2 days to go

So, this is it. I have been having a crappy training week and I have no one else to blame this time but me. The entire week, I was able to get one sole circuit with a total of just 4kms against my target of 30 miles. With two days left, I plan to do short runs of 4 miles each consisting of one speed workout and one reminder marathon pace workout.

The plan is to join the pace group and drag my feet along till the finish and also to make sure that the finish is within 4 hours.

I am giving myself 5 years before I can get a sub 3 finish and this is the first step of the steep climb. This needs to happen for me to be motivated about my future running goals. I still have not found a marathon that I would like to participate next year. Some factors for choosing my next run is going to be that the race has to be international (preferably outside Asia), terrain needs to be relatively flat similar to training conditions and the weather needs to be less than 25 degrees centigrades. And not to mention, it will be fun if the place is similar to Vegas so that I can let myself loose after the run.

Uphill Training in Munnar

I successfully finished my week 11 last week with this english runner Rupert, pushing me during my 30km run last sunday. I was pretty happy and surprised to have finished the run in less than 3 hours which gives me a lot of confidence to get the Singapore marathon done within 4 hours.

I have two options now after finishing the 16 week schedule for a sub 4 marathon.

a) Use a 12 week sub 3:30 schedule and crack the marathon surely finish the run in less than 4 hours.

b) Use a circuit training schedule which involves a mix of speed interval training, upper and lower body circuits and some long distance running.

Either way I know that I will get my personal best on this run provided the weather is good and provided I don't get injured.

This week I am plugging off from Chennai to go check out running in the hills of Munnar and Thekkady. I am excited about these runs mainly because they will give me sufficient uphill training and also because I don't have to wake up super early to do these runs. I plan to run for about half hour in the mornings and also train in the evenings if time permits.

Singapore Marathon

On December 2nd, about 8 folks from the chennai runners will participate in the Singapore marathon. After the run, Vidyuth and I are planning to do a backpacking trip in Thailand. Ofcourse, everyone is welcome.

This is going to be my only full marathon for this year but I will participate in the Bangalore full marathon and run the last 30 kms to accompany my running partner Hari to the finish line.

I got back on schedule on monday and did a strong speed workout on tuesday. I plan to do a 13.5 km run tomorrow and a 6 km run on friday. Saturday morning is going to be ultimate frisbee and sunday hopefully a 25 km run. The beer quota for the month is over but I am sure I will exceed it but only marginally.

My long term goal is to start some profitable venture in running/sports (other than cricket) satisfying the double bottom line criteria. I really hope I can start it off within the next 5 years and create a sub 2:30 marathoner from India.