My secret Diary

Monday

Some respite today. Rest and recover. I am going to stretch myself in all directions and not budge an inch.

Tuesday

Ah! It’s a recovery run! Well, I am ready to go. Over hills and dales, over smooth tarred roads, or trails, dusty to the core, peppered with pebbles and the thorny bushes on the side with evil intent, reach out to grab me as I swish past. But the laughter and bonhomie make me happy. Once home I just rest, sprawled out1

Wednesday

Sped drills! I love them! Going out full force, scaling the distance lap after lap is very satisfying! I feel the friction from the road, but don’t pay it any heed, after all I am focused on my marathon, just round the corner!

Thursday

Hill repeats! One of my favourites! Going up and down squeezing out the last iota of my reserves, I think my muscles are building up as are my reserves! Strong and deadly! Matching the Oakleys!

Friday

Ah its Yoga today! Stretch, meditate and Shavasan!

Saturday

Getting ready for the marathon on Sunday so resting and chilling!

Sunday

Getting ready at an unearthly hour. And out of the door with a spring, I am all set. I overheard some strategy and plan, but I don’t care coz in God I trust! My job is to give my best, and that’s my strategy! I extend my complete cooperation to her, the one I adore, as she leaps over potholes nimbly, sidestepping groups of people ambling down the first few kilometres as they warm up. I can hear music wafting from the ear buds… “This girl is on fire!!!” Oh, she sure is. As we warm up, I find the pace increasing, I am comfortable …. We did practice and train for this. Now I observe others in colourful running gear and flashing various brands milling around. Some put in extra josh …. And their panting can be heard loud and clear…. As I assure her, she is doing fine.

I hear her steady breathing inhale … exhale, the footsteps in synch as if its a dance… tap, tap, tap, tap! The breeze blows gently over the sea and cools down the flushed faces. Once or twice, it tugs at the colourful caps, pink, yellow, blue …. But fails to tug them off! Runners you know, they have a trick for everything and also their sweat acts like strong glue!

There are people lining both sides of the road, cheering loudly, though they are not related nor are they know, complete strangers, but such warm, heartfelt encouragement! The tired faltering feet convert that infectious enthusiasm into a spring in their feet…. And I smile to myself!

From way ahead comes the beautiful music wafting down the road, a steady beat of dhols and drums, a molten golden voice pepping up the adrenaline and some feet start bhangra and cha cha cha in acknowledgement. Others clap in tempo, but the trick works, the sweaty red faces are all plastered with smiles and grins! Water trickles down heads and backs, another trick to cool down the soaring temps, as hands reach out for high fives amidst names of friends shouted out loud! (This is before Covid times)

I can sense her tiring now, the pace is dropping and the shoulders drooping the song is no longer playing, the sun has climbed up high in the sky, I do my best to pep her up, but amidst the sea of people, loud laughter and slogan shouting, she can barely hear me squeak. I too can feel the heat from the ground and having been in motion for long. I fear a burn out…. Thankfully we spot a cooling tent ahead and frisking like a lamb she skips in, does a little jig, squeals in delight and off we go all revived.

Spotting kids lined up with oranges and black salt, her kind heart forces her to grab a few dunk them in the salt and pop them in her mouth. The first one was like Hanumanji’s prasad…. Burst of tangy and salty juices dribbling on her chin and racing down her throat while energizing the body. The next few were slowly devoured, tasting and cherishing the orange segments, the saltiness being immediately absorbed, replenishing the salt in the body, which had been deposited on the skin!

Now, along the Marine drive, there are mixed emotions…. Some are exhilarated that the end is nigh, while others despair their agony shall continue further, the end is not visible.

She has trained her body and mind well! Listening to the positive cheers, friendly banter among strangers and the large crowd that had turned up to cheer strangers who were courageous enough to challenge themselves, she digs deep into her reserves. Increasing her cadence, she swings her arms ferociously, remembering her coach, and repeats her mantra! “You can do this!” The view of the blue sky, the green leafy trees, the sea and “Pizza by the bay” worked like a charm. There she spotted her friends holding placards “Chilled Beer is waiting for you” “You can do it” “You paid for this” They called out to her loudly as she ran up to them for a quick hug, high five and a sip of energy drink!

What happened! She started picking up her pace, I sure kept up, and kept encouraging her myself. Oh, I could feel my sole coming apart, but I held on knowing that we were nearing the end! There were so many photographers lined up, the music was blasting, cheers rent the air and sweat came pouring down all over me! The sea of humanity was congealing all around, jostling all the way to the Finish line!

Joy knew no bounds as she was lifted on a wave of adrenaline and the Finishers medal was put around her neck!

No thought was given to me as I drowned in a pool of sweat and water …. Only the squishing socks, my buddy for today, congratulated me…. ‘You are the best running shoes ever!’

PS: Picture for representation courtesy the Internet