As I grow older in this sport (this is my sophomore year with proper training facilities for 8 months of the year since 2007) I realize firmly that my expectations change, the reasons for doing this sport change and most of all, self-realization does happen. I realized for example that the reason I was going so slowly on my double run days (when I thought I would train like a runner for a marathon, early in the season) was because I forgot to shave my legs. Now, any law of aerodynamics will point out what a sin this is. A culmination of physiotherapists, posture analysts and mental therapists also gave me lots of insight into the 20 things I was doing wrong and sure enough, I didnt listen. I dont understand what things like "dont swim because your shoulder is sore" means. But, self-realization came along and I realized that I only do what I want, when I want to. One of the greatest privileges of being the world's fas(t)test Indian. Bring it on!

The Auckland half ironman is probably one of the more interesting races (besides some others Ive had the honor of participating in, around the texas/arizona regions). There is one aid station on the bike-course, selling something vile called a leppin squeezy. As you exit the swim, someone associated with the race asks you "what is your number" which when delirious (as walruses often are with an excessive intake of oxygen) I just couldnt not get myself to answer. On the run, there are several coke stations and that is the only highlight of the race (besides the absolutely stunning location). This year was my third year at this race and I went because I needed my head to toughen up. I knew there would be ten things that went wrong at this race (at least) and that would get my attitude back on track. For starters, the race is plenty hilly and there was construction and clearly the roads had not been swept. This lead to a spill and one of our friends, David, went down.. his race ended there. So, I knew I had plenty of organizational difficulties coming my way.. of course, this was the whole reason for starting this race. I needed a mental warm-up for the year to come.

The swim was stellar (and started only 10 minutes late, which opposed to 2007 when we were 20 minutes late was nothing) and I was lovin' it. The water is almost always calm at Maraetai beach and there are exactly two buoys, easily confused (as they are white and black orca bouys) with sail boats. I had a stellar swim and had a PB by 3 minutes. I really wanted the boys to pay attention to me at this race so, following Mrs. Martinez's sad demise thanks to some wonderful racking at another race, and a year's battle with that big ding on her frame, I had to replace her with a second hand blue, who does have a clue on what it takes to be a great bike.



Of course, all the testing in the world cannot replace training well on new equipment and I paid for it with 20 minutes off the bike walking and running up hills, staying in the smallest gear on the flats for a while as the rear wouldnt shift well etc. etc.

I was in a good mind to turn in my chip after the bike ride but that sounded too easy. Besides, one has got to respect the fight and the fighters. Talk is very cheap but grammo wheels ain't :) And I had borrowed these for this race and was seeing speeds on the flats that I did not know existed. So, something was working.. just not up and down hills, apparently. Onto the run, I thought Id run a lap, turn in my chip, put on my walkman and finish the race as a workout. However, the first lap was a cruisy run and I did pretty good.. I reconsidered and thought about the times I had had fun doing these events. They were filled with positive imagery and the thrill of gettin' it done. I ran the second lap at the pace I couldve run the whole run but, I had specific instructions to not nuke myself on the run. I told myself to be patient. That was all I needed to get to the finish line on Saturday and while cruising I still ran a decent time in the heat.

Sure, this was not a personal best (far from it) or a miracle in the making BUT, the swim was a personal best and the run taught me a few things about eating properly on the bike. Isotonic drinks are not overrated on a hot day :)

I had a great day and I know I am getting fitter. I can feel it and thats really satisfying. My goal for 2009 is no DNFs on any race unless im in a truck or road-kill or both. I have a friend called Shirley who does about every damn race in the country and then every other race outside the country. Her motivation is excelling in her age-group (60+) and Ive never once heard her stress out about solids, liquids, pre-race nervousness, post-race taper, fitness, quad size, aerodynamics or lycra. She just does. No explanations of why she did this race 3 weeks after IM-New Zealand (yes, a half ironman 3 weeks after an ironman) or why she is about to do some crazy riding in a week from now. People that sit around and talk about training, taper, correct-technique, glute-activation, hamstring de-activation and rest clearly missed the memo on Shirley. Shes my idol! Finishes every race with a big ol' smile and has roast chicken ready to consume at the finish (that is preparation!)

Its going to be a big long year for me. I am singing "say you will" to another person :) CRAP. I hate waiting! But, all good things are worth waiting for, so, hurry up!

Speaking of aerodynamics, I DID pay attention on the run and took off my ten kg waist pouch at T2. I think that explains the run split.

Stay tuned for monthly reports on on-going exploits.

Well, I am in splits reading Amitabh Bachhan's blog on his misbehaving co-passenger. I read this blog once in a while for the quotations in Hindi, which are pretty amazing. I have no idea what the man stands for or does not stand for and that doesnt bother me. I am simply entertained that even a big star like that has to deal with a-holes in airports and aeroplanes.

Any athlete can tel you how much aeroplanes love us. They are constantly trying to charge us as much as they can for extra baggage and ocassionally the counter staff that checks you in, pretend like they own the airline.. uh, I think not! I think you only work there.

