Monday Evening Workout

Rode up to the gym last evening and decided to start the week with a 12 kmph 10k run. I started off way too fast - I just never seem to learn that starting fast will never get you anywhere in the long race and - and paid for it. I had to stretch myself out after the initial 3k and start off slow again to finish the 10 k in 53 minutes. However, running on the treadmill is much easier than running on the road and thus the timing does not matter.

The gym is quite nice. It is small and compact and people are more serious about working out than in fitness one. There is also a room for floor exercises which I use to stretch, do push-ups and abdomens. They have about 7 treadmills and almost everyone runs unlike fitness one which is full of men who walk while talking loudly on their cellphones.

I leave for Thanjavur tonight but the plan is to get another 10k at 10 kmph and get some lifting this evening before I leave. This weeks aspiration also continues to be 70 kms and I hope to get more runs in the morning.

In other news, I watched Race with Janhavi last night and the movie was very much like a usual bollywood flick. They have tried a few twists out of which some of them worked well. Katrina Kaif seemed to look hotter than Bipasha Basu but her acting sucks.

TNEB Marathon and Need for Speed

Last morning, a few of the Chennai runners ran the TNEB mini marathon. The race was 12 kms long and Giri completed first in 56 minutes. I might have taken 1:10 to complete but during the run I realized that it is important to put in more strength training. My shin has started to hurt again and I know for a fact that I need to stretch a lot more. Over the last two weeks, I have been very playful in the gym and I am paying for it.

The plan of action is to hit the gym more regularly, do upper body circuits every other day. I plan to work on leg strengthening at least twice a week. Abdomens and core will be worked out every single day.

A fellow runner, Madhu, from the running group – runners for life has suggested a diet that I plan to follow from today. This is how it looks like.

“1. Eat a breakfast of whole grain cereal with non-fat milk. Add fruit to cereal such as berries, bananas, apples, nuts, etc. (Nuts are very good for you). You can add a toast of whole wheat with low sugar fruit preserve or if you are like me some Andhra pickle to burn your innards. Wash with freshly brewed Cappuccino (plenty of caffeine and anti-oxidants). No cookinh here right?

2. At lunch eat rice or chapathi with dhal and vegetables. Wash down with plenty of yogurt, non-fat buttermilk or non-fat milk. Dessert is a serving of fruit. (After a long run on Sat you can indulge in some sinful chocolate if you are good). You can get this at any good south indian restaurant. No cooking!

3. Dinner is either 2 dry whole wheat chapathis with lots of stir fried vegetables, some dhal and plenty of yogurt. Or if you don't want to cook have some salad with lemon juice and olive oil or some such health dressing can also be added and some crusty french or other bread. Abit of olives and cheese will add to taste and won't hurt. Fruit for dessert.

4. A glass of cold non-fat milk to top off at night to cool down any burning in the stomach. This is the best anti-acid that I know of.”