Training Day!

It's six o'clock in the morning. I wonder why I'm doing this. Actually, I know why I'm doing this. I have my reasons. Everybody has a reason. Some that you are aware of and some that you know completely nothing about.
It's 6 O'Clock in the morning!

I've run the Half Marathon five times.
The first time it was really tough, the second was a little easier, the third, due to the change in timings, was really hot and I almost didn't complete it. But I really pushed myself.

Yet, the fact is, the situation is never the same. Your experiences are never ever the same. This year it's not just the Half Marathon. I'm running the Full Marathon, so for me it's going to be bigger.
It's really tiring. I'm training real hard, every opportunity I get. The 18th of January is just getting closer everyday. Sometimes I get really nervous.

I know, hydrate..hydrate..hydrate..is Rule No 1. when you run a Marathon. I never thought it would be so important to change my diet.
I learnt a good breakfast is high fibre food, fruits and milk. Before the run, I must have a light meal and bananas are excellent!

It is also good to have your last meal three hours before you sleep. I think that's a great habit and I'm going to stick to it. My training has become much more efficient because of it.

I've been talking to a lot of people and found there's a lot of wrong information about the Marathon.

Like you don't need good shoes to run a Marathon, Indian food is not good enough, old people (not me!) can't run fast!
You don't really need to train for a Marathon, training on cardio machines at the gym is good enough, weight training is not required..It's all ridiculous!

If you have a set of goals, to achieve it you have to clear your mind of all the myths. Don't just listen to what people say. Do your own research, find out for yourself and then do justice to it.

Have you heard of The Wall? This is the one real fear I have. The Wall is the psychological and mental breaking point that lurks around every corner of the 18 mile mark.
It is the point where 100s of Marathon runners crack and the distance really begins to bite.

Marathon runners live in dread of it. They plan every training run and every meal just to get around it. They learn the painful lesson that poor pacing can send them crashing into The Wall.
And the shadow of this haunts their every footstep.

When you hit The Wall in the middle of the race you have to be mentally tough to get around it. As the great writer and runner Murakami said: Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
You have to have mental fitness. That's what I'm training for.

Though The Wall is a scary thought, it can be overcome if I stay relaxed, positive and push on. I've been told another thing that can help, is Imagery and Visualisation.

If you do start to struggle visualise yourself running freely and easily. Smooth, light, floating steps. Stretch your creativity and imagine anything to help you go on.

Imagine people pushing you from behind, or your loved ones cheering you on at the Finish Line, imagine having a nice, slow jog along a cool beach, imagine that springs are attached to your shoes, imagine crossing the Finish Line and the satisfaction you'll feel.
Imagine anything that will help you go on..

It is always easier to run when the sun isn't up. But I'm going to be running on January 18 between 7.00-10.30 am at the 42 K Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. And the sun will be up much higher. God help me!

The more I train, the more I learn. I've learnt about mental fitness, breaking myths, the importance of rest, and the importance of nutrition. What next?