Chicago Marathon

An interesting week indeed - after a flood of weather reports and updates that predicted rain and snow flurries...we ended up with a cold, windy but thankfully dry race day.
Huddled into our bus at 5:40 am we were all carted to the Asha tent - 70+ people in the tent at 6:30 am - the energy was flowing.

I checked the temp readings along the way and it was 39F with a decent wind - it was COLD! Ran an easy relaxed race - was wearing my bike leggings, arm warmers, ear band, two layers of quickwik shirts, a long sleeve cotton shirt (which I tossed at mile 5) and my rain jacket. Finished the marathon in 4:02:07 - happy with the time considering the lack of training!

All our runners finished - but it was a hard fought race - the cold really did not agree with a lot of us Californians!

We all owe a big thanks to all the family members and friends that helped cheer us, they braved the cold weather for >6 hours! Kalyan & Vivek did a fantastic job with the camera and with ensuring everyone came in and was accounted for. The entire team showed the selfless spirit that is coming to define Team Asha...mentors and some runners went back out to help bring in other runners and helped carry/support other injured/tired runners to the bus...great team spirit - great people - great race!

Swimming - What a feeling!

Anu, Vinod and I swam for about 25 minutes at Coyote Point today - Man was it cold! Grey skies and calm cold waters...it was a lovely feeling. Anu (who is tapering for her first half Ironman) and I went for a short run after the swim.

Chicago Marathon is a week away - it is expected to be 51F! 70+ runners from Team Asha are going to be running Chicago - for most of us running in 50 degree weather will be a new experience - to say the least :-)

1998 -2000 - I remember running during the Chicago winters - seems like a lifetime ago! Ice on the streets, flurries, wind, temp in the 20-40F range! Now I find 51F cold!! That is what California does to you...

Ironman Canada Race report

We drove to Penticton , B.C .
All 1100 miles of beautiful scenery
Vinod the lone ranger drove alone
Speeding ahead already in "the zone"

Penticton is a lovely little sleepy town
Where many a lake and beaches abound
A short run we managed on Thursday dusk
A nice short swim on Friday dawn

Registration was done by Friday Morn
All met for lunch, Pasta and some corn
Mom, Sarita, Renuka our cheering gang
Vinod, Rajesh, Me, to our health we sang

Saturday was an easy day – slept late
Bike checked in – we await our fate
Dinner we cooked in our hotel room
Nervous...as if I were a bridegroom!

4:30 AM Renuka brought oats & coffee
Amazing woman was up before me
We walked to the start at 5:30
Lines were already long at the Porta Potty!

Wetsuit clad I danced on the beach
The music was loud & had a great beat
"Oh! Canada" we sang and the cannon went boom
2300+ swimmers & off we went - Zoom!

I was out in 1:23, faster than a year ago!
Jumped on to the Iron Horse, 112 to go
Had a feeling that I was dealt good cards
So started cranking out and biking hard

Dreaded Richter Pass, I attacked with a fury
Looking back I wonder, What was the hurry?
The swooping down hills were smooth & fast
Was feeling great and I was having a blast!

Somewhere along the way I stopped eating
No idea why, but the good feeling was fleeting!
Saw Vinod at mile 78 we whooped & cried for each others sake!
Knowing that a final climb awaited at Yellow Lake!

The cramps came quick and fast on the hill
Quads bunched up, where is the darn salt pill?
I biked with one leg, massaging the other
Until both cramped and could go no further!

Ah! the hills are gone the ride is done
Now just survive the freakin' run
Miles upon miles I walked on by
Chatting and meeting others flying by

Saw Rajesh at mile 16 jogging up hill
We were all heading for a finish, what a thrill!
Main street was full of cheering and lights
I had nothing to give, this was the last of my fight!

Hammered and wasted I crawled to the last mile
Sarita, Renuka & Mom...they did bring out a smile!
I jogged to the tape and the finish was Divine
We are all winners - you won't hear me whine!

I love the sport, the physical challenge
We have signed up again for 2007
Hopefully I'll train and practice what I preach!
A new personal best is what I intend to reach.

Thanks to Renuka, Mom, Sarita, Rajesh & Vinod for making it a great experience. Training with Rajesh and Vinod this year was a great learning experience for me, thank you very much guys. And we all thank the Asha family and our friends for all the support and best wishes! We are blessed indeed...

Rajeev