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Halfway Mark + 1

A quick update…last night I passed the halfway mark with my training: 14 miles! After going nearly halfway around Manhattan, my legs were searing and would not stop shaking – I could not have been happier…

The past two months of training has been intense. Looking back, I do not think I realized the commitment that running the marathon would entail. The experience has been an emotional rollercoaster, some weeks I have felt extremely motivated and other weeks not so much. However, I can definitively say two things: (1) I am always happier after taking a nice long run, there is something peaceful about it, and (2) Maintaining the focus to run the marathon is very empowering — I can look back on each week and say I have moved forward: I am able to do something this week, that I was unable to do the prior week.

The training has also been filled with its fair share of sacrifice: an extra half-hour of sleep seems like an eternity, late nights on Friday or Saturday will kill my long-runs on Saturday or Sunday, I am continually physically tired, and none of my clothes fit me properly (I have lost around 10 – 15 pounds). I have also had my fair share of injuries over the past two months that have required me to take three weeks off from running. First, I got a stiff neck on two separate weeks because my shoulder muscles would tighten up and put too much strain on neck. Second, I tied my shoe laces too tightly and thus had a bruises across the top of my foot.

My schedule has entailed running 3 to 5 times per week, and yoga 2 to 3 times per week. I usually run weekday mornings at around 6:30AM, and I do yoga on the non-running days. On Saturday morning I prefer to go for my long-runs and on Sunday’s I will go for a shorter-run and try to squeeze in yoga if I have the time.

I realized the main thing that is keeping me going is imagining myself running the race with several thousand other people. This gets me pretty pumped up: http://www.nycmarathon.com/about/video_inspiration.php . I cannot wait to run it!

I have eight weeks left before the big day on November 2nd. After a summer that was far busier than I could have ever imagined, I hope the fall may be more amenable to more timely updates.

Thanks you so much to everyone who has donated! I really appreciate it. I still have a long-way to go with the fundraising so if anyone else could offer a donation, it would be greatly appreciated.  https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=259771&supid=225873705

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Making it happen…NYC Marathon

As a college friend said regarding my spur of the moment trip to India, “you’re indecisive until you’re impulsive.” And after my trip to India, I picked up the following quote from my family-friend in India:

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. – Goethe

I have been dreaming/thinking of running a marathon for the past couple years; however, I wanted to find six-months when life would be relaxing and easy-going. On Sunday evening, I decided, and this morning, I registered. Sometimes you have to stop thinking…worrying…and follow your gut – everything else is noise.

I will be running the ING New York City Marathon with the Lance Armstrong – Live Strong Team on November 2. I spent a fair amount of time trying to decide the charity that I would support, and eventually knew I wanted to run for the Live Strong Foundation for a couple of reasons: Setting aside his choice of friends in Texas, the story of Armstrong is miraculous, not only did he survive ridiculous odds – 3% chance of living and tumors throughout his body the size of golf balls to grapefruits – but he went on to win the Tour de France seven times. And, most importantly, the Lance Armstrong Foundation (livestrong.org) supports important initiatives, including cancer research and awareness and Livestrong.com which promotes health, fitness, and lifestyle goals.

Over the next couple months, I need to raise nearly $3,500. Every dollar you donate will give me another reason to finish the marathon. I would really appreciate any support you can give: small or large. Please visit my personal page at http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/krishanpatel to make a donation.

I will be tracking my progress, schedule, etc through this blog. I might even morph this into a general blog about my travels, pictures, books, etc.