Running the Mumbai Marathon

I got my shit together and started preparing for the Mumbai marathon starting Monday Oct 16th. This also happens to be my dad’s birthday and somehow it feels like an auspicious beginning. My goal time for this run is going to be 3:30 min and I hope to be placed in the top 100 in the full marathon category. This is a tough one considering the level of competition, but I figured that if I don’t visualize it, I will never make it.

My plan of action:

Stick to my assigned drinking days

Two hash runs a month where I will consume alcohol. The hash runs happen on Sunday evenings. This means I get a 20 km run on Sunday morning with the Chennai runners and a 5 kms social hash run in the evening after which I better be rewarded with good kingfisher beer. Everything else is horse piss. Drinking surely happening on Nov 18-19, Oct 22nd and November 5th.

Sleep early and rise early

I plan to immerse myself into work until 7:00 p.m., hit the gym after and sleep fo sho by 9:30-10:00. The rise will be no later than 5:30 p.m., drink a liter of water and hit the gym again. Weekly mileage is going to be between 25 and 40 with two speed runs and one long run at least. I will punish myself by sleeping on the floor on the days I don’t wake up early.

Literature review

Do tons of reading on techniques of running, injury prevention and stretching. I also need to read motivational marathon stories which will push me out of my bed during the cozy monsoon season.

Adequate rest

Saturday’s and Sunday’s will be spent at home. Maybe two social outings a month which will not involve too much stress or late nights.

I need to do this guys. In case, I don’t answer calls please understand that it is for a very important personal goal. It’s really nothing personal.