Ive had varying luck. Certainly very little luck in Bangalore's old airport with a particular Singapore Airlines chap I will never forget. I got into an argument with him along the lines of "who cares if my bike is 5kg overweight, its the only piece of baggage I have.. what if I were 5kgs heavier.. would you like me to wear all my clothes on the flight?", etc. etc. Ive also had other funny stories with people kicking when Im trying to sleep aboard British Airways flights (consequently, I stopped taking those flights), rude air-hostesses and other such things. I think the best way is the Big B way, observe, vent, MOVE ON.

Very entertaining!

In other news, Ive been trying to connect with some mates as Ive been dreaming about my old school. I think they made monsters out of us, preaching idealism and moral-science. The truth is a little less pretty out in the world but, I am still glad to have had my childhood and the opportunities my hard-working parents made available to me. Unfortunately, I think we lose touch with the quieter ones and some of these kids were my better friends. There was also the louder bunch that was very adamant about having the best vocabulary in town and I hope I reconnect with them as well.. Hindi tuitions in Preeti Mahalingam's house are a childhood memory I can never forget. Too funny! The teacher was about half our size (we were well-rounded nerds, literally) and had me in splits as the biggest reason I was in Preeti's house was to be around her amazing family, in that amazing flat of hers right opposite the school and to get to know this girl better. She was so cool! Knew all the music and musicians and was a lefty that had better handwriting and a great attitude. There were others too, Deepa Rajamani (also lived in a flat and protected me from some meanies when playing there on Saturdays), Deepa Adkoli (girl, thanks for getting me on that damn bike as a kid, see how far I can pedal now?!) and Seetha, a really quiet girl too!

Well, wish me luck in reporting the comical and being normal when it comes to the mundane (but very important) tasks such as keeping in touch.

Adios for now.. enough procrastinating, must do some work!

This picture is atop the Hope Saddle, en-route a blinding 430 kilometer solo ride. Let me tell ya, the mind plays tricks on you when you are doing that long.. but, I believe I see a bit of my friend Derek in such times.. and I see a bit of everyone that hopes, dreams and gets through the best and the worst of times with a smile on their face. Its about hoping and dreaming, at the end of the day.

Well, a smart lady once asked me about overtraining! Here is how it is.. ocassionally, one tends to get carried away in training and really go overboard, in all aspects possible -- Intensity, Volume, bad-hydration, bad-replenishment, etc. Once these wonderful factors of incompetence (or in my case, forgetfulness) come together, we are in deep doo doo and officially "overtrained" or just plain cannot sleep at 3am (like me, today). Of course, more severe forms of this exist that are more permanent but, Im not there yet.. this will go away after a couple of slower/easier days and more sleep.

I had a killer day on Sunday, doing some heat training for some upcoming races. I had already had a big Saturday, in terms of training. On Sunday, I backed that up with another solid day but, put the long-run at the very end of it as Ive been working on my biking a bit this week and wanted to make sure I had a solid ride. I had had a 90 minute nap beforehand but, somedays are just epic!

I was on a 2 hour run, minus water, having eaten 4 hours prior. It was nearly 35 degrees outside, the ambient temperature being raised by a hot hot wind. I was singing for the first 75 minutes of my run after which the singing stopped. I was in a world of pain and suffering. However, I reasoned with myself that it would be less pain and suffering to finish the run rather than to turn back, as that would mean more running and I went through with it. In fact, I had no intention to quit.. I was just reasoning :) One tends to lose their mind with low salt levels :)

I had already sweat buckets and stopped once or twice, which I never do on my runs unless I am absolutely desperate.. I finished the workout but I was knackered. I rolled straight homewards and had major spasms in my right calf. Then I had whole body spasms for about 3 hours, owing to a lack of hydration and sodium. Added to this, I couldnt eat quickly enough to replenish my store. I felt like shit for about 5 hours post the run. When I tried to sleep, I had had a bowl of food (tops) and slowly downing the water in me. The spasms let up for four hours of sleep and I was promptly up at 3am, staring at the ceiling :)

I decided it was time for some weak, salty noodles as my stomach now felt a lot better and one does need to FEED THE MACHINE!

I need to work on my nutrition issues a lot. For a working woman, this is the killer. Added to a lack of rest, one can set one's self back quite a bit.. More on this in a while.. but, my weekend was great and when I think back on workouts like this, I will recall that hard work is not such a bad idea, afterall!

I am very happy to announce that this race is now firmly on my schedule, thanks to the generosity of two of my dear friends and fellow athletes. I am looking forward to doing this race as it presents a life-size challenge for me and my heart is in it, 200%.

I never under-estimate the work this sport takes and after a fortnight of 5am wake-up calls and being in bed no earlier than 10:30pm, with mind-boggling amounts of work, training and studies in between, this is sure going to be a sweet weekend!

Watch out for an article about my (tiny) life in TimeOut Bengaluru, which is now out on the stands. I havent read it yet but, I appreciate the interest in off-beat sports.