Mind or body or both I am not sue which is more powerful, both belongs to me and can be controlled ...but not sure how? I was going through a very planned tough training to enhance my joy of running being fit and pain free (less pain)...for last 3 months hitting the gym and the track at Lalbagh regularly 6 days a week...religiously....But, all drama started from no where, with out any clue...hinting there is some trouble inside my body when there are only 4 days to go to my passion to unfold ....it was Tuesday, was having my last session and tips at gym and I noticed severe back ache...and my coach looked at it and tried with some specific stretches...results were not encouraging....that night come back from work & fell back to preventive medication taking one Paracetomol pill...and slept...Wednesday morning plan was to run to have last warm up...however body was not willing to get out of the bed...and was feeling very light fever and ache in all over the body...I played down the pain & went to office...was not comfortable in sitting inside my car also with all adjustment....this pushed me to have one more Paracetomol at office....there came sweat and relief together after 2 hrs...confirming the fever inside...so spent my whole day busy in office looking all most tired and worried by end of the day...that is when I shared with my running group friends "Runners For Ever" that I am little disappointed with developments...as usual they all said not to worry...same time not to risk....which is exactly the thinking going on in my mind....Thursday, I went to Lalbagh to do my pending warm up run 3K....my legs were paining in all places and made me stop 3 times for 3K....so my confidence level went down further even to believe that I can run on Saturday....forget 75K...the day was killed with 2 more pills...the one good thing happened to me is I was able to eat everything comfortably and my stomach was working fantastic....so I decided feed my fever with Paracetomol and stomach with tons of Carbohydrates....like Wheat chapatis, Sweet potato's, Bananas, dry fruits...Apple's, Juices...rice sambaar...every 2 hrs religiously....some how my mind said stop all non veg protein feeds...and I did it .....Friday...decided to try my luck one last time and went to my Favourite park Lalbagh....started the run with such a disaster on Thursday morning back of my mind still alive and fresh....to my surprise I was able to run comfortably....I came back to normalcy....by God's grace or my desperate prayers to the almighty (no name) I do not know....confidence was back...my memory was re written with good thing happened on Friday over Thursday's disaster, at this minute I decided to take off from work and stay back at home to eat and laydown in bed...relaxing...doing nothing....
Slept early on Friday night (no medicine on Friday)....I asked my wife to prepare my Favourite Carrot Parata's for my early morning B/F...at 2:30am :) ...such a wonderful wife god has given...she prepared very hot...yammy Parata's ....had 2 of them and asked her to pack few more for the day.....
I went with preparation...Carrot Parata's...Sweet potato's...packed by my wife with lots of love and passion inside..........But,still in doubt! what will happen on the first hour of running!....starting from 5 am....was not sure, will I do it?...or I fail utterly and come back disgusted?.....but my mind was very firm with a plan and decision made....run or quit both or fine....I will not risk my body, this probably gave lot of opportunity for my mind to prepare my body ....with out any confusions.....CLARITY was there....written down strongly....and shared this to my wife at the last minute...that I was not well for past 3 days and I am going to attempt the run now in few minutes but not to worry....if I have a difficulty I will quit....she was confused or convinced was not sure...with bit of amuse...knowing that my decisions are very firm and clear...and it is too late for her to make any changes/suggestions.....(wisdom from 17 + years of partnership)....she nodded her head....in a typical Indian style....
I did my small stretches...just to warm up since I know I will have all the time in the world to warm up or cool down...since it is Ultra....run started at 5am....with all the wonderful people around with torch in their hands to guide them in the dark ahead of the track.....I took it easy with out even noticing who over took me...and how many....10..20..30 minutes...I gave the first break forcefully...to inhale the fresh oxygen...and look around the trees in dark....took off again...my heart prompting me to sing a kannada song....automatically....now I knew I am in synch with my heart and soul and are happy, body well fed...telling my mind...TAKE CONTROL....of the steering....this was the joy, turning point, moment whatever you call .....there after it is a like a song...I was floating smoothly with out any hurry and also not stopping in worry...or pain....at 17Km mark of the first Lap...I met always cheering...with loud voice...and big pure...smile....which will make any one to turn towards him....the Kishore Da....dancing from either side...shouting loudly....we ran each other to dash & give a big hug....wow!! I was excited to tell him first that I am enjoying my run and I am in good knick....after that I finished first lap in 2:30 minutes...10 minutes ahead of my plan...comfortably and turned back to my car to wake up my poor wife who was just started to sleep...as planned I ate one energy bar in one hand and my favourite carrot Parata in another...started the second lap giving my wife a feel....I am fine you can sleep....I do not wanted my body to lose energy so that fever can take over...loading continued...water + electrolyte at every aid station and my 2nd lap was accomplished with joy....in 5hrs 20 minutes...(approximately)....Now I am sure I am not going to be DNF...so took some smart decisions to move from my GEMS...barefoot shoes to normal ASICS....washed my face with cold water....big hug from my wife with love and appreciation....which gave me several KWatts of energy.....with 20 minutes break to pamper myself...started my journey slowly....telling my wife...I will take this Lap very cool and will finish...may be slow because no hurry for me...again one carrot Parata + few slices of sweet potato went inside very nicely.....then onwards....it was run walk strategy....from one aid station to other.....there came the wall @ 60K mark...it was real fight between my mind and body...it was not willing to even walk...forget running...attempted several times failed to complete 200 meters which felt miles...even lost the way...and walked off the track few hundred meters...I was in no control...neither body nor mind...completely lost...several thought...do I need this kind of crazy runs....shall I quit....OMG....some how I took the turn...crawling back...from 60K to 65K....these 5 KM took probably more than 75 minutes...10K more to go....sat for 30 sec at a aid station....told myself and also another runner Srinivas who was doing his 100K...let us tag together and pull each other....we walked in the shade and ran in the Sun....it was fun.. I got back control on my mind pushing the body till it stops...again started to enjoy...making the impossible possible for my body...with sheer determination....and finishing the75K ULTRA...sprinting the final 300 meters....smiling...with energy....Finally my dream was accomplished with special bonus.....to be on the podium on the first place...first time in my running life of 2.5 years....this is the result of dedicated training...not to give up attitude even when I am sick....so do not give up fight it...you will succeed....
