the equivalent thing - since running is running and stairs are well...stairs. But I'll take it! I did a minute and 20 seconds of wall sits. They are still painful but 6 days of these and I can maaaaybe tell a difference.

I ran on my patch of grass - no one can accuse me of not having favorites - for a 10k. This is getting monotonous. But then, runners in general are creatures of habit (she says this while having just moved to India of all places!). This was followed by 30 minutes of weights and 60 seconds of wall sits.

That would be all...

Adrenaline pulls us near...60 minutes 300 sprints. 50 seconds of wall sits